The Breakfast Club

I love it when my breakfast puts on a show.

I have found joy in breakfast foods. As much as I adore those fluffy discs of pancakey goodness and those airy, squares of waffley bliss, let's face it, they aren't exactly on the list of healthy foods which pisses me right the fuck off y'all.

Whoever has this tattoo is my new friend. source

I've been looking around for something that will give me the utter satisfaction and unabashed euphoria that pancakes and waffles do and after much wandering to local breakfast establishments, I have found not one, not two, but three entrees that do the trick! Granted this personal assignment required a lot of trial and error (see: scarfing down flapjacks at an alarming rate), but I believe you will all thank me for my efforts. So here they are in no certain order:

Mmm...sweet potato pancakes. source

1. Sweet Potato Pancakes at Jimmy's Egg-I know that not everyone has a Jimmy's Egg in their town, but I believe these luscious pancakes can be duplicated at home. They have that natural sweetness that comes from sweet potatoes and they are also low-fat AND low-cholesterol. If you enjoy things like cinnamony-y pumpkin bread, you will LOVE these. I think this recipe is close to what they serve at Jimmy's Egg.  http://www.food.com/recipe/sweet-potato-pancakes-408344 At the restaurant you have the option of sugar-free syrup, but honestly they taste great with just a little butter.

Look at all that fresh fruit! Thank you IHOP. source

2. SIMPLE & FIT Seasonal Fresh Fruit Crepes at IHOP-I am generally pretty freaking critical of IHOP because their SIMPLE & FIT menu is considerably smaller than their high fat, high cholesterol, high sugar, high sodium items, but they've done an incredible job with these crepes. The whole thing is 580 calories, but I couldn't finish the it all so for me it was closer to 400 calories and that's a win in my book for breakfast out at a restaurant. I adore and want to marry these crepes that are topped with yogurt, granola and fresh fruit. I may have tried to have sex with one of them. *whistles innocently* 

I couldn't find a photo of the Village Inn pancakes so here's a photo of Hugh Jackman in the water. You're welcome. source

3. Granola Berry Pancakes from Village Inn-Now these are probably the heaviest of the three items, but I have to believe that because there is fresh fruit, yogurt and granola (similar to the IHOP crepes) they are a lot better option than flapjacks swimming in butter and sugary syrup. These hotcakes have granola in them and a sprinkling on top along with plain yogurt, strawberries and blueberries. Again, these are massive and I have yet to finish them, so while they should probably make them a bit smaller to lower the calorie count, they're headed in the right direction with the yogurt and fresh fruit. We've all heard how blueberries are a power fruit packed with anti-oxidants and everything that is good for us, so that is a big win for me. Way to go Village Inn! I realize that some of you do not have a Village Inn near you, but again, these can easily be made at home with wheat pancake mix, yogurt, berries and a little granola. Easy peasy!

So there you have it folks. I hope that these awesome breakfast options help you out and give you something new to try. Do you have any restaurant foods that you are in love with that are also healthy? Let us know! We are definitely in to new options.