8 Quick and Easy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Teachers

 

Busy Teacher Breakfast Ideas

Being a busy teacher on the go can leave you scrabbling to get it all done, and some things may get left out in the hustle and bustle. And, one of those things may be getting to enjoy a nutritious breakfast. However, starting your day with a healthy meal is crucial for maintaining energy levels and your overall well-being. To help you tackle your morning rush, here are eight quick and easy breakfast ideas that are both delicious and time-saving for busy teachers. 

1.Overnight Oats

Oats are some of my favorite breakfast food. My love of oats began when I was a girl. My grandfather used to make them, and they smelled so good! I loved when he gave me some. And, this love carried over into adulthood.

Overnight oats can be a lifesaver for busy school mornings. Before going to bed, simply combine rolled oats with milk or yogurt in a mason jar or other airtight container. Add your favorite toppings, such as sliced fruits, nuts, honey, or a sprinkle of cinnamon. Since I want all of my fruit and other ingredients fresh, I don’t add toppings until I’m ready to eat. Now, leave those oats in the fridge overnight, and by morning, you'll have a ready-to-eat breakfast on the go.

I prefer to make my oats on the weekend. I make several jars worth and store them in the frig until I need them. And, I have to confess. I love eating these even when it isn’t a busy morning. My son and I sometimes eat these in the evenings while we are waiting on dinner.

2. Make-Ahead Egg Muffins

Prepare a batch of egg muffins at the beginning of the week to enjoy easy breakfasts throughout the rest of the school week. You can start by beating some eggs and pour the mixture into a greased muffin tin. Some people like to add diced vegetables like bell peppers, spinach, tomatoes, or shredded cheese. Shredded cheese is my go too. Bake these muffins in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 15-20 minutes until fully cooked. Store the muffins in the fridge and reheat one or two in the microwave when needed throughout the week.

3. Smoothie

Once I discovered the magic of smoothies, I was hooked. They are easy and convenient for busy teachers on the go. They are also great to act as a meal replacement.

You can turn these into an easy to make smoothies into a quick, nutritious morning meal. You can start by creating smoothie packs. Add your favorite smoothie ingredients into individual resealable bags. Grab fruits of your choice like bananas, berries, or other fruit. Place them inside sealable bags. Seal the bags and store them in the freezer. In the morning, toss the contents of one pack into your blender, add some milk or juice, and blend until smooth for a refreshing and nutrient-packed smoothie.

I like my smoothie fresh. And, I love to make them with protein powder. I make mine with almond milk, bananas, strawberries, and protein powder. I blend these ingredients in the blender, and I have a quick and easy meal.

4. Peanut Butter Banana Toast

This classic combination takes minimal effort and tastes delightful. If you haven’t figured it out, bananas are my favorite fruit. Toast a slice of bread, spread a generous layer of peanut butter, and top it with banana slices. Some people recommend whole wheat bread, but I prefer white bread. It may not be the healthiest choice, but it’s still a quick and easy morning meal.

5. Greek Yogurt Parfait

In the famous words of Donkey on Shrek, “Everybody loves a Parfait.” These Greek yogurt parfaits are not only visually appealing, but it is also packed with essential nutrients. In a tall glass or mason jar, layer Greek yogurt with granola, mixed berries, and a drizzle of honey. Repeat the layers until the glass is full. You can prepare multiple jars ahead of time and refrigerate them, making it easy to grab one on the go.

6. Breakfast Pizza

Who wants pizza? Well, have some for breakfast. Breakfast Pizza combines the goodness of pizza with all the breakfast essentials. To make this delicious dish ahead of time, you'll need pizza dough, eggs, cheese, and your favorite breakfast toppings. Start by rolling out the dough. Then, you can add the ingredients of your choice. These can include scrambled eggs, cheese, and toppings like sausage, bell peppers, and onions. Once you have assembled your pizza, cover and refrigerate overnight. The next morning, simply place your breakfast pizza inside the oven for a quick bake. Your breakfast pizza can be sliced and enjoyed by the whole family.

