Because Coffee Alone is Not Enough

One of my first waking thoughts is, coffee. The Tom Hanks line in You've Got Mail, describing coffee as "legally addictive stimulants" is apropo. After cutting back significantly about a year ago with my job change, and the free coffee pot always on, the morning craving, dare I even say need for a fix, has increased. Forget that decaffeinated stuff, and people should not even try to fool me. I know by taste and the lack of jolt my body experiences. As I get older though, and know my food and beverage choices need to improve, coffee is not enough to keep my energy and brain waves up until lunch time. I still struggle though with eating breakfast, unless it is a later big breakfast, eaten slow and leisurely, several hours after I am up. Those breakfasts I love-bring it on. 

I've been experimenting with different options that I can eat first thing sitting at my desk, or in the car on my commute, late enough from when I first wake up and don't feel like eating something, but early enough that I will keep my blood sugars in check. As part of my schedule, I don't take a regular lunch break so I can spend fewer hours in the office, and get my 10th day work day in the pay period off. Lunch is eaten at my desk while reviewing reports or returning e-mails, or taken along to a working lunch meeting, and can be any where from 11:30-2:30. 

A few of my standbys for a portable and speedy breakfast include peanut butter sandwich, or toast on multi grain bread, scrambled egg and cheese wrapped in a tortilla, wrapped tightly to keep warm, a couple granola bars, or dry cereal in a baggie or small container. If I think about it and we have them, I'll throw a banana in my bag as well. The worst of these options, and the easiest is the granola bar. They have low staying power, are high in calories for what you actually eat, and loaded with sugar. The cereal is second worst-lower calories and sugar, but almost no staying power. I'd like to take a stab at making my own breakfast bar,  loaded with fiber and protein and less sugar. We're braving the elements today and meeting friends for lunch and to watch the game. One friend is the not quite paleo friend, that has given up grains and sugar. I' going to pick her brain for ideas.

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/231925/high-fiber-high-protein-breakfast-bars/

I came across the following web site searching for some recipes;. High Fiber High Protein Breakfast Bars. The reviews are mixed, but they look like something I would like, and while it says 12 servings at 169 calories, I think for a grown up breakfast, I'd make a bit bigger, and cut the pan into eighths, making them about 250 calories. I could freeze, and stretch to two a week for variety, only making them once a month unless the family likes them, then more frequently.  Anyone out there have a good recipe, or good ideas on grab and go breakfasts that stand up to your mornings?