Energizing breakfast foods for busy moms

Peanut butter banana oatmeal

Shared by Brooke Worley, MS, of MyFoodDiary.com, this recipe contains powerful ingredients that add up to really pack a punch: filling, heart-healthy oats, vitamin B-rich peanut butter and bananas, and energy-boosting honey.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup plain oats
• 1 tablespoon peanut butter
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1/2 medium banana
• 1/2 to 1 cup water

Directions

Mix ingredients together. Microwave on high for 2 minutes. Stir and devour!

Try this Peanut Butter and Banana French Toast recipe >>

Hard-cooked eggs

At only 60 calories, eggs provide the most nutritional bang for their caloric buck, say the folks at Eggland's Best. Hard-cooked eggs are a great source of vitamin D, omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin E. And the protein keeps you feeling fuller longer.

The right way to hard-boil eggs >>

Strawberry Orange Shake

With this scrumptious treat, you'll feel like you're chillin' at the smoothie joint at the mall.? I?t?'?s? ???e?a?s?y ?t?o ?m?a?k?e? ?a?n?d? ?e?a?s?y ?t?o ?e?a?t? ?-?-? ?a?n?d? ?i?t?'?s? ?g?r?e?a?t? ?t?o? ?s?h?a?r?e? ?w?i?t?h? ?t?h?e? ?k?i?d?s?,? ?t?o?o??!

??Ingredients?

• ?2 cups unsweetened frozen strawberries?
• 1 cup unsweetened orange juice, chilled?
• 1 cup skim milk?
• 1 (8 ounce) carton strawberry low-fat yogurt??

Directions

1. ?Place frozen straw?b?err??ies, orange juice and skim milk in blend. ?
2. Add strawberry yogurt and process just until blended.?
3. Pour into chilled glasses and enjoy!

Try a Strawberry and Blueberry Smoothie >>

Whole Wheat Bagel with Topping

Laura McIntosh, host of Bringing It Home with Laura McIntosh, is a fifth-generation farmer's daughter who encourages busy moms to use fresh, seasonal ingredients.

McIntosh makes an ordinary whole wheat bagel more special by topping it with egg, turkey sausage or low-fat cream cheese. The fiber-filled bagel helps Mom feel fuller longer, and the protein-rich toppings help keep her energy level high.

Really dress it up: Peanut Butter, Chocolate and Banana Bagel >>

Cinnamon Berry Oatmeal

Fitness expert Francesca Pucher of Fitness 121 takes traditional breakfast staples and adds them together for a truly splendid, energizing breakfast.

Ingredients

• plain instant oatmeal
• water or almond milk
• 1/2 cup fresh berries
• dash of cinnamon

Preparation

1. Cook the instant oatmeal using water or almond milk.
2. Add berries to cooked oatmeal and top with cinnamon.
3. Stir and enjoy.

Make oatmeal in a crock pot! >>

Sunrise Sundae

Cherries are really good for you and provide a great start in the morning, but they're not always in season. Use convenient canned cherries while waiting for this summer's bounty.

Ingredients

• 1-1/2 cups low-fat granola or other cereal
• 1 carton (8 oz.) low-fat plain or vanilla yogurt
• 1 can (15 oz.) cherry mixed fruit, no sugar added, drained

Directions

Spoon alternating layers of granola, yogurt and fruit in 3 tall glasses.

For easy variety, change up the cereal and use other fruits >>

More tips for a healthy lifestyle

• Exhausted? Easy ways to get energized
• 3 Tips for staying satisfied between meals
• The importance of eating foods that taste good