Whats For Breakfast Mom? School Days Easy

It is the age old question for many of us that are parenting children and grandchildren while still working or even staying at home. What IS for breakfast moms? I would like to know what you fix for your children in the morning? Is it something delicious like the above bowl of oatmeal with berries or something quick like these french toast sticks and syrup? There is no right or wrong answer here, I am just asking what I have been asking for over 48 years (the first few years didn't count) whats for breakfast mom?

My husband and I do our best during the school year to not send the kids to school on a cold cereal tummy, but after about a month or so, the menu seems like they are eating the same things just a different day.

So, what are some of the things you do to ensure your childen eat a healthy before school breakfast? Here are some of the things we do with a few recipes I have discovered over the years:

Fruit Smoothies:

1 small container yogurt (any flavor or brand your child prefers)

1/4 - 1/2 cup milk (this makes the difference between a thick or thin smoothie)

Handful of fresh fruit in season (I have used berries, bananas, kiwi, cantaloupe and applesauce)

1 teaspoon per serving of wheat germ

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and creamy and all ingredients are blended. **I have one of those bullet blenders from tv & it is the best purchase I have made, you make individual smoothies for each child**

Breakfast Muffin;

Whole wheat English muffin (split in half and toasted or not depending on childs preference)

Fried or scrambled egg

turkey sausage patty (check the label, I just discovered turkey bacon has a higher sodium content than regular bacon, so compare both, you might be surprised at which one is healthier)

Slice of Cheese (your choice...we use Mozzarella, provolone or American)

Banana Split Oatmeal:

In a bowl of hot oatmeal (instant or regular) add a tablespoon of chocolate chips (semisweet or dark), strawberries about 1/4 cup and 1/2 banana, mix together and eat while warm. It is very yummy and you don't need to add milk. You can add pecans, peanuts or walnuts to it if you like.

Fruit Oatmeal:

Add your favorite fresh or frozen fruit to warm oatmeal and mix.

Dress Up Frozen Waffles:

I use a flax enriched frozen waffle I purchase from our local organic market, but you can use any frozen waffles you choose and the toppings are endless. In our home, the children like applesauce sprinkled with Coriander, other days they want Cinnamon or Apple Pie spice. Fix it the way they like it and they will eat them up!

Seasonal Pancakes:

In our home, we are blessed to live in Washington and have access to so many wonderful and delicious fresh fruits over the summer: Blueberries, Cherries (Bing and Rainier), Raspberries, Blackberries, Salmonberries, huge variety of Apples, Peaches, Pears, etc.

So, I freeze as much as I can and when you make pancakes, toss in some of the fruit with them.

I have also used canned pumpkin with Cinnamon, Nutmeg and Ginger and the kids love them.

How about regular pancakes with flavored syrups? There are many great recipes on line for these, however you may need to regulate the amount of sugar some of them call for.

How about a really yummy and quick omelet or omelets and you can make several at one time. How you ask? By following this link to Paula Deen's Breakfast for a Crowd, and learn Paula's easy to cook and easier to clean trick to making a delicious omelette for more than one person.

Do you have older children in high school or college that just want a grab and go breakfast? Try Ina Gartens homemade granola bars that can be made ahead or how about breakfast in a cup?

scramble eggs and pre-cooked bacon together adding your choice of veggies or cheeses. Dish into large styrofoam cups or plastic cups, stick a spoon or fork into it and it is a ready to eat on the go and out the door breakfast.

There are many quick tips you can use to make breakfast quick and easy:

1. Prepare meats (bacon, sausage, chorizo, etc.) the night before, crumble them and place in air tight containers or even storage bags in the fridge.
2. Shred or slice cheese ahead of time and place in storage bag in fridge.
3. Clean, chop and bag all fruits ahead of time.
4. Place frozen juices in the fridge the night before and they will be thawed, cold and ready to mix with cold water.
5. Purchase ice trays and squeeze fresh lemon juice, orange juice and even berrie juices into them. In the morning, toss one or two into your cup of hot tea. Yummy and you don't need to add sugar!
6. Set your table the night before.
7. Set out your cooking supplies the night before.
8. Make breakfast casseroles the night before and pop them in the oven the next morning to finish cooking.
9. Add cereal or granola to yogurt to give it an extra crunch.
10. Canned breakfast biscuits can be used to make a quick cinnamon roll breakfast!

Any recipes you want to share, let me know!