Yogurt Parfait

A few weeks ago, I posted about 6 easy breakfasts.  One of the breakfasts, I talked about was fruit and yogurt parfaits.  It is so simple and quick to prepare.  Plus it's delicious to eat and the flavors can be changed up depending on your mood.

Yogurt Parfait

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Stars of the recipe:

• 1/4 to 1/2 c. yogurt (flavored or plain - I eat Greek Gods nonfat plain Greek yogurt.)


• 1/4 c. of your favorite cut up fruit (I've been using my stone fruit fruit salad.)


• 1/4 c, of your favorite granola (Store bought or homemade)

Steps:

1. In a bowl or Mason jar put the yogurt in the jar or bowl.


2. Place the fruit on top of the yogurt.


3. if you are not eating the parfait right away, pack the granola and put it on top of the yogurt and fruit right before you eat.  If you are going to eat it right away, top with granola.


4. Enjoy!

6 Easy Breakfast Foods

In January, I made a resolution to eat breakfast on a daily basis.  I've been faithful towards that resolution except for one time.  That one time was killer on my body.  My blood sugar was not stable so that made the likelihood of me making bad food choices increase.

As the school year starts, I decided to compile a list of good breakfast foods that are easy especially with a little prep.

1. Yogurt Parfaits

This is my favorite breakfast.  In fact, when we were at the beach, I ate this for breakfast several times.

In a bowl, I place Greek yogurt, granola, and fresh fruit.  (My favorite Greek yogurt is Greek Gods Nonfat Plain.) You can dress it up anyway you want - nuts, Chia Seeds, coconut, different types of Granola, and different fruits.

Here are some granola recipes:

White Chocolate granola

Pumpkin Granola

Apple Crisp Granola

2.  Oatmeal

All it takes is some quick oats and milk/almond milk/water.  Place in a bowl and microwave for 2 minutes.  You can add a nut butter, chia seeds, flax seeds, chopped up nuts, coconut, and/or fruit.  Place the fruit on the oatmeal before microwaving for a whole different flavor experience.

Here is an oatmeal recipe:

Instant Oatmeal Mix

3.  Breakfast Sandwich

This can be done in a million different ways.  Okay, maybe not that many different ways but you can change it up depending on your mood.

Here is the basic formula:

1. eggs or egg whites


2. some sort of protein (turkey bacon, bacon, sausage, Canadian bacon) cooked


3. cheese or no cheese (Switch the kinds of cheese - Colby, Cheddar, Swiss, Feta, etc . . .)


4. veggies - spinach, onions, etc. . .


5. bread product - whole wheat bread toasted, English muffin, tortilla, Bagel thin

Here's an easy way to cook the eggs or egg whites:  Spray a round glass bowl (1 cup size) or a coffee mug with cooking spray.  Place the egg scrambled or whole.  Place in microwave for about a 1 min and a half to 2 mins.  If it's not cooked to your liking, continue cooking it at 30 second intervals.  (If you want to, you can cook the veggies in with the eggs.)

After you cook the eggs, assemble your sandwich and then enjoy!

4.  Muffins

Depending on what flour and the ingredients in your muffins, they can be a semi-healthy choice for breakfast.  Whole wheat flour is the best flour to use when making muffins.  Lots of fats (oil) and sugar will make your muffin become unhealthy.  Replace your oil in your recipe with unsweetened applesauce (1 to 1 ratio) to make it healthier.

You can make the muffins ahead of time and then freeze them.  Pull a muffin out of the freezer and warm it in the microwave.

I usually pair them with a cheese stick and fruit for a more balanced meal.

Here are some muffin recipes:

Snickerdoodle muffins

Cranberry Pecan Muffins

All Star Muffin mix

Young's Dairy Pumpkin Muffins/Bread

French Toast Mini Muffins (My sons' favorite muffins)

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins- Has avocado in it

5.  Smoothies

This is another favorite of mine.

Easy peasy is the name of the game when it comes to smoothies.  Throw in some fruit, greens, veggies, Chia seeds, flax seeds, ice, liquid (water, milk, juice, or almond milk), yogurt, and/or nut butter in a blender jar.  Blend it together, place in a cup, and enjoy!  (Don't worry I don't put all of those ingredients in at the same time.  Those are just some ingredients you can use in your smoothie.)

I pair this up with either a cheese stick or a hard boiled egg.

Here are some smoothie recipes:

Fruit Smoothie (the Imaginative One's favorite smoothie)

“Tropical Smoothie” Smoothie

Carrot Tropical Smoothie

Key Lime Smoothie

Apple Jack Smoothie

St. Patty’s Day Smoothie

Power Up Green Smoothie

6.  Pancakes/ Waffles



This one can be easy if you make the pancakes or waffles during the weekend and then freeze them.  Pop them in the microwave or toaster for a quick breakfast.  You can use the pancakes and waffles for your breakfast sandwich.  You can also top the pancakes or waffles with a nut butter.  Pair it with some fruit for a balanced breakfast.

Here are some pancake/waffle recipes:

Waffle House Waffles

Almond Butter Protein Pancakes

Homemade Baking Mix and Pancakes

What is your favorite easy breakfast?

I love granola especially when I make it myself. Recently I discovered how it is easy it is to make. I've made Apple Crisp Granola and now Pumpkin Granola. It's wonderful with Greek yogurt.

Pumpkin Granola

adapted from Finding Joy in my Kitchen

Stars of the recipe:

• 4 1/2 c. oats


• 2 1/2 c. Rice Krispy Cereal


• 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon (I put more than that in mine.)


• 1/4 tsp. nutmeg


• 1/2 tsp. salt


• 3/4 c. brown sugar


• 1/2 c. pumpkin puree


• 1/4 c. applesauce


• 1/4 c. maple syrup


• 1 tsp. vanilla


• 1/2 c. pumpkin seeds


• 1/4 c. shredded unsweetened coconut (sounds weird but is delicious in it)


• 1/2 c. Craisins

Steps:

1. Mix the oats, rice krispies, coconut, and pumpkin seeds together in a large bowl.


2. Stir in spices and salt.


3. In a different bowl, combine the applesauce, sugar, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add the pumpkin puree.


4. Combine the dry and moist ingredients and stir to coat.


5. Spread on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray.


6. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes. Stir after 15 minutes.


7. Allow to cool and then add Craisins.


8. Store in a sealed container.


9. Enjoy with yogurt, milk, or by itself!

This post has been linked to Eat at Home - Ingredient Spotlight.