A Protein-Packed Breakfast: Overnight Oatmeal

Before my January 5th cancer diagnosis I lived for my breakfast. Two extra-large organic eggs scrambled in organic butter or organic bacon fat and two strips of organic bacon, seasoned with sea salt or Pink Himalayan salt and rolled up in an organic flour tortilla. As a rare treat, I'd top the eggs and bacon with shredded organic Cheddar cheese. Along with my tasty burrito, I'd enjoy a cup of organic coffee, lightened with organic almond milk. I believed that because everything was organic that I was eating a healthy breakfast.

All that came to a screeching halt with the metastasis to my liver diagnosis.

I knew the bacon would have to go. Even when organic, pork is not the most healthy food choice. Organic bacon is just as full of fat, and there exists the possibly it's been cured. But the eggs! I was shocked to discover the possible link between eggs and the recurrence of colon cancer (Susie's Cause: Eggs May Promote Colon Cancer; Egg consumption and risk of GI neoplasms: dose-response meta-analysis and systematic review).

I was completely freaked out!!! I loved my organic eggs. I craved them. They tasted heavenly! Sometimes, I'd bring home an extra dozen and make deviled eggs to gobble up over the next couple of days -- in addition to my bacon and eggs breakfast! After all, when I had my colorectal surgery in 2011, eggs were one of the very few foods I was allowed to eat as I eased my colon back into a normal diet. And I wasn't eating organic then!

I eliminated my delicious bacon and egg breakfast cold turkey. The remaining eggs and bacon in my refrigerator were tossed into the trash. They were suddenly poison to me. Next I began a search for a healthy alternative to my scrumptious bacon and egg burrito. I found an excellent one! Overnight oatmeal.

What is overnight oatmeal? Instead of cooking oatmeal in boiling water, oatmeal is mixed with a variety of ingredients, divided equally into serving-size Mason jars, and then stored overnight in the refrigerator. The next morning, it's ready to eat. Top with fresh berries, a banana, or any other fruit, and you've got a super simple, super healthy breakfast full of antioxidants and protein.

There are loads of recipes online, but not all are healthy. For instance, some use milk products (like yogurt or other dairy) as the base, or include large amounts of honey or maple syrup to sweeten. Also, many of the recipes do not even mention using organic ingredients. For me, while I'm on chemo and working to eradicate this tumor from my liver, if it's not organic, it cannot go into my body.

Here are the basic organic ingredients for overnight oatmeal:

• One cup steel cut oats (aka Irish Oats or Course Ground Oats)
• One cup nut milk
• Protein powder (if you need extra protein)
• 1/2 cup thickener (mashed banana(s), applesauce or pumpkin puree)
• Chia seeds (1-2 Tablespoons)
• Spices to taste (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, apple pie)
• Nut butter (optional)
• Fresh fruit (optional)
• Nuts (optional)

Here are links to my two favorite recipes:

© Copyright Serena Wolf / Domesticate Me!

Used with generous permission.

From Domesticate Me!, Peanut Butter and Banana Overnight Oats

This is super yummy and super rich, and will keep you feeling full until lunchtime.

I switch out the peanut butter for organic almond butter, a better choice for healing
colon cancer. This recipe makes enough to fill four 8-ounce Mason jars.

From Dashing Dish, Carrot Cake Overnight Protein Oatmeal

I love the crunch of the carrots -- 

and, was surprised how food they tasted with the oatmeal.

I substituted 1 Tablespoon of honey as sweetener, and

added 2 Tablespoons of Chia seeds.

This recipe made enough to fill three 8-ounce Mason jars.

Oatmeal is a cancer-fighting super food. In addition to promoting appetite suppression and satiety, oatmeal boosts immune health, reduces bad cholesterol levels, lessens insulin production and resistance, and promotes regularity. I am sooooooooo grateful to have discovered overnight oatmeal. Without it, I would feel deprived for the loss of my beloved egg and bacon burrito; instead, I feel empowered for having a guilt-free breakfast that's as delicious as it is nutritious.