Last year, I wrote a post “Healthy Breakfast Recipes for Kids” as part of my “Food for the Brain” series where I talked about foods that are good for the brain. These included berries, apples, eggs, yogurt, whole grains, nuts, leafy green vegetables, fatty fish and iron rich foods.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “eating a healthy breakfast is associated with improved cognitive function (especially memory), reduced absenteeism, and improved mood.” Eating breakfast is also beneficial to adults. Studies show those who eat breakfast are less likely to become overweight, will maintain better cholesterol levels and will maintain an overall healthy lifestyle.
With school underway, starting the day off with a healthy and satisfying breakfast is a priority. Since my kids were young, I’ve always emphasized the importance of a good breakfast. Fortunately, the idea of a good healthy breakfast has sunk into my older boys over the years, and now that they make their own breakfast in the morning, they make good choices on their own. Oatmeal, whole grain cereal, Greek yogurt and bananas are their go-to breakfast foods on any given school day.
I still make breakfast for my little guy because he gets up a little later than my older boys and I’m more awake by then. Sometimes I’ll make him a Fruit Smoothie with Greek yogurt or a Yogurt Granola Fruit Parfait; other days, breakfast might be an fluffy omelet stuffed with leftover vegetables from the night before, a breakfast burrito stuffed with scrambled eggs and uncured turkey bacon, or vegetarian refried beans topped with a poached egg and salsa.
One recent morning, I treated my little guy to this Almond Crusted Stuffed French Toast served with fresh strawberries. Made with whole grain raisin bread spread with almond butter and blueberry jam from the farmer’s market, then dipped in egg and crusted with sliced almonds, this French toast was a fun way to add fiber and protein at breakfast time.
And now for the Giveaway! THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED.
September is Better Breakfast Month and The California Almond Board is giving away a Better Breakfast Starter Kit (total value of approximately $50), filled with:
- One $20 Visa gift card to buy anything else that makes your breakfast better
- One pound of whole natural almonds
- One jar of almond butter
- One pound of sliced almonds
- One reusable, insulated travel pouch for breakfasts on-the-go
- One double-sided recipe card for better breakfast inspiration
a Rafflecopter giveaway
During the month of September, The California Almond Board is also running a Better Breakfast Challenge, where they are challenging people to makeover their breakfasts for at least one week during Better Breakfast Month. By entering, you could win a year’s supply of almonds! All you have to do is visit their website (www.almonds.com) in September, submit a photo of your better breakfast made with almonds and let them know why it’s better for you. Winners will be posted daily on their Facebook page.
Almond Crusted Stuffed French Toast
Ingredients
- 4 pieces whole grain gluten-free cinnamon raisin bread
- 2 tablespoons almond butter
- 2 tablespoons blueberry jam
- 1 egg
- 3 tablespoons low-fat milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- a dash of ground cinnamon
- 2 ounces sliced raw almonds
- cooking spray
- honey for serving
Instructions
-
Spread 2 slices of bread with almond butter and blueberry jam. Place slice of bread on top of each slice to make two sandwiches.
-
In a pie pan, beat egg with milk, vanilla and cinnamon. Place almonds on a plate.
-
Dip one side of each of the sandwiches in the egg mixture and place on top of almonds. Gently pressure so almonds stick to sandwich. Dip other side of sandwich and press into almonds on the plate. Carefully spray both sides of sandwiches with cooking spray. Cook on the stove in a pan or on a panini press.
-
Serve with honey if desired.
Disclosure: I received a complimentary Better Breakfast Starter Kit to play around with because I am a big advocate of healthier breakfasts.
Strawberry Almond Breakfast Quinoa Recipe {Natural Pregnancy Cookbook Review/Giveaway}
18
I love oatmeal with a sprinkle of cinnamon and brown sugar, topped off with some blueberries!
Amanda – great idea! Love blueberries and oatmeal.
I eat oatmeal every morning but when I want to mix it up, I will make eggs and avocado 🙂
i love oatmeal for breakfast
Oatmeal is a great healthy breakfast!
I find that eggs and veggies do the best job of keeping me satisfied throughout the morning. This morning it was broccoli plus tomato, peppers, onion, and garlic from my CSA with egg whites and pesto. Yum!
In the winter, my go-to is oatmeal, which I try to keep interesting with varying mix-ins and toppings. In the summer heat, I’ve been gravitating towards Greek yogurt with fruit, nuts, granola, etc.
I try to make both of my boys a healthy breakfast every morning. Their go to breakfast is fresh fruit (the more, the better!) and oatmeal. They usually get a half of piece of toast or another wholesome treat to go with it. I try to do the same for myself. My husband gets a fresh smoothie and avocado toast! Now I’m ready for second breakfast!
My favorite in the heat is just some cut-up fruit of whatever is ripe that day. Add a bit of greek yogurt with some flax sprinkled on top and you are good to go!
I love overnight oats and baked donuts. They are totally customizable for any flavor combo!
I like Greek yogurt with fresh fruit
im an egg white (anything) breakfast person
I like to make spinach egg white omelettes.
I like oatmeal with almond milk.
Steel cut oatmeal
Refrigerator oatmeal for me!
I love homemade overnight muesli served with yogirt, fresh fruit and chia!
LOVE this idea for French toast, Jeanette! The almond crunch must really make this dish. Cannot wait to try…gluten-free, of course! 🙂
Stacy – this is fun to eat. I used Canyon Bakehouse Gluten-Free Cinnamon Raisin Bread – it’s really good!
I always have oatmeal with cinnamon and dried fruit like raisins or plums or apples and soy milk or almond milk, or my homemade granola with almonds and other nuts, or museli with almonds. On special occasions I make a fresh Raspberry Almond French Toast overnight dish. Your stuffed French toast sounds wonderful, too.
baked oatmeal
I dig all the flavors you’ve got going on here! Will be trying out your recipe 🙂
http://www.prettybitchescancooktoo.com
Oatmeal & a banana is my go to!
I love oatmeal and green smoothies
Favorite breakfast is muesli with milk and/or fruit flavored yogurt (usually raspberry). You’re making me want french toast, though.
Your French toast looks delicious.
Thanks Cheryl – it’s fun to eat too with the crunchy coating.
I like parfait made with granola and Greek yogurt…but it would be better with more almonds 🙂
My favorite healthy breakfast is quinoa with soft cooked eggs and veggies with nuoc cham drizzled on top
Going to try this at our first ever art retreat in January! Can wait to sample!
thick cut oatmeal
Omelet with fresh veggies!
I like oatmeal with raisins.
Oh I would have to say fresh fruit! Always my fav and easy on the go!
Quinoa cooked with dried cranberries and sliced almonds. Yum!
Roasted slivers of almonds mixed with honey and blueberries in buttermilk pancake batter and served hot with low fat yoghurt! Healthy goodness disappears in a second in our home!
I like oatmeal.
My favorite breakfast is scrambled eggs with salsa in a Flatout wrap.
I like fresh fruit and bagels with peanut butter!
I love oatmeal!
Oatmeal with bananas, nuts, dried cranberries and honey.
I’m falling in love with this! What a great idea to stuff and crust French toast! Hope to try this out soon. Thanks for sharing!