Spa cuisine and healthy diet > Make a Perfect Start for Your Year and Your Morning

Make it a new you by putting those resolutions into action and making positive changes to your lifestyle. Little adjustments will go a long way toward making a lasting impact, so why not start with the one of the first things you do when you wake up.

Breakfast, commonly known as the most important meal of the day, can be forgotten in the early morning rush. But taking a few minutes each day to eat something nutritious isn't hard.

Matthew Biancaniello, Mixologist at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, loves to serve up a a nutrient-packed, drinkable breakfast to hotel guests..

"A refreshing smoothie takes no time at all to make,” says Biancaniello. “Just add and blend some wholesome ingredients, and the result is a satisfying drink to take with you on the go.”

"I always have almonds, in all their forms, on hand because they’re so versatile,” he says. “Almond milk is the perfect base for any smoothie, while almond flour acts as a thickener; almond butter is great for toasty flavor, and sliced and slivered almonds add a crunchy topping to your drink,” he says..

Try these other ways to add almonds to your morning routine:

• Toss a handful of almonds and fresh berries into your morning yogurt
• Look for cereals containing crunchy almonds
• Top whole wheat toast with almond butter and sliced bananas, or spread almond butter onto apple slices
• Use almond milk in your oatmeal, and top with dried or fresh fruit
• Sprinkle sliced almonds into a breakfast parfait -- layer with low-fat yogurt and fruit
• Top scrambled eggs or a veggie omelet with crunchy, chopped almonds