Is breakfast still the most important meal of the day? It is for me

     I often think about the fact that no millennial/zillenial girl made it out of adolescence without some form of an eating disorder. At least, I have yet to meet one. I have my own story to tell in that regard, but gosh that sounds like a chore and I don't just don't care to. I'd much prefer to focus and speak on the true nourishment of our bodies. Feeding our minds, soul, and stomach with a deep appreciation for this sack of bones, skin, and fat that carries us through life. I have become keenly aware of just how much my children listen and mimic their surroundings. I ask myself this, are my children witnessing me care for myself? Or are they watching me engage in destructive behaviors? What they see and hear daily shapes them. How could it not? I would never ever profess to be perfect or know it all. But I am trying, and that's really what counts. I long to send my children through childhood and into adulthood with no bizarre food attachment issues. Just nourishment, joy, and a useful tool for them to utilize. The fact I get to go along on that journey with them and rediscover myself in many ways is just icing on the cake. 

     For me, the act of sitting down to eat breakfast is a sweet simple act of rebellion against frantic expectations. Now for clarity's sake let me say that I'm a product of the military and hardly treat breakfast like it's dinner at Downton. But what time I take to make food, and eat it has a profound impact on my day and mind. You see, when you're a mother your time is no longer yours. Ever. Especially during the most taxing times of the younger years. As my children have gotten older though (now aged 4 and 6) I feel and know deep down I have the authority to take a little of my time back. The children have far more independence now (the 4-year-old just made himself some jelly toast from start to finish for instance, yay!), and I feel I can healthily ask for some time to myself. I give but I also need is a resounding theme for me this year. Leaning into gentle nurturing energy while still holding firmly and even stubbornly at times to every boundary I have set.

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     Breakfast is the most important meal of the day for me because it means I matter. And you, whoever you are matter too! Taking the time to cook and consume food gratefully is a practice I don't ever want to live without. So here's a mini "what I ate for breakfast" this morning breakdown. While it changes from time to time, this little system I have here is pretty much my rhythm with food.

    First thing first, I make my collagen and greens drink from Ancient Nutrition. I have tried a few brands of collagen, but this is by far the best for your dollar! It took my hair strands from snapping in half to being as bouncy as a piece of elastic. Seriously, it's impressive. The greens may be a bit of a placebo effect, but I'm sticking with them for now because it can't hurt right? While I drink that, I cook fresh organic eggs (usually 1 sometimes 2) in some grass-fed organic butter, then sit those atop a piece of toast. I have been obsessed with Ezeikial bread for years, and there aren't many mornings it doesn't show up on my plate. It's amazing fuel for the rest of your day! Oftentimes, before I start with my main breakfast, I take a few bits of sauerkraut or Kimchi for some probiotics. Saurkraut, in particular, is a very inexpensive way to introduce digestible probiotics into your daily routine. There's usually no need for fancy expensive probiotic pills, so keep that in mind! A few bites of organic fermented food will do the trick, if not better. 

    A nice cup of coffee always follows after the first few bites of food. Generally speaking, don't ever have coffee be the first thing that you consume in the morning. It is very high in acid and can have negative health effects from regular consumption in that way. Even a glass of water before your morning coffee can offset some of the bad! If a full breakfast isn't attainable for you in the morning, start with a glass of fresh filtered water before all else, and it makes a big difference. 

    After I finish eating, I take a teaspoon of cod liver oil. If I had to choose one supplement to take for the rest of my life this would be it. I can't say enough good things about it as it was a major game changer in helping me heal my cystic acne. Dropping dairy from my diet and taking cod liver oil truly healed my skin within a month. I have now added dairy back into my diet for coffee's sake, just preferably raw, or A2 organic. Most of the time, milk subs are either bad for the environment (almond) or an insane sugar spike with a side of glyphosate poisoning and cut in half with inflammatory oil (oat). Seriously, stay away from oat milk... So if you can find a trusted farmer, or it's legal in your state (it is legal in CA) try a bit of raw milk for your morning latte. 

It turns out eggs look unbelievably unappetizing when photographed. Yet there they sit in all their happy glory! Here is a mini nutrition breakdown for the food mentioned. 

1 Tablespoon of sauerkraut: Improves digestion and helps balance gut bacteria.  

Ezeikial Toast: High in protein and fiber while low in the glycemic index

Eggs: Healthy omega 3s, complete protein, high in vitamins A and E

Grass-fed butter: High in omega 3s and Vitamins A, D, and K2

We are all busy people these days, and seemingly on the go non-stop. Who knows if we're eating lunch or when we get around to dinner. This is a little encouragement to cook yourself a nice breakfast. Sit down, and read the paper, or that article you've been meaning to get to. Stare out the window and let your mind wander wherever it wants. Just take a moment for simple gratitude and peace.