Eat Breakfast!

Overlooked. Underestimated. Blindsided. Breakfast deserves better don’t you think?

I mean, I am a huge supporter of pancakes for dinner, wrapped in a cosy thick robe in front of the TV with everyone out of the house. BUT, how can that possibly compare to eating pancakes while the morning sun is streaming down your back and naturally keeping the pancakes warm while the birds are talking to you Cinderella style? (also known as chirping)

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I am just saying, being in school, I see a lot of people skipping breakfast regularly, though especially on test days because they were studying or because they slept at 3, woke up at 8 and were going to be late.

Golden rule #1: Food comes first. You are going to be late to school? Be late in style. Come in 5 minutes late or 15 minutes, the tardy is a tardy right? At least in that 10 minutes you won’t stagger into your admin office with your stomach growling, your tie askew and your hair… well… let’s not go there shall we?

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Skipping breakfast means their brains don’t function properly; they have nothing sustaining them, only sleep and honestly, how adrenaline rushing can maths be? It is not. At all. So when the teacher sneaks up on you as you dream and drops a maths book in front of your face, the shock may give you a slight case of whiplash – yikes :S

You know what else skipping breakfast does? It helps make you fat and as seniors with exams at every turn, you do not want something adding to the pudginess that comes from sitting down! I don’t know the technicalities, do I look like a doctor to you? I do however know it affects your metabolism and that in turn, affects weight loss… why skip the tasty meal and still gain weight??

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Golden rule #2: Breakfast rocks. Why so many people forget about it, purposefully or ‘because of circumstance’, is totally beyond me!

To get some incentive, eat some bread. Some nice, wholesome bread full of delicious ingredients that will keep you going. Tasty, soft bread with butter and jam. Life offering you up a delicious necessity – what else could you possibly want?

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I did change this recipe because some issues. One, the yeast needs way more time to foam than 5-6 minutes meaning mine was not fluffy enough so as soon as you get in that kitchen, foam it up baby!

Two, because wholemeal flour is a little rougher than plain flour (lack of processing), I would add an additional couple of tbs of milk to soften the whole bread. But yeah, anyhow all changes are in bold 🙂

Now go eat breakfast!

Four Seed Bread
Source: Mastering The Art Of Baking

Makes: 20cm diameter loaf

Ingredients:

  • 500g wholemeal flour
  • 1 ½ tsp salt
  • 350ml lukewarm water
  • 7g dried yeast
  • 1 tbs honey
  • 1 tbs olive oil
  • 1-2 tbs full cream milk
  • 1 ½ tbs poppy seeds
  • 1 ½ tbs linseeds
  • 2 tbs sunflower seeds
  • ¼ cup sesame seeds

*Use any seed combo you want

Method:

  1. Sift the flour and salt into the large bowl
  2. Place 50ml of the lukewarm water in a small bowl, add the yeast and stir to dissolve
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  3. Set aside for 10-15 minutes or until foamy
  4. Add the yeast mixture to the flour with the honey, oil, milk and remaining lukewarm water and use a wooden spoon to mix until a rough dough forms. Stir through the seeds
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  5. Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 5 minutes or until smooth and elastic (wet your fingers time to time if necessary) – be sure to distribute the seeds
  6. Shape the dough into a ball and place into a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat in the oil
  7. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught free place for 45 minutes or until the dough has doubled in size
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  8. Knock back the dough with one punch to expel air and then turn out onto a clean work surface
  9. Shape into a round diameter and place on a greased tray
  10. Cover the dough with a damp tea-towel and set aside in a warm, drought free area for 45 minutes or until it has doubled in size
  11. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220 degrees C
  12. Bake the bread for 10 minutes then turn to ensure even baking
  13. Bake for another 12-15 minutes or until the base sounds hollow
  14. Cool on the tray for 5 minutes then transfer to a wire rack to cool to room temperature

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117 Comments

  1. Christine (@cookingcrusade) says:

    They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day and I have to admit I am quite often guilty of skipping it but sometimes grab a bowl of cereal at work at my desk hehe. Your bread looks lovely and I bet its great to wake up to especially with a good jam xx

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  2. Nami | Just One Cookbook says:

    I eat breakfast like dinner… 5 minutes after I wake up, my stomach says I’m hungry! I can eat a few slices of this bread, eggs, and all the good things. Your bread looks amazing. I want mine to be homemade too!

