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Day 12′s contest is over. The answers are great! I’ve picked up several tips, and a recipe for a casserole for company. Thanks!
Linn is the winner. Here’s her comprehensive solution to breakfast.
My big breakfast trick is to get a good breakfast into my kids when like everyone there is no time to cook every morning. I set aside about 45 minutes each week to prep some breakfasts that can be popped into the microwave each morning for a great breakfast!
Take a store bought pancake mix and cook up enough pancakes to feed your group each morning for a few days.
Use some plastic storage containers and place 2-3 pancakes and a couple of already cooked sausage links or patties in each one. Now simply freeze them and then each morning after a minute or so in the microwave Viola! the kids have a great hot breakfast!
For some variety you can also use those same plastic storage containers and scramble 2 eggs and add, whatever ingredients everyone likes and place them in the fridge, again a minute or so in the microwave and they have a ready made omelet!
My kids LOVE that they can grab their own breakfast from the freezer or fridge and pop it in the microwave themselves and I feel great because in 45 minutes each week I’ve got breakfast for the whole week for everyone and I know that the kids have had a good breakfast before heading out the door! Everyone will be more focused and relaxed each morning with a good meal.
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Every weekday for a month, someone reading these posts and sharing their knowledge will win a generous bag of cool groceries. Why not you?
To enter today, share your best tip for breakfast. It could be anything: a make-ahead dish for guests, or a tip for feeding your family fast on weekdays. (Each weekday’s contest will be different.) Post your tip in the comments section at the end of this entry.
Please use your real email address when you register, so we can reach you when you win. (We won’t use it for any other purpose, I promise.) We’ll pick the best idea or recipe and award that person yummy foods to try!
When you win, we’ll contact you about how to collect your bag ‘o yummies in a reusable, eco-friendly shopping bag (Thanks, Whole Foods, for the bags!).
Watch this space for new questions and prizes every weekday for a month!
The bags contain lots of new foods you might not have tried. A few prizes are coupons for free items which will be sent to you, at no cost. Each bag also has extra packets of grocery coupons.
Every bag is different, but some of the items included are: Hungry-Man meals, Lance whole-grain snack crackers, Crisco olive oils, Skinny Cow ice cream treats, Wickles pickles, Penzey’s cinnamon, Orbit gums, Pepperidge Farm 100-calorie packs and granola cookies, Tyson products, Truvia sweetener, Eagle Mills Ultragrain flour, Zen Crunch, Dunkin Donuts, and lots of grocery coupons, too.
When I buy the jello or pudding cups, after I use them I clean them out & re-use them; filling them with the proper amount of jello or pudding I make from the box mixes. Place a small piece of Glad Press ‘n Seal to cover each cup & allow them to set (per the instructions on the box). I usually make them ahead – say on a weekend, so I have enough to take to work for lunch or a snack, but still gives me just the right portion to measure up to the original serving & the calories. Plus, it’s a great way to help the environment, but re-using the plastic cups as they can be used over & over again.
Breakfast, the meal of the day. Inspire the metabolism to work at it’s best with first drinking filtered water to hydrate yourself. Then make sure you have a complete protein like a three egg omelet with one yolk and dress it up with a little chippolte, salt and pepper and use smart balance for a butter replacement. Have a piece of toast, preferably whole grain with jelly and also have a fruit. If you are having any kind of berries, preferably organic due to the pesticides.
Remember to hydrate throughout the day but it is okay to have a cup of coffee with any form of milk.
Enjoy!!
Convienence is the key to eating healthy, and keeping your money in your pocket. Turn your fridge into a grab and go hot spot for breakfast and lunch by preparing ahead what you know your family will eat. Cooked bacon, cooked sausage patties, bisquits you make or store bought, english muffins all can be held in the fridge (or freezer and put in the fridge the night before) for quick use. Cut fresh fruit, mix and put into containers for grab and go. Once you get into a routine of prep ahead your life will be easy, organized and save you money too.
Each weekend, I go to the local vegetable/fruit stand and stock up on what looks good. I always pick up vegetables to roast (i.e. squash, brussel sprouts, onions, corn, colored peppers), fresh herbs and the best fruit of the season.
When I get home, I immediately section the fruit and freeze it in small freezer bags (mix and match the fruits).
Then I roast all of the vegetables and freeze them the same way with the herbs.
Come breakfast time, I grab the veggies, a few eggs and cheese for the best fresh omlette or fritatta. The fruit only has to thaw for a few minutes. Your family will think that you are a genius (or Martha Stewart !!)
We all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. So, if your mornings are like mine with not a lot of time to spare, here’s a quick and simple breakfast idea that will keep you satiated until lunchtime!
