Homemade Strawberry Toaster Tarts

I am always looking for healthier, on-the-go, quick and easy breakfasts for the kids in the morning.  Cereal causes them to linger at the table and they literally forget they even eat it, demanding breakfast within the hour.  Pop-tarts are unfortunately one of the things we have fallen back on in the past.  So when I found a recipe for homemade toaster tarts with make-yourself stawberry filling, I couldn't wait to try it!

Following the recipe carefully, the kids and I waited anxiously to see how they turned out.  I didn't even get the chance to put a glaze and sprinkles on before we were digging in, but they didn't even need it they were so good!  However, they didn't make it to my regular menu because for all my work, it only made 6 pastries - one for each of us at normal size.  (I suppose you could halve them and get double, which may make it worth it if you have fewer than 4 kids eating them :)  Nevertheless, they are a wonderful treat anytime and a great way to use this summer staple!

Egg Perfection

At the start of our paleo diet, I was totally overwhemed.  "If I could just cook a few simple things really well, I would be set."  My first endevor was omlettes.  Growing up I remember my Mom's perfectly cooked & seasoned scrambled eggs.  They were worth dragging my tired teenage butt out of bed for.  My eggs, not so much.  They were flavorless, spongy, and even a ton of cheese on top couldn't rectify them. 

Enter Julia. 

Everyone remembers her tall figure and funny accent.  But more importantly, she was an incredible chef and her unique charm shines through her dishes :)  And I could totally relate to an impromptu dinner party for 300 (what a normal dinner around here feels like ;)  Since using her technique and simple recipe, I have cooked ham and spinach omlettes for playdate lunches, bacon omlettes for dinner, and plain omlettes as fast as I could cook them for my starving small army (aka family).

The next 30 minuntes will change your life :)  Bon Appetit!

Peanut Butter Oatmeal Bars

Why yes, these peanut butter oatmeal bars are even better with chocolate chips in them!  Not that I tried that or anything ;) 

This is a great make ahead breakfast that can last all week.  Cook in cupcake liners with sprinkles and a drizzle of royal icing on top for a healthy afternoon snack.  Or replace the peanut butter with maple syrup, cooked apples, walnuts, blueberries or anything your heart (or sweet tooth) desires ;)

BEST Breakfast Ever!

Steel cut oats are the bomb-diggity.  Seriously.  I can't believe it has taken me 31 years to realize their tasty goodness.

Because eating healthy requires so much more preparation and time, and because I cook for a small ever-growing hoard of children, I need recipes that are worth the time and effort it takes to make them.  Meaning, I must be able to get more than one meal out of them and they must keep us full until the next meal.  And this is one of them :)

 

These overnight steel cut oats can feed my family breakfast (and snack!) for a week.  Because they are so filling, you really don't need to eat huge portions.  (This particular recipe calls for milk, and oats are obviously a grain, so not paleo, but a healthy sub.)  These are just as quick and easy as instant oats, but way more healthy and honestly better tasting. 

 

I tweaked the recipe a bit to fit our family.  Instead of putting the oats into serving-sized mason jars, I used a 9x13 glass dish with a lid and just cut pieces as needed.  If you wanted to add something to the oats (peanut butter, almond slivers, chocolate chips, honey, cooked apples and cinnamon, vanilla, coconut, flax seed, etc), mix it in before putting in the pan.  Otherwise, add toppings before serving :) The best part is that if you use the large pan and already have added your toppings, you can BAKE IT and have your own to-go oatmeal bars!

 

Warning! This type of warm, yummy goodness is addicting!  I actually find myself craving a bowl with coconut, vanilla, almonds and a sprinkle of brown sugar :) 

 

Sunday Sweet

This has been circulating around the web a bit and it always looked enticing.  The perfect oppourtunity came when we had some of Dood's friends over after school.  These were quick to make and super delicious.  AND the recipe made enough to fill 6 hungry kids :)  I cooked them a little longer to make them more solid and used chocolate chips rather than raisins.  You could skip the almond milk and I think they would take a little less time to cook.  Perfect for snacks, desserts, or even breakfasts ;)  Definitely a favorite around here!