This shop showcasing #KefirCreations has been compensated by #CollectiveBias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone.
Ready or not, it’s time to start thinking about back-to-school, and for me, that means finding some good ideas for quick and easy lunch box fillers. It also means looking for ways to get the morning started right for my girls with breakfasts that pack a nutritional punch without causing me to spend all morning in the kitchen. I’ve been thinking a lot about what I might be able to do with Lifeway Kefir, especially since my girls LOVE it and drink it several times a week, already.
Well friends, I’m pleased to tell you that I came up with an idea that has just 4 ingredients, and only requires a bit of mixing and some hang out time in the fridge. Best of all, every single ingredient is not just good, but AWESOME for you.
What is Kefir?
Have you seen this product in the stores, yet? It’s fairly new to mainstream American grocery stores, but its hardly new at all, having origins that date back 2,000 years!
It’s called kefir and it’s a cultured milk drink loaded with 12 live and active probiotic cultures, which your tummy will thank you for because they help balance digestive health, as well as support your immune system. Lifeway Kefir is 99% lactose free and comes from cows that are not treated with pesticides, antibiotics or synthetic growth hormones. This is also a GMO-free product!
While it isn’t the same as yogurt, some people find it to taste similar to yogurt, though it is much runnier in its consistency, and therefore, drinkable. We use it all the time in our smoothies, and we also drink it by the glass. But this is our first time trying it as a component in oatmeal, and it worked out beautifully!
Here’s the recipe so you can try Blueberry Kefir Overnight Oatmeal yourself! And don’t forget to snag a coupon before heading out to the store!
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Lifeway Blueberry Kefir
- 1 cup old-fashioned oats
- 2 Tbsp chia seeds
- 1 cup blueberries
Start by pouring your oats into a mixing bowl.
Now add your Lifeway Kefir.
Time to add the chia seeds! I know chia seeds aren’t readily available at every grocery store, but it’s worth taking that little bit of extra time to find them (hint…they are on Amazon!). Why? Because they are pretty much one of the most nutritionally awesome foods on the entire planet. The amount of chia seeds in this recipe provides 12 grams of fiber, 6 grams of protein and 5.8 grams of Omega-3 fatty acids. BOOM!
Ok, now it’s time to add those beautiful blueberries. The antioxidants found in blueberries are huge, friends. Just one more reason to love this recipe! Gently fold them in so that they don’t get squished. If blueberries are out of season you can always go for frozen or dried blueberries.
All you need to do now is transfer them to a container with a lid (I chose a mason jar to save space, but do whatever works for you) and let it sit in the refrigerator overnight, or for a minimum of 6 hours. That’s it!
I personally prefer this version of oatmeal cold, but my daughter likes it warmed up, more like a traditional hot breakfast. Try it for yourself to see which way you like it, best! My husband thinks it tastes better with a swirl of honey on top, and I think it is perfect just the way it is, as the kefir adds that yummy tart flavor. It pretty much couldn’t be easier (as long as you remember to put it together the night before) and it leaves you feeling full and happy!
Need more breakfast ideas? Here are some more of my favorites
Billy says
Seems like a super easy way to have a ready-to-go breakfast in the morning! I love this! Definitely going to have to give this a try.. I am super lazy in the morning when it comes to making breakfast so I’d love to have something like this. Thank you for sharing!
Brenda says
Hi! Any idea on the nutritional info on this? Thanks so much
Dawn says
Meant to mention the coupon…couldn’t get to it, page said forbidden..?..
Dawn says
Found this in Kroger & absolutely love it! Started out stirring a tsp-or so of raw honey into a cup of it,have been adding a powdered moringa & a chia/probiotic blend i found in a TJMAXX. I find i actually crave for it at times. Problem is 50+ miles to get to the store,grabbed 2 last trip…week ago? down to 1/2 on 2nd jug. If anyone has a link to some grains i would be thankful if you could share. Need to find a source for clean/organic milk tho….. also someone mentioned Bolthouse Farms in comments, i was going to a smoothie of theirs & quit them because it’s full of nasty stuff,…fyi. so happy to have found a discussion on this, need to try other fermented foods as well. Trying to heal Crohns or something….here’s to a happy gut everybody!
Pattsy says
You can make your own by taking part of the store bought kefir. I usually use a cup to 3 cups milk. Put into dark place with a loose lid on it let sit for 24 hours in a warm place. Then put into frige. You can drink after 24 hours. It thickens up more in the frige. I buy 1 bottle and make it over and over.
S. M. says
This is very good for you. I use home-made Kefir. I also add flax seed, bee pollen, mashed up banana & raw honey with the blueberries. You can add all sorts of fruit, whatever you like. Although the acidic kefir reduces the phytic acid of the oats, you might also want to consider adding just a small amount of rye flour to reduce the phytic acid of the oats even more. That allows your body to absorb more of the nutrients in the oats and chia seeds.
Michael Wright says
I cook my steel cut oats, overnight, in a bowl placed in a crockpot on low. I add raw nuts and craisins in morning. I was adding milk, but have lately been letting oatmeal cool to room temperature and adding kefir, as I am concerned about killing the probiotics with the heat. You mentioned warming it up so I am wondering how heat tolerant the probiotics may be?
Rachel says
Hello! This recipe looks SO good!! How many servings does it make?
Anonymous says
This would be even better with fermented blueberries 🙂 just need raw honey and blueberries, enough honey poured over them in a jar to cover them, put lid on leave on bench 2-3 days stirring once daily. Yum!
Karen says
Oh my word!! I made this last night for the first time, and it is amazing! I added a bit of cinnamon and some ground flax seed. Super yummy 🙂
s truman says
You can alway buy the kefir grains and brew your own kefir as well.
Emily says
Hey! I am wanting to try this but couldn’t find the Kefir while getting groceries yesterday. I’ll have to run to a different store when I get a chance. I do have some Bolthousefarms Blue Goodness smoothie though. Do you think using half that and half almond milk would get a similar result until then? I’ve got 3 littles all 4 and under (including a newborn) so simple breakfasts SAVE our entire day! 🙂
Tiffany Merritt says
Honestly? I have no idea! But if I were you, I’d give it a shot. Worst case scenario, it’s too runny and you throw it into the blender to make an oatmeal smoothie! 🙂
Margaret says
Kefir is usually kept with the yogurt if that helps. It’s quite expensive, but you can make your own with kefir grains and it works really well. I think you get more for your money because you can keep the grains and use them over and over again making it more affordable.
tiffany says
You would totally love it! It is a digestive system’s dream come true! 🙂 If you ever find yourself at a grocery store you don’t usually frequent, take a look for it; you’ll find it either close to the yogurt or close to the milk.
Laura says
I have never heard of kefir! Sounds like something I should look into. Foods that are digestive friendly are always a plus for me. I’m pretty bummed that Publix does not carry this. Looks like just Winn Dixie carries it around here. I would love to try it!
Morgandy Caye says
My Publix store carries Lifeway Kefir, and I love it! Look forward to trying this recipe. I’m always looking for fast, nutritious breakfast ideas. How many servings does this recipe make?
Tiffany Merritt says
I would say 3-4, just depending on appetites!
Anonymous says
Sounds like your in Minnesota; the whole Win Dixie! Ha good for you! God Bless.