We all know how important breakfast is for fueling our day. But with jam-packed mornings shuffling kids out the door and getting ourselves ready for work or errands, spending lots of time in the kitchen is not on the table.
As busy moms, we’re constantly feeling the pull between wanting healthy, home-cooked meals and needing quick-fix options. The struggle to find balanced breakfast options that don't take forever to prepare is real! But with a little weekend meal prep and some go-to recipes up our sleeves, we can absolutely start our days off right even when time is limited.
Today, I’m sharing my top tips and favorite breakfast ideas for getting nutrition into our lives without the morning mayhem. Whether you have 5 minutes or 30, there are always options to feel energized without stressing about the first meal of your day.
Overnight Oats
If you’ve never tried overnight oats, you’re seriously missing out on one of the easiest breakfasts around. All you do is mix rolled or steel cut oats with milk, yogurt or nut butter in a jar the night before. Then in the morning, simply top with fruit, nuts, coconut - whatever mix-ins you like.
Some of my favorite combos are:
Banana chocolate chip - mash half a banana into the oats along with mini chocolate chips
Apple cinnamon - stir in diced apple and cinnamon
Peanut butter crunch - stir in peanut or almond butter and granola You can prepare a big batch and grab individual jars as you head out the door. Talk about convenience!
Smoothies
When I’m truly short on time, a smoothie is my go-to breakfast savior. Toss whatever greens, fruits, nut butters, seeds or milks you have on hand into the blender.
Some combinations I love are:
Berry banana - banana, berries, Greek yogurt, milk
Tropical dream - mango, pineapple, coconut yogurt, coconut water
Greens galore - kale, spinach, apple, peanut butter, almond milk Smoothies allow you to get servings of fruits and veggies with protein in a drinkable form for an energizing breakfast boost. Blend a few at once to get your week started off right.
Protein-Packed Hard Boiled Eggs
You can’t get much faster or more portable than hard boiled eggs. On Sunday evening, I drop a dozen into a pot of boiling water for 10-12 minutes, rinse under cold water and peel.
Leave some whole for on-the-go snacking, and chop others into salads or bowls throughout the week. Add an egg or two to almost anything for a perfect protein punch to fuel your morning.
Oatmeal or Baked Oatmeal Cups
For a hotter breakfast option, individual oatmeal cups can be prepped in advance and reheated in 2 minutes flat.
My favorite baked recipe is:
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup milk or yogurt
1/4 cup nut butter
Diced apple or banana
Stir all ingredients together in a muffin tin and bake at 350 for 15 minutes. I find they reheat well all week. You can also prep plain oatmeal cups or parfaits with various mix-ins layered throughout.
Breakfast Sandwiches
Prepared breakfast sandwiches are a true lifesaver. Cook a batch of pre-sliced ham or turkey, vegetarian patties, Canadian bacon or sausage links on Sunday. For a fast, filling sandwich, microwave protein and slice of cheese between an English muffin or wrap. You can also freeze cooked patties or links for single-serving reheating. Get creative with veggies like spinach or tomatoes too.
Breakfast Casserole or Quiche
On busy weekends, I love getting a head start on the week with baked breakfast casseroles and quiches. Chop veggies, pre-cook meats and assemble into a baking dish. Top with eggs and milk or cream and bake until set. Cut into single servings and reheat as needed.
Some options I like to make are:
Ham, spinach and cheese casserole
Broccoli, garlic and cheddar quiche
Apple crumb breakfast cake
Sausage, kale and potato bake
As you can see, just a few minutes of prep on your terms goes a long way for healthy, nutritious morning meals all week long. With some portable protein packed options or hot breakfasts ready at your fingertips, you’ll feel much less rushed and more energized each morning. If you have any favorite fast breakfast recipes to share, please leave them in the comments!
Wishing you stress-free starts to every day.
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