Real Food You Can Love In An Instant (Unlike that Other Stuff...)

A balanced breakfast doesn't have to be hard or complicated.

Seriously.

I had a client a couple of years ago who started every morning with a Carnation Instant Breakfast. I remember the commercial, "you're gonna love it in an instant!"

It's true. Lots of people probably do love it because it's so fast. But let's take a look at what's inside that "breakfast quickie". Among other things, it contains 19g or 4.75 tsp of sugar.

Yeah. Considering the American Heart Association "urges women to consume no more than 6 added tsp. of sugar daily and men no more than 9 tsp," (read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/275180-carnation-breakfast-nutritional-facts/#ixzz251yILFnV) I think this isn't the best way to start your day. Are you with me?

How about this instead:

Two eggs, fried over easy. A piece of whole wheat toast with a small pat of real butter and 1/2 tsp of real jelly or honey. And a big ol' handful of mixed greens with a dab of dressing.

While the Carnation Instant Breakfast DOES provide this long list of added vitamins and minerals, they are going to be pulverized and potentially synthetically created and added in to the powder that contains powdered milk solids, lots of sugar, maltodextrin (fake fiber that helps lower blood sugar levels but does NOT help with digestion--which is sort of what fiber is FOR) and things like cellulose gum, inulin and dicalcium phosphate.

Whoa. Why all the fake, extra added-in versions of real things that are found in real food?

Give me real food.

A real egg (protein, omega fatty acids, choline and lutein). A real piece of salad (fiber). Real wheat (if that's your thing). Real butter. Real honey or jelly made from real fruit.

Give me real food, please. And since this breakfast is fast, I can love THIS in an instant, no problem.

PS. That client who ate those Carnation Instant Breakfasts everyday is now an incredible health coach. Yup. Check her out here: Shannon's Website

Super Simple Slaw

I have no idea how to make cole slaw but I want to eat it. I like the kind they serve in diners but I often wonder, "what's in this? what am I eating?"

A quick Google search brings up recipes, and I take a look at a few. Same basic idea, some changes here and there. A lot of mayo. A lot of sugar. Too much for something that's made with carrots and cabbage--there's so much potential for it to be a really healthy side dish and a fun way to get some greens in (cabbage counts as a green), why ruin it with all that sugar? No need. I can do better.

Some wonderful friends recently brought over a bunch of food when I returned home from surgery, and it included some slaw-and I'm pretty sure it was some of the tastiest I've had.

I wanted to do it myself. I have no idea why I'm craving cole slaw---could be that my body is desperately craving greens to help detox the anesthesia from my system. Surgery was rough but I'm feeling better each day. I can't cook much yet (don't have much mobility of my arms and torso) but I CAN shred some carrots and stir (a little).

Here's what I made last night and it was awesome. The recipes I found online called for almost twice to three times the portions I used for the mayo and sugar. Always start with less and you can add more, but see how tasty things are with far less salt and sugar. The apple cider vinegar also gives a great tang. 

As always, I try to use as many organic ingredients as possible. 
 

Super Simple Slaw*

2 mega large carrots

1/3 of a medium cabbage--about 3 cups chopped/shredded

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

2 tsp sugar

1/4 cup sunflower seeds, roasted or raw

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir. Eat.

See? Super simple.
 

*had fun with this one? Awesome. Flex your cooking muscles with this Cool Thai Slaw recipe.