Cheerio Wisdom

A better life from the back of a box.

nrrrdboy
<geek@goatee.net>

father and son

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 among 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

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.

Oreos O's

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.

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.

Trendy Gen-X Design 2

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

In the late '60s, a 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
Remember how Chex Party Mix was always part of making Holidays special?
An active mind and body, getting enough rest, and eating well with shredded wheat
Bananas, the fourth most popular fruit in the world, are picky about the weather It takes an apple tree up to ten years to produce its first crop of apples
Not all cancer risk factors are associated with age or family history
Adults who eat cereal consume less fat each day
Never wear makeup that doesn't feel comfortable or build your confidence Would you believe that 7 to 11 year-old boys and girls ride their bikes on an average of 83 days per year!
Calcium is an essential mineral your body needs to help build and maintain strong, healthy bones
Did you ever wonder where frozen pizza came from?
If you only choose one makeup essential, it should be a concealer to zero in on any emergencies!
Earthsmart quiz
Lipstick is emotional and expressive -- it can transform your whole attitude
Makeup aside -- your best bet for loving the way you look, and feel, is always a big smile
Would you believe that when dinosaurs walked the earth, some lived to be 200 years and older!
Move It! Regular physical activity and good nutrition are partners in heart health
Finding time to socialize and exercise can be difficult with a busy schedule. Combine the two! Reading to a child is one of the most important things a parent can do
It takes 18 of the early 12 inch vinyl record albums to store the same amount of music as a single CD
Water: Did you know many people eat when actually they are thirsty
It's not just breakfast, it's an experience
Take time to live each day like it's your special day
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
Raisin Bran 19
Total 22
Kellogg's 19 23