Berry-Papaya Power Parfaits with Maple-Cinnamon Granola

Happy Easter everyone! How was your weekends??

We went to an (AMAZING) Easter brunch today. It was like carb loading for a marathon. Unlimited waffles. French toast. Pancakes. And not like cafeteria style food, like really yummy restaurant food! Ok… now I’m not proud of the next thing I’m about to tell you….I may or may not have swiped a few easter eggs from the kids table. I mean, it was right next to the grown-up buffet so totally honest mistake, right?? I have a serious weakness for mini candy bars, for some magical reason I swear bite sized candy bars taste better than the king size. Either that or I like the idea that I can taste 5 different mini candies for the price of one..

Needless to say I am on a serious sugar detox at the moment. I never want to look at another chocolate bunny again. Or Reese’s egg. Or pink jelly bean (I only eat the pink ones).

(pre-sugar como after Easter Brunch! Here’s half my family, me with my mom and not-so-little younger brother!)

So for all of the rest of you who may have indulged a little too much in their kids/cousins/brothers/sisters Easter baskets… here’s a super healthy (super quick) breakfast recipe to kick-start your digestion and refuel your body after the holiday weekend!

This is my new favorite breakfast- I had it every morning last week (only minus the greek yogurt, I had soy bc I can’t have much dairy)! This Berry-Papaya Power Parfait is rich in antioxidants, fiber, and protein to keep you full and focused (Mini Wheats commercial anyone?), plus the enzymes in papaya are amazing for your digestion.

Without going into too much detail (or else you’ll probably lose your appetite before you even try this!) I have a long history of IBS symptoms, so papaya has become my best friend…One medium papaya has more fiber than a medium apple, plus unripe green papayas contain high levels of the digestive enzyme papain! Think happy gut!

Also, I don’t know about you all but the last thing I want to do in the morning is cook breakfast. The most I’ll do is pour water into my instant oatmeal and sometimes I don’t even have enough time for that! Soooo that’s the second reason these parfaits are my new best friend. You can make them ahead. Make a few of these Sunday night, cover in plastic wrap and throw in the frig… and voila! Gorgeous yummy breakfast to grab quick and go in the morning!

Cheers to happy tummy’s!

(and boo to chocolate bunnies and my little brother’s Easter basket)

Here’s two recipes… first is the Maple-Cinnamon Granola

and second are the Berry-Papaya Power Parfaits with Granola

Maple-Cinnamon Granola

Yields 4 cups (serving size: 1/2 cup)

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/4 cup chopped pecans
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
5 teaspoons vegetable oil
5 tablespoons pure maple syrup
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together oats, pecans, almonds, salt, cinnamon, vegetable oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract.
Spread oat mixture on a rimmed baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, rotating sheet halfway through. Let cool completely.

Nutrition (per 1/2 cup); Calories: 225, Fat: 9 grams, Protein: 5 grams

How easy is that?? Extra granola will last several weeks sealed an airtight container. Now you’ve got breakfast for the next month!

Now for the main event!