Welcome to our Simple, Sustainable & Fun Family Dinners series! At SHF, we know planning your family dinner menu for the week can be stressful and we want to help you with that process. This is the 6th week in a 7 week series where we will be highlighting a Family Dinner that you can implement in your kitchen any night of the week that everyone in your family is sure to love!
We are so excited for this week’s dinner topic because it is one of our favorites…Breakfast for Dinner! If your family is as crazy for breakfast foods as our families are, then you will love some of these simple, sustainable & fun suggestions for a weeknight meal mix-up!
Who said eggs, bacon, pancakes and waffles can only be consumed before 12 PM? Especially during the busy weekday morning rush when all you have time to grab for breakfast is a cup of yogurt, a piece of toast or a bowl of cereal, the option to have a hot breakfast at dinner time is especially appealing!
THE INCREDIBLE, EDIBLE EGG
Eggs used to get a bad rap for being high in cholesterol and therefore unhealthy. According to the American Heart Association, eggs are a great source of protein and
many vitamins essential to our bodies health [1]. While they also are a source of dietary cholesterol, as long as you are aware of any potential risk factors for yourself, eating eggs on a regular basis is not a problem for most people.
Options for eggs for dinner:
- Scrambled with Cheese
- Sunny-side up
- Eggs Benedict
- Omelet with veggies, meats and/or cheese
- Egg Casserole
- Frittata
SIDE OF FLAP JACKS, PLEASE!
If you are eating a Paleo or Keto diet, you will have to hold back on the pancakes. But if you are following a moderation diet, there are many options for pancakes (or waffles) that are easy to make and nutritious!
- Kodiak Power Cakes–made from 100% whole grain flour and 14g of protein per serving
- Wheat Montana Whole Grain Pancake Mix–made with 7 grains and flax seeds, 100% whole grain and also high in fiber
- King Arthur Gluten Free Pancake Mix–a great option for anyone who is GF and still wants yummy pancakes
Top your pancakes with fresh fruit and unsweetened whipped cream for a low-sugar alternative to syrup. Agave nectar or honey might be a great choice as well. If you do prefer syrup, go with 100% maple syrup when possible. Topping pancakes with a dollop of your favorite nut butter is another tasty option.
DON’T FORGET THE MEAT!
Breakfast meats are a great way to add some protein to your favorite breakfast-for-dinner meal. If you can get organic bacon from your local farmer’s market or grocery store, that is a tasty treat. Other great options include breakfast sausages (chicken or pork) in links or patties. If you are vegetarian, there are options for soy-based breakfast meats as well, such as Morning Star Farms sausages!
BUT WHAT ABOUT THE VEGGIES???
Just because you are eating breakfast foods, doesn’t mean you have to omit the veggies from the menu! If you are making an omelet, egg casserole or frittata, throw in some spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes and you are set. Another favorite way for us to include garden-fresh goodies at each meal…serve a crudité platter of cut up fresh veggies with a dipping sauce like hummus and everyone will get in their extra vitamins!
What’s your favorite “breakfast-for-dinner” meal? We would love to hear from you at our SHF community!
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