Time to get serious

Christmas is over and a new year is upon us. 2010. Sounds so futuristic doesn't it? Yes it's that time to make New Years resolutions but rather than put a strict label on what you HAVE to do, just work at making small changes in your day to day living. It's all about baby steps. I've never been a fan of the do-or-die New Years resolutions personally and to be honest, I doubt I've ever followed through on a weight-loss one in the past. I know now it was because I put way to much pressure on myself.


I want to start with first talking about grocery shopping. Probably the most important thing here to remember is to GO WITH A LIST. I often have mine broken down into meals or categories even. You've heard it before; don't go hungry and don't go late at night when you're apt to be more in a "snacking" mood.

I want to reiterate again one of my main shopping must-do's: one day a week I get all (or most of) my produce. I come home and immediately cut up the veggies and put in Baggies (carrots, cucumbers, radish, cauliflower etc). I even wash and divide up lettuce and put it in Baggies too. Now I can make a salad SUPER QUICK anytime I want plus I have veggies to snack on when I’m feeling like a crunchy fix. It won’t take you very long and believe me, having it all there, washed, cut and ready to eat is so handy. One of my favorite salads is baby spinach leaves, dried cranberries, cherry tomatoes halved, and toasted almonds tossed in berry (your choice, look in the salad dressing aisle) vinaigrette (GET LIGHT OR CALORIE WISE!). It’s super simple but loaded with flavor and packed with good-for-you stuff.

Remember the bulk food aisle is your friend. Here you can buy SMALL amounts of healthy items such as wild rice, dried beans, whole wheat pasta and raw nuts. As always look at what your buying and ask yourself, is this healthy? I always keep nuts and dried fruit in my cupboard because not only are they a great thing to snack on but they also pump up my salads.

If you're buying meat it's a good idea to limit your red meat intake and go for the more healthy options of chicken and/or fish. Personally speaking I have made the choice to be a vegetarian but I would never impose my way of thinking on others. I would however hope that my meat eating readers will simply just make smarter choices: buy organically farmed or local.

If you’re going to buy juice- READ THE LABEL! Is it full of sugars with huge long names you can’t pronounce? Or is it 100% juice? If you’re not sure, don’t buy it. Buy fresh fruit and drink water. Two words to remember to stay away from: COCKTAIL AND BEVERAGE. If either of those words follow “juice” on a label, put it back and walk away.

As a general rule reading the labels is a GOOD habit to get into. Note the 'serving size' when you look at calories and fat content. This is particularly important when you're looking at sauces and dressings because those can pack a wallop into 1 single tablespoon.

Finally: think FRESH. Granted this is easier to do in the summer I find, but you have to remember to supplement your diet with lots fruit and veggies. And don't skip the frozen aisle! Those veggies are bagged and frozen often hours after being harvested and are just as great as frozen. There are some veggies I simply don't like frozen, like bell peppers, but for the most part they are fabulous (and economical!)

Be prepared when you go to the grocery store....don't get sucked into the black whole of junk food! Trust me, it's a hard place to crawl back out of. Eat well, be happy and stay positive...

Love Chere Michelle