Soggy Love

I LOVE cold cereal in the morning for breakfast. I don't know what it is about it, but it's great! I remember growing up, my mom would fix us hearty breakfasts of pancakes, eggs, waffles, french toast, etc. and looking back now I am extremely appreciative of this; but we hardly ever had the satisfaction of munching on cold cereal in the mornings. Even if we did, my mom always made sure to buy the healthy cereals (Honey Bunches of Oats was borderline). Cereal was never exciting because it was Wheat Chex, Shredded Wheat, or Grape Nuts. I like these cereals, I really do, but I always envied my friends who would talk about Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Apple Jacks. What were these? I wondered to myself. They sound amazing! Upon leaving home for college, left to fend for myself, I discovered that since I was in charge of buying my own groceries I could have ANY cereal that I wanted! Oh the joys and wonders I discovered as my taste buds were introduced to new flavors and textures! Now, don't get me wrong, I didn't go crazy. I still tried to buy somewhat healthy cereals. The health science major in me just can't justify eating Cocoa Puffs or Cookie Crisp and call it part of a complete breakfast; I don't care how many minerals and vitamins they have fortified it with. Thanks to my roommate Lindsay, I experienced Life for the first time! (no pun intended) This has become one of my favorites along with Frosted Mini Wheats, and my most recent love - Raisin Bran! I could seriously eat cereal for every meal. I have only one condition, and that is that my cereal must be soggy when I eat it. I will have it no other way. My morning routine involves pouring my milk and cereal, and then going back upstairs to fix my hair before coming back down to eat. This gives my cereal a good 10-15 minute soak, and it's perfect. I know, I know, I'm weird. Most people like a little crunch to their cereal and proceed to shovel it down before it soaks up too much milk. I personally prefer not to hear a sound as I chew my cereal. Plus, placing sharp, poky squares or flakes into my mouth is not desirable to my palate. I even stir my cereal to make sure that no strays peak up out of the milk and resist becoming soggy. Some cereals tend to soak up the milk a little bit better than others. Raisin Bran just happens to be one of those good ones! I like to eat the bites with all the raisins first, and then enjoy the rest of the bowl full of mushy, branny, goodness. Every time I finish a bowl-full I just want more!

Yummmm!