Music's Place

Though it was a fantastic movie, I talk not of the film but the idea of eating breakfast. We’ve all heard the remark that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, blah blah. After beginning a day with coffee before the morning shave for longer then I care to remember… with exceptions such as when away on holiday or waking up from a night out to go out and eat breakfast which by the time the eating starts cannot be classed as breakfast. What I’ve set out to do was eat breakfast everyday for the week and observe whether in fact the act of breakfast is all it’s cracked up to be. To all those that partake in the breakfast activity this may be a who cares area for you? That said you will be surprised how many sensible adults skip what is considered by many the most important meal of the day. Aim: Eat Breakfast for an entire week and observe effects caused by this strange morning meal. Menu & Observations:

Monday: Muesli with milk plus some toast with marmalade

Day one and almost mucked up the plan while on morning auto-pilot and switching on the kettle while prepping the ritualistic coffee until I heard the click and realised oops silly boy it’s the first day of ‘breakfast club week’. I think hitting the hay so late on the Sunday (or more accurately Monday morning) voided the ability to gauge correctly effects on either mental or physical function, that said and incredibly odd sensation of feeling hungry much earlier in the afternoon overcame me. Strange considering when breakfast is skipped then hunger is not realised till after 1pm. Was told that I look different and younger? OK Highly doubtful that results are that spectacular after one meal and may have more to do with having the hairdresser over on the weekend to give hair a slight mow.

Tuesday: The classic English fry-up (sausage, eggs, tomato, etc)

Golly eating this meal was a challenge. Perhaps better suited if one had a big night or for lunch but for breakfast not my thing (unless on holidays) The meal seemed to satisfy hunger for longer then the muesli of the previous day albeit the noises made by the digestive process were somewhat concerning. The incessant phone interruptions that annoyed me last week did not annoy so much today. Although last week prepping a cash-flow and reviewing budgets while closing up the previous financial year most definitely added to the annoying effect of an interruption.

Wednesday: Banana, an orange and glass of apple juice

Eating this breakfast had a cleansing effect and by about 11am knew why for I was absolutely starving I’m sure it is healthier then some breakfasts but did bugger all for concentration levels for all I could think about is how to load up on some lardy foods to combat the hunger pangs. I’m sure if you maintained a strict fruit and juice based breakfast the body may adjust and learn to appreciate (remember I am coming from a non-existent breakfast regime). My my that arm of mine is looking tasty, a few spices some marinade and an hour or so in the oven…chianti anyone?

Thursday: Up & Go by Sanitarium (apparently has the goodness of 2 weetbix and milk)

OK so I was running late after attending a wedding last night (who has a wedding ceremony on Wednesday night by the way, great reception nonetheless) This may not count as breakfast as I’m sure the ingredients mentioned on the little container that holds the liquid is certainly not equivalent to 2 weet-bix and milk. Found self wondering what on earth is happening as again found self wanting to snack before 11am is this breakfast kerfuffle a demon in disguise? Observed that a liquid breakfast (such as coffee in the past) is not enough to satisfy.

Friday: Bowl of just right cereal and slice of toast

Well I understand why the makers labeled the cereal with this name for it really is ‘just right’ a perfect blend of whole grains and fruit not too heavy nor too light (sorry for sounding like the commercial). The toast chaser felt necessary as after the first few days I am becoming a bit of a food disposal and the pre-noon appetite has expanded somewhat. Noticeable difference in focus levels by only the fourth day. Strangely in pre-breakfast times the focus level felt fine yet it’s not until you engage in the strange past-time of eating breakfast on a regular basis that any true comparisons can be made.

Saturday: Pancakes and a banana smoothie

Ok naughty again by enjoying a late Friday night and as breakfast of some type was required to stick with the experiment the sensible choice was of course to meet up with some buddies and enjoy a fine eatery by the beach. Every so often while I am eating out with friends my thought process flickers back to my former brother-n-law who quoted a famous philosophers guidelines to happiness with two of the main elements consisting of ‘good food’ and good friends’. Very clever individual.

Sunday: Polenta (corn meal mush) with yoghurt and cream cheese

As it is the weekend a need to concentrate is minimal. As for energy levels? I feel a buzz at a whole new level. Today had a mini spring clean while having a bop to video hits then washed clothes and finished this all before 10:00. From past experience with no breakfast consumption a dawdling will be definite with mundane house duties not beginning until 10:30 at the earliest. Conclusion: It appears the varying breakfast cuisine over the past week though average is a step up from the cup of coffee stomach had become accustomed to. Amazingly the stomach adjusts quickly to eating breakfast and feels as though it expands and demands this new morning dietary intake and rewards you with improved function both mentally and physically. As silly as the idea sounds to those that partake in the breakfast eating activity on a daily basis I found it odd that the bodies entire metabolic rate seemed to have transformed within a couple of days and although I never felt hungry until noon in the past the question whether the body was starving itself while struggling to suck out necessary nutrients for normal function hit the lobes. Afraid with only this one week block and elements of debauchery on some evenings the little test may not provide true results so the whole breakfast process will need to go on for a longer stretch before reliable data is able to be compiled and besides the weather outside is gorgeous and I want to get out and feel some UV-rays. Can say that energy levels seem to have doubled along with pre-noon concentration. Overall well being in fact and that is after a single week. So as much as I would enjoy to dispel beliefs that breakfast is a beneficial meal I have to concede and admit mum and the other breakfast backers were right. Who would have thunk it? duuuhr.! Will continue this habit and report back in a quarter whereby there may be a post on dieting… Anyway it’s a wonderful day out so cheerio then.