Nutrition Tips from Dairy Makes Sense and a Blogiversary Giveaway

I'm excited to tell you that today marks 3 years since I first started this blog. Yay! (Go Me!)  Thanks to everyone who comes by each week to read!

A couple of weeks ago, I just so happened to get an offer to host another giveaway for the Midwest Dairy Association. (You may remember the prize pack they offered us back in March featuring Cusinart.)  As I thought about a post for today, I could think of nothing better than to share this important information and giveaway with you guys!  Enjoy!

Knowing that the beginning of the school year can be a hectic time, the Midwest Dairy Council has a few tips designed not only to save time, but also help ensure that kids take on the day with a healthy and balanced breakfast:

o Set out cereal boxes and bowls the night before, add milk in the morning, and enjoy

o Divide mini pretzels, nuts, and dried fruit into baggies the night before to sprinkle over yogurt

o Bake a fresh batch of muffins with your kids over the weekend to grab on the way to school

o Stock up on self-serve options such as individual flavored milks and granola bars

o Heat nutrient-rich leftovers for a quick, non-traditional breakfast

o If kids don't have time to eat at home, take advantage of school breakfast programs

We’ve all heard that "breakfast is the most important meal of the day" – and skipping breakfast can mean going a total of 15-17 hours without food. In fact, children who skip breakfast don't typically make up the nutrients they miss at other meals throughout the day.

A nutritious breakfast (which may include milk, cheese or yogurt) is a great source of key nutrients, including calcium. A healthy breakfast has also been linked to sustained energy levels throughout the school day, improved attendance, higher math and reading scores, increased creativity and an improved memory.

Win it! To help you and your family get off to a good start each morning, Midwest Dairy is offering one Simply Sweet Home reader, a giveaway bundle with the following items:

•  A Cool Touch Griddle (valued at $30.00), plus handy kitchen tools
•  Dairy Makes Sense recipe cards, including a fall favorite, Pumpkin Pancakes.
• Reusable Dairy Makes Sense insulated grocery bag -- perfect for stocking up on milk, cheese and yogurt at the grocery store.

Mandatory Entry:  To win, you must be a follower of my blog.  Then visit Dairy Makes Sense and leave me a comment, telling me a recipe at their website that you'd like to try. Deadline: Oct 26

Extra Entries: Leave separate comments for each entry!

-1 if you follow Simply Sweet Home on Twitter.

-2 for subscribing to Simply Sweet Home via email.

-2 for "liking" Simply Sweet Home on facebook.

-1 for subscribing to my RSS feeds through Feedburner.

-1 if you have my button on your blog.

-1 for sharing this giveaway on Twitter or Facebook.  (Sample Tweet: I want to win a Presto Cool Touch Griddle and other prizes from Dairy Make Sense! http://bit.ly/c1E4lz  @SimplySweetHome  #giveaway) (Limit one entry per day.)

Disclosure: For hosting this giveaway, I received an insultated shopping bag and other goodies.