A School Ready Kitchen

Many schools are starting this week (bummer, right?) and that means revamping the fridge and pantry to fit students needs.Those scholars will  need fun and nutritious foods to help them through the day and those all important study hours.Feed  them right  and they'll do better at school - hopefully,

Kicking off the school day can be  a pain, especially if the little and not so little ones have spent the summer starting off with junk cereals.It's time to go back to eating healthier breakfast foods. One of the best cereals to eat is Mom's Best Cereals. The company creates good for you spins on Cheerios,Coco Puffs and Lucky Charms. They are made with without any high fructose corn syrup along with no partially hydrogenated oil and best of all no artificial flavors or preservatives. The  cereals also taste better than the national brands and don't have their residual cloying sweetness. The boxes also are fun, having interesting and fun facts on ecology and animals. Pancakes and waffles are always in demand- however make them with whole wheat or buckwheat flour.That classic oatmeal is always good , even in hot weather. It's a warm fulfilling bowl that can be supplemented with the fruits of the season.What about eggs? Should kids eat them or not? The answer is yes, but only if they don't eat too much cholesterol on a weekly basis. A poached egg or an egg sunny side up served with bacon can be saved for a birthday or holiday breakfast and not a school day one.

Lunches can be made both fun and healthy. One good investment is a bento box. This Japanese classic is perfect for storing sandwiches and snacks. The compartments let eaters have the right amount of the main dish and sides or snacks.These are easy to be had and can be found everywhere from Target to Amazon.com This allows you to make  a nutritious main such as a mini salad or sandwich along with tasty veggie and fruit sides.For sandwiches , always have whole wheat or seven grain slices instead of white  and think beyond the usual baloney and mustard. Make a guacamole spread  for sandwiches instead of mayo and think tomato slices or broccoli florets.If you do have to serve protein then think leftover steak or chicken which don't have the preservatives or nitrates. Salads can be made fun and colorful too. Add carrots along with diced red and green peppers.Extras  can be whole wheat croutons or sunflower seeds.Look for dressings that are low in fat  but high in natural ingredients such as extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Have the student make the salad to suit their likings.

Get your kitchen ready for the new semester. Have healthy ingredients for nutritious breakfasts and lunches. It'll make for a better student and better grades.

Fun Weekend Breakfasts

Weekends are the days  to be savored, especially mornings. It's the time when  the family is together in a leisurely way  and it's a time to enjoy a meal together. Why not make those breakfasts fun. There's so many fun breakfast dishes out there that the whole family can enjoy from eggs to waffles, from pancakes to hot drinks,

Egg dishes are always a breakfast must have. Most families usually go for the easy to make scrambles. These are fun and kids love them however you can remake them into something extraordinary. Try a spinach or pepper scramble. Add three cups of spinach  for every two eggs. If you want a cheesy version sprinkle in some Parmesan or cheddar. For a pepper or a confetti scramble add a cup or two of diced red and green peppers for every two eggs. You can also add ham, Italian sausage or the spicy Spanish chorizo  to liven them up too. Strata is another great breakfast dish.Think of it as a morning casserole made with eggs bread, cream and whatever else you want in it. This is great for bigger families or if the relatives are visiting.Huevos rancheros is another eggy treat , spicy  with the addition of salsa.Avocado chunks cool it off. You can also make breakfast tacos, filling them with bacon sausage eggs and cheddar.Egg sandwiches are always a treat. Try pretzel rolls or croissants instead of the usual English muffins or biscuits. For meats, try proscutto or Black Forest ham sliced wafer thin instead of the usual sausage patty or bacon slices.

Of course waffles always rule the breakfast table. Nothing beats fresh homemade ones> Scratch ones are easy to make.It's just flour and , baking powder mixed with sugar salt and separated eggs. / Most people usually drown them in syrup and butter. For a different spin , use honey and lemon butter or top them with a banana mash  and Nutella. You can also make waffle sandwiches with whatever stuffing you like. Kids love pancakes and these are also easy to whip up in just minutes.. Try the Swabian German kratzete which are scrambled pancakes. Make the pancakes as you normally would and as the dough cooks up  start cutting up the cakes until they resemble crumbles. Cook until crispy. Most  like them with raisins and powdered sugar but they taste just as good with syrup . Traditional pancake lovers will want theirs with blueberries, coconut or chocolate chip. You can also make whole wheat pancakes too.It pays to buy the pancake forms if you have little kids. There's nothing like eating bunny or giraffe cakes. Drinks could be spiced hot cocoa or a hot tea punch.Flavored coffees are fun for the adults ad older kids. Try orange or cranberry  sparklers, a mix of juice and seltzer served in a tall glass full of ice.

Weekend  breakfasts can be fun. Vary the recipes for more excitement to the morning meal. There's nothing like family bonding over new dishes.