America is a nation of extremes, where we take something to the “nth” degree. Take food, for example. There are food channels, food reviewers (foodies), and diets galore. Look on social media at any given moment and you will find someone promoting a paleo diet or a new cupcake flavor. There are many who weigh in on what people should eat and what they shouldn’t eat. Obesity is a multi-factored problem in our country. A major contributor is nutrition. Let 2019 be the year of food makeovers. Let’s begin with breakfast!

When Americans think of breakfast, they think of items like cereal, bacon and eggs, toast and butter, pancakes and donuts. They believe to eat a healthy breakfast, it has to be complicated and take a long time to make. However, a nutritious breakfast can quick and easy. Here are a few of my favorite breakfasts I make for my children:

100% whole wheat pancakes. We love this because it is quick enough for a school day. This recipe is from Cooks Illustrated, but I scaled it to be the right number for the three of us.

  • 1 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 T sugar
  • ¾ t baking powder
  • ¼ t baking soda
  • ¼ t salt
  • 1⅛ c buttermilk
  • 2½ T vegetable oil
  • 1 large egg

Mix the dry ingredients in a bowl. Mix the wet ingredients in another bowl. Add the wet to dry and whisk thoroughly. Heat 1 t oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Wipe pan with a paper towel and use a 2-ounce ladle or a ¼ cup measure to pour out 4 aliquots of batter onto the pan. Flip when bubbles begin to form and break on the surface. Flip and cook the other side until lightly browned. Serve warm.

Quick Peanut Butter-Banana Pancakes

  • One soft banana
  • One egg
  • ¼ tsp baking powder
  • 2 T flour
  • 1 T peanut butter

Mash the banana and mix in egg. Add the baking powder, flour, and peanut butter. Mix together. Heat 1 t oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet. Divide batter into fourths and cook on the skillet about 2 minutes or until brown. Flip and cook the other side. Serve warm.