We’ve all heard the saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” Some people are breakfast food fanatics; I’m talking pancakes and French toast for dinner. Others, myself included, don’t pay much attention to it in the haste of morning preparations, eating on the go, or a rushed hodgepodge of ingredients. In a third group, there are people who avoid the extra get-ready step altogether and skip it.
Which group is doing breakfast the right way? Is there even a “right way”?
Everyone’s body operates on different clocks and rhythms according to their genetics, habits, and cultures. I don’t think or claim to know the proper way to do breakfast. If anything, I think everyone’s way is totally valid! I only know that, a couple of months into the school year, prioritizing my breakfast through groceries, preparations, and plating has consistently made my day more positive.
I’m a breakfast agnostic-turned-believer, and these recipes are why:
- PB or J: Ricecakes, https://pin.it/1nP9TnlR6
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Rice cakes have a reputation for being a popular low-carb and low-fat substitute for bread, but who knew they could taste so good?
Rice cakes were developed in Asia, where rice has been grown for nearly 5,000 years. From Japanese mochi to Korean tteokbokki, these treats have evolved with humankind, molding to the needs of diverse peoples. According to The Counter, the rice cakes that we find on our university shelves today were created in the early 1900s by Alexander Pierce Anderson, a New York botanist, when he developed the steam-puffed rice recipe. Anderson’s Quaker rice cakes are gluten-free and have a long shelf life, so one bag could last you all semester!Â
To amp up a rice cake, you’ll need a spread and garnishes. For spreads, you can use peanut butter (or really any butter; almond, pistachio, etc.), jam, or a soft cheese. Based on that, you can add toppings like bananas, avocados, blueberries, pumpkin seeds, and pears. My go-to combination has been a peanut butter base with banana, cinnamon, and honey on top.
The options here are limitless, and prep time takes only 5-20 minutes!
- Overnight Energy: Chia Seed Puddings, https://pin.it/67qAlDVhD
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Chia seeds are found more and more in city coffee shops, and their rich nutritional content explains why. They give you almost as much energy as caffeine through high fiber, protein, and omega-3 content. According to the University of Cincinnati, Aztecs, Mayans, and other Mesoamericans since then have used chia to sustain themselves in battles and on long-running and hunting expeditions. Chia comes from the Mayan word for “strength.” Chia seeds can be added to yogurt or smoothies, but my favorite recipe has been chia seed puddings.
To make a chia seed pudding, simply grab the seed and your favorite type of milk. The ratio of chia seeds to milk will take a little trial and error, as every seed and milk is different. But a tablespoon of chia for a cup of milk is a good start. After you mix the two in a bowl, cover the mixture and store it overnight in the fridge for a filling and delicious start to your day.
You can add matcha, peanut butter, or different milks, such as strawberry milk, to flavor your pudding! After it’s made, you can add toppings like fresh fruits, nuts, and yogurt. Using a clear cup and making layers with the different toppings is a satisfying and rewarding experience.
- Modern Tradition: Stuffed Dates https://pin.it/xo27cEeNH
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Stuffed Dates are my newest obsession of these three, and they might be my favorite. Their invention is credited to Rome, and they are a typical Middle Eastern crop given as sweet gifts during Ramadan.
In a yogurt bowl or on their own, these date recipes will hit the sweet spot with energy that will sustain you through the day. To stuff the dates, slice them open and pull out the seeds. Carefully, separate a space in the date for a filling. As fillings, you can use peanut butter, cashew cream, goat cheese, Nutella, and more… the list goes on!
After choosing your filling, add toppings; almonds, walnuts, dried apricots, or a candied orange peel work great here. For a more traditional route, add finely chopped pistachios or dried rose petals. My go-to has been adding Trader Joe’s dark chocolate-covered pistachios!
Whether you’re a breakfast lover or skipper, these three recipes can be made to your liking and for any meal of the day.
You don’t have to eat breakfast to learn the lesson I did: by taking care of yourself, you can better take care of those around you.
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