Essy's Breakfast Bowl

Name: Essy's Breakfast Bowl
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ½–1 cup Rip’s Big Bowl Cereal, depending on appetite; ½ cup Plant Strong Plant Milk (Essy’s favorites are Unsweetened Almond or Unsweetened Oat); 1 tbsp chia seeds; 1 tbsp flaxseed meal; 1 handful walnuts; 1 small handful raisins; Fruit of choice (Dr. Esselstyn’s favorite combination is banana and berries); 1 tsp amla powder; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 1 tsp ground ginger; 1 pinch of black pepper; 1 pinch black sesame seeds; 2-3 cups steamed kale; 1 drizzle balsamic vinegar

June 24, 2026

Some breakfasts leave you hungry an hour later. This isn’t one of them.

Essy’s Breakfast Bowl is built around simple, whole-food ingredients that have been part of Dr. Caldwell Esselstyn’s morning routine for years. Plant Strong Big Bowl Cereal creates the foundation, while chia seeds, flaxseed meal, walnuts, fruit, and warming spices add texture, flavor, and nourishment in every bite.

It’s quick to prepare, endlessly customizable, and packed with ingredients that can help you start your day feeling satisfied and energized. Whether you’re looking for a hearty breakfast, a simple morning routine, or just a delicious way to eat more whole plant foods, this bowl checks every box.

Essy's Breakfast Bowl

If you’ve ever wondered what fuels one of the most well-known advocates of plant-powered living, this breakfast bowl offers a glimpse.

Made with Rip's Big Bowl Cereal, plant milk, fruit, nuts, seeds, and a few pantry staples, this recipe comes together in minutes and delivers a satisfying mix of crunch, creaminess, and natural sweetness. Dr. Esselstyn’s favorite version includes bananas and berries, but you can easily make it your own with whatever fruit you have on hand.

Simple, filling, and built from everyday ingredients, it’s the kind of breakfast you’ll find yourself coming back to again and again.

Author

Plant Strong Team

Prep Time

5 minutes

Servings

1

Category

Breakfast and Brunch

Cuisine

American

Ingredients

½–1 cup Rip’s Big Bowl Cereal, depending on appetite
½ cup Plant Strong Plant Milk (Essy’s favorites are Unsweetened Almond or Unsweetened Oat)
1 tbsp chia seeds
1 tbsp flaxseed meal
1 handful walnuts
1 small handful raisins
Fruit of choice (Dr. Esselstyn’s favorite combination is banana and berries)
1 tsp amla powder
1 tsp ground turmeric
1 tsp ground ginger
1 pinch of black pepper
1 pinch black sesame seeds
2-3 cups steamed kale
1 drizzle balsamic vinegar

Directions

Add chia seeds, sesame seeds, turmeric, ginger, flaxseed meal, alma, and black pepper to a bowl.
Top with Rip’s Big Bowl Cereal, raisins, and walnuts.
Add your fruit of choice.
Top with plant milk and stir together so the chia seeds gel up.
Enjoy!
Steam kale for 2-3 minutes, or until tender.
Remove any excess water by transferring kale to a bowl and letting the steam escape for 1-2 minutes, or you can squeeze any extra liquid out.
Top with a drizzle of balsamic vinegar.