I was wondering if anyone has tried the meal replacemnt drinks or bars and which ones are better. I'm looking for a quick easy breakfast. I have a 2 month old who wants held all morning and have to take my 12 year old to jr high and my 9 year old to elementary school in the morning. I would appreciate any suggestions.

KristaH - many of us have tried those meal replacement bars, and the result is usually not good. Many of them are made with sugar alcohols which are metabolized by a lot of people just like sugar. I personally find that I crave more and more carbs if I eat one. I think it's Barb K who calls them poison and frankly, I agree with her.

However, you are in a pickle! A friend of mine's first child also had to be held all morning, which made for a tough start to the day! She ended up getting this really cool baby sling (not the baby Bjorn) that left her hands free but still allowed her to cuddle her baby. I think it was called an Over the Shoulder Baby Holder - try www.earthbaby.com to see what one looks like.

I, too, have to get up and out the door pretty early - my super fast breakfast is an egg (hardboiled or microwaved on half power for about a minute - cooking time varies for m'wave, so you may have to explode an egg or two before you find out what your is - do not microwave in shell, but use small pyrex dish) and microwaved bacon. That takes 4 minutes all together if I have to cook the egg. Or, I'll suck down some smoked salmon slices rolled with cream cheese along with some microwaved bacon (I NEVER have the time to cook bacon in a skillet).

Good luck to you.

Jen
175/132/120

The Atkins shakes do not contain sugar alcohols and I like them. I have no problems with stalling when I use them. My two faves are the Cafe au Lait and the Chocolate Royale. They're good either ice-cold, or poured into a microwave-safe mug and heated. And, they seem to last for me til lunchtime.

There are also some recipes around here for "muffins" made with eggs and sausage, cooked in a muffin tin - I have made those before and kept them in a ziploc, ready to grab and go when needed.

I also make a good chile bake, cut it into squares, and eat it either cold or heated a bit in the microwave - add a precooked slice of bacon or sausage patty and it's a quick breakfast too.

Last but not least, think of things that you might not normally have for breakfast, like prebaked chicken legs and cheese cubes - again, quick once they're prebaked and put into a ziploc in the fridge, you can also buy or cut yourself the cheese cubes.

Hang in there!

Char

Don't squat with yer spurs on!

YEP, those bars are POISON!!! I use the shakes with no problems. So....the shakes would be okay. But don't sabotage yourself with those bars.

Make some crustless quiche the night before, too and have that quick at the ready. The sling idea is WONDERFUL!!! I have girlfriend that has one and she uses it all the time. It leaves her hands free. You can pull them really snug so baby feels very secure up against your body. All the other suggestions have been good ones too. I'm sure you will get some more. I cook whole pounds of bacon ahead of time and keep it in a ziplock and zap a couple pieces for breakfast sometimes. That would go really well with your pre-made quiche......and very satisfying. Leftovers are always allowed for breakfast,

Oh and BTW......WELCOME to LCE!!!! (like your name, my daughter's name is Krysta!!!! )

Barb - 30 lbs gone FOREVER!
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Atkins-3/14/03
174/144.6/135 5'2"
"A little knowledge is a dangerous thing."
Knowledge is POWER

I've been enjoying WestSoy Unsweetened Chocolate Soymilk. I get it at Trader Joe's. It tastes much better than those Atkins shakes. You have to add your own sweetener to it. Only one net gram per 8 ounces. If you want a bigger meal out of it, add some heavy cream.

**************
"Sometimes I think you have to march right in and demand your rights, even if you don't know what your rights are, or who the person is you're talking to. Then on the way out, slam the door."

The last turkey I cooked I deboned it and chopped the white and dark meat,combined it and stored it portions in freezer. I thaw some mix with my favorite Mayo, bacon pieces, pepper, tomato, etc and take bites throughout the morning. (I do this when I am unable to cook)
I do use the chocolate shakes when I have to leave the house early and haven't eaten.

Try to plan ahead and fix something before you are too hungry and stressed with motherhood demands..