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Offering a small school atmosphere for the Corvallis-Philomath community since 1984

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Back to School Breakfast!

Welcome to another school year! Although blessings abound with the return of the school routine, I know that one universal challenge is getting everyone up, brushed, dressed, fed and out of the house in a punctual manner.  I thought it would be fun to share some of my favorite school-day breakfast ideas.  These "recipes" are helpful in that much of the preparation can take place the night before.  This serves the purpose of speeding the family out the door and it also provides a calm, fun, engrossing family activity for the children to participate in in the evening.  Evenings, which should be a period of winding down for children who must rise early the next day, often find children spiraling out of control as they become fatigued at end of day.  A structured activity can sometimes keep things on a more even keel. 

This first dish is chillaquilles and no, I'm not sure of the spelling.  I ate this for the first time at a resort in Cancun and I make it all the time at home now.  It consists of eggs, torn corn tortillas and grated cheese.  You also need butter for the pan and you can easily add salsa or cut-up veggies such as zucchini, peppers, tomatoes, etc.  Putting this together allows children of different skill levels to participate.  The most challenging parts are cutting up veggies, if you desire some, and grating the cheese.  I suggest the cheese is grated right into a large mixing bowl.  No cutting board and minimal mess.  Then the eggs can be cracked and scrambled in that same mixing bowl.  Any veggies can be cut up and added at this time. The tortillas can be torn into small pieces by a very young child and this is great fun.  Place the egg/cheese mixture in the fridge overnight and store the torn tortillas in a re-used bread bag or other storage container.  In the morning, melt a pat of butter in a large skillet on low to medium low heat, combine the tortillas with the rest in the mixing bowl and pour into the skillet.  Cook slowly, stirring and turning often until cooked to your liking.  This is a tasty hearty dish, easily adjustable to accommodate the number of family members.  I use 3 eggs, one large tortilla and perhaps 1/2 cup of cheddar cheese, but adjust it as you see fit.  You can't go wrong and you can make a lot or a little.  There's grating, cutting, mixing, tearing and stirring to be done.  Something for everyone!

The next dish is a smoothie.  I like to cut up bananas into thick slices and freeze them in a gallon ziplock bag.  Do this ahead of time.  In the evening, place berries or your favorite cut-up fruit (I leave the peels on most everything) in a blender along with some plain yogurt and a generous splash of any kind of milk.  Add your favorite sweetener.  I've been using stevia lately, but I also think honey adds great flavor.  Place the blender carafe in the fridge.  In the morning, add  frozen banana slices and whir in the blender.  Delicious!  You can add peanut butter or protein powder to make it a bit heartier.

Preparing these dishes the night before helps your child to look on the morrow with anticipation.  After the dishes are prepared as much as possible in the evening and the clean-up is done (preferably with your child's help) you can cast about for other steps to take that will make tomorrow morning easier.  "Shall we fill your water bottle and set it by the door so we don't forget it?"  "Let's check the weather report on-line for tomorrow and set out an appropriate outfit!"  "We forgot your raincoat today.  Let's place it by the door, too, so that doesn't happen again."  "We even have enough time to pack your lunch for tomorrow.  Would you like to make the sandwich or pack up your carrot sticks?" 

My hope for you is that mornings are less hectic, that your child feels like a valuable member of the family and that he/she builds the ability to organize and plan.  I wish you all a wonderful school year!

Best regards,
Doni