We all know what breakfast is, am I right? It literally means to “break the fast.” So clever, eh? But really. Breaking a fast from a night’s rest. Feeding our body and fueling it for the day.
In the Cotter house, we like to break the fast a little different each day. I know I know, some people have their go to breakfasts’ each and every morning, and that’s totally fine, but for us, we never know what our bodies will be craving come morning. We don’t eat right away, usually a little coffee first. And then BOOM, we know what our bodies want. Some days it’s a big hearty breakfast, other days it’s a quick smoothie, or even just GF toast and banana. But I’ve (we’ve) come to realize that we don’t plan meals well, we just crave them well.
Here are a few (okay more than a few ) ways we BREAK the FAST….
Fresh Fig and almond butter, carrot ginger grapefruit juice.
Coconut Creamed GF oats with egg, Paleo Bread toasted with butter.
Attune Foods Hemp Cereal or Hot Hemp seed and brown rice meal with yogurt and berries.
Cocoa Eggins or Basil Coconut Banana Protein Shake
Rum Raisin Dough Balls with Coffee or Kefir, fig jam, and goats milk yogurt
Love Grown Foods ANYTHING (hot Oats or Granola Clusters)
Gluten free and Dairy Free Oatmeal Cookie with tea or Grain Free Faux Rye bread with cream cheese.
Frozen Kefir, molasses, and GF muesli or egg and chicken sausage Breakfast tacos on corn tortilla.
Cheesecake Protein Poppers (grain free) or plain Kefir with Orange, cherry, cashew butter.
Egg Salad toasted GF sandwich (made with cultured cottage cheese) or a plain jane banana almond kefir yogurt smoothie.
Told you we are NOT creatures of habit when it comes to food. Haha.
I do have a point here. You see, all these foods BREAK the FAST and give us nourishment, energy, and well…LIFE. But what if applied this to the week, or even the whole month? Is there something you need to BREAK the FAST pace of life from. Will that thing FUEL you? Will it RESTORE you? Will it NOURISH you? Could be a week of rest from working out. Could be saying NO to other commitments in order to spend time RESTORING your energy at home or with family.
I realized this today as I was figuring out what I wanted for BREAKFAST. I wasn’t too hungry, but needed the nourishment. Simple ingredients. The same goes with this week. I need a simple week to get me back on track.
And so it is..
Don’t worry, I’ll be around, just not writing. I’ll be back at the end of the week with a Kombucha tutorial Vlog and maybe a giveaway.
How do you BREAK the FAST? Do you?
Cheers!
LC
p.s.
If anyone would like to guest post, feel free to shoot me an email. No obligations what so ever though. 
I wish I had the courage and stomach to eat those things. I’m kind of lost…if you’ve read posts by Peanut Butter and Jenny etc lately, that’s my situation….I’m kinda underweight, lethargic, not exercising (no gym, no motivation, can’t run, just ….oomph out of me). Bowels and digestion are a mess and doctors no help.
Can’t afford supplements…but thoughts on either the PlantFusion, Sunwarrior BLend, OR lifetime Basics here http://www.vitacost.com/lifetime-lifes-basics-plant-protein-vanilla and which one is the best? BEST? and cheapest to order from canada?
I need a meal plan and exercise plan but can’t afford a counsellor….so lost and tired of all this u know.
Keep “binging” late late at night on “safe” foods (chocolate, yogurt, fruits, JARS of nut butter, paleo treats)…just…
oh I’m sorry, I’m so embarrassed to say all this. Just had to let it out. Email me if you can ever think of anything to wisely let me know on how to straighten things out and also how to organize my life (goals? planner? etc…thanks!). I want to start February off with FOCUS.
i think Life Basics is more bang for your buck. And so sorry about the “funk”. I’ll be saying a prayer for you. Try not to focus too much on it. Focus on the positive friend. xxoo
Don’t be surprised if I show up at your house for breakfast 😉 I am a morning routine person, but that’s because I love using the mornings to break my own fast-paced thoughts and life! It’s my quiet time of the day to sip on coffee, eat my eggs and veggies, and sort out my thoughts and the coming day.
P.S.–Carrot, ginger, plus grapefruit sound beyond amazing, and I’m not even typically a juice person!
come over anytime!! Juicer is ready!
