It's a bad spring, pollen-wise. That may be the cause of your drips. Mine are awful.

Quick breakfast: high quality granola with nuts, fruit and soymilk. Or just a granola bar with a bowl of fruit and a glass of soymilk.

Keep a few hard boiled eggs in the fridge.

They make soy yogurt. Find it in healthfood stores.

Have you tried Flonase? It saved me this spring, made me a believer. Try it.

Hard boiled eggs are my go-to for a high-protein bite.

Another vote for hard-boiled eggs. Also, dried fruits - dates, figs, raisins - mixed together with tree nuts (not peanuts which grow on a vine) will give you a lot of protein and fiber. Mix up a batch and keep it ready for snacks as well.

Nut butters have protein.

Oh ok hard-boiled eggs. That is a good idea. I like keeping my breakfast routine easy. I don’t know how long I will keep this up but I hope I can get rid of some of my goopiness.

I think I will also make some granola today to have with nut milk. I have tons of garden work to do but it is 40 and raining and I am being wimpy.

another recommendation for flonase i've been prescribed this med a number of times, but this time my primary care doc told me it would cure my headaches and post nasal drip which invariably turned into major uri i never even got it filled til this spring and when i did surprise it worked so if feel a headache coming on or feel the knot at the base of my neck coming on, i use the flonase and its gone in a bit (i'm 65 and i've been suffering from this stuff for at least 45 years... and i finally have my "cure" oh at first i have to blow my nose a couple of times, then that goes away......and i'm good to go

Flonase here too, but you should use it regularly as it takes a while to build up to full effectiveness. First time in my life I've ever had allergy problems!

Hard boiled eggs are my fast go-to for quick breakfast or lunches, granola trial mixes have already been mentioned as well. What about making breads ahead, like banana or zucchini? Smoothies with soy yogurt?

Third recommendation for Flonase! HA! I actually think my son uses a generic brand now.

Dairy allergy in one kiddo, so we make frittatas (basically just eggs, some water, add-ins bacon, sausage, tomatoes, potatoes, spinach, etc), bake and keep in fridge to be put on english muffins, just sliced etc.

My husband actually eats a hard boiled egg everyday (you know, now that they're good for you:) and a piece of sourdough with peanut butter on it -- not sure of the combo, but it works for him:)

CathyinSWPA

instead of milk or yogurt for Oatmeal or cereal I use either unsweetened applesauce or cashew milk (I like it best of the nut milks)

Scrambled eggs for me when I'm in a hurry. I have 2 eggs every morning and when I have a little more time I like 5 minute boiled eggs, quartered w/ salt and pepper.

I always add some tarragon to my scrambled eggs, and I use real butter to cook them. Eggs and a bowl of fresh fruit plus a big cup of green tea carries me for 5-6 hours w/o hunger pangs. No dairy involved, although I do add some cheese when I need it to last me longer than 5-6 hours.

If you're not using instant oatmeal, then this won't take you any extra time. While your oats are cooking, fry one or two eggs, then use the same pan and sauté some greens of choice. Put the eggs and greens on top of the oatmeal, add sesame oil, soy sauce and chili powder to taste. It sounds weird but it is really good.

Scrambled eggs reheat well. I like to add a lot of stuff like chives or green peppers, cheese, etc. Protein bars I like are Think Thin Chocolate Coconut Almond and Protein Nut Dark Chocolate bars. Also Kind bars. They're like a candy bar to me they're so good.

Flonase is OTC.

Try the Dr. Atkins bars, very very low in carbs and high in protein. Most energy/granola/protein bars are loaded with sugar.

I keep` HB eggs on hand for the mornings I want something quick. Other mornings I saute diced onion, red bell pepper and about 1/3 cup frozen kale, then add two eggs and scramble. With this I have a bowl of fresh fruit and sometimes WW toast.

agmss15, I should have mentioned this before. I use Flonase, as does my DH, both of us under Dr.'s reco - but he can only use half as much due to a pre-existing condition. While it is available OTC (and far cheaper, which is the route I'd go if not covered), you should talk to a physician if you have any known disorders.

