November 4, 2009
grace in small things: fifty
Today the boys had cereal for their snack (eh, they almost always have cereal for their snack — it’s fortified, so it seems healthy. Do not judge). This week, they choose Corn Pops (Henry) and Cap’n Crunch (Charlie) (again, DO NOT JUDGE).
So I’m telling them, as I always do, that I remember when Corn Pops were Sugar Pops. “And there was another cereal,” I say, “called Super Sugar Crisp, but now it’s called something else, without ’sugar’ in the name.”
And Henry sighs and rolls his eyes and says, “Yes, I know, you’ve told us a million times.” Yes, well, I owe you, son, for the constant Star Wars plot recaps.
November 2006
Anyway, remember when sugar cereal wasn’t a big deal? I do! My brother and I used to get up on the weekends and get our own cereal and take it in the den and watch television. My mother would leave the bowls out and put the milk in a little pitcher, instead of letting us pour out of the big jug. The rule was that we were not supposed to wake my parents up until 9:00 am; until then, it was all cartoons and sugar cereal.
The 70s were great, man.
1. Life. Mikey liked it! And no, he did not die from eating Pop Rocks and drinking Coke.
2. Lucky Charms. They’re magically delicious, you know, because they have marshmallows in the cereal!
3. Cap’n Crunch. But not with those weird berry things, just the plain cereal.
4. Cocoa Puffs. Chocolate milk! In the bowl! Perfect.
5. Apple Jacks. Do they even still make those? My brother loved Apple Jacks.
Some days, I think that the best reason to have kids is the cereal. Truly.
What’s your favorite sugary breakfast treat? Or are you a Grape Nuts in the morning type? (Nothing against the Grape Nuts — they’re delicious. Especially with sugar.)
Posted by Susan @ 10:31 pm • grace in small things
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November 4th, 2009 at 11:01 pm, John W Says:
I still love Apple Jacks (and Lucky Charms, and just about any cereal with an obscene amount of sugar). Thx for the memories Sis!
November 4th, 2009 at 11:31 pm, heels Says:
I can’t eat milk anymore, so my favorite sugary breakfast treat is pie. Mmmmm… pie…
I like Grape Nuts, but I prefer them on top of lemon yogurt. Tastes like lemon pie! (Are you noticing a theme?) Of course, I can’t eat yogurt anymore, either. Guess I’ll just go straight for the pie.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:48 pm, Mom2Trplts Says:
My peeve is that my brother and I used to pour over the BOX while we ate the cereal. It had all sorts of great stuff to read. Now the box is boring. I think cereal is wonderful, especially when I am v e r y busy.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:58 pm, Di Says:
In our house, raisin bran was considered a treat. Yep. It was generic corn flakes or rice krispies for the most part. Occasionally we’d have a box of sugar ceral. Fruit loops, or Corn Pops. Sugar Smacks were only for when you were sick, for some odd reason.
And then there was KABOOM cereal…which was just weird, and we could have it when ever it was available - it was rainbow colored smiley face balloon shapes made out of a vaguely cheerio-like substance, with pink star-shaped marshmallows. Disgusting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaboom_%28breakfast_cereal%29
November 5th, 2009 at 12:26 am, Natalie Says:
We never got to eat sugar cereal growing up. I loved to layer Grape Nuts and Cheerios and lots of sugar–far more than would have been in a bowl of actually sugary cereal. When we got older and would stay by ourselves when our parents went out of town, we went to the store and bought sugar cereal and ate it for every meal until they came home. Usually Fruity Pebbles. Or, I’m sorry to say, Crunchberries.
November 5th, 2009 at 1:06 am, liv Says:
i love me some apple jacks and cinnamon toast crunch. yum!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:39 am, Jet Says:
No judgment here–I let my kids eat it too. We never had it in my house growing up, which is surely why I have it now.
I’m partial to cinnamon life and those graham squares. My kids love Lucky Charms and Fruit Loops.
