It’s 12:30 p.m. Woke up at 5:00; read ’til 6:00; swam (OK, dunked in the cold Atlantic Ocean) before breakfast. The clock says its time for lunch. But body and mind are still satisfied by this morning’s Banana Bowl!

Adelle Davis, renowned nutritionist and author advocated eating “breakfast like a king, lunch like a queen, and dinner like a pauper.” Many believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day.  It’s also important to listen to our bodies; eating when one is hungry is supremely satisfying. Often it can take a swim, brisk walk or vacuuming session to build a (royal) appetite.  After a morning (workout) and glass of water, one wants to indulge in something that will jump-start and satisfy until lunch.

Our Breakfast Bowl is an excellent, almost “perfect” morning meal. It provides complimenting fast and slow digesting nutrients and energy needed for a productive day. Almost all the ingredients are “high-satiety” foods and high in fiber. One feels fuller longer, and is inclined to resist between-meal snacks. The Banana Breakfast Bowl is raw, practically unmodified (the exception is blended nut butter), and delivers delicious food in its most basic form so one’s body can absorb and benefit from the natural ingredients.

Fructose in bananas provides early morning energy that is easy on the body because it doesn’t cause a dramatic insulin spike. This boost will last longer than caffine or refined sugar, and result in a dramatic “crash” later. The potassium, amino acids, fiber, and natural carbs in bananas make them the perfect base for the breakfast bowl. Have a bunch of ripe bananas? Cut in chunks and freeze for this recipe.

Green Valley Organic Lactose-Free Kefir  (unsweetened) provides the tang! Kefir is a probiotic similar to yogurt, but is more liquid and has different strands of bacteria which aid in digestion. Like yogurt, kefir is high in protein and calcium. Lactose free products are easier for all of us to digest. Nut milk is another great option; we like Unsweetened Silk Almond Milk.

Organic Nutzo, a delicious peanut-free nut butter, is new to our kitchen. It’s a nutritional powerhouse containing proteins, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals. Get some today!

Chopped walnuts are packed with omega 3s,  as well as antioxidants, protein, fiber. They look like a brain; we need to be smart enough to eat them: rich in rich phyto-chemical substances that have potential effects against, cancer, aging, inflamation, and neurological disease, walnuts are also an excellent source of vitamin E, which helps protect your skin from harmful free-radicals and are packed with essential B-vitamins.

Unsweetended cacao nibs are natural chocolate. The sweetness of the bananas enhances the  elemental chocolate taste.  Chocolate has recently been proven to provide beneficial boosts to your brain and cardiovascular system. 100% natural cacao have more antioxidants than blueberries and contain tryptophyn, magnesium, chromium for stabalizing blood sugar, flavenoids to boost the ciculatory system and help prevent blood clots, heart attacks, and strokes, and healthy monosaturated fats, the same found in olive oil, which have been shown to improve cholesterol levels. As an added bonus, chocolate contains phenylethylamine, the chemical your body releases when you fall in love and a natural opiat that makes you feel better and reduces your pain levels.

Blueberries are an optional (brain) boost. These delicious superfoods are one of the healthiest on the planet. Adding them is perfect way to get your body ready for the day.

Eating clean, raw, whole, and simple in the morning makes a difference. If you’re not eating Miso Soup for breakfast (even if you are), experiment with Gus’s Frozen Banana Breakfast Bowl and let us know what you think and how you feel.

FROZEN BANANA BREAKFAST BOWL – Serves 2

Click Here To Print Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

2 frozen organic bananas (preferably cut into  1″ chunks)

1  cup Kefir* (if using a nut or soy milk add 1 teaspoon of fresh lemon juice)

1/2 cup chopped ice

2 tablespoons chopped walnuts

2 rounded tablespoons nut butter

2 tablespoons cacao nibs

(optional) fresh organic blueberries

*Kefir adds a great tangy taste a lots of protein as well as probiotics for digestion however if you are vegan or dairy free, you can sub in a nut milk of your choice, which will modify the taste, but is still very good.

DIRECTIONS:

1. Place frozen bananas,ice, and kefir/milk into blender. Blend until smooth, adding additional liquid if necessary.

2. Immediately divide between two large bowls.

3. Scoop a spoonful of nut-butter into each bowl. Then sprinkle with walnuts and cacao nibs.

Note: As an added treat, sprinkle on a few berries of your choice.

Assembling the ingredients

Just out of the blender

Beautiful “whole” ingredients

Breakfast ready to eat