Do you need a refresh on weekday breakfast ideas? With back to school approaching, it’s time to start the year out right. As the kids try to re-invent themselves with the new school year we too can think about how to re-invent our habits to support healthy eating and learning. Studies have long shown that healthy eating habits lead to better mental health as well as physical health. So why not start the year out right with a back-to-school breakfast plan? There’s a fine line between teaching our kids and imposing our rigid schedules. It’s important to find a balance to foster connection instead of having an environment of tension every morning which is good for exactly no one, ( I am still learning this one). Just as our moods change so do our kids: some mornings our kids are hungry and others they would rather a smaller, snack- like breakfast. Understanding ourselves and thus our kids will change how we prep our food for a week of early breakfasts, whether they end up being a sit down breakfast or a scrambling out the door.
In this post I’ll talk about three different kinds of breakfast:
Breakfast on-the-go: Perfect for the days when everyone is running behind.
Quick Breakfast: At the ready but can be eaten at the table
Slow Breakfast: While this one is generally reserved for the weekends, with a little prep can be possible, even if only one morning a week.
Of course when the kids are smaller it’s a little easier to CREATE a breakfast routine, but life happens and things change so allow for some flexibility and once they are teenagers, well….things get a little more complicated.
Breakfast on the go
Breakfasts on the go typically consist of things in a package or box that you take as you are running out the door and are usually high in additives and sugars. Some mornings are going to be grab and go mornings, but they don’t have to be unhealthy choices. Below is a list of options to choose from that will allow for healthier grab and go options.
Oatcakes
Quick and easy to make ahead of time oatcakes are a perfect grab and go item.
Ingredients
2 cups oatmeal
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup Vegetable oil or Butter
1/2 Brown Sugar
1/4 tsp baking soda ( see Instructions)
1/4 cup boiling water. (See Instructions)
4 Oz Baker’s chocolate
2 tbsp butter
2 tbsp whipping cream ( or 1 extra tbsp of butter)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 400F and line baking sheet with parchment paper
Dissolve baking soda in boiling water ( add more if mix is too dry)
Combine dry ingredients
Mix in butter
add dissolved baking soda and water then mix.
mold the dough into a ball, roll out to desired thickness( approx 1/4″ thick if you want them to be really crunchy; if you want them to be a little softer then make them a bit thicker).
Some recipes tell you to chill them to firm the dough before cutting the dough into squares. I find that the dough is a little crumbly when chilled so I would recommend cutting into squares on the pan then cooling them for 10 or 15 minutes. Once removed bake for 15 minutes or until golden brown.
Chocolate Dip for a touch of decadence.
Combine chocolate, butter and whipping cream ( if using) in a Double Boiler(See Below) and melt till combined.
Once the oatcakes are cooled, dip the top half in chocolate and place on parchment paper to set.
These are still delicious without chocolate so you can choose the omit this part.
What is a double boiler?
A double boiler is a pot that comes with a stainless steel bowl with handles that is used to melt things that might burn if too close to the element. You can buy double boilers ( you can click the link to check it out). Honestly, I have never in my lifetime used or even owned one. This is easily done with a pan and a stainless steel bowl placed on top-use oven mitts when handling and be cautious of steam when removing the bowl from the pot.
To Use:
Put 1-2 cups water in the pot
place chocolate, butter and whipping cream in the stainless steel bowl
Turn the heat on high to start, once it comes to a boil turn it to med-high until everything is melted then stir to combine.
TIPS:
Make sure you keep and eye on the water level in the pot cause if it boils away, you will burn your pot.
Make sure to chop the chocolate before adding as it will cut down on the melting time
Once it begins to melt, stir frequently.
You will want to use this right away because once it cools it will begin to harden and become difficult to work with.
WEAR OVEN MITTS WHEN HANDLING THE BOWL…EVEN IF IT HAS A LIP ON IT STILL USE OVEN MITTS. TRUST ME.
You can get an oven mitt with rubber for easy gripping. I’ll include the link here,( Ove Glove 2pk) I love this thing, I use it when I make jam, use double boilers, and have even used it to help open stubborn bottles. Honestly awesome!
Chocolate oat cups
Remember these from the last post? While they do have a slight layer of chocolate on the top they have healthier ingredients and work well for a grab and go.
Fruit cups or whole fruit
Can’t beat an apple or banana on the way out the door. Personally I love bananas as my on the go choice because they aren’t messy.
Muffins
The great thing about back to school is that it typically occurs around the same time as blueberry season. Fresh blueberry muffins are great for on the go breakfast. There are a multitude of options when it comes to muffins so pick one. Or you could make multiple, freezer them and heat them in the microwave before running out the door. I recommend fresh but frozen works too.
Make ahead Option
Love muffins but don’t always have time to make them? Try this, portion the dry ingredients in a freezer bag and store in the freezer. Make sure you write the measurements for the wet ingredients on the bag, this way you will have half of the recipe already done which will cut down on prep time.
Quick Breakfast
Cereal with fruit
Smoothies- Grab some berries, banana, yogurt and milk throw them in a blender and you’ve got a quick breakfast! For extra efficiency you can get an on-the-go blender that allows you to blend your smoothie and take it with you!
Make ahead Options:
Fry up a pack of bacon or some ham to have in the fridge for quick breakfast choices. I wouldn’t let them go any longer that 3 days but the good thing is that you will also have elements in the fridge for lunches or even dinner ingredients.
Make waffles and/or pancakes ahead of time and have them ready in the freezer. You can heat them up in the toaster ( if they are plain) or you can heat them up in the microwave.
Make breakfast sandwiches ahead of time and store in the freezer. You can heat these up in the microwave, oven, or even put them in a pan to warm on low heat.
Slow Breakfast
For many families this one is not always an option during the weekdays. However, if you decide that even one weekday is a “slow” breakfast morning then you can still make it happen in a relatively short time. By preparing the items in the quick breakfast list then you will have the makings of a larger breakfast.
Heat waffles and pancakes in the oven, toaster, microwave or, if you have one, a toaster oven.
Cut up some fruit the night before to have a fruit salad or fresh fruit topping for waffles.
Pre-cut vegetables and grate cheese to make omelettes or just add them veg and cheese to scrambled eggs.
Add some avocado to the side or some salsa and you’ve got breakfast. Takes less time, makes less mess and can still allow you to connect as a family before school, even if the conversation is a series of grunts.
Seasonal Ingredient: Blueberries
I love blueberry season! There are so many things that you can do with blueberries and fresh picked blueberries add so much flavor. Check out the various ways you can use this versatile berry:
Jam( More on that in a later post)
Compote( amazing topping for pancakes or cheesecake topping)
Muffins
Pancakes
Scones
Blueberry Loaf
Fresh topping for waffles or pancakes
Topping for cereal
Add to hot oats or overnight oats
Add to yogurt parfait.
Or you can eat a bowl of blueberries on their own with milk and a small sprinkle of sugar. This is more of a small snack than a meal. But it’s delicious.
Back to school is a time when we get back into the routines of school and extra-ciricular schedules. It’s important to also make time to fuel your body and mind for another successful year. Planning ahead can make your mornings so much easier and can even allow for some extra bonding time with your family in the morning!