I agree with the pp, the amount of sugar we would pile onto our grape nuts and shredded wheat was certainly at least equal to the amount of sugar in “sugar cereals”.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:32 am, The Coffee Lady Says:
I saw Apple Jacks for about eight quid (sterling) a box in a fancy UK shop the other day.
I think they were trying to make us think they were exotic because they were From America.
Like, you know, Dallas was exotic, and CSI.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:26 am, Julie Hyzy Says:
Fruit Loops!!! For some reason growing up we were never allowed to have Fruit Loops, we could eat Frosted Flakes, but not Fruit Loops. Loved them and we were were about to beg, wheedle and cajole a box out of my parents… I always ate them by color. Never mixed the colors ever!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:13 am, Kay Band Says:
We didn’t have sweet cereal in the house - and certainly not chocolate cereal - so I figured out how to add Nestle’s Quik to Rice Krispies. The yummiest after school snack ever!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:16 am, Sarah Wroblewski Says:
Growing up my mom would occasionally pick a cereal surprise the night before and put it in a bowl covered with tinfoil. Then when we came down it was such a fun surprise to see which sugar cereal we prefer. My kids love when I do this too.
My favorite kid cereal these days are Peanut Bumpers = the best peanut butter cereal!
November 5th, 2009 at 7:18 am, Sarah Wroblewski Says:
My comment didn’t save right:
Growing up my mom would occasionally pick a cereal surprise the night before and put it in a bowl with tin foil on top. In the morning we would would come down and it would be such a fun surprise to see which cereal she picked for us. My kids love when I do this too.
My favorite kid cereal these days are Peanut Bumpers = the best peanut butter cereal.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:48 am, Javamom Says:
When it gets colder up here, I reach for maple-and-brown-sugar-oatmeal.
I also like the Harvest Crunch. Even as a kid I used to like those big huge granola thingies with the nuts. Yum.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:52 am, Kristie Says:
I grew up on Golden Grahams and Count Chocula (now there’s a healthy breakfast choice ….) Doesn’t seem to have hurt me any, though, ha! Now, as an adult, if I’m feeling “healthy” I’ll eat Honey Bunches of Oats …. otherwise I prefer Frosted Flakes. My kids like Lucky Charms and Cinnamon Toast Crunch. According to the boxes, they’re all fortified, so I just pretend I don’t see the sugar content and pour away!!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:30 am, Valerie Says:
Wait - sugar cereal is a big deal now?
I’m a Cinnamon Toast Crunch girl. I love Cap’n Crunch, but it hurts the roof of my mouth!
November 5th, 2009 at 8:52 am, kate Says:
we always mixed rasin brain and frosted flakes, but then, my favorite treat was honey nut cherios!!
now my favorite is Kashi’s Go Lean Honey cluster crunch (or something to that affect)
i am all about the sugary crunch!!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:05 am, Karen Says:
We never got the super sugary cereals; my mom would allow Golden Grahams and Honey Nut Cheerios, that was as sugary as they got. I loved going to my sitter’s, because she let her teenager have Cocoa Puffs, Trix, Count Chocula, you name it.
When I went off to college most of my Freshman 15 was from the sugar cereal in the huge dispensers in the dining hall. I made up for years of deprivation with bowls of Captain Crunch. And then I realized that Captain Crunch pretty much shreds the roof of your mouth, so who needs that?
My kids get Frosted Cheerios sometimes, and Corn Pops.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:32 am, Jamie Says:
My dad’s favorite cereal is Raisin Bran, but I despise raisins, so I’d pick them out of the cereal and eat just the bran flaks. With sugar, of course. Now I just save myself the trouble and buy bran flakes without the raisins. Mmmm… Also like Honey Bunches of Oats and Rice Krispies. My kids are in a love affair with Fruit Loops and Apple Jacks these days. Oh, and don’t forget Cookie Crisp - who didn’t like little chocolate chip cookies as cereal growing up?!