I take a Kashi waffle (found in the freezer section of your grocery store) and toast it. I spread a little bit of peanut butter over the waffle. I add some fresh fruit on top of that, such as sliced banana or blueberries, and then drizzle a little bit of honey to finish it off!
It is very delicious and healthy too!
Enjoy :)
Eat and Run Breakfast (breakfast on the go): I scramble up one egg to which I add some cheese (your choice) I like cheddar; and any left over vegetables from the night before (spinach works great or broccoli or peas) again your choice. Then I wrap the egg concoction in a tortilla shell ( I use whole wheat) with a little shredded lettuce if I have some and I am ready to eat and run or run and eat. You have started your day with a nice high protein breakfast.
Breakfast should be hearty to jumpstart your day but not so filling that you’re dragging. Instead of the fast food on the run breakfast options, try preparing breakfast at home. Pressed for time to make that delish omlette, try prepping ingredients the night before:slice mushrooms, cut peppers and onions and buy good quality cheese that your local deli can grate for you. I prefer a cured smoked gouda in my om’s.
In the morning, all you have to do is crack the organic/free range eggs, whisk and assemble. Add an organic soy sausage patty (morning star makes great non meat sausage patties) to the pan (once you fold over the om), a toasted whole grain english muffin and a glass of fresh squeezed O.J. and you’re ready to face the day!
I have a great french toast recipe that can be made the night before. Simply put together ingredients & let sit overnight in the fridge. In the morning pop in the oven to bake while you get ready for your day. This recipe is good for any hectic morning but is especially good for Christmas morning. By the time your done opening presents breakfast is ready!!
1/2 cup margarine
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
12 slices of french bread
9 eggs
pinch of salt
2 cups milk
Melt margarine in 9″ X 13″ pan. Add brown sugar and cinnamon and stir. Layer bread on mixture. Beat eggs and salt together, and then add milk. Pour over bread. Cover and place in refrigerator overnight. The next morning, uncover and bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes. Cut into squares and place upside down on plate and serve. (Try adding walnuts and berries to the cinnamon and brown sugar Yummm!)
Everybody loves this breakfast and this makes a great snack too! I make this ahead of time. I buy one large container plain fat free yogurt, fresh berries (your choice), low fat granola.
Take three paper coffee filters and drain the yogurt for several hours until all of the liquid has come out. It has the consistency of cream cheese. Add Splenda or sugar to taste and one tsp. of vanilla. Layer in six parfait cups first with berries, yogurt, granola. Continue layering until finished. Makes 6 servings. Trust me these won’t last long! You may want to double the recipe!
The key is variety…Even if you eat cereal everyday be sure to rotate your choices
My big breakfast trick is to get a good breakfast into my kids when like everyone there is no time to cook every morning. I set aside about 45 minutes each week to prep some breakfasts that can be popped into the microwave each morning for a great breakfast!
Take a store bought pancake mix and cook up enough pancakes to feed your group each morning for a few days.
Use some plastic storage containers and place 2-3 pancakes and a couple of already cooked sausage links or patties in each one. Now simply freeze them and then each morning after a minute or so in the microwave Viola! the kids have a great hot breakfast!
For some variety you can also use those same plastic storage containers and scramble 2 eggs and add, whatever ingredients everyone likes and place them in the fridge, again a minute or so in the microwave and they have a ready made omelet!
My kids LOVE that they can grab their own breakfast from the freezer or fridge and pop it in the microwave themselves and I feel great because in 45 minutes each week I’ve got breakfast for the whole week for everyone and I know that the kids have had a good breakfast before heading out the door! Everyone will be more focused and relaxed each morning with a good meal.
We do not have time to sit down for breakfast during the week so each morning I get up and make fruit and yogurt smoothies that we can take in travel mugs to the office. It is fast, easy and super yummy. To make 2 smoothies blend 8oz Light or fat free yogurt of any flavor, 1 banana, 1 cup fresh or frozen fruit (we like a mixture of strawberries, peaches, and blueberries) and 1 cup of juice.
My version of huevos rancheros is literally the 3 minute breakfast. It is gooood, low fat, yet filling and easy! Put a small pan over medium heat and spray with PAM. Then add 2-3 portions of egg whites (I use egg beaters – no cracking or separating eggs equals no mess which keeps this rigt at 3 minutes). I scramble the eggs right in the pan (no extra dishes) and they cook in about one minute. I serve the eggs over Tostadas, which are basically six inch round mexican corn chips but not as salty or oily. Then I top that with salsa. I prefer some spicy salsa to give it some kick, plus the spice revs up your metabolism too! To feel like a real ranchero, pick it up and eat with your hands, the same way you would eat a piece of toast.
ENJOY!!!
