Did you know that’s why we call breakfast breakfast? (Nope, not a typo. Reread if you are confused. Start with the title.)

Kinda sassy for a Friday, aren’t I?

Anyway, just like your mother told you, it is the most important meal of the day. (Not to mention my favorite meal of the day.)

Study upon study reveals the benefits of eating a meal within an hour or two of waking. Your body has been working hard overnight, and the blood sugar needed to power your muscles and brain is typically low when you wake up. Breakfast helps replenish it.

Eating breakfast:

• helps maintain body weight
• improves performance and concentration
• increases strength and endurance
• reduces “tiredness” and boosts your mood
• may lower your risk of developing heart disease
• may lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes

How can you say no to breakfast after reading that list?

Of course, it does need to be a healthy breakfast. And if you are looking for some quick, healthy breakfast ideas, you have come to the right place.

First up…Chia Seed Pudding

with kiwi…

or fresh, mixed berries…

or sliced bananas and chia seed jam.

Chia Seed Pudding can be made the night before, making it an excellent choice for breakfast if you don’t want to take the time to make breakfast in the morning.

Chia Seed Pudding-makes 2 servings

(recipe from Gena Hamshaw of Choosing Raw)

1 c. water

1/2 c. hemp seeds

4 dates (soft and gooey dates are the best)

1 t. vanilla

pinch of salt

1/4 c. chia seeds

Place all ingredients except for chia seeds, in a cup size blender and blend completely. Put chia seeds in a container. Pour blended mixture on top of chia seeds and stir well. Cover and place in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, serve up as much as you want (this lasts me two days), and add fruit of choice.

Or…do you just happen to have an almost empty jar of nut butter? Then Overnight Oats would be a good choice. This is also a make the night before recipe. So again, if you tend to whine about not having enough time for breakfast, this could be the answer to your breakfast prayers.

Overnight Oats

1/3 c. old fashioned oats

1 T. chia seeds

1 c. nut milk of choice

1/2 sliced or diced banana

Place all ingredients in an almost empty nut butter jar (2 T. or so remaining and it’s okay if it’s all over the sides of the jar). Stir, cover, and place in the refrigerator overnight. The next morning, throw in the microwave to take the chill off (or not…your choice), stir…making sure you blend the nut butter throughout the oats, and then add goodies of your choice…nuts, fruit, more nut butter…whatever your little heart desires. You don’t actually have to have a nut butter jar to make this. It’s totally legal to just put your ingredients in a bowl. I won’t tell.

Want to add some serious nutrition to your overnight oats? (And freak out whoever sees you eating breakfast?) Then Green Overnight Oats are for you! Just follow the above ingredient amounts, but place nut milk and banana in a blender. Add a handful of spinach or kale and blend until you don’t see any chunks of green. Because yes, that would be gross. Pour over the top of oatmeal. Stir. Cover, and stick in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, stick it in the microwave to take the chill off. Add walnuts and coconut.

A little too green?

Then this little gem may be for you…Whole Grain Breakfast Bowl.

Whole Grain Breakfast Bowl

1/3- 1/2 c. cooked grain of choice (millet, quinoa, amaranth…I make a big batch each week in my rice cooker…totally brainless…if I can do it, you can do it. And rice makers are super cheap.)

enough nut milk to cover

Toppings: nuts, dried fruit, hemp seed, chia seed, ground flax seed, fresh fruit, etc.

Make grain in rice cooker ahead of time. Then, in the morning, serve up whatever amount you would like. Add enough milk to just cover. Stick in the microwave for about a minute to let the grain absorb the milk. Top with goodies. This is a super filling breakfast.

Or how about some “almost traditional” cooked oatmeal? I think I ate this almost all winter long.

It’s super adaptable to whatever you are craving. Here we have almond butter and rhubarb and blueberry chia seed jam.

Chia Oatmeal

serves one

1/3 c. oatmeal

1 T. chia seeds

1 c. nut milk

pinch of salt if needed (I typically forget it)

Place all ingredients in a small sauce pan. Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat and simmer until milk is absorbed. This takes about 10 minutes or so. Stir occasionally. Serve in a bowl. Add whatever goodies you would like. I highly recommend a healthy fat…nuts or a nut butter, and fruit. Check out my recipe page for more exotic flavors like pumpkin. But wait until fall. Because you shouldn’t be eating pumpkin in spring. It’s wrong.

Not much of a breakfast eater? I gotcha. It’s smoothie time…

I actually bought this book:

And was not disappointed. Excellent investment!

So…what’s for breakfast tomorrow?