Food Philosophy

So maybe I should be a little more specific about how I see all this weight loss stuff.

Here's my philosophy.

I don't believe in "dieting." Whether or not you might classify what I'm doing as dieting is up to you. I don't. I'm not following some published nutrition plan.

You might ask, "Charlotte, why are you so insistent on not following one of those diets?"

Because I insist on being realistic here.

Like my dad's birthday is coming up. If there's cake. I'm likely to eat a bite. Yes, one bite.

And next week if I decide to eat a doughnut, I'm going to eat a doughnut. And I insist on not making myself feel guilty about it.

Instead, I'm going to account for that doughnut, and I'm going to make the conscious choice to be responsible for it. Responsibility for my doughnut choice entails a few things:

• Eat only ONE
• Eat it slowly and enjoy the heck out of it
• Including it in my food tracking - no lying to myself that it doesn't count
• Try to walk a little longer, work out a little harder the next few days
• Make sure I am better with my nutrition for the next few days
• Let it go, and still love myself

So, in a little bit when I post about today's plan, and how it didn't originally include eating potato chips, yet I ate potato chips, you'll see that it'll all work out. Because I refuse to let that potato chip choice influence me further. It's a choice I made. And as long as I take the responsibility of that choice, it will be ok.

And as far as the types of foods I eat?

Normal.

I don't do anything fancy shmancy. As much as I enjoy watching Food Network (and I really do), I will hardly ever make a recipe shown on those shows. Maybe I have an unsophisticated palate. Maybe I just like everyday, no frills, food.

I don't eat tofu. Maybe because I've never tried it. Maybe someday I will. Not today though.

I like to eat what I call farm-style. Vegetables. Preferably fresh. (I try growing my own: so far we're up two zucchinis and maybe a few tomatoes. Luckily  my parents grow an amazing garden and are generous enough to share.) Whole grains. Lean (or somewhat lean) meats in small portions.

 When I buy fruits and vegetables at the grocery store I don't buy organic. I'm on a budget here, people. I just do the best I can.

And I think that it will all work out.

The Plan: August 13, 2013

The Activity.

Morning walk, moderate pace, with the boys.
Afternoon 10-minute dance party with my little ones
Evening TurboJam! 20-Minute Cardio, 40-Minute Turbo Sculpt


The Food.

Breakfast:

• Large egg fried inside a piece of whole wheat toast, using 1 Tbsp butter (254 calories)
• 2 Tbsp ketchup (40 calories)
• Large grapefruit (103 calories)

Snack:

• 1 nectarine (60 calories)

 Lunch:

• Buffalo chicken lettuce wrap - recipe posted below (240 calories)
• Carrot sticks from 2 medium carrots (50 calories)

Snack:

• 1 string cheese (90 calories)

Dinner:

• Low-carb cheeseburger - recipe posted below (340 calories)
• Creamy Cole Slaw, recipe here. (49 calories)
• Oven-fried Zucchini Sticks, recipe here. (127 calories)

Snack:

• Protein shake, recipe posted below (152 calories)

The Recipes.

Buffalo Chicken Lettuce Wrap
makes 2 servings
8 full leaves of your favorite lettuce (iceberg, romaine, etc.)
1 chicken breast, cooked or 1 can chicken breast in water (12 oz)
Frank's Original Hot Sauce
24 small ripe olives, sliced
2 Tbsp ranch dressing

Wash lettuce, pat dry, set aside. Combine chicken with hot sauce to taste. Heat chicken in microwave or on stove top. Assemble each lettuce wrap by layering four lettuce leaves, half of the chicken mixture, half of the olives, and 1 Tbsp ranch dressing. Serve.


Low-Carb Cheeseburger
makes 4 servings
1 lb lean ground beef
4 slices medium cheddar cheese
4 slices red onion
4 large slices tomato
Ketchup
Mustard
Several large romaine lettuce leaves

Wash lettuce, pat dry, set aside. Form four patties with the ground beef. Grill or fry to your preference. Place cooked meat on a bed of lettuce leaves. Top with cheese slice, tomato, onion, ketchup, and mustard. Wrap lettuce around everything. Serve.


Favorite Protein Shake
makes 1 serving
1 scoop doTERRA Chocolate Trim Shake powder
2/3 cup Almond Breeze Unsweetened Vanilla almond milk
Approximately 7 large ice cubes, crushed

Place everything in a blender or your Magic Bullet (my personal favorite), blend on high until smooth.



The Bottom Line

Calories consumed: 1505
Estimated calories burned: 870