Recipe: Apple Pie Breakfast Quinoa

Up until now, I’ve only been sharing recipes that I’ve tested out with the intention of posting as tried-and-true original and rigid recipes. However, I realize my favorite meals and recipes are those that I throw together, especially when it comes to my variations on go-to staples. They’re easy and and delicious and definitely worth sharing with all of you looking for a quick meal that will fill you up and nourish your body.

With that in mind, it only makes sense to share my new favorite breakfast with you:

Apple Pie Breakfast Quinoa:

(serves 2)

2 teaspoons coconut oil or non-dairy butter, such as Earth Balance
2 cup cooked quinoa
2 small apples, finely chopped
4-5 medjool dates, finely chopped
1/4 cup almonds or walnuts, finely chopped
1/2 cup coconut milk
1-2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 pinch of nutmeg
1 pinch salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*Toppings: shredded coconut, almond butter, chopped banana and/or your favorite granola.

Over medium heat, add walnuts or almonds to a small frying pan. Stirring frequently, toast nuts until they become fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, add non-dairy margarine or oil. Once it’s completely melted, toss in quinoa and mix together until quinoa is coated. Simmer for about 3-5 minutes. Add chopped apples, coconut milk and dates and allow to cook on medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes.

Add in cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and vanilla extract. Stir together and continue to cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.

Removed pan from heat. Add in toasted nuts and desired toppings. Serve immediately.

This recipe gets me so excited for fall, especially with that hint of nutmeg spice thrown in for good measure. Warm, hearty and healthy – sweater weather is just around the corner and I couldn’t be happier.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

What I Ate: 8.19.14

I haven’t done one of these “Food Diary” posts in awhile, so I thought I’d share a day in the life of my mouth…wait, is that creepy? That sounds totally creepy, doesn’t it?

In other news, here’s what I ate:

Breakfast

For breakfast, I warmed up some quinoa with almond milk, chopped apples, 2 dates and cinnamon. Topped with hemp seeds,shredded coconut and sliced almonds.

Lunch

Lunch was leftovers from yesterday’s dinner – Lentil-a-roni from Isa Does It. I used a quinoa-based pasta and added kale. This is total comfort food with a healthier twist. Yum!

Snack

Pixie Retreat is a local company that specializes in making raw to-go food. This L’il Puddin’ Cup is in their Vanilla Kreem Salted Karmal version and it’s ridiculously good. Creamy, sweet, salty perfection.Pixie just opened up a storefront and I’m so excited to check it out asap!

Dinner

These nachos are kind of ruling my life right now. The ground beef is made from sauteed quinoa and a ton of spices – genius! Topped with green onions, olives, salsa, homemade nacho cheese and a side of sliced avocado. Recipe via VegNews.

Not Pictured: I also snacked on some blueberries and a small smoothie (raspberries, coconut water, Amazing Grass powder) mid-morning as well as some lightly salted, non-gmo popcorn in the afternoon. 

I think that about covers it. Do you enjoy these posts? I know I’ve always enjoyed similar food diaries by other bloggers. Let me know in the comments and/or share your own “What I Ate” photos and let me know where to find them!

Breakfast: A Love Story & 5 Reason You Should Love It Too!

 

Can we just take a minute to appreciate the marvelous wonder that is breakfast? I know this statement may seem a little silly, but hear me out.

Before I knew how to treat my body right, breakfast was a meal I didn’t think much about. I had very little appetite first thing in the morning and often reached for bland foods like bagels and yogurt. Subconsciously, I was setting the tone for my entire day. That tone was “meh” at best. And now? I’m a total geek about the most important meal of the day.

5 Reasons To Love Breakfast:

1.It offers you a fresh start. I’m at my happiest and most hopeful first thing in the morning. If I start  my day off right, it’s so much easier for me to continue that positive mood throughout the day. A good meal can make a huge difference in how you feel, physically and emotionally. Don’t sell yourself short – you and your body deserve to have a good day.

2.Treat your body right. What could be better than giving yourself good stuff first thing in the morning? Fuel your body right and it will thank you for it.

3.Reset. Shake off any of that crap that may have happened the day before (emotional eating? a bad day at work? a poor night’s sleep?) and give yourself a break. Mornings are a great way to think of yourself and the day ahead as a clean slate. Let yesterday go and start over….with a full and happy belly.

4.It’s a  great form of self-love: nourishing food that is also incredibly comforting. Enough said.

5.A chance to be creative! Not only is breakfast my favorite meal to eat but it’s also my favorite to decorate, photograph and make as pretty as possible. All of that vibrant fruit and adding 20 different textures and flavors in the form of nuts, seeds and superfood toppings? It takes me to my happy place. And who isn’t inspired by beautiful things? It really is a great way to work that creativity muscle first thing in the morning.

Still think I’m a crazy breakfast fangirl? You might be right, but take some time tomorrow morning and really enjoy your meal, whatever that might be. Think about how it’s fueling you and how it’s going to make you feel hours afterwards. I promise that if you put in a little extra effort, you won’t regret it. And if you’re wondering what to make, comment below and we can chat about breakfast ideas! I’d love to help.