Jessica A. Zelenak, MPA

This is the beginning of Lent. And for Lent this year I am giving up Meat. I don’t really fancy pork and poultry too much because it is so often dry and cardboard like. I have enjoyed it from time to time. And I really do enjoy a good steak, but I know that it’s not ll too good for me, especially considering my family history of heart disease. I will be eating fish, dairy, beans, nuts and many of my other favorite proteins. I don’t think this will be terribly difficult, except that I have a lot of people in my world that don’t seem to understand the vegetarian lifestyle and I know they will be poking their noses around to see how I could ever get enough protein doing this.

Since protein seems to be a major concern, I had some for breakfast!

Ingredients:
1/2 cup oatmeal
1 cup water
Dash of salt
1/2 cup blueberries
1 TBSP almond butter

Cook the oatmeal in boiling water with salt. When cooked, mix in almond butter. Sprinkle in blueberries. I suggest you enjoy this with a glass of milk to balance the nut butter.

Now, the great thing here is that there is about ten grams of protein between the oatmeal and almond butter. Add the glass of milk and there is another eight grams. My RDA of protein is about 50 grams and breakfast gave me a solid 18. Plus this is good for you, no ands, ifs or buts about it!