The Stringham Diet

Michelle has referenced "The Stringham Diet" a couple of times on her blog.  Food is sometimes optional.  There is no secret that we operate in a "Food as Fuel" paradigm.  It just takes way too long and there is way too much mess to make something fancy.  Although we do sometimes eat real meals, (we made fajitas for dinner just tonight), often times we eat cereal.  But that sounds so simple.  I have found that you can make a meal out of cereal alone.  But lets just say you need to be a little "crazy" and think out side the "cereal box."  

It could be genetic, my grandfather "Papa Homer" would create a vast concoction of mingled cereal.  When we lived with them Melissa thought he was nuts (insight into the rest of the Stringhams).  He had a huge container that he would put about 15 different cereals in, shake it up and add fruit.  It was awesome.  You could call it the Stringham Secret Cereal Recipe.  It is a full fledged health tonic.  Homer and Phoebe both lived till they were 94 and 95 respectively.  Mixing cereal the entire way.  By the way, Melissa can no longer eat just one cereal, it is so passe.  

Really there are a lot more cereal options than Papa and Deedee could have ever imagined.  I no longer "pre-mix."  Every meal is an adventure.  A Stringham Adventure.  So if you are looking for the fountain of youth, here is my contribution.  Michelle, you may want this for your recipe book.

Stringham Cereal

Implements needed:  Sizeable cereal bowl, large spoon

Stringham Cereal requires at least 3 layers: Base, Middler, Topper

Base:  Like any structure, the foundation is key.  The wise man did not build his house upon the sand or his cereal on Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Hands down the best Base is Quaker Oatmeal Squares.   Seriously, you can build a cereal mansion with this stuff, holds its crunch and lowers your cholesterol.  That's win-win.  Don't buy it anywhere other than Wal-Mart.  Really, this is the only reason I let Melissa shop at the Global Evil, $2.49 a box, compared to $4.99 at Alberstons.  Anyway, something not too sweet and it has to hold together.  Melissa thinks that Frosted Mini-Wheats are a base.  They are not.  She is just confused.

Middler:  The middler is often where you find the essence of the cereal.  I like flakes, chex, stuff with clusters.  As you progress you can add "sub-middlers."  Not for the faint of heart, I have been known to layer up to 5 middlers.  That is like super-hero status.  You need a big bowl.  The best middler hands down is Golden Grahams.  Low in fat, high in taste.  Love them.  Wheaties also make a great Middler of Champions.  

Topper:  Oh... the sweet stuff.  Kind of like dessert in a bowl.  This is the visual stimulus that makes you feel like a kid again.  Anything you shouldn't eat a whole bowl of counts as a topper.  Trix, Lucky Charms, any thing with sugar in the first three ingredients.  The best topper... Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Truly lovely. Go easy on the topper, too much throws off the balance.  

Fruit:  Every bowl of cereal deserves to be accessorized with the best seasonal fruit available.  Fruit of the Gods = Blueberries.  Strawberries a close second.  Together, a real 1-2 punch.  Love it. 

Fill to just below rim with 2% milk, whole, if you are feeling "saucy".  Enjoy. 

Beware, once you try the Stringham Secret Cereal Recipe, you can never go back.  Start with the basics:  Base: Oatmeal Squares.  Middler: Golden Grahams.  Topper:  Cinnamon Toast Crunch.  Fruit:  Blueberries & Strawberries.  Milk.  Oh Yeah!

Let me know if you find any other great combinations.  As you advance, you will find the right combinations for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner.  The palate calls for different flavors at different times.  But that is for another time.   

skinny (Scrooge, it is still in.)