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

Black Friday Breakfast Ideas

McDonald’s drive-thru is one idea, but I’ve got a few better ones. After spending who knows how many hours whipping up a Thanksgiving Day feast, the last place most of us want to spend Black Friday is in the kitchen. The day after Thanksgiving is typically reserved for hitting the mall or sleeping off turkey hangovers. Still, we need to eat. However, we shouldn’t have to slave away in the kitchen for countless hours on Black Friday. That’s where the following recipes come in handy. The Black Friday breakfast dishes listed below are super simple to make, but you’d never … Continue reading

Making a Memorable Breakfast

Next week is my brother’s birthday. If he had the day off from work he would be treated to his favorite breakfast of Lemon Pancakes. Unfortunately, he has to spend the night before his birthday at the firehouse where he works, and I highly doubt the guys there will be surprising him with a plate of Lemon Pancakes to celebrate. If you are looking for a unique spin on a breakfast classic, then consider making the recipe below. In addition to the pancake directions, I’ve included a recipe for my brother’s favorite muffins. Perhaps his wife will bake a batch … Continue reading

Super Saturday Morning Breakfast

I’m all for lazy Sunday brunches, but I grew up with a dad who relished making a huge breakfast each Saturday morning. Our big breakfasts included everything from pancakes and coffee cake to made-to-order omelets plus ham, bacon, sausage and fresh fruit. If you are looking to create a new tradition in your family, I would highly suggest adding these simple and delicious recipes to your breakfast menu: BREAKFAST PIZZA Ingredients: 4 ounces softened cream cheese 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt 1 (12-inch) pizza crust 6 eggs 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons butter Salt and pepper 6 pieces of cooked and … Continue reading

Healthy Breakfast Treats

If you struggle to get your kids to eat a healthy breakfast before they rush off to school, you are not alone. Most parents are lucky if their children down a bowl of cereal or a frozen waffle before they head out the door—-forget about fresh fruit and whole grains. The following recipes are one-dish wonders in my book. They feature healthy ingredients (such as granola and fruit) in kid-friendly and familiar breakfast foods. These dishes are so delicious your kid will never know they are nutritious as well. MULTIGRAIN FRENCH TOAST WITH GRANOLA TOPPING Batter Ingredients: 2 tablespoon brown … 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

More Simple Back-to-School Breakfast Treats

When you have one child screaming about a lost backpack and another crying about a wet diaper just as the school bus is rolling down your street I can guarantee the last thing you’re worried about is whether your family’s breakfast is nutritionally sound. Of course, given the time to prepare, what parent isn’t going to opt for breakfast items that are healthy and delicious? The following recipes fit the bill. Both are nutritious and can be made in advance. The first is a kicked up a bran muffin that is loaded with flavor. The apples, pineapples, brown sugar and … Continue reading

Food Blog Week in Review & Menu: June 22

Welcome to the food blog’s week in review. This is our way at families of catching you up on what you’ve missed over the last week. This week was the week of frozen desserts–just in time for the summer’s hot weather. June 22 Strawberry Crumble Truffle–This is a delicious layered dessert made with a baked crunchy crumble topping and a creamy layer of strawberry filling. Maybe Michele is inviting us all over to her house for the 4th of July? With these tempting recipes I’m ready to go!!! If you plan on grilling for the 4th of July, try something … Continue reading

Have Some Mountain Dew Before a Test?

How do you feel about standardized testing? Chances are you aren’t an incredibly big fan of it. Children tend to strongly dislike taking standardized tests because it is stressful, confusing, frustrating, and very different from how their typical school day goes. Perhaps this is why a school in Florida found a controversial way to motivate students to take their standardized tests. Someone at Creel Elementary School in Florida came up with an unusual way to get students excited about taking the FCAT. The FCAT stands for “Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test”. A grandmother who learned about it contacted the local media. … Continue reading

Classroom Distractions

Forget about smartphones, cute football players and pretty cheerleaders, when it comes to classroom distractions, experts say parents should be more concerned with their kids’ empty stomachs. A recent study published in Childhood Obesity found that the snacks tweens and teens bring to school to satisfy their grumbling guts are failing to make the grade when it comes to nutrition. In fact, according to experts, the popularity of the following snack foods is the reason many students suffer from behavioral problems such as hyperactivity: Cheetos: No surprise here. One-ounce of the neon orange puffs contains 150 calories, 10 grams of … Continue reading