September is a funny month to me, and I’ll tell you why. I feel like it’s another “new year”. In fact, in my life I have three “new years” within one calendar year: January 1st, January 21st, and Whatever Day School Starts. Let me explain.
I am a big fan of resolutions. December 31st usually finds me curled up with a brand new notebook, mechanical pencil, and a mug of mexican hot chocolate; furiously scribbling down my ambitious resolutions. And because my resolutions are just that–ambitious–I usually stumble right out of the gate; that is until January 21st–my birthday. While you may think January is a really crappy month for a birthday–think again. I always take that grand day to rewire my January 1st resolutions and recover from what is usually a false start. On January 21st, I really get going. My year proceeds smoothly until the summer chaos undoes every habit I’ve worked so hard to acquire. Until school starts. That’s right folks, the first day of school is yet another New Years Day in my book. I always have new goals, plans and projects that I implement on the first day of school; which is why I’m excited about this week. School starts on August 21st. This year is rather sad for me because my youngest, Pops, is starting kindergarten. I am at a crossroads in my life and scared to death about it. But until I’m ready to face that little issue, I’ll think about food. I am revamping my girls’ hot breakfast rotation. Now, you know I am a Hot Breakfast Fanatic. Really, I hate cold cereal more than life itself and think of it as my mortal enemy. I hate, hate, hate it–as a breakfast that is. After school snack–totally acceptable. My hot breakfasts consist of four choices:
1. Eggs and toast
2. Oatmeal
3. Cream of Wheat
4. Waffles or pancakes
That’s it. I don’t make anything else. My girls have informed me in no uncertain terms that they are sick of the rotation. So what amazing hot breakfast am I missing? What could I make in a limited amount of time that would knock their socks off? Help me, and happy new year.
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Well, there’s always sausage, bacon, and ham . . . although I’d guess that upping your meat intake wasn’t really what you had in mind.
Biscuits and gravy? Grits? I’m assuming you’re already cooking the eggs in a variety of ways (omelets, fried, scrambled) so there’s not too much room for change there. (Soufflé?)
Getting away from the “hot” idea, there’s yogurt, berries, and fresh fruit. Oh, and smoothies. Any of these could be served with homemade muffins (which *are* hot, and I’m sure there are some nutritious/delicious recipes out there).
Hmm, I’m surprised I was able to come up with even that many ideas, considering that cold cereal (despite its costliness and dubious nutrition) is my absolute best friend as a mom, BUT that I would also be thrilled if someone were cooking any of the things you listed (except Cream of Wheat) for me. I guess this goes to show that kids are fully capable of scorning even the most noble and generous of parental sacrifices.
I just remembered that I’ve heard a lot of people rave about various versions of breakfast casseroles (which I’m sure you’ll find in spades at Pinterest). And don’t forget various forms of fried potatoes.
Three ideas off the top of my head: steel-cut oats in the crockpot (put them on low when you go to sleep and they’re ready in the morning for the “breakfast sundae” treatment. These and other scones: http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-scones-10000000600571/
and my friend’s excellent muffins (very forgiving of substitutions and full of great stuff)
2 cups flour (I often substitute whole wheat or spelt for half)
1 cup sugar or honey
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
2 cups grated carrots
1/2 cup raisins, currants, or craisins
1/2 cup coconut flakes
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 medium apple peeled and grated
3 beaten eggs
1 cup oil (I often use 1/2 cup oil and 1 1/2 c flaxseed meal)
2 tsp vanilla
Preheat oven to 350. Grease muffin tins or line with paper liners. (Makes 24 regular muffins. Often I do 12 regular and 24 mini).
Combine flour, soda, cinnamon and salt. Add carrot, raisins, coconut, nuts, and apple. Mix in eggs, oil and vanilla. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
Happy New Year!
First of all…nice job even considering how to make breakfast more appealing to the little ones. I commend that effort.
My only other hot breakfast that I do is french toast and fruit (but I guess that may get rejected as too similar to waffles or pancakes). What about omlettes or grilled cheese? I used to always eat grilled cheese in the morning as a kid (but maybe that is gross and teaching your kids bad eating habits). Not sure. Anyway, you are an amazing mom (and cook).
cinnamon rolls. You make a large batch and freeze them before they are baked, before they even raise. After they are frozen put them in a plastic ziploc bag and the morning you want them, pull out as many as you need, put them in an UNHEATED oven and turn it to 350*, they are ready in 20 minutes or so.
[...] down the tracks. So here is a great post from the past to add to our growing collection of great school morning breakfasts. [...]