I don’t know about you but getting out of the house in the morning gives me anxiety. There are beds to make, showers, brushing of teeth, dressing, and the dreaded breakfast. When my daughter was just getting into solids, breakfast was super easy. I made a whole bunch of steel cut oats and called it a day. Now with varying moods and tastes and very little time, I found myself struggling with ideas for the most important meal of the day. Look no further, busy mamas, I’ve got you covered.
Make a Plan:
One of the struggles I had with breakfast prep was that I didn’t want junk food, but I wanted variety. Definitely not an easy task! I needed something simple and easy. So, I bought a small whiteboard and I keep it inside one of my cabinets in the kitchen. Each week I sit down and quickly jot down my trio of goodness for each morning. This allows me to see what I’m serving each morning and forces me to mix things up a bit. Now before you start saying, “This chick is crazy,” let me assure you that these are not fancy, gourmet breakfast meals!
Make Ahead:
I’m not sure who these mommies are, but some women I know are making hot breakfast from scratch in the morning. Ain’t nobody got time for that in my house. I’m a huge fan of a big cook and freeze. You would be amazed at how fast you can get hot breakfast on the table with some easy make-ahead goodies. I make a huge batch of pancakes in advance, let them cool, and freeze in between wax paper in a Ziploc. They take only a few moments to heat up and they are a hit. If you like to make your own, I use these amazing Paleo Pumpkin Waffles and they freeze well. I’ve also used pre-made mixes and they seem to work just fine. You can also freeze egg cups (like mini-frittatas) just be sure to blot with a paper towel as they can be a little watery on the reheat. Muffins, breads, and other quiche-like breakfasts do really well in the freezer as well.
Create Some Themes:
Even though my daughter has pancakes at least twice a week, it doesn’t mean that she is eating the same type. During the fall we made apple cider and pumpkin pancakes and after Thanksgiving we started on gingerbread pancakes. If pancakes aren’t your style at all, you can simply vary the fruit you use or the veggies in the egg cups. You can also add different spreads or syrups if your child is into the plain pancakes or toast. It always seems like a new meal when a different flavor variation makes its way into a favorite!
Make is Simple:
I’ve had lunchbox envy every since I started my daughter in preschool! I don’t make fancy faces or designs with my food, but I do like to present it in the same way each day. I purchased the Replay dishes from Target and they have been a lifesaver. For each meal, I put three items into the plate and it is up to my daughter which ones she eats. Some mornings she eats them all, while others she simply focuses on one or two. Either way, I keep her choices simple and consistent so that mealtimes are not a surprise. Since I have been doing this, she very rarely asks for something else. However, she will DEFINITELY let me know if I haven’t filled one of the spots on her plate!
