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Delicious, quick and healthy breakfasts

Kids tend to do better in school when they eat healthy breakfasts in the morning. Here are some delicious choices from Chef Jennifer Brower.

GRAND RAPIDS, Michigan — Chef Jennifer Brower of Chartwells K12 joined us in studio to show us some delicious, healthy and fast breakfast recipes to start your day off right.

Chef Jennifer loves to create recipes and cook for students in schools throughout the Great Lakes. At Chartwells K12, they know how important breakfast is in a child's academic performance, so Chartwells makes it a priority to make morning meals available to students.

To kick off the new year, Jennifer wanted to start the school days off a little brighter and there's no better way than with a healthy breakfast so here are a few to try.

Breakfast Banana Split with homemad Quinoa Granola

Serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 4 each-Banana, Medium, Fresh
  • 1 cup-Strawberries, Fresh, Cleaned, Sliced
  • 2 cups-Yogurt, Vanilla, Low Fat, Greek
  • 1 cup-Quinoa/Oatmeal Granola

Quinoa-Oatmeal Granola Ingredients: (16 portions)

  • 1/2 cup-Apple Juice-100%
  • 7 TBSP-Brown Sugar, Light
  • 1/2 cup-Honey
  • 1 1/2 tsp-Cinnamon, ground
  • 2 TBSP + 1 tsp-Canola Oil
  • 1 3/8 tsp-Vanilla-Pure
  • 1/2 tsp-Salt, Kosher
  • 1 cup-Quinoa, Dry
  • 4 cups-Oatmeal, Old Fashioned

Directions:

  1. Peel banana and cut each banana in half, length-wise.
  2. Place two halves (1 full banana) onto each serving plate or large bowl.
  3. Portion 1/2 cup yogurt into an even layer over the 2 banana halves.
  4. Sprinkle 1/4 cup Quinoa/Oatmeal Granola over the yogurt.
  5. Sprinkle 1/4 cup sliced strawberries over granola.
  6. Serve chilled before bananas begin to turn brown.

Granola Method:

  1. Mix together in a heavy pot: Apple juice, Brown sugar, Honey, Cinnamon, Oil, Vanilla, Salt
  2. Heat over medium heat for 4-5 minutes, do NOT allow to boil.
  3. Rinse quinoa really well in fine-mesh strainer. Drain well.
  4. Measure oats & quinoa into large bowl.
  5. Pour cooked mixture over oats/quinoa. Stir to coat evenly.
  6. Spread onto ungreased sheet pan.
  7. Bake at 300 degrees F for 30-35 minutes until dried out and light brown. Stir occasionally as it bakes for evenness. Remove & Cool before using.

Peaches & Cream Oatrageous Overnight Oats

Serves 4

Portion: 1 cup (approx.)

Ingredients:

  • 1 3/8 cup-Oatmeal-Old Fashioned, Dry
  • 1/2 cup-Skim Milk
  • 2 cups-Yogurt, Vanilla, Greek
  • 2 cups Peaches, Canned in Natural Juice (use the juice and the peaches)

Directions:

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together all ingredients.
  2. Portion into 10fl. oz bowls or cups.
  3. cover and refrigerate overnight.
  4. It "blooms" while you sleep!
  5. Serve chilled

**Great to make ahead and always have ready for a fast dash out the door each morning!

**Can be made with many other fruits as well.

Berry-Beet Smoothie with Basil (Dairy Free)

Serves 4

Portion: 12 fl. ounces

Ingredients:

  • 8 ounces-Fresh Red Beets, Cleaned/Peeled, quartered
  • 4 ounces-Strawberries, Fresh, Cleaned
  • 8 ounces-Apples, Fresh, Unpeeled, Cored, Diced
  • 2 cups-Ice Cubes
  • 2 cups-Water, Cold
  • 12 Each-Basil Leaves, Fresh

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into large capacity blender.
  2. Blend on high speed until very smooth.
  3. Pour into 12 fl. oz cups.
  4. Serve Immediately-Chilled.

Berry-Berry Kale Smoothie or Bowl

Serves 4

Portion: 12 fl. ounces

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups-Strawberries, Fresh or Frozen, Halved (Cleaned)
  • 1 quart-Kale, Baby, Cleaned & Chopped
  • 2 cups-Orange Juice-100%
  • 2 cups-Ice Cubes
  • 2 cups-Blueberries, Fresh or Frozen
  • 2 cups-Banana, Medium, Fresh, Sliced
  • 2 cups-Yogurt, Vanilla, Low Fat, Greek

**If making into a bowl, prepare other fresh fruits to use as toppings (mango, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, kiwi, peaches, apples etc...)

Directions:

  1. Place all ingredients into large capacity blender.
  2. Blend on high speed until very smooth.
  3. Pour into 12 fl. oz cups or into a large bowl.
  4. Top with your favorite fresh chopped fruits or seeds, chia, coconut, granola, protein (i.e. peanut butter, almond butter, Sunbutter etc...).
  5. Serve chilled.

**Great to make ahead and always have ready for a fast dash out the door each morning! Blend the night before, re-shake in the AM and pour.

**Fun to eat as a "personalized bowl" so you can skip the straw!

Did you know... Between 8 percent and 12 percent of elementary and middle school students in the U.S. skip breakfast. Between 20 percent and 30 percent of American high-schoolers also skip breakfast according to HealthyChildren.org

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