Start Your Morning Off Right, part two

I have had a serious case of the winter blahs, which struck right after that tease of several 70 degree days a few weeks back. The hardest part for me has been getting up early in the morning, while my honey is still extra snuggly and snoozing away in our comfy bed.  I've learned that if I don't have a good breakfast the day really drags and I lack motivation. I posted an article last year, Keep Your Energy Levels up With Protein, which had some breakfast ideas. These recipes are great.....when you have a bit more time on your hands. I still make them on the days when I head to work later or its my day off.  These days I'm rather short on time,  so I had to come up with something better. Enter Wegman's magazine.

Those of you who know me personally know I love Wegman's for their local produce and huge natural market section. Not to mention I dream of living in their cheese section, a dangerous place I assure you if you're  a foodie.   I always read their magazine recipe suggestions and was never really all that wowed until this month. Why? Because they solved my breakfast dilemma.  On page 45 of their Winter 2011 issue is a recipe that they call Super Sunrise Start. Its a recipe that contains everything that I need to get my day going: protein in the form of nuts & yogurt and whole grains from their Sunrise Blend Grains ( a combination of Wheat Bulgar, Buckwheat groats, Colusari Heirloom Red Rice, brown flax seed and whole grain quinoa flakes.) And I even get to enjoy all kinds of yummy fruit (which to me is like tasting the spring sunshine).

Here is the recipe, I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

You'll need:
1 1/4 cups Organic Vanilla Yogurt
1 pkg (7 oz) Food You Feel Good About Sunrise Blend with Quinoa Flakes (Grocery Dept)
1 cup Fat Free Milk
1 cup sliced strawberries, preferably organic
1 cup organic red grapes
1 cup organic blueberries
1 organic Granny Smith Apple
1 Banana, sliced
2 Tbsp favorite honey, I like mine from Strites Orchard, right around the corner
1 cup of your favorite nuts, walnuts, pecans & almonds all do nicely

The recipe serves 8 so I cut it in half and make a new batch of the yogurt & grain mix every few days.If you notice I marked the fruit listed as organic, its because these particular fruits are some of the ones highest in pesticide levels at the grocery store.

Directions:

1. Evening before serving: Combine yogurt and Sunrise Blend in mixing bowl. Cover and refrigerate overnight.
    
2. To serve: Add  a splash of  milk, sliced or chopped fruit, and honey to grain mix. Combine well. Portion into bowls and sprinkle individual servings with nuts. 

Mixture can be stored, without fruit and nuts, in refrigerator up to 3 days. Just add fruit and nuts when serving.

I make up the fruit salad the day before as well so in the morning all I have to do is mix together the grain mixture with the fruit and top with a drizzle of honey. It takes less than a minute to do. 

This is a great way to enjoy a power packed breakfast when you're short on time.