What you eat for breakfast is an important choice that effects your entire day! The word breakfast literally means “breaking the fast” of the night. Therefore opting for a highly nutritious breakfast serves you well by properly refueling your body for the new day and positively impacting your food choices for the entire day. Too often when we don’t give our bodies the proper balance of nutrients that it needs for optimal functioning, we start to crave junk food for its high sugar and fat content. Avoid that trap by starting off your day with a healthy and tasty breakfast. As a breastfeeding mama caring for small children, it is especially important that you are eating well! 🙂

Personally I get a little burnt out on oatmeal, so this recipe for a “vegan hash” is a nice breakfast alternative. It takes me just a long to make as a bowl of steel cut oats, although a little more prep time is required.

Ingredients: 

Olive Oil

2-3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 sweet potatoes

2 cups of prepared black beans (or one 15 oz can of black beans, well rinsed)

1 Tablespoon Mexican Seasoning

Salt and Pepper, to taste

chopped cilantro, optional topping

Additional optional add-ins: chopped onion, red pepper, and/or jalapeno pepper

Directions: 

Saute garlic in olive oil. If you are using onion and/or pepper add them now and saute for a few minutes. Add black beans, seasoning, and sweet potatoes. Stir together and add a small amount of water (approx. 2 Tablespoons or more if needed). Cover and allow to cook for 12-15 minutes until sweet potatoes are softened. Top with chopped cilantro.

This hash is tasty as a stand alone breakfast or you can serve it with a side of quinoa or sauteed greens for some added “oomph”. Enjoy!

-Sarah