Gonna sound like an Instant Pot commercial here, and I don't mean to, but they are handy. If you have one, you might consider making these ahead of time (day off) for your breakfasts - they'll keep a week and reheat nicely: Instant Pot Low Carb Dairy Free Egg Bites. If no Instant Pot you actually can cook them in an oven: Bacon Egg Breakfast Bites with Chives {Paleo}. The point being, you can use whatever you want in them but keep the egg ratio the same, and they are quick to prepare ahead. I made 14 small ones this morning for DH's breakfasts in pretty much no time using assorted leftover veggies - and season using herbs and spices (trying to use less salt). For to-go I preheat a small thermos with hot water, zap the egg bite (or 2 for him), empty the water, put the egg bite in, and he's got breakfast on the go. I get hungry too, so I zap one for myself to eat also.

I like hard boiled eggs but not enough time weekdays...I just don't like them day two so no chance making ahead. I like a frittata slice day two so I should invest in a muffin pan and make ahead and freeze. (who does not have a muffin pan?!) me.

My winter favorite is a mixed sprouted grain with roasted seeds and nuts, beans and dates.

Granola is my best easy grab-n-go. I make a triple batch every 3-4 months and freeze. Usually divided in three 'flavors'. Not ever been a fan of hot goop oatmeal.

Granola is just an easy pack to-go dry. Full of seeds, nuts, dried fruit, shaved dark chocolate, flax, coconut, etc, etc, in re-usable juice containers. Puffed quinoa, rice and puffed millet are a nice add-in for some crunch and bulk.

Dad just turned 90 and Mom 89. I inherited his allergies. He spent a lifetime trying to solve it...I just accept 3 dozen sneezes when I wake, then goop, then done for the day. When I visit, up early, he is up shortly after and has the exact same routine.

I just put up with the morning trouble and make a big pot of hot ginger tea, after coffee, and big pot of iced ginger tea in summer months....lots of fluids.

I'll look into Flonais. Bad days I have a allergy emergency pill...not ever sure what it is.

And when I have made very precise food eliminations over the years...it did not matter dairy or gluten or carb. I just don't like any carb in the AM hours. (sluggish)

Along with the hard boiled eggs, reserve some dinner leftovers to nuke.

I can't eat the tree nuts so most granola is not good-ola for me.

In college, there was someone who ate her cereal with orange juice. Not sure it would appeal to me, but it is worth a try. (She didn't have problems with dairy as far as I know, she just liked the OJ.)

I have a lactose intolerant friend, and I buy him coconut milk when he visits. (He would prefer to limit soy.)

I developed nose bleed after using Flonase, and so now I use it very seldom, but I do take Allegra every night.

When I make breakfast just for myself, I make a small omelet (one egg) mixed with a bit of hot sauce, and then I put a slice of ham or turkey inside and have it with a piece of bread or a tortilla.

I also often make steel cut oats and add date crystals to them for sweetener, along with a bit of cinnamon and some butter. The butter should not bother you, I think. If I have fresh dates, I chop them up and add them. If I have apples, I add thinly sliced apples to the oats as I cook them.

Don't try the regular flonase; try the new flonase sensimist, which works much better for most people with allergies. But for me that makes my skin so thin it tears very easily. Personally I find that a good slug of turmeric in my morning coffee with a little bit of coconut oil to help release the curcumin does nearly as well.

Back to protein, the fully cooked chicken sausages they sell in four packs are good zapped in the morning if you like a little grab and go flavor with your wake-me-up. ;) (Regular breakfast sausage is disgusting if zapped.) Or be Annie-ish and make your own and freeze them. :)

You can also make a breakfast flavor chicken salad. That would go better with fruit. :)

The trick then, is to replace the cultures with something non-sniffly but gut friendly. Maybe some fermented veg?

