Now that school has started again, many of us are back to scratching our heads over how to get something nutritious into our kids (and ourselves!) in the busy, often-rushed mornings.

Here are some quick, tasty, and super-nourishing breakfast ideas to help you out. They’re so fast to make that you can factor them right in to your morning routine, and they’re all totally delicious. This collection is a real keeper!

Quick Spreads

Pop a bagel or English muffin or piece of whole grain bread in the toaster and top with one of the following:

* cream cheese with banana rounds, raisins, apple or pear slices, whole berries or whole-fruit preserves;
* mashed tofu and whole-fruit preserves;
* slice of cheese and apple or pear slices;
* nut butter and fresh fruit or berries.

Or cut out the toasting step and slather a whole-grain mountain bread or wrap with any of the toppings for a breakfast burrito.

Some kids love dinner food for breakfast (I’m one of them!). For them, add pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese to the toasted bagel/bread/muffin and run it under the broiler until the cheese melts.

Quick Skillets

Use your child’s favorite cookie-cutter to take the center out of a piece of bread and place the holey bread in a hot skillet with a little oil or butter. Crack an egg and place it in the hole in the bread. Fry the cut-out bread shape at the same time. Cook until egg is set and bottom of toast is golden, then flip everything over and cook other side until done, then serve.

Mix leftover cooked rice with raw eggs and fry up these great little skillet cakes: Favorite Rice Cakes.

Quick Bowls

If your child likes soft cereal and you don‘t have time in the morning to make oatmeal, try mixing lightly-toasted rolled oats or granola and yogurt in a bowl and refrigerating overnight. In the morning, mix lightly, top the mixture with fruit or berries, and serve. Add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, or nuts for added nutritional punch.

Or try cubing some low-fat cheese and placing it in a bowl with apple or pear slices and a toothpick to spear them with.

Quick Blends

My family loves blender drinks and we are constantly experimenting with new ones. We wouldn’t dream of using a recipe because they‘re so easy to make! Here are a few ideas for ingredients: feel free to mix and match according to your preferences.

* Orange juice, yogurt, and frozen berries
* Milk, banana, and either orange juice or pineapple juice
* Organic lemonade, fresh fruit or berries, and soft tofu