Back To School and Out The Door!! PB&J Protein Smoothie Recipe!

There is no better, quick and easy breakfast hack than a smoothie!  Make that a protein smoothie and you are really in business!  This one is no exception!  Today I am sharing a great breakfast smoothie that you can whip up quick before leaving the house and you will be fueled and ready to go for the morning and won't be hungry before lunchtime comes around!

This smoothie is taking some inspiration from the peanut butter sandwich.   I have used almond milk, ice, peanut butter, protein powder and some frozen mixed berries as well as a frozen banana.  Do you like to add greens to your smoothie?  Throw in a handful of power greens or spinach or whatever you have on hand to boost the nutrition or green factor if you like!  This smoothie is low in added sugars but high in flavor.  It is high in protein coming in with 22.8 grams of protein!  Perfect for getting you going!  This also has great fiber from the berries as well as a ton of calcium!

You can hack this smoothie by getting your "smoothie packs" ready to go whenever you do your weekly meal prep.  Just stock your freezer with these packets that you can make up with the frozen fruit of your choice all in one place, you can even toss in the peanut butter and the protein powder if you want as well.  Stow them in a basket in your freezer and pull them out on those busy mornings when a smoothie is in order and waz one up by adding the milk and ice.  Ready, set go!  Pour that into a mason jar, screw on the lid pop in a straw and you are on your way to work!

You can also mix this up any way you like.  I used mixed berries, but you can use frozen strawberries, pineapple, peaches or whatever fresh frozen fruit you like best.  What flavor of "jelly" do you like on your PB&J?  Make it your own.  Take it a step further and add in whatever delicious extras you like in a smoothie.  A handful of spinach, power greens or kale.  A splash of juice, or even a squeeze of agave if you like things a little sweeter.  No matter what you do here you can make it delicious!

I hope you give this PB&J Protein smoothie a try and I hope you love it!

Happy Eating!

You can see how I made this smoothie in my YouTube video:

Back To School Breakfast Hacks: French Toast!!

Today we begin our back to school breakfast hacks tips!  First up, homemade French toast fast!  This is a super easy way to always have a great breakfast on hand for your family when days are busy, school is in session and sometimes we can be running late.  This is a great way to make your morning smooth and easy.  No need to always reach for a box of cereal!  You can get a protein packed meal into your family quick with a little forethought and preparation.

French toast is a favorite of many.  When you are firing up your griddle for a weekend breakfast, do a little planning ahead so you can make extra for the upcoming school week.  French toast is really great to make ahead and freeze.  Quick to reheat in the toaster, toaster oven or microwave and then a little syrup on top an you're good to go.  What child is going to say no to a hot slice of French toast on a busy school morning?  My guess is not a one!

A couple of tips for make ahead French toast that will help you on your way:  1) use real French or Italian bread that you slice yourself in about 1 1/2 to 2 inch thickness.  2) Dip, don't soak.  When you have time to make a super eggy delicious piece of French toast you can let that baby soak, but for frozen re-heatable, quick breakfasts you want to dip.  Allowing the bread to get too soggy will make these harder to re heat and less enjoyable to eat and 3) Remove from the griddle directly to a cooling rack so the bottom does not get soggy and they cool evenly all the way through.  That's it! 

When your French toast slices are completely cooled, pop each one into a plastic sandwich bag and toss those into a plastic container or freezer basket and freeze.  Then when you are ready to eat, simply remove from the freezer, pop into your toaster, toaster oven or microwave until done and add butter and syrup or fruit jam and enjoy.

This is one way that you and your family can enjoy a delicious, hot and nutritious homemade breakfast on even the busiest of mornings!  I will be sharing more back to school breakfast hacks in the coming days leading up to the new school year starting.  My girls have already started and I know in some parts of the country that is the case, however in others school will not start until after labor day.  It is never too late to be more prepared whether it is for school, work or anytime!

I hope you give this back to school breakfast hack for French toast at try and I hope you love it!

Happy Eating!