The Breakfast of Champions

Can you hear it? 

Can you hear the sound of muscles expanding? Weight dropping? Smiles widening? 

I didn't think so. 

'Cuz that's not really happening here. Not yet anyway. I'm close, though! I'm getting back into the groove of running. I'm "training" for the local Race for the Cure 5K, so I'm doing my best to be as healthy as I can (except on gamedays- then it's time to defile the temple). 

I put "training" in quotes up there because I'm already capable of running that distance. I just want to do it faster. 

Along my get-healthier journey, I'm trying to make cleaner food choices. I'm certainly not perfect at it, but I figure if I make a few more whole food choices than normal, I am doing a good thing.

Every little bit helps, right?

I have the hardest time putting a healthy breakfast together. I'm a girl who loves her some Lucky Charms, and it's SUPER hard to give up all that sugary, artificially flavored and colored yumminess. 

God bless you, little Leprechaun. 

Also, I can throw some nibbles and milk in a bowl and be out the door lickity-split. Putting together a healthy, whole food breakfast is traditionally much more time consuming to prepare. 

This is what I've come up with. It's not as fast and easy as cereal, but it's not too bad, either. 

First, start with Archer Farms Pumpkin Spice oatmeal. 

Add in a half cup of almond milk (or water)

Microwave for 1-2 minutes. I like 1:45.

Sweeten it as you like. I used honey today to make it clean(er), but I normally use a packet of Splenda. I prefer the Splenda. I may go back to that, but I want to give agave nectar a try first. 

Stir that up until it's incorporated. 

Cover with a thin layer of ground cinnamon. I think nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice would also be good options.

Toss in a handful of cacao nibs.

These cacao nibs are from Navitas. The first ones I tried were chocolate covered cacao nibs by Kopali Organics. They were WAY better, but also WAY more expensive.

I added some raisins: 

And there you have it! ENJOY!

It's really good, and not very time consuming. The best variation I've tried is with the Splenda and chocolate covered cacao nibs. I'll do that as a treat from time to time. I think I may also alter this a bit by leaving out the raisins and adding in a little bit of almond butter. I think that would be yummy with the chocolatey-ness of the cacao nibs.

If you try this recipe, let me know! If anyone else has any ideas for a healthy breakfast (no egg casseroles!), I'd love to hear it. I'm always in need of ideas! That durn little Leprechaun haunts me every day. 

Have a fabulous day!