Elsie Penn used to start her day with toast, cereal, or a muffin on the go. “I’d be hungry again by 10 a.m. and crash hard around noon,” she remembers.
When she shifted to a paleo lifestyle, breakfast became the hardest meal to reinvent. “No grains, no dairy, no sugar? What’s left?” she laughs.
But that challenge sparked her creativity. Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack Protein Bars, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, 12 Count
She began her mornings with things she never thought of as “breakfast food”—leftover roasted veggies, scrambled eggs with spinach, or coconut milk chia puddings topped with nuts.
“At first, it felt weird,” she admits. “But then I realized how much more grounded and alert I felt.” Her energy became more stable. Cravings faded. And she stopped needing that mid-morning coffee refill.
“It wasn’t about perfection,” Elsie says. “Some mornings are still chaotic. But I keep a few staples ready—hard-boiled eggs, sliced avocado, almond butter—and I always find a way to make it work.”
Now, breakfast isn’t just a meal. It’s a quiet ritual that sets the tone for her day. “Starting strong means I don’t spend the rest of the day catching up,” she says.