I you love your oatmeal routine, I second the suggestion of trying either soy or coconut milk yogurt. There are some yummy options. I like soymilk (organic valley, in the refer case) but many don’t like the idea of soy. My second favorite is Hemp milk. I couldn’t believe how good it was, very neutral tasting. Or maybe oatmilk on oatmeal? I, too, really like a chicken sausage in the a.m. Or, I sometimes buy a package of nitrate free Canadian bacon. It’s not too salty and is very lean.

DH's and my doctors both highly recommend Flonaise and it does take a couple of weeks to get full benefits. It is wonderful stuff. I get the Costco brand and it saves a ton of money, Going to look up the new Sensimist. As if it could get any better!

My DH had blood sugar problems and dried fruit is loaded with carbs. Try the almond butter, DS loves it. Again, Costco has the best pure almond butter! And peanut butter. Has anyone tried baked oatmeal? DIL cooked it and I was amazed how good it is.

Olychick, thanks for the Canadian bacon tip. Regular Canadian Bacon is loaded with sodium and we eliminate all salt we possibly can. Is there a certain brand I should look for? I have no salt shakers in kitchen except for a very small one with Himalayan salt, sometimes used by DGG. I didn't believe I would not miss salt but I was proven wrong.

We are going to have a Trader Joe's less than a mile away by late summer and it will be a great place to explore for healthy eating!

Scrambled or fried eggs for me. Cooked in either butter if im eating them alone or the fat of whatever meat in eating in/with them. I like hard boiled eggs a lot, but cant make myself eat them for breakfast. I prefer them as a quick snack.

I have seen many non dairy yogurt options in the stores: almond milk yogurt , soy milk yogurt ,coconut milk yogurt, even some made with chia(good protein source), although i dont know if those are non dairy or not. I haven't tried them, so i can't tesify to their flavor, but they are worth a try if you miss it that much. I can't imagine not being able to have dairy. That makes me sad. :(

Lars -- son definitely has trouble with some bleeding. writersblock -- going to share the flonase sensimist rec with him.

agmss15 -- Have a Weight Watchers cookbook from library and bookmarked this recipe to take pic -- now I'll just use this thread:) I'll type as is, then some ideas at bottom.

Herbed Frittata with Vegetables and Goat Cheese -- Weight Watchers

You can blanch the asparagus, mix egg mixture night before. Cook in morning.

6 oz asparagus, trimmed 2-inch pieces

1/4 cup water

3 T chopped fresh chives

2 T chopped fresh dill

3/8 tsp salt (my note -- that is just one odd amt:)

1/4 tsp fresh pepper

7 large eggs lightly beaten

1 tsp olive oil

2 oz soft goat cheese (~ 1/4 cup)

1. Combine asparagus and 1/4 cup water in small microwave-safe bowl; cover and microwave 2 minutes or until tender. Rinse with cold water, drain. Combine the chives, dill, salt, pepper and eggs in a medium bowl. Stir with whisk.
2. Preheat broiler to high.
3. Heat a small ovenproof skillet over medium heat. Add the oil to the pan, swirl. Add the asparagus and egg mixture to the pan and cook 3 minutes or until the eggs are partially set, stirring occasionally. Sprinkle with the cheese. Place the pan under the broiler. Broil 2 minutes or until the eggs are set and the top is lightly browned. remove the pan from the oven. Run a spatula around the edge and under the frittata to loosen from the pan; slide the frittata onto a plate or cutting board. Cut into 4 wedges. Calories 196 Fat 13.8g Protein 15g Sodium 420mg (all would change without goat cheese)

Notes:)

- Obv, you won't be using goat cheese. You could use this as a template though. I would recommend sourdough breadcrumbs that can mimic a bit of the "tang" of cheese without the dairy.

-I always add a couple of tablespoons water to my egg mixture. I think I read that from James Beard when I was a kid, but who knows with my memory.

- I also run my spatula around skillet, lift egg and tilt skillet to allow uncooked eggs to run under.

- I set oven to about 450 degrees and just bake top rack for a bit instead of broiling sometimes.

- I think vegetable/herbs combo are limitless. Gosh, I was thinking sun dried tomatoes may be good, and you could always add various proteins.

