Mornings can be rushed and stressful with little time to spend with your kids. Many of us resort to cereal as a quick meal to get kids going for the day. I often wonder if they are getting the nutrition they need from their bowl of dry crisps, and thick heavy milk. There are other breakfast options for kids that offer much more. It is best to avoid high sugar content in the morning, kids will need steady stable energy to get through an active day of learning and play. The following breakfasts are easy to prepare and require simple ingredients. Cooking with your kids and starting their day with healthy choices helps them learn to appreciate good whole foods over processed, high calorie, nutrition-less foods.

The first alternative I like to present to my kids is hot cereal. Oatmeal, Oat bran, or Cream of Wheat are traditional options which offer a whole new selection of toppings. Kids could chose from fresh fruit and granola, flavored yogurt, or even peanut butter and honey. Let them use their imaginations to avoid just adding milk and sugar(although it is a pretty tasty traditional topping!) Once you get more adventurous, try spelt or kamut flakes, or you could slow cook wheat berries over night.

This next choice is probably the Family Favorite at our house, and not just for the kids. My husband and I love to join in on Fruit Smoothies. The possibilities are endless where smoothies are concerned, and again, the kids will be thrilled to help make the choice of ingredients. Smoothies are the ideal disguise for added nutrition, so check out green powders, hemp powder, or your choice of healthy supplement.

The weekend is the perfect time for this recipe. Get up a bit earlier, and let the kids help with the Oven Omelette. Forget frying and watching your pan carefully, forget trying to awkwardly flip your omelette. Turn on the oven, beat the eggs, and toss in the ingredients. Best of all, this omelette can be personalized with your family's favorite choices. Another option is to make it up the night before and just pop into the oven before you take your morning shower. Don't forget to set your timer!

According to the Food Guide even small children (ages 4- 8) need a minimum of 1.5 cups of vegetables EVERY day. Breakfast is a good time to get some vegetation into those little bodies. Don't miss out on the opportunity to power pack the most important meal of your child's day.