• What’s for Breakfast: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    Super Easy Way to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

    Super Easy Way to Make Hard Boiled Eggs

    Having the breakfast menu planned out makes a huge difference to the start of our days.  This week is a different kind of crazy busy so it is especially important that I stay on top of it with everything else going on.  I want to make sure everyone is sent off with a good breakfast.  I made some slight alterations to our normal menu due to the week we have before us needing adjustments.  Here is what our breakfast menu looks like this week (the items in parenthesis are examples of the extra items we will add and change from week to week):

    • Monday – Bagel (Fresh Fruit)
    • Tuesday – Toast (Hard Boiled Eggs)
    • Wednesday – Cereal (Yogurt)
    • Thursday – Poptarts (Strawberry & Milk Smoothie)
    • Friday – Oatmeal (Applesauce)
    • Saturday – Family Brunch
    • Sunday – Make Your Own Breakfast (everyone makes their own breakfast before church which is usually something easy like cereal, toast, poptarts, oatmeal, smoothie, etc….)

    We are pretty consistent with our week day breakfast menu.  For each day of the work and school week Monday to Friday we have the same main menu item from week to week the only thing that changes is the “extra item” we add each day such as an egg, sausage, fresh fruit, cottage cheese, bacon, smoothies, or other items that we have in the kitchen.  During the school week the girls always have their main breakfast, at least one side (usually fruit, sausage, egg, etc…), vitamins, milk (one has non-dairy milk due to allergies), and small glass of juice.  When I am ambitious, awake, and my creative juices are flowing I will add a little extra silliness to make breakfast more enjoyable for the kids.

    We first started doing a different main breakfast item everyday a few years ago because I have one child who if she eats the same thing too many times in a row she stops eating.  Adding a little variety from day to day was enough to keep her motivated to eat breakfast.  It wasn’t until several months later when the girls pointed it out that I realized that we do the same main item on the same day every week.  “Mom, Tuesday is Toast Day…..”  So now it has become our rotating breakfast menu which helps keep us on track because we know exactly what we need to prepare for the next breakfast.  Plus the girls are sometimes still waking up when they come to breakfast and the morning menu helps them figure out the day of the week as well as prepares them for the upcoming activities they have that day.

    There are times I will mix it up (just for fun) or Jake will get up first and make breakfast!  The girls don’t hesitate to let him know if he makes a main food item on the wrong day….ha!  Our breakfasts are not fancy, but it gets us up and started for the day.  What do you make for your family breakfasts?

  • What’s for Breakfast: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    recipe Bird's Nest Breakfast Cups eggs, ham, cheese, hashbrowns,

    Last week the kids celebrated their birthdays and now this week we are quickly wrapping up the month of February.  It has been a whirlwind of activities around the house and March does not look any quieter (if anything it is busier).  Having the breakfast menu planned out helps all of us get our days off to a good start.  Here is what our breakfast menu looks like this week (the items in parenthesis are examples of the extra items we will add and change from week to week):

    • Monday – English Muffins (Green Veggie & Fruit Smoothie)
    • Tuesday – Toast (Cottage Cheese)
    • Wednesday – Cereal (Yogurt)
    • Thursday – Pancakes, Poptarts, or Oatmeal (Bacon)
    • Friday –Bagels (Fresh Fruit)
    • Saturday – Family Brunch (a lot of times we make Saturday breakfast together and it is whatever sounds good that morning or a new dish we want to try out.  It is not always planned in advance and could be an egg or breakfast casserole, omelets, hashbrowns, waffles, pancakes, etc… this is our big family meal of the day since Saturdays are often spent with extended family, friends, or doing other afternoon and evening activities)  Since we make more complicated breakfasts on Saturdays it is usually between 8 to 10 before we sit down to eat therefore they have become our Family Brunch.
    • Sunday – Make Your Own Breakfast (everyone makes their own breakfast before church which is usually something easy like cereal, toast, poptarts, oatmeal, smoothie, etc….)

    We are pretty consistent with our week day breakfast menu.  For each day of the work and school week Monday to Friday we have the same main menu item from week to week the only thing that changes is the “extra item” we add each day such as an egg, sausage, fresh fruit, cottage cheese, bacon, smoothies, or other items that we have in the kitchen.  During the school week the girls always have their main breakfast, at least one side (usually fruit, sausage, egg, etc…), vitamins, milk (one has non-dairy milk due to allergies), and small glass of juice.  When I am ambitious, awake, and my creative juices are flowing I will add a little extra silliness to make breakfast more enjoyable for the kids.

