Food

Eyes On Your Own Plate

Posted on May 4, 2021 by The Healthy Habit Lady

Something people have heard me say often is … Eyes on your own plate; you are not the food police. Now; granted I may be more sensitive than others on this topic due to my selective eating disorder and such … but I still stand by the sentiment wholeheartedly. What is healthy for me, could be toxic for you ~ and vice versa.

It used to drive me crazy when people would look at my plate at restaurants, or Church pot lucks, or holiday dinners …and say “oh honey is that ALL you’re going to eat” …. ugh! Or worse; when they try to add to my plate … oh hell no, don’t even try that. You worry about your body’s fuel, and I will worry about mine. Period.

The bottom line is this: who are you to judge what someone else is eating, unless possibly it is your child. Yet then it is not so much judging as parenting. At any rate; even if someone is piling up their plate with sweets and treats and fat-laden selections; that is THEIR business. It is quite likely that you do not know their story.

Now — if someone asks my advice, then they have opened a line of communication and conversation. Even still though, I will ask questions, not judge, and try to understand their needs, struggles, goals, etc. If you happen to be someone who is seeking nutritional counsel or personal training, let me know.

As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady

Categories: Food, SED | Tags: , | Leave a comment

Popeye Is Not My Friend

Posted on July 20, 2016 by The Healthy Habit Lady

PopeyesFood

Today, my boys begged me for food from Popeye’s.  In case you’re not familiar, it is a fried chicken fast food chain.   I gave in, I agreed.  Big mistake. Huge.

Here’s the thing I find ironic.  I barely had a few bites of this food, and it made me horribly ill.  However; there was a time .. many moons ago … that I used to love this place.  I did indeed LOVE that chicken from Popeye’s.  Come on, you know you sang the commercial with me just now.  The biscuits, oh my.  The mashed potatoes, heaven.  The chicken – well it was my fav.  Not anymore.  Not only did this food today make me sick, it literally made my insides hurt.

Please don’t miss my point here.  It is not to bash Popeye’s.  My children did not get sick. This is not a bad restaurant.  My point is this:  Know your body.  Once you change your lifestyle, and your body becomes accustomed to certain things, or unaccustomed, it’s hard to enjoy it like you used to do.  I cannot eat this stuff anymore.  I just can’t.  Not everyone is like me, some people can go years without a certain food and then eat it again, and be  just fine.  My body is not wired that way.   My stomach rebelled in a bad fit today and let me know in no uncertain terms, this food is not welcomed.

So when you know better, but do something anyway, be prepared for the consequences. That is pretty much true in all of life, I dare say.  I knew better.  I knew I had not eaten this stuff in a very long time for a darn good reason.  I did it anyway.  Yikes.  Now here I am swearing I will never do this again.  But the truth is, I might, and I probably will.  Although it may be a good long while.  And if I do, the consequences will likely be similar.

Now tell me, is there a food or something you used to adore and inhale but now makes you hurl?  I’d love to hear your take on this.

As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady

WhiteShirtStairsJuly2016

Photo taken today – BEFORE I got sick

Categories: Food | Tags: , | 7 Comments

Do You Plan to Fail?

Posted on January 19, 2016 by The Healthy Habit Lady

KitchenSinkDeb

Do you plan it or wing it?   One of my amazing sisters (in-law) says ‘failure to plan is planning to fail’ … or something like that.  I think she rocks at the whole planning thing, even with three kids.  I kinda stink at this.  Truly, I do.

So I dare to ask you this question: Do you prepare your food in advance? If by chance, you do, then you probably know  this:  It is far easier to reach your nutrition goals when you plan your diet.  If you don’t, that’s fine too, but it means you surely have to plan well for the week that lurks ahead.

When you do not plan in advance, you are far more likely to snatch unhealthy meals, hit up the fast food drive-thru or gulp vending machine snacks ‘on the go’.  Sound familiar? It’s okay, you don’t have to raise your hand.

So many people, busy hard working people, choose those easy options at lunch or breakfast, instead of devouring the good stuff, that nutritious fuel, that will help them reach their goals.   Not to mention, the financial benefit.  I assure you it is usually more cost effective to plan and prepare your own meals as opposed to Starbucks for breakfast and Burger King for lunch. (or Dominoes for dinner, just sayin’)

So, start prepping some of your meals during the weekend when you have more time, it’ll take out the guesswork of what to eat … and benefit you in a huge way.  Try it, I dare you.

