Dine and Dish

Food blog with family recipes

Commitment Issues

This weekend, as I was cleaning out my bathroom cabinets, I came to the realization that I have some serious commitment issues. Not with relationships, not with work and not with family obligations. My commitment issues lie in the form of product commitments. Shampoo for example. I buy shampoo, get through 3/4 of the bottle and go out and buy new shampoo. Instead of using all of the shampoo left in the old bottle, I put it in my cabinet and start using the new bottle. Hairspray, lotion, makeup… it is all the same. I just toss them to the side and give the newest product my attention. I can’t commit to a whole bottle of shampoo therefore I have cabinets full of the used bottle rejects wondering what they did to fail me. The thing is, I can love the shampoo, but I love trying out new things even better. Eventually the shampoo of the moment will get put aside and a shiner model will take its place too. I am, keep in mind, and equal opportunity non-commiter.

I am afraid I am passing this same trait on to my kids. If you look at the cereal boxes in our pantry, you will find boxes of cereal with 3/4 of the cereal gone. When I think we are running low on cereal, I go out and buy new cereal. As soon as the new cereal enters the house, the old boxes of cereal lose their appeal for the woo of something new.

This muffin recipe is for those of you with commitment issues, like myself. You can make your neglected cereal feel loved again by using the remaining bits to make muffins that will make you want to have even more neglected cereal so you can make them again and again. In this case, being a non-commiter is actually a good thing!

Along with these muffins, we enjoyed a cup of Cabaret Brewed Chocolate. Sweet, rich, unique… Cabaret Brewed Chocolate is the perfect drink for those of you who may not be fans of coffee but enjoy a warm beverage. Not as sweet and caloric as hot chocolate, this product is one you will want to keep around as the weather turns colder. The folks at Cabaret are giving my readers a chance to win a jar of of their Brewed Chocolate. To be considered, check out the Cabaret website and then please leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite warm beverage is. All entries must be submitted by 10pm CST on Tuesday 9/16 and the winner will be notified via email the following day. Good luck!

Breakfast Cereal Muffins (from Recipezaar)

30 min | 10 min prep

SERVES 12 , 12 muffins

  • 1 egg
  • 1/4 cup salad oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup honey
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 3 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 cups breakfast cereal (like Raisin Bran, All Bran, Corn Flakes, Rice Krispies, etc.)
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
  2. Grease 12 medium sized (2 3/4″ diameter) muffin cups.
  3. In a mixing bowl, beat egg and whisk together with oil, milk and honey.
  4. In a large bowl combine the dry ingredients; mixed well.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir just until flour is moist (batter should be lumpy).
  6. Fill muffin cups 2/3 full with the batter, and bake for 20-25 minutes (until golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean when inserted).
  7. Remove from pan immediately.

Looking for more ways to use up some breakfast cereal? These food bloggers have some great ideas:

  • Tomorrow night is the deadline for entering the drawing for the County Bob’s Cookbook! Check out the details HERE
  • The Adopt-a-Blogger 2 matches have been made! Make sure to check out and support those people participating. Please make sure to drop by my adoptee’s site, Apples and Butter, and say hi!
  • There is a new site for moms out there created by two of my favorite food bloggers. Make sure to check out Voice of Mom
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Reader Interactions

Comments

  4. April in CT says

    I have/had this problem too! I put myself on product restriction though and won’t let myself buy anything new until I’ve used up what I have. It’s been tough, but the longer I do it the easier it gets. A good use for conditioner is use it to shave if you have extra you’re not going to use.

    My favorite hot drink is caramel cream hot chocolate mix from a certain Swiss maiden. I can’t find it in my grocery store any longer though and I only have 1 packet left. I’ll enjoy it on our first super chilly night and try to decide if I love it enough to order a case from Amazon.

  5. Joy the Baker says

    Hilarious. I stare my 1/4 full bottles of shampoo in the face every morning because I don’t even have the decency to take mine out of the shower when they’re replaced with the next best thing. So funny! Your muffins look like a treat.. and your warm beverage… looks warm and brown, just the way I like my warm drinks…?

