Everyone knows the old saying, “Breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” and it is true. Eating breakfast kick-starts your metabolism and can get your day going in the right direction. But how many of us skip breakfast anyway? Or grab something quick and easy because you don’t have the time before you have to get the kids on the bus and get yourself to work.
With the new school year underway, it’s the perfect time to start a new great habit of starting the day off in a healthy way.
Handy Gadgets
One suggestion that can help make breakfast a pain-free and quick process is to use a new kitchen gadget. If you want something done, a kitchen gadget can help you do it in half the time. Why not try one of these favorites:
- Instapot: If you haven’t heard about these, be ready to be wowed. Instapots are like pressure cookers, slow cookers, and rice cookers all in one. Many of them have timers that can be set. You can use your Instapot to make oatmeal for a large crowd quickly. Even better, set it up the night before with the timer or make an overnight oat recipe in it. You can also use it to hard or soft boil eggs! Set the water up the night before, pop the eggs in, and push a button in the morning. By the time you get out of the shower, the whole family can have an egg or two. It doesn’t get fresher than that!
- Rapid Egg Cooker: Sounds self-explanatory, but the convenience of this gadget has really changed my morning routine. Mine has a 6 egg capacity, uses a tiny amount of water, and cooks eggs perfectly every time in mere minutes. Clean-up is non-existent. You can make soft-boiled eggs, too, and there is even a scrambled accessory option. In less time than it takes to get to a drive-thru for something not so healthy, you can have a fresh egg or six.
- Breakfast Sandwich Maker: Ok, so this one is a little silly, but I can’t help but be attracted to it. Companies like Hamilton Beach sell products that literally toast your English muffin, cook your eggs, and separately cook breakfast meats, and then put it all together. They boast that breakfast is ready in five minutes or less, and clean-up is a breeze, with everything being dishwasher safe. Can it get easier? I think not.
Fun Breakfast Ideas
Perhaps the timing isn’t the issue. Maybe it’s the choices. One of my daughters loves cereal. The other always wants something different. If you are in that boat, maybe one of these fun ideas can help break up the breakfast blues.
- Banana Quesadilla: Channel your inner Elvis with this breakfast. It’s quick, simple, has fruit and protein, and is sure to please your little one. Take a wrap (I like whole wheat) and spread peanut butter on it. Slice bananas and add them on top. Then you can wrap it up burrito-style or fold it in halves like a quesadilla and slice. Yum! Want to get really crazy? Add a few chocolate chips or throw it in a pan for a few minutes to crisp up the wrap and get the peanut butter melted. Double yum!
- Apple “Donuts”: Don’t worry, I’m not suggesting a breakfast sugar rush. I am suggesting disguising your apple slices to look like donuts! Slice an apple sideways and use a small circle cutter to take out the core. Then spread a thin layer of cream cheese to mimic frosting. You can use a dot of food coloring to change the “frosting’s” color, but I like to keep it more natural. There are lots of good flavored cream cheeses out there, too, that would taste delish! If you really want to jazz it up, add a few sparkly sprinkles on top.
- Quiche Cups: Use a muffin tin to make everyone an individual little bite of protein goodness. Fill the cup with your favorite veggies, cheeses, meats, tater tots, or hash browns. Then crack an egg in each (or use egg beater-type products). And bake it in the oven at 350 for 10-15 minutes, depending on the size of your muffin tin and what you’re putting in it. The best part is that these keep well in the fridge and freezer. This also is a great breakfast to get kids to help with. Put out the ingredients and let them fill their muffin tins with the ingredients they like!
Final Ideas
Moms across the country have gotten used to meal prepping for the week when it comes to lunch and dinner, but not breakfast. Why not? Make overnight oats to last for a few days. Try the Instapot to have fresh yogurt for the week! Wrap the quiche cups in paper towels and put them in baggies for a quick grab, heat, and eat idea for the week.
Also, who says we have to stick to the traditional breakfast choices? If your kid wants tuna salad for breakfast, I say go for it. As long as it’s a healthy choice, why should we say, no, that’s for dinner or lunch only? Break out of the mold and find something that fits your tummy’s desires. If you need more information on the benefits of breakfast and some good ideas, check out kidshealth.org. There are sections on there for kids, parents, and even teens to read.
