The 7 P’s

My Husband has millions of sayings (business cheese, as I like to mock it), but one of his favorites is the 7 P’s (Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance).  He typically dusts off this gem when I am not prepared and I have to resist the urge to give him the middle finger.  As much as I hate to admit it, he is right and especially when it comes to eating.  The 7 P’s are critical in maintaining a healthy diet.  

I don’t know about you, but when I haven’t planned meals my “go to” quick take out is always total crap (pizza, Thai food, ect).  Over the weekend I didn’t eat breakfast and it was almost 2:00 by the time we had a chance to grab lunch.  I was STRAVING and inhaled a burrito.  If I would have taken the time to go grocery shopping and planned I am confident that I would have made better choices.  

Here are a few planning tips to help you keep on track:

• Plan and grocery shop for at least 3 home cooked dinners at the beginning of each week.  If you have a plan it will simplify your grocery shopping and (hopefully) your evenings.
•  Plan quick lunches.  Here are a few of my favs: 
•  Chicken apple sausage and wilted spinach (one pan, super fast and breaks up the salad monotony)
• Cottage cheese and fruit
• Salads (make 2-3 at a time to grab on the go)
•  Tuna salad (can of tuna, little olive oil or mustard and capers…perfect pantry lunch)
•  Pack snacks.  We do it for our kids, why not ourselves.  On a typical day I have almonds (love the Trader Joes “just a handful of almonds” packs), water, Lara Bars and fruit. 
• Stock your fridge and pantry with healthy snacks

I am starting off this Monday with a plan.  What is your nutrition plan for the week? 

Little Things

The Monday morning life-change…we have all been there.  I am going to binge on pizza, ice cream and wine all weekend because on Monday, it is SO on.  I am going to eat nothing but celery and work out constantly.  Facing that challenge head on is nearly impossible.  By Wednesday 98% of us take a header off the wagon and then the cycle starts all over again.  I say, let’s kick the Monday curse and be realistic.  Starting RIGHT NOW I am going to focus on drinking more water.  Doesn’t seem so bad, does it?  Before you know it you are reaching for your water bottle without thinking about it.  

Here are some little changes that will add up to a healthier you:  

Get more sleep (studies have shown that sleep deprivation can sabotage your weight loss: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/lose-weight-while-sleeping)

Drink more water (add a little lemon if you are feeling feisty…lemon is also a diuretic and helps eliminate bloat)

Take a quality multi vitamin

Stand up straight and engage your abs (you will instantly look better)

Take as many steps as possible (park in the furthest spot, take the stairs, walk over and have a conversation with your coworker instead of sending an email)

Stretch every day

Run around the playground with your kid (instead of fondling your phone)

Cook at home and eat dinner at the table (perfect opportunity to catch up on who got in trouble at preschool today)

Replace your afternoon chocolate fix with fruit

These are just a few ideas.  What little change are you going to tackle?  

Remember, keep it simple and consistent.

What happens in Vegas

I recently met my family in Vegas to celebrate the wedding of my beloved cousin.  It was Africa-hot (hello 114 degrees), so I decided to take the 4 kids to the pool.  It is truly a humbling experience strolling into a Vegas pool with an arm full of noodles being followed by a train of sugar-high kids sporting floaties.  The beautiful 20-somethings around the pool were aghast that I had the nerve to interrupt their binge drinking and dry humping with my family fun.  I viewed it as a public service…WRAP IT UP FOLKS!  

My little ducklings and I settled in and made our way to the pool.  Everyone was having a great time until Kennedy (my little cherub) got a mouth full of water and started coughing.  The coughs resulted in Cheeto-colored projectile vomit in the pool.  The neon orange mass began spreading around the pool.  The lifeguard jumped on his radio and said “yea, we have a problem here”.  I gathered my troops with lightning speed, grabbed the pool toys and quickly made a B-line for the nearest exit.  As we were leaving I heard security say that they had to close the pool. 

Yea, I was that Mom.  VEGAS BABY!