One of the newest fads in the way of kitchen help for dieters is these new discs from a company called Portionpal.  What happened to measuring cups and spoons?  You get five discs, called Portionpals, one each for meat, chicken, fish, sides, and desserts.  Portionpals are circles with lines in the center that you use for cutting guides while preparing your food.  Position your steak on top of the Portionpal disc and cut on the lines, oh wait, the Portionpal lines are under the steak….hmmm, oops, now where’s that first aid kit?

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I recently had an enlightening moment at the Vet with my beagle. I was looking into boarding my dog at this clinic as my current (and now former) vet did not offer this service. We are going on a trip during our Spring Break and we wanted the four legged beast to receive the best of care. We were discussing the weight problem my poor baby suffers from and what exactly to do about it. He has been on a strict diet for 2 ½ of his 3 years of age.

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It seems the older women get the more protein they need. Recent studies from researchers in the US and UK have found that women lose more muscle mass than men do as they age because their bodies can’t process protein like they used to. We already tend to have more fat and less muscle, even as early as middle-age.

This study compared women and men between the ages of 60-80.  Recommendations from the study include resistance training (weight training), and more protein in the diet. The goal is not to eat more food, but maximize your protein through better food selection. Select lean meat, eggs, legumes, and vegetables high in protein.

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As promised, I am addressing the issue of water weight. Many of you have asked what it is exactly and why is it the first thing I lose on a diet? I thought these were some great questions, and so I’ve done a little homework for you. While there were several references to water weight, there wasn’t an overwhelming amount of information about why we lose it first. I hope that what I have found will help you to understand it just a little better.

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Easter dinner was great.  In keeping it simple this year there was a ham, mac-n-cheese (for the kiddos), and asparagus.  When I got the ham I said let’s not forget the asparagus.  Why?  Because it is spring I suppose, I mean all I thought of in the produce section was lettuce for my much needed salads, strawberries of course for their vitamin C…and they were on sale, and asparagus. 

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Easter, vacation and travel, oh my!

Yes I’m glad it is over.  I’m trying to think of the worst food choices I made over the last week while away from the comfort of my own home and I think it was more of what I lacked.  Salad.  I didn’t eat enough salad while away.  Oh, there were vegetables here and there and a great homemade Manhattan Clam Chowder teaming with potatoes, carrots and tomatoes but I had maybe one salad.  It was a family recipe of lettuce, tomatoes and olives dressed with mayo and pickled beets.  Flavorful to be sure (and outdated with the mayo dressing), but not something you’d want to have a great big bowl of. 

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There is something magical that happens when the first day of spring arrives. There is a distinctive shift in our brains and we begin to think of sunshine and all of the goodness that comes with it. We begin to revv up our bodies and prepare for outdoor activities. It is a time of rebirth.

For some of us, there is a panic that sets in. We realize that summer is just around the corner and our dream of a svelte body is slightly delayed. Bathing suit season is scary for some of us. Quite frankly, there are other things that we would rather be doing. However, this time of the year is a great opportunity to make the changes we have been talking about and not acting upon.

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Quick…how many of you have been influenced by a suggestion from a loved one, friend or even a television commercial? I would expect if we were being honest, then everyone would answer in the affirmative. It is extremely difficult to overcome the many suggestive forces that are all around us. Sometimes these suggestions are positive and affect us in a good way. Other times these suggestions are negative and they affect us in ways that we would rather they didn’t.

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In order to make changes to your eating habits and behaviors, you must know what they are to begin with. Keeping track of the things you eat and how much you eat, has several benefits to your diet success. This is also known as self-monitoring your diet behavior.

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It’s spring vacation time, and for me an upcoming visit with family and friends actually.  But as innocent as it sounds I know if I asked you what it is like to sit down and eat with family you’d probably tell me it is worse than going to a restaurant. 

It’s not the company per say, it is the food.  The food we grew up with.  I confess; I’m looking forward to my mom’s lasagna.  I think she is making it special because we didn’t make it home for Christmas.  It is great lasagna, and she isn’t even Italian.  You can take bets right now, I’m eating that lasagna. 

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