Breakfast options seem limited when things like instant oatmeal or toast are a thing of the past. Dry cereal or toaster waffles are not food and the only ones that want you to believe that it is are companies that heavily market such items, both to kids and adults, as breakfast.
I can almost guarantee that our grandparents (and their grandparents) did not eat frozen pancakes or drive-through sandwiches. More than likely, a full meal was prepared, especially since previous generations did not have access to the convenience food or fast food joints. Leftovers from the previous night were also served since households may not have had a refrigerator handy.
So what can you eat when the standard options are not available? The answer is: EVERYTHING! In my family, we eat a variety of meals in the morning. Eggs are an obvious option because they are cheap, nutritious and super easy. Smoothies made with both healthy raw eggs and greens like spinach are filling and fast - weird protein powders need not apply. Scrambles made with chopped veggies can be super quick to make and everyone is off to school or work with a happy stomach. Leftovers from the previous night are another great option. Leftover steak or chicken and grilled veggies are a personal favorite and I usually call dibs on it at breakfast time. It doesn't matter if no one was around to hear me call dibs in the morning. Shotgun rules apply and it's MINE. And I have been known to scarf down a salad with some sort of meat for breakfast.
I find that soup (yes, SOUP) can very soothing first thing in the morning and a good option for light eaters. Soups are easily varied and super easy to throw together before bed by adding bone broth, veggies, and a protein into a crockpot and letting it do its thing all night. Easy peasy. Many cultures have soup for breakfast and my family enjoys (grain-free) menudo made in the crockpot on a weekly basis.
Another favorite is hash and made with protein and veggies leftover from the night before, it is a great way to get the most out of your groceries as it ensures leftovers do not hide in the back of your fridge until they sprouts and arm and a leg. When luck is not on your side and leftovers are not available, below is a recipe for hash that we also eat at least once a week. It is a basic recipe and can be changed up by substituting different meat or adding chopped kale or spinach (added toward the end of cooking) or chopped fresh jalapenos for an awesome kick mouth. If you are into that sort of thing.
Breakfast Hash (adapted from the recipe for Cowboy Hash Primal Cravings)
I can almost guarantee that our grandparents (and their grandparents) did not eat frozen pancakes or drive-through sandwiches. More than likely, a full meal was prepared, especially since previous generations did not have access to the convenience food or fast food joints. Leftovers from the previous night were also served since households may not have had a refrigerator handy.
So what can you eat when the standard options are not available? The answer is: EVERYTHING! In my family, we eat a variety of meals in the morning. Eggs are an obvious option because they are cheap, nutritious and super easy. Smoothies made with both healthy raw eggs and greens like spinach are filling and fast - weird protein powders need not apply. Scrambles made with chopped veggies can be super quick to make and everyone is off to school or work with a happy stomach. Leftovers from the previous night are another great option. Leftover steak or chicken and grilled veggies are a personal favorite and I usually call dibs on it at breakfast time. It doesn't matter if no one was around to hear me call dibs in the morning. Shotgun rules apply and it's MINE. And I have been known to scarf down a salad with some sort of meat for breakfast.
I find that soup (yes, SOUP) can very soothing first thing in the morning and a good option for light eaters. Soups are easily varied and super easy to throw together before bed by adding bone broth, veggies, and a protein into a crockpot and letting it do its thing all night. Easy peasy. Many cultures have soup for breakfast and my family enjoys (grain-free) menudo made in the crockpot on a weekly basis.
Another favorite is hash and made with protein and veggies leftover from the night before, it is a great way to get the most out of your groceries as it ensures leftovers do not hide in the back of your fridge until they sprouts and arm and a leg. When luck is not on your side and leftovers are not available, below is a recipe for hash that we also eat at least once a week. It is a basic recipe and can be changed up by substituting different meat or adding chopped kale or spinach (added toward the end of cooking) or chopped fresh jalapenos for an awesome kick mouth. If you are into that sort of thing.
Breakfast Hash (adapted from the recipe for Cowboy Hash Primal Cravings)
- Cooking fat of choice (pastured lard or grass-fed tallow are great choices)
- 2 plantains, peeled and grated
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 lb ground meat of choice (grass-fed beef or pastured pork work well)
- Salt/seasonings of choice, to taste
Warm the fat in a cast-iron skillet regular pan and crumble and brown the meat. Add the shredded plantains and chopped onion (I use a food processor fitted with the S-blade to chop the onion, then use the shredding attachment to grate the plantain in the same bowl). Season to taste and stir occasionally, until browned and the plantains are nice and caramelized, usually about 10-15 minutes. Adjust seasonings before serving.
Of course, this is great served alongside eggs, topped with guacamole, and even on its own.
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