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Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Hey, good lookin', watcha got cookin'?

I hate breakfast.

Always have.

Breakfast cereal manufacturers say its the most important meal of the day but I nearly have to choke down that bowl of cereal. Ugh. I don't like my food cold and wet (unless it happens to be ice cream). I don't like food that gets soggy. And it is inevitable that my breakfast will get soggy. I have three small children in varying states of panic in the morning. Cereal is never a good choice for me.

I like my breakfast hot. Preferably melty. That's not always practical on a typical morning in the Cow household. And did I mention I'm not that big a fan of eggs and omelets? Ideally, I'd like to have a sausage and cheese croissandwich from Burger King every morning. But that's not exactly conducive to my weight loss goals.

While trying to have something in my stomach for breakfast, I've been drinking an Instant Breakfast or a Slim Fast shake (when I remember to buy the mix and we're not out of milk). It is easy enough to drink down, leaving one hand free to brush hair, retrieve shoes, and even manage buttons. But it doesn't keep me full. Within an hour, I'm getting hungry again.

So, what does that leave me that's not cold, potentially soggy, hot, melty, not eggs, keeps me full longer and is reasonably good for me? Diddly squat, that's what.

Or at least that's what I thought...

At a friend's suggestion, I tried steel cut oatmeal. It takes some time and usually ends up overflowing, getting burned or congealed while I give orders gentle instructions to my brood. So I switched to instant. Have you seen those little packets? Kinda small and not very filling, either. I felt like a big ol' glutton dumping in two packets, though. Of course, the flavors I like (peaches and cream, apples and cinnamon) are the high-sugar options. However, I recently found a "weight control" option that provides a slightly large portion while cutting down on sugar and fat. But oatmeal just isn't tasty on it's own and I don't keep fresh berries on hand to spruce it up. So here's where the melt factory comes in: I add a tablespoon of chocolate chips. They're the semi-sweet kind so have less fat and sugar than the milk option and a little bit goes a long way. The chips are nice and melty after sitting on a steaming bowl of oatmeal while I'm kicking escorting children out the door to school, and when mixed together, they are tasty, tasty good!

What do you eat for breakfast?

19 comments:

Amanda said...

I usually do something bad for me...like a pop tart (which I don't even really like) or a browine or cake or cookies if I have em:) I snek them after the kids breakfast....although I have been known to let P eat cookies for Breakfast too:) I think the sugar cereal is just as bad a homemade cookies. IMO:) If I am good I do whole wheat bread with rasberry preserves. But I am not good that much. I'd love to have eggs every morning with toast...but the children (LIAM) does not allow for that:) I understand a busy morning! If I don't get in protein I am hungry and hour later. When I was preggo I HAD TO HAVE protein in the morning ASAP or I would throw up. SO I did microwave bacon usually....I didn't have the stomach to make eggs then! Long enough for ya????

Mary~Momathon said...

I make make eggs for the kids 3 or 4 times a week. Hey, they are cheap and healthy, and my picky kids will eat 'em! Good deal.

Not today, today I gave them cold pop tarts. I just needed a few more cups of coffee. But the dog was nudging me and giving me "the look". Darn dog was out of dog food and today marks day 2 of starving the old girl. (not really, she got her fill of scraps yesterday)

So, I cooked chicken, rice and eggs for the dog. Kids got cold pop tarts, dog got a three course meal.

I had more coffee.

Amber said...

How are we even friends?? I absolutely love cereal- I actually don't eat it most days because I can't control myself and I eat at least 3 bowls. I eat oatmeal because it's better portion controlled. Lately I've been having oatmeal (plain) with blueberries and bananas (I know, I know) and some honey and cinnamon and a splash of milk. Yum.

Janell said...

In the winter I like a bowl of cream of wheat with cinnamon sugar, but I rarely have time to make it. (It claims to be "minute" stuff, but that doesn't count measuring the ingredients or washing the pot!) I then default to 2 packets of half-sugar, Quaker instant oatmeal.

In the summer I like a bowl of cold cereal (e.g. Wheat Chex or Frosted Miniwheats) or a bowl of cold fruit (e.g. peaches, applesauce).

Notably, I go through long phases of not having any breakfast at all because I'd rather sleep another five minutes.

Kristina P. said...

I love breakfast food, but I almost never eat it.

I do love steel cut oatmeal. I don't like mushiness.

Nat said...

I love breakfast! Sometimes we even have breakfast foods for dinner!

We are big fans of chocolate Malt-O-Meal. We recently discovered Maple and brown sugar Malt-O-Meal, and that was a big hit with the kiddos, too.

Jillybean said...

Canned frosting and diet Dr Pepper.

Jamison Family said...

I take homemade biscuit dough (canned works too) and press it into the bottom and up the side of a muffin tin. I mix up some eggs with my favorite seasonings (salt, red pepper, onion, garlic, chives ...) and pour that into the uncooked biscuit "cups". Sprinkle on a little bacon, sausage or ham, pop them in the over at 425 for 12-15 minutes (top with cheese for the last 2-3) - - YUMMY! These freeze well too so I make GIANT batches and warm in the microwave.

elesa said...

I've always had a problem with breakfast too. I don't want cold cereal, and I get so bored of pancakes or eggs. It is still a dilemma.

But yesterday I made rice pudding, which I love. It took about a half hour, which is really too long in the morning, but it was so, so worth it. Maybe if I was smart and made it at night? Though it would be pretty hard not to eat it all before I went to bed. It is the only breakfast i have been excited about in ages though, so I might make it again tomorrow!

Kristie said...

Since milk doesn't agree with my little one, and I am nursing, cereal is out for me. (which is sad because I love it!) So, it is oatmeal for me. I like the maple and brown sugar variety. Never thought of doing chocolate chips!!!

Me (aka Danielle) said...

I am NOT a breakfast person. I typically have a piece of toast and I've discovered microwavable bacon. YUM!

Tipi said...

It's been "guess the secret ingredient" pancakes for the last month. Occasionally eggs or french toast.
Lately I have been craving granola. I think I should make some soon...if only I still had mom's recipe :(

Tipi said...

PS
A Scrunt is from Lady in the Water
It's that creature in the picture I posted. If you haven't seen Lady in the Water you can't fully appreciate the cuteness of what she was doing :)

Oh by the way, she found 2!
Rather scary.

Caroline said...

Breakfast is usually too early for me to eat :) Have you ever tried doing your oatmeal overnight in the crockpot (like Alton Brown :))?

dwhitley9@juno.com said...

Nothing. I never eat breakfast. I eat an early lunch. :)

Brandi said...

There's this little mom and pop joint in town, The Burger Inn, that does a super delicious (read super unhealthy) breakfast. My very favorite thing there is a large bacon, egg and cheese biscuit. That's right, the biscuits come in sizes - sweet, huh!?

stewbert said...

I LOVE oatmeal for breakfast. But I add brown sugar to it. haha.

Debi said...

Hey, that t_mike was actually debi, in case you wondered.... sorry about that. But I don't ever eat breakfast...I will probably die young.

Queenie Jeannie said...

You're gonna love me. I mean really, really, realllllly, love me...

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