Raise your hand if you wish you had all the time in the world to make fabulous egg white omelets in the morning? Who avoids cereal like the plague because the Atkins and South Beach diets scarred you for life? Who is suspicious of contracting chlorophyll poisoning from their monotonous AM green smoothie? <-These are all my morning breakfast obstacles: lack of time, cereal is for kids and I need a break from my beloved green smoothie.

Enter muesli. I ate this comforting oatmeal/ceareal hybrid every single morning while in Europe this past summer. Muesli and I fell madly in love with one another. For the American work-a-holic and uber mom it’s the perfect quick breakfast to be had at home, on the go or at the office. It’s comforting, filling, super nutritious and portable. I mean, if it’s good enough for those in the loony bin (sorry, not very PC) it is certainly good enough for me. (Seriously! The guy who invented muesli was a swiss physician, Maximilian Bircher-Benner, who advocated a diet of raw nuts, fruits and veggies as a way of healing patients with mental illnesses. He was the Dr. Oz of his day.)

Below are three muesli variations: My version of a classic, paleo, and vegan.

CLASSIC MUESLI with BERRIES

Serves 6

• 2 c. oats
• 1 apple, grated
• 1 c. 2% milk
• 1 c. apple juice
• 1 c. 2% Greek yogurt
• 1/2 c. fresh blueberries
• 1/3 c. dried apricots, copped
• 1/4 c. chopped hazelnuts
• Dash of salt and cinnamon
• Garnishes: nuts, fresh berries, honey to taste and mint

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients, except garnishes, together in a large bowl.
2. Spoon mixture into small, single serving mason jars.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Grab, go and enjoy! (Don’t forget to top with honey, extra fruit & nuts and mint!)

PALEO MUESLI MIX

Serves 4

• 4 tbsp. flax meal
• 4 tbsp. black chia seeds
• 4 tbsp. pumpkin seeds
• 4 tbsp. almonds, chopped 
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1/4 c. dried cranberries
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• almond milk
• grated apple
• fresh fruit

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix flax meal, chia seeds, pumpkin seeds, almonds, coconut, cranberries and cinnamon in an air-tight container.
2. Per individual serving: mix 4 tablespoons of muesli mix, 1/2 c. plain almond milk and 1/2 grated apple. Let sit for 10 minutes. (perhaps while you’re making coffee, or brushing your teeth)
3. Top with fruit & enjoy!

TIP: The paleo muesli mix can be stored in the fridge for a week or so.

VEGAN MUESLI

Serves 4-6

• 2 c. oats
• 2 tbsp. flax seeds
• 2/3 c. dates, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. unsweetened coconut flakes
• 1 apple, grated
• 12 oz coconut yogurt, I use the ‘SO Delicious’ brand
• 1 1/4 c. coconut water
• Garnishes: fresh fruit & nuts (I suggest pineapple!)

DIRECTIONS

1. Mix all ingredients, except garnishes, in a large bowl.
2. Spoon into individual serving mason jars.
3. Refrigerate overnight.
4. Enjoy the next day topped with fresh fruit and nuts!

Xox,
Amanda