As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady

 

Categories: Challenge, Food | Tags: , | 3 Comments

Naughty or Nice?

Posted on November 18, 2015 by The Healthy Habit Lady

NaughtyorNice

So, is the Healthy Habit Lady naughty or nice?  Well it depends on who you ask I suppose, or on what day it is – or what hour for that matter.  Am I Saint? Heck no.  Am I evil?  I surely hope not.  Such is the same with food.

The salad you ate for lunch is not a saint, nor is the cookie you had for dessert considered evil.  Food is food.  It is fuel.  It is for energy. Now obviously some food choices will fuel you better than others,  but can we please stop demonizing every little morsel that someone else deemed unworthy of your taste buds?  Whew.

Am I suggesting you eat crap all day, every day?  No.  Of course not. What I AM suggesting is that you stop beating yourself up every time you fall off the wagon, go off your nutrition plan or taste a delectable treat.  I am also suggesting that you track that stuff.  If you are keeping an accurate record of what goes into your body – I mean every little thing – then you will have a good picture of where your nutrition is heading.  Yes, maybe it needs work. Most people need to work on it, few have it down to perfection. Lord knows I do not.  However; if you are tracking it, then you can adjust it, and move forward towards your goals.

Binge episodes are something else entirely.  I still do not want you beating yourself up over a binge, but that is an animal of a different color, and if you tend to binge … get to the bottom of that.  Figure out why.  Diagnose those triggers.  It is not healthy, but it is not evil either.  Seek help if you need to do so.  Reach out.  I promise you – you’re not alone.

Well there ya have it, folks – I’m just a hot mess like everybody else. Not perfect, yet perfectly flawed.  Am I naughty?  Am I nice?  I’m somewhere in between.

As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady

 

 

Categories: Fitness, Food, Motivational | Tags: , , | Leave a comment

Are You Keen on KEEN-Wah?

Posted on February 21, 2015 by The Healthy Habit Lady

Quinoa Black Bean Salsa

Quinoa Black Bean Salsa

For the longest time, I was incorrectly pronouncing Quinoa.  I am probably not alone in this. The correct way to say it, is ‘KEEN-Wah’.  Well, now that you know how to say the word, do you know what to do with the stuff?  Or why you should even bother? Well, to be clear, it is a food. More specifically, it is a grain.  Let’s take a peek.

When quinoa is cooked, the outer germ surrounding the seed breaks open to form a crunchy coil; while the inner grain becomes soft and translucent. This double texture makes it delicious, and versatile. You can save time and cook a lot of quinoa at once and eat it many times.

Quinoa is something that can be reheated with a splash of milk for breakfast.  Additionally, you could add dried fruit, berries, cinnamon or nuts to give it a sweet twist.   Other ideas include finely chopped raw vegetables and dressing for a cool salad.  Or go hot; and add roasted root veggies for a side dish. The photo up top is of a Quinoa black bean salsa.  The possibilities are endless.

A Few of Quinoa’s characteristics are:

  • It has the highest nutritional profile of all the grains.
  • Quinoa contains all eight amino acids to make it a complete protein. This is a big deal.
  • It cooks the fastest of all grains.
  • It has a protein content that is equal to milk.
  • Quinoa is high in B vitamins, iron, zinc, potassium, calcium & vitamin E.
  • It is gluten-free and easy to digest.  Great for sensitive tummies.
  • Quinoa strengthens the heart, kidneys and lungs.

It is an extremely high-energy grain.  Meaning, it can give you high, long sustaining energy. Quinoa has been cultivated and eaten for over 8,000 years  in South America. The Incas were able to run long distances at high altitudes in the mountains because of this oh so powerful grain known for endurance.

SO, do tell, when was the last time you tried Quinoa?  Or have you yet?  What do you do with it?  I need ideas.  Share your recipe thoughts in the comments.

As always, make champion choices,
The Healthy Habit Lady

Categories: Cooking, Food | Tags: , , , , | 3 Comments

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