Lately I’ve been obsessed with eggs for breakfast… don’t know why but that they make me full & are so good! Last day @ my current job is this Friday & I don’t start the new one until 2/1 so I will have a week of only school stuff so I plan to rest a little and have time for me… working out & whatever I feel like doing. I will enjoy it!
I’m beyond a creature of habit with food. I somehow never tire of the same meals over and over again. Eggs, greens, some orange starch, avocado, coconut oil…. over and over!
sounds good to me. Sometimes that is best for breaking the fast. To each is own, and girl, you got a good one there!
I am the exact same way. No breakfast without my morning coffee. That gives me time to really grow the hunger beast and it knows exactly what it’s craving. Sometimes I will have leftover spaghetti or pizza for breakfast. Or even cake (on days I know I don’t need serious fuel.) I love the idea of breaking the fast from life too! Everyone could afford to slow it down a bit and just enjoy the little things.
exactly! and yes, totally have had leftover dinner. SO GOOD!
good to hear from you britt.
xxoo
Wow- do you ever mix it up!!! I eat the same thing probably six days out of seven. I wonder what breakfast styles say about people?!
I’m actually breaking the fast for the first time ever- I’m taking half a vacation day tomorrow afternoon because I’m feeling worn out. (I always reserve my vacation days for holidays, but I needed an exception!)
Hope you’re enjoying your break this week. You deserve it!
enjoy your vacation! wish we were hanging out together. xxoo
Oh man! You’re amazing! I think I stick to the same few breakfasts most mornings because my brain is just not ready to be that creative yet. But, man, I love all those breakfast ideas you have here. Might have to mix it up more! Mmmm
one day i will make breakfast for us all, post swim. K? xxoo
let me know if you try any new dishes!
soo many awesome breakfast ideas! I’ve been breaking the fast by not blogging on the weekends lately. That’s my time to enjoy ME TIME, and I’m only going to do what I want to, unless it’s work and I have to 🙂
PS can’t wait for my healthy bites!! this actually ended up being the perfect week to get them, since I’ve been sick and don’t feel like snack prepping, haha
oh goodie! hopefully they will cure your sickies.
I was never a huge fan of breakfast growing up and actually well into my 20’s. I would most likely skip it altogether. It’s now my absolute favourite meal of the day! So many possibilities… my current favorite is blended chia pudding but I always start with either a green juice or green smoothie. That’s after my hot water with lemon and cayenne! Such a ritual now 🙂
I’m extremely excited to see the tutorial on homemade kombucha… I have wanted to make my own but have no idea where to start!
love the lemon and cayenne! healthy wake up call, yes?
I have (warm) oatmeal for breakfast about 5/7 mornings during the week. It keeps me full longer than anything else, and when it’s cold out and I come back from a morning of teaching classes, it’s all I want. Saturday is usually pancakes… it just feels right!
All of your ideas look DELICIOUS though!!
agreed! and sometimes we have 2 breakfasts if you’re up early to teach, yes?
Loved this post. So simple yet complex/// I think we need to listen to what our body & mind needs not only in food but life! 🙂
Love the recipe links too!!!! 🙂
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS! Breakfast is what really fuels your day, and so may people forget all about it. So many great ideas!
not sure how you can forget this glorious meal. Am i right? LOOOVE IT
Lots of breakfast options! To think I usually go with a smoothie, yogurt or eggs. I didn’t think I needed a break from anything, in fact I feel more ready to dive into something new. But this bug and chest congestion have other plans for me at the moment. 🙁
YUM! My favorite meal (which I eat eat for bfast, lunch or dinner) of the day! Breaking the fast…love that. 😀 GREAT recipes and examples of solid meals, Linds! I’m on a fresh juice kick (beets, celery, apples, lemon, etc!) with a hard boiled egg or toast w/almond butter & 1/2 banana. YUM! Keeps me full for ages, oddly enough, but I’m also a fan of oatmeal and heartier meals like that.
Happy breakfast-ing! …and I hope you know how much I appreciate you. 😀
oh man, i love my juicer too. so refreshing in the midst of winter blah, yes?
oh and i ADORE and APPRECIATE you! <3 always
I break-my-fast with a juice/smoothie in the NutriBullet (yes, the thingy on TV) every morning. I love it – I have had it for almost 3 months. I am addicted to fruits & vegetables, so getting a big dose of them each morning is my ideal breakfast.
