We’ve all heard that children who eat a good breakfast regularly are able to concentrate better, work faster, and score higher on tests.  In addition, breakfast is a good way to get nutritious whole grains and fruit servings into your diet so breakfast eaters tend to have higher intakes of fiber and important vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin C, folate and calcium.  The problem is getting a quick healthy breakfast into ourselves and our children before we head out to our busy lives!

Using the NuVal Nutrition Scoring System at Meijer (www.nuval.com) I’ve put together some easy ideas that are sure to please and can fit into anyone’s morning routine.

• Tropical Smoothie (recipe below); Whole Grain Toast (35) with 2% Cheese Slice (23)
• Whole Grain English Muffin (35) with Krema Peanut Butter (51); Fresh Orange Slices (100); Fat Free Milk (91)
• Baggie of Trail Mix -Shredded Wheat Squares (91); Raisins (87); Dried Cherries; Almonds (76) and Minute Maid Kids Juice box with Vitamins/Calcium (70)
• Greek Vanilla Yogurt (63) topped with Bare Naked FIT Vanilla Almond Granola (91) and Blueberries (100)
• Oatmeal with Walnuts (82); Sliced Banana (91) and Fat Free Milk (91)
• Omega-3 Scrambled eggs (42) and Shredded 2% Cheese (23) in ½ Wheat Pita Bread; Cantaloupe Chunks (93)

Tropical Smoothie
Makes 2 servings

1 large ripe banana (NuVal Score 91)
1 cup Meijer frozen whole strawberries (NuVal Score 100)
1 ripe mango, peeled and cubed (NuVal Score 93)
1 cup Meijer cranberry juice (NuVal Score
1 cup ice cubes

Place all ingredients in a blender.  Cover and blend until thick and smooth.

Nutrition Facts per serving: Calories: 140; Fat: 0g; Carbohydrate: 36g; Protein: 1g; Cholesterol: 0mg; Sodium: 4mg

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Calling all teachers! Click on Teacher Wish Lists and register now.

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I’ve been out and about talking to teachers all over West Michigan these past few weeks.    I was amazed to learn that regardless the district, teachers are spending over $500 of their own money for things in their classroom.

Simple things like paper towel, extra markers, color paper, sandwich bags, wipes, prepackaged snacks, band aids, tissue, etc.    Since many of these items are consumables they need to be replenished many times throughout the school year and the one making sure the room is stocked is usually the teacher!

I appreciate all the time, love and energy many teachers pour into the lives of our kids.  I also know many of you feel the same way.   We’re launching a campaign here on WOOD TV in partnership with AMWAY called the “Teacher Wish Lists”.   Teachers can log on www.woodtv.com and search Teacher Wish Lists.  There we’re asking teachers from around West Michigan to register their classroom and list the items they need.    Then, any of us in the community who are able to help, will go to the Wish List and grant the wishes of our local teachers!  It’s a very simple, cool way we can show our teachers how much we appreciate all they do!   Encourage the teachers you know to sign up and share their wishes.  Then, look for simple ways you and you family can help!   Be sure to share your stories of how you’re helping-I’m always looking for ways people are making a difference in the lives of our kids!

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