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  4. mjskit says:

    When I was teaching I was always amazed at how many students showed up to my morning classes on an empty stomach! You are so right – it’s good for the brain and yes – breakfast rocks! This bread looks like a great breakfast! Put a little peanut butter or jam, or drizzle some honey on it and head out the door. YUM!

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  8. Amy Tong says:

    Great post! Yeah, I used to skip breakfast…until I have kids. I know how important it is so I make sure we all have breakfast before we get out the door! 😉 Your bread looks delicious and perfect for breakfast!

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  10. Saguna says:

    I cannot function without a morning meal. I would, like, fall asleep in my keyboard or something by 9:30 AM if not earlier. 🙂

    This seed and wholewheat bread looks awesome! And I love St Dalfour jam too- so fruity and yummy!

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  11. Jennifer Eloff says:

    Nice bread, especially with all the seeds added. Love how simple and easy it is to make. Breakfast is important if you’re going to school. When you’re older like I am, Intermittent Fasting is a tool used for weight loss and sometimes breakfast is skipped. 😛

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  17. petit4chocolatier says:

    This looks delicious for breakfast and a late snack. I am not a bread maker, and yours looks like you have been preparing it for hours instead of minutes. Love it!

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  20. Hannah says:

    Hi, I’m delighted to discover your beautiful blog! I adore breakfast (any time of day!) and a morning spent with this loaf of bread would be marvelous. Love all the seeds in it, too!

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  27. Beth says:

    Four seed bread – this just sounds so delicious. It’s a great, and healthy, way to start the day. I’m a huge fan of breakfast and your bread is a classic.

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  29. Brittany says:

    I regrettably skipped breakfast wayyy too much when I was in HS, and it did indeed make me FAT! I was a little chubbo!! Now, I can’t go more than an hour after waking up without a feast!

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  30. Shirley Tay says:

    Oh dear, I’m one of those guilty ones who skip my breakfast :< Wish I can have u as my neighbour so I can taste your bakes 🙂 Uru, so sorry! I'd accidentally deleted your comments in my latest post. Can I trouble u to repost? Thks a million, dear!

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  33. Hannah (BitterSweet) says:

    I honestly can not understand people who undervalue or (horror of horrors) don’t eat breakfast. Even if it’s not always the most important meal, it does set the tone for the rest of the day! Man alive, would your bread ever start it out on positive note. In fact, I’d even wake up early for a freshly baked seedy slice. 😉

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  37. dianeskitchentable says:

    My favorite meal of the day – especially if someone makes it for me. This really looks awesome my friend! And you made a keen observation about being sluggish if you don’t have breakfast…if you’re going to be late & haven’t had breakfast, then how can you come up with a plausible excuse that sounds coherent?

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  39. bitsandbreadcrumbs says:

    That sure is a pretty loaf you have there, and you’re so right in that none of us should skip breakfast…even though it is the easiest meal to skip! Every time I have a good breakfast I feel better all day. 🙂

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  42. Balvinder says:

    I am totally with you on eating breakfast and I just finished mine. We are a nut and seed loving family and your has good seeds that I like, though never tried linseeds in bread.

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  46. expatchef says:

    I looooooooooooove breakfast….I have to admit I prefer it on weekends, when there is less hustle and bustle. But that bread looks amazing, and by the way, I have the same preserves for breakfast most mornings….great stomachs think alike, huh?

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  52. gottagetbaked says:

    Breakfast is my favourite meal of the day. Plus i’m totally useless until I get food in my belly, so there’s no way I’m skipping it! I never pulled all-nighters when I was a student. Sleeping and eating were way too important to me. If you didn’t know the material by midnight the night before, you’re not going to magically know it in by exam time. Just sayin’. This bread looks so hearty with all those wonderful seeds. Toasted, buttered with jam and a big mug of tea…it’s the perfect meal!