I am still hungry, I typically eat a rice cake with p-butter or almond butter.
gotta love the nutribullet! Those are lifesavers in the morning!
Guest post – raising my hand, if interested that is 😉 As for breaking the fast, you KNOW how I do that – oatmeal oatmeal oatmeal!! I really need to branch out more for breakfast but it just WORKS for me so well! Once in awhile I switch it up and go eggs and toast with PB, but still, that’s maybe once a week. OR If I am teaching a class in the morning, I’ll start with a Healthy Bite and then after I teach, dive into my oats 🙂 Thought you’d like that switch up!!
I took a break from blogging this weekend, and it went by far too fast. Will miss your wisdom, but hoping that the time away does you some good <3
you are plenty wise for us both! 😉
I am a total creature of habit but it makes me happy so I guess it’s working right? hehe! Enjoy your break and cherish the moments with your family. You deserve it! I’d like a break from work, maybe I’ll e-mail my boss this post. 😉
Oatmeal, banana, and some nut butter always starts my day right!
PS I started blogging again, so feel free to come check it out. 🙂
I have no idea how you do it! I am not creative when it comes to breakfast. At all. I’ve gotten hooked on a particular oatmeal (who am I), but I’m usually a cold cereal girl. Otherwise, I’m so uncreative. lol Your concoctions are amazing, and I may pay you to visit and teach me your ways. lol
i can get on board with that! how about i make breakfast and you make dinner? xxoo
I adore all these ideas! That frozen kefir sounds great!
You’ve done it again… you always find a way to connect what you’re talking about to something much deeper. You truly have a knack and talent for that!! I loveeeeee breakfast, so much so, that I often have breakfast for lunch/breakfast for dinner. Yum.
Your timing is always so right on with me! Tony is doing a cleanse right now and he just said to me how he’s amazed that I can eat the same thing over and over and over again, while he HAS to have variety. So, this cleanse is interesting since he’s pretty limited. Lately, I’ve gotten into a habit of eating the same things more often since I know they nourish me well and I’ve been so busy that coming up with different stuff is just not happening. I need some of those rum raisin balls! YUM!
but your food is always good, no matter what! i drool.
Yesterday at church, our pastor challenged us to take a look at our checkbooks and calendars, and to “take a fast” from that. I knew right away what I need to take a breather from, but it was an eye opener for sure!
that’s always a harsh reality, but one that is needed, yes?
After having a little one, I cannot stress the importance of a good breakfast. Now if I was only as creative as you!
your little one is just amazingly cute. I know, tangent here, but i had to!
Rest is ALWAYS a good thing 😉 enjoy it this week!
Oh that fig and almond butter, YUM!
Love you!
love you! always. <3
It’s like you had read my mind (even if this post is a day late :)).. I was JUST looking for new breakfast ideas before reading this. What would I do w/o ya!!
Love ya love ya love ya. Yes, time to nourish. I need it too. Had a little taste of it today with the boys. 🙂 It was glorious. Enjoy your week friend. Hope you get the nourishment you need. Um……. and when you’re ready I’ll be over for breakfast. 🙂
im always ready for a little stuftmama! come on over
So many yummy food photos! I always eat breakfast. My body needs it.
PALEO BREAD!! omg. you break the fast RIGHT girlfriend!
and so do you! pass me the eggs and bacon please!
OMG I am SUCH a creature of habit, it’s nuts! I literally eat the same thing every day! And if I have to go out to eat, I LOVE going to the same places and ordering the same things, lol – Why mess with a DELICIOUS thing? I am always up for trying new things, but I will still order a few of the same things I always eat, lol. I love ALL of these ideas… SO perhaps you will help me BREAK my ridiculous food habits? LOL – Those Cocoa Eggins look pretty BOMB!
oh my gosh yes, try the cocoa eggins! you’lll love it Gigi!
I think breakfast is usually our least creative meal of the day on a regular basis – because it’s typically one we’re rushing through from workout to work. But when we have time, it’s such a fun meal.
And I get to see you in less than 1 week?! 😉
Cannot wait!!!
