BREAKFAST

If you’re hosting for the holidays this year, Tanji Patton of Goodtaste TV has some ideas to help you plan your morning menu.

Searching for someplace simple where you can score a stack of syrup-soaked buttermilk pancakes and a piping-hot cup of black coffee -- No frills, no fusions and no swarms of Insta-obsessed influencers? Slip into a booth or slide behind the counter at one of Houston’s longstanding diners.

HOUSTON – How about a free bagel sandwich to perk up your day? Houston-area Einstein Bros. Bagels is offering one free egg sandwich with any purchase in honor of Friday’s National Bagel Day. Customers can order one of 11 different egg sandwich combinations, with popular flavors such as “The Farmhouse”, “The Chorizo Sunrise”, and “The All-Nighter.”To redeem the one-time free egg sandwich offer, download the Einstein Bros. app and make an “Order Ahead” purchase, such as a coffee, a bagel with schmear, or even another sandwich. The free sandwich offer is valid until January 31.

For the first time in eight years, three new baked goods join the fast-food franchise’s menu: apple fritters, blueberry muffins and cinnamon rolls. McDonald’s website says each new menu item will be available all day at participating restaurants nationwide. The tasty options will be offered alongside McCafé cookies and pies. “McDonald’s has been famous for our savory breakfast menu for almost fifty years,” said Linda VanGosen, the restaurant’s vice president of brand and menu strategy. “We’re continuing our breakfast innovation by adding tasty new sweet options with our new McCafé Bakery lineup.

HOUSTON – September is Better Breakfast Month, a great time to learn how to incorporate plant-based options into the most important meal of the day. Stephanie Rich, a registered dietitian and executive chef at Verdine showed us how to turn a classic Tex-Mex dish like migas into a quick and healthy breakfast using just 3 ingredients. Plant-based migasIngredients• 1/3 cup prepared pico de gallo or chunky salsa• 1 corn tortilla• ½ cup plant-based egg substitute• Salt & Pepper for seasoningDirections:1. Pour in the plant-based egg substitute and season to taste with salt and pepper. For more plant-based breakfast options, you can check out Verdine’s brunch menu.

Certified nutritionist, Krystal Hammett with Alternative Wellness Solutions, shared effective ways to help you kick start your day. Wait 30 minutes before you start thinking about breakfast. I encourage you to wait to eat breakfast until you feel hungry. Your breakfast must consist of high protein and healthy fats rather than carbohydrates and simple sugars. High insulin levels result in cravings for more sugars and carbs, excess stored body fat and poor metabolism, said Hammett.