Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bread

 I love fall and I love apples. Now that it’s September, we’re officially moving into some of my favorite months. I loved September/October on the east coast because you really can’t beat the crisp air, fall foliage, and enjoying some apple cider by the fire after an afternoon hike. On the west coast, fall is also pretty amazing because the sky is clear, the air is warm, and we’re outside on trails or at the beaches most days. So wherever you are, I hope you’re getting excited about the season ahead! And to help get you there, here is my Apple Cinnamon Breakfast Bread! We have gotten into a routine where we have some sort of breakfast bread most mornings to accompany our smoothies or oatmeal and this is my latest obsession!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups almond flour

• 1 tsp cinnamon

• 1 tsp baking soda

• 1/2 tsp sea salt

• 1/2 teaspoon all spice

• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

• 3 eggs

• 1/2 cup greek yogurt

• 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted and cooled

• 1/4 cup maple syrup

• 1 apple, peeled and diced

• 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F

• In a mixing bowl, combine the eggs, coconut oil, greek yogurt, and maple syrup

• In another mixing bowl, combine the almond flour, baking soda, salt, all spice, cinnamon, and nutmeg

• Mix the wet and dry ingredients together. Fold in apples and walnuts (if using). 

• Bake for 40 minutes.

Serving ideas:

• Top with peanut or almond butter and a sprinkle of cinnamon

• Spread with butter or coconut oil and a sprinkle or cinnamon

Almond Flour Pancakes

Topped here with almond butter, blueberries, and maple syrup

I LOVE pancakes. They remind me of weekend mornings growing up where my dad would whip up a batch of some good ol’ Bisquick pancakes, cooked in slabs of butter and topped with as much maple syrup as we could fit on our plates. Maybe not the healthiest start to the day, but definitely delicious! These almond flour pancakes are my of keeping up with this weekend morning routine, without feeding my body processed flours and ingredients. These are made with a few simple ingredients and you can enjoy them guilt-free!

Ingredients

(serves 2)

• 1 cup almond flour

• 1/4 cup almond milk

• 2 eggs

• 1 tablespoon maple syrup

• 1 teaspoon coconut oil, melted and cooled

• 1/4 tsp salt

• ½  tsp cinnamon

Directions:

• In a medium-sized mixing bowl, whisk together almond milk, eggs, maple syrup, and coconut oil.

• In a small mixing bowl, mix almond flour, salt, and cinnamon. Then pour into the wet ingredients and combine.

• Heat a nonstick pan over medium heat. For each batch on pancakes, add some coconut oil to the pan before pouring in some batter. Cook pancakes for about 2-3 minutes per side.

• Top with maple syrup, yogurt, almond butter, berries, bananas, you name it!

Healthier Oatmeal Raisin Cookies

Looking for a healthier oatmeal raisin cookie to satisfy your sweet tooth? Not only are these cookies soft and perfectly sweet, they are full are health-boosting ingredients, like sunflower seeds, flax seeds, coconut, and raisins! 

Ingredients

• 1 ⅓ cups rolled oats

• ⅓ cup oat flour (pulse oats until finely ground)

• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla

• 6 tablespoons coconut oil, melted 

• ¼ cup coconut sugar (or brown sugar)

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 egg

• 3/4 cup raisins

• 1/4 cup ground flax seeds

• ¼ cup sunflower seeds

• ¼ cup shredded coconut

• ¼ tsp of salt

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

• In a mixing bowl, mix together all wet ingredients (coconut oil, honey, egg, vanilla).

• In a separate bowl, mix together all dry ingredients (oats, oat flour, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, brown sugar, raisins, ground flax seeds, sunflower seeds, shredded coconut, salt).

• Then using a rubber spatula, fold the oat mixture into the egg mixture. The dough will be a little crumbly, which is okay! If dough is too crumbly, add in another tablespoon of flour (coconut flour works well here).

• Form into about 15 cookies

• Bake the cookies for 12-14 minutes depending on the size of your cookies.

• Let cool and enjoy!

White Bean and Almond Hummus with Cinnamon Spiced Carrots

When I was in New Zealand for my honeymoon, I went to a tapas restaurant in a town called Wanaka and we had these roasted, spiced carrots over an almond hummus. It was so delicious and I decided I needed to try my own version once we got back. And that’s exactly what I did! I find that adding a little flare to veggie dishes make them so much more exciting and delicious. Having some sort of sauce or dip always elevates the flavor and makes a dish feel special!

Ingredients

(Serves 2)

For the carrots

• 6 carrots, sliced in half lengthwise

• 1 tbsp avocado oil 

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• ¼ tsp cumin

• ¼ tsp salt

For the white bean and almond hummus

• 1 15.5 ounce can cannellini beans (or 1 ½ cups cooked beans)

• 3 tbsp almond butter

• ¼ cup olive oil

• 1 clove garlic, roughly chopped

• ½ tsp salt and ¼ tsp pepper 

• 1 tbsp water

Directions:

Served here with a lentils and cinnamon and paprika spiced cauliflower

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees

• Toss carrots with avocado oil, cinnamon, cumin, and salt. Place on a baking sheet and roast for about 45 minutes, tossing occasionally until tender and browned. 

• Meanwhile, prepare the hummus by combining beans, almond butter, olive oil, garlic, salt, pepper, and water in a food processor. Blend until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if needed. If too thick, add another tbsp of water.

• Spread hummus on a serving plate and place slightly cooled carrots on top. Garnish with parsley (optional)

NOTES: Other white beans, such as butter beans, will also work here! Using dried beans are a better bang for your buck. Also, canned beans can be high in sodium, so if you have the time and ability to forward-plan, I recommend using dry beans (soak them and cook them), but if you’re like me, I resort to using the canned kind most of the time! 

