Savored

Savor the morning.  This is your chance at another day.  Let your appreciation linger.  Experience the emotion, sensation, and passion touch you as you hold your arms out wide, as far as you can reach, and say "thank you".  All the abdundance the universe has to offer is yours this morning.  Reach out and take it.

Breakfast is likely the most controversial food topic that I encounter.  Some say it is the most important meal of the day, others don't eat it all.  Remember the days when you were a child and your mother would let you have a chocolate if you finished all of your cereal?  Now, chocolate is one of those cereals.  There really is a lot of junk being served for his most important meal of the day.  So, as my clients and students embark on their new "let's get healthy" adventure, they always get stuck on what to eat for breakfast.  I did too.  Here are a few ideas for you to try.  While preparing, try turning on classical music.  Blare it!  It's fun!  It helps me to get in touch with myself and with life for my start to a new day. 

Fruit and Nut Quinoa

 

1/3 c. Quinoa

1 c. Water

10-12 Almonds

2 Tbsp. Coconut

1 1/2 Tbsp. Dried Cranberries

1 tsp. Cinnamon

1/4 c. Coconut Milk

Drizzle of pure maple syrup

 

When you are working with Quinoa, it is always prepared 3 to 1.  Three parts water, to one part water.  Usually, you need to pre-rinse quinoa.  If you buy the organic pre-washed kind from Sam's club, you can eliminate this step.  Otherwise,  I put my quinoa in a fine strainer, and run it under water while I give it a little "knuckle brush" washing.  Bring your water to a boil, add quinoa and then reduce heat to a simmer for about 20 minutes.  When quinoa is done cooking, the little "tails" will come down from the grain.  Watch for tails, but it is usually about 20 minutes. 

Put your cooked quinoa in your cereal bowl, top with nuts, fruit, cinnamon, syrup and cononut milk. Yum.

 

 

Here is another Quinoa recipe.  I like to use quinoa because it is the highest source of protein for a grain.  It is also high in Manganese, a mineral that is trickier to come by.  I praise it for it's good source of fiber, B vitamins and iron.  A great gluten free option!

 

 

Quinoa with Toasted Almonds and Blueberries

 

1 c. quinoa

1/2 c. sliced blanched almonds

1 c. broth stock

1 1/2 c. boiling water

1/2 tsp. sea salt

1 cinnamon stick

1 bay leaf

1/2 c. blueberries

 

Over medium heat, stir and toast the slivered almonds until golden brown.  Add the quinoa and toast a few more minutes.  Transfer the toasted quinoa and almonds to a 2 quart saucepan and add the remaining ingredients (except berries).  Bring to a boil, covered, then reduce the heat to a simmer for 20 minutes.  Remove from the heat and allow to sit for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork, top with blueberries, and serve.

 

 

 

Yes, I eat eggs.  I have my own hens, so I eat organic eggs.  We will do omlets too.  I keep chopped onion, peppers, tomatoes, etc. in the refridgerator ready to go for a quick omlet.

 

The other thing our family often has for breakfast is a smoothie.  We will throw in frozen berris, bananas, flaxseeds, almond milk for a quick breakfast. Add avacado to it for a creamier texture.  Spinach can also easily be added and surprisingly, does not change the taste. Kids brains need the fruit sugar to be able to function correctly at school.  Make sure your kids get a little fruit in the mornings.

 

"When you wake up in the morning, Pooh," said Piglet at last, "what's the first thing you say to yourself?"

 

"What's for breakfast", said Pooh.  "What do you say, Piglet?"

 

"I say, I wonder what's going to happen exciting today?" said Piglet.

 

Pooh nodded thoughtfully.  "It's the same thing" he said.