Healthy New Years Brunch Ideas

Happy New Year!

After a wonderful and abundant holiday season I'm ready to kick off the new year as the happiest and healthiest version of myself! New Years day is usually when people really commit to their goals but it's still technically part of the holiday season.

How do we align with our goals yet keep the magic of the holiday season alive?

Is it possible to have our cake and eat it too?

Below is my plan for having a happy and healthy New Years Brunch!

START WITH FRUIT

What's a brunch without fruit?

Fruit is such a quick and easy way to add vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, fiber and healthy carbs to any meal. Plus, fruit is so versatile, especially at brunch!

Fruit can easily be a standalone item to enjoy but it also pairs with many popular brunch items. Add some fresh fruit to your mimosas, top your pancakes & waffles with fruit, throw some fruit into your favorite muffin mix. The possibilities are endless!

PANCAKES & WAFFLES

Several years ago I developed a healthier pancake and waffle batter (it's the same recipe just cooked differently). I LOVE both pancakes and waffles but find that I cannot eat "normal" ones because they leave me tired, bloated and with an upset stomach. So I made some healthier swaps that gave me the PERFECT breakfast.

Instead of white flour you'll use oats. Instead of white sugar you'll use maple syrup. Instead of butter you'll use coconut oil.

This recipe is gluten free, dairy free and refined sugar free but 100% delicious!

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 1/2 c Oats

• 2 tsp Baking Powder

• 1/4 tsp Salt

• 3/4 c Almond Milk

• 5 tbsp Melted Coconut Oil

• 2 Eggs

• 2 tbsp Maple Syrup

• 1 tsp Vanilla

• Pinch of Cinnamon

Add all ingredients to a high power blender, blend until smooth. Cook on griddle or waffle iron. Enjoy!

I'm obsessed with this recipe not only because it's so much healthier but also because it's quicker and easier. No more lumps of flour. No more mixing until your arm falls off. No more mess trying to pour. And clean up is SO easy!

Note: I have tried making this recipe with a standard blender and didn't have the best results. You definitely want to use a high powered blender like a Vitamix. I'm linking my blender below in case you're in the market for a new one!

GUT HEALTHY MIMOSAS

What's brunch without mimosas? It's like milk without cookies. It just doesn't make sense.

Luckily I created a gut healthy swap that's quick, easy and delicious!

Start with Kevita's Pineapple Peach Kombucha you can find this at most grocery stores, it's in a brown bottle that looks like this:

Then top with orange juice and fresh fruit of choice and you're done! Kombucha is AMAZING for your health but many people don't love it. This recipe helps sneak in the benefits.

Side note, I always add fruit to mimosa's but my best friend Liz said she's never done that before! What's your take?

MINI QUICHES

Like mimosas, what's a brunch without eggs? Eggs are another super versatile food. Great on breakfast sandwiches, in omlettes, eggs benedict, the list goes on AND ON.

For any brunch I LOVE making mini quiches for a few reasons, one they are easy to serve. There's nothing to cut. You don't need to waste time trying to scrape the quiche out of the pan, you just pop them out and enjoy. Two you can change them up! I'm on a completely meatless diet. So I can make some quiche with cheese and veggies and some with meat, this way everyone gets to enjoy according to their own dietary preference.

Here's my recipe:

6 Large Eggs

3/4 Cup Milk

Seasonings: Salt, pepper, onion powder, garlic powder

Fillings of choice: meats, cheeses, veggies, etc.

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Fill silicone baking cups half way with mixture. Bake at 350 F for about 20 minutes. Note that these will look glossy on top as if they are went when they are in fact done cooking. Use a toothpick to check, don't overbake.

When you use silicone baking cups, these literally slide right out without even greasing!

Below is the baking cups I use if you want to get some for yourself.

MUFFINS & BREADS

Last but not least, adding a sweet treat to brunch. Everyone loves a good banana bread recipe. This one is next level! Like the pancakes and waffles, this recipe includes healthy swaps that will leave you feelings AMAZING.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups rolled oats

• 3 large bananas

• 1/4 cup Almond Milk

• 1/3 cup Maple Syrup

• 2 Eggs

• 2 tsp Cinnamon

• 1/8 tsp Salt

• 3/4 tsp Baking Soda

• 1 tsp Baking Powder

DIRECTIONS

• Preheat oven to 350F.

• Using a food processor grind 3 cups of old fashioned rolled oats into fine oat flour.

• In a large bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Mix in maple syrup, eggs, mashed bananas, and almond milk.

• Add cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder to oat flour.

• Combine wet mixture and dry mixture. The batter will be sticky, that's normal.

• Line a loaf pan with parchment paper.

• Add mixture to your pan and place it on the top rack of the oven.

• Bake for 50-55 minutes

Option to make muffins instead of a bread for easy serving just cut the baking time in half then add time as needed.

I hope this brunch menu inspires you to kick start the healthiest year of your life!

Wishing you blessed and abundant New Year!

Xoxo

Bianca