On Work Based Scambled Eggs and Porridge

[danieldwilliam]

I am experimenting with making scrambled eggs in the microwave at work and porridge using hot water. So far it's going okay.

I need a source of food which
1) can live in the office
2) is cheap
3) is easy and quick to make

For breakfast that looks like porridge. Standard porridge, dried skimmed milk, hot water from the instant hot water tap, handful of mixed berries and seeds, small splash of maple syrup - stir, eat.

I find I'm not hungry for breakfast until after I've been awake for a while and / or moved around a bit. So being able to eat breakfast easily in the office is helpful.

Similar story for lunch. I don't want to go to the nearest supermarket to get sandwiches. It is Waitrose. The sandwiches are expensive and not very exciting. I also want some food with lots of protein.

So scrambled eggs in the microwave. Mug, splash of milk, two eggs, teaspone of harisa spices or mixed herbs, beat with a fork, microwave in 30 second increments stiring after each. Takes about 3 or 4 rounds.

Takes a little bit of judgement to get the egg cooked but not over cooked - but ever was it thus with scrambled eggs.

So far so good. Both are working well. And they mean that I'm properly fed during the working day and not arriving home feeling very very hungry and then eating too much at dinner.

Comments

[andrewducker]

Sounds like it's working well.

I'm trying a restricted diet where I don't eat before 9:30 (or after 7:30), and that's working well for me, and also means I have my first meal in the office. Sandwiches so far, but I should look into broader options.

[danieldwilliam]

I'm always on the hunt for thing to eat in the office that are not sandwiches.

[andrewducker]

I am slowly getting back to the point where I can make things at home and then bring them in to work, and thus get my carbs back down to a better level for me. Because sandwiches are also not ideal for me.

[cmcmck]

I love porridge and it is the ultimate easy food but I'm allergic to eggs.

[danieldwilliam]

Being allergic to eggs is going to make scrambled eggs difficult. If you don't have eggs you just have scramble and that's tasty but not very filling.

[alithea]

I am finding perimenopause is playing havoc with my digestion so trying to eat more in the day time and less at night. Other filling lunch foods you may want to investigate are canned pulses and beans. I was going to suggest cheeses too but I'm getting the impression you don't have access to a fridge in the office? Avocado is ok to sit out at room temperature and is full of good fats that helps fill you up...

You could also make overnight oats and take them into work to eat cold if the weather ever warms up enough for that to be appealing! (She says, laughing because there is fresh snow in the local hills here as of yesterday morning)

[danieldwilliam]

I'm definately trying to shift my eating to the day time.

I've got access to a fridge. Having my own milk in the fridge is awkward. Mostly because I don't pass any shops that sell milk on the way to work. I'd feel awkward about using office milk by the pint for breakfast. We get enough free milk for teas and coffees and I can grab a splash for scrambled eggs but half a pint a morning for porridge (given I am supposed to be a seniour finance person) might be seen as out of order.

Beans and avocado are good shouts. I can source some cheese to go in the scrambled eggs.

I have tried with good success to make my own instant porridge at home. Basically blitzing porridge oats in the blender and adding dried milk powder and nuts, putting it in a little sealable plastic bag and taking a dozen in to the office. Works well but it looks like just making ordinary porridge is going to work just as well.

[alithea]

Ah, yes, I remember the awkwardness of office milk!

Definitely recommend making yourself a tub of protein heavy salad to take to work if that sitting in the fridge all morning isn't an issue. Tinned tuna is also a good ingredient and isn't as anti-socially stinky as some fish.

[mellowtigger]

I'm not sure if oats counts as porridge in your area of the world, but I do like eating oats with water boiled in the microwave (add cinnamon, brown sugar, and/or butter). Another good option is cold oat flakes with yogurt. The fruit-flavored yogurts are good for that, or just vanilla greek yogurt.

[danieldwilliam]

Where I am "oats" or "porridge oats" is what you make porridge out of and "porridge" is what you eat for breakfast.

I could see cold oats and yoghurt working as a concept. Not sure I'd enjoy it but I'll give it a go and see if I do. MLW usually have Greek Yoghurt in the house so I can give it a go easily enough.