Prep-Ahead Breakfasts

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This weekend was full of running – running errands, running the vacuum, and a bit of literal running, too.  By Sunday, I was burnt out.  So yesterday afternoon, I locked Henry and myself in our TV room, turned off nearly all the lights, and spent a good five hours cuddling, kissing, playing, and staring at him.  It was pretty awesome. 

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Sometimes doing nothing is the most fun of all.

 

Last week, I put out a call for prep-ahead breakfast ideas.  Making breakfast ahead of time is super convenient for a new mom like myself, but it’s probably something that we all should do on busy mornings – it guarantees we’ll have something healthy to eat!

 

Over the weekend, I made Anne P’s peanut butter bars (but skipped the chia seeds and flax because I was out, and I subbed in almond butter) and bought a bag of boiled eggs.  This made for a very fast breakfast.

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Here’s a selection of readers’ recommendations for other prep-ahead breakfasts.  Yum.  I’m getting hungry again already…

 

  • Many people suggested that I make the Fitnessista’s Breakfast Cookie.  I’ve had the Breakfast Cookie several times before; it’s such a simple and great recipe.

 

  • Jenny suggested baked oatmeal, specifically this recipe.

 

  • Sarah said this book – Parents Need To Eat, Too – is filled with great prep-ahead recipes, one-handed meals, and quick snack ideas.  There is also a website by the same name.

 

 

  • Jennifer makes breakfast wraps for her busy husband.  She makes the stuffed tortillas ahead of time, wraps them in saran wrap, and freezes them – all he has to do is unwrap and microwave.

 

  • Sally likes to make veggie and cheese quiches.  “They’re a favorite of me,” she wrote. “Just cut a slice and warm up or eat cold – always with a slice of buttered toast on the side!”

 

 

  • Jen said, “I put all of the ingredients for a smoothie in the Vitamix ahead of time, leave the blender cup in the fridge overnight, and then, if I want to add anything frozen, like banana chunks, I throw them in that morning and just blend and serve. That way I don’t have to worry about the smoothie getting weird or separating overnight.”

 

  • Sara said, “I love my orange dreamsicle smoothies. I make a big batch the night before and have some for dessert and then the rest for breakfast. I use two pealed oranges, 2-3 large heaping spoonfuls of vanilla Greek yogurt, I put in some protein powder (vanilla so it doesn’t change the flavor), depending in how sweet the oranges are I might add a little sugar, and then about 16 ounce of ice and blend. In the morning I give it a quick stir to make sure nothing has separated out and breakfast is done!”

 

 

  • Kirstia wrote, “I make steel cut oats for the entire week on Monday. Cook up a big pot, portion it out into individual containers, stick them in the fridge, and then you can heat and eat that morning.”  She does something similar to this method.

 

  • Before Alli’s baby arrived, she made an entire loaf of French toast.  She froze the French toast on a cookie sheet so they’d freeze individual and put two frozen slices into a Ziploc bag.  “All I had to do was pop them in the toaster oven and smear them with peanut butter and some agave,” she said.

 

Have a great Monday!

{ 32 comments }

 

  • Amy Q July 16, 2012, 9:24 am

    My new favorite smoothie- and I’m obsessed without- one Wallaby maple flavored yogurt, frozen berries and a big hunk of watermelon! Soooooo good!

  • Amy Q July 16, 2012, 9:25 am

    Ok, I’m tired- “obsessed with IT”- not “obsessed without” LOL

  • Sarah July 16, 2012, 9:27 am

    Love all the breakfast ideas! Its my favorite meal of the day! Your breakfast also made me want hard boiled eggs. oh and Henry… so CUTE!

  • Kelly July 16, 2012, 9:35 am

    Oh I love pictures of Henry…I think he looks like the husband right now! 🙂 As for make ahead breakfasts…my husband and I make a big batch of steel cut oats on Sundays and then we cam just scoop it out and heat it up throughout the week. We usually make them just plain so we can add different toppings throughout the week. Works for us. And we also hardboil 24 eggs. It makes it easy in the morning while trying to get up, workout, walk the dog, shower, get to work, etc….

  • Gabby (Quest for Delicious) July 16, 2012, 9:36 am

    I love the breakfast wrap idea. Those are always quick, easy, and filling.

  • Angela @ Eat Spin Run Repeat July 16, 2012, 9:42 am

    Thanks for the link love Caitlin! I love Gina’s breakfast cookie too, and I need to try Anne’s PB bars! Great ideas!

  • Jennie July 16, 2012, 9:44 am

    Sometimes I think you are a fly on my wall or something! My husband and I were JUST talking about our terrible rut of skipping breakfast!! We could kiss you!!! Amazeballs. How is K? H is so cute, what a love! So glad to see you are soaking in every moment, both good and bad alike!!! My cousin always says, “the toughest phase is the one you are in.” She has four boys so I basically write down every last thing she says. And thanks again for all the great ideas, they will surely help!! I know a girl who is going to apply for your HTP intern spot…she is a real doll. Yay! From what I read, you’ve really found your stride with the balance of everything, good for you guys! What a married happy team! Kudos! Is K going to go to our HS reunion? Is it terrible of me to want him to come so we can meet in real life? 🙂 Sorry, I’m a superfan!!!!! (Could this comment be more all over the place? Nahh.)

