Eye-Opening Breakfast Ideas

My Sunday evening isn't anywhere near over yet, so I'm already thinking ahead to an early morning "wake-me-up-and-get-me-going" breakfast to start off my Monday. Luckily I've planned ahead and brewed an extra-large pot of coffee this weekend, and refrigerated what I didn't drink hot. This cold coffee will be a key ingredient in my quick & easy breakfast smoothie recipe, which is below. You don’t need to add sugar if you’re using a ripe banana, but if you prefer a sweeter drink, just add some sugar or honey to taste.

Ingredients:
1 ripe banana
1 cup strong brewed coffee, chilled
½ cup milk (or more, to taste)
Optional: 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate protein powder
Optional: 1 scoop vanilla or chocolate ice cream
Optional: Honey or sugar to taste

Place all ingredients (including any optional ones) in a blender, blend until combined, and pour in a tall glass or travel mug. You can even dust your drink with a sprinkling of cinnamon, nutmeg or cocoa powder if you’d like.

Now, if you have time to make yourself a proper breakfast such as an omelet or scrambled eggs, or perhaps some pancakes or oatmeal, a splash of just the right hot sauce can help you wake up without the buzz and jitters of too much caffeine. Here are some (perhaps unusual) ideas to spice up your breakfast:

1) Try some Toad Sweat Dessert Hot Sauce in your oatmeal or other hot cereal, or to "spike" your pancake syrup. Toad Sweat comes in four delectably sweet and spicy flavors: Cranberry, Key Lime, Chocolate Orange, and Lemon Vanilla. Better yet, get the 4-pack of mini-bottles to sample each flavor!

2) If you like ketchup on your scrambled eggs or hash browns, reach for a bottle of Cackalacky Spiced Ketchup instead of your ordinary grocery store variety for some savory zip.

3) If you're a hearty steak-and-eggs breakfast kind of guy or gal, dress up your morning meal with the rich flavor of Boar and Castle Sauceto wake up your senses.

4) If bagels and cream cheese are your cup of tea, mix in a little Capsicana Zing with your cream cheese for a savory, spicy treat.

5) The next time you serve up breakfast sausage, spoon out some Red's Sweet Salsa on the side: made with sunny-sweet chunks of ripe tomatoes, sweet peppers and onions, this non-fruity sweet salsa is the perfect complement to salty sausage and other breakfast meats.

So start your day with a bang and say goodbye to bland breakfasts!
Zestfully yours,
Gloria
www.carolinasauce.com