Better Breakfasts – Savory Oatmeal

Good Morning!  As back to school started for our family yesterday, I thought I would start a series of posts on good breakfasts.

If  you look at the word breakfast it is actually 2 words – break and fast. Most of us have been sleeping (maybe not the recommended 8 hours) and have not had food for some time. It’s important to break our fast and have a healthy meal.  Most traditional American breakfasts are high in refined carbohydrates and sugar.  They make me feel horrible.  As much as I like  donuts, I can never eat them for breakfast.  They result in a blood sugar crash as insulin rushes in to deal with the influx of sweetness.
So what does my family eat for breakfast on a busy weekday morning?

SAVORY OATMEAL

To start the week off great, my daughter and I usually have some form of oatmeal on Monday morning.  I cook either organic steel-cut oats or rolled oats in filtered water.
Then I add all of my favorite toppings!

Toppings

Hemp seeds – These amazing seeds are full of healthy fats (including Omega 3’s) and easily digestible protein.  I have never really been a fan of flax seeds and prefer hemp.
They just taste nutty and awesome.  I have a big bag of Hemp Hearts from Costco my husband bought me and I’m thankful for it’s affordability.   I’m waiting for some grassroots movements in Kentucky to make hemp and hemp products grown in the USA. (Update 2019: It’s legal to grow hemp in the US now!)

Walnuts – Nuts make everything better! They are high-density nutrition and a little goes a long way to satisfy the need to have a little bit of fat. Since they are full of flavor, there is no need to add extra oil or butter to the oatmeal.

Kelp Granules – Everybody needs a natural source of Iodine.  This mineral is important for thyroid function. According to some holistic doctors, most people are not getting enough and the iodine we do get may be negated by brominated processed foods, chlorine, and fluoride in our water.  If you don’t eat iodized salt or seafood, seaweed is a good natural source.  I use these kelp granules instead of salt in my morning oatmeal.

Seaweed – I usually put seaweed in my oatmeal.  This picture shows soaked wakame.  I have used dulse, toasted nori sheets for making sushi, and seaweed sprinkle blends that also have sesame seeds.  Any seaweed adds more flavor, minerals, and protein.

Seaweed!

Nutritional Yeast – These cheese-like flakes add great flavor!  They are a good source of B vitamins, especially vitamin B-12.  These are specially grown on top of molasses and are not a by-product like Brewer’s yeast. Sometimes I use as much as 1/4 of a cup!

Other ideas – seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, soaked chia), nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, macadamia), leftover cooked veggies, tofu, tempeh, dried fruit

The idea that breakfast has to be sweet is something I would love to challenge.  Have something sweet, but have it as dessert.
Look for more breakfast ideas in the upcoming weeks!
What’s your favorite savory vegan breakfast?

Updated: August 2019 – Original Post is from August 2013