Recipes for restless nights

You stare at the clock blinking on the bedside table. It's 3 AM. Try as you might, sleep just isn't happening. Perhaps you were up late in the glow of your laptop screen, working to a deadline. Or perhaps you have woken too early in anticipation of a big day. Whatever the reason, it was a night of tossing and turning and the arrival of dawn is a welcome relief.

All of us will suffer bad nights and while it's important to ensure that you usually sleep well, knowing what to do when you sleep badly will better support how energised you feel that day (and set you up for a good night's sleep the following night).

Here are three breakfast ideas using ingredients you’re likely to have in your cupboards. Even the most sleep-deprived person should be able to make these!

Eggs and greens on toast

Ingredients

• 2 slices whole grain bread
• 2 eggs
• 1–2 handfuls leafy greens (spinach, chard, or kale)
• 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper
• ½ tsp mustard
• 2 tbsp Extra Virgin olive oil

Method

1. To poach the eggs, fill a saucepan with water and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Crack the egg (one at a time) in a small bowl and slip into the water. Turn off the heat, cover, and set a timer for 4 minutes.
2. While the eggs are poaching, pop the bread in the toaster.
3. Add 2 tbsp olive oil to a frying pan on a low heat. Sauté until wilted.
4. On a plate, lay the toast. Place the sautéed greens on top. Add the eggs.
5. Season with salt, pepper, mustard if using and a squeeze of lemon. 

Fruit-loaded pancakes

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 20g wholemeal flour (wheat, spelt, or other)
• 20g plain flour (wheat, spelt or other)
• 45 ml whole milk (or alternative)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp butter or coconut oil
• 1 small banana or a handful of berries
• 1 tbsp peanut butter or 2 tbsp Greek yoghurt
• 1 tsp raw honey (optional)

Method

1. Combine the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. 
2. In a separate bowl, beat the egg. Add the milk and combine. 
3. Slowly add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until a thick batter forms.
4. On medium heat, melt the butter or oil in a frying pan.
5. Reduce the heat and add a ladle of batter to the pan. Wait until bubbles form then flip. Repeat until the batter is used up.
6. Serve your pancakes with your fruits and toppings of choice.

Granola and yoghurt

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain granola
• 100g Greek yoghurt
• 1 small banana and/or 1 handful of berries
• 1/2 tsp cinnamon or 1 tsp raw honey (optional)
• 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds
• 1 small handful of pumpkin seeds (optional)
• 1 small handful of raw nuts or 1 tbsp nut butter (optional)

Method

1. In a bowl, add the yoghurt and granola. 
2. Slice the banana and add the berries.
3. Top with your nuts/seeds of choice, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a drizzle of honey.

This article was published in Happiful Magazine (Issue 77). You can order print copies online, or read the e-magazine for free on the Happiful app.

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