Mason Jar Breakfast

I love breakfast.  First fuel of the day. This is my new favourite; mason jar yogurt parfait? sundae? ...delicious!  A few simple ingredients and minimal prep will take your breakfast to the next level.  Not a morning person?  Pop on the lid and take it with you for a perfectly portable mid-morning snack.

I used an 8 oz widemouthed mason jar, but any shape or size will do.  Save old jam or condiment jars and re-purpose them for your portable breakfasts!
Measurements are not important here.  Simply spoon some fresh or frozen fruit in the bottom of your jar.  Top with the yogurt of your choice. I used natural, Balkan yogurt.  Drizzle with honey, maple syrup, jam, or other sweetener of your choice (optional, but delicious!) Top with chopped nuts, seeds (we love hemp seeds), coconut, dried fruit, and a sprinkle of granola and enjoy!  If you are going to tote and eat later, put your toppings in a separate container to add just before eating to ensure maximum crunchiness.

If you like oatmeal, a much healthier and tastier version than the packaged instant variety can also be made in your mason jar the night before. It's a simple 1:1 ratio of oats to liquid.
I use 1/3 cup rolled oats or quick oats (not instant);  increase to 1/2 cup for bigger appetites
1/3 cup milk or almond/nut milk
Swirl in your sweetener of choice: brown sugar, maple syrup, leftover cranberry sauce or honey.
Shake in your spices: cinnamon, cardamon, pumpkin pie spice, ginger, chai; spice cupboard's the limit!
Stir, pop on the lid and refrigerate overnight.
When you are ready to enjoy, warm slightly and top with more milk, fresh or dried fruits, nuts or seeds
My favourite combinations: 
* Blueberry/banana topped with cardamon, hemp seeds and almonds with maple syrup for sweetness
* Leftover cranberry sauce swirled into the oats and milk topped with walnuts and orange zest or
* Plain Jane with just a little cinnamon, raisins and brown sugar

Eggs are also simple, healthy fuel.  I try to have hard-boiled eggs on hand for an easy grab-and-go or to add to my DIY Starbucks Protein Bistro Box.  Seriously, people, you too can do this!  Get a fancy, schmancy bento box here or create your own version with a reusable sandwich container and a few silicone muffin liners comme ca and load up with some fresh fruit, cheese, Pita Break minis or lavash, nut butter, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, whatever!
Need one more reason to pull out the mason jars?! A wide-mouthed mason jar makes the perfect scrambled egg or circular egg for egg Mcmuffins.  Simply crack an egg into a buttered mason jar, season with salt and pepper.  Add an optional splash of cream or milk. Whisk with a fork and microwave (without the metal lid!) on high for approximately one minute.  Slide onto your toasted English muffin with a slice of cheese and done.
No microwave?  No problem.  Simply put a cracked egg in a buttered mason jar with the lid on.  Set the jar in a pan of boiling water that reaches 3/4 of the way up the sides of the jar and boil for about 8 minutes.
For more breakfast inspiration, watch Buzzfeed's, "What the world eats for breakfast" here.