March 20, 2012

Same Ole, Same Ole

 

Do you ever get tired of the same old thing for breakfast?  If you are in a rut and dread the most important meal of the day, this post is for you! 

Growing up, I didn’t love breakfast and many days, especially in college, would just skip it altogether.  Now, it might be one of my favorite meals.  I love it and am always trying to find ways to make it more interesting. 

Here are some solutions to liven up some common breakfast staples and make your first meal of the day a fun one!

 

  • Boring Breakfast #1:  Frozen Waffles and Syrup
  • Solution-

Egg and Cheese Wafflewich

By using frozen waffles as the “bread” of this egg sandwich, the waffles will take on a whole new identity.  While toasting the waffles, simply fry an egg and top with cheese (and ham if desired).  This can be eaten at home, or is a great grab and go choice, and much tastier than a granola bar! 

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If you’re really feeling sassy, add a bit of strawberry jam to one side of the sandwich for a delicious sweet and savory sandwich.  I might sound crazy, but it’s really good!

Want sweet and savory egg sandwich but don’t like waffles?  Use cinnamon swirl bread as the base for your egg sandwich.  So good!

 

  • Boring Breakfast #2: Plain Bagel with Cream Cheese
  • Try this instead-

 

Banana, Peanut Butter and Honey on Cinnamon Raisin

Bagels are quick and easy, but can get boring, fast.  Instead of adding cream cheese, make an open faced bagel by adding peanut butter, sliced bananas and a drizzle of honey (honey could also be mixed with peanut butter before smearing on bagel).  This stick-to-your-ribs version will keep you full for hours! 

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Still want cream cheese?  Here is a more interesting variation:  add cinnamon and Splenda Brown Sugar blend to reduced fat cream cheese for a little bit of spice and top with strawberries/blueberries and a bit of granola for crunch.

 

 

  • Boring Breakfast #3:  Oatmeal
  • Try this instead-

 

Baked Oatmeal with Walnuts and Dried Cherries

 As I have shared before, I am not crazy about the texture of regular oatmeal, but baked oatmeal is a whole different experience!  Still low in fat with all of the nutrition from “normal” oatmeal, this baked version is a mix between the creamy oats and oatmeal bars.  It can be served warm and topped with Greek yogurt or is great left over and sliced into grab and go bars.

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Click here for the recipe:  Baked Oatmeal

Better yet?  You can incorporate any add-ins you wish.  This makes it a very versatile breakfast dish with limitless possibilities!  Here are some examples:  bananas, coconut, peanut butter, almonds, raisins, walnuts, dried cherries, pumpkin, blueberries, chocolate chips, etc.

 

  • Boring Breakfast #4: Cottage Cheese
  • Try this instead-

 

Strawberry Cottage Cheese Parfait

 Cottage cheese is packed full of protein and a great way to start the day, but can often times taste very bland.  Using it as the base for layering in a parfait could be just he ticket to livening this breakfast choice right up.

Add about a tablespoon of jam/jelly of your choice (I usually use whatever I have in the fridge) to the cottage cheese for sweetness, and then top with granola (homemade or store-bought) and almonds for crunch.  Nutritious and delicious!

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Don’t like cottage cheese?  Here is a spin off of the version listed above.  Top your regular cereal (I use strawberry and oats) with low fat vanilla yogurt (Greek or regular) instead of milk.  It’s super good, and you will still get that dairy+crunch combo.

Enjoy!

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