Ask my younger sister any other day of the year, and she’ll turn her nose up at anything green, whether it be spinach, broccoli, or even peas.

Truthfully, she’ll turn her nose up at anything healthy in general, regardless of it’s color. But she has a certain dislike of anything green & leafy. In short: bring a bowl of spinach near her and she’ll run screaming.

And then there’s St. Patrick’s day. The one day a year when the only baked goods available are dyed green, coincidentally the one day Cici suddenly can’t get enough of her greens. That is, if you count green cookies, waffles, and cupcakes as “greens”.

Anyways, my mom and I usually try to use this day to our advantage. Meaning, instead of coloring her favorite dishes green with food coloring (aka. the infamous cancer causing additive), we turn to her greatest adversaries… spinach, kale, and broccoli.

If you’re like my sister and can’t stand the taste of the classic “leafy greens”, this recipe is perfect for you. While she can only enjoy it St. Patricks day, when to her knowledge she’s eating pumpkin pie oatmeal simply colored with food coloring, you can have it every day actually aware of how good you’re being to your body. While this bowl of overnight oats tastes just like pumpkin pie oatmeal, it packs in 3 whole servings of veggies. So you can get in your greens easily, as well as painlessly, and be able to enjoy the foods you really like for the rest of the day!

This recipe is so delicious and beneficial, you’ll wish every day was St. Patrick’s day!

St. Patty’s Day Clover Overnight Oats

• 1/3 c rolled oats
• 1/2 banana
• 1/3 c milk of choice
• 3 c spinach
• 3 tbs pumpkin puree
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• 1/8 tsp nutmeg
• stevia to taste
• 1 tsp flax seeds

Pour oats into a large bowl or mason jar of choice. Fill a blender with 1/2 banana, milk, spinach, and pumpkin puree. Blend on high until smooth & fully combined. Add cinnamon, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and nutmeg. Pulse for 10 seconds. Add stevia to taste. Pour over oats and top with flax seeds. Stir until fully combined. Let rest in the refrigerator overnight or for at least 8 hours. In the morning, remove, top with desired toppings, and enjoy!

Nutrition Information (from myfitnesspal.com)

Calories: 232

Fat: 5g

Carbs: 42g

Protein: 9g

(Yields 1 serving)