Stuffed Breakfast Peppers

Ok, let's step up your breakfast game with a nutritional powerhouse dish that is packed with protein and not cutting any corners on flavor. Prep is a breeze and the first bite will convince you to make sure you are eating your breakfast every morning. No excuses.

A spin on the ubiquitous stuffed pepper, these egg and vegetable breakfast peppers are a fantastic way to get your daily dose of vitamins, vegetable servings and a healthy protein kick to start your day. If your body was a fire, and you needed to keep it burning, would you let it go a long time without throwing in some sticks? And better yet, what burns longer, twigs or logs? That's what breakfast is meant for. Getting your metabolism started to fuel your fire the whole day through.

Paleo Stuffed Peppers

Ingredients

• 4 red bell peppers (any color bell pepper works)
• 16 oz bag frozen, chopped spinach
• 4 eggs
• salt and pepper, to taste.
• Salsa of choice
• ground pork sausage or turkey sausage optional

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400F. Line a baking pan with foil.
2. Cut off the top of the peppers + remove seeds
3. Place peppers into dish. Bake for about 15 minutes.
4. While the peppers are baking, defrost spinach. Squeeze the moisture out.
5. Remove peppers from oven and stuff the bottoms evenly (and generously) with  spinach.
6. Crack an egg into the top ½ of each pepper.
7. Bake for about 15-20 minutes or until the egg whites are set and not transparent.
8. Add a spoonful or two of salsa to the top. 

If desired, add an inch or two of cooked ground turkey or pork sausage to the pepper cup. Top with egg. It's optional, but does kick up the protein content.

Eat well, be a healthy. See you back here next week for another fitness inspired meal idea!

Breakfast Ideas

Skipping breakfast? Or getting bored? Check these easy, delicious and healthy breakfast ideas to start your day off right and get your metabolism in gear.

Break-Fast. Maybe you've never really thought about it before, but breaking down the word breakfast, you literally have locked down the importance of this morning meal. When you chomp down on those first bites to fuel your day, you are literally "breaking your fast" from your sleep cycle. Your body hasn't taken in any nutrients since last night's dinner (or healthy late-night snack) and it needs to refuel. Putting the right amount of fats, proteins, fruits, vegetables, fiber and vitamins in from the geto-go can be the difference between a "let's conquer this day" attitude and "today was real rough." Try out some of these breakfast ideas that will keep your body running and your diet in check. If you are working out fairly heavily make sure to include protein in every breakfast!

Peanut Butter + Apples or Bananas

Optional: Serve atop Waffles.

This is a pretty easy one. Sliced apples, especially Granny Smith or Fuji are a perfect compliment to fresh grind peanut butter. Peanut butter has some healthy fat, which your body needs to function, and is high in protein. Apples or Bananas are a great way to get your required servings of fruit, first thing in the morning. Finally, serving this atop a multigrain waffle is a good alternative to sugar-laden syrup and butter. 

Strawberry Shake

Again, really simple. Grab a scoop or two of your favorite Vanilla Protein powder, and toss it into a blender with frozen strawberries and your milk of choice. (Almond, Coconut, Cows) The frozen strawberries will thicken up the shake and keep it frosty cold.

Ham + Boiled Egg Rollup

In a real hurry? Pre-cook some hard-boiled eggs for the week. They are awesome for adding to any breakfast, just a jolt of protein and good-for-you cholesterol to give you energy. Try slicing the hardboiled egg, adding a few slices of lean ham or canadian bacon, and then dropping a few spoonfuls of salsa into a whole wheat tortilla as you head out the door. 

Remember, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so fill your stomach up with the nutrients it needs to keep you going. 

Stay well, and see you back here next week for more recipes and meal ideas!