cherry-oatmeal smoothie

By á-1736

Ingredients

• /4 cup uncooked oats (old fashioned rolled oats recommended; do not use steel cut oats)
• 1-1/2 teaspoons dried chia seeds
• 3/4 cup skim milk
• 1/2 cup cherry juice
• 1/4 cup low-fat yogurt (Greek yogurt recommended)
• 1/2 cup dried cherries (or 1 cup fresh cherries*)
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
• 1 teaspoon honey, optional (or substitute preferred sweetener)

Details

Servings 1
Adapted from theyummylife.com

Preparation

Step 1

Add oats and chia seeds to blender; blend on high until texture of coarse flour. Add milk & juice to blender; use spoon or spatula to stir in oats/chias from bottom. Add yogurt. Add cherries & vanilla bean paste (or extract). Blend on high until desired smoothness. 15-30 seconds in most blenders. Taste and add sweetener, if needed. Blend again. Transfer to pint (2 cup) jar or container; refrigerate overnight, or a minimum of 4 hours, so oats, chias, and dried fruit can soften. Will keep in refrigerator at least 2-3 days. Shake before drinking.

IF TOO THICK after the fridge time: Add more juice or milk and shake jar/container to combine before drinking.

TO FREEZE: May be frozen after the 4 hour soak in the fridge. To thaw, move to fridge a day ahead so it is thawed for drinking the next day. For faster thaw, place frozen jar/container in bowl of cold water on the counter for 1-2 hours. Shake before drinking.

*If using fresh cherries, reduce milk to 1/2 cup.