Are you in a breakfast rut? Discover a few strategies to spruce up everyday breakfast items, and make the most of your money with items already in the fridge.

Make Eggs in Record Time:

Eggs are the perfect breakfast food because they are fast and simple to prepare. And you can prepare them easily in the microwave with no special equipment at all! Crack two eggs in a greased bowl, add a tablespoon of milk, then whisk well with a fork. Place the bowl in the microwave and cook for one minute. Give it another scramble with the fork and cook for 30-second intervals until eggs reach the desired consistency. That’s it! Toss fun add-ins to this versatile food too, like chopped veggies, cheeses or lunch meat.

Try a New Twist With Berries:

Berries are a great item to keep on hand. Grab by the handful for a quick snack, mix them into a cup of Greek yogurt, or top a bowl of oatmeal, pancakes or waffles with them in the morning. That’s not the only way to use them! Add chopped berries to a water bottle, and allow them to steep overnight to create inexpensive infused water. Drink it on the way to your day’s activities, or pack it in your child’s lunchbox. You can also turn a pint of ripe berries into pancake syrup! Simmer berries, one cup of sugar (or less, depending on personal taste), one teaspoon of vanilla and 1/4 cup of water in a saucepan over medium heat for 12-15 minutes. Stir and smash the berries as they cook. Store the cooled syrup in a Mason jar, and reheat before serving.

Tip:

Save even more time, and dedicate one day a week to make a double batch of your favorite waffles or pancakes. Keep them stocked in the freezer to grab and go on busy mornings.

Try a New Twist on Oatmeal:

My favorite way to cook oatmeal is to prepare it in the slow cooker overnight. It’ll save on time and dishes in the morning! Prepare oats in a greased ovenproof dish, then nestle the dish inside a slow cooker filled halfway with water to create a water bath. You’ll create perfectly cooked oatmeal every time. After grabbing a bite in the morning (top it with fresh apples, nut butter or nuts!), cover leftovers with a lid or plastic wrap and store it in the fridge.

Tip:

Did you know that you can freeze nuts? Keep an extra package on hand in the freezer for up to six months. Store varieties like almonds, pistachios, walnuts, hazelnuts, peanuts and cashews, perfect for topping morning oatmeal.

Make Time for Muffins:

Muffins are a delicious morning treat, but if you are anything like me, baking is the last thing you want to do on a weekend morning. You can freeze muffin batter to bake later, and the muffins will taste perfectly fresh! Prepare the batter according to recipe instructions, scoop it into a paper-lined muffin tin, then pop it in the freezer. Once frozen, place the batter balls in a freezer bag, and store in the freezer for up to three months. When you want a fresh, piping-hot muffin, place the frozen, unbaked batter balls into a muffin tin, and bake as directed, but add just a few more minutes of baking time.