Breakfast is my absolute favorite!! I am usually an oatmeal or protein pancake type of girl 😉 I think anything that can be a vehicle for nut butter I am allll over in the morning haha
Glad to hear you’re taking a week to get on track, those are essential. xo
you are so wise, yes, essential!
Love this! Take your well-deserved rest and ENJOY it! 🙂
hugs hugs. thank you Katie for all the support.
we tend to eat the same thins monday -thru friday because of work. bill makes this “paste” of oat bran, water and protein powder and i stick to steel cut oats or overnight oats. on the weekends though it is more about what we crave and need. take some time for yourself girl. i am so happy you know when and how to pace yourself. we are sending hugs!
trying to learn to pace myself indeed. P.S. i need this paste, i bet it’s yummy! hugs
Loving all of your breakfasts and I think you need to whip me up one of these concoctions when I’m in Austin, because I’m drooling over the pictures. I’m sick so not training any clients tomorrow and taking time to heal, nourish, and get my booty back to healthy. 🙁
i was sick on friday, ugh. Rest up!
I’m going to miss reading your posts this week but am very supportive of your break : )
you are too kind friend, really. Thank YOU. made my day. Love your support.
Oh I’m that creature of habit girl – same breakfast each day. But I love the idea of breaking the “fast” as in the go go go. I did that today and my body thanked me for it. Mentally and physically I have been a mess recently though I keep trying to continue as normal. So today, I listened, I broke the “fast.”
Good for you- a simple week sounds lovely. I also had an ‘a-ha’ moment looking at your coconut oats, I’ve never made oats with coconut milk! Boy, I’ve been missing out. Trying it this week. Enjoy the rest of your Sunday!
Your food creations and combos always amaze me… I would love for you to be my personal chef! 🙂 Enjoy the week my friend. A break is absolutely necessary sometimes!
Huge creature of habit here–coffee and Lucky Charms almost every day! Unhealthy, I know!
haha, now i am craving those!
Breakfast is the best meal and should be enjoyed more than once a day, in my humble opinion.
And good for you for listening to your body, mind, and SOUL and taking things simply. I know you have a lot going on! Praying for your spirit to be refreshed, renewed, and refocused! Xoxo friend!
you have no idea how much i needed these words. Thank YOU for prayers. Hope you are well! come visit me!
we all know I live off pb and toast 😉 definitely the same thing every morning. I think 50% of my food every day is “breakfast” foods! loved the post too…I didn’t ever realize breakfast was break fast! so smart!
First of all, where is the marmite? Huh? 😉 Anyway, wow that’s a lot of different breakfast items. I have about 3 go-tos so I am very boring compared to you! And everything looks so pretty which makes it that much more appealing! Have a great week off…good for you. 🙂
oh there is marmite in there. I need to restock actually. But marmite on toast with butter is usually a favorite snack or part of lunch too
!
love this post! i’ve been totally changing it up with breakfast lately – kind of just waiting to see what my body wants – i guess sort of like an IF approach – having some coffee with cream and then waiting to see what i want – like yesterday i wasn’t hungry until almost 11:30 and then all i could think about was tuna! i find that whenever i do cardio i only want carbs hahah but when its heavy weights i come home wanting meeeat
I just LOVE how in tune you are with your body and your soul and always listen to what it needs — even if you don’t always like what you hear, you always listen. I dig that and really need to listen harder and obey MORE. Following your lead. Love this.
ps. will you make ME breakfast like forever? You have such great ideas!! I eat the same two or three things every single day for breakfast, I need to get creative like you!!
You’re making me hungry with all this delicious food. Breakfast is by far my favorite meal of the day. I’ve got to make it pretty massive or else I’m hungry in like 30 minutes. I’m definitely a breakfast repeater. Oopsy
I’m a total creature of habit: fruit smoothie with yogurt and muesli and a small skim milk latte with Starbucks vanilla syrup, made by my espresso machine at home. My husband and I both enjoy our smoothies and don’t actually eat anything later in the morning.
Part of my hopes for 2013 was to break the fast pace of life that I was creating for myself. I feel like I’m doing pretty well with it, and refuse to let my mind make massive, mental to-do lists every day. I also focus completely on one task before moving on the the next, it makes worrying about those things nonexistant.
Enjoy your break this week!
I haven’t been hungry for breakfast lately either, but I always eat for the nourishment. I hope you enjoy your week of rest and nourishing yourself and your hubby! I miss you girl!
