BOUNTIFUL CITRUS BREAKFAST

For many people, eating fruit can be a chore. It may take a holiday to a tropical place just to eat a few slices of fresh pineapple, or a few slices of watermelon after a Summer meal once a year to consider fruit a substantial food.

When keeping fruit on the sidelines in this way, most people are only getting the notion of the feel-good, energising and health effects that fruit has to offer.

Thankfully, in recent decades, the advent of 'the smoothie' has made it much more appealing and palatable to eat plenty of nutritious fruit on a regular basis. There is no wonder that many of the health-freaks out there (and right here) love a good smoothie, and often pack them with the best-of-the-best in fruit, greens and superfoods.

Today, I want to take a moment to recognise the beauty of fresh citrus fruits.

Often, when we throw everything into the blender to make a wild concotion of natural fuel, we miss the unique beauity of the fruit itself. I often find times when I have a large amount of fruit, thanks to my amazing weekly fruit and veg box delivery from our local greengrocer Beanies. With the seasonal selection we receive, sometimes I feel it would be more rediculous to blend it all together, than just eat it!

Fruit (in smoothies and on its own) is an ideal breakfast. With its mostly water content, it helps you begin your day of activity and digestion by:

• Activating the salivary glands through touch
• Getting the digestive juices flowing
• Providing water and fibre for elimination 
• Being quick and easy to digest
• Super efficient fuel for morning exercise (pre or post activity)

Since fruit is usually very light and easily digestible, your body has the energy to get the day started and you will naturally taper-off towards being hungry by the time lunch-time comes around. Even if you need a mid-morning snack (or second breakfast if you eat first thing), knowing that you've had your fruit intake for the day means you are setting up some great digestion routines.

So, here's a simple and visual example of eating fruit instead of blending it, and getting your fruit in - first thing!

Bountiful Citrus Breakfast

(Makes 1-2 servings)

• 1 Grapefruit
• 4 Blood Oranges
• 5 Kiwis

Cut off the peel and pith from the citrus fruit, and slice into discs or any preferred shape.

Cut off the ends of the kiwi, slice the skin off finely, and cut the fruit into discs.

Put into a bowl, and enjoy!