Cool Breakfast Treats to Beat the Summer Heat!
Every year in Denver we have a few weeks that are just plain hot. When the thermometer has already reached 80 degrees before breakfast, sometimes you need a cool treat to start your day off on the right note. Here are a few ideas for a refreshing morning meal!
Frozen Nutty Banana:
Cut one firm (but ripe) banana in half and un-peal. Arrange on a small baking sheet or freezer-safe plate, and spread each half evenly with 1 tablespoon of nut butter. Next add toppings such as granola, chia seeds, or flax seeds and cinnamon. Insert a popsicle stick or skewer into the cut end of each half, and freeze until solid (at least 2-3 hours).
Breakfast Parfait:
Grab a large glass or ice cream bowl andadd a scoop of your favorite yogurt, fruit and granola. Continue adding layers until the glass or bowl is full. Enjoy!
Breakfast Smoothie:
Blend one cup of milk, almond milk, or soy milk with ice and one cup of frozen or fresh fruit. Berries and bananas work best! For a thicker shake and extra calcium, add a little yogurt to your blender. For an alternative to the classic fruit smoothie, replace the fruit and yogurt with a banana and 2 tablespoons of peanut or almond butter and blend until smooth.
Nutty Apple:
Select a large apple and slice in half. Remove the core, plus a little additional apple flesh to create a large hole in the center of each half. Fill each hole with peanut or sunflower butter and granola and reassemble apple. Wrap the apple in aluminum foil or plastic wrap and enjoy on the run!
If you are dining out for breakfast in Denver, visit the Original Pancake House! We have several cool treats on our menu including the Fiesta Bowl, a healthy breakfast of non-fat yogurt and our Homemade Granola topped with fresh fruit. Or try our Homemade Granola, a healthy, delectable dish made from thick oats, pecans, raisins, and coconut seasoned with cinnamon and nutmeg, and served with skim milk. Enjoy the summer!
A World Cup breakfast – what do professional soccer players eat?
The World Cup captured our attention this summer as we watched teams from all corners of the globe compete in the quest for futbol glory. As World Cup players are endurance athletes – the average player runs six to eight miles per match – they require up to 4,000 calories per day to keep their bodies strong and performing at max ability. In order to keep players healthy and full, many teams travel with their own set of nutritionists and chefs to monitor each player’s intake of calories, vitamins and minerals. In addition, the team nutritionist must prepare food that the players will eat and enjoy and as a result, many teams brought their own food supplies to ensure a “taste of home.” For example, the Italian team brought pasta, parmesan cheese, and wine to Brazil, while the Mexican team traveled with pozole, and the U.S. team brought peanut butter, jelly, Cheerios, and A1 Steak Sauce.
So what do the soccer players eat for breakfast? According to the U.S. Team Chef Bryson Billapando, breakfast chicken enchiladas were the most popular morning meal offering for the U.S. team. Instead of breakfast pancakes, he creates enchiladas filled with slow-roasted tomatoes, bell peppers, onions and garlic, shredded chicken, eggs, and homemade enchilada sauce. As the players require a carb-heavy diet, mixed with high quality proteins and healthy fats (no butter!), they also often enjoy rice and beans, or even pasta with their morning meals to fuel up for the day.
To ensure players are getting their required intake of vitamins and minerals, Chef Billapando requires each individual to fill his plate with at least two varieties of vegetables and multiple servings of fruit. According to team staff, the U.S. players eat an entire case, or 25 lbs., of avocados each day!
The next time you are enjoying a pancake breakfast in Denver (smothered in butter and syrup!); think of the World Cup players and their morning plate of rice and beans. We’re glad we get to enjoy pancakes and waffles!