Changes At Breakfast Time

We have had some recent changes at our breakfast table....the first of which is me being there.  I am not a morning person, or at least I havn't been until now.  We have recently found our family Bible study time being replaced with work, school and extra curricular schedules.  It seemed that we weren't even eating our dinner together in the evenings more than a couple days a week.  Dear husband (who is typically a morning person) decided that we would begin having our family Bible study time in the morning at the breakfast table.  That would be great, except....I don't to breakfast very well, at least until now.  I am learning to like it and honor my dh as well:)  It is amazing how this little change in our day has affected the whole day.  Some of the changes I have noticed have been things like, getting to bed earlier, ease in getting teens up in the morning, and just more pleasantness in general.  One of my challenges has been what to cook for breakfast.  Here are a couple of recipes that I have implemented in our life to make my life a bit easier and this transition more permanent.

Oven French Toast Sticks - makes 4 meals for our family

2 loaves of bread, cut in quarters to make sticks

12 large eggs

1 1/2cups half and half, fat free

6 tablespoons maple syrup

12 tablespoons powdered sugar

2 teaspoons Cinnamon

2 teaspoons Ginger

1/2 teaspoon Cloves

1/2 teaspoon Nutmeg

4 teaspoons vanilla

Cut bread into 4 sticks per slice.  Whisk all ingredients together well.  Dip quarters into mixture, coat thoroughly but not soggy.  Place on jelly roll pan sprayed with non stick spray.  Bake in preheated 400 degree oven (375 for dark pan) 10 minutes.  Turn over and bake 6 more minutes.  Flash freeze.  Reheat in oven 20 minutes, or in my case microwave 6 at a time for 2 minutes.

Vegan Granola

4 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds

1/2 cup whole wheat flour

1 teaspoon Cinnamon

1/4 cup coconut

1 cup sunflower seeds

1/2 cup wheat germ

1/2 cup maple syrup

1/2 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup pumpkin seeds

Grind together pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds and almonds in blender til crumbly.  In large bowl combine all ingredients.  Mix well.  Place on dehydrator sheets til dry, about 12-18 hours.  Beware, your house will smell like the best Cinnamon Roll you have ever smelled.  I make this available to mix with fruit and homemade yogurt.  

Overall, I like getting up with my family.  It causes our day to be more productive and helps us all to focus. 

The following verse is an encouragement to me.

Go to the ant, you sluggard!  Consider her ways and be wise, which, having no captain, overseer or ruler, provides her supplies in the summer, and gathers her food in the harvest.  How long will you slumber, O sluggard?  When will you rise from your sleep?  A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep-so shall your poverty come on you like a prowler, and you need like an armed man.

Proverbs 6:6-11 NKJV

Blessings for a productive day,  Suzie