Turns out, Mother does know best...breakfast truly is the most important meal of the day.  Without it, you risk the ruckus of stomach grumbling drowning out your morning, replacing your exercise routine with television, overeating at lunch and dinner, and feeling more like taking a nap yourself than putting your kids down for theirs.

Instead of starting your day running on yesterday's fuel or sending your kids out into the world without an energy reserve, the International Banana Association and the National Peanut Board encourage you and your family to get going with a breakfast combining two of America's favorite nutritious and energizing foods - bananas and USA-grown peanuts. 

The following recipes offer breakfast ideas - starring the all-American food, USA peanuts, and America's favorite fruit, bananas - that can be prepared all year round for your family and houseguests.  Whether you are running out the door in an early morning rush or waking up for a leisurely weekend meal, these recipes will both fit and fuel your lifestyle.  To ensure your recipes turn out just right, choose bananas according to peel color and ripeness desired.  Select full-yellow bananas for immediate eating; use fully ripe bananas, with speckles on the peel, for baking or recipes that specify mashed bananas.  For peanut and peanut butter ingredients, simply choose your favorite brands available at your local grocery store.
 
For more delicious recipes, visit www.eatmorebananas.com and www.nationalpeanutboard.org.

Peanut & Banana-Packed Breakfast Recipes:
On-the-Go Peanut Butter Banana Granola       Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes
Chunky Banana and Peanut Butter Conserve
Peanut Butter Banana Holiday Bread     Banana Breakfast Cub with Peanut Streusel

On-the-Go Peanut Butter Banana Granola  - Makes 6 cups
Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup peanuts, chopped
1/4 cup wheat germ
6 tablespoons packed dark brown sugar
6 tablespoons maple syrup
3 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 rip, firm bananas, peeled and chopped in 1/2-inch pieces
Method:
Combine oats, peanuts and wheat germ in large bowl.
Mix sugar, syrup, peanut butter, vanilla, cinnamon and salt in medium bowl.  Add bananas to oat mixture; pour on syrup.  Toss evenly to coat.
Pour granola mixture onto baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray; spread to make even layer.
Bake at 250°F for 1 3/4 to 2 hours; stirring every 30 minutes or until golden brown.
Cool completely on pan.  Store in container with tight-fitting lid.
Nutrition Per Serving: 258 calories, 10g fat (1g sat.), 0mg cholesterol, 172mg sodium, 38g carbohydrate, 8g protein
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Peanut Butter and Banana Pancakes - Makes 24 pancakes
Ingredients:
2 cups dry pancake mix
1 cup creamy peanut butter
2 firm ripe bananas, sliced
Method:
Prepare pancake mix according to package directions.  Add peanut butter to batter.  Thin with additional milk to desired consistency.
Pour 1/4 batter onto hot griddle or skillet; add 3 to 4 banana slices to top of batter; pressing down slightly.  Cook according to package directions.
Tip: For peanuttier flavor, warm additional peanut butter and lightly spread over pancakes before serving.
Nutrition Per Serving: 113 calories, 6g fat (1g sat.), 3mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 13g carbohydrate, 4g protein