healthy breakfast

If you're a Paleo diet devotee, then you'll love this recipe for Paleo banana bread from FitSugar reader AllieNic.

Too Good Paleo Banana Bread

Ingredients:
3 very ripe bananas
5 Medjool dates
5 Tbsp warm water
3 eggs
2 cups almond flour
1/4 cup coconut oil
1 tbsp coconut flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp sea salt
Unsweetened coconut flakes for sprinkling

Read on for the rest of the recipe!

Many of you will be celebrating someone you love (or being celebrated yourself) this weekend for Mother's Day. And when it comes to family gatherings, chances are you'll be in for a big feast. But no matter if you're going out for an indulgent brunch, lunch, or dinner, you can start the day off right with a healthy breakfast.

Starting the day with a small bowl of yogurt with fruit before brunch or a green juice before a stack of pancakes for breakfast ensures that you'll be getting many of your nutrients for the day right away, which can help you feel less guilty about any more-indulgent dishes you spring for later on. And it can also help you know when to stop once you've sat down to eat; if you have just a cup of yogurt before brunch, for example, you'll be more apt to feel satisfied sooner so you don't overeat during your big meal.

This weekend, start the day off right. If you're in the mood for a green juice, try one of these green juice and smoothie recipes.

Don't walk or bike to work? Then you may think that your time spent on your commute is the least healthy part of your day. And while you may spend hours every day sitting, in your car or on the bus and then at your desk all day, you can still find ways to be active and healthy during your travel time.

Whether your trip to work is a short hop on the light rail or a start-and-stop ride down a congested freeway, you can use the empty time to sneak small healthy acts into your daily routine. Here are five things you can do to be healthy during your commute.

• Do your exercises. Yes, you can work out those muscles during your commute without careening off the road or causing fellow passengers to stare. If you're driving, target and tone with steering wheel isometric exercises, ab work, or glute moves. If you're on the subway or bus, get creative with props like the strap hanger, your briefcase, or your bag to (discreetly) work different areas of your body.
• Walk the distance. It may be convenient to have a bus stop right outside your apartment or a prime parking spot at work, but if you find that you're not moving as much as you want to, start building time into your commute to walk to the next nearest bus stop or to park further away.

See more of my suggestions after the break.

If you liked the spinach packed smoothie that was fit for Popeye, I've got another one that will have you dreaming of fields of blueberries. A vegetable disguised in a haven of fruit, this celery infused drink will add some extra bang to your morning routine. Pulled from Victoria Boutenko's book Green for Life ($19), the powerful antioxidant breakfast in a glass packs potassium, vitamin C, and vitamin K, manganese, and fiber. How's that for a start to your busy day?

Ready to see the yummy and super easy recipe?

When I don't have the time to sit down and eat a well-balanced breakfast in the morning, which happens all too often, I whip up a quick spinach and fruit smoothie that gives me energy, fills my belly, and fuels my tank with all the right foods. The spinach may sound strange, but the other ingredients mask the flavor. Before I can get into the carpool line, I've already sucked down fresh veggies, yogurt, and fruit to boot. And better yet? So have my kids.

Wanna check out my delish spinach smoothie and the nutritional value?

Polenta is a huge hit for dinner at my house, especially when I make polenta pizzas. This corn-based food is also great for other meals of the day, and recently I concocted this yummy dairy-free breakfast dish. It's so simple to make, and since it has beans, veggie sausage, and eggs, it's also high in protein.

For details on how to make this breakfast, read more

Brunch is a big deal at our house, but lately, we've tired of the old waffle, pancake, and omelet standbys. Recently, a friend introduced me to Ebelskivers. These spherical Danish treats, a cross between American pancakes and popovers, are cooked over a burner in a pan (available at Williams-Sonoma for $40) that resembles a muffin tin. This simple pan has changed the way we do breakfast and brunch. I've used the Ebelskiver pan to make mini fruit-filled pancakes before, but it's also great for making eggs; think mini frittatas.

If you loved my Spinach and Red Pepper Mini Frittatas, check out this simple recipe for Ebelskivers with summery pesto and tomatoes when you read more

I go crazy for melon this time of year because it's so juicy and refreshing, not to mention filling. I love all melons, but cantaloupe makes an especially delicious treat because it tastes great when combined with other foods. The cantaloupe boat recipe I posted a while back made with cottage cheese and dried cranberries is one of my faves, and if you too are a fan, you'll also like this variation.

To see how easy it is to whip up this recipe, and see the nutritional info, read more