Mornings.  Whether you rise at 5am or 9am you may, like me, catch yourself in a pinch for time. But your diet shouldn’t take a back-seat to your busy lifestyle.  Yogurt parfaits are my go-to breakfast which balances a perfect ratio of carbs, fats, and protein.

They are easy to make, beautiful to look at, and full of nutrition.  Early in the week, I use mason jars or canning jars and fill them with layered fruit, granola, and yogurt. I personally like my granola on the moist side, but if you prefer the crunch, I recommend holding off on the granola until the day you plan to enjoy the parfait.

So how do I prep my parfaits?   With lots of love…and the following ingredients:

• Driscoll’s Organic Raspberries
• Driscoll’s Organic Blackberries
• Dricoll’s Organic Blueberries
• Driscoll’s Organic Strawberries
• Siggi’s Icelandic Yogurt
• Steelcut Oatmeal (Or pre-made granola by Kind)
• Wild Honey
• Chia Seeds
• Walnuts

I absolutely love blended yogurt.  In the photograph, I blended Organic Driscoll raspberries with Siggi’s Icelandic yogurt.  When blended, the mixture presents as a pop of pink color at the base of the jar.  The natural juice in the raspberries dilutes the thick Icelandic yogurt leaving the texture slightly runny, similar to regular yogurt.  I prefer this diluted blend of fruit and yogurt to remain at the base of the jar to prevent seeping into other layers.

Next, I sprinkle granola on top of the blended fruit layer.  I love the stark contrast of color and texture.  And what sits on top of the granola?  Plain Icelandic yogurt sprinkled with Chia seeds.  Chia seeds come from the plant Salvia Hispanica, which is related to mint. This nutritious plant is native to South America.  Chia seeds date back to the Aztecs and Mayans, and the word “chia” means “strength” in ancient Mayan.  Not only are chia seeds cute in this parfait, but they are packed with fiber, protein, and vitamins.  No wonder they are referred to as Superfoods.

I love the versatility of this healthy meal.  Based on your caloric needs and fitness goals, you can choose to prepare it as a high or low calorie breakfast or snack.  It all depends on the yogurt you select.  I prefer O% – 1% fat Greek and Icelandic yogurt since it’s full of protein and low in carbs.  I also prefer its thick texture to regular yogurt.  Though any fruit can be added to your parfait, berries hold their texture well and are rich in anti-oxidants and fiber. You can make your own pre-make granola and control the sweetness and hence, the grams of carbohydrates.  I will include my recipe for homemade granola in coming posts.