Chocolate Cholesterol-Buster Overnight Oats

Serves 2

Ingredients:

• 80g (¾ cup) rolled oats
• 2 tablespoons raw cacao powder
• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 1 tablespoon chia seeds
• 360ml (1½ cups) unsweetened oat or almond milk
• 1 tablespoon date paste
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• Pinch of sea salt

Toppings:

• 30g (¼ cup) walnuts, roughly chopped
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• 75g (½ cup) fresh or frozen berries (blueberries, raspberries, or both)
• 1 teaspoon cacao nibs
• 1 teaspoon hemp seeds
• Drizzle of date paste thinned with a splash of warm water (optional)

Method:

1. In a jar or bowl, combine the oats, cacao powder, ground flaxseed, chia seeds, plant milk, date paste, vanilla, cinnamon, and salt. Stir well until the cacao is fully incorporated and there are no dry clumps.
2. Cover and refrigerate overnight, or for at least 6 hours.
3. In the morning, stir well. If too thick, add a splash of plant milk to reach your preferred consistency.
4. Divide between two bowls or jars. Top with chopped walnuts, pumpkin seeds, berries, cacao nibs, hemp seeds, and a drizzle of thinned date paste if using.

Notes: The overnight cooling creates resistant starch from the oats, an additional prebiotic fuel source for your cholesterol-lowering gut bacteria.

Nutritional Breakdown Per Serving (serves 2):

* Note: Nutritional values are approximate and may vary based on exact ingredient sizes and brands used.