Back-to-School Breakfast
Even though it’s been five years since I actually went back to school, I’m still totally inspired by the start of fall. It doesn’t matter that my day-to-day isn’t changing. My brain sees notebooks and pencils and thinks, “Yes, it’s time to start fresh!”
Most people make resolutions at New Year’s. I make mine in the fall.
This year, I’m focused on creating a workable routine of healthy breakfasts and lunches. After a summer of boardwalk French fries for lunch and grabbing a bagel for breakfast, I’m ready to create daytime meals that boost my energy instead of overloading my belly.
So to start, I’m returning to one of my old breakfast favorites: Nature’s Candy Parfaits. The mixture of tangy Greek yogurt with sweet dates, crunchy pecans and spicy cinnamon is delicious and filling. Even better than that, pecans are a fabulous health food. According to the National Pecan Shellers Association, “pecans contain more than 19 vitamins and minerals – including vitamin A, vitamin E, folic acid, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, several B vitamins and zinc. One ounce of pecans provides 10 percent of the recommended Daily Value for fiber.” Not bad for a nut! Throw in your favorite fresh fruit, and you up both the vitmains and the taste.
It’s a perfect start to your day, ensuring that you’ll be focused on all of the exciting things you want to do this fall.
Nature’s Candy Parfaits
1 cup of raw pecans
1 cup of pitted dates
1 tsp of cinnamon (I usually add more to taste.)
1 tub of Greek yogurt (I love Fage Total 2%)
Fresh Fruit (raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, apples)
In a food processor, combine the pecans, dates and cinnamon until they are blended.
Pour the yogurt into a bowl and top with fresh fruit. Spoon some of the pecan mixture (Nature’s Candy) on top of the yogurt and fruit. Mix and enjoy!
You can save the leftover Nature’s Candy in an airtight container for a week.
