Hot Seed Breakfast Cereal

I used to be a huge fan of breakfast cereal. My favorite cereals were Peanut Butter Captain Crunch, Honey Nut Cherrios, Maple and Brown Sugar Oatmeal packets, Quaker Oat Squares...huge fan of cold cereal. As I went gluten and dairy free my breakfast cereal choices were extremely limited. I found other options and I started drinking rice milk and that was okay. I would eat hot rice cereal with maple syrup and ghee or gluten-free oatmeal. Then the real shocker came when I found out that I had to limit my intake of sugar and eat higher amounts of protein because I had low blood sugar and hypoglycemia. Boo, what was I to do? Breakfast cereals weren't on my list.

I started eating eggs for breakfast with sauteed greens, which I love. I would blend up protein shakes and sometimes I'd just have lunch or dinner stuff for breakfast. Now I don't really believe that breakfast has to be cereal centric.

But, recently I was trying to come up something quick and easy and totally approved for blood sugar issues. This cereal can be hot or cold, but since it turned cool I decided to add warm water instead and I like it even better. This certainly fits my allergen-free lifestyle and its easy to prep. This is really versatile so once you have your flax and chia base you can really add whatever you like. Make your own concoction and share with us.

Ingredients:

• 2 tbsps Flax Seeds (mix dark brown and golden for a visually appealing cereal)
• 1 tbsp Chia Seeds

Tasty Mixins - Add a few and mix it up day to day

• 1 tbsp Hempseeds
• 1 tsp. Sesame Seeds
• 1 tsp. Pumpkin Seeds
• 1 Scoop of your favorite protein powder (right now I have been adding chocolate flavor so my cereal tastes a little like brownie batter)
• 1 tsp. Golden Berries
• 1 tsp. Goji Berries
• 1 tsp. Raw Cacao Nibs
• 5-10 drops of Liquid Stevia (or to taste)

Hot Seed Breakfast Cereal - MaryLangfield.com

 Directions:

1. Grab a glass bowl (larger than you think you need the first few times). Put the flax and chia in the bowl and add any dried fruits like the goji and golden berries.
2. Add warm/hot water. I usually add about a cup of water, but it depends on what you want the consistency to be. These two really thicken up when wet so if you want the cereal more runny and not oatmeal then add more water. (I boil my water in advance and let the water temp cool a bit to warm because I don't want to overheat the nutrients in the flax and chia, but boiling water will work too).
3. Stir, stir, stir
4. Add your yummy mixins
5. Stir, stir, stir
6. Add water if its too thick.

Add other tasty options like:

• Superfoods like Maca, Bee Pollen, Aloe Vera, Coconut (1 tsp. of oil, 1 ounce milk or shredded flakes)
• Nuts (Almonds, Walnuts, Cashews, Brazil, Pine....)
• Fresh Berries (Blueberries, Cherries, Raspberries, Strawberries...)
• Sunflower seeds 

Wonderful World of Apps

Are you a lover of cereal? Are you confused about what kinds of cereal to eat? I used to be too (Peanut Butter Captain Crunch was my fav as a child) and in fact I rarely eat prepackaged cereal and instead opt for  brown rice farina. However, if you love cereal check out this cool little app you can add to your iPhone called Cereal Scan.

I am hopeful that this app means that more apps like it will be coming along the horizon. Though if we all ate out of prepackaged items less we would all feel better, look better.
I'm a fan of real food that takes a bit of time to prepare. Consider these other breakfast ideas:

Idea 1

Idea 2

Idea 3

Bountiful Berries

Asking yourself what kind of fruit to snack on? 

The answer during the spring and summer season - local berries. Do It Up! Mulberries, cherries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, wolfberries, boysenberries, currents, gooseberries, chokecherries, etc...There are so many awesome berries to choose from.


Why berries you ask?

• Berries are packed with Antioxidants which combat against free radicals. 
• Berries are also great daily detoxifiers for the body & after the heavy foods during winter everyone can benefit from something light
• Berries are tasty & rich in color
• Berries are fun to eat
• Berries are sweet
• There are SO many varieties

Where to get 'em?

• Pick up seasonal berries at a local farmers market
• Grow your own berries or enjoy a berry picking day with family
• Buy frozen berries

Why now?

• Berries are in season and they grow around here
• The soil & environment is perfect for growing berries outside
• Eating local foods means that the berries will be super fresh

What to do with them besides eating them fresh?

• Add them to mixed green salads
• Mix them in a smoothie
• Make berry sorbet
• Toss them in oatmeal
• Have them with a bit of keifer or greek yogurt
• Make a berry compote
• Make berry flavored lemonade
• Mix up some sprouted nuts with a bit of coconut milk & berries
• Dip berries in 80% dark chocolate

You get the idea. Load up on berries during this abundant berry season!

