Hi Kathleen,

Thanks for the reply! I do want to understand, so I definitely appreciate your time. I should tell you, I work in engineering...I can over analyze the *&^@$ out of anything.

So, the way I should think of doing the food for breakfast is more like this?

Protein Shake
1.5 scoops Protein Powder (24g protein)
1/2c. whole, rolled oats (complex carb)
1c. froz blueberries
1c. fresh spinach
2 Tbls cacao powder
Water or Almond Milk

Banana Protein Pancakes
1 scoop Pea Protein Powder (28g protein)
2/3c. whole oats (complex carb)
1 whole egg
1/3c. Soy Milk
1 banana, mashed
1T. flax seeds

Eggs, Veggies & Beans
6-7 egg whites (21.6 - 25.2g protein)
1/2c. pinto beans, black beans or refried beans (complex carb)
1c. mushrooms
Olive oil
Veggies
Spinach
Salsa
Cilantro

And, eating within an hour of waking, every day.

Also, I have decided to lessen my training during this time and take a fun approach instead of serious to races I've signed up for already. Getting off of sugar will change my life drastically and I don't want anything to interfere with this process. I'm hanging around in the fitness group on yahoo to see what I can learn there.

Thanks again for your time! I do appreciate it!

: Ok, so here is the thing. When you
: originally posted your breakfast,
: it
: looked like you were counting all the
: protein from every source like the
: oatmeal and such.
: When we are counting, we actually
: only count the *dense* proteins
: such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese,
: protein powder, etc. The oatmeal
: would be considered a complex
: carb.

: What I am asking you to do is to take
: some time to learn what we
: consider the 4 parts:

: 1) Having the right amount of
: *protein*...and there are a lot of
: variables about that one.. you
: will want to factor in about your
: exercise level.

: 2) Having a serving of a complex
: carb...and again how much you have
: depends on your age, your exercise
: level, your stress, etc.

: 3) Having it within an hour of
: getting up

: 4) having it everyday.

: Now truly, I am not trying to make it
: difficult for you, I promise. But
: you did ask about *beginner's
: mind.

: I hope this makes sense.

: kathleen