And So It Begins

I have to tell you- this is my first blog. And on top of that, I don't have much experience reading blogs (of any type) other than the few I've skimmed through on Pinterest and the one I have followed for a year-and-a-half on a college friend's weight loss journey.(Fotographing Fat Kid (But Not For Long)) But the time has come, and I am bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. 

My mom and me touring some plantation homes in Louisiana

I'll tell you some about myself to start. I'm Sarah. I am 23 (almost 24, but I am holding on tight to these last few days of my early twenties). I am currently a dietetic intern, but come June of this year I should be a registered dietitian. My hobbies are on hold right now because I have been in school for what seems like fifty years- but they include traveling, crafting, cooking, playing, drinking coffee, hanging out by any body of water, being on boats, and my newest- scuba...ing. I also like talking and playing with my yorkie-poo, Gracie Mae, who believes she is my human child (and I let her). 


This blog will be focused on my journey as a dietitian as well as my thoughts, ideas, and inspirations on healthful living. One thing you should know about me is that I am not the food police. I love to indulge in tasty creations just as much as you do, and celery is not my favorite food. Therefore, you can rest assured that when you read my blog, you will not find the best recipes for your cabbage and grapefruit diet, and you will find advice, research, and recipes that are applicable to you and your family/friends. 


Since you took the time to come to my blog and read the first one, I will give you some advice on something most people hate. Planning menus. I mean- I am a (future) dietitian, and I don't even like it. But there are a few things that will help expedite the process, and here they are:


1. Start with the main dish for each meal, which is usually a protein item. If you're making a multiple-week menu, you can use the same proteins, just with a different recipe or cooking method. 

• Lean beef (ground, steak, etc)
• Turkey (ground, sliced)
• Lean Pork
• Chicken
• Tofu (try it, you just might like it!)
• Quinoa (I usually hear it pronounced keen-wah, and it's a grain product)
• Fish (fatty fish contain Omega-3's!!)
• Egg

2. Add vegetables. Yes, there it is. A (future) dietitian's buzzword, and everyone else's nemesis. But I will tell you, there are loads of ways to healthfully spice up your veggies, and you'll find lots of those recipes here on this blog in the future. Plus, I bet there are veggies you haven't even tried since you were 6. Give it another go. 

• Lemon pepper broccoli
• Oven roasted rosemary asparagus
• Baked squash
• Cucumber and tomato salad (just add some EV olive oil and vinegar, salt/pepper)
• Roasted Eggplant (Don't knock it 'til you try it)
• Fresh salad
• You get the picture.

3. Add a starchy vegetable or (whole) grain. This should be a side item. Only about 1/4 of your plate. 

• Garlic mashed potatoes (easy on the butter, keep the skin for great vit/min)
• Mashed sweet potatoes
• Black beans
• Brown rice
• Try whole grain pasta
• Sweet peas
• Bread 
• Try some new grain products: Couscous, quinoa
• Tortillas

4. Add fruity desserts! (about 1/4 of your plate). Don't add loads calories to the fruit. Find some fresh fruits that you/your family like and enjoy God's sweet creations! Sometimes its okay to get a little creative and make more delectable dessert. Just use moderation. 


For the best menus, try to choose different textures and colors for each food item in the meal. This will also help with narrowing down the possibilities to choose from in each group (protein, grains, vegetables, fruits). 

All you need is something very basic to get started! If you are a tech-wizard, do it on your computer, your iPad, or iPhone, smartphone- whatever tickles your fancy. 


If you're not techy and you are earth-friendly, make a copy of a menu template-- you can print mine if you'd like or do it by hand-- and laminate it. Then use a dry erase marker to use the same template for all of your days. 


Otherwise, you can do plan on your scratch paper or notebook paper or any other way that you like. (obviously). 


Since this post is incredibly long, I will leave you with these basics of menu planning. It's not a fun thing to do, but it is the first step in planning and controlling your healthful life. Give this a whirl! If you know what you're making for dinner--- you're far less likely to be tempted by the drive-through!

"Good plans shape good decisions. That's why good planning helps to make elusive dreams come true."

- Lester Robert Bittel (b. 1918), writer