A Paleo Parfait To Power Up Your Mornings On-The-Go

A Paleo Parfait To Power Up Your Mornings On-The-Go

paleo-parfait-hero

A Paleo Parfait is the perfect treat if you feel like having dessert for breakfast. There are many savory Paleo breakfast ideas out there, but finding something sweet while sticking to a Paleo diet can be a challenge which is why we created this gorgeous parfait full of healthy fats and free-radical-fighting antioxidants.

The cashew cream base of our Paleo Parfait adds a lightly sweet richness that pairs perfectly with the tartness of the berries. We topped ours off with protein-rich chia seeds, goji berries (not approved on the Cleanse, more on this below), and lemon zest. It’s the perfect amount of crunch along with some serious antioxidant power for those primal results.

Paleo Parfait with an Antioxidant Punch

Anytime is the perfect time to add berries into your diet — they are in season through the end of summer, meaning nutrition and flavor are at their peak but frozen berries harvested at peak season are great to use at all other times of the year.

Blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries are nutritional powerhouses, boasting the ability to slow signs of aging, help prevent chronic disease, and fight inflammation. Berries are low on the glycemic index, meaning their glucose will enter your blood stream more slowly than other sources of glucose, helping to prevent the release of insulin due to blood sugar spikes.

Berries are full of flavonoids, a type of antioxidant that prevents damage from free radicals, are specifically related to maintaining mental sharpness, improving memory, and are even thought to prevent Alzheimer’s Disease. Berries also help make you full because of their high fiber and water content, helping you maintain a healthy weight.

Paleo Cashew Cream for Flavorful Healthy Fats to a Parfait

The cashew cream adds a decadent quality to this parfait, and the healthy fat and vitamin content make it the perfect way to start your day. Cashews can help keep you fuller longer so you can avoid the sugar crash that pastries or cereal often leads to. Cashews are also full of magnesium, a mineral essential for healthy elimination, which is why we recommend taking Eliminate for better digestion.

A Paleo Parfait is All in the Toppings

The toppings in this parfait not only add texture and flavor, but each ingredient is full of its own unique benefits to the body. The lemon zest adds a dose fresh flavor to each bite and is the most alkaline forming food, helping fight acidic conditions in the body. Lemons are rich in vitamin C making them great for immune support.

Goji berries are loaded with beta-carotene and the antioxidant, zeaxanthin, both of which promote skin health and prevent aging. Contrary to what their sweet taste might suggest, they are loaded with protein from essential amino acids. Goji berries are not approved for the 21-Day Clean Program because they are in the nightshade family. If you are currently following the Clean Diet, try topping your parfait with another approved ingredient such as cacao nibs or fresh fruit.

Chia seeds are the last of this powerhouse-topping-trio. They are rich in anti-inflammatory Omega-3 fatty acids and contain good amounts of fiber, complete protein, and vitamins.

In addition to the health benefits, we love our Paleo Parfait because we can make ahead of time and store in the fridge for an easy grab-and-go breakfast or snack option. It’s the perfect recipe to make healthy choices simpler during hectic weeks.

paleo-parfait-ingredients

Ingredients:
12-ounce raspberries
6-ounce blackberries
2 tablespoons coconut palm sugar
2 cups cashews, soaked for 3 hours or overnight
2/3 cup water
2 tablespoons chia seeds
zest of one lemon
5 dates
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of sea salt
2 tablespoons goji berries (avoid if you are on the cleanse)

Optional: Mix in a Cleanse Shake packet or a serving of our Daily Shake for added protein, vitamins, and minerals.

paleo-parfait-cashew

Directions:

paleo-parfait-cooking-jam2

Rinse berries. Set blueberries aside. Place blackberries and raspberries in a sauté pan with coconut palm sugar.

paleo-parfait-jame-cooking

Cook on medium low for 5 minutes, occasionally stirring and mashing with a spoon, until water has been released from berries. Increase heat to medium-high and bring berries to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 8-10 additional minutes, or until berries have thickened slightly. Pour berries in a bowl and store in fridge covered.

paleo-parfait-cashews

Drain and rinse cashews.

paleo-parfait-casjew-butter

Place cashews, dates, vanilla, and sea salt in a blender. Blend until smooth (about 60-90 seconds). The texture will resemble greek yogurt. Put cashew cream in the refrigerator. Let both the berries and cashew cream cool for at least 1 hour.

paleo-parfait-toppings

While berries and cashew cream cool, prepare parfait toppings. Zest 1 Meyer lemon. roughly chop goji berries.

paleo-parfait-layering

Mix zest, berries, and chia seeds together in a bowl. Set aside.

paleo-parfait-jam

Evenly divide berry mixture into the bottom of 4 small containers or bowls.

paleo-parfaits

Spoon a large dollop of cashew cream mixture evenly over berries (you may have some left over).

paleo-parfait-spoon

Gently spread cashew cream into an even layer.

paleo-parfait-topping

Top with goji berry mixture and blueberries.

paleo-parfait-hero2

Refrigerate or serve immediately.

Recipe and photos by Kaitlyn Noble