Day 11 - Breakfast for Champions!

We have all heard the saying "breakfast is the most important meal of the day."  But is it really?  Science has proven that it absolutely is!  Here are my Top 6 Reasons why you should wake up and nourish your body:

Top 6 Reasons to Eat Breakfast

1.)  Because it's been way too long since you've last eaten.  Think about it -- if you skip breakfast, your body could go upwards of 18 hours without eating anything.  That's unhealthy for anyone and everyone!  Eating upon waking has many health benefits, including refreshing hormone levels, which can help with weight loss, appetite, metabolism among many other things!

2.)  Eating breakfast supplies focus.  Think of your body and nervous system as a complex computer that needs a reboot every morning.  You don't want your computer to run slow through the day....  A healthy breakfast supplies that energy burst your brain needs to work properly.  This goes for adults and kids alike!

3.)  Breakfast jump-starts your metabolism.  It's true!  Eating a balanced breakfast in the morning is what gets your metabolism started for the day.  Overall, (and consistency is key) it will help your body regulate your food intake throughout the day, which will help manage weight!

4.)  Breakfast puts you in a good mood.  Eating breakfast makes you less irritable. You need those blood glucose levels to even out in the morning, and your breakfast is the meal for that particular job.  Healthy blood glucose levels mean you won't be so cranky.

5.) Breakfast sets the tone for your day.  I'd like to remind you to take time out of your morning for breakfast.  All too often we let our busy schedules take hold and find ourselves rushing around after the alarm clock sounds and flying out the door to get to work/school on time.  Turns out you're going to feel rushed and empty the rest of the day.  If you can give yourself just 10 minutes every morning for breakfast, it will set a different tone for your day.

6.)  People who skip breakfast are more likely to be overweight.  See #3.  And, not starting your day off with a balanced, healthy, filling breakfast has been shown to lead to bad decision making food-wise for the rest of the day.  You're more likely to pick up unhealthy foods that you can get fast if you're in a state of semi-starvation.

And that leads me to WHAT TO EAT for breakfast.  The food you choose to eat is actually more important the act of eating breakfast itself!  To acheive the most balanced and healthy meal that will jump-start your metabolism, supply focus, and keep you feeling full, the best components to your breakfast meal are: Clean Protein, Healthy Fat and Fiber (healthy carbs).  You want to avoid flours, sugars, grains, and other refined carbohydrates in the morning.  Stick to the "Foods by God" principle.  Some of the easiest breakfast dishes to prepare are simply 2 fried eggs, 2 cups of sauteed veggies, and a drizzle of flax seed oil  OR  a simple berry smoothie of 1 cup almond milk, 1/2 cup coconut milk, 1 scoop protein powder, handful of frozen berries, blended.  Breakfast doesn't have to take long to make, as long as you have whole food ingredients put on this earth for you to thrive on.

Shakes and smoothies are a favorite quick-fix breakfast today.  Here are three of my favorite breakfast smoothie ideas:

Berry Coconut Breakfast Smoothie
Raz-Apple Smoothie
Green Green Smoothie

-  Elise, Healing Cuisine

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CHALLENGE

Starting this week, for the remaining 30 days of our Lenten Renewal, I challenge you to add in breakfast every morning.  Do the best you can, and remember easiness comes after practice and consistency.

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The Purpose Driven Life - Finding Your Purpose

CHAPTER 11 - BECOMING BEST FRIENDS WITH GOD

God wants to be your best friend.

We were made to live in God's continual presence, but after the Fall, that ideal relationship was lost. Then Jesus changed the situation. When he paid for our sins on the cross, the veil in the temple that symbolized our separation from God was split from top to bottom, indicating that direct access to God was once again available.

Through the Bible we can learn the SIX SECRETS of growing in friendship with God. Here are the first two: We can grow in our friendship with God...

1. Through constant conversation
2. Through continual meditation 

The Bible says, "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him. With them alone he shares the secrets of his promises." Psalm 25:14 (LB)

Point to Ponder: God wants to be my friend

Verse to Remember: "Friendship with God is reserved for those who reverence him." Psalm 25:14a (LB)

Question to Consider: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to him more often throughout the day?