Going Veggie - Warm, Fall Breakfast Cereal

Okay, okay I give. Fall is here - much to my chagrin. It's not that I dislike fall, it's just that I miss my sunshine, warm beach days, and sundresses. And once fall arrives, I now know that winter is just around the corner. I'm starting to feel like anything below 65 Fahrenheit, is just too chilly for me. Guessing it would be a good idea to relocate some place near the equator.

Anyway, complaining aside, fall does mean change - which is almost always a good thing. New wardrobe, big chunky sweaters, thick scarves, and cute hats! Food changes too.That's why I decided to make this warm, hearty cereal again. It's vegetarian and can be veganized if made with soy milk!

Consisting of:

1. cooked bulgar wheat (can be purchased at large supermarkets and health food stores - I like Bob's Red Mill brand)
2. dried fruit - such as currants or raisins
3. ground flaxseed (more on flaxseed in this post)
4. soy milk
5. cinnamon and/or cloves (or a spice of your choice)
6. and a healthy sweetener - such as, stevia or honey

On with the directions:

• Cook bulgar according to directions on package. (I usually cook 1 cup and keep in the refrigerator for the week.)
• About half-way through cooking, add raisins (or whatever you choose). This allows them to be infused with water, plump up, and become juicy!
• For a single serving - once bulgar is cooked, add milk, flaxseed, dash of spice, and sweetener.
• Enjoy!

Note: only add the milk, flaxseed, spices, and sweetener to the single serving if you are going to keep the rest in refrigerator. The bulgar will stay fresher on its own. (Adding flaxseed to wet things and allowing to sit causes it become thick and not very appetizing.)

Bulgar is high in fiber and protein - a single serving as 7 grams of fiber and 5 grams of protein

Finished! Yum!



Going Veggie - Protein Packed Breakfasts - Greek Yogurt & Granola

Greek Yogurt and Granola with Flaxseed

Greek yogurt is a vegetarian's absolute delight. It usually boasts about 15 grams of protein and around 100 calories (for the non-flavored). My personal favorite is Chobani for it is a bit cheaper, quite silky, and all natural without preservatives.

Be sure to check labels

Tossing in a fourth cup of protein granola and a tablespoon of ground flaxseed adds extra protein and nutrients needed to start the day. I love Bear Naked's Peak Protein, which has 140 calories and 6 grams of protein.

A bit of ground flaxseed gives more fiber, lignans, and omega-3's which vegetarians can tend to be deficient in. One tablespoon has 30 calories and 1.5 grams of protein. Bob's Red Mill is available at most grocery shops, but you can find it cheaper at health food stores.

(A note on ground flaxseed - it lasts longer if stored in refrigerator.)

Therefore, you need:

• one 6 oz. Greek yogurt of your choice
• 1/4 c granola (preferably one with extra protein)
• 1 TBSP ground flaxseed

Mix together and enjoy! You'll get only about 270-300 calories, but about 22 grams of protein!