8 Awesome Breakfast Recipes That Aren’t Smoothies + Living In The Now
I get all reflective when the new year hits. And today especially, because I recorded the first podcast for 2016…and you’re gonna love the guest! I was thinking back to my younger self and how happy (and a little surprised) she would be at all that’s happened in the last couple years. I thought about a conversation we might have would go down a little like this…
Young Me: So, wait. You’re telling me you have a baby?! I thought we weren’t going to…
Me Now: Yeah, I know. But he’s just SO cool. And D really convinced me how awesome it would be. He was right. I actually love being a mom.
YM: Ok, that’s weird. But he’s really cute, so I kinda get it. Also, what’s this I hear about you just up and moving to a new city? How could you leave Chicago behind?
MN: Charleston is so awesome. I love it here! Remember, I’m healthy now and getting more Vitamin D is good for me.
YM: Oh, yeah. You’re all into smoothies and shit. I guess it’s cool if it means no more endo pain for us. But please tell me you don’t meditate and do yoga stuff.
MN: Um, sometimes. Don’t be mad. You’ll be happy to know that I get to write a cookbook about all these healthy changes. I have a podcast, too.
YM: WHAT? A cookbook?? Yesssss! We always wanted to write a book, but a cookbook? That’s incredible. Wait, what’s a podcast?
MN: I’ll explain podcasts later. But yes, the cookbook is really cool.
YM: Everything sounds so awesome. We’ve accomplished so much, come so far. So many of our dreams have come true! So…why are you still so hard on us?
Shit. Why am I so hard on myself? With all the awesome things that have happened in the past few years, why am I constantly thinking how I can be, do, and look better. What is this “better” I keep striving for? What would that even look like? I’m not even sure I know. I mean, I sorta know.
Not feeling 100% content isn’t a new thing for me. Growing up (and even last week), my dad has said the same phrase to me over and over again: “Live in the now.”
He loves throwing it out there when I’m questioning what the future will hold for my career, if I’ll ever truly feel successful, or if I’m just obsessing over where we’ll be eating dinner. Most times, I get annoyed for a second that he’s said it, AGAIN. But then I let it seep in, and I know that he’s right. I need to embrace the moment I’m in and stop fixating on the past and future.
So, as we approach this new year, let’s take some advice from my dear old Pops and try to live in the now. You’re allowed to get annoyed I just said that. But as it seeps in, you’ll hate it less and less. Promise.
And I’m not saying that we all can’t make goals and intentions or resolutions or whatever-you-call-them in the new year. But let’s step back and think about at least one or two things that your younger self might be really proud of…whether that’s a relationship, a promotion, that you finally got that dog you always wanted as a little girl. Chances are the younger you will feel proud of what you’ve done and tell you to stop being so hard on yourself. Can you share something in the comments that your younger self would be proud of? It can be big or small. I wanna know.
In addition to getting reflective, the new year also brings that juice and smoothie life to the next level. Everybody’s talking cleanse, cleanse, cleanse. Maybe you’re all about it, which is cool. But maybe you’re not – and that’s ok too. We’re living in the now, remember?! If you’re about it, you will have no problem finding some cool shit out there. Just google “cleanse 2016.” If you’re not about it, here are some very unjuice-like ways to start your day. Just DO YOU in 2016.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
{ 8 Awesome Breakfast Recipes For The New Year That Aren’t Smoothies }
1. French Toast Sandwich With Coconut Cream from Me (video above!!)
2. Sweet Potato Biscuits With Mushroom Gravy from The First Mess
3. Dark Chocolate Quinoa Breakfast Bowl from Minimalist Baker
4. Breakfast Potato Bowl from Me
5. Pumpkin Chocolate Muffins from YumUniverse
6. Banana Bread French Toast from Oh, Ladycakes
7. Maple Glazed Pumpkin Doughnuts from Vidya Living
8. Cake Batter Chia Pudding from Edible Perspective
Seriously. Did you share your accomplishment yet in the comments? Please do!
14 Comments
Mimi
December 30, 2015Thanks for the list. The link to your breakfast potato bowl is taking me to the Minimlaist Baker’s quinoa. And that Instagram pic you posted is too alluring to ignore… 🙂
Jessica
December 30, 2015Thanks Mimi!! It’s fixed now.
Mimi
December 31, 2015Thanks! It looks so good 🙂
Jena
December 30, 2015OBSESSED with that video. And thanks for sharing this. Have been in desperate need of some new breakfast options!
Jessica
December 30, 2015Jena, YES! Hoping some will work for you red and yellow columns!
Ashley
December 30, 2015LOVE the conversation with your YM!! I can definitely relate. My YM would be like….F-YAH. You always said that if sitting behind a desk organizing ADA hospital bathrooms and moving walls (architecture) wasn’t doing it for you, you’d make a change. You knew this was a common thing most people would say, but you swore to yourself you’d actually act on it. — Feeling pretty proud of these past 6 years, 3 1/2 of which were totally slow going. Aaaand breakfast. (Thanks for the love!)
Jessica
December 30, 2015Ashley, here’s to DOIIING IT! Thanks for sharing this.
Jessica
January 12, 2016Ashley, wow. I love this. Your younger self would definitely be proud.
Joy
December 30, 2015My younger self would be proud that I finally speak up for myself. I always thought “nice” girls didn’t do that but I’ve learned that I can still be nice but also be strong.
Jessica
January 12, 2016Joy, this is really awesome. REALLY awesome. Thanks for sharing this.
Rachel
December 30, 2015This was so good! I’ve been having such a hard time with finding a job with my degree (MA in Anthropology and International Development) that I’ve ignored the fact that I always wanted to go to graduate school, I made it happen, and I did really well! I’m working at a grocery store right now (which, of course, is not my passion) and days go by where I feel kind of lost, but new things are happening! I got married, we are trying to have a child, and being in a hectic adult job right now may not be as flexible or stress free as I need to create these other things in my life.
You made my day! It sucks to have doubts, but everyone does and everyone is exactly where they need to be… or at least I’ll keep telling myself that 🙂
P.S I was trying to find that breakfast hash recipe the other day and I couldn’t, so I’m extra super happy that you posted it again. I made it for my husband on Christmas day and he said it was the best hash he’s ever had!
Jessica
January 12, 2016Rachel, thanks for sharing this. An MA in Anthropology and International Development? WOW. Sounds like really good things are happening for you right now.And again, an MA in Anthropology and International Development! Pretty bad ass. I think your younger self would for sure be proud. So glad your husband liked the hash and thanks for giving a heads up that it isn’t in the index!
Stephanie
January 11, 2016What an amazing video!! The song choice and content Ggoung backwards) is so cool and different
My younger self would be proud that I’m working on healing my Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS) naturally and as a result I have improved completely for the better physically and mentally! Love your work Jess!
Jessica
January 12, 2016Thank you Stephanie! So happy you are feeling better healing yourself naturally. Thanks for sharing your story here!