These fabulous egg bites are perfect for those busy mornings. Make a batch on the weekend, or the night before and enjoy a quick and easy breakfast. Or throw a couple in a cooler and take them with you for a nutritious mid-morning snack. Millet is thought to have originated in Ethiopia, where it has been used since prehistoric times. Although it has been in use in India, Africa and Asia since ancient times and in Eastern Europe since the middle ages, it has only recently begun to be appreciated in Western Europe and North America. Millet is an excellent source of copper, phosphorus, manganese and magnesium. These minerals help it to provide heart protective benefits, as well as help to repair tissues and lower the risk of Type 2 Diabetes.
 
Prep

• 1 cup spinach
• 2 cups shiitake mushrooms
• ⅓ cup green onions
• 1 large clove garlic

 
Roughly chop spinach. Chop mushrooms and green onions. Peel and press garlic.
Preheat oven to 350˚. Oil muffin tin or use liners if you prefer.
 
Stovetop

• ½ cup uncooked millet
• 2 cups water
• ½ teaspoon salt

 
Toast millet in a medium-sized pot over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add water and salt, cover and increase heat to boil. Reduce heat slightly and continue to cook until water is absorbed.
 
Bake

• 6 eggs
• 1 cup coconut milk
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon turmeric

 
In a medium bowl, whisk eggs, coconut milk, salt, pepper, turmeric and garlic. Toss together with millet, spinach, mushrooms and green onions; mix very well. Spoon into muffin cups; bake 10-12 minutes, or until lightly firm to the touch.
 
Serve

• ½ cup parmesan, shredded
  

 
Sprinkle with cheese as soon as they come out of the oven; allow to cool slightly before serving.
 
Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

Try the simple act of baking your eggs in muffin tins, not only is it a nice diversion, they are also portable for a nice picnic or snack on the go. These egg cups are packed with vitamins and minerals, featuring kale and shiitake mushrooms. Kale has been extensively studied for its role in cancer prevention, it also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory nutrients, as well as vitamins such as K, A and C and minerals such as manganese and copper. Shiitake mushrooms have been used medicinally in Asia for 6000 years and are only recently becoming known in the west for their abundant benefits. They are a great non-animal source of iron, as well as pantothenic acid (vitamin B5) and selenium.
 
Prep

• 1 yellow onion
• 3 cups shiitake mushrooms
• 2 leaves kale
• 2 cloves garlic

 
Finely chop onion, mushrooms and kale. Peel and press or mince garlic.
 
Sauté

• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon thyme, dried
• ½ teaspoon oregano
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 tablespoon butter

 
In a large frying pan, sauté onion, garlic, turmeric, thyme, oregano, salt, pepper, in olive oil and butter over medium heat until onions begin to soften and spices are fragrant. Add mushrooms and kale and continue to cook, stirring frequently, until kale is bright green.
 
Bake

• 10 eggs
• ½ cup Parmesan cheese

 
Distribute mushroom mixture to 10 muffin tins. Crack an egg into each tin. Distribute cheese amongst tins. Bake for 12 minutes at 400°.
 
Serve
Allow to set for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy!
 
Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 6

This salad is sweet and tangy, providing a wealth of taste sensations as well as an abundance of vitamins, minerals, fiber and protein. You might be surprised to see maple syrup included here, but don’t be, this natural sweetener is a powerful antioxidant, providing B vitamins, and minerals such as zinc and potassium. Black-eyed peas are a good source of soluble fiber, potassium, folate, manganese and beta-carotene.
 
Prep

• ½ cup cashews
• 1 cup dried black-eyed peas

 
Chop cashews and toast in a dry skillet over medium-high heat, stirring frequently. Remove from heat and set aside.
 
If using dried black-eyed peas, cook according to package directions to make two cups cooked beans. Drain, rinse and set aside to cool. Substitute drained and rinsed canned beans, if you prefer.
 
Dressing

• 1 large garlic clove
• ½ inch ginger
• ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 2 limes
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• ½ teaspoon Himalayan salt
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper

Mince garlic and grate ginger. Whisk together, along with olive oil, lime juice, turmeric, maple syrup, cumin, salt, and cayenne pepper. Set aside.
 
