Kicking Off Your Day with Breakfast
Kayli Dice is a registered dietitian, plant-based personal chef, and writer who helps people reclaim their health and fall in love with simple food. Follow her food for thought and plant-based recipes at Running on Sunshine. Ready to reclaim your health? Learn about Kayli's nutrition and cooking services at True Food Company.
As a registered dietitian and personal chef, calling myself a "food lover" is an understatement. But if I were forced to play favorites among the day's meals, I'd cast my vote for breakfast hands down. Nothing beats brewing the coffee, blending the green juice, and building my morning meal.
We've all heard the cliché that breakfast is "the most important meal of the day." Eating breakfast is associated with a healthier body weight and can set the tone for a healthy day. Eating breakfast makes those stale break room donuts less tempting and fuels your body and mind for your day ahead. Despite the plethora of breakfast benefits, life's happenings like missed alarms, early morning meetings, and long commutes leave breakfast frequently forgotten. Whether you're a breakfast champion or a breakfast skipper, my recipe hacks will have you out the door in a flash with a wholesome breakfast in hand.
Breakfast Recipe Hack #1: Slow-cooker Steel Cut Oats
Steel-cut oats do not usually fall into the "fast breakfast" category, but hear me out! By preparing a big batch of oats in your slow cooker, the only thing standing between you and a hearty bowl of steel-cut oatmeal is a few minutes in the microwave. Warm oats are now a breakfast staple even on your busiest mornings.
Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats
Makes 8 servings
Instructions
1. Lightly coat the inside of your slow cooker with cooking spray or oil.
2. Add 2 cups steel-cut oats and 8 cups liquid (water or milk of choice).
3. Cover and cook on low for 8 hours or high for 4 hours. Add more liquid if oats become too thick.
4. Cool and refrigerate individual portions in microwave-safe containers with your favorite toppings.
Breakfast Recipe Hack #2: Muffin Tin Frittatas
If you are a savory breakfast fan, this hack is for you. Bake eggs in a muffin tin with additions of your choice and refrigerate. In the morning, grab your mini frittata and enjoy alone or pair with a slice of sprouted grain toast if toasting time is in the cards.
Muffin Tin Frittatas
Makes 12 frittatas
Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 350F
2. Lightly coat muffin tin with cooking spray or oil.
3. In a medium bowl, beat 6 eggs, ½ cup milk of choice, 1 cup chopped vegetables of choice, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
4. Pour egg mixture evenly among 12 muffin cups. Bake for 20 minutes or until set.
Breakfast Recipe Hack #3: LÄRABAR Breakfast
On days when the oats didn't get slow-cooked and the eggs didn't get baked, don't fear! A quick breakfast is still within reach. Grab your favorite LÄRABAR or a pack of crunchy Renola and round it out with a container of Greek yogurt.
