Back to School: 5 Fast and Healthy Breakfasts

I have been in a little bit of a breakfast slump. I am lucky if I grab a glass milk before heading to work -- extra lucky if that is a glass of FairLife Chocolate milk, my favorite! And with G headed to her first day of Mother's Day Out in a couple weeks, I started thinking how I need some healthy, fast breakfasts for on the go. With school just around the corner, I know I am not the only one thinking about this. Here are a few recipes I will be making to get us out the door fast while making sure we get a serving of dairy and some fruits!

Day 1- Blueberry, Banana Pancakes

Blueberry Banana Pancakes

This recipe takes the longest out of all the recipes. So what I usually do is make these pancakes for Sunday brunch. But I double the recipe and store the extra pancakes in airtight bags to save for Monday morning.

Blueberry Banana Pancake

• 1 ripe banana

• 2 cups Bisquick (this my favorite pancake mix, but feel free to use your favorite)

• 1 cup milk

• 2 eggs

• 2 cups of blueberries

Cooking blueberry banana pancakes

Blueberry banana pancakes with extra butter

Smash the banana completely. Add milk, eggs and bisquick and whisk until smooth. Pour 1/2 cup of pancake mix onto heated griddle greased with butter (350 degrees). Once the pancake starts to fluff up, add a handful of blueberries to each pancake. Once the bottom is golden brown, flip the pancake.Serve hot with a little butter and syrup. This recipe makes about 5 large pancakes. And don't forget, if you want to make extras double the recipe.

Day 2- Tropical Escape Smoothie

Tropical Escape Smoothie: Mango, Banana, Pineapple and Coconut

Tropical Escape Smoothie

• 8oz can of pineapple chunks (canned in its own juice NOT heavy syrup)

• 1 cup of mangos (frozen)

• 1 banana

• 1 cup of whole milk

• 1 tablespoon of honey

• 1/2 cup of ice

• 1 tablespoon of coconut

Tropical Escape Smoothie- To Go

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour into glasses or to-go cups. Top with coconut and a little whipped cream. This makes enough for 2 servings. I also suggest doubling the recipe and freezing the extra in single serve containers. I simply defrost a smoothie whether I need one!For all my smoothie, I use frozen and canned fruits. That makes it easy to have lots of different fruits on hand and be sure to use them all before they go bad. Plus frozen and canned fruit is a lot cheaper. When buying frozen and canned, be sure to check the ingredients. Make sure there is nothing on the list beside the fruit. With canned fruit, look for fruits in their own juices, NOT heavy syrup.

Day 3- Yogurt and fruit

Chobani Flip Greek Yogurt

Lets be honest. Some days yogurt is as good as it gets for breakfast. There are days, I need to just open a container for G and me and go! That is the great thing about lots of dairy products. My favorite go to yogurt, is Chobani's Flip. I love the Peach Pistachio, and G loves the Nutty For "Nana".  There are a ton of great flavors. Pick up a couple different ones and find your favorite. Add an apple or banana, and you have a yummy breakfast.

Day 4- A bowl full of mush

A bowl full of mush: oatmeal, cottage cheese, mixed berries and cinnamon

I got this recipe (and the name) from my Mom. Her grandchildren have a lot of fun making and eating this.

A Bowl Full of Mush

• 1 cup of old fashioned oatmeal

• 1 1/2 cups of milk

• 1 cup mixed berries (Strawberries, blueberries and raspberries) *For the fruit, again, I usually use frozen fruit unless I have some fresh fruit on hand

• 1 cup cottage cheese

• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon (or dirt as my nephew likes to call it)

A bowl full of mush: Oatmeal, cottage cheese and mixed berries

Add the oatmeal and the milk to a microwave save bowl and heat for 2 1/2 minutes on high. (Or you can make on the stove top, if you aren't crazy about microwaves) Add the berries and cottage cheese, top with cinnamon and enjoy! Makes 2 servings. This is a great breakfast to make after reading the bedtime story Goodnight Moon.

Day 5- Mixed Berry, Greek Yogurt Smoothie

Mixed Berry Greek Yogurt Smoothie

I have a few different smoothie recipes I like to make. And this is one of my favorites.

 Mixed Berry, Greek Yogurt Smoothie

• 2 cups of greek yogurt

• 1 1/2 cups of mixed berries (I usually go with strawberries, raspberries and blueberries.)

• 1/2 cup of ice

• 1 tablespoon honey

Mixed Berries Smoothie

Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Pour into glasses or to-go cups. Top with a little whipped cream. This makes enough for 2 servings. As always, I suggest doubling the recipe and freezing the extra in single serve containers.I hope you and your family enjoy these recipes as much as we do!Udderly in love with dairy,New Mexico Milkmaid