November 5th, 2009 at 9:53 am, Shannon Says:
OMG, peanut butter Cap’n Crunch. Haven’t had it in years, but it is totally addictive.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:56 am, Tonia Says:
Oh, I prefer the more “grownup” cereals, like Blueberry Morning or Muslix. (By the way, if you look at the box these have as much or more sugar as the kids’ cereals. Yum!)
Tonia
P.S. Lucky Charms and Frankenberry were always my favorites.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:58 am, Elizabeth Says:
Never had ‘em at home, but when I visited my grandparents, they would buy those single-serving packs? Frosted Flakes were my favorite… Honey Comb! Fruit Loops! Apple Jacks! Cap’n Crunch WITH the berries… But in a carb-phobic world, we don’t even BUY cereal any more. Sigh. Actually, I do get this amazing maple pecan granola that is to die for on plain yogurt over a mixture of cut-up pears and sliced strawberries.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am, Carrisa Says:
I do love me some Grape Nuts with splenda instead of sugar.
Most of my favorite cereals were not sugar cereals. Mom never really let us have sugar cereal. Honey Nut Cheerios was about as sugary as it got. And those are still in my top 5 favs today along with Grape Nuts, Life, Chex, and Apple Jacks. Yes they totally still make Apple Jacks and they are awesome.
I remember eating a lot of Kix growing up.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:17 am, chris Says:
On my table this morning there were boxes of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, Apple Jacks, Froot Loops, and Raisin Bran. For the kid who doesn’t like sugar cereal. He is clearly insane.
November 5th, 2009 at 10:24 am, Lylah Says:
I think Super Sugar Crisps became Sugar Smacks and then became Honey Smacks? With that grinning frog thing on the front of the box?
I used to looooove Sugar Pops. Never understood why a bowl of Corn Pops plus milk wasn’t thought of as a good enough snack, but a rice krispie treat was OK…
November 5th, 2009 at 10:37 am, Jennifer Says:
My mother always let my brother and I choose our own cereals at the grocery store. It was a huge deal! Remember when that was the toughest decision in your life? Among the childhood favorites were Boo-Berry, Cookie Crisps, Sugar Smacks, Kix, and Trix.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:38 am, Rhi Says:
I love Frosted Mini-Wheats. Love, love, love.
November 5th, 2009 at 11:56 am, Heather B. Says:
You guys, the best thing about Susan’s house is that there is always cereal. Even better you can mix and match as you see fit. It’s a wonderful place full of carbohydrates.
P.S. My favorite cereal is Lucky Charms. Apple Cinnamon Cheerios come in at a close second…
P.P.S. I’m going to have to find some cereal now.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:11 pm, Amelia Sprout Says:
My MIL would do sugar cereals in Christmas stockings, and I got in on it when I joined the family. My favorite will always be Peanut Butter Captain Crunch. I can’t even guiltily buy it for myself, but having her get it for me was the best.
We tend to not do much cereal in our house with some lactose intolerant people, but if it comes down to it, I like hot cereal best. Malt-O-Meal is my favorite, oatmeal is a close second.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:15 pm, Jenny Says:
We were never allowed those sugar cereals when we were kids - we had to improvise with Wheaties or Grape Nuts with cream and sugar.
I still like Wheaties or Grape Nuts with sugar. I cut back on the cream in deference to the size of my pants.
November 5th, 2009 at 12:16 pm, Lauren Says:
Sugar Smacks and cookie crisp!
November 5th, 2009 at 2:17 pm, Lar Says:
Oh, how I love cereal! I could never pick a favorite. But you can get a version of Super Sugar Crisps at Whole Foods–they’re called Honey Puffed Wheat, and they apparently contain crack. I buy multiple boxes at a time.
November 5th, 2009 at 2:35 pm, blackbird Says:
I happen to enjoy Frosted Flakes, which probably aren’t going to be called that for much longer, right?