  • Jennie July 16, 2012, 9:45 am

    OOH and PS I am giving away one of your books on my blog!!! 🙂 I’m getting tons of private messages about it and I’m sure the comments will come soon..all your work is great. OK sorry I’m done now 🙂

  • Liz July 16, 2012, 10:01 am

    Some great ideas I never considered for quick breakfasts! I’m not a mom, but will certainly be using some of these 😉

  • Janae @ Bring-Joy July 16, 2012, 10:25 am

    A favorite quick breakfast is frozen blueberries & plain unsweetened yogurt (I like Whole Soy & Co.) sprinkled with chia seeds & two stevia packets.

    Thanks for all the great ideas & links!

  • Angela July 16, 2012, 10:27 am

    Henry is one lucky boy. 🙂

    Love these ideas. I also love making a huge batch of steel cut oats & discovered it’s even good cold on hot mornings. Sometimes I just eat dinner leftovers too…it’s not unusual for me to take a leftover veggie burger and throw it on a wrap for breakfast.

  • Amanda July 16, 2012, 10:32 am

    Oh, I like that french toast idea! I make batches of waffles ahead of time, why not french toast!

  • Katie @ Peace Love & Oats July 16, 2012, 10:47 am

    those are some great quick breakfast ideas!

  • Susan July 16, 2012, 10:59 am

    I can’t imagine anything easier than making a batch of hard-boiled aggs! It is also way more economical. Why buy them?

  • Liz @ Tip Top Shape July 16, 2012, 11:08 am

    So many great ideas!!

  • MomHTP July 16, 2012, 11:34 am

    Being in a comfortable, quiet room with a special loved one for hours just enjoying each other…Heaven! Kiss sent to you and Henry.

  • RP July 16, 2012, 11:36 am

    Your little guy is absolutely gorgeous! He is getting cuter and cuter.

  • Lexi @ You, Me, & A World to See July 16, 2012, 12:45 pm

    Yum breakfast is my favorite meal of the day, so I always try to get something good in! My favorite is pancakes, even if frozen 🙂

  • Lisa July 16, 2012, 12:50 pm

    I’ve been seeing these mini egg muffin things all over but have yet to try it. You mix up the scrambled eggs with whatever toppings you want, put them in a muffin tin and bake them. I think it’s a great idea to have make-ahead breakfasts or snacks.

  • Annette@FitnessPerks July 16, 2012, 2:24 pm

    Oh those breakfast bars look tasty!! I love hardboiled eggs-I need to boil some asap. Thanks for the reminder 🙂

    I am all about the smoothies –sooo easy, so good.

  • Hillary July 16, 2012, 2:31 pm

    Not to sound like an idiot, but you can buy pre-boiled eggs?? Where?!

    • CaitlinHTP July 16, 2012, 8:29 pm

      Near the regular eggs! Most stores have them.

  • Amber K July 16, 2012, 2:35 pm

    I’m going to have to share these ideas with my husband, because he’s always complaining about not having any good ideas.

  • Sam @ Better With Sprinkles July 16, 2012, 6:59 pm

    Lots of great ideas! I especially like Jennifer’s breakfast wrap ideas – makes me think of a much-cheaper version of Amy’s Breakfast Burritos.

  • Deanna July 16, 2012, 9:52 pm

    1) Love You
    2) Really??? You made those fancy bar things but you BOUGHT boiled eggs??

    This made me laugh

  • Charlie July 16, 2012, 10:08 pm

    I love the idea of making french toasts and freeze them. I actually do this with waffles but never thought of doing the same thing with french toast. Definitely have to try!

  • Anne P July 17, 2012, 7:31 am

    Thanks for the link love! Great ideas from everyone else, too – I’ll have to check some of those out!

    You also might like my Scrambled Egg Muffins (http://www.fannetasticfood.com/recipes/scrambled-egg-muffins/), vegan Almond Butter Banana Breakfast Bars ( http://www.fannetasticfood.com/recipes/almond-butter-banana-breakfast-bars/), or Baked Oatmeal (Baked Oatmeal). All the recipes are super simple and great to be made ahead and enjoyed throughout the week. 🙂

    Enjoy!

  • Anne P July 17, 2012, 7:32 am
  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 17, 2012, 8:02 am

    These are all great ideas! Overnight oats are my go-to prep ahead breakfast, but now I want to try out the rest of these too!

  • Jessi July 17, 2012, 1:34 pm

    Hey!! Catching up on your posts since being back from vacation (WOO!) and wanted to add in:

    I’ve made both the smoothies and the oats and they’re GREAT. They keep for a few days in the fridge because of the chia seeds. SO GOOD! http://www.theyummylife.com/Refrigerator_Oatmeal

  • Sarah @ Celiac in the City July 17, 2012, 11:13 pm

    For some reason, my comment didn’t show up — and leave it to me to forget everything that I wrote yesterday… but mainly I said THANK YOU for sharing my overnight oatmeal recipe! Honored to have made the list.

    And what a perfect way to spend the day — with your little man, he’s so lucky! 🙂

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