I don’t know about you, but getting out of the house in the morning gives me anxiety. There are beds to make, showers, teeth brushing, dressing, and the dreaded breakfast. When my daughter was 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, tastes, and very little time, I find myself struggling to come up 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 keep it inside one of my kitchen cabinets. 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 of the women I know make a hot breakfast from scratch in the morning. Ain’t nobody got time for that in my house. I’m a huge fan of big cooking and freezing. You would be amazed at how fast you can get a 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 them between sheets of wax paper in a Ziploc bag. They heat up in only a few moments and 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 them 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.
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, you can switch the fruit or the veggies in the egg cups. You can also add different spreads or syrups if your child is into plain pancakes or toast. It always seems like a new meal when a different flavor variation makes its way into a favorite!
Keep It Simple
I’ve had lunchbox envy ever since I started my daughter in preschool! I don’t make fancy faces or designs with the food, but I do like to present it in the same way each day. I purchased the Replay dishes, and they have been a lifesaver. For each meal, I put three items onto the plate, and it is up to my daughter which ones she eats. Some mornings she eats them all, while others she picks from 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 has very rarely asked for anything else. However, she will definitely let me know if I haven’t filled one of the spots on her plate!
