Most of us are on the go with not much time to get there. A meal usually consists of something starchy, greasy, filling for the moment and gerd-provoking. However, if you are intentional and choose to slow down and eat a nutritious snack or meal that will keep you full and energized for the day, I may have an idea. My work days usually start at 430am as I toss in the bed, mulling over another snooze on the alarm and what to wear that day. Once I do get up, I like to be dressed and out the door by 6am. This doesn’t leave much room for an elaborate breakfast, but I do want to eat something good to BREAK THE FAST. In order to keep the morning moving, I usually prepare my ingredients for a power packed breakfast the night before. It’s akin to preparing your children’s lunchboxes and clothes the night before, so all the madness that occurs in the mornings won’t be too chaotic.
I am 63 and in maddening menopause. For those of you who know EXACTLY what I am experiencing, no more words are needed. I have tried forms of hormone replacement therapy, HRT, to include testosterone pellets in the hind parts (too expensive as insurance didn’t cover them and plus they didn’t work for me), estrogen/progesterone patches (the progesterone put weight on me and enlarged my breasts so badly, I couldn’t button my pants or tops and plus the pharmacy continually had the patches on backorder), over the counter supplements like black cohash (didn’t work for me), and a liquid called OSTAB3-L 4X, estradiol fee formula for menopause symptoms (it worked, but it came in 10 cc which if used according to its instructions, didn’t last very long. It was expensive, $40 a bottle. I couldn’t keep ordering it). That left me with attempting to eat appropriately so the hot flashes wouldn’t force me to slit my wrists while throwing myself in a bath of ice water. According to what I’ve read, one must avoid caffeine and chocolate, exercise with weights to ward off osteoporosis and try and sleep, meditate and drink lots of water. I love caffeinated tea, and milk chocolate is my jam. Exercising wasn’t an issue as I work out with weights five nights a week. Sleeping on the other hand, maybe three to four hours a weeknight (reruns of MURDER SHE WROTE and PERRY MASON keep the eyes ajar). Eight to ten ounce water bottles I keep by my bedside and on my desk. I try. But occasionally, PEPSI ZERO, subs for water.
Back to the eating plan. With each breakfast, snack, dinner, I try and incorporate good stuff that will help the menopause symptoms (as I write this, it’s been 10+ plus years they have arrested me!) and keep the weight down to at least when I look in the mirror I am not shrieking with horror at the size of my hips or the roll of fat that slops at my sides (the fat doesn’t hear the grunting I do when lifting the weights at night). In the above pictures, you will note peanuts, METAmucil, honey and raisins. These help pack your mind and body with protein and B vitamins, surging your brain and energizing your metabolism, provided that doritos and cupcakes aren’t apart of the package. At night I place the ingredients on my kitchen countertop. All I have to do in the morning is add the refrigerated greek yogurt, seamoss and some kind of berry. I love blackberries.
This is my breakfast:
1-a handful of frozen blackberries ( I buy them fresh then freeze them to prevent spoiling) tossed in a bowl. You can use any type of berry, however.
2-a squeezed amount of GOLDEN BLOSSOM honey (honey never goes bad and is full B vitamins and adds a touch of sweet),
3-a sprig of METAmusil powder (good for gut protection as it helps move the bowel, adding fiber),
the seamoss i get is made fresh on the day i buy itpomegranate is high in vitamin c as well. protects our immune systems.
4-a handful of SUNMAID raisins (add sweet, packed with B vitamins, adding fiber also. be careful. they are NOT a low calorie snack). I’ve tried other raisin brands, but SUNMAID, to me is the freshest and plumpest.
5-a handful of unsalted PLANTER’S peanuts for extra protein and filling,
6-and seamoss. Yes, seamoss. Depending on what part of the world you are from, you know all about the benefits of seamoss. I have been using it since before the pandemic. I swear by it. I believe it, along with all of the vaccinations, including the flu vaccine, have helped me stave off the ravages of the flu and covid. Depending on who manufactures it for you, Irish SeaMoss, according to the 92MNRLS.COM site from which I purchase my jars, comes in two colors, purple/brownish (chondrus crispus) or tan/light/yellow/beige (gracilaria). I get the former, which has more minerals. It is a wild organically grown sea herb. The herb can aid in the shrinking of fibroids ( patricia, the owner of 92MNRLS.COM, said the seamoss shrunk her fibroids and helped her sciatica), boost your immune system, improve anemia, aid in detoxification and correct mineral deficiencies. Seamoss can be eaten alone or drank alone. But I put mine in yogurt. One of my friendgirls takes hers with applesauce. I’ve heard cooks use it in their sauces and gravy. I sometimes mix it with mayonnaise (don’t grimace until you’ve tried it) as a spread on my burgers. Im all in!!!!!!!
All above are mixed with one cup of greek yogurt in a bowl. I like Chiobani. It comes in various berry flavors (I just tried pomegranate, Yum) and it’s thick.
I eat this every morning before work as breakfast. But depending on when morning is for you, this snack can still work. You can also use these ingredients as part of a protein shake. Some of you aren’t breakfast eaters per se, no problem. It could work as part of a dessert recipe. Doesn’t matter, the point is it doesn’t take much time to get your brain and body energized for what you need them for.
Another supplement I have been using for the past few months is Vitamin E. I’ve researched that it is the best vitamin to help in reducing menopause symptoms and protect our aging eye sight. Of course I want the best. The google search said the one above in the above pic is that. I order mine from AMAZON. I take it daily along with my yogurt mix.
What I am finding by eating this in the mornings, I am full most of the day and not wanting those lovely carbohydrates. While my menopause symptoms have abated some from miserable depression and mind fogging, they still haunt me. But I feel better that I am choosing holistic ways to combat them versus pellets and patches.
If you are interested in purchasing seamoss from my manufacturer, please go to: 92MNRLS.COM and use the code JUDILJONES for a discount.
By Judi Jones
pomegranate is high in vitamin c as well. protects our immune systems.