Good luck -- informative thread!

CathyinSWPA

Be careful what you wish for. TJ's is full of junk and sugar. But they do have smaller portions of some good meats and seafood, (frozen seafood)

A small ham I picked up a couple years ago was far superior than any I've had. Not salty at all. Great in a frittata. Yes frittatas are limitless and mine are always different. Lots of veg, just about anything in season.

I don't recall the Canadian Bacon brand I buy at a little natural foods market near me. I'll check next time and double check the sodium. It's likely too much sodium if you are as restricted about it as you wrote. Every chicken sausage I've been able to find is also high in sodium.

There is a brand of turkey breast that has no sodium added (Boars Head, maybe?) It's not organic, but I buy it once in a while for a high protein fast snack food.

For a quick breakfast on the run, I like to keep deviled eggs on hand. They disappear quickly around here.

My favorite breakfast is a Lundberg Brown Rice Cake with Almond Butter.

My second is Autumn Gold Grain Free Granola with just a drizzle of fat free milk but you can substitute a different kind of milk if dairy is bothering you. Both have around 4 grams of protein.

Also you can still do oatmeal, add nuts and raisins instead of yogurt.

These are my favorite breakfasts. I can’t have yogurt or milk, and I can’t have gluten.

Peanut butter toast with strawberries and mango. Peanut butter has protein. Or you can use chocolate almond butter, which is my latest obsession!

Chia seed pudding (Recipe). Chia seeds have protein.

If you can have almonds or coconut, get the dairy free Silk brand yogurt. The almond milk one is AMAZING. The coconut one isn’t very good, but it’s probably because I’m not a huge fan of coconut.

Chocolate almond butter is MY obsession! Great on granola instead of any dairy. I need to hide it from myself, lol.

I do make a sprouted brown bread that has a load of seed, chia, flax, etc, but usually take a couple slices out of the freezer to have with hummus and avocado for lunch. Sometimes I can't wait for lunch and have it for breakfast.

I will make deviled eggs ahead of time and help myself to two for a quick breakfast.

Whoa - Thanks for all the ideas.

Eggs seem like an easy way to add some AM protein. I need to check if my sister’s chickens are laying again.

I have had a savory oatmeal concoction with greens at a local restaurant and did like it a lot. It closely resembled what I might eat for dinner ie whole grains and veggies. But it is the season for fresh greens so I will give it a try.

I am amazed how much dairy I use. I am going to be sorely tempted but it is good to be made aware. I used all my kitchen/cooking gadgets today and made chicken stock in my instantpot, and then beans. I also grilled chicken on my big green egg. So I have some protein on hand for a few days.

Thank you all for your suggestions! Things seem slightly improved today. Not sure if it is rain (washing away pollen) Flonase or no dairy.

Eggs seem to be not dairy in this thread, so our favorite go to is either a whole grain toast or english muffin, topped with some avacado mushed with a tad of salsa, topped with either a fried or boiled sliced egg! Mmmmmmmm! Nancy

I don't have any allergies, thankfully, but my daughter, my mother and my grandson all have seasonal allergies and the local weather people say this is one of the worst seasons in history. April was cold and May was warm, so plants that should have shed pollen in April didn't until May. Then May's plants went to work and so did June's, because May was so warm. Triple whammy....

Bud uses Flonase but everyone else just uses Allegra/Zyrtec. Kevin bought a new over the counter type called xyzal, but his allergies are to cats and dogs, so it might be different.

Anyway, I always have eggs for breakfast. Either one egg, over easy, one slice of toast, black coffee or on special occasions maybe a waffle or pancake and an egg. I seldom/never eat the breakfast meats like ham/bacon/sausage, as they are just not favorites of mine. We do make our own Canadian Bacon and sausage, and I've made chicken sausage using Alton Brown's seasoning recipe with ground chicken.

