From Linda Larsen,
Your Guide to Busy Cooks.
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Any time of year, breakfast can be one of the most challenging meals of the day. It's hard to think of delicious, nutritious, and filling breakfast recipes for busy mornings when you have to get yourself and the kids ready.

The time crunch on busy school mornings is undeniable. The solution? Make your breakfast the night before, when you are already puttering around the kitchen. Then store it in the refrigerator and cook it in the morning while you're getting ready to go. Or let your breakfast cook all night in the crockpot. Then sit down to an excellent, leisurely meal and you will be set for the day. You can make some delicious dishes ahead of time and freeze them; then just microwave in minutes in the morning. And finally, quick breads are a great make-ahead food that everybody loves.

BREAKFAST TIPS

• Be Creative
  Breakfast doesn't have to be eggs and toast. Think about eating what appeals to you in the morning. A simple pasta, chicken and fruit salad would be an excellent breakfast. Try a sandwich or baked tortilla chips with some fruit salsa. Even leftover cold pizza is fine if that's what you like to eat!
• Use the Crockpot
  I love the idea of assembling breakfast in your crockpot the night before, letting it cook while you sleep, then waking up to the delicious aroma of a finished meal. It's almost as good as having a personal chef! (Did you know that the word Crockpot is the registered trademark of the Rival Corporation?)
• Get the Kids Involved
  Children are more likely to eat food that they have chosen or prepared. It may help to give them a choice of foods you have picked, rather than letting them start from scratch!
• More Fruits and Veggies
  Stir some applesauce into cooked oatmeal. Make bran muffins with shredded carrot. Add a cup of dried fruits or shredded vegetables to a quick bread mix. And kids love simple flavored yogurt dips served with fresh fruits and veggies.
• Bread Machine
  Use the timer function on your bread machine and wake up to the irresistible aroma of fresh bread baking. Check out Bread Machine Basics for hints, tips and recipes.
• Try Ethnic Foods
  Tortillas, frittatas, porridges and other breakfast foods from around the world will help pique interest, and will teach your children a bit about the country where the food originated.
• Plan Ahead
  Think about the whole week when you're planning shopping lists. A batch of bran muffin batter will keep for a whole week, tightly covered in the refrigerator, and you can have hot muffins in just a few minutes. Dinner leftovers can be transformed into breakfast foods - an extra cooked chicken breast can be used in an omelet, or made into a sandwich with quick breads. Leftover croutons, cooked pasta, or toasted bread can be used in frittatas and omelets.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. The name itself means you are breaking an overnight fast and need to replenish your body's energy stores. This meal should provide about one quarter of your total daily nutrition requirements so you can be at peak performance at school and work. Without a good breakfast, you may become sleepy in the late morning, lose energy, and even lose the ability to perform mental tasks. People who eat breakfast are also more likely to eat well at lunch and consume a more balanced diet overall.

Go to the next page to get the recipes!