Ready, Set, Go!
Set yourself up for world domination with a good brekky!
I have a confession to make. I know you’re not meant to have favorites but I have one. I’d gladly do without the others and choose this one over and above the other two and I know it’s wrong.
But here it is breakfast is my best. There I’ve said it. That was cathartic even if a little underwhelming in it’s delivery!
I mean, lunch and dinner are good, don’t get me wrong, but if I had to choose one meal a day to keep it’d be breakfast, it’s my jam and it mightn’t be for the reasons you think.
Sure, breakfast is often called 'the most important meal of the day', and for good reason. As the name suggests, breakfast breaks that overnight fasting period. It replenishes your supply of glucose to boost your energy levels and alertness, while it also tops up other essential nutrients that help your good health, it sets you up for world domination and all that.
I like best because I reckon it’s like being at sea, you’re the captain and you’re in charge, breakfast is a law unto itself. Different rules apply to our first meal of the day. Dinner and lunch have an expectation around them. They are required to conform, sit up straight and follow the rules, to behave. They’re usually savoury, feature a protein, some kind of carbohydrate type thing and I think they’re a bit stuffy compared to the loose cannon that is brekky and that my friends is definitely a bit of me!
My one ‘rule’ around breakfast is to get as many good things in the bod as possible by way of nutrient loaded good stuff. Bread that’s made from almond meal to increase protein, leafy greens from the garden to boost immunity, avocado for healthy fats, oats for a slow release of energy, coconut yoghurt because it’s just so darn yum. These nutrient dense bombs can all be seen from time to time on the am menu round here, but one thing that always features is good coffee! (that’s an entirely different post!)
I also love the stillness that blankets me on these late spring mornings. I find myself happy to bounce out of bed and don’t feel like I’ve been robbed of extra sleep even if the birds are still ‘head under wing’. It gives me some time to myself, to enjoy my coffee ritual, explore my vegetable garden and see the subtle changes that are happening all the time in there and then to sit and enjoy my first meal of the day, slowly and mindfully. It’s the space where I set my intention and state of mind for the day, it’s a sacred time and I’m embarrassed to say I get a little ‘pissy’ if I’m interrupted by other household members, I mean really, how rude right!
So you see, I truly love breakfast and I’m super excited about sharing these recipes with you to try. There are three here and I love having at least one on the go per week to keep me buzzing along. There are a couple of bircher type oats to choose from and I adore them both. (The beauty of soaking your oats allows enzymes, lactobacilli and other helpful organisms to break down and neutralise the phytic acid they contain) One has the winning combo of peanut butter and banana; nothing could be better….except maybe overnight oats that taste like a carrot cake, including proper raw carrot! The coconut, cashew and banana clusters are the most versatile of the lot. Sprinkle them onto yoghurt, on top of the bircher oats or a handful here and there during the day; naturally sweet and crunchy; these are a superb way to honour a banana that’s gone too far!
Like everything I do; indeed maybe similar to me; all of these recipes are simple. Simple ingredients, simple method. They are all low in sugar and high in protein and slow release energy in the form of oats. I’d love to think you’d try one or two and take your time one slow morning to enjoy them as I do - Jax x
Peanut Butter and Banana Oats
This recipe is for one. I usually double it (at least!) as they keep well in the fridge for a couple of days.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of oats
3/4 cup of almond or coconut milk
1 Tbls chia seeds
handful of raisins
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 banana mashed
1 Tbls peanut butter
Method
In a big bowl mix all the ingredients making sure the peanut butter is well mixed in. Allow your oats to thicken overnight in the fridge.
I always have mine with fresh fruit and coconut yoghurt - enjoy x
Carrot Cake Overnight Oats
Ingredients
50g rolled oats
1 tablespoon chia seeds
350ml coconut milk, including the cream on top (or any other kind of milk)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract or ¼ teaspoon vanilla powder
1 large carrot, finely grated (or just chopped roughly if using a high-speed blender)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground ginger
pinch each of ground nutmeg and sea salt
½ frozen banana or ½ avocado mixed with ½ tablespoon rice malt syrup
2 tablespoons crushed walnuts
2 tablespoons coconut flakes
Method
Blend the oats, chia seeds, milk, vanilla, carrot, spices, salt, banana or avocado mix and the walnuts and coconut flakes until smooth. Pour into 2 jars and leave to soak overnight in the fridge, lids on. In the morning, top with yoghurt and some crunchy banana clusters if that rings your bells.
Banana, Coconut and Cashew Clusters
This recipe is so great. Fresh banana gives a gentle, sweetness to the texture laden crunchy goodness. These are great for dessert toppers, scroggin, lunch box additions or just as you are walking past the pantry!
Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup raw cashews
1 cup of walnuts
2 cups of oats
3 Tbsp almond butter
3 Tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 ripe banana, mashed
2 Tbsp maple syrup or rice bran syrup
1 cup coconut flakes
Method
Preheat the oven to 180C.
In a big bowl mix all the dry ingredients except the coconut flakes.
In a separate bowl mix the almond butter, coconut oil, maple or rice bran syrup and banana.
Add the two and mix to combine. Spread them on a baking tray and bake for 15 minutes moving the mixture a couple of times to encourage even cooking.
After 15 minutes add the coconut flakes and bake a further 5 minutes.
Cool completely and store in a jar or airtight container.
Dried fruit can be added to this if you like - do this after cooling the mixture.