Clean Eating Recipes – High Protein Breakfasts

So I’ve kind of combined a couple ways of eating lately based on a few books I’ve read, my trip to Guatemala back in 2010, and what just feels right and makes sense to me. A big part of how I’m eating lately is starting my day immediately with  high protein breakfasts. When I say immediately, I mean within 1/2 hour to an hour after rising in the morning. (This is from Tim Ferriss’ 4 Hour Body – the Slow Carb Diet)

I’ve noticed that when I do this, I feel full but not stuffed, and don’t get hungry for a while after. Also, this has helped me cut my morning coffee/tea habit down tremendously! I’ll have a cup of water, and cook my meal, once I’m done eating, I don’t have a taste for a hot cup of tea or coffee, so I just have another cup of water instead. (Which helps with my goal to drink more water too)

I hope what I’m currently doing blends nicely with The 21 Day Fix that I’m starting on Sept 22. (Come do it with me!) With the program, you don’t have to alter your favorite foods, you just learn proper portions for your proprietary calorie level, so I should be OK. The materials haven’t come so I’m not certain yet what changes I’ll need to make.

My breakfast usually looks like this:

{Eggs w/ – 1 can black beans (rinsed) and 3 huge tablespoons of Sofrito warmed together in saucepan}

{Eggs w/ – 1 can Kidney Beans (rinsed), one can petite diced tomatoes, chili powder and cumin to taste, heated in saucepan}

{Eggs w/ – cooked quinoa, sauteed onions and mushrooms, leftover black beans and cilantro combined in skillet}

I could seriously eat the same thing for breakfast every day until I die. When I was working 9-5 I had the same coffee drink and bacon egg and cheese every. single. morning. #kindamissitnowthatimentionit #imissyoubacon #seeyouinheaven 

I got this combo of eggs and beans in Guatemala. At first I was like umm…. no gracias…. but it grew on me. Eggs, beans, some type of meat, maduros (sweet plantains), grilled or fried tomatoes, and pan fried bread. Yo….that’s heaven right there!

Anywaaay… My egg and bean combo thingy is really working well for me. Like I said, I stay full for a long while, but also it’s just really easy and quick to do. On Monday I will make the beans and it will last me until Thursday usually when I’ll make the next batch. So most mornings I just get up, scramble or fry a couple eggs then heat up beans and I’m done.

And when I’m lazy or time crunched breakfast looks like this: 

 I love my Shakeology (vanilla!), and I noticed a crazy difference when I wasn’t drinking it. (namely my sugar cravings and migraines came back and my poops went away.) When I have it for breakfast it’s with a quick fried egg, or with loads of peanut or almond butter thrown in the nutribullet. I tried grounding up some oats and putting it in, which I heard was good, but…they lied to me yall. The texture was really weird.

Here are a few other High Protein Breakfast recipes:

(FYI – Recipes are copied, and I didn’t follow them to the letter ::shrug::)

Power Protein Oatmeal

This oatmeal recipe is topped with your choice of nuts, dried fruit, and a dash of cinnamon. A scoop of whey protein powder makes it an even more satisfying breakfast that will fuel your morning!

Total Time: 10 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: 5 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Protein: 25g

Ingredients:
1 cup water
½ cup old-fashioned rolled oats
1 Tbsp. raisins (or dried cranberries, dried cherries, or other dried fruit)
1 Tbsp. chopped raw walnut pieces (or almonds, pecans, or other nuts)
½ tsp. ground cinnamon
1 scoop Beachbody Vanilla Whey Protein Powder, or equivalent

Preparation:
1. Bring water to a boil in small saucepan over medium high heat.
2. Add oatmeal, walnuts, raisins, and cinnamon; cook, stirring constantly, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until oats soften and thicken. Remove from heat.
3. Add Protein Powder; mix well. If oats are too thick, add extra water.

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How I do it… No walnuts, so I don’t die. And I use water and almond milk, a lil bit of agave nectar, cinnamon and nutmeg and even though this sounds weird, a lil powdered ginger too.

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Spinach Omelet w/ Gouda

Try something a little different with this spinach and corn omelet sprinkled with flavorful smoked gouda cheese.

Total Time: 20 min.
Prep Time: 10 min.
Cooking Time: 10 min.
Yield: 1 serving

Protein: 21g

Ingredients:
3 large egg whites
Sea salt and ground black pepper (to taste; optional)
1 tsp. olive oil
2 cups fresh spinach
½ cup sweet white corn kernels
½ oz. shredded smoked gouda cheese (2 Tbsp.)

Preparation:
1. Place egg whites in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper if desired; whisk to blend. Set aside.
2. Heat oil in medium nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add spinach; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes, or until wilted.
4. Add corn; cook, stirring frequently, for 2 to 3 minutes or until warm. Remove from pan. Keep warm.
5. Heat skillet over medium-low heat. Add egg whites. Do not stir. As eggs set, lift edges, letting uncooked portion flow underneath.
6. When eggs are almost set add spinach mixture and cheese. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, or until heated through. Gently fold in half.

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How I did it… 3 egg whites and 1 whole egg, adobo powder and pepper to season, used diced tomato and diced avocado in lieu of corn. (Too much work in the morning…I probably won’t do this again, I may do it for dinner or lunch on a random day though)

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Power Yogurt

Power up for your workout, or your day, with yogurt and sliced fruit topped with wheat germ and toasted coconut.

Total Time: 5 min.
Prep Time: 5 min.
Cooking Time: None
Yield: 1 serving

Protein: 29g

Ingredients:
1 cup nonfat plain Greek yogurt
3 Tbsp. wheat germ
3 medium strawberries, sliced
¼ medium banana, sliced
1 tsp. unsweetened shredded coconut, toasted

Preparation:
1. Place yogurt in a medium serving bowl. Top with wheat germ; mix well.
2. Top with strawberries, banana, and coconut.

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How I do it…First of all it’s usually for snack or part of lunch vs breakfast, but I add sliced toasted almonds, a small dot or two of agave, craisins or raisins and sometimes sunflower seeds….and I usually use flavored greek yogurt…::avoids eye contact::

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It’s amazing how cleaning up my diet is starting to become fun for me again. I can’t wait til the baby belly is gone and the 6 pack returns…and by returns I mean shows up for the first time ever.

What are your favorite protein packed breakfasts?