So I finally decided that I’ve had enough. Over the past two years I’ve put on twenty pounds. Some is from my anxiety meds, some of it is from not getting as much exercise, and some is just plain bad eating habits. I love starchy snacky things, and I dislike almost all vegetables in their plain form. It is not a match made in heaven.
For me, any eating plan must have structure, the more the better. I need black and white, with every food decision pre-planned and measured. Just “cut calories” is a disaster.
I’ve owned a copy of the South Beach diet book for several years, because I like a lot of the recipes in it. Since I like the food, I figured it was a good place to start. The first two weeks are sugar free and carb free. Yesterday I cleaned out the fridge, made the shopping list for the week and ventured into the new and uncharted territory of the grocery store. I learned a few things:
1. Fresh vegetables are somewhere between platinum and diamonds in price/weight.
2. There are approximately 832 different varieties of vinegar, of which I owned none. I now have four. At least the white vinegar will serve double-duty, I can use it to clean blood stains.
3. Vinegar is even more expensive than fresh vegetables.
4. Dry and evaporated milk live in the baking aisle. As does artificial sweetener.
5. Canadian bacon does not live in the meat department. I did finally find some in the vicinity of the bologna.
6. I have no idea what “Boston” lettuce is. Gave up that one for some nice red leaf.
7. Plum tomatoes are non-existent, as is fennel. Fortunately, my landlady has friends giving away home grown fennel.
8. Who knew there were “cholesterol-free” bacon bits?
9. Is there actually a difference between a “scallion” and a “green onion”?
At any rate, I survived shopping in strange sections of the market, and came home with almost everything I needed. Except fennel and cholesterol-free bacon bits.
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My sister has the Martha Stewart Cookbook (she has no idea how or where she got it) and I opened it to the “pantry essentials” page. If I remember correctly, every household should have at least 6 kinds of cooking oils. We have Canola oil and Olive oil. I didn’t even know there were 6 different kinds of cooking oils. Oh well, some of us were born to be peasants.
I have recently discovered fennel…..me like!
Another name for plum tomatoes is “Roma” tomatoes. They are wonderful so as the summer progresses, be sure to find some. they are smaller and have more fiber and less juice than the standard varieties. I enjoy just munching on them as a snack when I am hungry.
Don’t give up! Your body will love you.