On the go breakfast ideas

Have you heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day? Sure you have. Of course sometimes you get out of bed in the morning without a moment to spare and are off running to work without breakfast or worse without brushing your teeth (I know all about this). So knowing that you need to eat breakfast isn't the issue - its being prepared. But, that doesn't make it any easier to deal with right? Here are a few ideas for healthy, quick, easy, tasty breakfasts.

Make your breakfast and then pack it and eat it at work so you won't be late:

• Eggs + Salsa + Guacamole+ Whole grain/gluten-free tortilla
• Eggs + Mixed Greens + Brown Rice
• Cup of cottage cheese + sliced fresh fruit
• Greek yogurt + walnuts + granola
• Make a smoothie of coconut milk + bananas + strawberries
• Try brown rice cereal (make it the night before)

Make food the night before:

• Hard boiled eggs + whole grain wheat toast/gluten-free toast 
• Whole grain wheat/gluten-free toast + organic PB 
• Make your oatmeal in the crock-pot so it is warm & ready in the morning
• Make a nice mixed greens salad + sliced almonds + drizzle of olive oil + balsamic vinegar + 2 chopped hard boiled eggs & pack a side of toast
• Package some leftovers and have them for breakfasts - there is no such thing as "breakfast foods" 
• Make a tortilla de patata  or a frittata or quiche and eat throughout the week

Just grab something:

• Lara Bars
• Handful of raw nuts + greek yogurt
• Handful of raw nuts + dried berries (unsweetened like Goji)
• Grab 2 brown rice cakes + PB + brown rice syrup/raw honey
• Apples + PB
• Celery + PB
• Bananas + Nut Butter (peanut or almond butter)
• Drink an oz of NingXia Red to tide you over it has 19 amnio acids, beta carotene, EFA's, Vit C &E, plus B complex so it will boost your energy in the AM

When you are thinking about breakfast think about what fuels you. Ask yourself - How will I feel after I eat this? Try to use common sense when choosing something. Something that someone else loves eating and makes them feel good might not be right for you (I'm thinking waffles - I am not a fan). Try not to eat foods out of packages, but if you do try to select items with little sugar.

Every morning load up on water. Drink at least 8 oz of water to cleanse your body. Try squeezing half a lemon in your water to help your body continue to detox. If you are running out the door drink some water then eat and then have coffee if you so choose. Drinking coffee on an empty stomach can send your body over the edge and convince you that eating is unnecessary as you aren't feeling hungry after you drink it. Don't be fooled into this game. What you are really doing is sabotaging your metabolism.

Share your thoughts and ideas on this topic! Share your super simple breakfast ideas with us.

Sick of oatmeal? Try this!

Brown Rice Farina from Bob's Red Mill is a tasty breakfast. This hot cereal is a great alternative to steel cut oats or rolled oats in the winter. Plus, this cereal can be really versatile -  you can make it savory, sweet or thick or on the thin side. Whatever consistency you want your breakfast to be is up to you. This version is a bit on the sweeter side.

• The night before:
• Soak a 1/4 cup of the grains in a bit of water in the pot you plan on cooking them in. This process makes your grains easier to digest (happy tummy). Note that these grains are too tiny to strain the water from.
• If you like flaxseeds you can take 1/4 cup or more and place in a small bowl and cover with water. This process will break down the flax for easier digestion the next day. Do not be alarmed the flax becomes gelatinous - it is pretty cool. However, you can just as easily grind your flax the morning of in a coffee grinder which is quick and easy, but requires a bit of clean up. Or go flax-less and don't add this ingredient.
• The morning of:
• Turn the heat up to high on the brown rice grains, toss in a pinch of sea salt
• Bring the cereal to boil
• Turn down the heat and add some almond milk (I put in about a 1/2 cup), rice milk, coconut milk - whatever is available (1/2 - 1 cup depending on how thick/thin you like your cereal - experiment with the consistency)
• Add a tsp of coconut oil (dairy-free) or high quality butter 
• Continue to cook - stirring frequently
• Should be ready in 5 - 10 minutes
• Pour into a bowl and add lovely fixings like - Maple Syrup (try a little bit and add if necessary), Walnuts, Flaxseeds, Berries, Cinnamon, Ginger...
• I choose to add walnuts and flaxseeds today for a boost of omega-3's 

*I buy flax seeds in the bulk section at the store and store them in the fridge.

What's your favorite hot breakfast?

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? Nope its a Spanish Omelet, yummy.

