4 Simple Breakfast Hacks To Make Summer Smoother

 This breakfast solution shop for busy families has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #WrapNGo #CollectiveBias

In the flurry of summertime activities, Jr. Golf, Cub Scout Day Camp, playdates and doctor's appointments, breakfast can be a Mom's worst nightmare when trying to get the family out the door fast. My kids are always up for cereal, but it is cold and far too messy for the car. My kids prefer a hot breakfast and my daughter is particular to pancakes, but when do I have time for that on a weekday morning?

Instead my breakfast strategy for on the go mornings changed. I have 4 easy breakfast hacks that any Mom can prepare ahead of time. With these tricks, you can have the family out the door with a delicious breakfast in hand in no time at all.

...And be sure to keep reading to learn how to save money with the Ibotta coupon app on your next grocery trip!

Simple Breakfast Hack #1:

Holy hand-held-goodness-on-a-stick! 

Foster Farms®, a brand I love, has a new breakfast option, Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps. All the goodness of a Foster Farms® turkey link wrapped in sweet pancake batter. And the best part, it comes on a handy stick.

My kids will eat anything presented to them on a stick and I love how portable this makes a warm breakfast. It is a delicious way to make our busiest mornings run smoother, and I think it is something we can "stick" with.

Simple Breakfast Hack #2:

Buy pre-frozen smoothie mixes that only require juice, or freeze your own fruit/vegetable mixes ahead of time in small zip topped bags. I mix 2 cups of our favorite frozen fruit with a cup of juice to make enough smoothies for the whole family in the morning.

See how easy it is to have a fruit smoothie, turkey sausage and pancakes for the whole family even when you are pressed for time?

Simple Breakfast Hack #3:

Serve your Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps poked through a cupcake wrapper to catch any syrup drips after dipping. I promise your car upholstry will thank me! 

Then to make this easy breakfast even more portable, put a small amount of syrup in a re-sealable plastic container and take the smoothie to go in a bottle with a wide straw and bite valve. True, the kids may through the containers on the floor after they are finished, but at least the contents will stay safely in their containers.

I found the new Foster Farms® Pancake Wraps Original Sausage at my local Walmart in the freezer section. Also keep an eye out for the Pancake Bacon, Egg and Cheese variety. I can't wait to try those myself! 

Simple Breakfast Hack #4:

And if you want to save money on your breakfast purchases, be sure to download the Ibotta coupon app. Hey, everything goes more smoothly when you have more money in your wallet, right? Right now you can  "Buy 1 package of either variety and get $1.00 off" coupon. 

Using the app is easy! Just,

1. Download the free app for your smartphone.
2. Search for the product under "Foster Farms®"
3. Select your coupon and complete the task asked, then scan the barcode to verify the product.

There are so many coupons and rebates to choose from, it is a great way to start saving on your next grocery trip.

Now that I have shared my 4 Simple Breakfast Hacks, I would love to hear what tricks you have for getting your family fed and out the door quickly.

What tricks work with your family?

A Whole New, Whole Grain Option - Honey Bunches of Oats Breakfast Biscuits

The following is a sponsored post on behalf of Honey Bunches of Oats Breakfast Biscuits. Opinions and experiences  expressed are my own.

It seems like keeping my family fed takes up a majority of my day. Once my alarm goes off, I am headed downstairs to make sure everyone has breakfast, milk, juice... or coffee. Then by the time I get everything put away and everyone is reasonably happy, it is time to do it all over again for a snack... then lunch... an after school snack and finally dinner.

Don't even get me started about when the kids whine about being hungry right before bed.

Some days though I just don't have time to serve up a complicated meal. I need something to make my day a little easier. It also has to be something that everyone loves. Bars or biscuits are a great way to fill this need.

Confined to a bowl no longer, Honey Bunches of Oats is now making Breakfast Biscuits! There are three flavors; Honey Roasted, Strawberry and Chocolate Chip. I know we all love snacking on the cereal, but these bars are even handier for packing and snacking.

Made with 100% whole grain, each pouch of 4 biscuits can provide lasting energy for the day ahead, a little energy boost when you need a snack. They are not too hard, but they are also not as flaky as a granola bar. My kids tend to make a giant mess out of anything flaky, but these pass the crumb test.

