... where I channel a teen boy and eat cereal for dinner

I have these memories of my brother inhaling bowl after bowl of cereal as soon as he came home from school (while watching Indiana Jones, the theme song for which is now engraved in my song-lexicon forever).

Seems this is a common enough practice for teen boys for reasons which are beyond me as the cereal of choice (Shreddies — Captain Crunch, on occasion) is often not of the satiating sort — not that so much starch ever can be, to me. *shudder*

Obviously, cereal's appeal as snack/meal probably had much to do with ease, demands of growing belly and how petulant Indie becomes if he and his whip are not being watched at precisely 4 p.m. For the 16,134th time.

Now as an adult, having been finally convinced of the merits of eating thrice a day, I am struggling against the demands of nutritionists. Frankly, though I can eat a lot I can not consume as much as "is recommended" or even as laid out as daily instructions.

After trying to appease them in battle to help my body heal, it is time to reassert that I have intrinsic, physical preferences.

(We're getting to the cereal.)

Notably: I prefer a lighter meal in the evening, more protein than starch at breakfast (fish and eggs sounds perfect, thank you) and a more substantial meal at lunch time, work permitting — so long as it does not include pasta as that will make want to fall asleep. Protein in almost any form, sans over processing, is always welcome.

Cereal, therefore, is not something I find palatable first thing in the morning. This includes the high-protein, soy-based-but-very-processed cereals I have tried in an attempt to get more of the protein, grains and nuts needed in my diet. (Those popular refined, sugary cereals will never darken my doors.)

Sadly, my foray through the muesli, organic, granola, health-food-store varieties have been uninspiring (and expensive); too sweet, too light, too disgusting for a meal or even snack, taking ages for me to consume.

Even the quinoa cereals — originally thought a winner — disappointed, though Canada's Gogo Quinoa's cereal would be perfect for the cocoa-puff addict trying to wean themselves towards something more healthy.

Now, why not make my own quinoa with milk as snack or granola for storing and eating as I wish? Well, I could. I do, on occasion but frankly, I'm not a weekly or even monthly granola-maker type. Maybe eventually, but not now.

And luckily I do not have to as I stumbled across some (not very cheap) cereal at my local Independent Grocer that fits my needs precisely. Take note, stockists and get some on your shelves.

Dorset Cereal is crafted just outside Dartmouth, England — that's in Dorset to those who do not know. I say crafted because everything about the stuff smacks of cottage industry (though there was obviously some cunning marketing behind the packaging design of the quaint box).

I cannot tell you what a joy it was to pick up the package and read only whole ingredients listed.

According to their website they make cereals of many varieties, including porridge, bars and a new sweetened cereal for kids. I was faced with a much more limited choice, but decided to buy the fruit, nut and seeds variety which includes 45 per cent of the above and multi-grain flakes.

It is called muesli on their website but it is like no muesli I have ever had, as it stays intact through liberal dousing with milk.

What can I say about its contents? Not sweet as I feared, but not bitter. Everything in it is identifiable in your bowl: dried apricot, raisins, whole hazelnuts, almonds, full grains of various sorts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds.

It's refreshing in its clean-ness and a small bowl is enough, even for a quick dinner after a late-night in the newsroom. I even had it for breakfast a few times, happily. Shocking.

Now, the cereal is not the highest in protein per 60g (6g) nor lowest in calories (230 cal) or sodium (20mg) or fibre (4g) but who cares? It contains all the seeds and nuts you need in one little box without any excess, chemical fuss or content (or added salt). The UK Vegetarian Society also approves.

With this cereal in hand, I'll gladly take more ribbing from my friends that I am, in fact, a pubescent male and leave the weird cranberry-flavoured stuff that comes in huge boxes with unnatural sounding ingredients that lasts only a week to them. So there.

(I do recommend, if you buy, shaking the package a bit as the banana flakes tend to drift to the bottom. My last bowl was a vervet monkey's dream. )

Sadly, last time I was at the store there was none to be found on the shelves. Please, if you do find some, let me know where it is. I have a whole massive line to get through to find my favourites.