Energy Boosting Breakfast Ideas for Students
Running late for school yet again? Just give the kids a Pop Tart on the way out the door and they’ll be fine. If you’re all out of the sugary toaster treat, just swing through Krispy Kreme on the way and your offspring will be good to go. Right? Wrong! Wrong! And Wrong. You might as well give your children a cup of coffee if that’s what you consider a good breakfast.
Well sure it’s quick, convenient and tasty! In addition to lacking any nutritional value, the sugar buzz will quickly wear off and then your little one will fall asleep right before morning recess. So what about a bowl of cereal and a bagel? Nope, that’s not much better; although some cold cereals are clearly better than others. You want to feed your children a nutritionally sound breakfast, complete with a source of protein.
Quick and convenient does not have to equate to a boatload of carbs and sugar. How many times have you heard, “breakfast is the most important meal of the day”? It’s true; it sets the tone for the whole day. Children need to be able to focus, and they need to be awake.
Eggs are a great source of protein. If you don’t have time to cook in the morning, then make some hard boiled eggs the night before. Those are quick and easy. You can also make fruit smoothies with yogurt and your children’s favorite fruit. Add a little cinnamon and vanilla, and then pour it all in the blender.
How many years has Carnation Instant Breakfast been around? It’s been around longer than most readers will remember. But there is good reason for their longevity. It’s chock full of antioxidants (as much as a cup of green tea) and it has twice the protein of an egg and twice as much calcium as a 6 oz. container of fruited yogurt. It tastes like chocolate milk, but it’s oh so much better.
Maybe your child just isn’t a breakfast person. Who says you have to eat typical breakfast food in the morning? Have you read “101 Delicious Chicken Recipes?” If your student likes chicken, serve up a 3 oz. chicken breast for breakfast. There’s no rule against it. And it’s a nutritionally sound breakfast, complete with a source of protein.
Don’t forget to put a small baggie full of almonds in your child’s backpack. Nuts are also a great convenient, energy boosting addition to breakfast. Just say ‘No” to sugary toaster treats!
Motivating your Child to Care about School
Wouldn’t we all love to hear an enthusiastic “Great!” when you child is asked how school is going? Instead you might get an apathetic “It’s ok” response. Or you may even get “it sucks!” How do you motivate you child to care about school?
The fact is your child may never love school. For some, academics come naturally, while others struggle throughout. You can’t force the love of school, but you can encourage your child to care about his education.
I always knew growing up that I had to go to college. It wasn’t an option in my family – I had to at least show up for the first day of college. My parents said that they had an obligation to ensure I had a good education and I had an obligation to get good grades.
When we’d see adult fast food workers or someone busting their hiney behind a deli counter, my parents would remind me the importance of career options. I learned that while there was nothing wrong with working in a cashier position, some people didn’t have other options because they didn’t have a college education.
I knew early on that I didn’t want to spend my adult life flipping burgers. For me, that was motivation to care about school. For others, that motivation may not work. Some people are motivated by money.
Show your child different salaries of various careers. If she has aspirations of a six figure salary, she’ll need to start laying the ground work now. Some children may not respond to any future aspirations. They are only concerned about the present.
You may not be able to get your child to love school, but perhaps you can help him not hate school. You know your child better than anyone. You know his likes and dislikes (if you don’t, I strongly suggest you stop reading this article immediately and go hang out with your child!).
What is your child interested in? Good grades? Being able to participate in extra-curricular activities? Money? Future earnings? Find what makes your child tick and you’ll have a head start in helping your child care about school!
Fall Backyard Tips
Autumn Inspiration: Imaginative Spruce-Ups for Your Yard
(ARA) - With temperatures soaring into the triple digits, nothing is more likely to trigger a mile-long smile than a break from the heat. As the final days of summer flicker away, the promise of cool, crisp fall air awaits. With autumn on the horizon, emerge from the AC and enjoy the outdoors with these inspirational spruce-ups for your yard.
Parisian Panache
Create an outdoor dining setting that mimics the romantic, whimsical scene of Van Gogh’s painting Café Terrace at Night. Transform your patio into a Parisian-style café by infusing the area with warm colors, sweet aromas and soft lighting. When choosing hues, think crème brulee and raspberry tarts. A rich golden-beige rug will soften the look of hard concrete and splashes of jewel-toned accents add just the right amount of color. Create a cozy ambience by enclosing seating areas with a decorative wall or trellis. Also, consider hanging a gradient-lighting chandelier in place of stark overhead lighting to cast a gentle glow. Complete the setting by dispersing potted plants and flower bouquets throughout the patio to give the air a sweet, natural scent and achieve a jardin-de-Paris look.
Secret Garden
From elaborate ponds to simple container fountains, water works its magic on any garden by providing delightful sound and an atmosphere of tranquility. With a picturesque cascade from an unseen water source, a disappearing fountain presents a unique way to incorporate water into the landscape. These water features are easy to create, require little maintenance and add pizzazz to any yard. Begin by choosing a showpiece object such as a planter or decorative pot to transform into a fountain. Next, select the perfect nook in a garden or flowerbed to nestle the flowing oasis. To make the hidden reservoir of the fountain, you will need just a few materials: a Beckett 35-gallon preformed liner, a fountain pump, a metal grate and decorative rocks – all available at home improvement retailers. It is now as simple as digging a hole, placing the liner in the hole and assembling the pump. Finish by positioning the metal grate over the top of the liner and covering with decorative stone. For more information about making your own disappearing fountain, visit www.888beckett.com.
Practical, Pretty Pathways
Pathways not only make a yard more navigable, they also add purpose, style and order to the landscape. When incorporating pathways into your yard, develop a strategy that will indicate to visitors how to move about the area. Encourage leisurely strolling by placing narrow pathways around flower gardens, allowing visitors to take note of the surrounding scenery. Place wider paths near entryways and seating areas to make these spaces more inviting. When designing pathways, think beyond functionality. While traditional flagstones and brick are the most common elements used, material such as Spanish-style terra cotta, modern slate and Italian glass tiles allow pathways to double as artistic focal points.
On the Border
Because a fence is the canvas for the entire yard, adding color to a neutral fence really makes the landscape pop. Using a premium-grade exterior paint, such as This Old House paint, you can transform the look of your yard in just a day. Furthermore, exterior paint acts as a protective barrier that restores the life of outdoor wood and shields against nature’s elements. For more exterior painting tools and tips, visit www.thisoldhousepaint.com.
From the patio to the fence and everywhere between, enjoy autumn weather outdoors - and in style.
Courtesy of ARA Content
