Country Kitchen:
Using Coupons for Breakfast Meals
By Mary Emma Allen
Eating breakfast starts the day with energy, and research indicates that
both children and adults benefit from a good morning meal. It's reported
that youngsters who eat a nourishing breakfast usually score higher on
tests. They may miss fewer days at school and possibly don't have so many
behavior problems, according to some researchers.
Years ago, when I was growing up on a farm, breakfast was a hearty meal.
Farmers might have a snack before doing the chores, then they came in to
a meal of cereal, some type of meat (usually bacon, ham, or sausage),
eggs, toast, and beverage.
Some mornings there might be pancakes or biscuits and gravy.
Nowadays, breakfast often is eaten on the run and many people rush off to
work and school eating a piece of toast or doughnut on the way. However,
lately families have become more concerned about starting the day with a
good, nourishing breakfast.
Coupons for Breakfast Savings
A booklet distributed in supermarkets by Betty Crocker Kitchens offers
information about breakfast, as well as coupons for foods eaten this time
of day. I also often find breakfast food coupons in newspaper flyers.
By visiting manufacturers' web sites, you often can find coupons for
breakfast foods as well as recipes and product information. Sometimes
there are games for youngsters on the web sites.
Some of these coupons on web sites must be ordered by filling out a
questionnaire. Other coupons can be printed directly off the web site.
Hints to Encourage Breakfast Eating
Getting youngsters to eat good breakfasts can be challenging, after
you've used your coupons, watched sales, participated in refunds, and
searched for interesting recipes. Also, adults often think it's not
important for them to eat a nourishing breakfast, then will nibble
throughout the morning on higher calorie snacks.
*To make breakfast preparation easier, especially if you're pressed for
time in the morning, set out the dishes and items that won't perish the
night before. These can include cereal, fruits that don't need to be
refrigerated, bread or muffins for toasting (but left in the package),
etc.
*For some children, it's difficult to feel like eating first thing in the
morning. Pack in individual plastic bags a mixture of dry cereal, raisins
and other dried fruit, and nuts. They can eat this for a snack at recess
time instead of cookies, chips, or similar foods.
*Serve items like hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, cheese chunks, string cheese,
and crackers for breakfast. They are quick to prepare ahead and have on
hand.
*Let your youngsters eat non-traditional breakfast foods. If these are
nourishing for dinner, why not for breakfast? My daughter, when she was
in school, liked leftover pizza or lasagna for breakfast. Also,
sandwiches are fine, fruit cups, leftover macaroni and cheese, toast or
English muffins with melted cheese, peanut butter, or meat spreads.
BISCUIT BREAKFAST SANDWICH - Bake a package of refrigerated biscuits or
Grands! according to package directions. While they're baking, scramble 4
eggs, fry and drain sausage patties or bacon. Make sandwiches using the
scrambled eggs and meat. Add a piece of cheese or shredded cheese, if
desired. Or you can stir cheese into the scrambled eggs.
Serve with fruit and beverage.
Article (C) 2004 Mary Emma Allen
About the Author
Mary Emma Allen has been writing cooking columns for 40 years. She and
her family compiled a cookbook to preserve their food heritage. She
teaches workshops to show others how to do this, along with scrapbooking
their family recipes.
Visit her web site for more cooking
articles. Contact her at me.allen@juno.com