Health Benefits of Cannellini Beans:

• They are an inexpensive source of high-quality protein, which keeps us full and our muscles working properly. A half cup gives you about 8 grams of protein!

• White beans are an excellent source of insoluble fibre, which helps maintain a healthy digestive system. 

• Their high soluble fiber content can help provide you with stable energy levels throughout the day and also helps to remove toxins from our bodies.

• Cannellini beans are rich in magnesium, which aids in optimizing blood flow and keeping arteries healthy

• They help maintain healthy blood sugar levels, which is important in preventing diabetes

Sources and additional reading:

• https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/health-benefits-of-cannellini-beans/

• https://www.naturalfoodseries.com/11-benefits-cannellini-beans/

• https:/draxe.com/nutrition/cannellini-beans/

Pumpkin Smoothie

You can have this smoothie for breakfast, but if you’re like me, you’d rather have it for dessert! It tastes like a pumpkin milkshake, but you can fully enjoy it knowing there is no dairy or refined sugars. The banana adds a natural sweetness and the spices make this smoothie/milkshake taste festive and seasonal. Enjoy!

Ingredients:

• 1 banana

• 1 cup frozen cauliflower

• ½ cup pumpkin puree

• ½ cup and 2 tbsp unsweetened almond milk

• ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice

• ⅛ tsp cinnamon

• 1 tbsp almond butter

Directions:

• Add all ingredients to a blender and blend until smooth

Tip! Make this into a smoothie bowl by topping with toasted pecans, coconut, and banana slices with a sprinkling of cinnamon.

Pumpkin Oatmeal

This is a cozy, warming, and decadent way to start your day. The pumpkin flavor, combined with the warming spices of cinnamon and nutmeg will keep you reaching for this breakfast bowl all fall as temperatures continue to drop. It’s delicious, but it’s also a breakfast that packs a nutritional punch. You read all about the health benefits of pumpkin in my last post - the pumpkin in combination with the fibrous whole grain oats will help keep you feeling full and satiated all morning long. TIP! Use the extra pumpkin (if using canned) in my “Pumpkin Energy Bites” or “Pumpkin Smoothie.”

Ingredients

(serves 2)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1 cup almond milk

• 1 cup water

• ¼ cup plus 2 tbsp. pumpkin puree

• 1 tbsp maple syrup

• 1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

• ¼ tsp cinnamon

• Pinch of salt

Directions

• In a small pot, add water, almond milk, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer. 

• Add in oats and pumpkin puree. Stir somewhat frequently until oats begin to soften and most of the liquid has been absorbed (about 5-10 minutes).

• Add in the pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, and maple syrup. Stir to combine. Then serve.

• Optional: Top with banana slices, toasted pecans, and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

TIP! Add a tablespoon of chia seeds or ground flaxseeds for an added nutritional boost and some healthy fats to keep you feeling fuller longer.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal Bowl

This breakfast dish is so cozy and comforting. It’s absolutely perfect for that crisp fall morning, where you’re craving something that’s warming. This oatmeal tastes delicious and it’s full of healthy fats and protein with the coconut oil, flaxseed or chia seed, and almond butter to help keep your blood sugar levels balanced and your energy up all day!

Ingredients

(serves 1)

• ½ cup rolled oats

• ½  cup water

• ½  cup unsweetened almond milk

• 1 tbsp chia seeds or ground flaxseed

• 2 tsp coconut oil

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• 1 organic, crisp apple, diced

• 1 tbsp almond butter

Directions:

• Heat coconut oil in a medium sized saucepan over medium heat.

• Add in the ¾ of the apples and sauté for about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the cinnamon.

• Add in oats, water, almond milk, chia seeds or ground flaxseed, and a pinch of salt. Stir and bring to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and let cook for 5-10 minutes, stirring every so often until oats are cooked and have absorbed most of the liquid.

• Remove oatmeal from heat and ladle into a bowl.

• Top with 1 tbsp almond butter, the remaining apple pieces, a sprinkle of cinnamon and a drizzle of honey or maple syrup for added sweetness (optional)

Note: This recipe is easy to double, triple, or quadruple. Plan ahead and make some for the week to store in the fridge and then reheat for easy breakfasts!

Health Benefits of Apples:

• Apples contain pectin, a type of fiber that acts like a probiotic, which helps promote good bacteria living in our large intestine.

• They are a high fiber food, which helps with digestion and regulating bowel movements

• Apples are a great source of vitamin C, which fights free radical damage and boosts immune health

• Apples are one of the best natural sources of boron, a mineral that is important for building strong bones, muscle mass and for brain function

Sources and Additional Reading:

• https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-apple.html

• https://draxe.com/nutrition/apple-nutrition/

• https://www.medicaldaily.com/5-health-benefits-eating-apples-427297

Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

This high fiber breakfast is a great option for when you’re on the go! I recommend making two servings at a time so you can have breakfast ready to go for two mornings. These oats taste decadent, but are guilt-free! The combination of high-fiber, complex carbs (oats and carrots) and healthy fats (chia seeds) will keep you feeling full and will keep things moving through your digestive tract.

Shown here with shredded coconut and a pinch of cinnamon

Ingredients: (makes 2 servings)

• 1 cup rolled oats

• 1/4 cup carrots, finely grated

• 1 tablespoon chia seeds

• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 teaspoons maple syrup

• 1 cup unsweetened almond milk

Directions:

• Mix all ingredients together.

• Let sit overnight in the fridge and enjoy the next day!

• Try topping with raisins, walnuts, and shredded coconut!