Well, we've tried shifting the bulk of calories to a more even amount. The problem comes in when trying to get 4 people on the same page. It worked out this way since I'm an insomniac to begin with, and I couldn't get everyone to have a reliable lunch schedule. After dinner, I'm not hitting bed until midnight or so, and we have dinner by 6:30. We could probably do better, but it would take the adults agreeing to eat the same thing, which is like herding drunken cats.

About the only thing I add sweetness to is my biscuits unless we're doing something specific as a dessert. That's one of those things where if a spoonful of something is going to throw everything off, then it does. Well, that and the occasional cup of coffee or tea, but that's in the same category.

As far as alternate milks, I don't dislike them. Oat is my preferred, and I'll do that in cereal or coffee sometimes. I just have to use some dairy of some kind or my guts hate me. So I might as well just drink milk since I can get it for about half of what it costs in stores, and know exactly how the cows are treated, how the milk is processed, etc. I used to just do fruit and yogurt for breakfast, back maybe eight or nine years ago. But my cousin doesn't make yogurt, just cheeses, so I'd be back to paying more for stuff I can't verify the conditions of. I keep trying to talk him into yogurt, but the last time they tried, it was a loss for them; not enough local demand.

It's one of those things where I could consume less milk as milk, but it would just shift to a different kind of dairy product to keep the lactobacilli happy and active. Since the milk is way cheaper with the family discount than any other option, I just go with it.

I'm thinking of trying to make my own jams and jellies again though. It's a pain in the ass, but it's cheaper, and I can use way less sugar than branded options in stores. I haven't yet because the only reliable sources locally are usually first come first serve, and I can't always get to the farms when things are ready and then do the picking. Only one place will pick for you and sell directly. The rest, if they're going to have to pay pickers, they'll just sell the crop off in bulk and get a better profit margin. Can't say I blame them.