7. Overnight Breakfast Casserole

The Overnight Breakfast Casserole is a hearty, go-to choice for busy moms like me. To prepare this family favorite, you'll need bread cubes, eggs, milk, cheese, and your choice of add-ins like sausage, bacon, or veggies. Assemble the casserole in a baking dish the night before and let them soak. This allowing the flavors to meld and the bread to soak up the custard. The next morning, simply bake until it's golden brown and bubbly. You can customize it to suit your family's tastes.

8. Make-Ahead French Toast Sticks

French toast is one of those breakfast delights that is sweet and decadent. You can make these slices of heaven as sophisticated or as simple as you like. To prepare, dip slices of bread into a mixture of eggs, milk (or half and half), vanilla extract, and cinnamon. You then bake until they are golden. Once they cool, store them in the freezer. And, in the morning, pop them in the toaster or microwave for a quick reheat. Serve with syrup or a dusting of powdered sugar for a delicious breakfast that feels like a special treat.

Since I was dying to try a variation on this dish, I decided to use crescents instead of regular bread. I also used the air fryer. They were just as good and just as delicious. If you like you can enjoy your French toast with fruit or even a creamy whipped topping.

Life can get to be hectic. And, if you are a busy teacher/busy mom like me then you know how valuable time is. But, that doesn’t mean you should skip breakfast. Oh, contra. Instead, have a delicious, healthy, and quick breakfast. These eight quick and easy breakfast ideas are designed to save you time without compromising on nutrition and taste.

Happy Teaching!

Video to watch:

French Toast 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EARnchvnbVI

The Best Teacher Morning Routine

https://2cuteclassroom.com/the-best-teacher-morning-routine/#more-722

9 Soups for the Fall Transition

 

Fall Soup Favorites to Try 

The scorching summer temperatures won’t last forever. They will eventually give way to the cooler days of fall. Soup and sweater weather is on the way. Fall is the perfect time to indulge in the comfort of a heart-warming bowl of soup. If you are like me and you love soup, here are some delicious, cozy, southern soups to help to delight your taste buds and keep you warm during the autumn months.

Vegetable Soup

Vegetable Soup is a favorite soup for most southerners. This soup is definitely a classic. Vegetable soup dates back as far as ancient times. Its main ingredients are vegetables, and these can be found in any gardens. The most common ingredients for vegetable soup include carrots, celery, tomatoes, potatoes, green beans, corn, and onions. You can add additional vegetables and herbs. You might even want to add some chicken or beef to the mix. I prefer mine with chicken.

Here's how to create this fall favorite. You start with some scrumptious vegetables being added to a pot. After you have sweated onions, carrots, and celery in olive oil and tomato paste. You create more flavor with garlic, pepper, and salt. You pour in vegetable and/ or chicken stock, a can of diced tomatoes, potatoes, and bay leaves. Simmer until the veggies are tender. Then, comes the frozen peas. Add your favorite spices and let them cook until done. When you finish, you have created a simple, time-honored autumn soup.

Potato & Shrimp soup

Potatoes are one of the cheapest vegetables that you can buy. Potato soup was first introduced in France, and the main ingredients were leeks, onions, potatoes, cream, and chicken broth. Here’s the part I love. Add in seafoods like shrimp, crab, and lobster to give plain potato soup a new life.

It all begins with the potatoes. Simmer and cook the potatoes. Add the milk, chicken bouillon or chicken broth. Cook the shrimp. Add the half-and-half, salt, pepper, and then, add the shrimp. It should only take about 3 minutes for the shrimp to cook. Then, I get to eat one of my favorite soups.

Corn Soup

It’s a great time to enjoy some corn soup. What is corn soup? Corn soup is soup made using corn, butter, chicken broth, and the fresh herbs of your choosing. You can opt to add other vegetables like potatoes or carrot to the mix to help make it thicker. You can even add cream to your soup if you like.

