Warm the soul with these winter breakfast ideas

 I don’t know about you, but as the temperature continues to drop, my appetite continues to rise!

My body is almost literally screaming for warm, comforting foods that heat me from the inside out, and give me energy that lasts the whole day. In the brisker months I am naturally drawn to heartier foods like whole grains (complex carbs such as rice & oats), fats (like butter, coconut oil, cheese, cream & avocado), and eggs and nuts (proteins & fats).

Warming spices like cinnamon and nutmeg also play a support role, not to mention immune-boosting ginger. All of these food groups fuel me up and energise my body helping me get through the chilly days.

So au revoir to smoothies, juices and frozen yoghurts and bonjour porridge, pancakes and gooey eggs!

I hope that you also take comfort in these warming winter breakfast ideas.

Porridge

Whole grains like oat, rice, quinoa, buckwheat, millet are the main ingredients in porridge. They are simple and nourishing wholefoods that are full of goodness and energy.

Use your imagination and add all your favourites to the mix by experimenting with such yummy companions as cacao and coconut milk, cardamom and ginger, nuts and seeds, coconut and stewed apples, and pears or dates.

Add extra warmth by serving it with melted butter, coconut oil, ghee, cream or yoghurt. Yummo!

My kids prefer a pretty basic oat porridge with a little milk , banana, cinnamon and raw honey drizzled on top. You might want to use maple syrup and nutmeg too. It’s up to you and your ‘buds’.

If you’ve been clever and made extra rice from dinner the night before, you might be surprised to learn that you can turn this into a very quick porridge

Another enticing option is this Coconut & Ginger Infused Rice Porridge

Pancakes

Steaming hot pancakes straight off the pan are delicious any time of year, but are particularly appreciated on a cool winter morning. My spelt and buckwheat pancakes are very versatile, and by adding more or less liquid, they can be made thinner or thicker.

Spread a thinner pancake with nut butter, raw honey and banana, then roll up and serve with cream or vanilla yoghurt (just mix natural yoghurt with a few drops of vanilla essence).

If you have a more savoury palate, consider spreading with avocado, goats cheese and a sprinkle of sunflower seeds, Squeeze a few drops of lemon, roll & munch.

Thicker pancakes are perfect served with grass-fed bacon and scrambled eggs.

OMG I’m so hungry right now!

Ok, relax … back in the room …

Ricotta hotcakes also hit the spot and this recipe by Jessica Sepel is a fave.

Eggs

Eggs provide us with a superior form of protein and fats which keep us feeling fuller for longer

Cinnamon French toast with sliced banana and maple syrup is a hit with my kids, and oh so simple. Simply whisk eggs with milk and cinnamon, dunk the slices of bread into it on both sides, and fry both sides in coconut oil or butter.

Egg muffins are super nutritious, quick and tasty option for breakfast. Better yet, your leftovers can be included in lunch-boxes. Try adding mushroom, kale and goats cheese for a scrumptious combination.

We even eat dinners for breakfast here (and the other way around)! One of Mamacino’s dinner recipes, Baked Eggs with Avocado Toasts , has actually become a handy comforting winter breakfast staple for our family.

What are your favourite wintery breakfasts?

Have a soulful day.

Bren x