Monday, May 12, 2008

The Monday Menu - Breakfast Edition


This week's Monday Menu features breakfast. Commercial breakfast cereals are fast and convenient. They are also overpriced and only going to get more expensive as grain prices increase. I have not been buying these packaged cereals so that our food budget can keep pace with the increased prices at the grocery store. A cooked breakfast means getting up a little earlier or preparing the night before.

I believe that a cooked breakfast will have more far reaching effects than simply keeping pace with inflation. I think it matters that the kids go to school with a cooked breakfast warming them from the inside out. I think it will matter that they have memories of the smell and taste of cooked breakfasts. I hope it strengthens them in ways that go beyond nutrition.

Non-commercially prepared breakfasts include:

*eggs, toast, bacon
*Muffins (the variety is endless)
*Pancakes or waffles - these don't take too long to prepare but can also be individual frozen pancakes put into the toaster for a grab and go on a busy day.
* Hot rice with milk and butter
* Home made bread with jam.
* Yogurt with fresh fruit. With fresh milk from the cow I'm making yogurt twice a week.
* Spaghetti with egg. Mr. Greenjeans learned this from some Italians on a trip. He scrambles a couple of eggs with chili pepper flakes and then adds left over spaghetti noodles to fry for a moment and then scrambles in freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
* Omelets
* French Toast
* Left overs from dinner with things like quiche or potatoes being the best.
* Cooked cereal such as oatmeal, or malt o meal (buy the plain and add your own sugar).

4 comments:

Unknown said...

Wow, that looks good. Really, really good.

Anonymous said...

mmmm - i love hot rice with butter!! i am intrigued by the eggs and spagetti - it sounds good!

Lisa Zahn said...

Thanks for the ideas, Verde. I get tired of cooking breakfast (and lunch and dinner--we homeschool so it's 3 a day), but you're right that it's more economical and much healthier. You've inspired me to keep going!

And thanks for the comment on my blog, and for linking to me here. I love that!

What church do you work for? I studied to be a Lutheran minister--went to Sem. right out of college, but for various reasons didn't finish my 4th year and don't want to go back ever...(I think--never say never)

Anyway, peace and blessings!

Lisa in MN

Connie said...

Hey you all busy moms, I wish I could serve you breakfast. I'm finding it just isn't hard - and probably won't be until winter when it is much more difficult to get out of a warm bed!

Lisa, I am with the Episcopal Church - we are close (and in communion with) the ELCA. That is so interesting that you went to seminary! I know the third year is in a parish but I'll bet there is an interesting story in not wanting to go back to the last year. However you neven know what God has in store for you!