This morning I decided to make a Tortilla de Patata, otherwise known as a Spanish Omelet. This dish is one of my favorites and it brings back a lot of memories. In college, my husband and I spent a month backpacking through a tiny piece of Europe. We ended up in Barcelona. Barcelona was fantastic (and it wasn't because of the plentiful sangria! well sort of). We stayed in a touristy part of town on the street Las Ramblas. There were tons of street vendors, amazing restaurants, and the water front wasn't far away. We spent our time visiting architectural endeavors by the famous Gaudi, touring museums featuring Salvador Dali, Picasso, and Gaudi among many other things.

Anyway back to the omelet! One of the best things I had to eat in Barcelona was the Tortilla de Patata. Lucky for me my husband told me that his mother knew how to make the Spanish Omelet. One of the first things I did on my return to the States was get a lesson.

The Spanish Omelet is a staple. You can eat it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Sometimes in Spain they would toss it on a baguette. I like to serve it with a side salad. And it is great to make on the weekend so you are assured you have an easy meal to eat for breakfast during the work week or to take for lunch. The best part about it is it requires so little ingredients!

I decided to make my own version (go figure). Now for those of you that are interested in making this omelet - a word of warning. It requires the ability to flip your pan upside down and then replace the omelet in the pan for cooking on both sides. This takes practice. So even if you don't get a beautiful round saucer like omelet the first time it will still taste great. Here is a great STEP by STEP with photos.

So I chose to use some other ingredients instead of the traditional ones.

2 - Leeks

4 - Purple Potaotes

4 - eggs (mixed with a fork)

1 cup of sesame oil

Salt & Pepper to taste

1 - 4 inch diameter pan

1. Chop the leeks and clean them in a colander

2. Peel potatoes, half, and then slice in thin half moon shapes

3. Put a bit of oil in a large frying pan, turn of the heat, then toss in the leeks.

4. Once the leeks have been in for a minute or two toss in the potatoes. Mix well with the oil. If necessary add a tad more.

5. Season with sea salt & cracked pepper.

6. Let the onions & potatoes caramelize a bit and become translucent

7. Turn off the heat.

8. Pour the onions & potatoes into a bowl and then add your eggs. Make sure to mix everything. Let the mixture stand up to 20 minutes so it binds (this binding can be skipped, but it helps!)

9. Heat your 4 inch diameter pan with oil - cover the bottom - it is very important to use enough oil so that the mixture does not stick to the pan. (You can always add more)

10. Once the pan is very hot, add the mixture slowly. Use a spatula to make sure the edges of the pan do not stick to the mixture. If they do, add oil. Also make sure it doesn't stick by shaking the frying pan a bit so that your mixture moves and isn't connected on the edges.

11. Let it cook. I would say that you want to see the edge cooked to about a 1/2 inch.

12. Turn the heat off. Take a plate larger than the fry pan and lay it over the top. Walk the pan over to the sink and hold the plate firmly and flip the tortilla over onto the plate.

13. Return the tortilla to the pan (may need to add more oil) continue to heat, shake the pan, same idea as before. About 5 min.

14. Flip the tortilla again. You can tell if it is ready by sticking a knife in the middle, if its firm its ready to go! If not...

15. Return to heat

16. May need more flipping - check it out.

NOTE - Try adding peppers, garlic or other herbs to experiment! No matter what it will taste great.

Yummy!

Check out the details of the link at the top for the visual step by step.

I want to know. Have you had a Tortilla de Patata? Have you made it before? What modifications have you done to make it your own?

What's for breakfast?

Breakfast is really important to me. Which means I take it very seriously. Well usually I do, but on a day like today I went down stairs and it seemed like I had nothing to eat. At first I cut up a lovely nectarine and ate that followed by some green grapes. Then a few hours later I was still hungry so I looked at what I had:

Avocados

Tomatoes

Mixed Greens

Eggs

Mochi

Carrots

Peppers

Onions

I first started out making a Mochi Casserole with the onion, peppers and carrots and pieces of cut up Mochi. Then I could not stop cooking so I sliced up the avocado & tomato and arranged it on a plate. I ran out to the garden to pick some basil leaves and then I sprinkled some ground pepper on the tomatoes and placed the basil leaves under the tomatoes. After I was finished with the basil I decided I really wanted eggs for breakfast (like I usually do) and scrambled them up. I placed the scrambled eggs on top of the mixed greens and cut some chives from the garden to add a little something. Then I drizzled some Extra-Virgin Olive Oil on my greens and over the tomatoes.

This did not take too long, but I made enough for breakfast and lunch.

What creations do you come up with for breakfast?