My favorite is by far the chocolate chip. Not too sweet or messy, it just has enough dark chocolate flavor to satisfy my sweet tooth. If I'm not careful, Elliott has learned how to steal a biscuit or two out of my pouch when I'm not looking. Since I like them, he knows they have to be pretty good.

He also highly recommends dunking them in yogurt, by the way.

And if my day isn't busy enough, my poor husband usually leaves the house without breakfast. At least a pouch of Honey Bunches of Oats Breakfast Biscuits are portable enough to take over to the greenhouses.

Though we have enjoyed all 3 flavors, I like the variety they offer by keeping all three handy in my pantry. I also stashed an extra in my purse and packed a few away in my diaper bag. I just never know when someone is going to complain about being hungry.

And some days, that is probably going to be me!

For nutritional information and store locator, check out the Honey Bunches of Oats site.

Have you tried the Honey Bunches of Oats Breakfast Biscuits yet? If not, what flavor would you like to try?

Making Small Changes to my Morning Routine for Little Victories All Day

 This Morning Routine shop with Belvita Bites and V8 Veggie Blends has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #NewBreakfastRoutine #CollectiveBias

Do you have a morning routine that works in your house? I always feel like I can never wake up early enough to get it all done. From the moment my alarm goes off, it is a race to get kids out the door and on the bus, then to start my day AND to meet my fitness goals. With a Kindergarten student on a half day schedule, an elementary school student on a full day schedule and a toddler on... well, bucking any sort of schedule, seems like lunchtime can just sneak up on me before I am fully awake. 

Somewhere along the way, I often forget to eat breakfast myself... and often times I grab a poor substitute for fueling my day. Ever experience that mid-morning energy crash? It isn't pretty.

Mornings seem to set the mood for the entire day, don't they?

When I rush out late for my son's bus, or my daughter forgets her thermos and I have to make an extra trip home, it leaves me exhausted and it feels like I play catch up for the rest of the day. Starting the day right, with a good breakfast, goes a long way to keep me on my game and help me accomplish everything this busy Mom has to tackle before noon. 

Breakfast for me is rarely a "sit down" affair. In fact, I recently started grabbing a bag of BelVita Bites Mini Breakfast Biscuits and pouring myself a glass of V8 Veggie Blends. It is an easy way to make sure that I can eat quickly and while on the go.

Since this year I am already working hard to accomplish my fitness goals of losing weight and building strength and endurance, making sure my morning is off to a good start means I have more time to exercise AND fit everything else into my busy schedule.

When everything runs smoothly, I push myself farther. I know my 2015 goals are within my reach as long as I make smart choices.

I recently splurged on a yoga mat upgrade, a few smaller weights, a new balance ball and a new exercise routine, PiYo. It doesn't require any special equipment and will help me on my goal to becoming stronger and more comfortable in my own skin.

At the age of 36, it isn't just about losing weight anymore. I want to feel strong and healthy. This Mom of 3 is ready to roar! 

All that hard work and sweat requires energy so I can get through a strength routine.

I have to say the Chocolate BelVita Bites Mini Breakfast Biscuits are both filling and yummy! It is fun to have a sweet way to start my day. Each serving provides me four hours of nutritious steady energy, and is a good source of fiber. 

And the V8 Veggie Blends are delicious! They contain contain 75% juice, 1 full serving of vegetables per 8oz serving, and are also a great source of antioxidant vitamins A, C, & E. It is a great way to make my morning beverage count towards my overall eating goals. 

I grabbed my supplies while shopping at Target. Right now there is an "In With The New" section packed with great deals and ideas for getting your morning routine and 2015 goals off on the right foot, too. 

Check out the Cartwheel savings now for 20% off BelVita Bites Breakfast Biscuits and 25% off NEW V8 Veggie Blends. Also grab the deal for V8 Veggie Blends that starts 1/25 and another that starts 2/23.

Well fueled, I am ready to achieve all those small morning victories, getting down to the bus with time to spare, getting my daily chores started (and even finished!), and fitting in time to exercise. All of these things not only benefit my busy family, but let me enjoy the rest of my day.

My life may be crazy, but I want to make every minute count! 

Do you have a morning routine? 

Could BelVita Bites – Mini Breakfast Biscuits and V8 Veggie Blends help you achieve more of your goals? 

