You know what they say “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day” but is it? Well, I’m not an expert but if you ask me, there are quite a few benefits to having breakfast.
Breakfast is an important factor, especially for a growing body like children and adolescences.
Studies show that eating a healthy breakfast (as opposed to the kind containing doughnuts and cookies) will give you an improved concentration and performance in the classroom or at work, more strength and endurance to engage in physical activity and will even lower your cholesterol levels
Now, I’m no saint so I’ll admit, I don’t eat breakfast, and yes, I know it’s bad for me, but it’s just too busy in the morning and all I really want is my coffee. But if breakfast is going to be served (meaning, I won’t have to make it – on a weekday that is) I’ll take it! Oh I’ll embrace it for sure.
Being a mom, I can skip breakfast but if there’s something I don’t do, is make my kids skip breakfast. They have their healthy breakfast every day before we drive them to school. Whether it’s oatmeal, whole grain cereals, a health packed pudding or bread with a healthy topping; they’re getting their breakfast on!
A while ago I connected with “The Grocery Foundation” through “Food Bloggers of Canada”, and as I read about the foundation more and explored their contributions and campaigns, we clicked.
You see, this is a foundation that for the past 35 years had taken upon it, to make the lives of children better. How better you ask? They make sure that children that come from challenged families or communities are fed with nutritious foods and a healthy breakfast.
How do they do that? Simply by raising money to help fund nutritious breakfasts and snacks to children in various programs including school nutrition programs.
So anyways, when I heard that In Canada, 1 in 7 children start the school day on an empty stomach due to a lack of access to nutritious foods, I knew I wanted to be a part of the campaign. So no, I’m not going to (unfortunately) feed all those children (wish I could), but what I can do is promote awareness to the foundation’s “Toonie for Tummies” campaign (that will feed them) which only asks for a donation of a toonie ($2) – yes, that’s enough, imagine that.
Another thing I think I can do is make sure that all your kids (and you guys) are eating healthy and nutritious food. So I decided to share my newest recipe for No Bake Brown Rice and Sesame Healthy Energy Bar.
This one is packed with goodness, it has brown rice, flax seed (great for your stomach and a wonderful source of Omega 3), sesame, honey, and the bonus special ingredient – tahini; need I say more? And it requires no baking you guys! It’s ready in minutes and after it sits in the fridge for 2 hours you’re good to go!
My kids loved it! Heck, everyone loved it! And it’s a super great addition for the lunchboxes.
Breakfast is important and so is the content of your lunchbox! Make sure it’s a good one!
- 3 Cups Puffed Brown Rice (Unsweetened) - You can also use rice krispies
- ½ Cup Sesame Seeds
- ¼ Cup Whole Flax Seeds
- ½ Cup Roasted Coconut Chips
- ¼ Cup Honey
- ¼ Cup Coconut Oil (liquid) or Canola Oil
- ¼ Cup Raw Tahini (not the prepared spread)
- ⅛ Cup Brown Sugar
- In a bowl, mix the puffed rice, sesame, flax and coconut.
- In a small saucepan, place the honey, coconut, tahini and sugar and mix over low heat until you get an even batter (it should be smooth – don’t heat too much so you don’t burn the tahini).
- Remove from heat once smooth and add to the sesame mix and using a large/ wooden spoon, fold everything together evenly, until it’s all covered with the tahini batter.
- Pour the batter into a 6”X12” baking pan covered with parchment paper (I lightly grease the paper to allow easy removal later on) and flatten using your hands or by placing a sheet of parchment paper on top and tightening the batter with your hands or by rolling a glass on the paper.
- Place in the fridge for 2 hours.
- After 2 hours, remove and turn over onto a board. Cut desired size using a sharp knife (but not too small or it’ll crumble).
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
*The fund raising campaign will be taking place in various participating retailers across Ontario and Atlantic Canada from February 5-19 – Just check out their page.