Weekly Family Meal Recipes: Boost Brainpower with Breakfast

by Meals Matter | about the author 23. March 2012 12:00

Spring's arrival marks the beginning of standardized testing at elementary and middle schools across the country. Scientific studies have linked a healthy breakfast with higher scores on achievement tests, so spring is a perfect time for the whole family to boost brainpower with breakfast.

Since mornings can be hectic, we’ve compiled healthy breakfast options that are either very quick to prepare or can be made ahead of time. Preparing these recipes together as a family is also a great opportunity to put math and reading skills into action, further boosting your child's brainpower.

Get the week off to a smart start with Nutty Breakfast Parfaits prepared with Homemade Yogurt and washed down with Spiced Hot Chocolate. Other healthy, make-ahead breakfast recipes include Crockpot Oatmeal, Spinach Pie, Blackberry-Banana Breakfast Smoothies and Cheese and Fruit Kabobs. For best results, make sure breakfast includes a variety of foods from all five food groups for optimal nutrition and energy until lunchtime.

Register at www.MealsMatter.org to add these and other recipes to your personalized family meal plan and shopping list. "Family Meals Matter" features registered dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website www.MealsMatter.org, maintained by registered dietitian moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Nutty Breakfast Parfait recipe and photo by California Walnuts, www.Walnuts.org

Tags: academic achievement, family meals

Breakfast | Family | Healthy Eating | Meal Planning | Recipes

Weekly Family Meal Recipes: Good for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner

by Meals Matter | about the author 6. January 2012 08:00

Some recipes are just too good, and too versatile, to restrict to a single time of day. While many recipes can work for breakfast and lunch (brunch) or lunch and dinner (linner), there are a select few that can span all three categories (blinner). Delight your family’s taste buds this week with recipes that taste good—and are good for you—any time of the day.

Start with a featured family meal of Broccoli-Cheese Pie, Honey-Lime Fruit Toss and Super Fast Smoothies. Enjoy other blinner recipes all week long, including Secretly-Delicious Spinach Pie, Shiitake Mushroom Fritatta, Apple Salad and Classic Scones.

“Family Meals Matter” features Registered Dietitian-approved recipes from the thousands of user-contributed recipes available at the free family-nutrition and meal-planning website, MealsMatter.org, maintained by Registered Dietitian-moms with Dairy Council of California. Healthy Eating Made Easier™

Photo Caption: Broccoli-Cheese Pie, EatingWell

Tags: family meals, healthy eating, recipes