Dessert for Breakfast

Think of the most heinous accusation that has ever been hurled in your direction. If you are a parent, you likely shudder at the thought of being categorized with these derelict moms and dads, who shouldn’t even be free to walk the earth, let alone be allowed to influence a young life. While you may refrain from using an electronic dog collar to shock your young children as a means of punishment and entertainment, attaching your 13-year-old to the roof of the family van to hold down a large cardboard box, knowingly poison your kids in an effort to score … Continue reading

Bye-Bye Back-to-School Breakfast Blues

I’m done doing battle with back-to-school breakfasts. I’ve finally decided to stop whining about the inevitable and face my fear head-on. My daughter heads back to school next week, so the end of leisurely breakfasts is in sight. No more four-course meals that start with fresh fruit smoothies and end with a little chocolate something-something. We’re going back to the basics with these make-ahead recipes that I culled from Food Network and my own mother: GRANDMA’S GORP Ingredients: Your child’s favorite cereal (we use Cheerios, Kix, Cocoa Puffs, Fruit Loops, Corn Pops or a mix of two or three) Your … Continue reading

No More Chocolate for Breakfast

It’s been quite a summer for my soon-to-be second grader. In less than two weeks her days spent biking until sunset, rolling out of bed at eight (hey, don’t knock it; sleeping until 8 a.m. is a major accomplishment around here), and eating chocolate for breakfast are over. And by over I mean O-VAH! Let me clarify by saying that my kid has not spent the summer scarfing down brownies and Baby Ruth bars in lieu of oatmeal, oranges and other healthy breakfast foods. Rather, she has been getting away with noshing on chocolate chip pancakes, double chocolate muffins and … Continue reading

Cereal, Crackers, and Chocolate Chip Cookies

People who have an intolerance to, or allergy to, gluten are going to have to avoid many of the foods that most people don’t think twice about eating. If you just learned that you have a gluten allergy, then you will be discovering all the foods that you can no longer eat. Unfortunately, most of those foods are both comforting and tasty. When I learned that I had a gluten allergy, my first trip to the grocery store made me aware of just how many foods there were that I could never eat again. This experience was rather shocking, and … Continue reading

Italian Breakfast Ideas

Who says that breakfast has to be standard American fare? Skip the cereal, douse the scrambled eggs and explore one of the following Italian breakfast ideas. Both of these ideas use eggs and toast. Mangia! Lava Eggs This dish is called Lava Eggs because my kids image the eggs have just finished riding down a volcano of hot lava and have come to land safely on dry land. This is a mild but flavorful dish. Ingredients: Jar or can of tomato sauce OR (2 cans of crushed tomatoes basil, oregano, salt and pepper to taste) Eggs (at least two per … Continue reading

Eat Cookies and Lose Weight

There are so many diets out there or diet products that have you eat only one type of thing to loose weight. For example, if you eat specially formulated shakes, bars or cookies, you’ll lose weight. Is this true? Well probably. But, that doesn’t mean that you will be fitter, healthier or actually keep the weight off. Back about 10 years ago, I inadvertently lost weight by eating mostly junk food. I was working practically around the clock on a big project and didn’t have time for regular meals. I made sure that I got some workouts in, but honestly … Continue reading

Merry Christmas Breakfast Recipes

Christmas morning is not the time to be serving cold cereal and dry toast for breakfast. The special day deserves an extra special morning meal. However, it shouldn’t require you spending hours in the kitchen while the rest of the family enjoys playtime with their new gifts. So, what do you do? Consider whipping up the following simple, yet festively sweet breakfast recipes: ORANGE AND CRANBERRY CREME BRULEE FRENCH TOAST Ingredients: 2 tablespoons corn syrup 1/2 cup butter (1 stick) 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed 1 loaf Texas Toast 5 eggs 1 1/2 cups half and half 1 teaspoon vanilla … Continue reading

Chocolate for Breakfast

Students in our city have been home for three days straight due to school administrators cancelling class because of severely cold winter temperatures. For most of my friends cabin fever set in by day two and they are now going stir crazy with cooped up kids who are a bored senseless. Which is why I was shocked when one of my pals admitted to doing the unthinkable the other day: Feed her children chocolate for breakfast. You’d think she want to cut out sugar entirely from her children’s diet while they were home during the snow days, but being the … Continue reading

Kicked Up Breakfast: Spicy Pancakes

Need a way to kick start your day? Then, try these fabulous pancakes that are delicately spiced with ginger, cinnamon and cloves, and smothered with soft cream cheese. For those who prefer a sweeter topping, I’ve also included a recipe for a delicious Lemon Sauce, which can be drizzled on top of the unique hotcakes in lieu of maple syrup. You can pair the pancakes with a classic Eggs Benedict recipe that is made even simpler by using ready-made cheese sauce. The shortcut doesn’t comprise the flavor of the dish at all. You’re still left with a tasty breakfast or … Continue reading

Recipes for Your Christmas Breakfast Buffet

If you are a hosting a house full of family members for Christmas, then you are likely spending this week putting the final touches on your holiday menu. While most of us fret over what to serve for Christmas dinner, there are some of us (me) who dwell on what to serve the morning after Santa visits. Cold cereal and dry toast won’t cut it on Christmas morning, but you don’t want to chain yourself to the stove either. After all, who wants to be slaving away in the kitchen while the rest of the family is enjoying their new … Continue reading