Really Weird — but Delicious — Breakfast

I’ve been struggling lately… with sticking to my 12-blocks-a-day/19 WW points food limits, with getting my ass out of bed in the morning, with body image. The détente I had with the monsters has fallen victim to memories of bathing suit shopping, happy hour cocktails, and “just this once” tortilla chips. But I’m gradually treking myself back up to Happytown.

One of my goals during the Spartan Challenge is to clean up my daily diet again. I’ve been lax about the little things that are just sloppy and habit-driven. I have no problem with the concept of eating real food when I’m really hungry, but the mid-afternoon Hershey kiss and the before-bed slice of toast are just habit, not hunger. And that nonsense is coming to a screeching halt. Now.

I’m also trying to add more vegetables to my daily consumption. I’m hoping that the associated fiber and water will make me feel more satisfied for longer, so I won’t go grubbing after quick, worthless snacks.

I have the day off from the corporate overlords today, and I wanted a hot breakfast after our CrossFit Total workout this a.m. (squat max = 145; shoulder press max = 70). Before I started the Zone in 2008, one of my tasty hot breakfasts was brown rice mixed with a scrambled egg. I’ve banished brown rice from my cabinets, so today, I replaced the rice with sauteed shredded cabbage and added chicken for more protein. I know it sounds weird, and I guess maybe it is.

Whatever.

It tasted great, and I betcha that pile of food is going to power me straight through ’til lunch.
Mel’s Weird But Delicious 3-Course “I Want a Hot Breakfast” Breakfast
Serves 1. Zone blocks: 3P-3C-6F / WW points = 7.5

Ingredients:
2 cups cooked sliced cabbage
1 oz. grilled chicken, shredded
1 egg, scrambled
–
1/2 c blueberries
1 c 1% milk
–
18 almonds

Directions:
1. Add a few drops of soy sauce to the scrambled egg; mix well.
2. Spray a non-stick skillet with Pam. Heat to medium-high, then add the egg and scramble in the pan ’til it’s almost set. Add the cabbage and chicken; sautee ’til well mixed and starting to brown.
3. Shake in some soy sauce and stir fry for another minute.
4. Eat giant pile of food and ponder how you actually don’t miss the brown rice. Think about the amazing nutrients flowing into your body from the cruciferous vegetable. Consider licking the plate clean.
5. Put the blueberries in a bowl and pour the milk over the top. Eat with a spoon and revel in the sweetness.
6. Drink a glass of water and take your supplements.
7. Remember that you haven’t had your healthy fats yet and dig into your almonds. Try to eat each almond in at least 3 bites to make ’em last longer.
8. Have a totally kickass day.

Variations:

• You can skip the nuts and cook the egg in oil instead; 1/3 teaspoon is one fat block. Or do a little of both.
• Replace the almonds with chopped peanuts and throw then into the stir fry.
• Add shredded carrots and/or chopped scallions to the cabbage to make it even more like fried rice. I was just too lazy to do more chopping.
• Replace the shredded chicken with tofu, lean beef, or lean pork.
• This easily shrinks to a 1-block snack by skipping the chicken and deleting the blueberry course.