Yawn… mornings are hard!
But we have a secret to spill that makes getting your kids out of a bed a *little* easier this school year.
Here’s the scoop – it all starts with a breakfast that gets them excited to throw off the sheets and race to the table!
Kids love to be engaged and helpful, so why not get them to help you make a breakfast that they’ll adore? We recommend letting your kids in on preparing this recipe to maximize energy in the mornings, well before they take the first bite.
Morning Burst Oatmeal
With so many different ways to serve oatmeal, it’s easy to find an oatmeal your kids love. This recipe is meant to be altered, changed, and as a base to get creative with your kiddies in the morning to start the day right. The soluble fiber in oatmeal provides a slow release of energy, keeping your kids engaged not just at breakfast and during the prep process, but throughout their school day.
Play with texture – some kids prefer smoother consistency of quick oats versus rolled oats.
Get creative with add-ins – just as this recipe already does. Try tossing in your favorite Nature’s Garden trail mixes and keep switching every week to add variety and excitement.
INGREDIENTS
1/2 Cup oats, quick or old fashioned, uncooked
1/2 Cup water
1/2 Cup nonfat milk
1/2 Cup of your favorite Nature’s Garden trail mix
Optional:
Add your kid’s favorite fresh fruit – bananas are highly recommended for this recipe!
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
- In a medium saucepan, bring milk to a gentle boil (watch carefully).
- Stir in oats.
- Cook, uncovered, over medium heat, I minute for quick oats, 5 minutes for old fashioned-style oats, stirring occasionally.
- Toss together your Nature’s Garden trail mix.
- Sprinkle over oatmeal.
- Enjoy with your kids!
Keep what’s left from your trail mix as a snack for your kid’s lunch box for the day to come.
We’d recommend our ChocoNut Mix for a crunchy, tasty, chocolatey morning treat!
Why trail mix makes such a great addition to any oatmeal…
Nuts, seeds, and dried fruit make the perfect trail mix, and the perfect snack for your growing kids. Trail mix truly is a savvy snack for kids meaning that they’ll love it as much as you do! Nuts and seeds provide super easy-to-eat heart-healthy fats, vitamin E, copper, manganese, and zinc.
They are also all rich in fiber and protein! These two nutrients are essential for keeping hunger at bay and keeping kids’ digestive systems moving and grooving all day long. This means they’ll be more focused and engaged while at school or in extracurriculars, simply by having their hunger satisfied.
The good fats in trail mixes, also known as ALAs has been linked to reducing inflammation and heart health, which is perfect for growing bodies and laying the foundations for a healthier adulthood.
Chow down on your favorite mix now and start your child’s morning right with Nature’s Garden!