Trimming the Fat

Thanks to my job, I get a long weekend, and so that means the 4th of July cookouts start tomorrow! So there will be plates and plates of potato salad, slaw, chips and dip, etc. in my near future. Thankfully for me, my boyfriend is allergic to mayonnaise, so a big pile of the side dishes are already off-limits. But how can other temptations be resisted?

Thankfully, the grill isn’t limited to just hot dogs and hamburgers. There are plenty of things to munch on while eating healthy. For example, we have our own garden, so tonight we harvested PLENTY of squash, zucchini, cucumbers, and green tomatoes. So, when we got home, I started slicing them, added onions, bell peppers, and broccoli, then threw in a little salt, pepper, and a smidge of Smart Balance, threw them into some aluminum foil pouches I made, and voila! Instant grill sides. Meat is easy, because you can do grilled chicken breast, steak, a hamburger patty, fish, without packing on the pounds. Chips and dip can be substituted for whole grain tortilla chips and salsa. And what about those brownies, and the homemade ice cream? Well, The Boyfriend and I are grilling peaches–yes, you can even grill those! And if the temptation gets too great, I might just have to break out the Skinny Cow ice cream sandwiches.

Now that I am almost two weeks into my “lifestyle change”, I am learning that tit for tat goes a long way. Really like potato salad? Try making some with red potatoes, fat free sour cream or plain yogurt, green onions, feta cheese, and rosemary. It will be better for you and will be something different! Homemade ice cream? Try making some with skim milk and Splenda (I keep trying to convince The Boyfriend to let me do this, but he has reservations about sugar substitutes. He’s probably right.) There are so many different things to do, and the more I learn, the more excited I get that it doesn’t have to be all grilled chicken breast and salad. Variety is the spice of life, and what America is all about! So, for her birthday, how about trying something different? It might just keep you from having to go up another dress size! At least, this is what I’m hoping.