Getting the kids ready for school, feeding animals--it's all a bit harried for us. I have been trying to speed things up by making some things ahead of time. It helps if the night before I clean the kitchen up and take out the dishes/napkins for next day's breakfast. Also get the lunches and snacks ready (if they aren't having something that needs to be made in the am).

1. Crock Pot Oatmeal: I use very inexpensive oatmeal (not quick oats, but those may work too)and just follow the directions on the box as if making on stovetop. In the morning I add brown sugar and cranraisans and bananna.

2. Crock Pot Grits: I use the least expensive grits (I prefer the long cooking grits but the quick grits will work too. Long cooking are tastier). Follow the stove top directions. In the morning I add cheese.

With both of the above menus I make toast out of my homemade bread by slicing and buttering the pieces and put in oven to bake (I found that broiling always, for me, caused burnt toast).

If I get ambitious, I ground the coffee beans and get the pot ready the night before.

Hope these help--Do you know any other ideas? I've also posted this at countryside because not everyone cross checks these forums and I thought this would be helpful for many.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 05, 2001

Answers

For cold breakfasts, we make a week's worth of granola ahead of time (I buy cereal only for my husband, who gets indigestion from oats).

For hot breakfasts, I have been known to scramble eggs the night before, also you could mix up the batter for french toast and put it in the fridge; next morning stir before dipping the bread. We make enough brown sugar syrup at one time to go for several meals: mix a two-pound bag of brown sugar with 3-4 cups of water (depends on how thick you like it; ours is thinner than store-bought). Bring to boil on high; reduce to medium-low and simmer at least five minutes, more if you want it thicker. Some people put in karo syrup, but I don't usually have it on hand.

I like the crockpot cereal idea.

-- Cathy N. (keeper8@attcanada.ca), November 05, 2001.

I have container in the freezer with waffels, pancakes and my son's favorite-sausage bisquits.We make our own sausage, I'll cook it and bake some bisquits,put it together and freeze.It takes about 45 seconds to warm up and I usually serve with grits. Waffels and pancakes can go into our toaster. I also do donuts and cinnamon rolls this way. I have never used the crockpot. Could you put directions for using? Like do you turn it on the night before and it cooks all night??ETC..Thanks

-- Micheale from SE Kansas (mbfrye@totelcsi.net), November 05, 2001.

Michaele:

I usually start the crockpot at 9pm when I go to bed and it's ready by 6:30 am when we eat (probably earlier--it probably doesn't need all that time but good just the same). I cook on low for both the oatmeal and the grits.

BTW: I really LOVE these ideas. Yes, I too make double batches of things like pancakes and waffles and put in the freezer for weekday mornings. Anyone know how to make those those frozen bisquits like at the store (just don't cook all the way?).

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 05, 2001.

Ann when you add cocoa and sugar to the cream of wheat, is it like "cocoa wheats"? My kids love these and they are so expensive. I acn get cream of wheat very cheaply, so if you have a recipe, could you post it???? Thanks

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 05, 2001.

When I REALLY have to scoot, I just smear peanut butter on apple slices; this will hold me for quite a while.

With a little more time, 'quick' french toast fills the bill. Smear ordinary bread slices with butter, put on grill / skillet, brown and serve with syrup. Almost tastes like the real thing. Or change into grilled cheese / ham / tomato sandwiches. Usually have to count fingers after this one.

More time? Boil up some rice, add chopped peaches / nuts and serve with pat of butter. (Can you hear my eyes rolling back into their sockets?)

Bon Apetit.

-- j.r. guerra (jrguerra@boultinghousesimpson.com), November 05, 2001.

Coco Wheats --is that a hot cereal product like cream of wheat. If so, yes, it is probably the same only home made. My recipe is, well, think Maypo with chocolate. These are really stick to your ribs cereals for the wintertime.

Gee, I don't use a recipe except follow the directions on the box and then add a couple tblsp of sugar per serving. I add the cocoa by mixing a small (couple tblsp) of hot water to a tblesp or two of cocoa before I add to the finished cream of wheat. This cuts down on Bitter tasting chocolate lumps.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 05, 2001.

Thanks ! I will just have to experiment, I was thinking of mixing all the dry ingredients together so we could just pop it in the microwave. I will do a search and see if I can find a recipe.

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 05, 2001.

Melissa: Do you mean the recipe on the back of the box? I can give you that. Let me know.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001.

I wanted to take cream of wheat, cocoa and sugar and make a substitute "cocoa wheat" cereal. They costs about $3.50 a box at Krogers, but I can get plain cream of wheat for @ $1 a box, and jsut add the cocoa and sugar. I just wasn't sure how much cocoa to add to get approximately the same flavor! I will do some experimenting with my kids and figure it out. sometimes I don't like to experiment, because if it is ruined you wasted the food, so that is why I take the lazy way and ask if anyone else has done it!!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 06, 2001.

Where do you get plain cream of wheat for 1$ a box? I am thinking that for four servings I use two tablesp of cocoa and a 1/2 cup of sugar--try that to start and adjust from there. Sometimes I add a drop of vanilla.

-- Ann Markson (tngreenacres@hotmail.com), November 06, 2001.

We have a store called Riesbecks that has a label called Roundy's, you can get it there for about $1.29 and sometimes $.99. This store is generally high priced, but their loss-leaders are unbelievably cheap. The rest of the store is twice as high though, caters to older people and rich people I guess!! You know lots, and lots of service, with a big bakery, deli, pre-cooked items. A very nice store, but I just buy the sales!!!!

-- Melissa (me@home.net), November 06, 2001.