Start off your day with a bowl full of delicious superfoods and creamy, protein-packed greek yogurt.
One of my life mottos, right after “always pack snacks,” is “the best things in life come in bowls.” Surprise, surprise, that both my life mottos are food-based. Salads, buddha bowls, smoothie bowls, granola, all the good stuff comes in a bowl.
My favorite kind of bowl? Probably depends on what week it is, but lately, I can’t get enough of yogurt bowls for breakfast. I had a huge yogurt phase two years ago, like daily greek yogurt with peanut butter for breakfast for a year straight kind of phase. Sometimes I have to step back and laugh at myself because I find my tendency to get “hooked” on certain habits amusing, especially when it comes to loving a food. While I really do enjoy trying new things, I also equally love what I love. Especially when it comes to breakfast I crave the routine and familiarity of the same things. It’s almost like I use it as a signal to my brain that it’s time to “wake up, we’re having XYZ again.”
And breakfast isn’t the only habit and ritual I crave. After reading Gretchen Rubin’s “Better Than Before,” I’ve been thinking a ton about habits and rituals. Her book is all about the power of habits for better or worse. She talks about how to form good ones, break bad ones and use their power to make your life both happier every day and for the long run. I absolutely loved it. I’m a huge fan of her podcast “Happier” and the book was just as enlightening and entertaining.
I’ve also been thinking a lot about habits because of my recent move. It’s funny how moving can shake up so many parts of your life, yet if you’re not conscious, you can fall into so many of the same routines, despite a whole new surrounding. I’ve been trying to make this first week of my job and my life here on Nantucket a strong foundation for 2016. I find that really focusing on the beginning of something new can set us up for success down the road.
But while I love and crave familiarity and routine, it’s so easy for me (and I’m sure so many others) to let myself get too stuck in routines, rules and repetition. Unless I consciously make the effort, I don’t naturally gravitate towards shaking things up. Sometimes it’s something as simple as taking a new route to work or finding some new toppings for my favorite breakfast yogurt bowl that can spur some much needed inspiration and shake up.
- 1 Cup Plain of Greek Yogurt
- 1 tbsp of Unsweetened Almond Milk
- 1/4 tsp of Almond Extract
- 1/4 Cup of Superfood Mix*
- 1/4 of Pomegranate Seeds
- 5 pieces of Crystalized Ginger Chunks
- 1 Tablespoon of Almond Butter
- In a small bowl mix together greek yogurt, almond extract and almond milk and stir until yogurt is smooth and creamy
- Sprinkle superfood mix, pomegranate and ginger chunks on top of yogurt
- Drizzle almond butter on top of bowl – if almond butter is solid heat in a small glass ramekin for 20 seconds in the microwave and stir until easy to drizzle
DIY Superfood Mix:
- 1 part golden raisins
- 1 part pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds)
- 1 part cashews
- 1 part almonds
- 1 part goji berries
Your Turn:
- Are you a novelty or familiarity lover?
- What do you do to shake up your routine?
This is stunning. Your camera (and you) is a gooddess. I tend to get stuck in routine, and when I stray from said routine, I feel out of control and anxious. That’s just how I am, but it’s something I’m definitely working on. Moving is one of those things… especially to a new place. There’s something crazy about sleeping in a new bad that’s YOUR new bed.
I’m totally a routine girl, but I’m trying to be less rigid about it, especially when it comes to seeing friends/family/trying new things. I agree with Christina, your photography is GORGEOUS!! Dat almond butter swirl yassss. This breakfast is definitely on my list to make this week 🙂
I am totally a routine-type person but I think I could benefit from getting out of routine every once and a while. I could change up my breakfast a little bit to shake it up because I am a creature of habit and either have oatmeal or a yogurt bowl. I should try something like this, it looks so delicious!
You are a mind-reader….I was just thinking about routines/comfort this morning. My “routine” on vacation was nothing of sorts but I still resorted to comfort rituals (like a slow breakfast) to get that sense of familiarity. I pretty much threw out most of my routine (not normal for me) but realized how happy I was to get back into one at home. So I guess I’m making progress with spontaneity? Not sure.
*End of Monday morning rant.*
P.S. this looks incredible.
I am so bad at shaking up my routine…Once I get into one I can be stubborn about changing things. But I have gotten better since living on the island. For example, instead of staring at my computer all afternoon yesterday, I went and saw Star Wars. I haven’t been to the movies in ages, but I am so glad I did it. I got out of the house. Saw a great film and you know what it felt good to disconnect!
I also love the Greek yogurt and peanut butter combination! The only one I can have due to a tree nut allergy, but it can easily be varied – pair with blueberries for a PB&J taste, add sliced bananas and honey, or try sprinkling with while roasted peanuts and GF granola!
Not only are these pictures awesome but the recipe is so unique and different versus my typical yogurt bowl! Love it!
I certainly tend to stick with routine, familiarity. Routine helps keep my mind at ease, but I know it is good for the soul to step out of that zone and learn to take things as they go sometimes. My husband helps remind me to calm the F down sometimes too. 😉
I need to listen to that podcast! I feel like I need it in my life STAT.
Gorgeous!!! I have been trying to stay away from dairy but this definitely makes me want a big yogurt bowl 🙂
Your smoothie bowls get me every time! SO DELISH!
I tend to stick to routines, even though (almost) every time I try new things, I find that I like them. The same few workouts feel comfortable, but that new one feels AMAZING. My usual snacks taste fabulous, but that new one is extra satisfying. I think I’m at a place in my life where enough is uncertain and frazzled that I latch onto routine wherever I find it. Anyway, that was a bit of a tangent….
I agree that bowls hold so many of the best things, and it looks like this yogurt bowl is just another example of that 🙂 It looks easy, pretty, and delicious!
I usually eat ginger pieces plain, but this…THIS is revolutionary!
I was just eating a bowl of plain yogurt + banana + pb for my bedtime snack while reading this, thinking, “hey we are on the same page!” But then I see that you put candied GINGER in yours!! Oh my gosh this is brilliant. I would never have thought of adding in ginger. I think I know my breakfast tomorrow. Thanks girl!
You should definitely read “The Happiness Project” by Gretchen Reuben – soooo incredible and motivating!
I start every day with greek yogurt. Can’t stop won’t stop 🙂
almond butter, crystallized ginger, pomegranate seeds…literally combining some of my recent favorites!
And yes…all good things do come in bowls (ice cream especially witht he exception of cones too) 😉
xo,
Sarah Grace
My mom ate the same breakfast for all of my life, and only changed it up recently. I find peace in routine! Even if it’s just the small things.
Oh WOW, I love all of your creative toppings! Pomegranate arils, golden raisins, cashews, almonds, and goji berries all together? So delicious!
I am so with you girl, bowls make everything better! I’m also a huge fan of yogurt bowls and salad bowls. I love this recipe! I’ve never had crystalized ginger but it sounds really good!
I love me a good yogurt bowl and this one is definitely on the list of things to make (preferably tomorrow cause i don’t think i can wait much longer than that 😉 )