I’m not a morning person, never have been, never will be.  So rallying three kids for school in the morning and getting something decent into their stomachs can be a challenge.  

They’re tired of cereal. They’ve had their fill of frozen breakfast patties. They won’t eat doctored-up yogurt.

Here are some easy ideas that might help get your family out of a breakfast rut and give you a healthy breakfast alternative.  Because I don’t function well in the morning, I prepare the baked items the night before or during the weekend. They’re quick and easy to reheat and can last a few days!

BRAIN-BOOSTING BAKED OATMEAL

20 min prep time.    30 min bake time.    Serves 10.

Preheat oven to 375. Butter or spray a 9x13 baking dish.  Spread 1 cup coconut flakes in dish & bake until golden (about 3 min).  Remove from oven. Combine in a large bowl:

• 1 cup toasted coconut flakes (the ones you just toasted)
• 2 sweet-tart apples, cut into ½” pieces
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup raisins
• 2 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped walnuts or almonds (optional)
• 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 ½ tsp kosher salt
• 1 TBSP orange zest (1 orange)
• ½ cup light brown sugar

Whisk in a separate bowl:

• 3 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
• (1) 13.5oz can light coconut milk
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 ¼ cups water

Spread mixture of dry ingredients into above baking dish.  Pour wet ingredients on top, making sure everything is moist.

Bake until edges are bubbling & center is set, 30-35 min.  Cool completely before storing in refrigerator.

To serve, spoon into serving bowls, add a splash of milk or cream, & reheat in microwave.

COCOA PEANUT BUTTER FREEZE

5 min prep time.  4 servings

In a blender, combine the following ingredients.  Blend well.

• 2 bananas (broken into pieces)
• 2 cups ice cubes
• 2 cups milk (or milk substitute)
• ½-2/3 cup peanut butter
• 3-4 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
• Sweeten with honey (optional)

BERRY POWER BLEND

5 min prep time.  Makes (4) 12oz servings.

In a 60oz (2L) blender, combine the following ingredients in the order listed.  Blend well.

• 1 banana
• 1 cored, sliced apple
• 1 cup plain yogurt (or vanilla yogurt for a sweeter drink)
• 4-5 cups power greens (any combination of spinach, kale, chard, collard)
• 2 cups cold water
• 2 cups frozen blueberries

Pour into individual cups with lids and refrigerate.  They are ready to grab and go (shake before drinking)!

BAKED EGG CUPS

15 min prep time.     20 min bake time.    Makes 12 egg cups.

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease a 12ct muffin tin (or line with paper liners).

Combine:

• ½ pound browned pork sausage
• 12 beaten eggs
• ½ cup chopped onion
• ½ cup chopped green bell pepper
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon ground pepper
• ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Fill muffin cups 1/3 full of egg mixture. Bake 20-25 min, or until a knife inserted near center comes out clean.

Just a little planning and some easy preparation can make sure your family starts their day off right!