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Back to School Breakfasts!

Gone are the lazy days of summer and leisurely breakfasts.  With the kids heading back to school, most families find themselves scarfing down a few bites of a hurried morning meal before rushing out the door.  But just because the new school year might mean less time in the morning, it doesn’t mean you can’t make sure those few quick bites are nutritious and delicious!   Here are a few of our favorite ideas for back to school breakfasts.

 

Monster Green Smoothie

This recipe is so simple; it may become your go-to for mornings on the run.  And not only is this smoothie quick and yummy, but it will start everyone’s day with a big boost of healthy fruits and veggies!

 

Combine in blender or food processor:

  • 2 cups liquid of choice (orange juice, milk, yogurt, etc.)
  • 2 cups baby spinach
  • 1 cup pineapple
  • 1 cup frozen mango chunks
  • 1-2 frozen bananas

 

Pour mixture into to-go cups for those days when you are running late and enjoy on the ride to school and work.

 

Nutella & Banana Sushi41aab1d8-9715-4558-8dc2-c21f75037f62

Moms and dads can quickly wrap up this breakfast while simultaneously helping with forgotten homework and brushing teeth.  Simply spread chocolate Nutella in a thin layer across whole wheat wrap. Place entire (peeled) banana in center of wrap and roll wrap around banana.  Slice “roll” to make individual “sushi” bites.  You’ll love this breakfast as it is easy to pop in a baggy and take in the car on the way to school for those days you are running late!

 

Oatmeal Breakfast Cookies

This recipe is another quick and easy breakfast that you can either make ahead or pop in the oven for a quick treat.  And of course the kids will love the idea of eating “cookies” for breakfast!

 

Ingredients:

  • ¾ cup plain quick cooking oats OR 2 packets low-sugar strawberries in cream oatmeal
  • 2 very ripe bananas (mashed)
  • 1 tsp cinnamon (if using plain oats)
  • 2 tsp Stevia®, or your favorite sweetener (if using plain oats)

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly coat a cookie sheet with nonstick cooking spray. In a small bowl, mix oats and mashed bananas. If using plain oats add in cinnamon and sweetener. Using a spoon, spoon small amounts of oatmeal mixture onto cookie sheet to form bite size cookies. Bake in oven for 10-12 minutes until cookies are golden brown. Serve immediately or store in an air-tight container.

 

And of course, for those weekend days when you have time to go out for breakfast in Denver, be sure to stop in and say hi to your friends at The Original Pancake House!  We’ll be happy to do all the breakfast work for you so that you can enjoy a well-deserved morning off!


oatmeal

Celebrate National Oatmeal Month!

Did you know?  January is National Oatmeal Month!  What a perfect time to celebrate the simplest, healthiest, and one of the most comforting breakfast foods.  We’ve researched a few fun facts about oatmeal, and even have a great oatmeal recipe idea for you.  Read on below!

Fun Facts About Oats:54ffc55bea4d6-1-main-oatmeal-de

  1. There are three types of oats that can be used to create oatmeal. Steel-cut oats still contain the whole grain and oat bran and are processed through steel cutters which slice them into pieces.  Rolled oats are de-hulled, steamed and flattened.  Rolled oats are often referred to as “old fashioned oats.”  Finally, instant oats are similar to rolled oats except that they are steamed longer and are fully cooked before they are dried.

 

  1. In general, the less processed your oats, the more fiber they will contain. For optimum health benefits, go with the steel-cut oats.

 

  1. Ancient Germanic tribes around 1,000 BC were the first to cultivate and eat oats.

 

  1. Oats were first brought to the United States by European settlers in the early 1600’s. Immigrants used the oats in porridge, pudding, and baked goods, much the same way we do today.

 

Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

If you want to create the healthiest oatmeal with steel cut oats, but don’t have the extra time in the morning, try using a slow cooker!  Follow the instructions for water and oats ratio and combine in a slow cooker.  Add in raisins, fruit, or any other toppings of your choice.  Set the slow cooker on low for 7-8 hours and in the morning you have piping hot oatmeal, ready to go!

