Wednesday, April 17, 2019

Vegan Omega-3 Sources & Chocolate Macaroon Overnight Oats (Recipe & Giveaway)


Disclosure: I have partnered with YMC and NutraVege and have received compensation for this post. All opinions are my own.

I love a good chocolate macaroon, but I tend to make them only at Christmastime. These festive sweets are a tasty combination of cocoa, oats, coconut, non-dairy milk, margarine and a whole lot of sugar, making them a "sometimes" choice in my own personal food guide. These Chocolate Macaroon Overnight Oats, on the other hand, can be enjoyed any and all the time. Like their dessert counterparts, they benefit from cocoa, oats, coconut and non-dairy milk, but they are sweetened naturally with a bit of maple syrup, and no added fats are needed.

Of course, overnight oats most often present themselves as a healthy breakfast choice - they are filling and nourishing and will help you start off the day on a good foot. You could also make them in the morning, though, and have them ready in the fridge for a snack when you feel that mid-afternoon slump coming on. Read on for the recipe.


Naturally it takes a bit of effort to ensure that you make healthy dietary choices throughout your day. But it really doesn't have to be very difficult. Overnight oats take just a minute to stir together. Pop 'em in the fridge in a portable container with a lid and you can grab and go in the morning!


To supplement my diet, I like to drizzle on a teaspoon of NutraVege's Omega-3 Plant too, for plant-based omega-3s high in EPA and DHA. NutraVege, a part of the Nature's Way and NutraSea family, is a great alternative to fish-derived omega-3s for vegans, vegetarians and those who simply prefer plant-based omega-3s. NutraVege is derived from sustainably sourced algae (the same way fish get their omega-3s!) Omega-3 fatty acids have been found to have a positive impact on our overall health.

Read on to enter to win a NutraVege product!



If your daily routine involves a few different vitamins and/or supplements, I know it can be hard sometimes to fit them in - especially if some of them have to be spaced out over the day. I like to have my omega-3s in the morning because I find that it's easier to remember and breakfast foods often lend themselves to a drizzle of NutraVege liquid.


Drizzle NutraVege on/into:



  • overnight oats
  • yogurt parfait (coconut yogurt layered with chia berry jam, seeds, fruit)
  • chia pudding
  • avocado toast (top with radish slices and sprouts)
  • fruit salad
  • mixed greens salads
  • sliced bananas with non-dairy milk and cacao nibs
  • smoothies
  • smoothie bowls



NutraVege Omega-3 Plant products are available in liquid and liquid-gel formats in a variety of flavours to help support overall health. With natural flavours like grapefruit tangerine and strawberry orange, they make a fitting addition to smoothies and fruit, but they have a clean, light taste that means you can take them straight from a spoon if you prefer.

If you also incorporate a vegan-friendly vitamin D supplement into your daily routine, you'll be excited to know that NutraVege now offers Omega-3 Plant + D formulas, so you get the convenience of two products in one. I consider vitamin D an important part of my daily routine, seeing as we have had very little sunshine to speak of for, oh, about six months now. Sigh.


While I often incorporate ground flax into my smoothies and baked goods, flax and hemp seed oils are sources of ALA rather than EPA and DHA. Our bodies can convert a certain amount of ALA to DHA and EPA, but the process is inefficient (with less than a 5% conversion rate). NutraVege is made from algal oil, which is a direct source of EPA and DHA, so no conversion is needed.


For those who find capsules more convenient, NutraVege is available in vegan-friendly, gelatin-free liquid gels. The bottle recommends just one liquid gel daily (for those 14 and over), so you can grab an apple, grab your water bottle, grab a capsule and head out for the day!


To support a healthier lifestyle, my breakfast routine has been a particular focus for me of late. I tend to alternate simple, healthy choices like my overnight oats, oatmeal, smoothies and coconut parfaits with homemade chia berry jam. With the addition of omega-3s and vitamin D, I feel I'm getting a nutrient-rich start to my days.


Every NutraVege lot is analyzed for purity and potency by a third-party testing program, so you know you're getting the highest quality omega-3s every time.

By the way, if you are craving real chocolate macaroons, head right over to this recipe.


Get 20% off NutraVege!


