photo by jslander

Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but with the price of boxed cereals and milk so out of control, it can become the most expensive meal of the day, too.

Plenty of simple, frugal breakfast options are available, even for families in a hurry. Shifting your morning routine away from cold cereals and on-the-go packaged breakfasts can encourage your entire family not to skip their morning meal.

Tips to make time for breakfast:
– Get work and/or school items ready the night before.
– Prepare breakfast meals ahead of time. Many breakfast foods can be refrigerated or frozen and reheated in the morning. Baked muffins, pancake and waffle batters, breakfast casseroles, homemade instant oatmeal and hard-boiled eggs can be made in advance.
– Consider slow-cooker breakfast recipes and start making them before you go to sleep.
– Recruit family members to take turns helping with breakfast. They can help set the table the night before or do simple tasks like make toast.
– Wake up 15 minutes earlier to fit it in.
– If you need food in a flash, opt for choices like yogurt with wheat germ or granola, fresh fruit, breakfast smoothies, bagels, wheat toast or English muffins.
The following recipes will help you get started.

Eggcellent Breakfast

sliced ham
12 eggs
cheddar cheese, shredded

Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease muffin pan with cooking spray. Place one slice of ham in each muffin cup. Crack one egg into each cup. Sprinkle on cheese. Bake for approximately 10 to 15 minutes, depending on how you like your eggs. Can be served on toast, bagel or English muffin. Makes 12.

Fluffy Pancakes

1-1/4 cups sifted flour
3 teaspoons baking powder
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 beaten egg
1 cup of milk
2 tablespoons butter

Mix and fry on greased skillet. Makes 6.

Fruit Smoothie

2/3 cup fresh or frozen fruit such as strawberries, peaches or blueberries
1/2 cup yogurt
1 banana
1/2 cup fruit juice
1 tablespoon wheat germ
ice cubes

Place all ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth. Serves 2.

Homemade Instant Oatmeal

3 cups quick-cooking oats
salt
1 tablespoon dry milk powder

Put 1/2 cup oats at a time in a blender and blend until powdery. In each of 6 plastic baggies, put 1/4 cup unprocessed oats, 1/4 powdered oats, 1/8 teaspoon salt and 1 tablespoon of dry milk powder. To serve: Empty baggie into a bowl. Add 1/2 to 3/4 cup boiling water. Stir and let stand for a couple of minutes or microwave for 1 minute. Add more water for thinner oatmeal. Makes 6 individual packets.

Variations to add to individual baggies (when ready to cook): cinnamon; dried fruit such as apples and cranberries; fresh fruit such as bananas, peaches, strawberries and blueberries; brown sugar; raisins; wheat germ; granola; chocolate chips; marshmallows; walnuts; pecans; and honey.

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