Breakfast may be the most important meal of the day, but sometimes you just don’t have the time or patience for it – not when you’re trying to get to work on time, at least. Here are some easy breakfast hacks to make your mornings much easier.
1. Breakfast parfaits are a no-brainer.
Whether you go with oatmeal, cereal or yogurt, an overnight breakfast parfait is the easiest way to get your breakfast settled. All you need is a mason jar (or a glass and some plastic wrap), your favourite yogurt or milk, granola or oatmeal and some fresh fruit like bananas, blueberries or bananas. Assemble your parfait the night before, then store it in the fridge for the next morning’s breakfast.
Need more easy breakfast recipes? Check out our guide to Easy and Healthy Breakfast Ideas.
2. Ziploc your smoothie ingredients.
Starting the day with a vitamin-packed smoothie is great, but dealing with a fruit knife at 7am in the morning? Not so great. Save yourself from having to (groggily) wield a fruit knife by preparing your smoothie ingredients the night before.
In fact, you can even slice a bunch of different fruits and store them in separate Ziploc bags in the freezer. When you’re in need of a breakfast smoothie, just pop your desired ingredients into the blender with some milk or yogurt, and you’re good to go.
Check out this recipe for some ideas on what to put in your breakfast smoothie.
(Source: ziploc.com)
3. Microwaved scrambled eggs are the way to go.
…when you’re lazy, that is. Scrambled eggs are a breakfast staple, but the thought of getting a frying pan out on a weekday morning is somewhat unappealing. Enter microwaved scrambled eggs, the best invention since sliced bread.
To make microwaved scrambled eggs, crack two eggs into a microwave-safe bowl and stir with a splash of milk. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and poke a few holes to let the steam out. Microwave the bowl on Medium High for about 90 seconds, stirring every 30 seconds or so. If you want to jazz your eggs up a little, add some grated cheese and herbs into the mix.
Check out the full recipe here.
(Source: wherethecookiesare.com)
4. French Toast…in a cup?
If you need your sugar boost in the morning, you’ll be pleased to know that you can easily make French Toast in your microwave – minimal washing up required. Slice 1 to 2 slices of bread (depending on how hungry you are) into small cubes, then place aside. For the batter, melt a tablespoon of butter in a mug for about 30 seconds, taking care to spread the butter all around the mug. Add a quarter cup of milk, a beaten egg and a pinch of cinnamon, sugar and vanilla extract. Finally, mix the bread cubes into the mixture then microwave the mug on High for about 90 seconds (or until it sets).
If you want to save time in the morning, pre-mix the batter and slice the bread the night before – so you’ll just have to mix the two in a mug, then microwave in the morning.
Check out the full recipe here.
(Source: prettyprudent.com)
5. A French Press is a must for coffee-lovers.
And speaking of French things…a French Press is the way to go if you need your morning caffeine fix (and don’t have a Nespresso machine).
Just scoop a tablespoon (or as much as the directions state) of ground coffee beans into the French Press, then pour hot water in and let it steep for a few minutes (depending on how strong you like your coffee). Once you’re ready to drink the coffee, sink the plunger to filter the mixture before pouring into your favourite mug.
Want to make it a latte? Check this out to see how you can froth your milk without an espresso maker.
(Source: thesweetestoccasion.com)
6. Cling wrap your bananas.
Bananas are a mainstay in most breakfast recipes, but they have this annoying tendency to turn brown after a couple of days. I mean, can’t a girl go through an entire bunch of bananas without having to deal with the mushy, speckled ones?!
To slow down the ripening process, separate your bananas and wrap the stems securely with plastic wrap. Sounds crazy, but doing so actually slows down the release of ethylene gas from the banana stem, which is what causes the bananas to ripen.
(Source: lifehacker.com)
