Can we even imagine summer is almost over and it's nearly time for school again - already????
I love breakfast. (I even love it for supper. Maybe you do too?) Research shows that kids who eat breakfast fare much better in school. It not only helps maximize school performance, but helps them grow properly also. With the rush of trying to get kids out the door on time for school, things get a little crazy. I decided to share a few recipes to help simplify those busy mornings, and to help make you feel better as a parent, sending them off with good food in their bellies.
I was thrilled to find a recipe for making your own instant oatmeal. Those little store-purchased packets are handy, but cost more. Have your children help make this and they'll be more excited about eating it. There are options listed so it doesn't have to be boring. It's a real money-saver as everyone gets their favorite flavor without the expense. To speed time, the oatmeal mixture may be pre-measured and bagged in small ziploc bags.
INSTANT OATMEAL ALA-HOME
1 - 18 oz container quick cooking oats
1/3 c. dry powdered milk (omit if lactose-intolerant)
1/2 c. packed brown sugar, or less
1 - 2 tsp. cinnamon
1 c. raisins or dried fruits
Mix all of the ingredients together and store in an airtight container. Label the container with directions. Yields 16 servings.
To prepare oatmeal: scoop 1/2 cup oatmeal mixture into a bowl and mix with 3/4 cup water. Add more water if you prefer it thinner; less water if you like it thicker. Microwave on high for 1 minute; stir and enjoy. Older children can help younger ones.
Options:
- Fruit/cream-add 1 TB. nondairy coffee creamer and 2 TB. dried fruit, or applesauce.
- S'Mores-add 6 mini marshmallows and 1 TB.milk chocolate chips to prepared oatmeal.
- Celebration-add 1 tsp. sugar and 1/2 tsp. "Pop Rocks"-this is fun for a birthday.
-No-Bake Cookie-(my personal favorite). Stir in a TB. peanut butter to prepared oats, then add 1 - 2 TB.of (lite) chocolate syrup. It's very filling and satisfying.
These omelets freeze nicely, and can be reheated in microwave, wrapped in a paper towel.
MINI MUFFIN OMELETS
11 eggs
2 Tb. milk
1 c. chopped deli ham or cooked bacon or sausage
2 ozs. shredded cheddar cheese
salt and pepper, to taste
blanched or sauteed veggies of choice
Preheat oven to 350. Spray 12 muffin tins generously with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix eggs and milk; pour evenly into pans. Sprinkle with add-ins, then salt and pepper. Bake 20 minutes. Remove from tins and serve, or cool and freeze. (If you place them on a Pam-sprayed cookie sheet and freeze for 2 hours, you can pop them all into a bag and they won't stick together and can easily be removed individually.)
I love quick and filling smoothies. This is a simple one that can be whipped up quickly and the kids can drink on the way to school on a time-crunched morning! This is just an 'outline' - feel free to add to or subtract from it to make it your own.
PEANUT BUTTER-BANANA-OATMEAL SMOOTHIE
1/4 c. oats
1 or 2 bananas, sliced and frozen
1/4 c. peanut butter (or nutella if preferred)
1 c. milk
Put oats in blender and blend until powder-y. Add remaining ingredients and blend until there are no more chunks of frozen banana. Yield: 2 servings
STRAWBERRY PINA COLADA SMOOTHIE
2 c. strawberries (frozen or fresh)
2 c. pineapple (frozen or fresh)
1 c. water
1 c. unsweetened coconut (or almond) milk
1/2 c. vanilla Greek yogurt
1 c. crushed ice..(or more, if not using frozen fruit)
1 banana, sliced or chunked
Drizzle of honey or 1 pkt. Truvia
Place ingredients in blender and blend on high until smooth. Pour and enjoy every luscious sip! Serves 4 or 5.
I am always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught.
~Winston Churchill
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