    Joy the Bakers last blog post..Sourdough Starter Day 2 and Day 3

  7. Trysha says

    I have the same problem. It’s more of an addiction to Target…I can’t walk in that store and get out without spending an easy $75. Every time. And product coupons fuel my problem. $2 off this, $3 off that, it makes EMT-Dad insane!! I’ve never finished a bottle of lotion or shampoo. Never.

    My fave hot drink from home is hot apple cider. I learned how to spice it up and make it on the stove top a couple of years ago and I love making it. Plus it makes the house smell sooooo good.

  8. Laura says

    I have the opposite of your commitment issue… I feel the need to use every last drop of everything. I believe it was my grandmother living through the depression, passing on her obsessions (although slightly less potent with each generation) to my mom, who did it to me. I hate how the shampoo always outlasts the conditioner and am left with 1/4 of the shampoo left. So I use the shampoo as my body wash, or if I have a favorite body wash I’m currently using, I just use it to shave my legs. Works great!

    As for a favorite warm drink… I love cinnamon tea on a cold day. Hot cocoa would be my second fav.

  9. clumbsycookie says

    I’m the opposite! I will not open anything until the old one is all gone! BUT I do have a box of cereal laying arround for a while, these looks ideal to use them up!
    Favourite drink? Latte, I have one everyday for breakfast. But i would love to try that brewed cooffe, that sounds so interesting! Cheers!

    clumbsycookies last blog post..My tshirts are so sweet I could eat them!

  10. HoneyB says

    I used to be the same way! Not sure what changed, maybe I got lazy….but just the other day I had to go to the store because we were OUT of shampoo! I remember the days of having 3-4 different bottles going at once though!

    BTW, I was looking through your other blog and the post about the woman in your van had me literally in tears! lol

    HoneyBs last blog post..Snicker doodling along to seminar

  11. kittie says

    Snap – I have the same commitment issues!

    I’m in the process of moving house right now, and finding 3/4 packs of EVERYTHING. 6 packets of funny pasta shapes, 4 almost empty bottles of foundation, 4 shampoos, countless hair styling products… oh dear – I really do have issues!

    My favourite daily drink is rooibos tea – but I do love a latte on a lazy morning!

    kitties last blog post..Scottish Scran 4: Mum’s Steak Pie

  13. Joel says

    I have a similar problem… my commitment issue starts even earlier: at the store. I mean, what if it turns out that even though I’ve loved every vanilla coffee I’ve had, this one is somehow different… bad! I’ll have wasted my time and money, not to mention perfectly good coffee that I’m sure someone else would have loved and enjoyed, but is now damaged and incapable of resale!

    It’s even worse when I get towards the end of a thing I liked. The fear of never being able to find that item again takes over, and I won’t finish the container. Of course, I can’t buy another at the store, because I already have some at home!

    What works for me is to buy the prime ingredient (ie, plain coffee) as well as some do-it-myself mix ins (vanilla beans, cinnamon stick, etc).

    Of course, this isn’t so helpful when it comes to my biggest vice: Chocolate.

  14. Chris D. says

    I think I’m dating myself, but I used to like a drink called Postum. It was non-caffeine hot drink alternative to Coffee. I don’t think it is sold anymore. I’d love to try something new.

  16. Bridget says

    Ooooo…that brewed chocolate sounds so good! Right now, my favorite is a chai tes, but I’m feeling some commitment issues coming on! 🙂

    Bridgets last blog post..Lucky

  17. patsyk says

    Those muffins are a great idea! I’m goint to have to use it as my boys tend to “get tired” of the cereal before it’s finished. I’m so happy there’s a great way to use it up!

