Feeding Mind and Body for Busy Moms

Squeeze in a healthy breakfast, a workout AND manage your mornings? It IS possible!! Working out provides mental (releasing endorphins) and physical benefits; getting the proper nutrition in the morning really helps you conquer those long, stressful days.

Breakfast is still the most important meal of the day! You should be getting 300-400 calories from your breakfast. I get a lot of my recipes from Pinterest, as well as the Hungry Girl newsletters. I make time on Sunday evenings and usually Wed/Thursday mid-mornings to prep my breakfast and lunches for the week.

Below are some of my favorite breakfast recipes that are quick and easy! Today we’ll just go over eggs and a few oatmeal recipes. Some can be prepped in advance for the week, some overnight and some the morning of — up to you!

Egg Cups/Mini Frittatas: Use liquid eggs, egg whites, regular eggs or a combo. Choose toppings such as canned chopped green chiles, bacon bits, shredded cheddar, peppers, onions, mushrooms, etc. Spray a non-stick muffin pan with Pam spray and preheat oven to 350. Use about ¼ cup egg mixture in each cup. Bake 8-10 minutes then add toppings over the tops of the frittatas. Bake 10-12 minutes longer until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes before transferring. Wrap in plastic wrap and then store a Ziploc bag and freeze. Pull out individually to thaw the night before, so they’re ready in the morning. I eat 2-3 with mild salsa! You can also cook some turkey sausage links to go with them and keep in the fridge and re-heat up to 3-4 days.

 OATMEAL

Banana Oatmeal cups with chocolate chips – these are wonderful, even kids and husbands love them!

Almond Joy Oatmeal: (½ C old fashioned oats, 1 C unsweetened vanilla almond milk, 2 T shredded unsweetened coconut, 2 T sliced almonds, 2 tsp dark chocolate chips, pinch of salt. Prepare the oats according to your favorite method, stove top or microwave with the milk. Once cooked, stir in the coconut, almonds and salt and top with chocolate chips.

Slow Cooker Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal: 2 sliced apples, 1/3 cup Splenda brown sugar blend, 1 tsp cinnamon on the bottom of the slow cooker. Pour 2 cups of oatmeal and 4 cups of water on top. Do NOT stir. Cook overnight for 8-9 hours on low. Makes 4 servings.

Baked Oatmeal Casserole – This recipe can be modified using regular old-fashioned oats and any fruit. It tasted like dessert to me and was good cold or warm.

Peanut Butter Banana Chocolate Oatmeal YUM.

“Biggest Loser” Oatmeal Pancakes – I really like making these after a long run and layering them with fresh berries and a light syrup. Cut the recipe in half for 1 serving.

Now – for squeezing in that morning workout when you only have a few minutes! My running group, East Orlando Moms RUN This Town, has started doing strength challenges each month and I have included three for you that are all 30-day challenges. Abs, Squats and Planks! These all start easy and gradually build up and have been manageable.

I hope you can incorporate a healthy breakfast and quick workout to your mornings; it will help with your waistline and your mood!