First things first!



Scrambled eggs with onions and liver

 When you are homeschooling, it is like working a full time job in addition to your other full time job. It takes a lot to keep a traditional kitchen running but when you're rocking babies, washing clothes, teaching reading, grading chemistry and running to extra-curricular activities it can be even more stressful. This week and next, everyday will be dedicated to another element of juggling homeschooling with eating a nourishing diet.

Breakfast, it is supposed to be the most important meal of the day but also the one that seems to get the shaft. I homeschool my brood and I know that there is no way to keep them focused unless they have a proper breakfast each morning but it does take time.The first thing that I would recommend it making sure that you spend just five minutes every night planning breakfast. Then spend just fifteen minutes making sure that your kitchen is clean, the dishes washed (or the dishwasher running), and the floor swept. The biggest hurdle to getting the day started is getting breakfast on the the table and if you spend the morning doing what didn't get done yesterday, then you won't be able to do what needs to be done today. Perpetually doing yesterday's work stinks and will make you grumpy so remind yourself that in the morning you will be so glad that yesterday is done! But even if you are not homeschooling, then the advice might still be helpful for you in juggling all those hats you wear in addition to the private chef's toque (cool chef-y hat). Stop by everyday so you can find out how I keep ten kids well-educated and well-fed without losing my mind!

The Cold Cereal for Breakfast Routine

Plan the breakfast by prepping breakfast. Check how much milk you have before you plan (properly) made breakfast cereal so you won't run out before your next pick-up. Don't know how to make properly made breakfast cereal? Check out this FREE instructional video HERE at the Healthy Home Economist. The cereal is great and perfect with crispy nuts, dried fruit, and raw milk as cereal or with fresh or frozen berried and raw yogurt (or viili cheese) as a parfait with a sprinkle of crispy coconut or crispy nuts on top. Gluten-free? She has a GF option with nuts that while pricier looks seriously delicious.

The Eggs and Toast or English Muffins for Breakfast Routine

Fried or scrambled eggs with left-over meat, slices of fresh cheese, and toasted breads make a delicious and filling breakfast and are a snap to throw together. I throw sliced onions and liver in sometimes, just for added nourishment. If you are grain-free, skip the bread. That's easy enough. The advantage of this is that as long so you check your stash to make sure you have eggs and bread then you are done planning!

The Smoothie Routine

This is wicked fast and super easy. I fall back on this all the time! I have a Bosch blender which can rip through frozen berried like a train and I really believe that quality kitchen equipment is worth it. No matter what kind of blender you have and use, pulse several times to start to avoid burning out the motor with hard frozen berries. I follow this basic principle ratio for smoothies: one part berries (frozen organic, Costco has good prices), to two parts yogurt or viili and I fill the container only 3/4 of the way. Unfamiliar with viili? Viili (FEEL-ya) is a room-temperature culturing yogurt originating in Finland that is idiot proof and an easy way to make totally raw yogurt. I use a culture that has been used by my husband's family for over a 100 years and keep tuned because in the next few days I will have a great how-to. If it is spring and summer, then I add local raw honey to the smoothies to keep allergies at bay in the kiddos. They love their daily dose of honey! We also add a spoonful of coconut oil, which stay chunky but doesn't bother us in the least. (You can read more about our allergy journey HERE.)

Breakfast Casserole or Coffee Cake Routine

See my recent post on them HERE. Sweet or savory breakfast casseroles take minutes to assemble and bake while you dress making it possible to have a hot mama and a hit meal all at once. It is also a great way to use up stale bread and bits of left over meat. Feeling sweet? Add dried fruit a little maple syrup instead of the Dijon mustard. I have a regular homeschool event on first Fridays and I will be taking a cinnamon, raisin and maple syrup breakfast casserole for the brunch. It may be a little sweet but I know the sourdough bread, cream and farm eggs will keep my kids running all morning long. There are a variety of soaked coffee cakes using whole wheat flour and oats as well as fruit and eggs and milk that make for easy breakfasts. An overnight soak means that you do the work now and reap the benefits in the morning. GNOWFGLINS e-course (HERE) has a great sourdough oat muffin recipe that makes such a great coffee cake that it is a once or twice a month option around here.

Frozen Assets

This requires even more planning but is really helpful. When I bake muffins I use two restaurant supply pans that each hold 24 muffins and I will bake three different batches of three different type muffins so I can freeze the leftovers for later. This means 72 muffins that I can rely on for later. You can thaw them on the counter overnight or you can pop the frozen muffins in the paper cups into the muffin pan (I have a little one dozen one just for this purpose) in the oven and bake from frozen for about 2/3 of your recipe's original time. Then you have instant, hot muffins. It also means some kids can have blueberry while others have cranberry and others yet have Cinnamon pecan. When I make pancakes waffles I freeze leftovers in a single layer on sheet pans and then put in rigid containers. The waffles can be toasted from frozen and the pancakes bakes in the oven at 375 for 8-10 minutes. This means that the kids can get breakfast going if I am changing some one's sheets, dealing with a sick child or running behind.

There you have it - a hot breakfast in lightening speed and you are ready to get started on your day! You don't rock the party, you own the party. See you tomorrow for  entertaining toddlers while you homeschool and snacks for little guys for after nap.

Linking up to Real Food Wednesday!