Thursday, December 9, 2010

Breakfast IS for champions. Oh, and I want the bling.

Did you think I was talking about a ring? Well, I wasn't. I mean I want that too...don't get me wrong, but I was talking about this beauty I spotted whilst working out yesterday. 
Tell me that is not the cutest apron you've ever seen? I could bake allllll sorts of healthy treats in that little number. I was watching Oprah, and they were doing a cooking segment and one of the girls came out with this on. Jaw dropped. So, naturally I came home and tried to find it...the good news? I found it! Click here, and it can be yours. The bad news? It's a mere $350.00. Jaw dropped again. No, that is not a type-o. I didn't mean to write $35.00. $350.00!?!?! I mean it's cute and all...but I guess it will have to wait. 

My Thursday mornings are always pretty early and pretty busy. I usually have to be to work by 5:30 or 5:45 to train my first client. I go straight through until about lunch time, and there isn't usually much time for breaks in between, which means breakfast needs to be early and quick. I really love eating oatmeal in the morning because it keeps me full. Unfortunately, oatmeal is kinda difficult to eat in the car on the way to work. Hot bowl = burnt hands. So, to remedy the problem I've been making my peanut butter banana oatmeal into a parfait.
 
 I cook my oatmeal, and mix in a bit of cinnamon and splenda. Into my super tall mug I layer a heaping spoonful of oatmeal, put in a lil' bit of peanut butter, and then add some bananas. I layer that all the way up to the top, and I'm on my way. Why is melted peanut butter and bananas SO good? mmmm... Easy and delicious.

For some breakfast is a bit of a second thought...something you think about if you have time, or if you feel like it. You hear people say it all the time...breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Well, its a true statement. A common misconception is that skipping breakfast means you are eating less, and will promote weight loss. This is actually not true. Those who skip breakfast usually find themselves starving by lunchtime and make up for the lost calories by overeating. It has been proven that those who eat breakfast will be more likely to lose weight, and maintain a healthy one. Not only does eating breakfast stop you from binging on unwanted calories, it jump starts your metabolism.
When you think think about the basics behind your body's need for fuel, a morning meal just makes sense. After sleeping for 7-8 hours your body has been "fasting." Your body has used the food you ate during the previous day as fuel up until that point, and your morning blood glucose levels are low. Glucose fuels the brain and all physical activity, so starting your morning off with low fuel is a bad idea. If you don't eat and you go on with your normal activities your body slows down your metabolism in order to conserve energy. Also, in response to this perceived deprivation the body increases production of cortisol, the stress hormone that leads to fat storage particularly around the midsection.

Now, I know I know... you're "not hungry" in the morning. It may take your body a couple of weeks to get accustomed to eating breakfast. BUT it will happen, and you'll get to the point where you'll wake up hungry! If you're in a hurry plan out your breakfast the night before. Find things that are easy to grab and eat on the run.

Some other things I love for breakfast are Cereal and skim milk or soy milk (Kashi, Corn Bran, Special K Protein Plus, Raisin Bran, & Optimum Power are some of my favorites), protein shakes, an apple or banana and peanut butter, bran muffins, whole wheat toast with pb and honey, but mostly just oatmeal. :) Do you like breakfast as much as I do or am I just crazy? I wake up excited to eat in the morning. Let's be honest, I get excited to eat anytime. What are your easy/healthy breakfast items?

6 comments:

Nicole said...

Healthy and easy for me is an egg sandwich! Or just toast to be super easy. That apron is really cute but $350? This one isn't quite as cute but it's a lot cheaper:
http://bpdancewear.com/asccustompages/products.asp?productid=946

Mars said...

I love all your ideas for healthy meals. I used to be super good and eat the way you do all the time and then I got distracted from a boy (lame reason I know) so I'm starting to get back into my good habits again. You make me feel like less of a health nut-only because majority of people my age don't care at all. I love it though! So basically I just wanted to say I love this blog and I want to try all your recipes!

Merediths said...

I read the other day that having a breakfast lower in carbs and higher in fat and protein is better because it jumpstarts your metabolism. It said 2 eggs is one of the best ways to start the day. What do you think about that?

Anonymous said...

I love breakfast, it's my favorite meal of the day. On weekdays I eat it twice ;-) Ok, one of them is probably a snack to some, but I like to call it bfast #1 and #2.

My favorite breakfast, which I eat almost daily is oatmeal. For weekdays I prep the dry oats and whatever I want in it beforehand, and then at work, between 9-10 I add water and microwave. That's my usual breakfast #2.

Breakfast #1 is usually a skinny latte, or pb on something. Maybe even a dessert omelette. Depends on if I am working out or going straight to work

The Hungry Runner Girl said...

I WANT that apron!!! How cute would we be in twinner ones. Melty PB and banana are the best combo EVER. Oh breakfast....I can't believe I didn't used to eat it. Awesome post...girl, you are so stinkin smart!

Katy said...

That apron is supa cute, but I don't think I would pay 350 dollars for one. Actually, I know wouldn't!

I love all your meals, they look so yummy! Once I get back home, and have a kitchen and a grocery store at my disposal, I know I'll be stealing some of them!

For now, Quaker instant is the only they got out here. But my breakfast is usually 2 eggs, 2 pieces of wheat or pumpernickel toast (I make a sandwich!) and then some watermelon and sometimes strawberries. And OJ. I love OJ!