breakfast in a bowl*

My favorite meal of the day is by far breakfast. I love it so much, I technically have two each day! My first breakfast always consists of a cup of green tea and a slice of toast in bed under the covers. Then I go for my morning walk and come back and make breakfast #2. For the last couple of months I've been addicted to Homemade Granola Parfait slightly modified from Skinny Bitch in the Kitch.

Homemade Granola

2 c rolled oats

1 1/4 c almonds, pecans or walnuts

1 c unsweetened coconut

1/4 t sea salt

1/4 c maple syrup

2 T safflower or canola oil

Arrange oats on large baking sheet and toast lightly at 300 degrees for about 15 minutes.

Meanwhile in a large bowl combine nuts, coconut and salt. In a small bowl mix maple syrup and oil.

Stir toasted oats into nut mixture and then add syrup, mixing thoroughly.

Spray sheet pan with non-stick spray and spread granola out evenly and bake for 25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool. Makes approximately 6 cups.

Assembling the parfait is easy. In a bowl, I cut up about 2 cups of fruit, such as 1 orange, 1 banana and a handful of strawberries. Then I add 1/2 container of soy yogurt and sprinkle top with about 1/4 c of granola. This gives me about 4 servings of fruit, fiber, protein, calcium and omega 3's to start the day with.

*no animals were harmed in the making of this dish.