    We first started doing a different main breakfast item everyday a few years ago because I have one child who if she eats the same thing too many times in a row she stops eating.  Adding a little variety from day to day was enough to keep her motivated to eat breakfast.  It wasn’t until several months later when the girls pointed it out that I realized that we do the same main item on the same day every week.  “Mom, Tuesday is Toast Day…..”  So now it has become our rotating breakfast menu which helps keep us on track because we know exactly what we need to prepare for the next breakfast.  Plus the girls are sometimes still waking up when they come to breakfast and the morning menu helps them figure out the day of the week as well as prepares them for the upcoming activities they have that day.

    There are times I will mix it up (just for fun) or Jake will get up first and make breakfast!  The girls don’t hesitate to let him know if he makes a main food item on the wrong day….ha!  Our breakfasts are not fancy, but it gets us up and started for the day.  What do you make for your family breakfasts?

  • Soldiers and Soft Boiled Eggs

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    The soldiers are being dunked into the soft boiled egg!

    One of my daughters has a new favorite breakfast treat – Soldiers and Soft Boiled Eggs!  My husband was the one who introduced her to this new breakfast dish and it was a hit!  Our family tries to have a sit down Saturday morning breakfast or brunch.  We try to have at least one meal a day where we all sit down and eat together as a family.  During the week that meal is in the evenings for dinner, but on Saturday we try to do it in the morning since many Saturday afternoons and evenings are taken up with other activities.

    My husband is an amazing cook and will often introduce the kids to new recipes or come up with his on completely new recipe.  Which always turns out delicious!  I don’t think he has ever made anything that didn’t taste yummy!   Myself on the other hand….well….let’s just say there have been a few dishes or recipes I have made that we can laugh about now as a family, ha!

    The best part about Soldiers and Soft Boiled Eggs is that they are pretty easy to make.  The “soldiers” are just bread that is toasted, buttered, and cut into strips.  The soldiers are perfect for dunking into the delicious thick and runny egg yolk!

    A soft boiled egg is a perfect combination between poached and hard boiled egg.  To make soft boiled eggs you bring a pot of salted water to a boil.  Gently add your eggs to the boiling water and cover the top of the pan.  Reduce the heat to low and let them cook for 5 minutes.  (While your eggs are boiling make your soldiers.)  Remove the eggs from the boiling water and rinse the eggs with cold water.

    Once your soft boiled egg is done cut off the top and serve immediately with your toast soldiers!  After you are done dunking all your soldiers and your egg yolk is gone you can peel and eat the rest of your egg.

    My daughter loves this breakfast.  I think dunking the soldiers in the egg yolks has a certain appeal, but she enjoys the taste too.  Always love it when we come up with fun and healthy recipes!

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    Dunking her soldiers into the soft boiled egg yolk.

    Soft Boiled Eggs & Toast Soldiers

    Typically we do one piece of toast per two eggs, but it really depends on how much you want to dunk or the amount of yolk you want on each soldier.

  • What’s for Breakfast: Our Weekly Menu Plan

    Breakfast Treat the First Day of Summer Break for Brina and Karlie Strawberry and Bananas

    Here is what our breakfast menu looks like this week (the items in parenthesis are examples of the extra items we will add and change from week to week):

    • Monday – English Muffins (Egg)
    • Tuesday – Toast (Cottage Cheese)
    • Wednesday – Cereal (Spinach & Strawberry Smoothie)
    • Thursday – Pancakes, Poptarts, or Oatmeal (Sausage)
    • Friday – Bagel (Yogurt)
    • Saturday – Family Brunch (a lot of times we make Saturday breakfast together and it is whatever sounds good that morning or a new dish we want to try out.  It is not always planned in advance and could be an egg or breakfast casserole, omelets, hashbrowns, waffles, pancakes, etc… this is our big family meal of the day since Saturdays are often spent with extended family, friends, or doing other afternoon and evening activities)  Since we make more complicated breakfasts on Saturdays it is usually between 8 to 10 before we sit down to eat therefore they have become our Family Brunch.
    • Sunday – Make Your Own Breakfast (everyone makes their own breakfast before church which is usually something easy like cereal, toast, poptarts, oatmeal, smoothie, etc….)