Ok… I just ate a massive lunch and you’ve made my hungry again. Thanks. 😛
After seeing your pictures, I officially want to break the fast at the Cotter household.
Breakfast is my favorite meal. So much potential! I also love that it’s pretty much acceptable to eat breakfast food any time of the day. Omelet for dinner? Don’t mind if I do!
How did I not know that frozen Kefir existed!?
I am the same way when it comes to breakfast. I love all breakfast food and would eat it for every meal if I could. I always want something different because there are so many great options out there!
I hope you enjoy your break this week and get back to the place of relaxation that you need 🙂
thanks friend. I plan on getting things SIMPLY together. haha.
cheer to breakfast!
i don’t eat breakfast very often but when i do it’s usually a protein shake or a hard boiled egg, i tend to eat heavier as the day wears on!
Well I thought my breakfasts were good until now. Dang girl, LOVE this variety! Frozen Kefir and muesli and granola? Brilliant!
oh my goodness, it’s divine! like really a treat!
I am a big breakfast fan, anytime of the day, all day 😛 I tend to opt for the sweeter options like pancakes [uh, duh] or waffles or french toast, but that doesn’t mean I’ll turn down savory options either… A runny egg + toast is and always will be a classic! I hope you have a wonderful week girly 🙂 And I’d be happy to guest post for you sometime in the future, as long as I’m not somewhere out in the middle of the Caribbean ocean like this week!
I haven’t seen that Paleo gluten free bread pictured above before. Have you reviewed that somewhere on your blog? If not, is it any good? (I tried a different Paleo bread and while it tasted ok, I couldn’t get past the weird dry crumbly texture.) Any info would be appreciated. Thanks!!!
i love this bread! it’s so so good! check out the paleo bread at unrefinedbakery.com Not dry at all!
Breaking the fast is definitely one of my favorite times of the day but I’m such a creature of habit! Usually green smoothie or overnight oats for me. But then again, that’s usually what my body craves. Your breakfasts are drool worthy! I think that I need to break the fast from life too a bit. Don’t I always say that 🙂 Here’s to a recharging and re-nourishing week for both of us. xox
I break the fast by reading blog posts like this! I get stuck in some serious breakfast ruts (hello paleo pancakes!) and it’s hard to get out of them. The thing is though it doesn’t have to be typical breakfast food. It can be leftovers from the night before!
Great post :). Breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, but I rarely plan it out the night before. I just make whatever I’m craving in the morning! My husband isn’t a huge breakfast eater, so I usually eat by myself, unless it’s the weekend, then we’ll eat a bigger breakfast together. I could probably use a break from blogging also — I tend to compare myself to other bloggers, and it never ends up being a healthy thing.
That rye bread & bfast tacos are calling my name! Yum. I agree, I don’t plan my breakfasts either, but eggs are what I typically crave the most. I also split up my breakfast so I don’t eat too many food groups at in one sitting/overwhelm digestion. For instance, I might have a couple eggs & avocado, then 1-2 hrs later, a fruit & hemp salad or fresh pressed juice & raw almonds.
This is such a beautiful post, I love the spin you put on breakfast…I love breakfast–it’s easily my favorite meal of the day and I often look forward to it the night before…In terms of nourishment in my life, I think I could use more rest–from working out, from rushing around trying to get “everything” done–all to just enjoy life and not try to rush through it.
you were the first one to actually catch that spin on breaking the fast of life! I hope you get that this week Danica. Cheers!
Breakfast is definitely my favorite meal: probably because I could eat eggs all day long if given the opportunity. I’ve been specially been loving protein loaded oatmeal in the past week. All of this looks delicious!
I’m a total creature of habit. I have my favorites – smoothie or oats. Nothing else ever sounds good! Although everything you listed sounds delicious and now I want it. 🙂
Enjoy your fast!
breaking the fast is my favorite time of day 🙂 🙂 my favorites are eggs, oatmeal, and smoothies because there are a billion ways to mix them all up!!
Well, Nick and I are complete opposites, TOTAL creatures of habit! I always eat the same thing for breakfast, other than the occasional time when I decide to make eggs. Nick always has a smoothie, unless it’s the weekend when he has oats (although he always has something different on his oats!). Your breakfasts all look DIVINE!