Mardi Gras is French for Fat Tuesday or Shrove Tuesday. Traditionally it is called Fat Tuesday because it is the last night before Ash Wednesday, in which the season of Lent begins. So everyone indulges in fatty, richer foods on Tuesday.
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| Traditional Mardi Gras King Cake |
Just with other holidays, people sometimes try to use this as an excuse to consume grease, sugar and fat in large quantities. Do not get me wrong, you can still enjoy your Mardi Gras celebration, just skip out on the King Cake.
EAT FRESH.
I know this is the slogan for Subway; however, I try to make sure my daily diet consists of eating fresh. What does that mean? It simply means eating things that come from the ground. Once or twice a year I do something called the Daniel Fast. It is for religious and health purposes. Basically what the fast consists of is eating only things that are grown from the ground (fruit and vegetables) and only drinking water or decaffeinated tea.
I know many adults who still say they do not like fruits and vegetables. Really? If you are in your 20's, 30's, 40's and beyond, all I have to say is, "Get over it."
I have learned to LOVE eating my fruits and veggies. I never had a problem eating them as a child. And now, I have added many new ones to my palate and absolutely love it.
You will too if you don't already. In our childhood minds we think spinach, brussel sprouts (which I am still picky about), and other green items are evil; but they provide so many vitamin-rich nutrients for you, it would be silly not to eat them!!
You do not just have to consume raw fruits and vegetables. Get creative with your fresh meals.
There are so many recipes for salads, main dishes, and desserts in which all ingredients are simply a fruit or vegetable.
1. Smoothies
One of my favorite breakfast items or snacks is a homemade smoothie. The reason I love smoothies is because you control the ingredients (I always use honey as a sweetener rather than sugar), and it is all your favorite fruit flavors. I love my Strawnana smoothie as well as my infamous PBB (Peanut Butter & Butter) Smoothie drizzled with a bit of honey.
Not only that, but smoothies are filling because you are drinking a thick liquid. So you get full more quickly and you are consuming all natural products. It is a win-win.
2. Salads
There are literally millions of ways you can make a salad. There are now salad bars in almost every restaurant and cafeteria in America.... however; the problem is not that people are eating salads but it is what they put on the salad to call it a salad.
I have seen people eating salads that are piled with turkey, ham, chicken, bacon, cheese, eggs, sour cream, olives, and drenched in ranch or blue cheese dressing. You cannot even seen the lettuce once they have finished assembling their meal, haha.
That defeats the whole purpose of a salad. Salads can be filling, but they should be healthy & light. One of my favorite simple salad recipes is the Spinach & Strawberry salad. It is so delicious and so easy to make. It is strawberries, spinach leaves, vegetable oil, wine vinegar, paprika, and sesame and poppy seeds. Mix everything together, and you have a great meal. You can put blueberries or kiwi or whatever fruit and veggie you want. Make it you own :)
3. Soups & Stews
This is where the vegetables make their appearance and shine. Soups and stews are a hearty meal and usually can stand alone without a side dish. Be careful with the soups and getting carried away with the salts and seasonings. Again, the purpose is to try to keep them as "earthly" as possible.
Basically all you need is chicken or vegetable broth and a spread of your favorite chopped veggies. Simple as that. One of my favorite vegetarian soups is a spicy potato and poblano soup and a roasted red pepper soup.
You can always throw in some penne pasta noodles or pinto beans (extra protein) and make it a stew or chili to thicken it up. Experiement and get crazy.... just keep it healthy!!
In Conclusion... while the rest of the world enjoys stuffing themselves on food in celebration of Fat Tuesday, stuff yourself on vegetables and fruits. Trust me, you won't feel guilty the next day :)
In Health,
~ Q. Olivia
You will too if you don't already. In our childhood minds we think spinach, brussel sprouts (which I am still picky about), and other green items are evil; but they provide so many vitamin-rich nutrients for you, it would be silly not to eat them!!
Always set a budget before going to the grocery store. Make a list and stick to it. I am guilty of not doing this on Mondays. Sometimes I make a "mental grocery list" and know I need to get the basics: chicken breast or white fish, fruit and vegetables, ingredients for salad, beans, egg whites, etc. I have found when I attempt to go by my mental list, I end up buying a lot more than I originally planned, and that of course results in me being surprised when the cashier announces the total to me. I usually take a quick second to glance over at what is being loaded into my cart and realization hits me: I came to the store without my coveted list. Tsk, tsk, tsk.
Weekends are notorious for get-together and parties. Do not become entrapped in all the high fattening foods at your social gatherings. Bring Your Own Food. It is okay to pack a few Ziploc bags of healthy munchies like vegetables, fruit or dried nuts. Or simply eat a hearty, healthy meal before going out and about. It is simple to say, "No thanks, I just ate" if offered tempting treats without being rude :)
