The Importance of a High Protein Breakfast (& my current fave way to get it)

Thanks to Friendship Dairies Super-Duper Totally Fantastic Superfood Mix-In Sweepstakes for sponsoring this conversation!

One might say that I’m a bit breakfast-obsessed. (It’s true.)

I can see a striking difference in my energy levels throughout the day when I eat a properly clean, whole foods, high protein breakfast no later than 10:30am.

As The Adrenal Fatigue Reset Diet says:

The word ‘protein’ is derived from a Greek word meaning ‘first’ or ‘primary.’

Of course, I love a plate of the classic bacon and eggs (always with a side of veggies). Sometimes I mix it up with my pastured pork breakfast sausage patties (recipe in my ebook). There’s always a good dose of healthy fats in there, too.

But sometimes I need to branch out on my protein. Sometimes my family hates me and chooses oatmeal for breakfast. (Ugh. Not an oatmeal lover here. How is it different than lumpy glue, I ask you?)

In all scenarios above, one of my favorite ways to boost the protein content of my breakfast is with a side of cottage cheese.

When Friendship Dairies came knocking on the (non-literal) doors of Red & Honey’s limited advertising opportunities, I was all like “UM, YES PLEASE!” And also: “NOW I HAVE A GOOD EXCUSE TO PREACH TO MY PEOPLE ABOUT PROTEIN!!!”

(Also: “darnit, I’m hungry again.”)

Cottage cheese is the perfect side to eggs and sausage, but it can also pair nicely with the more carb-heavy options. It has a surprisingly high amount of protein.

I didn’t grow up with it, so I always feel pretty fancy eating it, and it perfectly complements every breakfast scenario I can imagine. (Ever been to a breakfast buffet? I always, always go for the cottage cheese, no matter what’s on my plate.)

Until just recently, I always enjoyed it plain, but my eyes have been opened to a whole new world thanks to Friendship Dairies’ Superfood Generator – a fun little online tool for seeing the various nutritional benefits (vitamins, anti-oxidants, and fiber, oh my!) of a huge selection of mix-in options.

Here are a couple that I came up with. Warning: this tool puts you at risk of seeking out a midnight snack while typing late at night. Ahem.

Dried cranberries paired with scallions and wild rice, which give anti-oxidants, vitamin A, and fiber.
A Tex-Mex-inspired combo of avocado, red onion, and cilantro, which offers heart-healthy fats, and a hefty dose of anti-oxidants.

You can make your mix sweet, savory, or anywhere in between. Variety’s the spice of life, right? Also: a foodie’s BFF. So. Much. Flavor. Mmmmm.

Who knew cottage cheese could be this much fun?

(Hey, I turned 32 last week, I’m a mom of three, an introvert, a food-lover, and a writer. “Fun” is a relative term, right?)

Sweepstakes! Win a Vitamix or Other Weekly Prizes!

Friendship Dairies is holding a crazy-awesome sweepstakes for all of July and August, and they asked me to help spread the word. I don’t lend my platform to just anyone, but y’all – they’re giving away Vitamix Blenders! I LOVE my Vitamix, and couldn’t *not* share.

The prizes include more than $5,000 in weekly prizes (such as a FitBit Flex, a gorgeous kitchen scale, and a high-density yoga mat), including three $498 Vitamix grand prizes.

It’s super easy to enter and just takes a minute. Here’s what you have to do:

Use the Superfood Generator to select a cottage cheese (psst… go for the full fat option!)
Choose up to 3 mix-ins
Get a super summary
Enter the sweepstakes