Smart Choices

Greetings Friends~

This Sunday is Easter. Don't worry, I'm not going to write about religion or the Easter Bunny or how there shouldn't be an Easter Bunny.

I am speaking about Easter as another holiday that involves food. As they say, where there is smoke, there is fire. Well, this weekend there will be a ton of lamb and ham devoured by the masses. Thank goodness we have no "organized" dinner plans so I shouldn't have to worry too much about overeating.

But this did get me to thinking about the rest of the Travelers that may be put in a situation where they are tempted to make a detour on the road to fitness. Now don't get me wrong, if you are satisfied with what you have lost in the last 14 weeks, eat to your heart's content, if you want. Occasionally we should reward ourselves.

I'm speaking to the others that haven't made the progress that they would like. What can you do to avoid temptation?

If you are going to cook dinner for a gathering, think about providing a healthy "second" choice. Maybe some poached salmon or some 97% lean ham or a platter of boiled shrimp. Use that as a foundation for a healthy plate of food. Make your deviled eggs with low fat mayo. Make a nice gourmet green salad that abounds in vegetables and offer some low fat choices of salad dressings.

As I have said repeatedly in the past, we Chubsters are a pretty savvy group. I am sure if you spend a short amount of time online, you can find some great alternatives to almost every fat laden dish that you usually make.

And, don't forget Bill Cosby's favorite, Jello. There is a huge variety of sugar free flavors available and they are all probably on sale this week (so stock up now). Even if you were to eat the entire package, which makes a quart, with fat free topping, you will only be into it for about 100 calories. Sure beats eating a piece of pie or cake and ruining your progress for the week.

Something that helps me avoid temptation is this. Picture yourself a mere three or four months from now, slim and trim, getting ready to devour an ear or two of fresh corn on the cob from the Farmer's Market. Isn't that worth waiting for? Worth a little discipline now in order to reap the results and rewards later?

I sure think so. Today I weigh 270. I can't wait to get into the 260's, and then the 250's.

I can forego the traditional holiday meal to acheive that that milepost on this journey.

Inspiration of the Day

In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it. - Robert Heinlein, 1907-1988

Recipe of the Day

Here is a recipe using my favorite vegetable. Hopefully you will enjoy it too. http://www.recipezaar.com/recipe/Roasted-Asparagus-50847

Shopping Tips

Safeway has the following items on sale this week thru next Tuesday; whole pineapple for $1.99 each, Eating Right frozen entrees for $2 each, Bumble Bee chunk light tuna for $.50 each and radishes or onions for $.79 each.

Top Foods has the following items on sale this week thru next Tuesday; fresh asparagus for $1.38 a pound, green seedless grapes for $1.48 a pound, Fuji and Granny Smith apples for $1 a pound, broccoli and cauliflower for $.89 a pound, Butter Ball frozen turkeys for $.79 a pound and Kraft salad dressing for $1.99 each.

Albertson's has the following items on sale this week thru next Tuesday; fresh asparagus for $1.28 a pound, Del Monte canned vegetables at $.50 each, Healthy Choice soups for $1 each, radishes and green onions for $.69 each, red bell peppers for $1.50 each and Jumbo sea scallops (previously frozen) for $7.99 a pound.

Today’s Link

6 Tips For Better Breakfasts

Keep up the hard work guys. Eveything you do today will effect that scale on Monday. My small step for today is to get in the gym and work up a sweat.

Happy Trails!