Millet Breakfast Cereal with Mandarin Oranges and DatesHave you ever had one of those days where you just can’t seem to get tasks under control and your brain out of the fog and then realize you had a less-than-stellar breakfast? Making sure to eat a fortifying and healthful breakfast isn’t easy, especially if you have a schedule that involves a flurry of lunchboxes and carpools, but eventually that single slice of toast will catch up to you.
It might be cliché, but breakfast really is the most important meal of the day. Not only does it get your body energized for the day ahead, it helps prevent that 10 a.m. slump that gets you headed for the nearest snack bar.
One of the best ways to have stick-to-your-ribs goodness is a breakfast of hot cereal. But move over, plain oatmeal! Today’s hot cereals feature a variety of whole grains and toppings. There’s no way to get breakfast fatigue with these customizable bowls.
Creamy Almond Rye Flake Oatmeal
Remember, to save valuable time in the morning, hot cereals can easily be prepared in a slow cooker opens in a new tab or mixed together and refrigerated overnight opens in a new tab.
1. Start with Grains
Sure, there’s oats, but there’s also millet, barley, rice, quinoa, bulgur, and more, each one with its own unique texture and taste. Try out a few different ones before settling on your favorite – you never know what new flavors you might enjoy.
2. Add Liquid
Try alternative milks like almondmilk or hempmilk, or go for a savory breakfast with low-sodium vegetable broth.
3. Layer on Fruits and Veggies
There’s no limit when it comes to these tasty toppings! Leftover dinner veggies can be transformed for breakfast porridge, and a mixture of your favorite fresh and dried fruits are great for satisfying your sweet tooth.
4. Crunch, Spice and Zest
The final finish can be a sprinkling of sunflower seeds, a dash of cinnamon or even chopped fresh herbs.
Apple Scented Breakfast Oatmeal with BuckwheatCreative Combos
Try a few of these on for size.
Blueberry Almond: Quinoa + almondmilk + blueberries + toasted almonds
Jazzy Raspberry: Steel-cut oats + soymilk + raspberries + ground ginger + toasted sunflower seeds
Vanilla Fig: Millet + vanilla almondmilk + dried figs + toasted walnuts
Tex Mex: Brown rice + vegetable broth + diced tomato + avocado + cilantro
Savory Sun-Dried Tomato: Bulgur + vegetable broth + garbanzo beans + sun-dried tomatoes + green onions + toasted cashews
Nutty Sweet Potato: Barley + almondmilk + diced cooked sweet potato + toasted pecans
Apple Spiced Oats: Steel-cut oats + almondmilk + diced apples + currants + nutmeg + toasted pecans
How do you add flair to your breakfast cereal? Share your favorite toppings in the comments below.
