Breakfast At Home Makes Sense: $25 VISA Giveaway~ 7/13

Momma Told Me: Eat your breakfast!

I don't know about you, but Breakfast is the meal of the day I enjoy preparing most, because it's the simplest. It's hard to mess up on 'breakfast,' and it's the perfect time to play with colorful elements and textures, in a meal that is intended to fuel us throughout the day. I also enjoy serving breakfast to my family, in particular, because I know I am doing something unexpected that will start their day off on a positive note. So how on Earth is it that I, and my family members, eat breakfast about 3/7 days a week, on average? Even more troubling is that which compels us to eat this important meal. I am, by no means a morning person, and the days we eat an 'early meal' (known to some as breakfast), are often spurred by the fact we have plans earlier in the day. During these days we're especially rushed, and anticipating an even longer day ahead, so we often swing through the local drive through, or catch a meal at a diner while heading out of town. Big mistake.

Momma knew the importance of a 'first meal' at home, and made sure she served it every single day. She couldn't control what I ate at school, as much as she liked to think she did, but she knew she could control what went into my mouth while we were together. Even more importantly, she could hear what came out of my mouth best when we were seated at the breakfast nook exchanging hopes and plans for the day ahead. Momma was no short order cook, she was very much your average stay at home mom (okay, Pre-Pinterest Type A average). She'd rather see me eat a bowl of whole grain cereal with a serving of fruit and dairy (milk) than have me stumble out the door only to be distracted by stomach cramps at school a few hours later. And, while there was a donut shop on the corner, directly across from my school, Momma never gave into temptation to take the 'easy way out.' "I can serve you a perfectly nutritious meal, at home, and for less!" she'd reply to my pleas for the freshly baked donut holes wafting down the street.

When you have children, I've been told, you go through a phase of 'nothing's too good for my child.' That is to say that, at least with the first go around, Moms want to do what's best for their children. This is a constant battle between keeping them happy, and keeping them healthy. But mealtime at home every morning doesn't have to break the bank. In fact, General Mills is helping to illustrate this by providing a month of money saving coupons on your favorite GM products through their exclusive Breakfast at Home sub-site. Head on over and print valuable money saving coupons for all of your favorite General Mills cereals, yogurt, meal bars, and more! Even better, through July 15, these savings will stack with already lowered prices in stores nationwide. It's time to stock up on your family's favorites and ensure you're eating a well rounded breakfast all Summer long.

When our family tries to fit in one of it's rushed meals on the go we often end up spending over $6 a head on breakfast, not including a tip if we dine in. I created a nutritious, filling, and well rounded breakfast for my family for just $1.56 a serving! It's as easy as filling a bowl with your family's favorite General Mills cereal, low fat milk (or milk substitute), a glass of orange juice, a fresh piece of fruit, a slice of whole grain bread, and an egg. Sometimes, when I'm feeling especially inspired I'll even cut a little heart in the center of the bread slice and cook the egg directly in the center. It's easier to control portions when I'm home, and I know none of the food will go to waste, because I know how much each of us can eat. (I always feel so guilty when we walk out of a diner with 1/3 of our food still on the plate!)

Eating breakfast at home just makes sense; saving money in our budget, and keeping the family connected. Not only do our favorite General Mills cereals give directly back to Sabrina's school through the Box Tops for Education program, but they keep a little bit of childhood wonder (and nostalgia for the adults) on our table every day. I have to admit, I'm a little disgruntled classic cereal box prizes, as my generation knew them, have become extinct, but we still have fun playing with the colorful marshmallows and filling out the interactive games on the box. Besides, so long as there is cereal, I can 'sneak' pretty much any other element in. I compromise with sugar marshmallows, and she eats her fruit, eggs, and toast. Then we can all start our day filling fueled, inside and out.

What Daughter Says: Breakfast at home makes 'cents' when you stop to add up the savings.

One Momma Told Me follower will win a Breakfast Makes Cents prize bundle from My Blog Spark and General Mills, including; 2 Boxes of GM Cereal, Branded Cereal Bowl, Lip Balm, and $25 Visa GC.
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