My quest to shed a stone before Easter has, frankly, not been going too well. I've already given-up fried breakfasts, Pork pies, and most charcuterie, but it doesn't seem to have worked.
So, I'm resorting to Muesli; that sawdust-like food so loved by 1960's hippies.
I don't like nuts in my muesli, so I buy one bag of 'fruity' muesli and another of plain rolled oats which I mix together 50/50. Dr Bircher-Benner may not approve, but it's not him who's eating it.
I must say that I DO like muesli. Not only should it help with my weight loss aim, but oats are one of the more serious 'super-foods'; they promise to give you a good hug in the mornings, and keep you away from the quack.
Amongst their benefits other than helping with weight loss are that they promise to lower blood sugar levels, and reduce the risk of heart attacks, so, I'm relying on them to sort me out. Although I must say that if you look-up the health benefits of almost any natural foods, it always says the same things.
I shall continue to eat muesli until either I reach my weight loss goal, or I can't resist bacon any longer. Somehow I suspect the latter might win.
I may be treading on thin ice here (in which case I am the only one to come to harm) but why, at your age, do you bother with losing weight? Anyway, in the photo you published recently, you look perfectly fine.
ReplyDeleteMind you, I am one of those annoying creatures with a metabolism some people would pay good money for. Alas, it's in the genes and not tradeable.
Not wishing to tread on toes as is my wont, here is a thought. Eating Muesli or anything else for that matter doesn't "help" weight loss. Ask a Yogi. You remind me of a couple of my middle aged colleagues (I was in my early twenties then) who stuffed themselves with yoghurts to help them "loose" weight and, anyway, yoghurt is "healthy".. Yeah, well. Whatever. Insert silent snort.
Pass me an apple,
U
For most of my life I've weighed 15 stone. At present (for an unknown reason) I've reached 16 stone. I think it wise to lose that superfluous stone. My trousers might fit better!
DeleteWhy not just eat porridge? Does the same thing and less fiddly.
ReplyDeleteI don't like Porridge, the cooking process totally changes the taste.
DeleteI only know it as hot porridge in a bowl so don't know any different. I have porridge some days, cereal others, pastries others, and occasionally yoghurt. As far as healthy breakfasts go, porridge seems to win hands down.
DeleteBasically, muesli is much the same as porridge, but not heated. I expect the goodness value is better raw than cooked, although I'm not sure.
DeleteLeaving aside that I don't eat breakfast (don't blame me; my stomach's opening hours are a mystery). Which doesn't stop me from cooking the most elaborate breakfasts for others round my table. I particularly enjoyed, on her visits to England, when my mother complained that she can't stand "cooking smells so early in the morning" (how much more precious can you get?) to then tuck into my eggs, bacon, the lot, with gusto.
DeletePorridge is interesting. Meditative in the making; a bit like risotto or bechamel sauce. It's all in the slow stirring and simmer. I know of two versions, correct me if I am wrong: Apparently the Scottish like serving their porridge with salt, whilst Southerners top it with cream and brown sugar.
U
I think it's a question of 'taste' on both sides of the border.
DeleteMy small breakfast bowl ( in front of me now) consists of a layer of oats, a handful of sultanas, a layer of "Grape Nuts" and a topping of a Waitrose granola that has ginger and nuts.....a handful of blueberries completes the dry ingredients. A little bottle of Actimel is the liquid.
ReplyDeleteI like nuts but not in my muesli or cakes, etc. Otherwise that sounds much the same. I drink Beetroot juice!
Deletemy breakfast this morning was 3 tbsp dry oats, 1 tbsp each of sultanas and sunflower hearts (from my husband's birdseed bin, haha!) and 3 tbsp plain homemade yoghurt. Yummy.
ReplyDeletePretty much like mine, but without the bird seed.
DeleteMy dad used to make a big pot of thick stodgy porridge every morning for our breakfast before school. We had to pour cold milk over it to loosen it up. I still like porridge now, with mashed banana, but can't often be bothered to cook it.
ReplyDeleteI think I've only had it once; at school. It was stringy and sticky, and I'm sure it had been cooking for days. It was horrible, and has put me off for life.
DeleteNot a cereal or muesli fan, and I don't drink milk, so porridge is out, and most cereals would be just like dry dust. Mostly I have two slices of brioche very lightly buttered, the occasional a croissant or scrambled egg on toast - with or without bacon. It' a very long time since I've sat down to a full cooked English breakfast.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the weight loss, though not sure how effective the muesli will be.
I am trying to follow a 'sensible diet' as well, but my real problem is that I like EATING.
DeleteThe beetroot juice you drink has carbohydrates and sugar, I don't know for sure but that could also be a reason.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about that. I drink it to replace some horrible medicine that made my feet swell. My feet are now OK.
DeleteIn your quest you should also consider taking up jogging. Just a mile a day should help you to lose those pounds. Of course you will need to purchase jogging gear. May I suggest a day-glo orange vest and shorts for visibility and union jack sweatbands for head and wrists. Go Cro!
ReplyDeleteWhat colour would you suggest for my silver topped walking cane?
DeleteSilver.
DeleteI make up a plastic box with oats, seeds, nuts, and raisins, grind it all up in a mini chopper, then use two spoonfuls of that in a bowl. Add water, and microwave for two minutes. add cold milk if required. This morning I added half a banana. Sometimes I add frozen berries for a change. Try and stick with it. Oats are good for you.
ReplyDeleteOats are certainly a 'super food', regardless of whether they aid my weight loss or not. They must be doing me good.
DeleteBacon, it is time for my market run and the bacon maker will be there.
ReplyDeleteI finished my last two rashers a few days ago, now I shall have to close my eyes when I pass the bacon counter.
DeleteHope the muesli and oats help. Having to lose weight is a bore. Maybe it will come off easier when you start swimming again and eating good french food
ReplyDeleteI always lose weight in the Summer. We eat simple salads, swim all day, and go out more.
DeleteGiving up your favorite foods is hard. I find everything in moderation works to maintain healthy weight. As others have said, when you are in France and working the land and swimming, all will be good.
ReplyDeleteand only three months to go!!!
DeleteI like the muesli you can get here in NZ...toasted muesli. You lose the uncooked floury taste, but it doesn't have the sugar of granola. Gives the oats a nice flavour but not the mouth feel of porridge.
ReplyDeleteI don't like that muesli that comes in 'lumps', it always looks as if it's already been chewed by someone's grandmother.
DeleteI don't like Muesli simply because you are supposed to eat it raw and I prefer my oats cooked. So I compromise by making porridge with dried fruits finely chopped and added before cooking. Usually dried apricots and dried dates for the fibre, also because dates are sweet so I don't need to add sugar.
ReplyDeleteWe're like Jack Spratt and his wife. I prefer my Oats raw. Yes, it's easy enough to make your own.
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