Robe, Slippers, Go!

My eyes flew open before the alarm this morning because I had “so much to do” in so little time; robe and slippers, plug the waffle maker in for birthday waffles, chicken and mustard out for sandwiches, clean a few dishes,  inhale food, birthday kisses, oops I’m giving you a ride to school I forgot, teeth, hair, face, clothes, clutching jewelry in one hand and a cup of water in the other while running to the car…what a relief to finally pull into the employee parking lot! Do you ever have mornings like that? I thought so. No matter how busy, there is one thing I almost NEVER do, and that is skip breakfast.

There is a very good reason for that.  If I wanted to simplify my mornings I’m sure I could because the body is like a puppy; it adjusts to a routine.  But I happen to know that skipping food in the morning will work against my desire to be able to eat plenty of good food without carrying around extra weight.

BASAL METABOLIC RATE
Here’s what I mean.  We all came from the womb with a basal metabolic rate, meaning how many calories I burn while sitting here in front of the computer compared to my ultra skinny friend doing the same thing at her house. While resting I may only burn 50 calories per hour while she uses 70 doing the exact same nothing. This is not fair I know, so this is when you resort to manipulation.

FAT CONSERVATION- OH NO!
You see, the human body is really into self preservation, with or without your cooperation. When I go all night without food and then all morning too, panic mode sets in and the brain sends messages out demanding conservation of stored calories (fat). This translates into a slower metabolism with increased insulin causing fat to be carefully horded and stored here, there, and everywhere rather than burned. (1)  Heck no, that’s the wrong way to go!

“Breakfast triggers a process called thermogenesis, where the body signals the brain to activate the metabolic process of turning food into energy,” said Dr. Mark Hyman, author of The Blood Sugar Solution. (2)  So to get my metabolism jump started and running at a higher rate all day long I eat a hearty breakfast, or at least something without fail.

But for those busy mornings when eggs, toast and fruit just aren’t gong to happen, make sure you have something in the freezer to warm up and eat on the run rather than skip eating altogether.  This week’s menu lists Berry Breakfast Muffins that are full of fresh fruit, whole grain flour, heart healthy olive and very little sugar. In fact, if you want to use liquid stevia, a low glycemic index sweetener, then you can cut the sugar down to ½ cup for 12 muffins. Either way, keep some of these handy for a healthy morning jump start when you run out of time to eat a big breakfast.

You will also love the 7 Layer Salad and the GreenTandoori Chicken Salad with meal extension ideas added to save time.

When getting yourself and everyone else going in the morning, don’t forget about jump starting your metabolism!

Molly

(1) http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/food-and-nutrition/AN01119
(2) http://www.foxnews.com/health/2012/05/14/faster-metabolism-at-any-age/#ixzz1vBsB4UpR