The days of kids sleeping through breakfast are wrapping up with the end of summer and the return to school. As you get them ready to head back to the classroom, consider these recipes and tips to make your mornings go a little smoother.
Morning sips
peaking of smooth, who doesn’t love a fruit-packed smoothie? They’re full of nutrients, totally customizable to your preferences, easy to drink on-the-go and quick to whip up.
Want to make them even quicker? Set aside an hour or two on the weekend to prep for the week ahead (this is a good tip for any of these recipes 😉). In this case, assemble smoothie packs – freezable ingredients portioned out – in freezer-safe containers so you can just dump them in the blender with your liquid of choice during the week. And keep CO-OP GOLD Smoothie Mixes in your freezer for those days when you just don’t have time to prep.
If you’re needing some smoothie inspiration, try our Tropical Banana Smoothie or Almond & Berry Smoothie. Each of these recipes uses a different CO-OP GOLD Frozen Fruit Blend, helping you cut even more prep time.
Grab ‘n go
Some mornings, you only have time to grab a granola bar and apple as you run out the door. A healthier alternative to prepackaged granola bars is homemade muffins. Packed with fruit and nuts, Morning Glory Muffins are a classic. Chef Dale MacKay has put his own spin on them and created this recipe for you.
Or maybe you want a recipe that’s lunchbox friendly and uses up your garden’s bounty. These Fruit and Veggie Spice Muffins are just the thing: full of carrots, apples and zucchini.
Some like it hot
Pancakes tend to be a popular breakfast choice on weekends, but did you know that you can easily reheat them in toaster? Try our new Banana Vanilla Yogurt Pancakes fresh on the weekend, then enjoy the leftovers later in the week.
Eggs are a great source of protein, helping you and your kids stay full longer – but sometimes they need to be jazzed up. Both our new Tex-Mex Sausage Breakfast Burrito and the Frittata Breakfast Wrap combine eggs, meat, veggies and cheese in a tortilla for a breakfast that can be eaten at home or on the run. Baked in muffin tins, Maple Sausage Mini Frittatas or Spinach Feta Egg Bites are also options that can be eaten on the go, if needed. Often saved for holidays, this Ham, Broccoli and Cheddar Casserole can make weekdays feel special.
Make a double batch of any of these recipes and put the leftovers in the freezer for busy mornings.
Everyone pitches in
One final tip: do as much as possible the night before. While leftovers are being packed up, have everyone pack their lunches, putting all non-perishables in the lunch kits. Tuck the rest in the fridge to easily be added in the morning.
Then, once they’ve cleared out of the kitchen, whip up some overnight oats for a quick breakfast that will stick to your ribs. A couple of our favourites are Tropical Overnight Oats and Pumpkin Spiced Overnight Oats.
And don’t forget to set the coffee maker!