Salad

• ½ cup dried dates
• 4-6 carrots
• 1 bunch kale
• ⅓ cup fresh cilantro
• 1 avocado
• ½ cup goat feta or parmesan cheese

 
Chop dates into small pieces, being mindful of the pits. Shred enough carrots to make 1½ cups. Chop kale, including stems. Chop cilantro. Peel and dice avocado.
 
In a medium bowl, combine the carrots, black-eyed peas, dried dates, cashews, kale and cilantro. Mix in dressing and gently toss until everything is evenly coated. Toss in avocado and cheese. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
 
Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

I find this dish more interesting and enjoyable, and I like the added dimension of red potatoes. Spinach is high in antioxidants and is a rich source of folate and vitamin C. Folate is the form of folic acid found in food. Folic acid is a member of the B vitamin family. Low folate levels are connected with poor cognitive function and dementia in the elderly. Spinach also contains a wide variety of phytonutrients, including flavonoids and carotenoids. Spinach’s flavor compounds have been shown to have powerful anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

Prep

• 1 large shallot
• 1 tablespoon cilantro or parsley
• 1½ cups shiitake or other mushrooms
• 2 cups fresh spinach
• 1 medium sweet potato

Finely chop shallot and cilantro or parsley. Coarsely chop mushrooms and spinach. Thinly slice sweet potato.

Frittata

• 8 eggs
• ½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• ½ teaspoon turmeric
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
• 2 tablespoons vegetable or chicken broth

 
Beat together eggs, cheese, turmeric, and salt. Set aside.

In large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil and broth over medium low heat. Add shallot, and stir often until soft (3–5 minutes). Add mushrooms and sauté until tender (3–5 minutes). Stir in spinach and cilantro and sauté 2 minutes, and then add mixture to egg mixture.

In large skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat, fully coating bottom of skillet. Spread sweet potatoes over bottom of skillet in one or two thin layers and cook 5 minutes over medium heat. Pour egg and vegetable mixture over potatoes; turn heat down to low medium, and cover. Cook about 20 minutes, periodically checking to see if eggs are firm.

Serve
When done, run rubber spatula around edge of frittata, cut in wedges, and serve.

Preparation: 45 minutes
Serves: 4

White beans, also known as white navy beans, offer numerous health benefits. They are filled with anti-oxidants and are a good source of fiber and protein, and they rank low on the glycemic index. White beans are one of the most concentrated food sources of molybdenum and other trace minerals and are extremely important for good health. Molybdenum is a relatively unknown trace mineral with detoxifying properties. It also aids in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. White beans also provide magnesium. One of my daughter Madeleine’s least favorite foods are sweet potatoes. When she was asked to take a taste in the spirit of supporting my cookbook—she loved this dish and she keeps asking for it!
 
Prep
4 sweet potatoes
4 tablespoons coconut oil
1 cup walnuts
2 shallot, diced
2 garlic cloves
1 can or 2 cups cooked white beans
2 bags raw baby spinach
½ lemon
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
 
Preheat oven to 400°F.
 
Coat sweet potatoes with 1 tablespoons coconut oil. Prick with a fork, and bake, uncovered, 45 minutes to 1 hour.
 
Finely chop walnuts and toast them in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently, set aside. Peel and dice shallot. Peel and mince garlic. Rinse and drain beans. Chop spinach. Juice lemon. In a small dish, combine 3 tablespoons coconut oil, cinnamon and nutmeg, set aside.
 
Cook
2 tablespoons coconut oil
2 sprigs fresh rosemary
¼ cup chicken stock
Himalayan salt
freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoon coconut oil
 
Start the beans about 15 to 20 minutes before the sweet potatoes are done. In a large pot or skillet, heat 2 tablespoons coconut oil over medium heat. Add the shallots and cook until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and rosemary and cook, stirring, for about a minute. Add the beans and stock, cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the spinach, cover the pan, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 2 minutes or until the spinach is soft. Remove the rosemary sprigs, stir in the lemon juice, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
 
Serve
1 cup shredded coconut
1 cup parmesan or goat cheese (optional)
 
To serve, slice each sweet potato lengthwise and open. Spoon cinnamon mixture on each potato, and then spoon on the beans. Sprinkle shredded coconut, toasted walnuts and cheese, if desired, on top.
 
Preparation: 20 minutes prep; plus 1 hour baking
Serves: 4