Simple Breakfast Ideas & My Daily Routine

Breakfast is my favourite meal of the deal. Though my idea of what breakfast looks like is different than most.

I fast until about 2 or 3 in the afternoon. This is a 14-16 hour fasting window based on my curren sleep schedule. As I fast, I have a gut supporting protocol that focuses on balancing my microbiome and digestion. I wake up, do a meditation or two, set my intention for the day, plan what I need to get done and go through my creative ideas for any art project, and really honour my body’s needs for the day. I don’t immediately jump into a walk or workout; rather I focus on optimal hydration, organizing my space, getting light -sunlight when it’s visible and Happy Lamp for when the sky is gloomy and dark-, and making sure I’m mindful of my emotional/nervous system state.

Fasting is one of the best habits I’ve cultivated in my life. It started as a treatment for my autoimmune flare ups advised by my family doctor, who was also a functional medicine practitioner, and continued as a lifestyle choice. The benefits have been immense for my gut health, cellular repair, brain health, vitality, mood, immune system, and hormones to name a few.

Fasting is not for everyone. Our hormones fluctuate to such varying degrees throughout the month that we need to adjust our fasting window according to our hormonal needs. Some people, and especially women, experiencing adrenal fatigue and other issues such as hypothyroidism and elevated cortisol levels may also struggle to fast as it can be a huge stressor on their bodies.

My ideal breakfast consists of protein, good fats, and herbal tea. I strive for a balance between flavour and nutrient density. I’ve been on a low carb lifestyle for a few years now and that works well for me. I make my own bread and spreads, and I also make sure everything I have is home made and simple.

I love eating in silence and in front of sunlight. The warmth and vitality I feel after a quiet and soulful meal is remarkable. For me this time of day is immensely precious and I’ve learnt the value of feeding my soul as I feed my body. I make sure I chew well, breathe well, take enough space and time to eat, and not immediately get to work or get up from my dining area for better digestion and ease. This has been a lifestyle choice that has had the biggest impact on my health and happiness. Eating food is not just about what I eat, rather how I eat. How we eat is as important as what we put in our bodies. I also love talking to myself about the love and appreciation I have for the smells, the taste, the colours, the light, the beauty and experience of eating. It is just so delightful to eat foods we love that nourish us. Eating is such a pleasure and I really allow myself to dive into the experience as every bite brings me joy and fills me with appreciation.

So then let’s get into what I like to eat. As I’m writing this, I’m sipping on a bulletproof decaf cup of coffee. I added grass-fed whole cream, a scoop of collagen powder, 1 tablespoon of MCT oil, and a teaspoon of monk fruit sweetener.

Before I got inspired to write, I was indulging in a slice of almond bread that I had baked a couple of days ago. I made a quick nut-free chocolate spread with 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder, 1 tablespoon of monk fruit sweetener, and 2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter that I had left to reach my room temperature. I mixed all these ingredients and added a luscious amount to my gently toasted slices of bread.

My focus for today was healthy comfort food. Every ingredient is organic, fresh, home made, and unprocessed. There’s a balance between the proteins, fats, and low carbs that just works so well. I love this kind of breakfast. As I have the brightness and clarity of the sky, the warmth of the sun, and the silence of a bright winter day, I feel so fulfilled and uplifted. My breakfast has given me incredible energy and joy. I loved biting into the creamy chocolate spread and crunchy toast. The coffee I made earlier was tasty and all together the simplicity of my breakfast perfectly complimented my mood and intention for the day.

This is what I call indulgent, simple living at its best.

Love,
B