Get 20% off all NutraVege products on Vitasave.ca with promo code NUTRAVEGE20, until May 9th.

Questions for you


What are your favourite simple, healthy breakfast ideas? How do you get your omega-3s?

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Chocolate Macaroon Overnight Oats Recipe (Vegan)


Enter To Win NutraVege!


Residents of Canada may enter to win 1 NutraVege Strawberry Orange, 200 ml, (ARV $34.99) using the rafflecopter widget below, until April 26, 2019.

a Rafflecopter giveaway





Chocolate Macaroon Overnight Oats (vegan)

Yum


  by Joann MacDonald
Ingredients (2 servings)
  • 1 cup large flake oats
  • 1 cup vanilla almond milk
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or more, to taste)
  • 1 tablespoon unsweetened coconut shreds
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa
  • 2 teaspoons NutraVege Omega-3 Plant, strawberry orange flavor
  • toppings: dark chocolate chunks, coconut flakes
    Instructions

    In a bowl, stir together oats, almond milk, chia seeds, maple syrup, coconut shreds and cocoa. Divide evenly among 2 small lidded containers. Cover and put in the fridge overnight.

    Drizzle 1 teaspoon of NutraVege Omega-3 Plant liquid on each serving of overnight oats.

    Add toppings as desired.

    35 comments:

    1. My simple plant based breakfast is using chia seeds and berries to make a 'jam" pudding like dish! It's great to go along side fruit and nuts

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    2. I have a plant-based pancake recipe that I like to use. Oh wait, you asked for healthy. :P There are a lot of good fruit and oatmeal bowls to make.

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      Replies
      1. I firmly believe pancakes are healthy! ;) We can alternate with fruit and oatmeal bowls too I guess. Haha

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    3. Some avocado berry salad would be nice. Along with nut butter w/ fruit.

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    4. I love to sprinkle hemp hearts on a scrambled tofu with wilted leafy greens!

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    5. I make chocolate smoothies! 1 frozen banana, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, and unsweetened vanilla almond milk :)

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    6. My normal breakfast is a smoothie with greens, berries and few other things, but my favorite breakfast is whole grain pancakes with walnuts and topped with applesauce and a drizzle of date syrup.

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    7. I am a simple gal -- I love plain old Quaker Oats, with some fruit, and almond milk, maybe some yogurt, if I am feeling crazy!

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    8. I love my smoothie bowls because you can do almost anything for breakfast.

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    9. I love making smoothies with organic almond milk as the base I add fruit, spinach and sometimes nuts, chia,or hemp seeds. I also enjoy making soaked oats and chia with fresh Saskatoon berries from my mom's farm.

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    10. I like frozen fruit smoothies with hemp seeds.

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    11. i like pancakes made with protein powder covered in berries

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    12. I really love smoothies and maybe a parfait with oats and berries.

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    13. smoothies with organic almond milk and hempp hearts.

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    14. I love quinoa, smoothie bowls, granola bowls, smoothies in general, energy balls with coconut and chocolate chips!

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    15. granola with fruit and hemp seeds for protein!

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    16. I like to make veggie fruit smoothies with protein powder.

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    17. I feel like I am late to the game, but I love overnight oats. Then in the morning I just need to add some berries. I think I waited so long to try them because I dislike cooked oatmeal so much. But I love overnight oats now. Also a huge fan of kefir smoothies, they are a great way to pack a nutritional punch.

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    18. I just recently went to my dietician for some pointers and he told me to start to taking omega 3s on a daily basis. Thank you for the informative post.

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    19. I love fruits, nuts, yogurt and lots of oats for breakfast.Omega 3s would be gratefully appreciated. Thanks for the wonderful giveaway and chance. :)

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    20. I like having a smoothie with banana, frozen berries, spirulina, chia, cacao powder and maca powder

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    21. My favourite simple, healthy, plant-based breakfast is oatmeal with fresh berries.
      jan

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    22. My favorite has to be smoothies! Simple & quick.

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    23. Apple and banana muffins which can be made ahead and take along to school and work.

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    24. Oatmeal is my favourite breakfast. I like adding different fruit and/or nuts.

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    25. Wheat pancakes and chia seed pudding.

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