(BPT) – Weekday mornings can be rough, trying to get yourself and your family up and dressed, fed, then out the door in time for school and work. It’s tough to make sure everyone gets something healthy to eat before dashing out to start the day. What if there were a few simple things you could do to make your morning routine run more smoothly, all while making delicious breakfast choices?
Try these breakfast hacks to help simplify your morning and nourish everyone at the same time.
Prep for the morning before going to bed.
Have everyone choose and set out their next-day outfits the night before, to avoid last-minute closet and laundry room scrambles. Then program your coffee maker. It sounds simple, but how many of us actually do this? Most coffee makers can be preset to start at a certain time in the morning. Even the most basic coffee maker can be fitted with a filter and prefilled with grounds and water, ready to go when you wake up. This way at least the adults in the household will be fully awake.
Make a blender smoothie the night before.
Want to be sure the kids drink some milk and get a little fruit in their breakfast? The night before, blend milk and/or yogurt with the kids’ favorite fruits or fruit juice. Include some ripe berries or bananas and add a little honey or agave for sweetness, if needed. Store in the fridge and give it a quick mix in the morning to be sure it’s blended before serving.
Provide fresh fruit daily.
Set out a fruit bowl with apples, bananas and tangerines – then if kids don’t choose one for breakfast, grab a couple to put in lunch boxes to give them another opportunity to eat fresh fruit. Luckily, these fruits come in their own packaging!
Make a hearty breakfast ahead.
Bake a hot breakfast the day before that you can heat up in the morning. Try this delicious recipe that your kids will love. One bowl and one pan are all you need.
Cheesy Potatoes
20 minutes prep time, 80 minutes total time. Makes 8 servings.
Ingredients
1 package Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
1 can cream of potato soup
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup sliced green onion
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon finely chopped garlic
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a two-quart casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. In large bowl, combine all ingredients. Stir to mix well. Spread in prepared pan. Bake uncovered 55-60 minutes or until potatoes are tender and center is heated through. (An 11 x 7-inch rectangular or 8-inch square baking dish can also be used.)
Make a breakfast to go.
The day before, bake a delicious, portable breakfast that can be eaten on the drive to school. These Mini Hash Brown Casseroles can be baked in muffin cups so that kids – or you – can take them along when you’re pressed for time.
Mini Hash Brown Casseroles
10 minutes prep time, 30 minutes total time. Makes 24 servings.
Ingredients
1 package Simply Potatoes Shredded Hash Browns
1 pound Bob Evans Original Roll Sausage
4 large eggs
1/2 cup milk
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1 cup ham, cubed
1 cup red pepper, diced
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a skillet, cook sausage according to package directions. Lightly grease two 12-cup muffin tins or use muffin cups. In a bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Add remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly. Fill muffin tins 2/3 full. Bake for 27-30 minutes.
With a little planning ahead, plus making sure your kitchen is stocked with good ingredients for breakfast, your mornings can go much more smoothly. Preparing hearty, delicious breakfasts ahead of time will save a lot of hassle and hurry – and everyone will love it.