My Keurig® Makes Oatmeal? Now it Does with Nature Valley™ Bistro Cups

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own. #BistroCups #PlatefullCoOp 

I enjoy a warm cup of oatmeal year 'round. It is one of the few things that truly keeps me feeling full till lunchtime. When I heard that there was an actual Keurig Oatmeal option, I knew I had to try it for myself. I mean, my Keurig may just be the most important appliance in my whole kitchen.

Shhhh... don't tell the other appliances.

No, it is even more sophisticated than just putting hot water from the Keurig over a bowl of instant oatmeal. I was sent both new flavor options, Nature Valley Apple Cinnamon Almond and Brown Sugar Pecan Bistro Cups which was perfect because my husband and I are a house divided.

He thinks Apple and Cinnamon oatmeal is the only flavor worth eating.

I think Brown Sugar and Pecans are the bee's knees.

I guess now we can both be happy.

The box contains 3 servings with 3 parts to each serving. There is the Bistro cup with all the cinnamon and flavors, a packet of oats and in the case of the Brown Sugar Pecan Bistro Cup, there were dried cherries, cranberries and pecans to mix in.

Making a cup of oatmeal was easy! First I put the contents of the oatmeal packet in my mug,  inserted the Bistro Cup and selected the 6 oz. setting on my machine. After my cup "brewed" I stirred in the mix-ins and waited a minute for the oatmeal to set up.

I really enjoyed that these whole grain oats were not broken down or mushy Quick foods often loose quality, but these were still intact. They were nuttyand had a good "bite" to them after being cooked. It was a great option for a fast morning meal.

These would be perfect for keeping in a desk at work, if you have access to an office Keurig sytem, or for taking on trips to visit family. I know everyone in my family owns a Keurig.

You can find these Nature Valley Bistro cups in the hot cereal aisle at Target. You can connect with Nature Valley on Facebook for product announcements and promotions.


Which Nature Valley Bistro Cup would you try? Apple Cinnamon Almond or Brown Sugar Pecan?

More Nature Valley Options for On the Go!

Disclosure: The information and prize pack have been provided by General Mills through Platefull Co-Op. All opinions and experiences are my own.

I enjoy variety, so having a few different, but fast and easy, breakfast options is important to me.

I want to stick with smarter choices, but I also don't want to skip my morning meal. Decisions, decisions! So learning that there were some new Nature Valley products on the shelves, I knew I had to try them out for myself. You can find all three products at a great savings at your local Target right now.

I already am a fan of Nature Valley granola bars, so it was worth a try.

Granola is one of my morning favorites. A little bit of oat and crunch in my morning bowl helps to make me feel complete. The Nature Valley Protein Crunchy Granola has 10 grams of protein per serving and makes for an easy and delicious fruit  and yogurt parfait.

I like to use vanilla or maple yogurt and pair it with rotating fruit favorites like blueberries, strawberries or banana slices. Then I top my parfait with granola for a little crunch and added texture.

This new product is also just fun to munch by the handful, or mixed in with some nuts and dried fruit for an easy breakfast trail mix.

The Nature Valley Breakfast Biscuits were great with a bit of almond butter smeared on top and then loaded with banana slices. They are also great for eating plain while waiting for my son's bus in the morning.

And then there are the Nature Valley Greek Yogurt Protein Bars which fit perfectly in the side pocket of my purse. I love the yogurt coating on the outside. These are a real treat to eat out when I am too busy to eat breakfast at home.

I tried the Strawberry version, but keep your eyes peeled for the Mixed Berry as well.

So, from granola to biscuits and bars, Nature Valley has presented 3 new ways to keep my on the go lifestyle, going!

You can stay connected with Nature Valley on Facebook to stay up on new products and promotions.

Have your tried any of the #NewNatureValley products? Which would you try first?

New! Kellogg’s® Nutri-Grain® Fruit & Oat Harvest Cereal Bars for Busy Mornings

I participated in an Influencer Program on behalf of Mom Central  for Nutri-Grain. I received product samples and promotional item to thank me for participating. #NGHarvest

I always took my mornings for granted before my kids were born. Now I am more like, what? It's not morning anymore? Where did my day go?

Actually, my day started by me herding three kiddos through the process of getting up, getting dressed, getting fed and out the door. Then I have my morning chores to start, chickens to feed and my email to check. By then I am ready to start setting out things out for our lunches. Do you see a problem with that schedule?

Yeah, my breakfast was missing. And perhaps so were my pants. Yoga pants are all occaision, right?

