Week 11

Good Morning Girls,

I found myself smiling this morning as I read today's lesson. I get a daily blog called "Everyday Cheapskates" written by Mary Hunt and today's was all about breakfast!!! She gave some great tips that went right along with today lesson, so I'm gonna share~

Ready, Set, Breakfast!

Everyone knows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but by many reports 40 percent of kids don't eat breakfast.

Why aren't your kids eating breakfast each day? Most likely it is because your family is already rushed and you don't have time, but breakfast doesn't have to mean homemade waffles or French toast every day. Here are some tips, tricks and ideas to get you started with quick and easy breakfasts, especially on school days, that are kid-friendly and nutritious.

Make it fun. Create your breakfast menu for the coming week, and post it on the 'fridge where even the youngest kids will see it. Give each day's breakfast a clever or funny name. Now, you're committed.

Get ready. Set the breakfast table the night before, even if it's only for juice and cereal.

New rule. In the same way you require the kids to brush their teeth each day before leaving the house, make eating breakfast a house rule. Repeat for 21 days straight and it will become a habit.

Make it ahead. Keep pancake or waffle batter in the refrigerator, ready to pour on the griddle.

Frozen muffins. On the weekend, make a batch of muffins all the way to the point of filling the paper-lined muffin tins. Instead of baking them, pop them into the freezer. In the morning take out the number of frozen muffins you need, place them in a muffin tin, allow to thaw for a few minutes then bake as instructed.

Poach an egg. Line a coffee cup or soup cup with a piece of clingy plastic wrap. Break an egg and drop it carefully in the plastic, bag it up like a goldfish and tie with a twist tie. Drop the egg pouch in boiling water. After three minutes, remove it with a slotted spoon and place it on a plate. Unwrap the plastic and roll your egg out. This beats the old way every time.

Microwaved eggs, cheese and ham. Put two or three eggs in a microwave-safe bowl and add chopped-up ham. Add some shredded cheese and a shot of milk (about 1 to 2 teaspoons) and mix. Microwave mixture on high for 2 to 3 minutes. Scramble with a fork every minute or so during cooking.

Peanut butter-banana smoothie. Add one small ripe banana, sliced, two tablespoons creamy peanut butter and one tablespoon honey to a blender. Blend until smooth. Add one cup cold milk and blend until foamy. Serve immediately. Serves: 1.

Banana dog. Spread peanut butter, banana slices and raisins on a whole-grain hot dog bun. This makes a quick, delicious and portable breakfast treat.

Breakfast taco: Place shredded cheese on a tortilla. Fold it in half and microwave. Top it with salsa.

Breakfast pizza. Cut an English muffin in half, brush it with leftover spaghetti sauce and top it with shredded cheese. Pop it under the broiler until cheese is melted. This is a big hit with most kids.

There you go: quick and easy ideas to get you going in the morning. Just in case you need more evidence that eating breakfast is the way to go, studies show that kids who don't eat breakfast are less able to learn at school, get less iron (an important nutrient) in their diets and are more likely to be overweight.

On the other hand, kids who eat breakfast do better in school, are more likely to participate in physical activities and tend to eat healthier overall. So tomorrow morning, don't run out the door on an empty stomach. Fuel up with a healthy breakfast!

In light of all that, I think I will skip Today's Tip. I think that is enough food for thought (pardon the pun,LOL)

Have a blessed day!
Nola