Hey, They Call Me Connie…

I used to think breakfast was optional—a speed bump in the marathon of survival. Growing up, eating wasn’t a curated Instagram moment; it was a necessity, often dictated by what was affordable and quick, not what was nourishing. But now, as I sip on my magnesium-spiked tea and spread avocado on my bagel (pre-mashed, thank you very much), I find myself reflecting on the journey that brought me to this moment. A journey where breakfast transformed from a chore to a ritual.

For many Black women, the story of food is a complicated one. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), only 10% of Black adults meet the daily recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake, compared to 15% of white adults. Economic disparities play a significant role in this gap, but it’s also cultural. Eating well wasn’t a caption when I was growing up. Eating enough was. The idea of food as medicine, as self-care, as fuel for optimal living, was a privilege we didn’t have the luxury to afford.

But here’s the thing: we deserve to make the investment now.

Redefining Accessibility

It’s no secret that healthy eating often feels out of reach in our communities. Fresh produce can be harder to find in predominantly Black neighborhoods, where fast food chains outnumber grocery stores, and organic options are often priced like they’re coated in 24-karat gold. But change is happening, slowly. Initiatives like urban gardens and farmers’ markets in underserved areas are making nutritious food more accessible.

And while we work toward systemic change, we can also make choices that prioritize our health within our means. One such choice for me has been investing in a GreenPan cooking set. Yes, it’s a bit of a splurge, but hear me out: these non-toxic, nonstick pans have transformed the way I cook. No more scraping eggs off the pan or wondering if I’m ingesting Teflon. The GreenPan is a small luxury that feels like an investment in myself—a reminder that I am worthy of tools that make my life easier and healthier.

Breakfast as Self-Care

In embracing healthier habits, I’ve redefined breakfast as an act of self-love. Here’s a recipe I recently concocted that makes me feel like I’m starting the day as the main character of my own life:

Ingredients:

• 1 bagel (10g of protein, because we’re not skipping macros here)

• Earth Balance soy-free butter spread (soy gives me headaches, and I like my brain functional)

• A handful of spinach

• Smoked salmon (I get mine from Sam’s Club because I’m fancy and practical)

• Mashed avocado (pre-mashed, because efficiency is the spice of life)

Instructions:

1. Preheat your pan—shoutout to GreenPan—with a dollop of butter.

2. Toast your bagel on both sides until it’s golden brown, like it just came back from vacation.

3. Sauté spinach with a sprinkle of ranch seasoning. Yes, ranch. Trust me, it slaps.

4. Smear avocado on both bagel halves. Don’t skimp; this is the glue that holds your masterpiece together.

5. Layer on the spinach and salmon.

6. Admire your creation, take a deep breath, and savor every bite.

Nourishing More Than Your Body

This breakfast isn’t just a meal; it’s a declaration. It’s me reclaiming a relationship with food that was once fraught with scarcity and guilt. It’s an act of rebellion against a world that often tells us, as Black women, to pour from an empty cup.

Eating well isn’t about perfection or aesthetics; it’s about showing up for yourself in a world that often demands you put yourself last. It’s about embracing accessibility where you can, investing in tools that support your journey, and knowing that even small steps—like a bagel topped with avocado and spinach—can lead to big changes.

So here’s to breakfast: not as a chore, but as a philosophy. A way of saying, “I matter.” And trust me, sis, you do.