Healthy Eating

It is always hard to return from a great vacation and jump back into reality!  Luckily warmer weather is here so it cheers you up a little bit.  While away touring Washington, DC and visiting friends and family in North Carolina and Maryland, my family and I walked everywhere.  We were busy some days from 8:30 am until 7:00 pm when we would stop and find a restaurant for dinner.  My four children were always amazed that they went so long with only breakfast and lunch and minimal snacks along the way.  We all realized that sometimes we eat out of boredom or confuse thirst with hunger.  Now that we are back home, I want to continue the minimal snacking and encourage eating 3 healthy meals with light snacks in between.

My oldest son has become very interested in being fit and healthy and wants to try and eliminate processed foods.  We are going to take on this challenge together and try to get the others on board.  We are tracking our calories as well on the "My Fitness Pal" app.  His goal is to gain a pound a week and mine is to maintain my weight.  It is amazing how quickly the calories add up!  Tracking your daily food intake is a great way to notice how important it is to eat a sufficient meal rather than filling up on snacks.  It teaches you portion control and makes you aware of what you are eating.

During vacation we enjoyed different fish dinners when out.  In our attempt to be healthy, my goal is to prepare fish at least twice a week.  It can be expensive, so when preparing I will incorporate other vegetables and starches as well.  My pick of the week is Grilled Fish Tacos.  The recipe is in one of my favorite cookbooks, Power Foods, from the editors of Whole Living.  It is an easy recipe to follow and one where you can make adjustments to fit your family's likes.  I use either striped bass or red snapper fillets, chopped lettuce, tomatoes, peppers, corn, avocados, corn tortillas, and many spices -ground cumin, oregano, chili powder and salt.  I also make brown rice with  fresh cilantro to have on the side for the kids.

Vacation is a perfect reminder of what is important.  Once back home it's easy to become lost again in the business of our daily routines.  I hope we all remember to take time to enjoy good food and family and enjoy conversation around the table.

Here's to warmer spring weather!

Best,
Donna