One of my colleagues at work asked me how best to fuel the brain for breakfast. I asked him what he usually ate: milk and an unsweetened wheat cereal was his answer, thinking that was a pretty healthy breakfast.
When I shriveled my nose, he cried out: “But what else can I eat? Milk and cereal is so quick, easy and satisfying!”
Well, milk is pro-inflammatory as is gluten for most people. Our brain works best when the foods we eat are anti-inflammatory.
Some of the foods that fight inflammation are:
- leafy greens,
- berries,
- walnuts,
- chia seeds,
- flax seeds,
- hemp seeds,
- turmeric,
- ginger,
- cinnamon.
Below are a couple of quick and easy breakfast recipes that will give us energy and ignite our brain.
To make them speedy, however, you will need a little organization.
Oat and Chia Porridge
This is to be prepared the night before.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup non-dairy milk (unsweetened almond, coconut or a mix of both)
- ½ cup water
- 3 tbsp rolled oats
- 2 tbsp ground chia seeds
- ¼ tsp cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon ginger
- ½ cup fresh or frozen blueberries
- 1 tbsp chopped walnuts (optional)
Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Cover and put in the fridge overnight. In the morning, you can either warm the porridge up in a small saucepan (2 minutes) or have it cold. Add in a little water or non-dairy milk should you want it of a thinner consistency.
Green Smoothie
I love green smoothies, they have all the ingredients to give you a good boost of energy to your day, they nourish your body and cells and are quick and easy to make.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups non-dairy milk (unsweetened almond, oat or coconut)
- 1 cup tightly packed fresh spinach (or frozen… I buy it fresh, wash it, dry it and freeze it in about 1 cup portions so I have it ready for my speedy breakfast)
- 2 tbsp ground hemp seeds
- 1 cup fresh or frozen organic strawberries (or blueberries)
- ½ banana (optional)
- ½ tsp organic vanilla extract
Add ingredients to the blender, blend and enjoy!