I make "muffin tin" quiche/frittata, usually without crust but sometimes I make a crust from shredded zucchini or hash brown potatoes. I've also partially cooked sliced of bacon, then wrapped them around the outside of the muffin pan and poured egg mixture into the middle and baked them, the kids loved them and they freeze well. Bud really likes "McGriddles", so I make pancakes with some maple syrup in the batter and make a sandwich with a slice of sausage or bacon and some scrambled egg. Another breakfast he likes is scrambled eggs with crumbled sausage or bacon stuffed into one of those flour "taco boats", the preshaped flour tortillas. A breakfast burrito is just as good no matter what you wrap it in, from corn or flour tortillas to a flatbread, a pita or a pancake.

Since I have laying hens, I have lots of eggs and I like eggs, so when the new study came out that eggs are good for me, well, it was a double bonus, LOL. I even put a fried egg on top of a bowl of oatmeal, and Elery does the same with a slice of mush/polenta that's been browned. He adds a lot of hot sauce, I abstain, but if you are making savory oatmeal and like hot sauce, it would probably be an acceptable addition.

There's also no rule about what you should eat for breakfast, it's just another meal. AnnT regularly makes Moe a "supper for breakfast", anything from steak to Chinese. A breakfast type pizza with potatoes and eggs instead of red sauce and cheese is good, although kind of carb heavy. Leftovers work great for Elery, he'll stuff anything inside an omelette, from lentils to kimchi. Hamburgers, fried chicken, whatever. Ashley had a cup of chicken noodle soup and a sandwich for breakfast for about three years, every darned day. Make whatever sandwich you like, from a roast beef to a BLT, it's all good.

I'm editing this to add a link that I just got in my email this morning, lots of ways to cook eggs. It reminded me that I've made shakshuka and although I just can't stomach something like that for breakfast, it would have to be supper, it was good.

https://www.purewow.com/food/amazing-egg-recipes

Annie

FWIW, I understand 15-25 grams protein for breakfast is ideal. 2 large eggs are approx. 16 grams, IIRC.

Oh that looks so good! And I recognize the florets on top ; ) I love the frittata you made with the potatoes on the bottom - we've had that a couple times. Kind of an 'everything in one' meal!

I think you need the round one, and in case it's not deep enough for muffins, the middle one (or get a cheap muffin tin at your grocery store and try it out). My go-to muffin tin is one I bought on the cheap eons ago, stained and ugly, but the muffins always fall out nicely : )

It takes me eons to hit a 'buy' button. The middle one make tiny ones and most get two of them. (by the reviews), The round one seems just right. And easy in and out of my wall oven. I've never regretted any cast iron purchases except one that was warped and cheaply made. I can deal with the pebbly surface using a inch square of bacon in the bottom for the first few times. I can put the round one on my center big gas burner for 20 min, with bacon, before filling for the oven me thinks.

The thin layer of potatoes started on the stovetop does make it easy to slide out of the pan, : )

Annie, if you were responding to my saying "be like Annie", I just meant about making from more scratch than scratch, not implying what you might like to eat. :)

Sleevendog, I have a polish pottery muffin pan which is very nice, but I do have to adjust for the difference in conductivity and heat retention. You probably will have to adjust similarly for the cast iron. It sure looks nice!

plllog, I thought that was what you meant, because you know that I'm a picky, picky eater!!

Annie

Out of curiosity I tried some of those little complete meal substitutes drinks. Interesting alternative. Occasionally i like them, sometimes I feel silly.

May I just hop into the cooking forum occasionally? I tried to do a thread introducing myself but that was an exercise in futility with these new changes. But these Houzz changes did get me to look at some other forums and I ventured here and it looks and smells and tastes so good.

I recognized a number of names and mine will be familiar to a number of you as well.

Anyway, all that to say hi!

blfenton, pop in whenever you like, we're always glad to have visitors. Maybe yu'll even enjoy it so much that you'll want to visit more often.

And I made a frittata too, served it with a side of steak salad because we also had steak leftover from the night before. Anyway, the frittata had mushrooms, onions, red peppers, a handful of spring mix/greens and fresh chives from the back walk.

