Today is Day 1 of my 100 Day Challenge but you know that already right? Did I tweet too much about it yesterday? Sorry… I wanted to find out if there were any other fellow tweeps that were also starting the journey and all I heard back was *crickets*. I did however get a few emails this morning asking for the group code which I think is pretty damn exciting. More people taking steps to make a commitment of excellence I can’t wait to celebrate our accomplishments on New Years Eve.

So as I write down my GOALS one thing I know for sure is that I want to get my health back to an optimal level. My adrenals are on stress overload and you know what all that corticosteroid does right? Cortisol is the stuff your adrenals pump out when you are in that frenzied panic it tells your body to caaaaaalm dooooown… but be alert, you know … fight or flight response. Well all that glucose that is being converted (sometimes as the expense of your lean tissue) has to be stored if you are not burning it contributing to a nice layer of belly fat. Were talking the deeper fat that surrounds your organs, the stuff that puts you at risk of heart disease which by the way is the number one killer of women. No bueno.

One way to lower your cortisol levels is through the foods you eat. Eating healthy not only helps you fit into your Paige jeans it helps you live stronger and longer. One of my favorite foods that is on the approved list is Steal Cut Oatmeal. My favorite is Coach’s Oats. I try to eat this every day even during the summer heat but it’s seasons like Fall and Winter that make hot cereal so much better.

Not all oatmeal is created equal.

Rolled Oats – basically the are steal cut oats robbed of there nutrients (they are steamed) and then robbed of any texture (rolled). Truly no redeeming nutritional value. Fiber yes but after you add all that sugar you might as well have french toast it tastes better. I also want to mention that giving your kids the traditional  ”packet” oatmeal is not the same as giving them Coach’s Oats. A packet of Quakers Brown Sugar Instant Oatmeal has 9 grams of sugar. You are better off with a bowl of Cheerios.

Steal cut are oats that are groats cut with rotating steel blades – usually takes 45 min on the stove top to cook.  A little mushy for some people but the health benefits are outstanding.

Coach’s Oats – The groats are toasted to bring the natural sugars to the surface of the oat, then cracked into small pieces. They own a patented process called  Cracked n’ Toasted™  that gives the oatmeal a great nutty flavor while keeping the texture from becoming overly mushy. and it cooks in just 3 to 5 minutes.

I have been a Coach’s Oat cookie fan for many years and I was deeply happy when I found they produced cereal. What’s even better is that they are local company located in Yorba Linda. You can find the cookies and Coach’s Oats in COSTCO. They also have a multi-grain pancake mix that I would love to get my hands on. For those of you not in the area you can order online!

Today I topped mine with pomegranate seeds, walnuts, cinnamon and agave/maple syrup <– new at Trader Joe’s.

My morning bliss and you know what it’s 12:30 and four hours later I’m not hungry, another bonus of a good breakfast.

Here’s to achieving our goals one bite at a time!

disclosure: you knew it was coming… I was not paid to write this I simply made a bowl an awesome oats and the lighting begged for photos and viola I had my post for the day.

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