Menu Plan : September 8

Starting the day out right is essential to changing your health for the better. A good breakfast provides you the energy you need to get through the day, but you need to make sure it’s nutritional. For way to long I relied on quick store bought cereals, not realizing how depleted they were on real nutrition. Getting in a great breakfast may take a little bit longer in the morning, but it’s well worth it. Even if you have to wake up a few minutes early if need be.

What makes a good breakfast?

Oatmeal and or other whole grains. And not the packaged, sugary instant stuff. The good old fashioned (or one minute) oats. Add in honey or maple syrup instead of sugar if you like your oatmeal sweet. Also top it out with dried fruit, walnuts, or ground flaxseed. To receive the full nutritional benefits of the oatmeal, set out one cup of oats in one cup of water, along with 2 Tbsp of either kefir or plain yogurt overnight. (the acidic nature of the kefir/yogurt will break down the phytic acid in the oats making it easier for your body to absorb the nutrients) Rinse out the oats in the morning and add about 2/3 cup water back to the oats and boil for a couple minutes until soft.

Eggs. Unlike what past medical knowledge has tried to tell us, eggs are not bad for our health. In fact the vitamin and mineral content as well as the fat in them, can actually increase fertility in couples. Our bodies need full fat products, like eggs, in order to develop our own healthy eggs as well as support a growing baby. Personally I try and make sure I eat the recommended 2 eggs a day, most days of the week, for either breakfast or lunch. (and if you’re worried about cholesterol – I used to have extremely high cholesterol levels when I ate processed and low-fat foods. My total lipid level was actually 258. Now that I eat whole, natural foods, it’s down to 168)

Dairy and fermented dairy products. Now before you get grossed out on the fermented thing and click away, I’m talking about things like yogurt, kefir (like a runny yogurt), and even cheeses. Dairy products are again a nutritional powerhouse when you eat them as close to their natural state as possible. They are also a good source of vitamin B-6, which your body uses to regulate cycles and hormones. Personally I recommend drinking and using raw milk if you can find a quality farm in which to buy it from, otherwise at least go full fat and organic.

My breakfast menu this week:
Monday – kefir smoothie (see below) whole wheat toast w/ real butter
Tuesday - soaked oatmeal w/ honey, raisins, and flax seed, orange
Wednesday – 2 egg veggie omelet (2 eggs, zucchini and green pepper)
Thursday – plain full fat yogurt w/ fruit and honey, whole wheat toast w/ real butter
Friday – scrambled eggs with chopped spinach and shredded cheese, orange
Saturday – soaked oatmeal w/ honey, walnuts, and dried cranberries
Sunday – 2 eggs, fried in butter w/ kefir smoothie

Along with breakfast each morning I also try and drink a full glass of water. Why water and not juice? Well, your body most likely has not had and liquids in at least 8 hours so it’s a great way to replenish and start your day hydrated. Although, I do admit I will make juice in our juicer when we have fruits and veggies nearing the end of their time. But at least this juice is just that, juice. It’s not full of refined sugars, nor has it been processed and boiled to the point of nutritional loss.