I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for belVita. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.

I really wish that I could say that I am one of those moms who wakes up at the crack of dawn to create a scrumptious breakfast for her kids before they scurry out the door for school with their perfectly pressed clothes.  Oh, if only you could see the zoo that this house is on a school morning.  Not only am I getting Graham ready for school, but I am getting myself ready and it is generally WAY earlier than either of us want to be up.  It is such a comical and frightening sight.

I generally give Graham a very quick breakfast option.  Sometimes (when I am feeling extra ambitious) it will include a homemade something made the night before and warmed back up.  Most times it includes some sort of breakfast bar, instant oatmeal or yogurt.  When it comes to myself I am generally flinging things furiously into my purse and hoping some sort of breakfast item made it into the bag.  I get it right about 50% of the time.

So, when I was given the opportunity to try the new belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits I was completely on board.  Anything that is new and exciting to add to my breakfast conundrum is always welcomed.  We were sent the Mixed Berry and Oats and Chocolate varieties to try.  Hands down, the Oats and Chocolate are my favorite, but that’s because I am a self proclaimed chocaholic.  What started to happen is that mom’s favorite “breakfast cookie” turned into something the boys coveted.  So, today, I sadly write to say I am now out of my belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits.  A sad day indeed.  The upside is that we have definitely found another quick and nutritious (20% daily value of fiber) breakfast idea to add to the mix and one that is safe to throw in my purse!

Easing Stress During the Busy Back to School Season: Tips from Lifestyle mom, Dana Hilmer

It’s important to schedule down time for you and your family. Before signing your kids up for this year’s after-school activities, think about your family’s priorities and the impact each activity will have on your schedules.

• It’s just as important for you to have a tasty, healthy breakfast as it is for your kids. Perfect for eating on the go, belVita Soft Baked Breakfast Biscuits come in two varieties, Mixed Berry and Oats & Chocolate, grab a banana and a latte and you’re good to go with nutritious morning energy.

• Take a little time each night to get organized for the following morning. By making lunches and selecting outfits before bed each night, you’ll free time each morning for other things.

• Be sure to keep healthy snacks in the kitchen for after-school snacking. Nuts, crackers and fruit are great to give kids right when they walk in the door to keep them from grazing on unhealthy snacks, or spoiling their appetites for dinner.

• Moms often complain about not having enough time for themselves, but when life gets busy, it’s even more important to carve out that time. Treat “me time” as a priority.

• Start a to-do list with three sections: the priority of the day for yourself, the priority of the day for your family and the priority of the day for your work. Start with these items, and only move on to other less important items once they’re done.

• Use Sunday nights to plan your dinners each week. If you take a few minutes to think about how you can creatively use the leftovers from one night to the next, you can create a full week’s worth of healthy, tasty dinners that your family will enjoy.

• Give yourself the freedom to say no without guilt. Activities or commitments that may not be right for your family are okay to decline. Saying NO gives you the permission to say YES to things that are important to you.

• Back-to-school season is also cold and flu season. You can keep your entire family healthy with these simple habits: eating well, getting enough rest and washing hands regularly.

• Create a network of support for yourself. This network looks different for everyone. Consider asking your partner and kids for support. They can be a great help with tasks you feel comfortable handing over.

I can definitely agree with the “learning to say no”.  Life is busy enough as it is, saying no can be hard but necessary!  At least I am not saying “no” to breakfast!

I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for belVita. I received product samples to facilitate my review and a promotional item as a thank you for participating.