Mother Knows Best

The USDA recently replaced the iconic food pyramid with a plate. The USDA offers the plate as a guide for daily food intake. Bottom line - We should have a lot of vegetables and small servings of meat, dairy and grains. The plate reminds me of childhood dinners with my family. My mother always made sure that we had vegetables on our dinner plate. We always had a salad followed by a dinner that consisted of at least two vegetables and a meat. We rarely had bread with dinner. Looking back at my childhood meals I realize that my mother was way ahead of the USDA, Mr. Atkins and the whole gang. :) 

Mom relied on the basics of nutrition. She put together meals that were based on the old rule of "eat your vegetables." This rule pre-dates microwaves and TV dinners and quick fix meals. My mom's home cooked dinner menu consisted of portion controlled traditional foods that were natural and delicious. Guess what? Mother knew best. We were not fat. We were all slim and trim. 

Today, everyone in my family struggles with weight. Maybe it is because we stopped following the basic rules. The modern way of fast food and quick fixes makes it easy to forget about the basics.

I think we need to get back to the basics. The USDA food plate is not news to those of us that were raised by health conscious mothers. It simply affirms the fact that mom was right along when she said "EAT YOUR VEGETABLES."

Tip: Salads are a great way to load up on veggies BUT watch the dressings. Dressings can often have 15-20 grams of fat in one tablespoon. Below is a light dressing recipe from Martha Stewart's FOOD magazine. 

Here is a great salad dressing base that you can use to morph into a variety of tasty toppings:

NOTE: 2tbs = 1points plus value on WW before additions

1 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup sour cream (you can replace with low-fat Greek yogurt)

1/4 cup mayonnaise

coarse salt and ground pepper to taste

Green Goddess

add 1/2 mashed avocado, 1/4 cup chives, 2 tbs lemon juice, 2 tbs chopped fresh parsley

Thousand Island

1/3 cup ketchup

3 tbs sweet pickle relish

Blue Cheese

3 ounces crumbled blue cheese (3/4 cup)

Have a Veggie Great Day,

FitandSlim4ever

Entering the forbidden zone

OK,  I think everyone that has put on a few (or more) pounds can relate to this blog post. When you put on weight you avoid stores, clothes and any situation that reminds you of the dreaded dress SIZE. It is so humiliating to go to a store and try on NUMEROUS outfits that are too small, tight and do not fit.

Many of us stand in front of the mirror dreaming of the day when everything we try on will FIT. Well, I am here to tell you that no matter how skinny you become - there will always be the outfit that got away.

Today, I ventured out to the mall. It is important to note that I have not been to the mall for more than three months. WOW!!! Yes, it is true. The shop addict has been in rehab for several months. I have been afraid of the forbidden zone. You know- that area on the other side of the aisle that has the clothes that fit the OTHER people (skinny people). Maybe we are afraid that after all this dieting, sacrifice and hard work the clothes on the other side MAY NOT FIT.

Today, I summoned my courage and ventured across the aisle to the "regular size" clothes. The section with the cute styles that hug your shape. My palms were sweating as I glanced around for the snide sales clerk to ask "Can I help you find your size?" Ugh!!! I ran my hands over the clothes like someone that has been on a hunger strike for weeks. I made a stupid giddy gurgling noise as I grabbed ten suits from the rack. I ran to the dressing room as an urge came over me to try on EVERYTHING.

Guess What? I left the mall with 4 suits. I survived my journey to the other side. I also proved to myself that my lifestyle changes are worth it.

On my way home I prayed for the strength to stay focused and on my plan. I want to feel the joy of crossing over to the other side of the aisle. I want shopping to be fun - not agony.

The solution is simple.

Have a Veggie Great Day,
FitandSlim4ever