Oats - make it your business

Oats doesn’t have to be plain or boring. In fact, be it oats or bitter gourd, how I feel about food is, you’ve got to make it yours to experience its magic.

Yes, I’ve finally taken my first step towards archiving my food creations/recipes. In fact, there’s so many things that I’ve been wanting to blog about. However, given my current circumstances, time constraints, and the fact that I spend a fair bit of time in the kitchen these days, which I enjoy, I’m happy to share my food blog with anyone interested.

Today, I’m sharing one of the ways I prepare oats and it doesn’t require any cooking. This style is fondly know as overnight oats. In case you want to give this oats a try, I encourage you to follow your instincts, tastebuds and go all creative! I’m also mindful that some of you may already be having this for breakfast. In which case, please feel free to share any useful tips or creative ideas that you may have.

Now let’s get started....

Ingredients:

• Rolled oats

• Milk or yogurt of your choice

• Any natural sweetener

The following can be optional but I always add these:

• Chia seeds

• Spices (cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg powder)

Optional items:

• Nuts (walnut / almond / Brazil nut etc.)

• Fruits (mango / fresh berries / coconut flakes etc.)

• Seeds (flax seeds / sunflower seeds / pumpkin seeds etc.)

• Natural vanilla extract (not imitation vanilla)

• Pure saffron (in which case, do not add vanilla extract)

• At times you may replace chia seeds with sweet basil seeds (aka sabja seeds/tukmalanga) if you want to.

Method:

• Basically, soak oats in milk or yogurt and leave it in the refrigerator overnight. Add chia seeds, sweetener, and spices to the mixture before refrigerating it. The same applies if using vanilla or saffron.
• In the morning, add any of the optional items (fruits, nuts, seeds) that you may prefer or have it as it is.

Following might be useful:

• Oats - I won’t recommend trying this method with steel cut oats as it requires to be cooked thoroughly, at least in my opinion. I’m not a fan of quick oats or instant oats. Thus, I  prefer old-fashioned rolled oats for refrigerating.

• Milk - as per your preference - such as full cream/skim/lactose free cow’s milk, soy milk, almond milk, coconut milk etc.

• Yogurt - I use this occasionally, and I generally prefer vanilla yogurt with oats over plain, Greek or other flavoured yogurts. However, you may add whichever yogurt you like with oats.

• Natural sweetener - you can use one of the following - good quality honey, pure maple syrup, stevia, powdered jaggery, or finely chopped/ground dates. I like to switch between all of these for the sake of having a variety of taste and when using dates,  I prefer medjool dates over other varieties. If you want to use sugar, maybe it’s worth noting that raw sugar is a better choice over refined/white sugar.

• Fruits - I prefer not to add fruits that require longer time to chew such as chopped apple and dried apricot.

• Quantity - I do not worry too much about the quantity of milk or yogurt, I just add bit more milk/yogurt to the mixture in the morning if it gets too thick. Oats with yogurt mixture tends to get very thick and so I use less oats or more yogurt. After one attempt of preparing this, you’ll figure out the right portion for you and the quantity of oats and milk/yogurt as per your liking. In case you end up preparing bit more than required, you can have it the following day provided it remains in the refrigerator; it doesn’t go off that quick. The rest of the ingredients can be added as per your taste. Keep in mind that chia seeds expand in liquid so a little goes a long way. You can start with the ratio of 1/2 cup of oats with 1/2 cup of milk or 3/4 cup of yogurt and adjust the consistency in the morning as per your liking. Similarly, you may add 1 teaspoon or 1 tablespoon of chia seeds. The quantity of fruits and whether you add nuts will also determine how filling this breakfast is for you. From the photos below, you can notice I prefer bit more liquid over thick oats mixture usually sold outside.

• Time saving tip - depending on whether I’m planning to eat it at home or take it to work with me, I prepare and store the mixture in an appropriate bowl or container to avoid transferring it to something else in the morning.

• To heat or not to heat - in case it’s a cold morning and I haven’t used the yogurt, I just heat the oats with milk mixture in the microwave before adding fruits/nuts. Nonetheless, this is a rare occurrence and I do not prefer having microwave breakfast on a daily basis. Whilst I’m not much fond of cold food items, I prefer this during summer. In cooler season, I opt for traditional stove top porridge where possible. I have my own version that I may share some other time.

