Cherry, Vanilla Bean Oatmeal Smoothie

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

Add oats and chia seeds to blender; blend on high until texture of 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. 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 soak, add more juice or milk and shake jar/container or return to blender to combine.
FOR A SMOOTHER CONSISTENCY, return to blender after the fridge soak and blend again.
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, frozen, or canned cherries, reduce milk to 1/2 cup.

Serving Size: 3.5 servings

Number of Servings: 3.5

Recipe submitted by SparkPeople user JOYOUSNLAW.