Page 17 - Final Template Pat Brown

Now, if ‘glop’ isn’t your thing…not to worry! Here’s a list of healthy
and easy breakfast options. One is sure to be right for you:
Transitions with Carol LeBeau
* Cooked oatmeal with almonds or dried cranberries
Breakfast…. * Cold cereal with a side of fruit
* A whole wheat pita stuffed with hard-boiled eggs
* Leftover vegetable pizza (seriously!)
My Mom was * Vegetables, salsa and low-fat shredded cheese wrapped in a
big on break- tortilla
fast. Maybe it * A smoothie blended from fruits, low-fat yogurt and a spoonful of
was just an Iowa wheat germ
thing, but every * Whole-wheat crackers with low-fat cheese or peanut butter
morning we * Veggie omelet and toast
awakened to the * A whole-wheat sandwich with lean meat and low-fat cheese
aroma of fresh- * Multigrain pancakes with fruit and yogurt
brewed coffee * A whole-grain waffle with peanut butter
and the begin-
nings of a boffo So, whether you tend to stick with traditional breakfast options or
breakfast; eggs, prefer the variety of eating “outside the (cereal) box,” you have
buttered toast or plenty of ways to eat a healthy breakfast each day. Just make sure
English muffins, you incorporate the core of a healthy breakfast…whole grains, low-
oatmeal, oj and fat protein, low-fat dairy, fruits and vegetables.
fruit. It was just
part of our family So, don’t rob yourself of the opportunity to eat more vitamins and
routine. minerals, eat less fat, have better concentration and productivity,
control your weight and have lower cholesterol…all of which may
I can still hear reduce your risk of heart disease.
Mom reminding
us to eat our Eat your breakfast. It’s good for you. Thanks Mom.
breakfast. “It’s
the most impor-
tant meal of the
day!”
Turns out, Mom
was right…about a lot of things, actually. Too bad I didn’t heed San Diego
her advice as I embarked on my own. As a young woman, I’d skip Woman
breakfast (thinking I could save the calories until later!) run on
fumes for much of the day…then gobble up whatever crossed my
path later. If a bag of Oreos was handy…that would be dinner. Big
mistake. 17
In my early 40’s, I finally woke up and “smelled the coffee!” With my
energy low and outlook bleak, I turned to my doctor for help. His
advice took me back to the basics…and back to breakfast. I started
feeling better almost immediately!

Mom was right. Eating breakfast not only gives me energy (duh!)
to start the day…it helps me concentrate, gives me strength AND
helps me maintain a healthy weight.

How ‘bout you? If you start the day with an empty tank and wonder
why you’re fading by 10…add breakfast to your morning routine
and experience the difference for yourself.

I keep it simple with bowl of whole grain cereal. I like to mix ‘em
up…Shredded Wheat…Raisin Bran….Kashi Go Lean Crisp and
Barbara’s multi-grain Shredded Spoonfuls…to name a few! To that
I add a couple spoonfuls of ground flaxseed, some wheat germ and
a scoop of whey protein (available at any health food store)…then
cover it all in low-fat almond or dairy milk.
My husband calls it ‘glop,’ but I don’t care! Add a mug of full-bodied
coffee and I’m ready for anything! And even if I can’t eat right the
rest of the day…at least I’ve got a good start.