Back to School Breakfasts

It's back to school time which means back to a structured schedule and a morning routine of fearing up for the day. A good breakfast will both the children and yourself off to the right start. Even if you have woken up late or the children are on a "go slow" and you are pressed for time you can still have a good breakfast. Here are some quick and easy ideas.

Fruit Shakes
A great fruit shake served alongside toast or cereal makes a super breakfast. Peeled bananas and berry fruits can be kept easily in the freezer and blended with milk, fruit juice or yogurt in a couple of minutes.

Fresh Fruit
Most fruit is really quick and easy to eat. Cut up into small sections/segments to make it quicker and easier for young children to eat. Fruit is not filling enough on its own for breakfast so serve alongside cereal or toast.

Homemade oat cakes
Simply mix 4 cups of rolled oats (traditional - not instant) with ½ cup of raisins, dash of lemon juice, dash of salt and a little vegetable oil to moisten and then eat. There are many combinations of this and different dried fruits, nuts and seeds can be added. Sounds a little strange but really is a delicious, healthy and cheap breakfast.

Toast
Very quick and easy and as well as the usual spreads, it takes less than five minutes to cook eggs or beans to make a more substantial breakfast.

Porridge
This is a really healthy start and the instant varieties can be made in a couple of minutes. Try adding different toppings eg. puréed fruit (kept easily in the freezer), banana and other fruit slices, honey.

Leftovers
Leftovers from last night's supper can also make good breakfast ideas. Try rice with eggs, leftover potatoes and vegetables in an omelette, soup, fried mashed potatoes with an egg on top.