• Oats may not be suitable for people who have gluten intolerance. Well, these folks would know it better. Other than that, oats is considered quite healthy which you could research if interested. With the competing priorities at home, I just can’t be bothered to do the extra work of researching then referencing and footnoting the sources here.

Bit of background

This is inspired by oats/breakfasts I’ve bought near my workplace in the past, combined with a lifestyle that doesn’t allow me leisure kitchen time. In addition, since I’ve become a vegetarian two and half years ago, I try to prepare my own meals where possible. This leads me to experiment more in the kitchen, with the limited time I get. Thus, I have not stolen or plagiarized someone else’s recipe here, just thought to make it clear.

I must also add from personal experience, that oats consumption is one of the natural, safe, healthy, and easy ways I boost milk supply as a nursing mum. It has worked for me in the past too. Well, this reminds me to clarify that I am not a trained chef, nutritionist, or in any profession related to food and health. I therefore do not intent to give unsolicited advice. Please apply common sense and be a little kind to yourself and to me.

Finally, since I haven’t been a big fan of clicking photos of each of my meals, here’s a handful of the variations from sometime back. You can explore different toppings and get as creative as your tastebuds would allow. I hope you enjoy your creation!😊



















That’s all from my akshaya patra for now. Passing good vibes over to you all.

May peace, light and love be with you.

Monita.🙏

Guest Writings

Please refer to 'Guest Contributors' for details of below guest writers - 

 http://monitamala.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/guest-contributors.html

Guest Contributors

Guest Contributors on the blog

(For their articles, please see 'Guest Writings' - http://monitamala.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/guest-writings.html) 

Ms Naina R Ghela
Officially Joined: 02.02.2016.

Hello all! With great pleasure I introduce Naina R Ghela as a guest writer on the blog. I came to know her through a common friend who noticed that we have some similar interests and thus introduced us. I am thankful to him and grateful for having known Naina.

Few months back when I came across some of Naina's writings, I asked for her permission to share it on the blog. Her written expressions and conversations often remind me of the ancient wisdom and universal knowledge. Today I have the privilege to welcome Naina on board the blog - Just My Thoughts!

Together we are looking forward to sharing many of Naina's writings accompanied with her brother; author Paresh M Jivanji's original artwork! We hope you will be able to take away something positive from our end.

About Naina in her own words:

In the dream of life, I'm a character that is somewhat shy, utterly crazy at times and solitary at others. A character whose life is strewn with periods of great happiness and joy over achievements and acquisitions and also times of great sorrow and dejection over numerous failures. Never has an ego endured so much pounding and so many knock backs. Yet so much grace.

In reality, I am that in which the dream occurs, where there's no me or you, just This, what Is! My muses and writings come from that nothingness that is everything; an outpouring of love.

Chocolate box - full of your favourites!

Today, please permit me to talk about a box. An ordinary box to you but to me it is my treasure box (in making). Yes, I'm talking about my blog that holds bits and pieces of my thoughts and thus, is a part of me.

A few people are in the vicinity of this box, but life is fast moving, busy, demanding and challenging so who out of the minority would care to bother what's in someone else's box? Especially, when talking about someone like me – a chatterbox. Hence what's the purpose in possessing this box? There's a probability that it may be of use to someone out there, but that I cannot be sure. Yet I continue to put my reminders, post it notes, to do lists, hobbies, essays, positive thoughts and various little joys there. Reason being, it serves me and acts as a stepping stone towards my higher purpose. Who knows, at times when I may feel less of myself, I could go to my box and get out more of my better self and stick it onto me. It will surely help me pick up myself and move on. And anyway that box has a lot of me in it. I think that box will give my loved ones access to me when I will finally get into 'the other box' at the end of my life story.

If you haven't understood any of it and feel that I've confused you and wasted your precious time talking about some box nonsense, please dance away. Don't box and cause me a virtual black eye! I am very much aware that sometimes I appear to talk in riddles. However, for those who are still with me and my box, it is time you keep a box too. I don't mean you start boxing, blogging, weather reporting or posting quotes like I do. I mean do more than that. Do what resonates with you, refines you, and restores you. Put into your box your goals, ideas, hobbies, passion etc. whether it is an indoor activity, outdoor sports, health regime, business endeavour, travelling, writing, programming, styling, baking, dancing, parenting, painting, learning a new language, yoga or cooking classes to name a few. Whatever it is, it needs to go into that box. The only criterion is that it needs to be something positive, that complements you and adds meaning to your existence. Because when you'll finally retire, pay off the mortgage for your investment property and marry your kids off, this box will be your companion - your mind massage system. And for your loved ones, it will be a mini clone of you.

