***This article originally appeared in the Spring 2013 issue of Traverse Bay Family Magazine. It has been reprinted with permission.***

I love throwing a good brunch. Especially being pregnant, it really is the best time of day for me to entertain. I’m pretty much out of energy by dinner and eating late gives me heartburn. Add that to the fact that I LOVE breakfast and have eleventy-billion breakfast recipes (that we’ve been known to eat for dinner at times) and brunch is the way to go in our home.

Spring Brunches & Punches
My children have blood sugar issues, in that if it drops too low they become unreasonable. A good breakfast is key for our kids and I’m sure it’s the same for your little ones. As such, I usually cook way too much to ensure a good selection of kid-friendly, protein- laden & nutrient-rich foods. I’ve gotten my best brunch recipes from friends & church cookbooks. Ask your friends or check out our favorite brunch recipes.

Brunch Menu Options

Drinks
– juice
– milk
– punch

Eggs
– strata
– quiche
breakfast casserole
– scrambled eggs

Bread-based
French toast casserole
– French toast
– waffles
– pancakes
– muffins or quick breads

Meat
– sausage
– baked ham

Potatoes
– scalloped potatoes
hash brown casserole
– potato casserole

Fruit Salad

And if you are looking for an easy but extraordinary punch idea, here is a great one! I love this one because I figured out how to make it for two if you just have your family around AND it scales up if you are having a crowd.

Tropical Fruit Punch

For 2 or 20

  • 4 Tblsp. or 2 (6-oz) cans Frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 4 Tblsp  or 2 (6 oz) cans frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 3/4 c or  1 (48-oz) can pineapple juice
  • 1/2 c or 1L lemon-lime soda
  • 1/2 c or 1L sparkling water

In a small pitcher (for 2) or a large punch bowl (for 20), combine orange juice concentrate, lemonade concentrate, and pineapple juice. Stir to combine, Add lemon-lime soda (like Sprite) and sparkling water to taste.
My kids liked this best of all the recipes I tried and my husband thought it tasted like Sunny D. If you aren’t a fan of the pop because of the (already high) sugar content, try adding some lime & lemon juice and extra sparkling water.

The great thing about this recipe is that it’s so easy to tweak based on your taste. You can always add sparkling water to tone it down if it’s too sweet, or omit it if you like the taste without it. Plus you can make it for just your family or for a crowd. That’s my favorite kind of recipe :).

Enjoy!

Jen S.

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