Teff Porridge

I am always searching for another warm breakfast option that doesnt involve eggs. Today, I found it....creamy, warm teff.  Teff is a gluten free ancient grain that has been a staple in Ethiopian homes for thousands of years. It makes a creamy hot cereal with the nuttiness and consistancy of cream of wheat. Besides tasting delicious, it also packs a nutrient punch. Full of calcium, vitamin C, protein, and fiber. You can also buy it in it's flour form to make baked goods, pancakes, or waffles.

I used to work in the alzheimer's ward of a nursing home. There was a lady who lived there whose name was Josephine. She would reminisce every morning about cold, winter mornings growing up in Canada. The story always ended the same...."and my father gave me a big bowl of porridge to send me off on my way to school." So, every morning, we gave her a huge bowl of oatmeal (what she called porridge). I always remembered that, so on cold mornings I send my kids out the door with something warm in their tummies....here's to you Josephine.

Breakfast Teff Porridge
1/2 c. teff grain
1 1/2 c. water

Boil water. Once boiled add teff grain, cover, and set on low. Stir every 5 minutes
or so until creamy. Takes 15-20 minutes. I diced up some apples and fried them in
coconut oil to put on top. We also added maple syrup, cinnamon and walnuts.

Sneakingly Healthy "Waldorf" Salad

I put waldorf in quotation marks because I know this is not traditional waldorf salad. Really the only thing it has in common with waldorf is the apple and mayonaisse. But, if I had called it glorified sandwich salad sandwiches,  Jackson would never have ate it....so, waldorf it is. 

Glorified Waldorf Salad
1 package of chicken of the sea salmon (You can use tuna fish, or finely shredded chicken as well)
1/4 avacado
1/4 - 1/2 of a finely chopped apple or pear
1 large spoonful of mayo of your choice. I use earth balance mayo
2 pieces of fried and diced bacon
1 tsp PURE maple syrup

Combine all together and let sit for 1 hour or overnight in the fridge (covered) if possible. Serve on toast or with crackers. You can also add pepper, salt, and any other cut up fruit if you would like to. Grapes also work well. 

This lunch is full of healthy fats from the protein source and the avacado. The maple syrup and fruit give it some sweetness and the bacon lends a salty note. Great way to get kids to eat salmon!