It's Not Necessary To Eat Under The Table + Other Hot News (Alpen Cereal)

Member Name: Sexy Kay

Product:	Alpen Cereal
Date:	15/08/02 (421 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: taste

Disadvantages: dusty

I've said this before but, as a child I was a thief. When the fancy took me during the day, while my mum wasn't looking, I would steal a mug of Alpen, top it up with whatever was creamiest in the fridge, and take this under the dining room table, together with a teaspoon. There I would munch away happily - the small spoon making the experience last so much longer.

Our table was a bit strange. It had just two solid legs that stretched the full width of the top and, with a cloth dangling over this, I could hide from view in my little house. I guess though that I wasn't meant for a life of crime as I never covered my tracks too well. When my mum next hoovered she would come across the empty mug and teaspoon, or maybe two, and I would hear a loud shout of, "Kay, come here!" I don't know why I never asked if I could have some, as I have the loveliest mum and dad. It must have been the thrill of secretly doing something naughty. So nothing much has changed there!

That's not altogether true because things have in fact changed, I suppose. I still have Alpen but my boyfriend doesn't think that it is appropriate for me to eat it while sitting under a table - he is odd! It's surprising how you have to change some of your habits when you live with someone. I still manage to sneak under the table occasionally - and this surprises him at times.

I feed away happily on Alpen most week day mornings, while sitting conventionally at the kitchen table. I've tried other cereals and muesli but I always come back to the one I love best. I do have it a bit differently recently though - I'm still talking about Alpen! I mix it with All-Bran. Yes, I know what you're thinking, but not for that reason, I function fine.

I got the idea from the friends we visited in Cornwall. They were doing this so I adventurously gave it a try. Live life to the full, and all that! You know, it really does go
well together so I've developed the Alpen & All-Bran habit. It's the taste I like. I'm not sure if this does me any good or not, but I feel very well most of the time. I do believe, however, in that old thing about a little of what you fancy does you good.

I pour the All-Bran in my bowl first, then the Alpen and cold milk. I use semi-skimmed nowadays, but not too much. I then fold the two types of cereal together with the milk and press this down firmly with the back of my spoon. If I decide there is slightly too much milk I sup this up first.. This tastes nice as it has been slightly sweetened by the Alpen. When I finally get round to actually eating the cereal I like it to be just moist and not running over with cow's juice. This also applies if I have the Alpen by itself. So that is mostly my work-day breakfast, plus coffee and orange juice.

My boyfriend says Alpen looks like something from the bottom of a hamster cage mixed with sawdust. This doesn't put me off. He can keep his macho strands of Shredded Wheat.

My favourite is the Alpen Original in the red box. This is the one that contains sugar as well as the wheat flakes, rolled oats, raisins, almonds and hazelnuts - see it's all good stuff, but perhaps a little high on the sugar stakes if you are a bit of a fuss pot.

Fuss pots don't have to miss out though. They can have there very own 'No Added Sugar' Alpen in a blue box, which has extra raisins for sweetness. This is okay but, as I'm so used to years of the Original, for me it tastes a little bland and less interesting.

Ahhh now, while on the subject of 'interesting' I have some hot news. Are you ready for this? Stay calm but Alpen have two new flavours. Yes, this is exciting as well as interesting! You can now get 'Alpen Strawberry' and 'Alpen Blackberry & Apple'. Please don't rush off to the supermarket before you finish read
ing this review, otherwise I'll never ever tell you any hot news again.

These newbie Alpens are a bit tempting. Can you imagine? The succulent freeze dried strawberries or the autumnal blackberries and soft apple pieces nestling amongst those lovely oats, wheat and usual hamster like bits. Yummy or what!

But, dammit, that's not all! For there is also 'Alpen Crunch' in flavours of Caribbean, Chocolate or Nutty. I must admit though that these aren't really to my liking as they deviate too much from the original, and the one true, Alpen. As the name suggests these are all crunchy clusters and, if I'm being honest, is really stuff for the kids - right?

Who, for instance, would want dark chocolate covered oat clusters with raisins and sliced nuts for breakfast? I can't think of anyone either.

No, what's best is Alpen Original. I know there has been publicity about too much sugar in cereals recently, but a normal helping of Alpen is the equivalent of having four squares of milk chocolate. Now that wouldn't get us jumping up and down with disgust would it? Of course not, plus Alpen is higher in fibre than other sweet cereals and is only around 230 calories for an average serving (with semi-skimmed milk). It's all good, natural, healthy stuff and it tastes wonderful. Can you possibly think of a better way to start your day? I can't. Other than Sunday mornings ...

Is there a downside to Alpen? I can't think of one. Oh, except that it all gets a bit dusty looking when you get near the bottom of the packet. But I forgive them, as it's still scrumptious.

Let's dwell on the upside. Alpen tastes delicious, it's full of goodness and when you've finished you feel satisfied and your tummy is full. It keeps your hunger at bay until lunch time. All very similar to Sunday mornings ...

- Kay

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