Confession: I am not the kind of person who can skip breakfast, despite what my 15 year old self would tell you. If I don’t have breakfast pretty soon after getting up, or if I dare to think about skipping it altogether, I end up with a headache, a stomach ache and feel like I am in a heavy “fog” all day. It’s just not worth it.
There are days when I have plenty of time to cook an omelet or scramble up some eggs and toast, but most day there is barely enough time to boil water for some instant oatmeal. Mornings have become a bit of a blur again with baby wake-up, feeding and changing, playtime and trying to get myself ready for the day. I am fortunate to have a super helpful husband, who takes over most of the morning routine (aka baby duty and coffee making), but it is also helpful to have an easy to make breakfast, or even a ready-mad breakfast, I can eat in a pinch.
That is where the 4 Ingredient Breakfast Parfait comes in. I am a huge fan of parfaits, overnight oats and any other breakfast that is easy to make ahead of time. This one is my favorite. It is super simple to make and can store in the fridge for our entire week. Plus, it only contains 4 healthy ingredients, so it saves you times making and you can feel good about eating it.
The parfait features:
- Plain, Greek yogurt: a great source of protein and low in sugar. Look for an organic or no anti-biotics or hormones added variety to make it even healthier. It also makes the texture nice and thick.
- Granola: a dose of healthy grains and fats. Shoot for a kind without a ton of additives and sugar, or try making your own.
- Maple syrup: a fantastic alternative to regular sugar. This sweetens it while also adding some extra nutrients and benefits.
- Fresh fruit: a great dose of fiber, anti-oxidants and healthy enzymes.
I started making this when I was pregnant and my husband was in school full-time, in addition to working full-time. Our days started super early and it was helpful for us to meal-prep for the week and have 2-3 meals a day that he could throw into his lunch bag and take with him. And it saved me from preparing big meals when my feet were achy and I was tired.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh berries, chopped
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 cup plain, Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup granola
Instructions
- In a portable glass jar (I love mason jars for this), add 1/2 of your yogurt.
- Top with 1/2 of your granola and 1/2 of your fruit.
- Drizzle on 1/2 of your honey.
- Repeat with the remaining portion.
- If you find you have extra granola, you can sprinkle it on top as well.
You can make one of these in just a few minutes each morning, or you can make a bunch, pop the lids on and store in the fridge until you are ready to eat them.
While you may not have a tiny baby stealing all of your time, your mornings might not be any easier. If you are stuck rushing out the door for work or school, or getting our kids (or self, or dog, or spouse) ready for the day, this simple parfait will help fuel you and save you time, as well.
And it tastes way more decadent and indulgent than it really is 🙂
Enjoy!
