Good food means good mood!

The gloomy weather and winter storms cause us Midwesterners to add an extra layer and button up. Not only can this weather affect our physical health, but our mental health as well. The winter months can cause some individuals to experience seasonal affective disorder. This can occur when the climate is less sunny, decreasing the vitamins our body needs. Some symptoms may include fatigue, depression, and social withdrawal.  

Thankfully, there are some delicious ways we can substitute these vitamins we miss from the sun. According to CMI’s nutritionist, blueberries are rich in antioxidants and folate that aids in the production of serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. During this winter season, try these blueberry baked oats – good food equals a good mood!  

Ingredients  

• 2 cups of almond milk 

• 1 cup jumbo porridge oats 

• 2 tbsp almond butter 

• 1 tsp baking powder 

• 1 egg, beaten 

• 1 small ripe banana, mashed 

• ½ tsp almond extract or 1 tsp vanilla extract 

• 1 cup of blueberries 

• ¼ cup whole, skin-on almonds, chopped 

Step 1  

Heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl.  

Step 2  

Tip the mixture into 2-quart glass baking dish then bake for 30-35 minutes until piping hot in the middle. Serve warmly with a little milk, yogurt or honey and extra blueberries, if you like.  

Enjoy!