Everyone has a favourite meal… some love dinner, some are obsessed with the 11AM chocolate break, for me it’s breakfast. I can give up all the other meals, breakfast is my thing. I love sitting down and indulging in a leisurely meal at the dining table, overseeing the garden, reading news or scrolling through my Insta feed, but most days that is not an option.
I have smoothies most weekdays, as it’s super convenient to take my Nutribullet everywhere (when I lived in London it would often come with me on the Eurostar when I had to go to Paris for the day), but sometimes I like something with a little more substance, and I found some pretty cool options that I think some of you similarly busy bees might like as well. Here are two that you can prepare overnight, and just grab and go on your way out.
The perfect chia seed parfait
Chia seeds pack 40% fiber and 14% protein, not to mention magnesium, manganese, anti-oxidants, more omega 3 than salmon, more calcium than most dairy (I checked, and found no croissant with this type of nutrient list). Ok, thatās it for the educational minute of the dayā¦ Now, how do they actually taste?
Actually, they donāt taste of anything much, like most whole grains, so they make a perfect breakfast base. Yes, the texture is a bit gelatinous once soaked, a little like thick caviar, and it’s not for everyone… Putting together is child’s play, then all you have to do is add your favourite toppings: fruits, nuts, granola, cacao nibs, cinammon… My best option so far? Topped with a spirulina fruit blend, some blueberries and pecan nuts. You can make a bigger batch of the base and keep it in the fridge for 2-3 days or to share with your family: Little Madame used to love this when she was a baby, although recently she’s more a porridge girl…
Overnight protein oats (a.k.a. muesli with a kick)
I have friends who skip breakfast and jump on the venti version of whatever their favourite barista mix is, usually a fat and sugar laden drink with very little caffeine in it, and yet would scream at the idea of ingesting any types of oats, on account of all the carbs. As you know I’m the black coffee type, but I adore oats, even though (or maybe because) they are carbs. By the way we all need a little bit of carbs in life, especially if we lead an active lifestyle or simply if we like wine (yes, carbs again), even rabbits, who eat theirs in the form of carrots and beets… Plus, oats are filled with complex fibres that help us keep a healthy heart, and given the number of jerks around, everyone needs a healthy, strong heart, right?
But, let me tell you, the reason I love overnight oats: they are the perfect busy bee breakfast, you can prepare them the night before, put it all in a jar and take it with you in the morning, and they are absolutely delicious; I usually add crushed nuts, some cinnamon, and either fruit or cacao powder if I’m feeling extra indulgent. I prefer mine made with real Greek yoghurt, the Fage type, alas in almost three years of living in Johannesburg I’ve not been able to find any, so instead I use regular yoghurt, but it’s not the same… Please, if you know where I can find proper Greek yoghurt in Jo’burg, can you let me know?
Do you have any infallible breakfast recipes that are good for you and still yummy? Please don’t try to convince me that a 90% kale smoothie with a bit of pineapple for sweetness is delicious, I know that to be a lie… but if you do have a favourite smoothie or omelette, do share!
With love, S.
A Styled Life 