Food As A Thing

It's funny how as soon as we start to diet, food becomes some big Thing in our minds. It should be sensible. Cook two or three veggies at dinner instead of one, " but more, "I ate 1 tablespoon of this and 1/4 cup of that, but without the sugar so I replaced it with a piece of something else..." It's not a puzzle, it's lunch. Last night after logging in and reading some success stories, I was hungry and went to the fridge thinking I'd make a salad. "No, not all that food right before bed!" the little voice said, "Have a cheese stick! No carbs, high calcium! Good for you!" But in conjunction with the other things I'd eaten that day, more cheese was not the best option. I needed veggies, and if that meant loading up on veggies before bed, I think that was the best thing to do for myself at that time.

I personally hate "breakfast" food at breakfast time. First thing in the morning, my body wants protein and fiber. Forget fruit, forget pancakes, cereals, yogurt or toast - I ate a taco salad for breakfast today. Lots of lettuce, sweet corn, some cheese (waiting 'til this bag is gone to buy low-fat) and some hamburg, with a crunched up taco shell. I hate how low-fat dressings taste, but I had a tiny bit of regular left so I used both together. Since the taste was tolerable, I'll probably do something similar next time. I just can't do traditional meals at traditional times.

I found a way to get another serving of veggies into almost everything Kailey and I eat: sweet corn. Cold, straight from the vacuum-packed can, it's fantastic on salads and in spaghetti sauce. Use it where you'd use bacon bits and try it in foods where you'd want more substance or texture. Salads, spaghetti sauce, sandwiches, rice... it's great. Kailey's 4, and a picky eater, and she asked for corn for dessert the other day. I felt a minor triumph.