Lately, it seems like every time I check my inbox or Instagram messages, I spot a question about our family breakfast routine. People say, “Your mornings look so relaxed!” or, “Your breakfasts look so easy!” Honestly, that’s because they are! We’ve finally cracked the code to enjoying the morning meal.
Don’t get me wrong: with kids who are 4 and 1, our breakfasts aren’t calm or quiet. But they are fun– and most importantly, they’re not stressful! Whether we all need to get out the door in a hurry or we’re having a laid-back morning at home, we love to share a quick meal to kick off the day together.
Breakfast can feel hard to figure out (hellooooo, for adults too, am I right?!), because most things we commonly label “breakfast foods” are highly processed. They cause a spike in blood sugar, which leaves us feeling hungry and out of balance an hour later. I’m determined to give my kids (and myself!) a breakfast that satisfies for longer than an hour and serves their bodies well in the long run, too! That makes me a big believer in getting creative in the kitchen to find breakfast choices they’ll love.
After a lot of experimenting, I’ve found that one tip tops them all. Want to know my secret to healthy breakfasts and happy kids?
Make a nutrient-packed baked good for the week.
Yes, really, it’s that simple! A delicious choice that’s easy to eat even on busy mornings has never failed us. Here’s how:
- Use real foods. Ditch the processed and go straight to the good stuff! Think alternative flours and oats over boxed mixes.
- Choose value-packed add-ins. Boost their fiber, protein, and vitamin intake with every bite! To do this, use healthy fats like olive or coconut oils and add flaxseed, hemp seeds, or superfoods like spirulina.
- Avoid added sugar. Want to sweeten the recipe? Reach for natural sweeteners like fruit. It’s a great way to get a fruit serving into their bodies first thing in the morning, too!
I know, I know– it’s so simple that you’re skeptical, right? I used to think it had to be more complicated than this, too. But as it turns out, there are so many recipes you can whip up that actually taste delicious to kids and adults alike.
Best of all, having a nutritious option ready to roll will save your family so much time and stress during those busy mornings. In just about 30 minutes per week, your breakfast problems can be totally solved. Now, you can actually enjoy time with your kids instead of scrambling around the kitchen trying to come up with something hearty, healthy and delicious to start their day.
Still not sure where to start? Try my favorite kid-friendly banana bread recipe. This version of my popular banana bread recipe has fewer ingredients, no added sugars (just bananas– and blueberries if you choose), and the option to make muffins or a loaf. It’s flexible and so easy to whip together even during busy mornings.
Cooking this recipe in muffin form takes just 25 minutes, and the loaf is perfect for an at-home morning when you want your house to smell amazing. The loaf does have less crunchy parts than the muffins, but you can always pull those parts away from either option if your baby is too young to enjoy the crunch just yet.
Baby & Kids Banana Bread (Or Muffins)
Makes 6 servings
Optional to add fresh or frozen blueberries or raspberries, or chopped walnuts to the batter too.
Ingredients:
2 ripe bananas mashed
2 pastured egg yolks
1 1/3 cup almond flour (or garbanzo bean flour to keep it nut free)
1/4 cup olive oil or melted coconut oil
1/2 tsp baking soda & cinnamon
2 tsp flaxseed meal or hemp seeds
Directions:
Preheat your oven to 375. Line a muffin tin with liners, or a loaf pan with parchment paper. In a medium mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir well to combine. Add frozen blueberries last and stir into the batter. Scoop into muffin tins, or pour into your loaf pan, flattening the batter slightly with the back of a spoon to keep it even.
- FOR MUFFINS: bake for 25 minutes until slightly browned on top.
- FOR LOAF: bake for 35-40 minutes until slightly browned on top.
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Ready for an easier, lower stress way to feed your baby real food?
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Photos by Talitha Bullock