Now that I've been on my journey to wellness for nearly a year, I've been realizing the importance of starting your day with a healthy meal. Although I tend to have stomach aversion to any type of food in the morning, the more I got into the routine of eating three meals and a couple small snacks, the more my body expected breakfast in the morning. When I make a healthy breakfast part of my day, I always feel like I have more energy and that my stomach is on a good eating schedule. It's easy to find lots of studies that show the benefits of eating a healthy breakfast like improving memory, giving your body extra nutrients, helping your cholesterol, and giving you a good ol' boost of energy. And who couldn't use a little extra bit of those things? Aren't we the best at making excuses for why we can't eat breakfast? Some of mine where, "My tummy hurts in the morning", "I'm just not hungry", or my favorite, "I don't have enough time!" People! Let's get our booties out of bed just a wee bit earlier and give ourselves enough time to eat food! I'm preaching to myself here, too. :)
We all might have different circumstances that allow us to make a larger breakfast or just make something quick for an on-the-go meal. Here are a couple of my favorite breakfasts recipes that take a little more preparation time in the morning:
1// Oil-Free Chocolate Zucchini Walnut Muffins - Oh She Glows 2// Strawberry Chia Seed Spread - The Gracious Pantry 3// Make-Ahead Oatmeal Smoothies - The Yummy Life 4// Chia Seed Pudding - What's Cooking Good Looking 5// Overnight Oats - Mind Body Green 6// Blueberry Coconut Pecan Breakfast Cookies - Kumquat
Some of my favorite easy breakfasts:
* Instant organic oatmeal - Sweeten it with honey or agave nectar.
* Breakfast bar - I really like Luna bars!
* Bananas and other fruits
* Greek yogurt and granola
* Smoothies - Kris Carr has some great recipes you should try!
If possible, try and include some of these great super-foods into your morning meal!
* Kale - Can be added to smoothies and juices.
* Acai Berries - Can be added to oatmeal, smoothies, juices or eaten plain.
* Coconut Oil - I like adding this to my smoothies!
* Chia Seeds - Can be added to smoothies and chia seed pudding.
* Blueberries - Can be added to juices, smoothies, oatmeal, or eaten plain.
What are some of your favorite healthy breakfasts? Please feel free to share recipes below!
I too used to skip breakfast. I blamed it on an upset stomach. Now though, I HAVE to have breakfast! I'm always experimenting with different options. I'll have to try a few of these!
ReplyDeleteGreen monster smoothie! It keeps me really full!
ReplyDeletehttp://iowagirleats.com/2012/01/04/my-top-secret-diet-weapon/
I had an upset morning tummy for a long time, too, but not too long ago I realized it was because I was SO hungry. Foolish me. I now eat breakfast every day & my tummy feels better, too.
ReplyDeleteAllyson
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I have been skipping breakfast for so long! It's really something I need to make more time for!
ReplyDeleteOooo the Blueberry Coconut Pecan Breakfast Cookies look delicious!! I have to have breakfast every morning, and I've really been enjoying the smoothies on the Whole Living website! Martha Stewart runs it and it has tons and tons of recipes!! =)
ReplyDeleteErgo - Blog
Most mornings I make a smoothie with banana + at least 3 other fruits, frozen or fresh + flax oil + unsweetened almond butter + spinach + water...it's delicious, has endless combinations and keeps me energized for morning work outs and full til lunch! (it is a lot of sugar but I only drink it when I know I'll have time to exercise that morning!)
ReplyDeleteBut I DEFINITELY like the idea of breakfast cookies!
Most mornings I make a smoothie with banana + at least 3 other fruits, frozen or fresh + flax oil + unsweetened almond butter + spinach + water...it's delicious, has endless combinations and keeps me energized for morning work outs and full til lunch! (it is a lot of sugar but I only drink it when I know I'll have time to exercise that morning!)
ReplyDeleteBut I DEFINITELY like the idea of breakfast cookies!
I oftentimes find myself sleeping in way past breakfast. I usually get up in time for brunch.
ReplyDeleteI could never skip breakfast, nor would I want to if these were my options! Yum!
ReplyDeleteFound you through the awesome giveaway and am your newest follower!
-Jamie
ChatterBlossom
It's all about the pancakes and waffles! Blueberry pancakes are my favorite, although chocolate chip and banana are delicious too. I also love having oatmeal because it's so filling and you can add whatever fruit you want to it. Yuuuum.
ReplyDeleteMy parents never let me skip breakfast growing up so now, even if I wanted to, I couldn't do it; I tried it once and almost fainted, so I'd rather have something, even if it's something small. Unfortunately, breakfast is the hardest meal for me to pick; I used to eat lots of deli meat sandwiches - which are a no-no since I've gone the healthy route - and online research gives me all kinds of sugary baked goods (my blood sugar rises just thinking of having them first thing in the morning! :P).
ReplyDeleteThat's all to say that I really appreciate this list, I'm definitely going to bookmark it and try out all the recipes...the only healthy options I have right now are avocado toast and yogurt with fruit and buckwheat (instead of sugary cereals, so yummy!), so I could really use some variety!
Hope you're having a great week!
Have you tried making steel cut irish oats? They take about 30 minutes on stove top, but they are so yummy! The texture is a lot thicker and oatier than rolled or instant oats, and they have more nutrients. Another good breakfast is something Lara likes to make - sweet potato hash. My fiancé had it once when she made breakfast and now he makes it allll the time. It's very filling. You just chop up sweet potatoes and sweet onion. Cook bacon in the pan (this is optional if you don't want meat; just use olive oil or butter) and cut it into slivers, and then add the potatoes and onions. Add salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, or even brown sugar and cinnamon if you prefer sweet :) Cook covered until everything is soft. Joseph sometimes cracks an egg over the top or makes it with goat cheese and apples when he wants to fancy it up.
ReplyDeleteSavannah, love this post. I am finally making the choice to change the way I take care of myself. For years I have neglected to appreciate my body and take care of it. Always saying that I will do it tomorrow, next week, next month, etc. And now I have an abundance of health issues. It requires a strict detox diet, some herbal medications, lots of water and exercise and just plain clean living. It is so difficult. I tried to do it before, 2 years ago, and failed but I know that now I NEED to do it. I have to. I was told 2 years ago that if I did not take care of these problems immediately and now, that my life down the road would be horrible and I would have so many issues and problems. I do not want that. But yet I failed and didn't listen. I gave up. But I am ready to do it now. I am ready. I have to be. I have to take care of myself and make my body healthy now. Before it really is too late. I have to do it for my family, for my future children and future husband and my future self but most importantly, myself right now. I know I am going to have to trust the Lord and ask him for strength all the time to get through this and make my body the healthy one it was always supposed to be. I don't have very many people, like no one, believing that I can really do it and really make the change this time. Everyone doubts me and no one encourages me but I am serious this time. I am ready to change. I look forward to reading through all your Living Well posts again. Maybe it will help encourage me when I want to give up because they have already encouraged me so much. You inspire me to live better, it is really great to see someone doing so well with health and taking care of themselves. I am really thankful for all your posts on this subject. Just wanted to let you know. Sorry for a novel length comment. But, these posts of yours are appreciated and you should know that.
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