Cheerio Wisdom

A better life from the back of a box.

j.m. reagle
<geek@goatee.net>

father and son

picture of me as coolio

One morning, when bored and lonely I found myself reading the back of my roommate's cereal box. It had an oddly progressive statement about one's social life; this awakened me from my vegetative state. At that moment I realized that I've spent countless hours of my life amongst the images, exhortations and advertising of morning food products.

The box graphics are selective slices of American culture. Sometimes amusing, informative, frightening (given the focus of grains' mitigation of cancer) and even challenging — but always colorful.

Vintage Spock Sugar Smacks Box

Calcim is an essential mineral your body needs to help build and maintain strong, healthy bones.

Topics include tips for living a balanced life, health information, recipes, and games.

I remember how as a child recently stirred from sleep I'd zone out on the back of the boxes, letting the images and advertising slowly sleep through to my consciousness.

I even had my favorite boxes that I would keep to myself (and away from my brothers). Day after day, I would reread them, as if they were an awakening mantra, easy morning stretches for the mind.

 

Of course, times have changed. My tight-ass straight edge impulse was even present in childhood; I looked down on all those candy cereals. In my family, we ate RiceKrispies and Cheerios.

Oreos O's

Today, kids eat shit that makes me sick to think about!

Reeses-Puffs

Trendy Gen-X Design 1

We even have
Gen-X cereals.

Cereal has come a long way from its roots as an anti-mastubatory breakfast food, invented by Dr. Kellog

It's been a crass consumer item, as well as a tool of (some say) social activism.

Trendy Gen-X Design 2

In the late '60s, an handful of socially-conscious individuals in separate parts of the continent pioneered the natural foods movement ...

Given that I've learned so much, I wanted to share with you.

The following pages include things that I've learned, things that can lead you to a better life, if you eat the most important meal of the day, and read the back of the box.

Kellogg's Box-Top-Education Coupon

An active mind and body, getting enough rest, and eating well with shreaded wheat ... it all leads to a balanced lief.

It takes an apple tree up to ten years to produce it's first crop of apples. You can have Kellog's Apple Jacks any time of the day, and you don't even have to wait for a tree to grow.

Bananas, the fourth most popular fruit in the world, are picky about the weather ...

Would you believe that 7 to 11 year-old boys and girls ride their bikes on an average of 83 days per year!

Not all cancer risk factors are associated with age or family history...

Adults who eat cereal consume less fat each day

Remeber how Chex Part Mix was always part of making Holidays special? It was made with care, all seasoned, toasted, and fresh from the oven -- every loved it. For over 40 years it's been a part of holiday tradition. This holiday season, make Chex Party Mix for your family and make it your tradition.

Did you ever wonder where frozen pizza came from? The first frozen food was developed in 1924, when Clarence Birdseye noticed that Canadians could preserve meat and fish by storing them out in the cold weather.

Never wear makeup that doesn't feel comfortable or build your confidence

If you only choose one makup essential, it should be a concealer to zero in on any emergencies!

Would you believe that when dinosaurs walked the earth, some lived to be 200 years and older! That's a lot of birthdays!

Lipstick is emotional and expressive -- it can transform your whole attitude.

Makup aside -- your bets bet for loving the way you look, and feel, is always a big smile

Earthsmart quiz

Move It! Regular physical activity and good nutrition are partners in heart health. If you have trouble fitting activity in, try taking a 10-minute spin around the office at lunch or playing catch with the kids or the dog. Make it fun!

Finding time to socialize and exercise can be difficult with a busy schedule. Combine the two! Teaming up with a family member or friend to exercise is a great way to take care of yourself. Whether a trip to the gym or a walk around the block, pairing up for your working lets you improve your health and relationships.

Reagle to a child is one of the most important things a parent can do. Even infants benefit from the experience. Reading stimulates children's imaginations and helps them with verbal skills as they learn to speak.

It takes 18 of the early 12" vinyl record albums to store teh same amount of music as a single CD.

Water: Did you know many people eat when actually they are thirsty. Try drinking eight glasses of water each to to maintain body fluids and help control your appetite!

It's not just breakfast, it's an experience. Breaking the biscuit... pouring the milk... maybe adding some fresh fruit... the first delicious mouthful... the feeling you're doing something good and right.

Take time to live each day lit it's your special day. And you'll live life feeling good from the inside out.

Nutritional Facts

Serving Size 1/3p
Serving Per Container 24p

Amount Per Serving

Cheerios

4,20

Reese's Puffs

5

Oreo O's

5

Kellogg's Smart Start

6

Lifestream Smart Bran

7

Reese's Puffs

8

Post Shredded Wheat

9

Ancient Grains

10

Kellogg's Apple Jacks

11,12,14,16,21

General Mills

13

Chex

14

Special K

15,17

Sunrise Organic Cereal

18

Raison Bran

19

Total

22

Kellogg's 19

23