The breakfast club: Bits and peaces

As I try to find ways of eating a more healthy and varied breakfast I decided to ask a few of my internet friends and readers to share their favorite breakfast. (My usual breakfast is  almost always the same, though today, I had avocado pieces, a mandarin and some champignons and courgette, namely because we ran out of bread and cereal). Today I am delighted to bring you the thoughful Just Me, from Bits and Pieces. By the way, I would be thrilled if you would like to participate in this weekly series, in which case, just send a breakfast themed post to: poppiesandicecream@gmail.com

Take a Moment 

So when Amanda asked me to write a post about Breakfast, she suggested recipes, pictures, or a story about breakfast. What is ironic is that while I was sitting here contemplating a post about breakfast, my husband has been making sausage, eggs, and English Muffins. Me? I had a bowl of leftover pasta and have opened up every door in the house and turned on all of the fans in hopes that I won’t have to smell his breakfast.

I’ve never been very good at breakfast. Growing up, I remember my mother chasing me around in the mornings, begging to me eat something…a piece of cheese, an apple, anything! I mean, I’m not saying I don’t appreciate a great restaurant breakfast on the weekends, but that’s usually more of a “brunch” and I prefer it to happen anytime after noon.

It wasn’t until I went on my very first diet (Weight Watchers) that I discovered the importance of breakfast. How ironic that I needed to limit what I ate in order to appreciate eating in the mornings. I began to realize how breakfast does actually play an important role for the body. It “does a body good” or whatever they say about breaking the fast and all of that. But even still, even after realizing the importance of eating before noon, my breakfast repertoire was pretty limited. I basically rotated between three things: English Muffins, cheddar cheese sticks or Greek Yogurts. A lot of Greek Yogurt.

And then I got pregnant. And breakfast took on an entirely new importance. I absolutely needed to eat right away. Not just for me, but for the baby. And any semblance of breakfast foods went out the window. I ate mostly carbs – pasta, rice, crackers and quesadillas with a lot of cheese. So….if I have to say something meaningful about breakfast based on my mixed relationship with the idea of bacon and eggs, what would it be? Well I think what I’ve realized is that breakfast is about taking care of yourself. It is about having a structure to your day and taking a moment for yourself to be healthy and to be kind to yourself. I remember my mother, sitting with her cup of coffee, a healthy breakfast, and a novel…and I think – that is taking care of yourself physically and spiritually. Can grabbing a yogurt that you will eat in front of your computer at work really compare?

So what do we do? Do we restructure our lives to incorporate breakfast? Most importantly, do I get up earlier in order to find time for myself in the morning? Maybe the answer is…I’m on a trajectory. I never took care of myself that way until my 30s. Now, I’m taking care of me and a growing baby. Next, I will be a mom. I would like to be one of those moms who has breakfast for the family. Where everyone sits down and has a moment before the day starts. But honestly? I don’t know. I don’t know if I’ll find that moment of peace in the mornings and create it for my family. More likely, my husband will take care of that. Because, really, I’m not a morning person.

But who knows? I’ve come a long way so far. From no breakfast at all to making sure I eat something every morning…that’s progress, right? So I will leave you with the hope that you do better than I do and you are able to find that moment each morning to take care of yourself. To be quiet and gentle with yourself and prepare for yourself for the day. Because damnit, life is hard. So pamper yourself with a blueberry scone or a delicate crepe.

This is a picture of what I ate for breakfast on my recent vacation. While there, breakfast was an hour-long experience. Words were not needed, just…enjoying the food and the view. I hope you (we) can find a bit of that in your day-to-day life.

This made me so hungry: Chilaquiles and huevos rancheros. Mmmmmmm.

*First image via here