We’ve heard it for as long as we can remember, “eat your breakfast.” “It’s the most important meal of the day.”
Sorry if you cringe when you hear those words. As images of your mom yelling from down the steps shaking her finger at you like she did nearly every morning fill your mind. But breakfast really is one of the most important meals of the day. In the nitty-gritty of nutrition, it is a close race between breakfast and lunch. So I put an emphasis on both {because that’s what you do when you love food}.
So in honor of helping you turn a new leaf, to eat a breakfast that isn’t just dessert {a.k.a. donuts, cereal and fruit and yogurt parfaits} I wanted to bring you an irresistible and easy choice; plantain breakfast hash with chimichurri sauce.
whats the deal?
Technically, this hash could be eaten at any meal throughout the day. Because it is that good and that nutritious. We’ll assume that most people associate hash + eggs with breakfast and just roll with this.
Breakfast is a highly valuable meal to the body. It is the first time the body gets a taste of energy and all of the nutrients to go with it in over 12 hours {because you’re practicing intermittent fasting, right}. Breakfast literally means breaking-the-fast.
Not to mention it is generally the time in which your body is waking up and changing over hormonal flow from nighttime to daytime. Through this transition, your body is running at high-efficiency and is ready to take in what was lost throughout the sleeping hours by replenishing and restoring your body’s stores as well as foster the need throughout the day.
Basically, breakfast is a legit meal you shouldn’t skip.
when to eat
As with many nutrition claims, we’ve been led to believe that breakfast needs to be eaten with 30 minutes upon waking. Or just skip it altogether. But here’s the truth, there is no right or wrong when it comes to the time you should be eating it. The most important thing is that you remember to eat it, period.
So don’t get hung up on time, instead focus on the uniqueness of you. Monitor when you get hungry and start to develop a plan from there. Don’t worry if it changes, just listen to your body and go off of its natural flow.
read this
If you remember none of this until now, remember; variety in meals is the most critical aspect. That is everything from variety of ingredients, to temperatures and textures because variety creates lasting satiety in your body.
So skip the carbohydrate only “traditional” breakfasts like pancakes and syrup {unless you’re using these 5-ingredient blender protein pancakes}. End the days of milk and cereal. Instead, opt for something more satisfying and filling. Something with more bulk, more nutritional value, something lasting.
When you create a breakfast or any meal, make sure you add a variety of components including healthy fats, protein and healthy carbohydrates. I prefer to put the focus on vegetables and add my protein and fat from there.
the hash
Lets use this hash as the prime example. Because it is pretty stunning and SO delicious {<-the hubs even declared it was his favorite recipe ever}. It’s a strong mix of healthy carbohydrates from the plantains, full of vitamins and minerals in the fresh chimichurri, all cooked in healthy fat {coconut oil} and served with a good dose of healthy protein {sausage + eggs}.
It just takes a little variety and a lot of flavor. Look no further and think no harder. Just simply enjoy.
hold up – what’s a plantain?
I got so concerned about the breakfast aspect I nearly forgot to fill you in on the benefits of plantains. You could easily mix up a plantain for a banana and for good reason. Plantains are a close relative of the banana {obviously}. Given that, it also has a similar nutritional profile. The big difference between a plantain and banana is; plantains contain less sugar and are more versatile in cooking.
Speaking of cooking, plantains are not eaten raw but rather cooked {another difference}.
Here are some additional health benefits of the plantain:
- Plantains contain a great amount of potassium {nearly 20% of your recommended daily intake}.
- They help regulate your digestive system through the punch of fiber.
- Contain a great antioxidant value including providing over 35% of your Vitamin C intake {which is one of the most critical nutrients in growing and repairing tissues all over the body}.
- Boost your immunity by providing over 35% of your recommended vitamin A needs.
- They are a great source of magnesium. Which happens to be one of the most common and detrimental vitamin deficiencies in the Western world. From helping you to regulate blood pressure, maintaining bone and helping you de-stress, enough magnesium is critical for the body.
prep a plantain
While plantains are one of the most consumed fruits world-wide, they are not overly consumed or even known in the U.S. However, most grocery stores still sell out of a small section near the bananas. Here are a few tips when buying plantains:
The green plantains are generally hard to peel and hard on the inside. At this point they are greatly starchy {but good resistant starch} and not very sweet. It would most likely resemble a potato at this point. Green plantains are best used for baking or making plantain chips.
Yellow plantains are slightly sweeter and most often found in fried recipes such as this hash.
Black plantains, while looking horrible, are actually still great to eat. They are the sweetest and softest and are best baked to be used for a dessert.
To prepare a plantain;
- Wash the outside skin.
- Use a sharp knife and cut the ends of and slice down the peeling to remove.
- Once all peeling is removed you can slice, dice or chop.
- Cook as desired.
trick your cravings
Maybe trick isn’t the right word to use here, but you can use plantains to help overcome sugar cravings and even hunger. For so many people hunger and cravings are induced by eating the wrong foods, at the wrong time and under the wrong mindset. Overcoming cravings isn’t just about eliminating sugar {reducing can definitely help} but it is more about filling your body with the right nutrients. It’s about being satisfied and viewing food as positive.
So often we see people, restrict, starve and deprive all while trying to beat their body to get their way. Unfortunately it doesn’t work that way. In fact, eliminating cravings is SO much more easy than that. It really just takes a simple 3-step approach which is based on more lifestyle changes than what you actually consume.
While it sounds too good to be true, in fact this is the simple and easy way to beat cravings once and for all. Not to mention, you get to eat delicious food like this and it will actually help. No more bland, boring meals that leave you more hungry and not content. But step into what true satisfaction and health looks like. That is dealing with cravings the right way.
Lasting health means your body is in check; no more hunger, cravings, good energy, even moods and a healthy love life. By nourished your body, treating it with respect and having the right mindset, you can help to develop harmony and balance from within.
It all begins by making it a way of life.
I break all of this information down in my Craving Cure program that is the quick and simple way to bust through cravings without restricting and depriving.
Because we’re all rebellious in nature, so don’t waste another day doing something you hate.
Instead, eat good food, experience happiness and find joy!
Check out the Craving Cure program and take part in changing the way you view food and health. While you’re checking that out, fry up some plantains and blend the chimichurri.
I’m calling this recipe, pure food love!
- 1 lb breakfast sausage
- 3 plantains
- 4 Tbsp coconut oil
- ¼ cup red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 shallot, chopped
- 1 jalapeno chili, seeded + Chopped
- ½ cup fresh basil (Thai basil)
- ¼ cup fresh cilantro
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1 tsp salt
- 8 eggs {optional}
- Fresh cilantro {optional}
- Peel and dice the plantains.
- In a large skillet, brown sausage. Drain and set aside.
- Add coconut oil to same skillet and heat over medium heat.
- Once sizzling add diced plantains and let cook, turning to brown each side.
- Remove plantains once cooked and add to sausage. Mix together and add cilantro if using.
- Cook eggs as desired {fried, soft, scrambled, etc}
- To make chimichurri add red wine vinegar, balsamic, garlic, shallot, jalapeno, basil, cilantro and salt to food processor or blender. Slowly add in olive oil while blending. Set aside to allow flavors to blend.
- Top plantain and sausage mixture with eggs and drizzle with chimichurri.