What’s for Breakfast: Our Weekly Menu Plan
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?
Red, White, & Blue Smoothie
Are you ready for a smoothie now? Here’s a picture of the one the girls call our “red, white, and blue” smoothie. It is tasty, healthy, and easy to put together! Perfect for the July 4th Holiday.
Red, White & Blue Smoothie
- 1/4 cup Blueberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 cup whole Strawberries (fresh or frozen)
- 1 Banana
- 1/4 cup Vanilla Yogurt
- 1 cup Milk
Blend all the ingredients together and enjoy. You can add more or less of the fruit or dairy if you prefer. This recipe is for a single serving so if you want it to serve more you will want to double or triple it.
Grape & Blueberry Fruit Smoothie
The warmer weather brings with it some great smoothies! Our family enjoys smoothies especially throughout the Spring and Summer Seasons. This is one we had recently. Most of our smoothies we make to order per person since all of us have a variety of tastes and preferences.
Grape & Blueberry Fruit Smoothie
- 1/4 cup fresh or frozen Blueberry
- 1/2 cup fresh or frozen Purple and/or White Grapes
- 1 cup Milk (dairy, soy, or coconut)
- 1/4 cup Yogurt (plain or flavored)
- 1 fresh or frozen Banana (optional)
Put all the ingredients together and blend until it is smooth. Enjoy!
Torani Pumpkin Pie & Hazelnut Flavored Syrups
Hot Chocolate with Torani Hazelnut Syrup, Cool Whip, and Sprinkles
What is the secret ingredient behind those amazing coffee shop drinks that you and I enjoy so much? It is the delicious syrups they use to flavor them. Torani flavored syrups are made in the USA and are used at restaurants and coffeehouses in more than 40 countries around the world. The best part is you can get these amazing flavored syrups and make your favorite drinks at home!
As the weather gets cooler you may enjoy a hot cup of coffee to help jump start you on a crisp morning even more or a cup of hot chocolate by the fire with the family as you relax together on a cold evening. Of course you may be in an area that is warm and would rather grab a smoothie or an iced coffee.
Torani Pumpkin Pie and Hazelnut Syrups
I was thrilled to hear that SheSpeaks teamed up with Torani and they were sending me some Torani Flavored Syrups to try! I received the Salted Caramel and Peppermint flavored syrups. They are delicious! I have been having fun trying out a variety of fun recipes both Torani’s Recipes and ones that I have come up with myself.
Torani offers over 120 Regular and Sugar Free Flavored Syrups which are the perfect compliment to your favorite Coffee, Espresso, Hot Chocolate, Lattes, Smoothies, Teas, and many other drinks you enjoy. I have even used Torani Flavored Syrups in a few recipes while I was baking and they turned out great! Our favorite baked goods were Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup in our Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins and Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup in our Pumpkin Dip! My favorite way to eat / drink Torani Hazelnut Syrup is with a cup of coffee (hot or iced) and in hot chocolate. Torani Flavored Syrups will add an extra special touch to your next party celebration!
Coffee and cream with a touch of Torani Hazelnut Syrup
Use them in
- Flavored Coffees / Espresso Drinks
- Italian Sodas
- Flavored Tea, both hot and cold
- Flavored Lemonade
- Flavored Sodas (or Pop as we say in the Midwest!)
- Cocktails
- Mocktails
- Flavored Energy Drinks
Our family tried a variety of delicious recipes with our Torani Flavored Syrups! The ones from Torani’s recipes are awesome so if your interested in getting started that’s a great resource.
These Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins are super easy to make and taste awesome. The last time I made these for a group of friends only 2 came home with us and the girls begged to take them in their school lunches. You will not have to add any water, eggs or oil to this recipe and the muffin will still turn out with a moist.
Pumpkin Cheesecake Muffins
- 1 box Yellow Cake Mix
- 1 can (15 oz) Pumpkin
- 1 teaspoon Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup
- 4 oz Cream Cheese (softened)
- 4 tablespoons Powdered Sugar
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease or line 24 muffin tins. Mix together yellow cake mix, canned pumpkin, and Torani Pumpkin Pie Syrup until blended (the batter will be thicker than your typically cake mix). Scoop evenly into muffin tins (I use an ice cream scoop) and set aside. In another bowl blend softened cream cheese and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar. Drop a small spoonful of the cream cheese mixture on top of each muffin. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes. Remove from oven, cool, and sprinkle remaining 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar over the top of each muffin prior to serving.