    We are pretty consistent with our week day breakfast menu.  For each day of the work and school week Monday to Friday we have the same main menu item from week to week the only thing that changes is the “extra item” we add each day such as an egg, sausage, fresh fruit, cottage cheese, bacon, smoothies, or other items that we have in the kitchen.  During the school week the girls always have their main breakfast, at least one side (usually fruit, sausage, egg, etc…), vitamins, milk (one has non-dairy milk due to allergies), and small glass of juice.  When I am ambitious, awake, and my creative juices are flowing I will add a little extra silliness to make breakfast more enjoyable for the kids.

    We first started doing a different main breakfast item everyday a few years ago because I have one child who if she eats the same thing too many times in a row she stops eating.  Adding a little variety from day to day was enough to keep her motivated to eat breakfast.  It wasn’t until several months later when the girls pointed it out that I realized that we do the same main item on the same day every week.  “Mom, Tuesday is Toast Day…..”  So now it has become our rotating breakfast menu which helps keep us on track because we know exactly what we need to prepare for the next breakfast.  Plus the girls are sometimes still waking up when they come to breakfast and the morning menu helps them figure out the day of the week as well as prepares them for the upcoming activities they have that day.

    There are times I will mix it up (just for fun) or Jake will get up first and make breakfast!  The girls don’t hesitate to let him know if he makes a main food item on the wrong day….ha!  Our breakfasts are not fancy, but it gets us up and started for the day.  What do you make for your family breakfasts?

  • Family Brunch: Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe

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    This Easy Breakfast Casserole contains – Ham, Eggs, Broccoli, Potatoes, & Cheese

    A couple weeks ago I had a few potatoes, ham, and broccoli that needed to be used up so I came up with an Easy Breakfast Casserole that was a big hit with the family. This casserole was a created as a way to utilize items in our fridge and pantry, but received big thumbs up.  Hope you enjoy it too.  It is one that would be good for a family brunch or you could even prep it the night before and stick it in the oven in the morning.  Or better yet put it in the crockpot and cook on low before going to bed.  When you wake up breakfast is ready!

    Easy Breakfast Casserole Recipe:

    • 4 medium Potatoes (peeled and cubed)
    • 2 cups Milk
    • 2 cups Ham (cubed)
    • 2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese
    • 2 cups Broccoli
    • 8 Eggs
    • 1 teaspoon Pepper
    • 1/2 Onion (diced)
    • 2 tablespoons Butter

    Melt 1 tablespoon of butter in a frying pan and add diced onions stirring  occasionally.  Saute on low for several minutes until the onions appear clear.  Grease a 9×13 pan.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  While the onions are sauteing, peel and cube the potatoes and put them into the grease pan.  Add the saute onions over the potatoes.  Beat the eggs in a bowl, add pepper, milk, remaining tablespoon of melted butter, and stir until mixed well.  Pour the liquid mixture over the potatoes.  Sprinkle 1 1/2 cups of cheese over the potatoes and egg layers followed by the layer of broccoli and ham.   Sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup of cheese on top.  Bake covered at 350 degrees for 30 minutes and 15 minutes uncovered.

    Options:  You could add peppers, tomatoes, mushrooms or any number of other vegetables to this dish.  Use what your family has on hand and what you enjoy eating.

    We do have a family member that doesn’t eat eggs or dairy so I made another version for her with everything the same except I made substitutions on the eggs and dairy (I plan on sharing that version with you in a later post).  Bon Appetite!

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  • First Day of Summer Vacation Strawberry – Banana Breakfast

    Brina and Karlie’s First Day of Summer Breakfast

    In celebration of the girls first day of Summer Vacation I made them a special breakfast with two of their favorite fruits – Stawberries and Bananas!  They loved it!  It was nice to have a slower paced breakfast because we didn’t have to rush off to school.

    • Strawberry-Banana French Toast (smile)
    • Strawberry (nose)
    • Banana (eyes)
    • Strawberry Yogurt
    • Strawberry – Banana Smoothie

    I don’t get to do this every morning for the kids but every once in awhile it’s nice to have a more relaxing day as well as an extra “smile” to start the day off on a good note!