Breakfast Apple Crisp

Apple crisp a la mode for breakfast? You bet! Over the last several months I've been reading a lot about nutrition and the importance of a balanced diet. The best way to empower my kids to make wise food choices is by teaching by example. Recently we downloaded the USDA MyPlate Daily Food Plans, which replaced the USDA Pyramid food chart many of us grew up with, and taped it to our pantry cabinet so my daughters can easily see the breakdown of the types of food they should be eating daily. 

If they're hungry, I first remind them that they are welcome to eat any fresh vegetables we have in the refrigerator. This is often met with begrudged sighs of disappointment, but the idea of unlimited vegetables can ward off hunger for children. The second thing I tell them is to look at their chart and decide for themselves what types of snacks they should eat depending on any nutritional gaps in their diet that day. This method of encouraging them to think about their own food choices may help them to be more responsible in their eating habits. The charts also serve as a visual reminder for me. With so many parents focusing on better nutrition as a New Year resolution, one thing I would highly recommend is for you to take 10 minutes a day for the rest of this month to learn about what a well-balanced diet for your child looks like. I can guarantee you that you will not only learn a lot of different foods but will also feel so empowered to implement your own strategies with a kind of confidence that can only come from knowledge and wisdom. Now, are you wondering why I moved from apple crisp to food charts? 

It is because it is all related. Breakfast is one mealtime I am always trying to be creative with. We eat yogurt, fresh fruit, and granola often. But one night I got to thinking: what if we combined these elements in such a way it became a super-complex-carbohydrate-whole-grain-protein-packed breakfast, which also happens to look and taste like dessert? My kids would think I was awesome for serving them dessert for breakfast. So yes, serve your family this apple crisp for breakfast. Your kids will love eating dessert first thing in the morning and you'll love knowing they are starting the day with an energy-packed meal that is actually healthy for them! 

*Alice's notes: This apple crisp is a lot less sweet than regular apple crisp and the traditional topping.