Heat butter until it melts. Add onion, red bell pepper, and jalapeno (if you want some heat). Cook until soft. Stir in flour. Gradually add in broth. Add potatoes and bring to a simmer. Next, add chicken, corn, and salt. Simmer 2 to 3 minutes. Stir in heavy cream and remove from heat. No matter what you add to your corn soup, it is a great soup to celebrate the beginning of the fall season.

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

It’s an ole’ but goodie. Most of us have eaten chicken noodle soup at one time or another. Even though it’s best in colder weather or when we are sick, now is a great time to start enjoying some homemade chicken noodle soup. This time-honored soup dates as far back as 2^nd century China. The key ingredients are chicken, chicken broth, wide egg noodles, salt and pepper. You can add as many other ingredients as you like to create your own homemade chicken noodle soup.

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

Butternut squash and apple soup is a quintessential fall favorite. It blends the earthiness of squash with the sweet-tartness of delicious apples. This creamy, fall favorite is rich in flavors and textures. It is an ideal comfort food.

To prepare this delightful “sweater weather” soup, roast butternut squash and sauté onions until golden brown. Add apples, vegetable broth, and warming spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and a touch of ginger. After simmering, blend the ingredients until smooth. Garnish with a drizzle of maple syrup or a dollop of crème fraîche to enhance the flavors. This soup is a cozy dish you won’t want to miss this fall.

Roasted Tomato and Basil Soup

Tomatoes are some of the best things about summer, and you can continue to enjoy them even during the fall season. Use those last juicy summer tomatoes to create a hearty soup.

Start by roasting those tomatoes. Roasting the tomatoes will bring out their natural sweetness, and the addition of fresh basil provides a hearty taste. Begin by roasting tomatoes, garlic, and onions until they are caramelized. Then, blend them with vegetable broth until smooth. Season with salt, pepper, and a pinch of sugar to balance the flavors.  Add a few sprinkles of olive oil and chopped basil. Then, bon appétit.

Wild Mushroom and Barley Soup

I confess. I love mushrooms. And, I especially love eating them in soups. So, it only make sense that I would celebrate the fall harvest with a mouth-watering, wild mushroom and barley soup. This earthy delight is a combination of mushrooms in a creamy mix with barley.

Begin by sautéing a mix of wild mushrooms in butter. These can include shiitake, oyster, and cremini. Add onions, carrots, and celery for extra depth of flavor. Pour in vegetable or mushroom broth and simmer until the barley is tender, and the sensual flavors have blended. Sprinkle some fresh thyme and parsley to elevate the dish. Now, it’s ready to eat.

Pumpkin and Lentil Soup

Pumpkins….pumpkins! Fall screams pumpkins. And, pumpkins can be used to make a delicious fall soup. Incorporating pumpkin into a hearty lentil soup can be just the thing for fall. Start by sautéing onions, garlic, and ginger until fragrant. Add diced pumpkin, red lentils, and vegetable broth. Simmer until the lentils and pumpkin are tender and well-cooked. For added creaminess, blend a portion of the soup and mix it back in. This wholesome and nourishing soup will become a fall favorite in no time.

Minestrone Soup

It has everything! Minestrone soup is packed with vegetables, beans, and greens. This soup has it all. And, it is a wonderful soup for fall and winter.

In a large pot, sauté the chopped onion, garlic, carrots, and celery until softened. Add the diced tomatoes, broth, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer for about 10 minutes. Mix in the cooked kidney beans and pasta. Cook for an additional 10-15 minutes until the pasta is tender. Adjust seasoning if needed. Then, dive into this hearty autumn soup.

As the weather cools down and the leaves start to fall, there's no better way to embrace the season than with a steaming bowl of delicious soup. These five soups, each unique in its flavors and textures, are the perfect embodiment of autumn's bounty. From the velvety butternut squash and apple soup to the robust wild mushroom and barley soup, these comforting delights will surely

keep you warm and satisfied during the fall months. So, grab your ladle and prepare to savor the heartwarming flavors of the season

The weather may still be hot outside, but fall is rapidly coming. Make soup a part of your fall transition. You can begin with these “sweater weather” favorites.

YouTube videos to watch:

How to Make Potato Soup

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHq0RXIjAfk