As summer comes to an end and the school term approaches, the to-do lists increase. Things can sometimes get so busy that it's all you can do to stuff food in your face (and/or your kids' faces) before heading off to tackle a busy day. To help keep your life organized, body healthy and belly full, we have a few awesome breakfast hacks.
Follow these easy steps for make-ahead deliciousness, and your mornings are sure to be a breeze!
Overnight Frozen Fruit Yogurt Parfaits
This recipe can't get any easier or more delicious, and it's perfect for when you're on the run. In a small jar or other container, layer your favourite frozen fruits on the bottom (I normally use frozen berries, about 1/4 cup). Top the berries with your favourite yogurt, and then cover or seal and leave in the fridge overnight. By morning, your fruit will have thawed perfectly and made a beautiful fruit sauce that tastes delicious stirred into yogurt. As you run out the door, top your parfait with your favourite granola or cereal, and you have a complete meal full of textures and nutrients for your day!
Root Vegetable Hash
Make a big pan of roasted root veggies ahead of time, including potatoes, yams, beets, squash, or whatever you can get your hands on! Dice them evenly, toss in oil and your favourite seasonings, and roast on a tray for 30-40 minutes at 400 degrees. If you're feeling fancy, mix in some chopped herbs or scallions after they're out of the oven. Serve hot in the mornings with an optional egg scrambled in. Roasting ahead of time instead of the morning-of will cut your prep time way down, but you'll feel like you're having a gourmet breakfast. Win win!
Overnight Oatmeal
Overnight oats are one of the quickest, easiest and most nutrient dense breakfasts around. It's essentially an oatmeal that has been softened in liquid overnight instead of cooked. This "raw" method maximizes nutrients and makes for a great texture. You can also customize any recipe you find to suit your favourite flavours and dietary restrictions (make them gluten free, dairy free or whatever works for you).
Oats are packed with protein to keep you full all morning, and they're so easy to make you won't mind doing it the night before. Make a double batch for multiple portions, and enjoy them for breakfasts throughout the week straight from the fridge. Top with granola, seeds or nuts for extra texture. Check out a great recipe here!
Healthy Egg White "McMuffins"
A sandwich with all your favourite toppings is pretty hard to resist for any meal, but it can be annoying to put it all together, especially if you're in a rush. This recipe shows you how to make ahead of time your own egg cups cooked with your favourite veggies! They can be eaten alone for a great source of protein, vitamins and minerals, or you can put them between bread or an English muffin to have an instant breakfast sandwich. You might never need a fast food sandwich again!
Bran Muffin Batter
This is an old school trick my Mom and Grandma would do during the school week. Make a batch of bran muffin batter (this recipe lasts in the fridge for 30 days) when you have time, and leave the batter in the fridge until you need it. When you're hungry in the morning, preheat the oven and then cook as many muffins as you need! Who could resist a warm muffin, fresh from the oven? That's one way to make sure you don't skip breakfast!
Roasted Stone Fruit with Oat Crumble
This is the perfect recipe to use your favourite ripe Okanagan fruits. It'll satisfy your sweet tooth, but it's made with all natural sugars (the crumble is made with dates and coconut) and wholesome ingredients. Buy your fruit in bulk and make a batch to last you the work week. You'll thank yourself for the forethought on this one!
Baked Oatmeal
This will soon be your favourite meal because it's like having cake for breakfast! Healthy cake, though, of course. There are many different variations but I follow this recipe and love it. You can make a batch on Sunday night and enjoy it all week by simply reheating portions in the mornings and serving with a dollop of yogurt, a pouring of warm milk or fresh fruit.
Start the new season off on the right foot and #TreatYoSelf to the most important meal of the day. Enjoy!
Kelowna born and raised, Keddy Pavlik of TheTreatLife has been passionate about the local food scene basically since birth. If she's not in the kitchen, you can probably find her at the farmer's market or taking pictures of food. Photo Credit: Jordana Dickson.