    Brewed chocolate, huh? Sounds like my ideal beverage already! Not much of a coffee drinker here as I have to add so much milk and sugar it’s not really considered coffee. I tend to go with hot tea with a bit of lemon and honey…. may have to get some now to help relieve my sore throat!

    patsyks last blog post..First Day Of School

  18. Ellie says

    I totally understand about the commitment issue! Just a month or so ago I went through my bathroom and was astounded just as you were the almost empty bottles. So I made a new commitment to compensate for my non-committedness! I have forced my self to use up the rest of the products that are already there. Now I only have one shampoo bottle left to finish! (I think I started with 5!) I’m trying to do the same with my other items – bubble bath, lotions, make-up, etc…I’ve found the best way to keep this from happening in the future is that when I think I’m running low I can still go purchase the new product but I have to hide it away until I have thrown the old product away. Good Luck!

    Oh, and I love a good hot spiced cider in the winter!

    Ellies last blog post..Colorstrology

  19. Julia says

    Great idea with the muffins — I don’t have the commitment issues, but I regularly forget to properly close the box so I end up with stale cereal before I can eat it all. Hot beverage: Coffee!!! Lately, I’ve been saving a step — just inserted an IV into the veins for the direct hit of caffeine.

    Julias last blog post..Preserving Summer: Cucumbers

  20. Deborah says

    I’m just laughing right now, because my husband is the same way with cereal. I swear we had at least 8 boxes open, and I said I wasn’t going to buy anymore until we got through some of them!

    I’m not a coffee drinker, but I do drink my fair share of hot cocoa in the winter!

    Deborahs last blog post..Cookbook of the Month Recipe – Chicken Fingers with Spicy Avocado Sauce

  21. Zoë François says

    I love it! I have been cleaning out my pantry all week long. My son keeps saying things like…”wow mom, how old is that cereal?” I think these muffins are exactly what my pantry needs!

  22. chuck says

    I love hot cereals in baked goods. I stopped drinking coffee and am now drinking a coffee substitute that I enjoy just as much.

    chucks last blog post..Fig and Anise Bread

  23. Hayley says

    Thank you for your lovely comment on my blog. I have to admit I am completely guilty too, I have soooo many half used bottles of lotions and potions! Have you thought about giving them to friends or family to try if you no longer like them??? My mum does the same thing with me and she has just given me a lovely bubble bath to try!

  26. Pink Heels says

    HELP!!! Can you provide recommendations on cooking in bulk? Every Friday I feed 12 very hungry and very large varsity football coaches. They are all meat and potato kind of guys so adding veggies is totally out of the question! : )

  27. Patricia Scarpin says

    I have read several times that the hair gets used to the products we daily use and then they no longer work properly, so it’s good to change – you are doing the right thing, darling! 🙂
    I love John Frieda products, since they are great for people who blow dry their hair (like I do, on daily basis). But I have been using a Pantene conditioner, too, and it’s fabulous – like these muffins! 🙂

    Patricia Scarpins last blog post..Salada de queijo coalho com molho de homus e torradinhas de pão pita

  29. Laurel says

    I am glad I am not the only one whit commitment issues (esp. Shampoo)!

    Laurels last blog post..Two Teenagers in One Household….Lord Help Me

  31. mushi says

    my leftover cereal cleaning up way is rice crispy treat style. marshmallow, cereal, mixed with chocolate ,nut,dried fruits,etc…what ever I have. funny thing is that makeing something new with same cereal sitting on shelf forever get whole different tension from everybody. and gone quickly.it’s good way to get rid of old cereal.
    I decided I won’t buy new cereal until all cereal is gone. other wise too many opend boxes sitting on the shelf forever.

  32. judyfoodie says

    Kristen – I know what you mean. I have about 10 different bottles of shampoo sitting in my bathroom. My husband thinks I am batty lol.

    BTW you have an award on my page. Hope you come and claim it. Just my way of saying “love your blog” 🙂

    judyfoodies last blog post..100 Chinese Foods to Try Before You Die

  34. Kelly says

    Usually my favorite hot beverage is peppermint hot chocolate, but recently I have become addicted to vanilla chi lattes! I would love to try the brewed chocolate!

  38. The Cat's Pajamas says

    “I am, keep in mind, and equal opportunity non-commiter.” That is, beyond far… the best thing I’ve heard all day.

