The Hardest Meal of the Day

I know how hard it is to eat breakfast if you're not used to it. I was the classic under-eater. I skipped breakfast, ate a filling lunch, usually skipped supper or just had a snack. Oh, and probably only drank about 2 or 3 times a day. It totally screwed up my metabolism.

Now, I eat breakfast, a snack, lunch, supper, and a snack everyday. It wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be, however I do eat my last snack of the day prior to supper on some nights. (I was never a big night-eater)

There are some tips and tricks. Firstly, have one shelf (at least) in the fridge that is JUST YOURS! No one can touch that shelf but you. Stock it with a few essentials:

• Whole wheat english muffins (100 calorie type)
• Fat free cream cheese
• Sugar free fruit preserves
• Spray margarine
• Sliced & Shredded fat free cheese
• Whole wheat tortilla wraps
• Butter Buds (or equivalent)
• Fat free half & half
• Fat free milk (skim)
• Apple sauce (read labels for low/no sugar)
• Fat free/sugar free 3 oz yogurts

These are always on my shelf. I also have a pantry shelf. Here's a good list to start on:

• Whole wheat diet bread (40-50 calories /slice)
• Bag of apples (not the huge apples)
• Bunch of bananas
• Sodium free salt
• All flavors of Mrs. Dash
• Red potatoes
• Brown rice
• Canned tuna (in water only)
• No salt green beans (canned)
• No salt corn (canned)
• No salt spinach (canned)

In the freezer, on my shelf, I have (all frozen, of course):

• 5 oz cod filets
• 5 oz swordfish filets
• 5 oz boneless/skinless chicken breasts
• Fat free/sugar free frozen yogurt
• 5 oz grouper filets

That basically covers all of my meals in three easy spots. Just having MY SHELVES makes a huge difference. I know my first thought was my kids/hubby. Well, this shelf thingy has worked out perfectly. The kids and hubby both know where MY stuff goes and they leave it alone. (they do ask for a piece of fruit every now and again)

Now, back to breakfast... Here's my morning ritual, this may help you start one of your own:

1. Grumpily roll out of bed
2. Bitch and moan about it being too early
3. Brew some Folgers Half-Caff
4. Put english muffin in toaster oven to toast
5. Fill water bottle (1 litre)
6. Go to sunroom and have a smoke (my only true vice)
7. Go Sh-Sh-Sh and dress for work
8. Go back to kitchen grab coffee with nf half&half and splenda
9. Put cream cheese and preserves on english muffin
10. Grab a banana and a glass of nf milk
11. Drink milk, throw banana in purse, bag up english muffin
12. Eat banana & drink water on drive to work
13. Sit at my desk and eat english muffin while checking email
14. Go tinkle the entire 1 litre of water
15. Start my work day

It's a schedule that doesn't cut into my day. I have everything so organized with my shelves that it's simple to do and I get that important meal in.

Everyone has their own ways, I know, but you can alter this to fit YOUR day. Maybe you have time for a bowl of cereal, so eat a bowl of Kashi (Lean) with some milk and slice your banana up in it. That kills it all in one bowl.

If you have any suggestions or your own schedule, I'd love to hear it!