Need a good reason to grow eggplant? Start with this amazing breakfast sandwich. That’s what I do as a Central Florida gardener. Eggplant is super easy to grow and delicious breakfast, lunch and dinner. Eggplant loves our warm climate. And I love eggplant! But at times I grow tired of eating sautéed eggplant, Italian style, and prefer to mix it up a bit. I like to vary my diet and I’ve recently discovered the most delicious way to serve up this gem. Meet the Eggplant-Egg Breakfast Sandwich.

I sautéed two slices of eggplant in olive oil, adding a dash of salt and pepper during the process. (Above the eggplant is pictured sliced in lengths, but for my sandwich, I sliced in rounds for a better “fit.”) Once golden brown, I removed the eggplant from the pan and set it aside on a plate. In the same pan, I sautéed two cups of fresh spinach in olive oil along with a few dashes of garlic powder until soft, then set it aside on the plate. In the same pan, I fried an egg in prepared garlic butter and then set it aside, too. I cooked my egg over medium, so the yolk wouldn’t drain from my sandwich. Finally came the bread. I used a thick slice of bakery fresh multi-grain bread (12 grain seeded variety) and sautéed it in the same pan, grilled cheese style, using another dollop of garlic butter. For this recipe, I used prepared garlic butter, but you can create your own by adding garlic salt, garlic powder, salt and fresh basil to softened butter.

My sandwich was layered bread in the order: egg, eggplant, spinach, eggplant and topped with a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese. I deleted a bread top for an open-faced sandwich meal. This egg sandwich was amazingly delicious!!

Same reason other folks don’t get fat:  they eat a bunch of vegetables, right?  They eat nuts and berries, a few twigs, some tomatoes and lettuce, maybe and a handful of vitamins for good measure–and protein.  Am I close?

Well…sort of.  Loosely based on the bestselling book, French Women Don’t Get Fat, I think the concept is the same.  If you enjoy the process (good exercise) and enjoy the produce (healthy food) than you’re halfway there.  But there’s more to eating than mere consumption.  Concentrating on the depth of flavor in your earthly beets, the crisp sweetness of your corn, the buttery texture of your potatoes and oh-so-sweet onions, you begin to immerse yourself in the pleasure principle.

It’s like I tell my children.  “Everything in moderation.”  Now granted this is merely my way of letting them know it’s okay if Mom dips into the candy bowl.  It’s okay if she drinks a glass of wine (or two).  It’s okay.  Everything in moderation.  I find it’s a fabulous rule to live by because as an experienced dieter I can tell you:  denying yourself something you adore is not smart.  In fact, it goes against human nature—or feeds into it.  You know as well as I do that the minute you tell yourself you can’t have something—you want it.  You crave it.  All of a sudden, it becomes the most important thing you need to eat right now! 

Very bad as we approach bathing suit season.  Piling M&M’s into your mouth is not helpful to your figure, or your heart, your stomach…  So stop right now.  (No, not eating M&M’s.)  Stop denying yourself and give in to decadence!  Luxuriate in a glass of Cabernet, a handful of dark chocolate, a three-layer cake of dense delight, the sugary sweet frosting from a cupcake.  Enjoy it—leisurely.  Don’t rush.  Don’t get crazy.  Simply enjoy…….

You’ll find that once you remove the “desire triggers,” you’ll be able to eat what you desire AND remain slim.  I don’t know about you, but all veggies and no sweets make for a very dull girl.  And I don’t want to be dull!  I want to be delightful and happy.  Cause remember—when momma ain’t happy, nobody’s happy.

It’s true in my household.  How about yours? :)

p.s.  Pssst….  Don’t tell anyone, but that chocolate mousse is actually GOOD for you.  Uh, huh.  It’s made from avocados though you’d never know it from tasting it!  Follow this link for this and other cool healthy recipes.