Elery had the last slice of frittata this morning for breakfast on a low carb wrap. Lots of sriracha, of course.

Annie

I am super boring..... my breakfasts usually consist of one of 2 things. I like oatmeal made with water and a pinch of salt and eat it as is. No milk, no toppings, occasionally I will add some dried cranberries if I'm feeling extravagant. My other go-to is eggs.... fried, poached or soft cooked.

If I don't feel like going to the trouble of making something (or I'm too hungry to wait), I will eat whatever is in the fridge. Cold chicken is a favourite, a couple pieces of cheese. I've been known to gnaw on leftover beef and pork as well. And I never bother to re-heat.

Sherri1058 - That is my problem. While I am a somewhat adventurous eater for lunch and dinner I like breakfast to be simple predictable and filling. Changing my routine makes me cranky. Lol.

So my symptoms are improving - I hope to stick with this for a few more weeks and then add a little dairy back to see what happens.

So far my favorite new breakfast is some version of savory oatmeal with a poached egg and some greens. I still haven’t made granola but I bought the ingredients.

I am missing yogurt and cheese. I made a sherbert/ice with fruit, almond milk and maple syrup as an ice cream replacement. No child would be satisfied but I like it.

Agmss, have you tried making ice cream from a banana? Just break a banana into chunks, freeze, then blend. It makes wonderful creamy ice cream and it's not very banana-y. You can add all sorts of flavoring at the end. Personally, I find that adding vanilla brings out the banana taste, so I avoid that one, but peanut butter, cacao or chocolate powder, fruit, etc., work great.

I usually prep my breakfasts for the week on Sundays. I
alternate between frittata in a parmesan “tortilla” or regular flour tortilla. Both
are 6” tortillas. My alternative is a smoothie.

For the frittatas, I dice all the ingredients, usually
mushrooms, green onions, sweet red pepper, spinach and some kind of breakfast meat.
In a small skillet, put a dab of butter and add a tablespoon of each of the
diced ingredient except the spinach. Saute over medium heat for a minute of
two, add a ¼ cup of chopped spinach and saute 30 seconds or so. Add two beaten
eggs, pop the frittata under the broiler until the eggs have set.

If I am using Parmesan “tortillas”, I grate some fresh parmesan
cheese into a non-stick skillet over medium heat to form a 6” circle. Once the
cheese is melted and starts to turn brown, flip the tortilla and put half the
frittata on half the tortilla then fold the uncovered half of the tortilla over
the egg. Cool on racks, wrap in a paper towel and store in a container.

If I am using flour tortillas (I try to avoid them), I put a
little grated cheese (whatever I have on hand) on half the tortilla, cut the
frittata in half and place on top of the cheese, top egg with more cheese and
fold the uncovered half of the tortilla over the egg. Then I throw it back in
the pan and brown on both sides. Cool on racks, wrap in a paper towel and store
in a container.

The paper towel absorbs the moisture so the tortillas don’t
get soggy.

I reheat either in a fry pan for a minute on each side or
microwave for 30 seconds or eat it cold.

For the smoothies, I portion out each day’s ingredients in
canning jars, one jar for each day. In the morning, I just dump the contents of
the canning jar into a Ninja container along with some ice and blend it till
smooth. Quick and easy. The recipe is not an exact science, it depends on what
is in season and what I have on hand but here’s a guideline. You can eliminate
the yogurt or substitute nut milk.

2.5 oz. (1/2 jar of Oui Plain Yogurt)

1 cup water

Handful of Olivia’s Organic’s Power Green (Kale & Spinach)

1/3-1/2 avocado, depending on size

1/3 banana

1 strawberry

1/4 cup blueberries

1 tbs. flax seed

1 tsp. chia seed

1 tbs. Great Lakes protein powder

1 tsp. raw honey (I find raw local honey helps with my allergies. I have been doing it for years and can tell when I skip a day.)

Ice

Hi blfenton! Welcome, and yes, please do pop in!

Annie1992... gorgeous frittata... even more gorgeous steak salad... I love a salad with sliced steak on top : )