    Favorite Hot drink… COFFEE. I swear. If I could find a way to legally hook up an IV with the stuff dripping straight into my veins… Oh, that would be the day.

    ~Cat

    The Cat’s Pajamass last blog post..Hurricane Ike

  43. Bonnie says

    My favorite hot drink is Good Earth’s Caffeine free Sweet and Spicy Tea, but I would really love to try this brewed chocolate!

  44. Jude says

    I can totally relate with the half emptied shampoo. Could it be some sort of undiagnosed condition we both share? 🙂

    Judes last blog post..Brunost / Gjetost – Brown Cheese from Norway

  45. Jessica says

    My favorite hot drink is a hazelnut latte. This cabaret brewed chocolate sounds delicious, though! I also love a good hot apple cider.

  46. Michele says

    I have a terrible addiction to shampoos and soaps. If you look in my bathroom closet right now you will find at least 10 bottles of partially used shampoos and at least 20 bars of soap. I have favorites and have no idea why I just don’t stick with them. My boyfriend lovingly calls me “shampoo girl”.

    My favorite hot drink is a cup of Caribou daybreak brewed in my Senseo with milk and a tablespoon of malt powder mixed in.

    Micheles last blog post..A Great Idea for a Lazy Weekend

  47. Shari says

    I love your commitment issues confession! Makes me feel better! Muffins sound like the perfect way to get rid of leftover-bottom-of-the-box cereal. {I’ve been known to use bottom-of-the-bottle shampoo as bubble bath, but that’s the extent of it!}

    Sharis last blog post..The Omnivore’s 100 Poll

  48. Candes says

    Just finished ckg out the Cabaret website and I’m sooo tempted. I want hot coco now!

    Thanks for the reminder to enter and win!

    My favorite hot drink is the Lipton Orange and Spice tea. It’s a staple in my Fall and Winter diet.

  49. Beth says

    I look forward to fall. And Williams Sonoma selling their mulled spices. I love mulled cider. But even more I think of and wish for cooler weather so I can have mulled wine.

    And I’m glad to see that I’m not the only one w/a life time supply of beauty products. I could go a few years at least w/out buying lotion, soap, hair products, etc.

  50. Andrea says

    We like to use raisin bran to make muffins, too, and use maple syrup instead of honey. I’d love to taste that brewed chocolate, haven’t seen it in any stores near us. Yum! My favorite hot drink is mulled wine, especially at Christmas time.

  51. Carla says

    I have a commitment problem with cereal. I’ll eat most of it, then all of a sudden I will stop eating cereal for a few months.

    My favorite hot drink is coffee. I drink it almost every day.

    Carlas last blog post..Moosey’s Tip #1

  54. Hopie says

    Hehe, the ad on their website cracks me up!! I’m going to go watch it again 🙂 My favorite hot drink is tea, almost all kinds of tea (except fruit tea because for some reason my pediatrician always had fruit tea in his waiting room and it makes me feel like I’m 5 years old waiting for a shot at the doctor’s – ick!). Still, there’s nothing like hot chocolate in winter, and it’s starting to get cold…

    Hopies last blog post..Lamb Masala

  56. Michele Pineda says

    Same commitment issues going on here at this household too, with juice, cereals, soft drinks, toothpaste-you name it.

    I don’t drink coffee, and love hot chocolate so I would love to try this! I know in the ethnic stores they have slabs of chocolate that you can break off and put in boiling water, my Guatemalan sister in law used to do this all the time for me because she knew I wasn’t a coffee fan.

    micaela6955 at msn dot com

  57. katie says

    I have a container that leftover cereal gets dumped into and then gets used for crumbs, breads, whatever. Of course, we don’t have kid-friendly cereals….
    As to the shampoos, etc. I used to be that way… Now I squeeze every last drop out of everything… And I ccan’t even tell you why I changed… Hmmmm….

  58. Ari (Baking and Books) says

    I love photo in this post, it’s so warm and inviting – I want to jump inside and sample the delicious fare. 🙂

    Ari (Baking and Books)s last blog post..Spiced Honey Cake with Caramelized Apples

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