Arielle likes to cook.

I’ve recently fallen in love with Bircher Muesli (Overnight Oats/OIAJ/etc.). What is it, you ask? It’s rolled oats (or any cereal grain), mixed with chia seeds, a liquid of your choice, and any spices you wish to add, soaked together for many hours or overnight. The liquid effectively “cooks” the oats, giving them the texture of oatmeal, when in fact, they’re raw! Raw grains maintain nutritional value that they may lose otherwise through high heat cooking.

On top of being delightfully healthy for you, Bircher Muesli is extremely filling, and a cinch to make. Here’s my take on the recipe:

-2/3 c. Rolled oats, barley, rye, spelt, or other cereal grain
-1 c. almond milk (or liquid of choice)
-2 tbs. chia seeds
-1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
-1 tsp. cinnamon
-the seeds of 2 cardamom pods

Combine ingredients in a jar or container with a lid. Stir, put the lid on, throw it in the fridge overnight. The next morning, the chia seeds with be swollen and the oats will be tender. Stir, then layer with fruit, nuts, yogurt—anything your little heart desires!

Some ideas:
-Greek Yogurt, frozen blueberries, bananas, pepitas, cinnamon
-Mix 1 tbs. of peanut butter and 1/2 tbs. raw cacao into the oats, layer with bananas and chia seeds
-Spiced raspberry sauce (raspberries mashed with vanilla extract, powdered ginger, cardamom, cinnamon, and a bit of maple syrup), pear slices, almonds, and cinnamon

Try using whatever ingredients you have on hand and being creative with flavors and textures. Enjoy!