Smoothie Bowl Formula ... A Breakfast Staple

I love recipes that can be modified based on flavor preferences and dietary needs. A smoothie bowl is just that "dish". You can customize the basic formula to create the breakfast you want ... and modify the recipe for  each member of the household. A smoothie bowl takes less than 5 minutes to make and clean up. it is a great quick-fix breakfast to enjoy when the weather is warm.

Pictured: Blueberry Smoothie Bowl with a garnish of walnuts, pepitas, and blueberries.

Smoothie Bowl Formula:

2 frozen bananas

1 cup milk of choice ( I use almond milk)

2 pitted dates (I order mine from Futterman Farms in Indio, CA)

1 cup of fruit

Optional: Protein Powder 

Topping Options:

• Granola
• Nuts
• Seeds
• Coconut
• Chocolate chips
• Fruit (to match flavor of bowl)
• Dried Fruit 

Pictured here is a smoothie bowl with raspberries, homemade granola, help seeds (Interstate Bait), and walnuts. 

A Smoothie Bowl is Quick to Prepare

I keep frozen bananas (ones that have started to get brown freckles) on hand at all times. To prepare a nutritious breakfast all you have to do is put the ingredients in your Vitamix (or blender of choice) and blend. After about a minute the bananas are chopped and integrated into the other non-frozen ingredients. You DO NOT want to OVER MIX, that would create a smoothie you DRINK not EAT with a SPOON. The clean up is simple. All you have to do is wash out the blender and put the bowl in the dishwasher.

Pictured here is a smoothie bowl with peaches, unsweetened coconut, pepitas, and walnuts.

Hot Cereal ... Cold Morning ... Quick Breakfast

Today I tried Bob's Red Mill Brown Rice Farina ... another blank canvas ready to be customized. I added Sensible Foods Crunch Dried Fruit (Orchard Blend) and served a cup of cooked hot cereal with a sprinkle of flax seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and a small drip (about 1 TBSP) of honey. In the recipe I omitted the salt when the water and cereal were boiling. The meal was ready in 5 minutes...not much longer than it takes to get cold cereal and milk on the table. If you make it in the microwave, you will not have a pot to wash!

Have fun playing with your food. If you are in a pinch for time, find packaged goods that are a blank canvas that you can customize so each meal is different ... you will not tire of the product if that is the case! Find your go-to products and meals and pledge to start 2018 with healthy breakfasts!

Oatmeal Pancakes Start with Two Simple Ingredients

Start 2018 on a healthy note ... eat a nutritious breakfast. Breakfast does not need to take a long time to make in order for it to be good for you. Here is a simple recipe that can be customized to fit the flavor profile you are interested in on the day you make it...each meal will be different so the recipe will never get old!

Ingredients and Directions:

• Start with a gluten free oatmeal packet
• Make a flax egg (or use a regular egg or 1/4 cup mashed banana)
• Mix the two together and let "set" for about 5 minutes
• Warn a pan and add some fat (oil or butter) so the pancake does not stick
• Flatten and flip after 2 minutes

NOTE: I usually make two at once

OPTIONS: 

• Add flavors of your choosing such as cinnamon, maple, brown sugar, vanilla, or coconut
• Add fruits in season
• Add nuts 
• Add nut butter, soy butter, sunflower seed butter, or honey (or syrup)

Enjoy this meal that is satisfying and ready in 10 minutes. There is very little set up or clean up ... a win-win situation!

Gluten Free Vegetairian High Protein Pancakes with Two Ingredients!

Welcome 2018! A great way to start the new year is with a healthy breakfast. Make these gluten free, vegetarian, high protein pancakes when you are looking for a quick and satisfying start to your day. With limited ingredients, you will need little prep and clean up!

My original recipe was posted in 2015. Since then I have modified the recipe and have limited the ingredients to two ... with the option of the addition of cinnamon as an option!

Ingredients
1 egg to 1 banana ratio
HINT: The riper the banana, the sweeter the pancake!

Directions:
Smash banana and add egg. Scramble and let rest for at least 5 minutes (for a fluffier pancake).
Heat pan on medium heat and add oil or butter to the pan so pancakes do not stick
Pour batter into pan to make pancakes the size you prefer
Cook about 2 minutes each side

Serving Suggestion:
Serve with fresh fruit, nuts, and honey
Serve with soy butter or sunflower butter and fruit