If you’re like most families, breakfast often consists of some kind of cold cereal. It’s an easy breakfast rut to fall into and one that doesn’t meet the 4 Cornerstones. Here are some simple ideas to transition away from cold cereal to something that nourishes your family’s bodies and minds.
First, if cold cereal is your breakfast go-to, start by replacing artificially colored and sugar-filled cereals with cold cereals that have short ingredient lists with names you can pronounce. Then work toward using cold cereal in your menus less often. Most kids like having different breakfast options. As I type this I am on a bus of high school students returning from a 5 day trip. Our hotel provided lots of breakfast options, including cold cereal. While a few kids chose the cereal, most of them opted for the other choices of pancakes, French toast, toast, bagels, omelets, potatoes, fruit, muffins, yogurt and meat. Sometimes our kids choose cold cereal because its the only choice we give them.
If your mornings are rushed (if they aren’t, please call me because I want to know your secret) here are a few convenience options for real food breakfasts:
Make and freeze muffins you can pull out the night before for a grab-and-go breakfast.
Make and freeze mini quiches to reheat.
Make and freeze pancakes or waffles and pop in the toaster for a quick hot breakfast.
Make and freeze breakfast burritos.
A hour or two of make-ahead breakfast cooking will allow you convenience and healthy choices for your family that will keep them full till lunch time.
Other 15-30 minute breakfast options: omlettes with vegetables, maple or honey sweetened soaked oat groat or millet hot cereal, cream and berry filled crepes, chocolate pancakes with raspberries, homemade yogurt and homemade granola parfait, or a breakfast casserole made the night before.
Pancakes are a great starting place. See the recipe here. Add them to your menu and see how it goes. Use the chia jam recipe, fresh fruit, homemade honeybutter or real maple syrup for the topping. You might be pleasantly surprised by the reception you get. If not keep trying. Sometimes transitioning to new ideas and food takes a few (or many) tries.
We have found that we all get hungry much sooner if we have cold cereal for breakfast. Real food has much better staying power to keep you and your family full longer. Try it and see.
Happy flapjacks!
P.S. Watch for a future recipe post for raspberry topped chocolate pancakes.
Mellonee
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