April 24, 2013 - Simple Planning

GMA, As I look at a long day in front of me today (over 12 hours), sometimes I have to coordinate what I am eating and make a very secure plan. If I do not plan enough for me to eat, and enough to share, I am sometimes without appropriate foods and starving when I arrive at home about 9PM. I am convinced that planning is critical to our success. But planning is not simply packing your lunch. Right? Planning entails the pantry and frig being filled with nutritious foods as well as the deliberate contemplation of any eating-out journeys. It takes time to plan, but when I don't I find I always struggle. How about you? I went with my daughter and niece to a new Mexican restaurant last Friday, took my pork rinds to eat with the salsa instead of chips (great planning) but didn't realize it was a total different "kind" of Mexican. (bad planning) Then I had a waitress who really didn't know the menu well and I was trapped. I ended up eating a few pieces of cactus, some salsa, guacamole, and a small flank steak cooked as fajitas but the waitress could never give me a firm answer about the sugar content and preparation of any item. And, while in a group, I didn't want to ask for the manager to come and explain the dishes. I did taste something and spit it out as I knew it wasn't good, but I spent the rest of the meal struggling with myself feeling as if I had planned poorly. UGH! I always tell people I can eat anywhere, and I can. But had I done some research BEFORE I went to this restaurant, I could have made a more informed decision. Let us all remember, planning is not just about foods at home but preparing to live our lives in a world of hidden fats, sugar, and salts in most restaurant entrees. The hardest challenge for me has been Italian foods as they are usually covered with a red sauce which is high in sugar or they contain pasta. But even at my favorite Italian restaurant, I have learned to ASK for a bed of romaine lettuce, some grilled chicken (without the butter) and grilled veggies for the side. So good! Here's what I refuse to do - live in isolation. God gave mankind the earth and all it's content for our nutrition and pleasure. I refuse to allow the lust of my eyes OR the failure to plan to hinder lunches with friends, fabulous family events, extravagant weddings, parties.....and the list continues. I simply plan well. I either call ahead and check the menu or I pack. Some people pack weaponry for their protection and I PACK apples for the same reason. (wink) Plan well for this day and start tomorrow with a great plan too. You can do it. No FEAR just a GREAT PLAN. PK