Breakfast

So if you didn't know by now, I am an elementary school teacher. When I have students who constantly repeat the same behaviors that get them into trouble, I give them this little analogy: Let's say I'm building something and I need a hammer and nails. When I go to hit the nail, I miss and hit my hand. I say, "Ouch that hurts!" And then without making any adjustments, I go to hit the nail again. BAM! Right on my hand again. "Ouch again." Do you think I would continue this on and on and on? No! I'm going to move my hand, or watch what I'm doing, or reposition myself. I am going to make some sort of change so I don't keep hurting myself over and over and over. So now when I see them doing the same naughty behavior I ask them, "Why do you keep hitting yourself in the hand?" Well I need to ask myself that same question when it comes to breakfast.

I am a HUGE believer in eating breakfast in the morning. My problem is that when I'm in a hurry I don't eat the right kind of breakfast and it's basically the same as no breakfast at all. The days I don't eat a good breakfast are the days I notice my afternoon or late night snackfests. Yesterday, I slept in because well I'm sick and on spring break so I can! Since I slept in, I didn't have much time after getting all 3 of my boys their breakfasts, and milks, and juices. I was going to the dentist and wanted to eat something before leaving so I made a quick smoothie. In the past when I've made smoothies they are amazingly filling. Yesterday, I wasn't thinking and I mixed together a WW chocolate smoothie pack, 1/2 a banana, 2 tbsp PB2, 1/2 cup ice, and a 1/2 cup water. The water was my mistake. It's more filling when I mix it with fat free milk. Needless to say, it did not take long before I felt hungry and I was kind of that way the rest of the day. I know it's important to have a good mix of protein, carbs, and fat. I think I am doing better and trying to check the amount of protein I'm eating, but I don't think I have enough fat. I've heard good fats and good for you, but they are a lot of points! I have a hard time mentally wanting to eat a handful of nuts for 3-4 points or 2 tsp. of oil for 2 points when I could eat real food for that amount! Typical breakfasts for me are:

• 2 packs of Weight Control oatmeal (6 pts)


• 2 packs of Lower sugar oatmeal + 1/2 a banana (5 pts)


• 1 1/2 cups of Protein Plus Special K w/ 1 cup milk (noticed tummy issues so I stopped but very filling) (4 pts)


• 1/2 cup Grapenuts w/ 3/4 cup FF milk and 1 cup strawberries (4 pts)


• 1 bottle of no sugar added Carnation Chocolate milk (this is questionable since it's made with Splenda and that may be another food I need to eliminate) and an oatmeal pack (5 pts)


• 1 cup frozen berries, 1/4 cup plain yogurt, 1 banana, 1/2 cup FF milk, and 1/2 cup ice (this is from week 1 Eat Wisely book from Weight Watchers) (5 pts)

All of these are quick to make and eat. For awhile when I'd been running late I'd eat a Clif Bar or Zone Bar, Luna Bar, etc. Bars for me are both not filling and usually have Chicory Root, inulin, or soy which I'm finding are all hard on my stomach. Oh which reminds me, I just found this new coffee by Folgers called Simply Smooth and it's supposed to be gentle on your stomach.

So far I notice a difference. This might be my saving grace. I love coffee but it may be another thing hurting my stomach. I did go one week without coffee to see the difference. Oh I do NOT want to do that again!! I did not notice a difference, but I was also eating other foods that upset the belly. Sorry to go off on a tangent but my tummy problems are just annoying! Anyway, today I had my Grapenuts w/ 3/4 cup FF milk and 1/2 a banana. I'm drinking my coffee so we'll see how the tummy does. As for yesterday, due to having a light breakfast I noticed a box of CheezIt's sitting next to the computer last night. Needless to say, half of them are now gone. So today my plan is to NOT HIT MYSELF IN THE HAND! How about you?