I'm truly on a mission to help you live healthier.  I keep sharing things that have worked in my own life.  Some of you know how jazzed I've been about my "miracle breakfast." I started eating this when I realized that I wasn't getting enough fiber in my diet, even with eating whole grains and lots of veggies. (We should be getting between 30 to 50 grams of fiber a day. Average Americans only get 8-15 grams.)

I knew I had to make some changes.  I realized that I was often leaving the house with a Kashi bar and not eating a full breakfast.  So I switched to a really healthy bowl of oatmeal with lots of yummy stuff.

Why oatmeal? From a Chinese medicine perspective it's a food that strengthens the digestive and nervous systems, removes cholesterol from the body, and renews bone and connective tissue. From a sense of ease perspective, it's something that can be prepared in minutes and available wherever you are. (Just be sure that it's the kind with no added sugar.) I often bring packages of instant oatmeal and a mix of almonds, flaxseed and fiber when I'm traveling.
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Here's my miracle breakfast with amounts of fiber.
                                1 package instant organic oatmeal                            4 grams
                                1/4 cup almonds                                                            3 grams
                                4 TBS ground flaxseed                                                  6 grams
                                1/3 cup Trader Joes Frozen Berry Medley                3 grams
                                1 TBS Great Shape Natural Fiber Supplement*       5 grams
                                                                                                                        ________
                                                                                                                             24 grams
                                *You might want to add this slowly to avoid gas and bloating.
 
If I still haven't convinced you, take the challenge. Try starting everyday for 3 weeks with my miracle breakfast. Let me know how you feel.
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This is a quick and easy recipe. It takes about 1/2 hour to prepare and serves 4 people.

This is adapted from 20 Minute Menus which has other healthy recipes that can be prepared in a short amount of time.

Ingredients:
Chicken and Veggies
-1 lb boneless chicken thighs
-1 bunch of broccoli
-12 baby carrots or 2 whole carrots or 1 c grated carrots
 
Sauce
-1 1/2 in piece of fresh ginger, minced
-3 TBS tahini
-1 clove garlic, minced
-1 TBS Oriental Chili Sauce
-3 TBS water
-3 TBS rice vinegar
-2 TBS low sodium soy sauce
 
-10 inch whole wheat tortilla wrappers
-hoisin Sauce
 
Steps:
1) Cook chicken and veggies
-Place chicken thighs in large skillet and add just enough water to cover
-Wash broccoli and chop into small pea size pieces
-Grate carrots by hand or in food processor
-Add broccoli and carrots to skillet covering the chicken
-Cover, bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 7-8 minutes
 
2) Cook brown rice or heat tortillas
-Submerge package of rice in 1 quart of water in microwave-safe bowl
-Microwave for 10 minutes
Note: you can also place bag of rice in 1 quart boiling water for 10 minutes
-preheat toaster oven to 400 degrees
-Wrap tortillas in foil; place in oven for 10 minutes

3) Make sauce
-Mix together ginger, garlic, sesame paste, chili sauce, rice vinegar and sauce
(I use a mini food processor for this.)
-Put in large bowl
 
4) Combine ingredients
-Remove chicken, cool, cut into strips and place in large bowl
-Strain the veggies, saving the liquid
-Add veggies to bowl
-Add 3 TBS of liquid (chicken broth) and sauce to bowl
-Mix together well
Note: the remaining liquid is a delicious chicken broth.  I often have it as a bowl of soup. Or, you can save it for the next time you need chicken broth in a recipe.
 
5) Serve
-Spoon hoisin sauce on tortillas or serve with brown rice
-Add chicken and veggie mixture
-Enjoy!