Good morning, sunshine. I know you have to make a mad dash out the door to get the kids off to school or cram in a morning run before you show up at the office. Breakfast? What’s that? Oh, the thing that our mothers always said is “the most important meal of the day.”

If you’re like most, the tendency is to treat breakfast as the most un-important meal of the day. It’s completely ho-hum, hardly satisfying, or  - gasp! – you skip it altogether.

Yet, those first delectable nutrients you pop into your mouth in the morning set the foundation for your entire day. A beautifully balanced breakfast kick-starts your metabolism, boosts your concentration (hello – productivity!), increases your motivation, and provides serious endurance.

And the energy slumps, cravings, mood swings, and indiscriminate eating you experience around 10 am? All are entirely related to what you consume first thing in the am.

I think it’s fair to say that breakfast should fall at the very top of your daily to-do list. And that first meal of the day should be filled with love, nourishment, and a fresh, colorful palette. Your plate (or bowl) needs the winning blood sugar stabilizing trifecta of healthy fats, fiber and protein.

Today I want you to honestly answer: Can I do better with breakfast?

If so, I’m excited for you to add seven of my favorite, easy-to-make breakfast ideas to your rotation. Side effects? Energy, vitality … and a deliciously-satisfied appetite.

Baked Avocado & Egg:  For a low sugar and blood sugar balancing breakfast, try my new favorite innovative morning meal. The combination of the healthy fats and lean protein will keep you feeling great for hours on end. After you master this basic way to create this dish, explore with different herbs, spices, or veggies. The possibilities are endless.

Blueberry Bliss Smoothie: With blueberries, almonds, spinach, and avocados all in one place, this beautiful blue meal in a glass is sure to help you start your day out on the right note. Since some people feel the effects of excess fruit sugar, I left out the banana for a lower sugar option.

Grain-Free Pancakes: These pancakes are not only grain-free and gluten free, but they’re also high in protein, which makes them the perfect way to boost your productivity all morning long. Top with fresh berries or any seasonal fruit, and you’ll be ready to take on the day. A great choice on the weekend to make for the whole family.

Red Velvet Acai Bowl: My friends over at Sambazon put me up to the task of creating a unique recipe with acai, a Brazilian fruit known as the "King of Superfoods."  Aside from being high in antioxidants and loaded with healthy fats, it’s also very low in sugar.  Since the deep berry taste also hosts hints of chocolate, I came up with this red velvet version of this delicious & filling bowl. Go for this after a workout for a great recovery meal or first thing in the morning before a busy day.

Chia Seed Pudding: You may have already tried this for dessert or as a snack, but this is one of my go-to breakfasts. You can make it in advance and store in a mason jar for a grab and go option. The heart-healthy omegas, fiber and protein in these powerhouse seeds will help you focus for hours. Top with fruit, and you’re ready to roll in a flash.

Berry Quinoa Breakfast Bowl: For an easy & energizing way to start a busy day, prepare the quinoa ahead of time and whip up this balanced meal of slow burning carbohydrates, plant-based proteins, and healthy fats. Add a splash of color with the deeply pigmented berries to top off this nutrient-rich and gorgeous meal.

Vegetable Frittata: This vegetable and egg recipe is an easy-to-make weekend dish to serve to the whole family or when feeding a crowd. Besides being loaded with phytonutrients from all the veggies, the frittata also looks vibrant & colorful on the table.

BREAKFAST IS READY!

Try one (or all) of these recipes in your kitchen this week (or this morning if you have the ingredients on hand), and let me know if any of these dishes are screaming your name. Or do you have a go-to breakfast that keeps you and your taste buds happy all morning long? Share the breakfast love in the comments below.