November 5th, 2009 at 2:45 pm, Cindy Says:
Rice Krispies! Snap, Crackle, Pop.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:03 pm, Jodes Says:
We were only allowed to have it for one week at the beach each year. I ALWAYS picked Cookie Crisp and my brother loved Fruit Loops, Fruity Pebbles and Apple Jacks. When I was pregnant with my daughter Fruity Pebbles was one of the only things I could eat and would stay-how awful is that?!
I can still remember sleeping over at a friend’s house where they had Count Chocula. My mind was BLOWN.
November 5th, 2009 at 4:10 pm, Sharon Says:
Frosted Flakes was my favorite.
November 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm, Adriana Says:
the one with the elephant on the box, turned the milk chocolate. Cocoa Krispies? something like that? Yumm… I only got it once but that memory is still in my head. The only cereal we were able to eat were Corn Flakes, Cheerios & Rice Krispies.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:28 pm, Sonnya Says:
I love Cocoa Pebbles, personally.
I don’t see how cereal is any worse than donuts. But after 4 kids my standards have slipped (fallen!) drastically. Shhh, don’t tell.
Do you remember when they had those teeny tiny terraniums in Super Sugar Crips? I loved those! So much fun! I wish they still made those.
November 5th, 2009 at 6:55 pm, PixieWearingMom Says:
my three boys (45,6 and 2) all STILL love Cocoa Puffs, but I make them mix them with cheerios. It makes me feel better.
my youngest calls them “poo poo puffs” which, frankly, is much funnier than the real name.
the sugariest I ever got was Honey Nut Cheerios. My mom was a health nut. I discovered Golden Grahams in college and ate them a box at a time.
November 5th, 2009 at 7:15 pm, STL Mom Says:
Like my mom, I restrict the sugar content of breakfast cereal. However, my husband insists on keeping sugary snack cereal in the house, and that’s okay because it’s for snack, or occasionally dinner, not breakfast.
We like Frosted Flakes and (regular) Captain Crunch.
I told the kids that they could each pick out one box of disgusting marshmallow-like cereal for Christmas this year.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:09 pm, Carrie Says:
Lucky Charms for me! But when my son was little, I only let him eat all natural, whole grain kinds of cereal. So I used to tell him that Lucky Charms were only for grown ups — kind of like wine.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:24 pm, Ann Says:
I remember my Mom putting the sugar bowl (remember sugar bowls?) on the table and I was allowed to put as much sugar as I wanted on my Cheerios. This is the same Mom who didn’t keep sodas or sweets in the house, and who to this day revises every single recipe to cut the sugar by 1/3 or 1/2. Go figure. And now I feed my kids Frosted Flakes and Lucky Charms or they literally go on strike and refuse to eat before school. Man.
November 5th, 2009 at 9:45 pm, Leta Says:
Smurfberry Crunch and Booberry were my favorites when I was a kid. . Cap’n Crunch is awesome. I like cereal as a late night snack nowadays. My kids don’t eat much cereal, but I tend not to buy the sugary variety (for them). My mom gives all of the grandkids a box of cereal as one of their Christmas gifts.
November 6th, 2009 at 1:37 am, the planet of janet Says:
sugar pops, sugar smacks … and COCOA KRISPIES!!!!!!!!!!!
November 6th, 2009 at 10:54 am, Sheila Says:
Does anybody remember Quisp and Quake cereals? I used to try and sleep over at my friend Sharon’s house as often as possible to eat those. Man, Sharon had it good.
My mom used to try and fake us out by buying King Vitamin cereal so we would think we were getting a “fun” cereal, but DUH! Vitamin was right there in the actual NAME! Also, the photo of King Vitamin used to creep me out.
November 6th, 2009 at 2:06 pm, Virginia Says:
I totally LOVE the crunchberries!
November 8th, 2009 at 9:46 am, Emily Says:
Frosted flakes all the way!!