My sister Katie started her Whole30 today! Go Katie! She suggested that I add some meal suggestions to my blog. Great idea! Here are some ideas for “A Paleo Breakfast.” Stay tuned over the next few days as I add “A Paleo Lunch,” “A Paleo Dinner,” “A Paleo Snack,” and “A Paleo Dessert.” Also, if you do not have this cookbook, you need to get it!
Breakfast seems to be the meal with which most people struggle. It is etched into our brains that “the most important meal of the day” must involve cereal, oats, pancakes, muffins, or some other grain-filled item(s). Not true!
Breakfast is important, though, mainly because it has to hold you until lunch (unless you have more time than most people, and can do all the snacking you want). If you can, make sure you have some protein, some fat, AND some good vegetable matter in your breakfast. That’s a winning combination for a delicious and filling first meal. Most of these suggestions feature that combination, but there are a few “special treat” breakfasts near the end of the list too (just don’t have those every single day).
Breakfast is an interesting meal in our household because neither of us are “morning people.” We usually crawl out of bed at the last minute, even if our alarms have been sounding for an hour. Because of this unfortunate fact, breakfast requires some planning ahead. Set aside some time each week for PREPARATION.
Here are a few of our favorite breakfast combinations. Feel free to pick and choose, omit, or rearrange!
1. Eggs (boiled, scrambled, or fried) and bacon (who doesn’t love bacon?). If you like boiled eggs, make a bunch on Sunday afternoon, and they’ll last you several days. You can do the same with bacon. Microwaves are fabulous. We usually save the scrambled eggs for lazy mornings when we are not in a hurry.
3. Diced chicken (we just add a little salt and pepper, saute’ in some coconut oil, and cut into bite-size pieces) and a smoothie. The chicken is great for on-the-go… just throw it in a plastic container and you’re out the door. Smoothies can be quick if you prepare your ingredients the night before. Our smoothies usually consist of 1/2 a banana, 1 cup frozen or fresh fruit, 1-2 cups of coconut milk (based on your consistency preference), a sprinkle of cinnamon, a handful of spinach (you cannot taste it, I promise), and a spoon of almond butter.
Avocados are a fabulous addition to breakfast!
4. Eggs and Avocado. You can dice the avocado, or turn it into guacamole (just add a dash of lemon juice, and a little salt/pepper, then mash together with a fork… boom! Guacamole!). Eggs and Avocado are a delicious combo, and a great way to get good protein AND fat at the start of your day. Add some cherry tomatoes, and you’re really rockin’!
5. Fritattas. Here is a great way to get your protein AND vegetables packed into breakfast. Use this basic recipe as a guide, then mix it up with your favorite meats and vegetables! The possibilities are endless.
6. Our FAVORITE Egg Bake. We love this recipe, and it’s great to heat up on your way out the door.
7. Breakfast Quiche. Again, a great make-ahead breakfast. We like kale, but you could probably substitute with other vegetables too!
8. Paleo Apple Muffins. I like to bake this recipe in a round pie plate, the cut it into triangles, but that’s just me. Enjoy it any way you wish!
9. Maple Almond FauxJacks. Better than pancakes. They can also be re-heated. While the pan is still hot, saute’ some bananas to smash on top, and sprinkle with cinnamon. So delicious!
10. Almond Pancakes. These are delicious too! We usually save these for our day off when we can enjoy them hot off the stove.
11. Garden Meatballs. I know, I know… meatballs for breakfast? Well, try these meatballs and you’ll see why. They are packed with vegetables, including sweet potato, so they have a great, sweet flavor. I love these for breakfast.
12. Primal Hot Cereal. If you miss oatmeal, this recipe is for you. Warm and cozy, it is sure to fill you up on a chilly morning.
13. Omelets. There are tons of ways to create a delicious omelet, but this is our favorite recipe.
All these recipes are also included in my Recipe Tree.
Be sure you are eating enough!! When we first started eating Paleo, I thought I would be okay with 1 egg and a few almonds for breakfast. WRONG! I usually eat at least 2-3 eggs, 2 slices of bacon, half an avacado, and some fruit (for example). This sounds like a TON of food, but it keeps me full and energized until lunch. And it’s a great full feeling, not a nasty, bloated full feeling.
So there you go! 11 breakfast ideas to help you get through those awful morning hours… uh… I mean, to help you enjoy those beautiful mornings even more! (yeah right.)
This morning I had a craving for Pumpkin Pancakes (and let’s be real… when do I not have a craving for pumpkin pancakes?). I remembered a recipe that I made back when we first started eating Paleo, and decided to whip it up again.
Instead of syrup, we like to saute bananas and smash them on top. They add the perfect amount of all-natural sweetness!
Paired with a peach smoothie (banana, frozen peaches, cinnamon, and coconut milk)… what a perfect Sunday breakfast!
