Easy back to school breakfasts |
Breakfast - The word alone makes it easy to understand why it's important to eat in the morning. Breaking the 'fast' your body has been on for about 8 - 12 hours is essential to eating healthy. Countless health experts agree that it's the most important meal of the day but unfortunately, many Canadians skip breakfast, including children. It's been shown that students who are well nourished perform better academically, are absent and late for school less often, function better behaviorally and emotionally, have less anxiety, depression and hyperactivity, and are more ready to learn (Knowledge Network online). Re-discover your breakfast and make it an important meal in your day and don't forget to check out www.walnutinfo.com for other breakfast ideas.
Nutty Breakfast Parfait
Here's a great breakfast recipe that tastes good and is good for you too. You can prepare the granola ahead of time and then simply add the yogurt and fresh fruit when you're ready to eat.
Ingredients
1-1/2 cups old-fashioned 375 mL rolled oats
1/2 cup California walnuts, 125 mL coarsely chopped
1/3 cup pure maple syrup, 75 mL divided
2 tsp butter 10 mL
2 cups sliced, hulled 500 mL strawberries
2 cups thinly sliced, 500 mL peeled peaches (about 4 medium peaches)
1 cup blueberries 250 mL
1 cup cubed, peeled 250 mL kiwi (about 3 kiwi)
2 cups non-fat plain 500 mL yogurt
Instructions
Mix oats and walnuts in 13x9x2-inch (33x23x5 cm) baking pan. Combine 1/4 cup (50 mL) of the maple syrup and butter in small heavy saucepan. Bring to boil. Pour maple syrup mixture over oat mixture; stir to blend well. Bake 10 minutes at 375 F (190 C), stirring occasionally. Bake until mixture is golden and crisp, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes longer. Cool granola completely in pan. (Can be prepared 1 week ahead. Store in airtight container at room temperature.)
Gently toss strawberries, peaches, blueberries, kiwi and remaining maple syrup in large bowl to blend. Divide half of the fruit mixture among 6 parfait or wine glasses. Sprinkle each parfait with half the granola mixture, dividing equally. Top each with half of the yogurt. Repeat layers. Serve immediately. Makes 6 servings.
