I'm a huge fan of banana bread. In my opinion, it represents the epitome of comfort food. During my childhood, we had a rotation of various quick breads, including zucchini bread, carrot lemon bread, banana bread, and strawberry bread. I even had the honor of winning a blue ribbon for my carrot lemon bread at the state fair. However, when I went gluten-free ten years ago, it meant that I had to make some changes to my relationship with these beloved treats. Fortunately, there are still delightful ways to make quick breads without using traditional wheat-based flour.
Omega-3 Rich Paleo Breakfast Porridge
For many people, porridges like oatmeal, cream of wheat or congee are quintessential breakfast foods. For people looking for lower net carb or paleo options, this recipe is for you. Chia, hemp and flax seeds are all rich in fiber and short-chain omega-3’s. This porridge thickens quickly and is a beautiful canvas for sweet and savory flavors.
This recipe is a great breakfast option when completing an elimination diet.
The Universal Breakfast Hash Recipe
To me, hash is a nearly perfect breakfast dish. Traditionally it is a dish of cooked meat cut into small pieces that is then cooked again, usually with potatoes. In my version, it is rich in veggies, protein and good fats to provide sustained energy for the morning.
While this recipe is no nonsense, it is amazingly versatile and delicious. You can use raw or cooked potatoes, any veggie that suits your fancy, and add egg, sausage or leave meat free. The possibilities are endless.
How to Upgrade Your Breakfast
Breakfast is a challenging meal for many people and often gets less priority in busy mornings while rushing out the door for work or school. Luckily, a nutritious breakfast can be easy, and help us get in the habit of including nutrient-dense foods at every meal. Listed below are a few tips to help set you up for a delicious day.
Simple Arugula Citrus Breakfast Salad
The perfect breakfast is low in sugar and contains protein, healthy fats and plenty of fiber. The combination of these macronutrients ensures that our blood sugars are stable helping to keep us appropriately fueled for our day. Give this simple salad a try. The citrus provides sweetness and acidity to balance the bitter greens. I like to serve this salad with a piece protein to round out the meal.
House-cured Salmon
Gravlax is a Northern European dish that refers to salmon cured with sugar, salt and dill. It is traditionally served as part of a smorgasbord with a mustard sauce. Because this salmon dish is simple to prepare it makes an elegant and impressive treat for guests, but also provides an easy way to add brain and heart healthy omega- 3 fats to everyday meals and snacks.
Building a Better Smoothie and Dr. Leazenby’s Favorite Recipe
We all know that we should be eating more fruits and vegetables, but its not always the most convenient choice in our busy American lifestyle. You have to get creative and plan ahead to find strategies that work for you. I frequently teach the "4 S’s" to my patients and my students as ways to incorporate veggies into your diet. These include Soups, Smoothies, Stir-fries and Salads. All of these are versatile options for incorporating plenty of nutritious foods to support your health.
Let's look closer at smoothies. They are a great option for any meal of the day. The can be made sweet or savory and can accommodate a large variety of ingredients. However, they can also quickly become unbalanced and sugar-laden when made with too much fruit juice, sweetened yogurt, or large amounts of high-glycemic fruit. The following tips can help make smoothies a nourishing part of your diet.
Dutch Baby Pancake
When I was a little girl, I would go visit my Grandmother during the holidays. She would take my siblings and I to a restaurant in the Chicagoland area that specialized in Dutch babies, also called German pancakes. These delicacies are pure nostalgia for me. Dutch babies are large puffy pancakes that are a bit like popovers or soufflés. The pancake is made from simple ingredients but look very impressive and festive on the table. Dutch babies are traditionally (at least in my memories) served with lemon and powdered sugar but can be served with other fruit or savory toppings. It has taken me some testing in the kitchen, but I have been able to convert my memories of this treat into a gluten-free and dairy-free version that is perfect for breakfasts and brunches for my family. Sometimes I’ll expand the recipe and add a dollop of sautéed apples in the skillet just after I add the batter. Enjoy!
Back to School Breakfasts
The start of the school year means that many of us are getting back to familiar routines that may have become lax in the summer (or during quarantine). For those of us with school age children, late summer is a natural time to reset some of our habits for the upcoming year. Switching up your breakfast is an easy opportunity to increase your energy, control your cravings, encourage mental focus and potentially lose weight. These are benefits that can be enjoyed by the whole family regardless of age. If you are currently skipping breakfast or not having a healthy breakfast, consider prioritizing this meal for a month and note how you feel.
The Ultimate Nut Lovers Granola
Granola is a family favorite at our home. When done well, it can provide a great source of fiber, protein and heart-healthy, unsaturated fats to fuel your morning. Unfortunately some granolas on the market can be loaded with sugar and unhealthy fats. See the recipe below for how easy it is to make a nutritious and delicious option at home.
Upgrade Your Breakfast
Breakfast is a challenging meal for many people and often gets less priority in busy mornings while rushing out the door for work or school. Luckily, a nutritious breakfast can be easy, and help us get in the habit of including nutrient-dense foods at every meal. Listed below are a few tips to help set you up for a delicious day.
Red Velvet Waffles
We love waffles in our house. They are a treat we use to celebrate weekends and holidays. With Valentine’s Day approaching I created this red waffle recipe as a fun way for my kids to start their day. I love all red velvet baked goods, but I work very hard to make sure that all the ingredients in my kitchen come from real foods rather than artificially produced colors made in a lab. Cue the beets!