My husband is a farmer and often rushes out of the house with just his coffee. He has to start early and doesn't eat until lunch... or he grabs a doughnut or cookie from the bakery. He doesn't know that I know this... Yeah, not really a healthy choice. 

So this week I put the new Nutri-Grain Fruit & Oat Harvest Cereal Bars next to his coffee mug in the morning. I put one in my diaper bag and set one on my place at the table the night before. I was just hoping to cover all my basis.

This was not a hard sell in my house. You see, we almost always have a stash of Nutri-Grain snack bars in the pantry. They are my husband's favorite for taking on hikes, bike rides and ski trips.

These new cereal bars come in Strawberry Bliss and Country Blueberry and have the protein, real fruit and whole grains that adults need to start their day. Yeah, 4 grams of protein in just one bar.

Okay, a bar I can handle. That still leaves an empty hand for either my mandatory cup of coffee, or for working on my to-do list. 

And with that extra energy and one more things crossed off my to-do list, I can get out on a morning walk, or spend a little extra time on art projects with my kids. Now, this I can get used to.

Grab your own box of the new bars at your local grocery store. A box of 5 bars has a suggested retail price of $3.59.

How would a Kellogg’s® Nutri-Grain® Fruit & Oat Harvest Cereal Bar help your busy morning?

The Perfect Breakfast Recipe: Hungry Jack Crepes, Jif Spreads and Folger's Coffee

I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community. I used Hungry Jack® Complete Buttermilk Pancake & Waffle Mix to create this easy and delicious crepe recipe to enjoy with my morning Folger's Coffee This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias and its client. 

My family looks forward to our Sunday morning breakfasts and I think breakfast sets the tone for my entire day. I would love to add more variety to our usual menu, but time and habit have me usually making the standard pancakes or waffles. I know my family always enjoys them, but I would like to mix things up. To feed a hungry crew of 5 though, I need to keep things simple.

This week instead of the usual breakfast, I grabbed the same mix and gave it a little twist. Crepes are something we usually reserve for ordering in restaurants, but I was surprised to find  they are easy to make at home using the same ingredients I would be using for those pancakes.

Of course, this Mom can't make anything before her morning cup of coffee. Crepe morning was special, so I grabbed a flavored coffee. Growing up my Dad always bought Folger's Coffee and when I was at Walmart I noticed the Cinnamon Swirl flavor. Yum!

I have been known to flavor my own coffee, but this was easier. It was the perfect blend of spice and coffee to get me ready to tackle crepe making.

Instead of making the mix with just water, I added in enough water for a thinner batter, a little sugar and eggs. Then I let the batter rest for a half an hour in the refrigerator. I heard the batter will not rise when cooked if it sits beforehand. Crepes should be as thin as possible and not puffy.

A good non-stick skillet and non-stick spray are essential for getting the crepe to flip during cooking. I tried butter, but the spray gave me a higher success rate. My first few crepes were a flop. What did I learn?

• Thin batter is key
• Don't add too much batter to the skillet. 2 Tbsp. really is enough!
• Gently loosen the crepe with your spatula
• Allow the crepe to cook enough on one side before attempting to flip it. I found if the surface looked wet at all, it would fall apart when I tried to move it.

Now that I had the hang of it, I was in full crepe making mode. I think I might even be better at crepe making now than making pancakes.

When I lived in Japan there was a little crepe stall in the next town over that I frequented on the weekend. It had a huge board with all the topping possibilities you could choose from. Really the sky is the limit to what you can enjoy inside your crepes!  I always ordered mine with chocolate and fresh fruit. So, this morning I wanted to recreate that with items from my pantry.

I filled mine with a smear of Jif® Chocolate Flavored Hazelnut Spread for the chocolate. If you are feeling really adventurous, I highly recommend adding in some Jif® Natural Creamy Peanut Butter Spread for an added treat.

Then I topped my crepes with blueberries, folded them up and dusted them with powdered sugar.

Now crepes aren't only reserved for restaurants. With a simple mix and delicious spreads, I can serve my family a restaurant-style treat at home anytime. Paired with my Cinnamon Swirl Coffee from Folger's this was my simple breakfast solution.

The recipe with printable PDF version are below.  You can find other great Hungry Jack recipes on their website.

Think outside the box. How would you enjoy your Hungry Jack pancake mix?