The Sunnier Side Of Breakfast

(NAPSI)-It's been said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. In addition to providing the necessary energy to get up and go, studies have shown that those who eat a healthy breakfast have better overall diets, improved concentration and performance during the day, and more strength and endurance for physical activity. Unfortunately, the traditional hot breakfast--eggs, meat and potatoes--can add fat and calories to your plate. But there's good news for breakfast lovers who've resolved to eat better this year: With a few simple substitutions, you can still enjoy a hearty, satisfying morning meal without some of the guilt.

Here are a few tips for remaking the traditional breakfast:

• If your morning beverage of choice is coffee with cream and sugar, try using skim milk and a sugar substitute instead.

• A side of fresh fruit can be an easy way to increase your daily intake of fruits and vegetables--and add a smidgen of something sweet to your plate.

• Toss a few vegetables into your eggs for added fiber and flavor.

• Substitute your breakfast meat with the new Morningstar Farms Maple Flavored Veggie Sausage Patties. These maple-flavored veggie sausage patties are a sweet-and-savory alternative to traditional precooked pork sausage, with 76 percent less fat. You can enjoy them alongside a serving of eggs or crumbled into any recipe that calls for maple-flavored sausage. In fact, they're the main ingredient in this Easy Brunch Focaccia recipe--a delicious "breakfast pizza" that will have everyone around the table saying, "That's amore!"

Easy Brunch Focaccia

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Time to Table: 35 minutes

Ingredients

4 Morningstar Farms Maple Flavored Veggie Sausage Patties, thawed

1 tube (13.8 oz.) refrigerated pizza dough

¾ cup finely chopped onion

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon dried sage leaves

¼ teaspoon pepper

1 cup finely chopped fresh pineapple or 1 can (8 oz.) pineapple tidbits (juice pack), drained

1 cup (4 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese or Cheddar cheese

Directions

Cut the Morningstar Farms Maple Flavored Veggie Sausage Patties into bite-size pieces. Set aside. Unroll dough onto baking sheet coated with nonstick cooking spray. Press dough into 14 x 10-inch rectangle.

In small nonstick skillet, cook onion in oil over medium heat for 3 to 5 minutes or until tender and beginning to brown, stirring occasionally. Stir in sage and pepper. Spread over dough. Arrange veggie patty pieces and pineapple on top of onion mixture. Bake at 425° F for 8 to 10 minutes or until edges are brown.

Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 425° F for 5 to 6 minutes more or until cheese melts and crust is golden brown. Cut into rectangles to serve. Serve warm.

Yield: 6 servings

For more quick recipes and fun food ideas, visit www.SeeVeggiesDifferently.com.

-----
www.fayettefrontpage.com
Fayette Front Page
www.georgiafrontpage.com
Georgia Front Page

J. Christopher's when you're in the mood for something different!

If you're looking for a great breakfast or lunch then zip on over to Westpark Walk in Peachtree City and grab a booth or table at J. Christopher's.

Everything from the coffee to omelettes to the soups and sandwiches are a step outside (and above) the norm.

Coffee... European Gourmet, Cafe Mocha, Cappuccino, Espresso...

Lighter fare includes tempting treats like:

Blueberry Scones ($1.79) - These are absolutely yummy! A nice soft triangle of blueberry bread topped with more blueberries. If you love blueberries you'll love this treat. Great for a mid-morning break.

Breakfast Parfait ($4.79) - fat-free yogurt, honey almond granola, strawberries and blueberries with whip cream!

Irish oatmeal, cinnamon rolls, bagels & lox, an assortment of bagels and more. Try the Lo-Carb Platter ($6.89), the South Beach ($6.89), a Sunrise Quesadilla (smoked turkey, bacon bits and Monterrey jack stuffed in a flour tortilla, grilled and then topped with pico de gallo) or the Atkin's Diet Substitute. Still thinking about those blueberries? Try the Berry Crepes!

Lest you think all of the treats are light we'll move onto the The Griddle! Blueberry Crunchcakes (yes, J. Christopher's is a blueberry lover's heaven), Chocolate Chipcakes ($6.79), Maple Toast ($5.79) and Strawberry Toast (maple toast crusted with granola and topped with sweet strawberry compote) are a few of the items I love to watch other's eat while I'm checking out one of the Skillets, Omelettes or Morning Stars! I have to admit that I'm prone to sneaking a bite from my husbands plate while he's not looking.

One of my favorite omelets is the Goddess ($7.59) as I'm always watching my figure. It is an eggwhite omelet with diced tomato, spinach and feta cheese. Another favorite is the Popeye, which comes stuffed with spinach, bacon, krabmeat, mushrooms and cream cheese. I have them hold the bacon.

Omelets are served with roasted potatoes or grits, fruit and an English muffin.

Here's a few other tempting items from the menu: Bleu Bacon Burger, Turkey Dijon BLT, Sante Fe Grille (blackened chicken sandwich all soothed with ranch dressing and avocado), Salmon Salad, Mandarin Chicken Salad and the Patty Melt.

I haven't tried any of their soups yet, but based on the quality of everything else I've tried, they have to be excellent.

The seasonal favorite list makes my mouth water! Fried Green Benedict, Pumpkin Pancakes, Gingerbread Waffle, Chocolate Crepe, Italian Omelette, Caramel French Toast... it is a long, tempting list! I'm going to have to find out when they plan to have the Kahlua Waffle on the day's specials, hips be darned I'm trying that one.

Even the kids (10 & under) can have some fun with their food choices. What child wouldn't want to try Dinosaur Eggs? Just in case they're not up for eggs the menu includes pancakes (chocolate chip or blueberry), french toast, waffles, grilled cheese and chicken fingers. Included in the price ($4,79) are fresh fruit and a beverage.

If you're used to IHOP prices and volume then you might be a tad disappointed in J. Christopher's. I've never heard, or had, anyone complain about a lack of food, but for those who like quantity over quality this might not be on your list of regular stops.

Due to the wide open space the noise levels can get a bit high at times. It's not overwhelming but this isn't meant to be the place you go for a romantic dinner. In fact, they're only open for breakfast, brunch and lunch.

We give J. Christopher's a Fayette High Five!

There are 13 J. Christopher's in the Atlanta area. I'll be looking for other locations as I travel around the city!

J. Christopher's
Breakfast, Brunch & Lunch
264 Commerce Dr.
Westpark Walk
Peachtree City
678-216-1010

Open 7 days a week from 7 am to 2 pm.
www.jchristophers.com