Summer Eating

One of my favorite things about summer is all of the delicious fruits and vegetables.  It is so easy to eat healthy during this time of year.  I know that it isn't officially the summer season but as a teacher it is summer to me! 

I made a big batch of cucumbers and vidalia onions for an anytime snack or to use a side dish for dinners.  Last night my son had a baseball game that lasted until 10:30 p.m. He wanted to stop at a convenience store to get a snack.  I was really hungry too and tempted to get something for myself.  I had smelled the buttery popcorn from the concession stand for just too long not to have a craving for a snack.  However, after I looked through the aisles of junk food, I realized that my cucumber salad was better than any of the  food at this store.  Instead I bought a flavored, zero calorie water to keep me satisfied until I could get home and enjoy my healthy snack. 

I also made a strawberry pie for Memorial day that isn't too bad on calories.  I then decided to chop up some of the strawberries to pour over an angel food cake for a lighter dessert.  Of course these treats have to be eaten in moderation.  Just a small slice of pie or angel food cake with strawberries once or twice throughout the week. 

My next summer dish is a southwestern salad that I found on skinnytaste.com.  I can't wait to try it out! 

Time for a Ride

This is my birthday present! I am so excited to have a bike again after 15 years.  I was so nervous getting back on a bike. When I was young, I rode my bike all the time.  Then in college I would go on long distance rides, but I soon got out of the habit of working out and riding. My son said he could teach me to ride a bike :)  I  replied that I knew how to ride but I was rusty. 

I started off small by just riding around the yard and then just down to our property line.  Each day I was building up my confidence to take off!  By the third day, I was ready to go the distance.  It was only a couple of miles, but those miles took away my doubts.  I could still ride a bike! 

I think we all get "rusty" when it comes to  healthy eating and working out from time to time.  However, we must get back on the bike and find our focus/goal.  Sometimes we just need a reminder or possibly a push from a friend or family member.  Here's me giving you a cyber push to get back to whatever workout you enjoy :)

I Don't Have to Make a Happy Plate

When our daughter was little, she never wanted to eat.  We would encourage her to make the plate "happy."  That would mean eating as much as she could off of the plate.  She is still slightly underweight for her age, but she is eating balanced meals.

I however have never been challenged when it comes to making a "happy" plate.  I loved eating as a child and still do today. Meals have always been festive and full of food at my home as a child and adult.  In fact, I would sometimes make a second or unfortunately third happy plate. 

Nowadays, I don't force myself to make a "happy" plate.  In fact I often make the decision to leave something on my plate.  It took some time and serious self-talk to realize I didn't have to clean my plate to make it or me happy.  Sometimes I still struggle with leaving something I really love to eat on my plate.  It just seems  wrong to leave something so delicious uneaten on my plate.  But...I have been doing just that and it really saves calories.  Don't get me wrong, I do still make a "happy" plate from time to time but not all the time.

The Importance of being a Good Role Model

Even though my children are young, they have definitely noticed my 80+ lb weight loss.  They often hear people mention the dramatic difference in my physical appearance.  My son said that even the waitress at our local cafe noticed my weight loss. 

My son and I have started a routine of him joining me on my Saturday and Sunday morning walks.  I walk around four miles, and he rides his bike next to me. He has put a pack on his bike to hold our waters for a brief break and it makes him feel so important.  He talks so much now about the importance of exercising/working out. 

My daughter now mentions my healthy food choices.  She will say that sweets are a "sometimes" food that I don't eat often nor should she.  We make a giant salad on Sunday night that we eat with our meals throughout the week.

In reflection, I see how important my exercising and healthy food choices are to my kids.  I want to be a good role model for them as they grow up.  I want them to know how to make good food choices and know that exercise is so important.