 

And of course, we’ll be happy to share our Old Fashioned Oatmeal with you the next time you are out for breakfast in Denver.  Our version is served with warm skim milk, brown sugar, and raisins.  You can’t beat it on a cold January day!  Happy National Oatmeal Month!


parfait

Spooktacular Healthy Breakfast Treats!

It’s the time of year when ghosts and goblins pop up everywhere, pumpkins abound, and everyone is excited for Halloween! To get in the mood, we like to make all sorts of fun Halloween breakfasts treats at home.  Here are a few healthy ideas to add a little BOO to your breakfast!

parfait

Candy Corn Fruit Parfaits

  • 1 can (11 ounce) mandarin oranges
  • 1 can (20 ounce) pineapple chunks
  • 2 6-ounce containers of low-fat vanilla yogurt
  • candy corn pieces - for garnish

This is a fun and festive breakfast idea for the fall season - especially around Halloween. It’s ultra-fast to prepare and a healthy way to start the day. Fresh fruit could definitely be used in place of the canned fruit. Depending on the size of your glasses, this recipe makes 2 to 4 parfaits. Layer 1/3 of each glass with pineapple pieces, followed by an equal layer of mandarin oranges. Top each serving with a generous dollop of vanilla yogurt and a decorative piece of candy corn.

Terrifying Toast:

Trim a slice of toast to resemble a hand, foot or finger and then dollop strawberry or raspberry jam so it looks severed and bleeding. You can do the same thing with waffles and pancakes. For a quick, edible ghost, rip a small hole in a piece of toast to act as a mouth and then use chocolate chips or berries to make eyes.

Apple Monster Mouth!

These apple treats make a great Halloween-themed breakfast or snack – and they are healthy!  To prepare, cut applean apple into quarters and then take a slice out of each quarter.  Next, poke in almond slivers for the teeth.  Alternatively you can spread peanut butter in the inside of the “mouth” and use marshmallows as the teeth.

Every year at The Original Pancake House we like to dress up for the holiday, so if you join us for breakfast in Denver on the 31st, don’t forget to wear your costume!  Have a safe and happy Halloween, Denver!


The Fiesta Bowl

Heart-friendly Breakfast Ideas

With the start of the New Year, we all strive to make healthy decisions and fresh starts.  Thankfully, breakfast is one of the best ways to kick start healthy habits. If you start the day on a good note, it is much easier to continue the trend throughout the rest of your day, week, month, and year.  Here are a few breakfast ideas to get your day, and New Year, off to a heart-healthy start.

From The Original Pancake House "Lighter Side" menu
From The Original Pancake House "Lighter Side" menu

Breakfast Smoothie

– Combine one cup of low fat milk or soy milk with frozen strawberries and a sliced banana.  Blend in your food processor or blender until smooth and frothy.  For extra protein, add a scoop of protein powder.  Create variety by mixing and matching your fruits.

Incredible Egg-white Sandwich

– Assemble this delicious morning meal with a toasted whole-wheat English muffin, scrambled egg-whites and a slice of tomato.  For extra protein, add smoked salmon and you have the perfect brain-boosting breakfast.

Spunky Oatmeal

– Spruce up your oatmeal with the addition of fruit and nuts.  Adding tangy rhubarb, blueberries, raspberries, currents, or cranberries can add a much needed zip of flavor to this pantry staple.  By adding nuts you’ll get an extra boost of protein, healthy fats, and vitamins to help keep you full and feeling great all morning.

And when you are heading out for breakfast in Denver, try The Original Pancake House Denver’s “Lighter Side” menu.  We offer breakfast favorites like Old Fashioned Oatmeal, Cream of Wheat, Scrambled Egg Whites, and Homemade Granola, to name a few.  With these heart-friendly options, you can enjoy a delicious, guilt-free breakfast out with your family!