Lee's Guide to Healthy Eating Habits: Part I

I come from a big Italian and Polish family of big eaters.  When we get together on holidays, the parties are always focused around long, multi-course meals.  Usually I end up keeled over clutching my stomach, with mixed feelings of agony and utter joy.  My family likes to tell me, "Lee, you are so tiny, yet you shovel food into your mouth until you're in a coma."  Yes, I've always been petite, which I somehow inherited genetically, and yes, I love my food.  I just don't pile drive food in my face every day as I might do on the holidays.  I like to indulge once in a while, but I make healthy choices the rest of the year.

One of the biggest cream puffs ever, made by my grandmother on Easter.  I inhaled it.

I never "diet", because they do not work unless you have the discipline of an army drill sergeant.  Instead, I've learned that making healthier substitutions for foods is an easy, and manageable, way of maintaining a healthy lifestyle while keeping you from going completely insane or just starving to death.

Here are some suggestions for healthy substitutions that I make as often as I can and that you can make that will improve your health without causing food cravings or symptoms of sheer starvation:

1.  Whole grain everything.  Bread.  Pasta.  Pizza.  You name it.  You can find virtually all of your favorite carb-loaded foods in whole wheat now.  Why substitute these delicious foods for whole grain options?  Whole grains protect against heart disease and diabetes, and also prevent fat from accumulating in your stomach.  They also keep you fuller for longer so that you don't want to eat as much.  I don't believe in carb-free diets, such as Atkins, because you need carbohydrates to replace the glycogen stores in your muscles and liver which are depleted when you exercise.  Repeat after me: CARBS ARE MY FRIEND.  Choosing the RIGHT carbs is really the key here.

2.  Egg whites.  I love eggs.  I could eat eggs for every meal of the day...which is exactly why brunch is my favorite meal.  The problem with eggs is that they have fat and cholesterol.  The good news is that you can limit your consumption of the "bad stuff" by substituting egg whites for whole eggs, since yolks contain most of the cholesterol and fat.  Now, I know the yolks contain a lot of important nutrients you need for your health, such as Omega-3's, and I'm not saying to eliminate them completely, however, substituting egg whites for whole eggs once in a while in your breakfast omelette can make a world of difference if you're watching your fat and cholesterol intake.

3.  Skim and low-fat dairy products.  Dairy products are so important for women's health.  They have a ton of protein to help you build muscle and burn fat, but more importantly, they are rich in calcium, a vitamin critical for building strong bones to protect against osteoporosis, a common problem for women.  Since they also contain a lot of fat which can wreck your healthy eating habits (can we say, Ben & Jerry's Chunky Monkey?), it's important to use low fat and skim versions, such as low- or non-fat cheeses and skim milk options.

4.  Lower calorie cocktail options.  I preach this practically every other post.  Check out my tips for smarter drinking and also some of my favorite lower calorie cocktail recipes.  Obviously, the less alcohol, the better, but if you want to drink, this is the way to go.  There's a reason why college students gain the "Freshman 15" after all.   :-)

These are just a couple tricks I use everyday to help myself eat healthy without restricting my favorite foods from my diet, and there are more to come, as this is only Part I.  Moderation is always key, and small modifications help tremendously in this process.


xoxo!

Grandma Della - The model for happy living

My grandmother, Della, passed away on February 11th, before I started this blog, and I wanted to pay a tribute to her on this blog since I didn't get a chance to.  My grandmother was a devoted Catholic and even more devoted wife and mother.  She was very tiny and petite, and what was surprising to everyone was that she was able to produce 7 children from that little body of hers.  The reason why I want to pay a tribute to her is because of the way she lived her life - by cherishing every moment.  Here's an excerpt from her obituary:

Della had a zest for life, always willing to take on a next new adventure. Her love of baking was known by all, as there was never a time the house was devoid of a cookie or pie. Her infectious smile was one that seemed to define her, always happy and full of life. Della will always be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother and grandmother.

That passage couldn't be any more true.  She was always smiling and laughing at all your jokes, even if they were not funny whatsoever (and most of the time they weren't).  She was always happy...she had the secret to life.  Despite several medical problems, my grandfather passing away, and other life troubles, I never heard her complain a single time.

Me, my grandmother, and my aunt.

My favorite thing about her, though, was her love for food.  You could offer her any food, and she'd say "ok...but only just a taste."  She clearly not only had the secret to living a happy life, but she also figured out how to eat whatever tasty treat her heart desired (especially sweets!), by doing it all in moderation.

I'm hoping that by promoting healthy moderation in my blog, I can leave a little piece of Grandma in each post.  She was a fabulous lady and is the model for living a happy life.