Overnight Pear Oatmeal

Overnight Refrigerator Pear Oatmeal Two Ways will give you breakfast inspiration for the whole week!

This post is sponsored by Libby's Fruits & Vegetables.

There are some women out there that love the 9 to 5 lifestyle.  They crave the career-woman way of life; thriving on a full day of work in lipstick and high heels, then seamlessly transitioning into mommy mode at the end of the day.  They are the go-getters.  The super-moms.  They make it look easy.

That woman is not me.  Not by a long shot.

I'm the stay-at-home, spit up on my sleeve, hair in a ponytail, yoga pants all day kind of girl.  How some moms manage to wake up, feed the kids, feed themselves (or at least get a cup of coffee), get everyone ready for school AND get themselves ready for work all before 8 am is beyond me.  (I applaud you, working moms!) 

I consider myself lucky to be able to be stay-at-home mom.  Just as much as I know there are some women who would rather jump off a bridge than stay at home all day with the kids, there are plenty of women out there who would love to stay home, but can't for one reason or another.  My husband is an amazing provider for our family, and although we are not rolling in the dough by any means, we live a comfortable life and I am extremely grateful for that.

I try to help save money in our household when I can, seeing as we are working with a single income.  One area where I can contribute to making the most of our money is with the grocery shopping.  I'm always looking for a deal, cutting coupons, and trying to get the best bargains that I can find.  While some might argue that it's hard to eat healthy on a budget, I think that it's possible to create meals that are nutritious and affordable on even the tightest budget.

I even started vegetable gardening this past year to provide organic veggies for my family and to help cut down on the grocery bills.  This is me this past summer when my garden was in full swing:

While it would be nice to grow all of the fruits and veggies my heart desires, I am no master gardener and I have my hands full with the four raised beds I've got going.  As a supplement to what I grow, I'll often stock up on frozen and canned fruits and vegetables to help keep my family within our budget.

That's why, when Libby's Fruits and Vegetables asked me to partner with them in their pursuit to help families solve their Dinner Dilemmas and Get Back to the Table, I jumped at the chance!  Whether you are the career parent or a mom/dad who stays at home like me, coming up with nutritious and affordable meal ideas for the fam every morning, noon and night can be daunting (especially during back-to-school time when your whole world is flipped upside down with the chaos of adjusting to a new routine).

All through back-to-school season, Libby’s is teaming up with all sorts of experts to solve a busy family’s dinner dilemmas. Want convenience but also nutrition? No time for your weekly grocery run? Want a meal that’s high on flavor and great on value? Whatever your dinner woe, Libby’s has the solution for you. One less thing for you to worry about.

As one of Libby's experts, I've come up with a fabulous breakfast idea using Libby's canned fruit that will keep your kids happy and healthy without breaking the bank (just over $1 per serving).  The best part?  You prepare this tasty oatmeal ahead of time, which takes some of the pressure off of you during your already busy mornings. One version is reminiscent of fall flavors (perfect for this time of year!) using greek yogurt and cinnamon, while the other is lightly sweetened with honey and accented by the earthy crunch of chopped almonds.  Both are amazing and both highlight the sweet delicious canned pears from the good folks at Libby's.  Try them both!

Ingredients  yields two servings for each recipe below

Vanilla Spiced Pear Oatmeal

• 15.25 ounce can Libby's pear halves in heavy syrup, drained 
• 2/3 cup quick oats
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup greek yogurt
• a dash of vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

-OR-

Honey Almond Pear Oatmeal

• 15.25 ounce can Libby's pear halves in heavy syrup, drained 
• 2/3 cup quick oats
• 2/3 cup milk
• 1 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp raw almonds, roughly chopped

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, roughly mash the pear halves with a fork. Add all of the remaining ingredients to the bowl and stir until combined.  Spoon into two bowls, tupperware, or small mason jars (if you're feeling trendy).  The individual portions make breakfast a breeze.
2. Refrigerate overnight and serve cold or warm it up.  Whichever you prefer! 

Notes

• Libby's makes it really easy for you to get their tips and recipes! Find Libby's on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter or GetBackToTheTable.com! To join the conversation use hashtag #DinnerDilemma.  
• I received compensation in exchange for services rendered on behalf of Libby’s Fruits and Vegetables.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.