Recipes and Morning Hacks to Start Your Day Smoothly

Getting a family of 6 up and going in the morning can be a challenge. Over the years I’ve learned to implement some tricks to keep everyone on task, and to help us get out the door quickly. I feel for the busy family so I’m sharing my recipes and morning hacks to start the day smoothly. Getting off on the right foot is important for a healthy and happy day!

One of the biggest time suckers of the morning can be breakfast. Sure, it’s great to sit down for a leisurely breakfast, filled with chatter, but our days don’t always allow for that. I’ve come up with a few recipes to help speed up the decision making, and cooking time. These recipes are all super kid-friendly too, which is a bonus.

My other tips, if implemented correctly, can help keep the kids on task as you are trying to get everyone ready for the day. Here are my 6 morning hacks, with recipes included.

1. PB&J Muffins with Jif’s new Cinnamon Peanut Butter! So incredibly delicious, and you can make the night before for a quick breakfast.

2. Have the kids brush their teeth at night and pre-load their toothbrush and leave on the counter for morning. This way you can see who has actually gone in and brushed their teeth in the morning. If the toothpaste is gone, they’ve done it! No need to fight and argue over it!

3. Lay outfit, shoes, socks, and backpack out the night before. Takes away the decision making in a rushed morning!

4. Toasted bagel topped with Jif Maple Peanut Butter and bananas. A quick and easy, nutritious breakfast!

5. Create a morning chart with a list of activities that need to be completed by the children, before heading out the door. We call this “the flow”. Next to each task is an approximate amount of time it should take. IE: 3 minutes for bed making, 4 minutes for dressing, 10 minutes for eating, 10 minutes for chores and gathering items. When the kids wake up in the morning, tell them you’re starting “the flow” and expect things to run smoothly. Have the kids use the chart as a reference, to stay on task. Feel free to use rewards, if needed as an incentive.

6. Greek yogurt swirled with Jif Peanut Butter of choice, and topped with granola, for a quick breakfast you can eat on-the-go.

PB&J Muffins

Clever Housewife

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 21 minutes mins

Total Time 31 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ cup rolled oats
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 Tbs baking powder
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• 1 cup Jif Cinnamon Peanut Butter
• 2 large eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 1 Tbs vanilla extract
• 6 Tbs butter melted
• 3/4 cup Smucker's Jam or Jelly
• 1/3 cup granola

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 375º.
• In a large mixing bowl, add flour, oats, salt, baking powder, and sugar and stir until combined.
• Stir in peanut butter until incorporated. Mixture will be coarse.
• Using an electric hand mixer add eggs, milk, vanilla extract, and melted butter to dry mixture. Mix just until combined.
• Line a muffin pan with cupcake liners and fill each one halfway with batter.
• To each filled cupcake liner, add one tablespoon of jam into the center. Fill remainder of cupcake liner batter and top with a sprinkle of granola. Bake for 21-23 minutes, or until lightly golden.
• Remove from oven and cool slightly before serving.