Why is Breakfast So Important?

Breakfast is a very important meal, nutritionists have even called it the "first lunch" because it prepares us for the new day. Among the last meal the night before we wake up, remember that we spend many hours without food and our body needs nutrients and energy that only gets in a good meal. When fasting extends for a long period of time, our bodies have to get energy from their structural proteins within.

What should we eat for breakfast?
I find Oatmeal is great source of intake, especially if you include some assorted berries and mixed nuts, followed with a glass of Orange Juice.
Tip: A quick Note on oats and gluten-free diets. While oats do not contain gluten, many of the oats available in grocery stores were processed in facilities that also process wheat, so there is cross-contamination. Look for oats labeled "gluten-free." Several local stores carry it.

Eating should be a pleasure, but do not forget to eat a good breakfast first, vary and consume fruits and vegetables are the secret of a healthy diet.

Baked Oatmeal A la Monica
Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas, sliced into 1/2-inch slices
• 1 1/2 cups blueberries
• 1 cup uncooked quick oats
• 1/4 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 4 tablespoon of honey
• 1/4 teaspoon plus 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• pinch of salt
• 1 cup fat free or low-fat milk
• 1 egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Lightly grease a 8x8 or 9x9-inch ceramic baking dish; set aside.
Arrange the banana slices in a single layer on the bottom of the ceramic dish. Sprinkle half of the blueberries over the bananas, 1/4 teaspoon of the cinnamon, 1 tablespoon of the honey and cover with foil. Bake 15 minutes, until the bananas get soft.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine the oats, half the nuts, baking powder, remaining 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon, and salt; stir together. In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 3 tablespoons of honey, milk, egg, and vanilla extract.

Remove the bananas from the oven, then pour the oat mixture over the bananas and blueberries.
Pour the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the mixture as evenly as possible over the oats. Sprinkle the remaining blueberries and pecans over the top.
Bake for about 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the oatmeal has set. Serve warm from the oven.