I don’t have much of a breakfast in the mornings. I do like to have iced coffee though. I used to stop at McDonald’s which was costing a little over $2.00 a day, so I decided to create my own iced coffee. I purchased flavored creamer and make my own coffee at home every morning. I make this for my husband now too and we can make it as sweet or as unsweet as we like. I throw in a breakfast bar and waalaa I’m good until lunch.
I bake biscuits for dinner – whatever is left I slice and stick a frozen turkey sausage patty in the middle and wrap individually for the freezer. When someone needs breakfast on the run – put in micriowave 1 1/2 mins (depends on microwave- so you might have to adjust cook time) My family hasn’t tasted the difference between the “real” sausage and turkey sausage. Plus whenever we eat at Cracker Barrel they serve us biscuits and corn bread. I take the leftover biscuits home – and do the same. This way I don’t throw out food. Still haven’t figured out what to do with the cornbread leftover. LOL
this is a quick breakfast. use a microwaveable small bowl spray with oil, crack an egg in it and scramble add chopped vegs and any cooked meat. Cover with plastic wrap, microwave for 1 or 2 mins. check how egg looks (it should be fluffy and not wet)At this time you can top with cheese. This can be made into a sandwich, just toast a bun, its just the right sharp for the bun. It’s quick and real easy for on the go.
I have a great breakfast recipe that is so quick in preparation and easy to make even if you’re not a cook!! You can make this dish in advance and feast on it all week long or serve it up for a large gathering. Either way, everyone always gobbles this dish up and it’s a unique twist on blintzes. Here’s my recipe for Blintz Souffle:
12 cheese blintzes
1 stick of margarine
6 eggs
2/3 c. sugar
2 T. vanilla
1 pint sour cream
cinnamon to taste
Microwave the margarine in a bowl until it melts and then pour into the bottom of a 9×13 pan. Line up the blintzes in the pan (seam side down). Mix the other ingredients and pour over blintzes. Sprinkle with cinnamon. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
Who says breakfast has to just be in the morning. We love doing breakfast for dinner. My mom did it for us when we were kids and it is always a hit. I fix some nice decaf coffee, and while it is brewing my girls and I get to work. My kids love to help make pancakes with me. I get everything out and they take turns pouring in the mix, eggs and milk. Some times the egg cracking goes better than others. The girls stir while I start the bacon and sausage. By the time that is done they have stirred in all the ingredients and we are ready to cook the pancakes. I take care of that while they set the table. I will also make a fruit salad. Once everything is ready we have a great family meal together. I always make extras for the next morning and we can just heat everything up in the microwave.
I have a very young toddler and have to worry about a “balanced diet” and a picky eater. So I find mixing breakfast choices up during the week with easy, quick meals to be a great alternative to a routine breakfast. The best part is these choices often take less than 5 minutes to prepare in the morning and he can eat on his own. Some choices include…
Flavored Scrambled Eggs- use vegetables, spices, milk, ketchup, etc. to make plain eggs more appealing
Flavored Instant Oatmeal- this is a lifesaver, just add boiling water to the oatmeal and you have a great breakfast (easy to take along with you)
Fruit Salad- Slice up 1/2 banana, a couple of strawberries, a few grapes, and maybe 1/2 orange ( Serve with cottage cheese or drinkable yogurt in a cup)
Ham and cheese- Roll some slices of deli ham and cut up some sting cheese for a finger food breakfast (put mustard on side to dip for flavor)
On special days he can get a flavored eggo with light syrup… But it may make him a little hyper, so beware!
And when all else fails look for a healthy kid’s cereal that focuses on daily vitamins, then add some fresh fruit…
The key is to be creative with what you have in the fridge and not to wory about a routine… Kids taste are always changing. Perhaps they may not like carrots with dinner, so try serving them with eggs at breakfast. Just make sure they have a great drink with their meal like OJ, milk, or juice… After all, dreaming is very thirsty work :)
Pot Luck Recipe
This sounds more like an appetizer (which it is), but when I put out my platter of these, they go fast!!!
Bacon wrapped crackers.
Sleeve of Tollhouse butter crackers
1 pound of bacon
1 container of good grated Parmesan cheese
parchment paper
Cookie sheet
1 tsp measuring spoon
Preheat oven to 250 degrees
Cut the pound of bacon in half
Take 1 tsp of Parmesan cheese and put on cracker*
Take piece of bacon and wrap around cheese and cracker
Bake for 1 hour some times 1 hour fifteen minutes
*Note
I pack the parmesan in the spoon with my thumb so when you put on the cracker you have a little mound of cheese
Place on paper towel to drain just a little bit.
These are heaven. When I ask someone what can I bring this is it. When I tell people how to make them they can’t believe how easy they are.