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  53. Elaine says:

    What a great post. I spent many years skipping breakfast because I just couldn’t bear to eat in the morning, but have finally come to my senses and make sure I start the day right with breakfast. Your bread looks wonderful and perfect for those mornings when you only have time to slice and run.

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  54. Tandy says:

    Breakfast should be eaten within 90 minutes of waking up and as you use my favorite jam I’m sure you’ve getting a good breakfast in you! Love the bread 🙂

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  72. Monet says:

    I couldn’t agree more with your golden rules! This looks like a great breakfast that would work at home or on the go. Thank you for sharing! I hope you are having a lovely week!

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  76. john@kitchenriffs says:

    Totally agree! I never skip breakfast, and with something this tasty on hand, who’d want to? Although my typical breakfast is fruit and a hard-boiled egg (I just can’t eat a whole lot early in the day). Anyway, good stuff! Thanks.

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  78. A_Boleyn says:

    I can see making this tasty bread the night before and then grabbing a nice thick slice with a chunk of cheese and a piece of fruit, jumping in the car and going off to school as well. Even if I’d be teaching rather than being the taught. 🙂

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  81. Susan says:

    I wholeheartedly agree about having breakfast and starting your day off right–it’s one of my favorite meals. My mother made sure we all had a good breakfast before leaving for school and with 8 children, that’s no easy feat, especially with also packing wholesome lunches! Of course, being a mother was her full-time job, but still, I’d like to think it was the reason I did so well in school–great post, XOXO

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  84. Jess Gonzalez says:

    Hello there friend! It’s been so long – I lost track of everyone on FoodBuzz once they switched the site up. 😦 But I’ve found you again! And now I’m on WordPress so I can comment so much more easily.

    With that said – breakfast is the BEST meal of the day. I could never imagine skipping it – I’d be such a cranky person. This bread looks delicious though and I have a bunch of friends at college who would LOVE to try this! YUM

    ~Jess @ On Sugar Mountain

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  87. Jennie says:

    I can’t live without breakfast during the work week. If I skip it, my brain refuses to function properly and all I think about is my hunger. This looks like the perfect grab-and-go breakfast.

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  93. Food Stories says:

    I love golden rule number 1 and the visual imagery that came with it – Great bread, btw. Thinking of making a soda bread soon, too 🙂

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  96. Curry and Comfort says:

    Look at you making some awesome bread! I have a hard time with breakfast… I want something savory and spicy for breakfast usually…. BUT… I would totally go for a thick slice of this gorgeous bread slathered with butter and jam!! YUM!

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  97. Eva Taylor says:

    Hi, your yeast may not have proofed in the time allowed for two reasons:
    1/ too old
    2/ you didn’t feed it. Add 1/4-1/2 tsp of sugar to warm water, dissolve and add the yeast.
    I proof my yeast on a warm radiator.
    Great post to promote breakfast. I used to skip it and drink only coffee all day. 13 cups!

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  100. Alex says:

    Due to the economic crisis, a huge number of Portuguese students are going to school without breakfast. Portuguese schools have been offering breakfast to those who need it, but many don’t take it, just because they feel ashamed. I think they really should listen to your Golden rule #1.

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  102. viveka says:

    Soda bread, the best in the world you get on Ireland … but I haven’t tasted yours, of course – always had soda bread for my breakfast when I lived on Ireland – that gives you a strong backbone. *smile
    Everybody say eat breakfast … because it’s the most important meal of the day – and look at us .. all overweight and underpaid. Except the French that don’t eat breakfast, only coffee, some baguette and jam. – No one overweight person in France that is French ??????? How does that add up ????

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    • Choc Chip Uru says:

      Hmmm I have always wanted to try soda bread 😀
      Haha I think the French are fine with eating baguette and jam and coffee for breakfast as long as they have a good lunch 🙂

      Cheers
      Choc Chip Uru

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      • viveka says:

        The French eat opposite to what everyone is told to eat … big breakfast, good lunch and light dinner – they eat nothing for breakfast, light lunch and late big dinner. It must be something in their water that keeps them slim. *laughing

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