Last week, we were bad. I mean, we were very bad. We both noticed the swelling, the bad sleeping, the icky feeling that comes with a lot of eating meals either on the go, or splurging at Lolita which, while amazing and completely worth it, we hadn't prepared for as far as diet is concerned.
Our fridge is stocked with the island theme that usually hits me about this time of year, and turns me loose no earlier than October, yearly.
Our meal plan for this week is simple: undo some damage.
How are we going to do that?
By stacking the deck in our favor. Some rather fascinating articles were highlighted last week in health magazines (and a couple journals, in case you thought my geek cred was slipping), illuminating the fascinating powers food combinations have. While I feel my favorite was the recommendation that drinking regular orange juice with your bacon helps fight calorie urges later in the day, I wanted to share the ones we'll be testing out this week.
We're combining the superpowers of blackberries and blueberries, the amazing protein and vitamin potential of full-fat dairy products (which help keep your tummy full and your waist-line shrinking), my favorite heat-helps-metabolism theories including Andouille seasonings, good healthy fats to keep your brain in top form, and space for those I-Need-My-Treat moments..... every day.
Breakfast
Greek Yogurt + Slivered Almonds = good fats, great protein and assistance blocking absorption of cholesterol if you happen to make a not-so-good lunch choice.
Greek Yogurt + Blueberries + Blackberries = antioxidant and phitonutrient free-for-all; double berry power in this particular combination is amazing for skin health, immune system assistance and the compounds in one help your body process the unlocked potential of the other berry as well.
Lunch
Turkey + Provolone + Whole Wheat Bread + Hot & Sweet Mustard + Baby Spinach (wilted) = Lean protein from the bird, full milk fats from the cheese (which are proven to be better for you), homemade bread with little sodium, hot mustard to get the metabolism going and help burn calories, and spinach. A word on the wilted leaf: Spinach *must* be heated in order to break down the bonds that unlock all those wonderful benefits spinach gives you. While raw spinach salads are tasty, they do not give you the vitamins you hear about when Dr. Oz says to eat your spinach. Wilting the foliage gives you health benefits without resulting in slimy stuff few people want to eat.
Andouille Sausage + Full-fat Mozzarella + Mushrooms + Calamata Olives + Baby Spinach + tomato sauce + half a whole wheat flatbread round = We're talking about less than 2 tablespoons of the fatty treat that *is* pork sausage Andouille style. Some good fat to keep your brain working through the afternoon, protein for the pig as well as from full-fat cheese, mushrooms and olives as much for their vitamins (and health assistance for the prostate-conscious) as for their tasty contributions, spinach because let's face it - iron helps keep the Anemia Faery at bay, and the heat from the spiced sausage on about a teaspoon of ground-up tomatoes. This half-pizza reheats well in microwaves, tastes delish, and when coupled with an Izzie grapefruit soda (120 calories, 70% juice, no added sugar), makes a reasonable calorie offering to get you through the afternoon hustle.
Dinner
Flank Steak Strips + Sharp Cheddar Cheese + Bell Pepper + Radicchio + Romaine + Slivered Almonds + Feta = A salad worth fighting over! Less than 6 ounces of meat, protein made up for by delicious cheese, multiple kinds of lettuce for taste as well as visual appeal, bell pepper for crunch and sweetness, feta for creamy tang, almonds to balance it all out, and you still have calories left for that 140 calorie Skinny Cow Vanilla Ice Cream Sandwich you promised yourself after 75 sit ups.
Marinated Chicken + Grilled Pineapple + Thai Mango Chili Sauce + Bell Pepper + Feta + Whole Wheat Flatbread = A dinner pizza worth working out for. A sweet and tangy play between veggies and fruit, the heat from the Thai sauce, the creamy warmth of feta and a thin, crispy flatbread slice waiting for your next big bite! Lean protein, whole milk benefits, heat to get that metabolism going once again, crunch and creamy to keep your mouth fascinated for bite after bite, and you've still got room for that Ice Cream Sandwich I mentioned before.