This is talking ahead. No one has seen the future but we have today and to make it better than yesterday, I urge you to create and maintain this box to reduce stress and increase vitality, joy and all things fun. So get up and grab your ideas, dreams and visions. It has the potential to take you on life's amazing hidden journey. You have the power to create that magic box and it is not too late to begin.

I have presented a box to you in the form of my blog. Now it's time you see your own box. When you'll be too old or wise to enjoy any material possessions, this box will be the only treasure that you may desire. It's the real making of legacy for your children and the next generation. Get started and keep going. Excited? I am! And that's more than enough boxing for now. While it is easy to lead a busy packet soup type life, you put into your box some authentic soup to nurture, heal and share with yourself and all. I hope you experience the joy and peace you are meant to through this.

May peace, light and love be with you.

Monita.

You Are Not An Illusion

What people see and know of me is superficial. I am none of these illusions! Then who am I? 

I am a tiny star amongst uncountable that are spread across the many galaxies. And this isn't just my story. It is true for all of us as we are all interconnected.

How mesmerizing it is when you think about it! Yet most of us pass over this realm clinging to a narrow thought pattern, too engrossed into one temporary life and believing this one dimensional view to be the absolute reality. The soul laments at this and keeps returning in different vessels with the hope that we will unveil the truth one day. Unaware of this, we mourn at the death of the human body.

Now let me kindly ask, who are you? To say you are your name, gender, age, domestic and professional roles, race, ethnicity, religion, social and marital status and so on would be an understatement. This merely describes you. So, WHO are you? Think about your real self, open your eyes to the bigger picture. None of us took birth by chance, there's a broader objective behind us choosing to turn our formless self to the form we currently possess. Let's recall this, experience peace, and get a glimpse of heaven here and now.

May peace, light and love be with you.

Monita.

Be the Symbol of Peace

We may be able to comprehend many languages yet not understand the language expressed of love.

We may listen to many speeches yet not hear the speaker’s urge.

We may read many writings yet not comprehend the writer’s yearn.

We may experience many emotions yet not interpret them and learn.

Be conscious that what we do know may not be accurate, complete or enough.

Expand your mind by gaining knowledge. Tenderise your heart through compassion. Bathe your soul with love.

All of this is possible when we choose to open our minds, hearts and soul.
Then we will personify the symbol of peace, the dove.

On Challenges

Do not be afraid to take on challenges.

They will enrich you and help align you with the capabilities that you thought you didn't have.

Thus, view challenge as an opportunity to break away from limiting beliefs and presumed fears.

I used to have a fear of heights.

I used to lack basic painting skills.

I used to be uncertain of my ability to write.

In fact, there are many things which I am still uncomfortable with.

No matter how confident I may seem, a lot of what I do is challenging for me.

I do not claim to be perfect at anything.

I am far from being an expert in anything.

Yet I mindfully choose how I can better invest my time.

Or how I can best utilise the resources I have.

And sometimes it means doing things that are out of my comfort zone.

I just take notice of what resonates with me or what fills me with curiosity.

I approach it, do what I can then leave the rest for the next time.

The only requirement is determination and consistency.

Apart from that there are no criteria for me to meet.

There is so much for me to do, death being the final deadline.

But with however little that I have done and irrespective of how insignificant it may appear to you,

The truth is I have learnt a great deal, I can see I am becoming what I am meant to be as a being.

In all my learnings, what I hold dear to me is that there is no definite right and wrong in the reality of this illusory realm.

Once you realise this, you tend to accept yourself and your surroundings.

You become open minded and gain access to the universal mind.

As I continue to learn, I hope you all walk alongside me, probably not towards the same goal.

However, towards our unique vision of being a better person and leaving the world a better place for all.

Let’s join together in understanding the power we possess and how it can help us manifest our advanced states.

Remember, it all begins when you let go of your fears and embrace the challenges ahead.

They may break you or make you but they will certainly strengthen you and enrich you. 

May peace, light and love be with you.

Monita.

Enhance your experience at work

Often we think of ways to enhance our efficiency at work. We rarely focus on ways to enhance our experience at work, which has added benefits. Let's think of few ways, little elements and minor changes that could uplift us and help promote a pleasant work life. Plants and herbal concoctions are amongst my preferences. It could be different for you. I hope you would take this as a reminder and add your personal touch to your work space.