Breakfast is King

This is one of my favorite morning fixes; peanut-butter oatmeal with a tall glass of oj!💕 (Don't knock it until you've tried it!) I've been pouring over mountains of research about the properties of whole foods and their wonderful effects on the body. I recently switched over to a plant based diet and thought it could be fun to merge my growing food obsession with art.

So here's a post dedicated to real food, Yum! 🍽

My college diet consisted chiefly of ramen noodles, potatoes, and the occasional 98¢ mac-and-cheese box. (the mac-and-cheese being my favorite!) But once I graduated and took on my freelancing career, I was able to devote the time and resources necessary to buy into a healthy and sustainable plant based diet.  Now I simply can't imagine going back! The more and more I learn about natural whole foods, the more I want to share their wonders with the people around me. How many people have no idea what real food is? Where they come from? What good they do for us? What about what they even look like? If there are  people as clueless as I was several months ago, there is an opportunity to  share the wonders of the natural food world to new minds! To think, I once never knew what a peanut plant looked like or even were or how an asparagus plant sprouted.

I decided it would be worth a try to share these natural wonders the best way I know how - by drawing them! I doodled out the ingredients to my favorite quick and easy breakfast recipe (peanut butter oatmeal!) ; and as they are before being harvested. I would hope depicting them this way would better connect viewers to the true source of our food: nature!

Oats

Three servings of whole grains a day can do wonders! Whole grains are rich in vitamins and minerals that refined grains utterly lack. (refined really just means stripped by this logic!)  Whole grains are rich in fiber which is essential for good-gut microbial growth. Whole grains such as oats, quinoa, barley, amaranth, and brown rice aid in digestion and in doing so prevent rising blood pressure, reverse heart diseases, and lower your chances of obtaining certain cancers.(1) Pass me some oats!

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
1. Toss 1/2 cup of dried thick cut oats in to a bowl. Add a bit of water and cook (microwave) for 1 minute.

Peanuts

Peanuts are protein packed and without the added growth hormones and antibiotics found in industrial meat. They up artery function thus lowering your potential for heart diseases as well as deterring weight gain, unlike animal products.  (2)

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
2.  Stir in 2 Tbs of creamy peanut-butter (or nutty! It's your choice) Make sure it's real peanut-butter though, check the label for added ingredients. It should only read peanuts and maybe also peanut oil. Most nut butters have added salt, honey, or even molasses. Skip it and go for the real thing! Microwave for another 30 seconds after mixing in.

Blueberries

All berries have the benefit of boosting the immune system, guarding the liver and brain, and warding away cardiovascular diseases. But blueberries have an abundance of antioxidants found in their brilliant blue skins. These antioxidants lend in slowing the ageing process physically and mentally. (3)

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
3.  Now's the time to add your favorite berry toppings! I sprinkle 1oz (about one handful) of blue berries on top of my piping hot creamy oatmeal.

Strawberries

As I said earlier, all berries have immune boosting benefits! Strawberries are the same story. These ruby red berries can fight all kinds of cancers, such as esophageal cancer. (4)

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
4.  Toss on another berry topping! I like to add two ripe strawberries, sliced and spread evenly atop.

Walnuts

These nuts wear the crown! They have the highest level of antioxidants, omega-3's, and cancer fighting properties in comparison to all other nuts. By adding these kings to the plate three times a week,  you can cut your chances procuring cancer in half! (5)

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal
5. Top it off with .5 oz of walnuts and munch away! You've got a creamy delicious nutrient packed bfast!

Oranges

The citrus of an orange boosts immunity, helping your body better fight against common colds and flues. Oranges have the potential to help in repairing our DNA. They can also ward away muscle fatigue for athletes and increase blood flow for those with poor circulation. (6)

Peanut-Butter Oatmeal - Extra!
 I love to wash my oatmeal down with a cool glass of organic orange juice (no additives please!) Though, some research suggests that consuming the juice without it's fibers dumps too much sugar into your system at once. I would argue that the fiber in the oats should slow the release (much like wheat bread and peanut butter) and still leave you with the added benefits of a citrus fruit! So, grab yourself a glass and fill it up!

Thanks for reading! I hope to create more plant-based blog logs in the future! I'm always looking for an excuse to draw....

You can check out more process works on Instagram