I got a new job. I have just completed day 12. I’m tired.
What is it I’m doing? I am playing ‘dietitian’ and feverishly counting grams, cups, calories, fat, sodium and monounsaturated fatty oils among other things, I’m sure. Sometimes ya’ gotta make some changes and now is the time for hubby and I.
I knew I needed a PLAN. It’s easy to say “let’s cut back and adjust our eating,” but without a clear plan, all of our best intentions can go awry. I hate diets for the most part because they only work temporarily. I have been on so many diets in years gone by, that I completely lost all grace for ’stringent eating rules’ to abide by. So… I knew I needed a PLAN that is a life-plan, not a 3-week, fit-into-that-pair-of-pants-temporarily PLAN.
These are the tools of my trade. 
Yes, I am measuring and counting, contrary to my personal preference, because, for a period of time I thought it would be wise to assess portions in order to honestly see the amount being consumed. It’s easy to think, “I only ate one plate,” but it’s easy to kid ourselves, close one eye and add another scoop to that ‘one portion.’ As you can see, I’m an expert at estimating portions because I love my food! (And, for any of you wondering if my Saturday morning breakfast – February 27th Blog Post – was ‘on the PLAN’ it most definitely was! I’m workin’ it, folks…)
When we see precisely how much pasta one serving really is, well, it’s an eye-opener! My hubby really wanted my assistance because spring is on the way and he just needed a morale booster to get rolling in the right direction. So the pressure’s on because I want to make absolutely sure I’m giving him good advice and proper nutrition, along with keeping him filled up and at the same time, seeing some health gains. (pardon the pun 
)
At the same time that I’m studying 3 ‘diet’ books – yes, three, not counting internet searches – I’m also studying my personality – which makes me wanna go eat more chocolate. We all have annoying habits and one of mine is called, plain and simple: overkill. (And all my children said, “amen.”) My personality is always gathering new information to improve any situation, so less is never more, more is always more! It’s like this. Tonight I whipped up a ’simple’ tuna mornay. (Fancy for tuna casserole. I learned that word while living in Australia, where tuna mornay is a staple. It actually refers to a white sauce with cheese, only I go 5-10 better and also add sauteed onion, garlic, sweet yellow bell pepper, fresh sliced mushrooms if I have them, stir in the piles of grated cheese and a good lug of sour cream, sliced black olives, tuna of course, and top it all with fresh ground pepper once I’ve stirred in the imported Italian pasta noodles. Now that’s a proper tuna casserole!)
So I served this to my two sons who are not on a diet because if I put them on a diet, CPS would certainly knock on my door, haul them away and take them to the nearest In-N-Out for rehab. These boys of mine are, uh, fit and lean. They would prefer to gain some weight, rather than lose. (I’ve never known that predicament.) So my fifthborn says, “oh, mama, ya’ know what would be good on this? [besides the 12 ingredients I already used?] Some fresh diced tomato and basil. I can imagine if you took….” Yep, he’s got my gift, too. Always thinking of what could make it even better! Which makes for a very messy kitchen during an often very long preparation time… 
If my husband ran the kitchen it would be like this: lunch: meat and cheese and mustard slapped on two slices of bread. Done. Dinner? The same. He is very streamlined about food preparation if he’s the one in charge. But he’s not the one in charge in the kitchen for this diet! It’s me and I can’t possibly stop gathering new information about super delicious lean mean ways of cooking.
Pesto, olives, spices, yogurt, fresh herbs, salt-free seasoning….my mind is at work on this night and day. I began a Victory Meal Plan notebook detailing every morsel of food consumed in the last 12 days. 
Sick, I know. Hubby says, ‘keep it simple, Babe,’ but it’s almost more work for me to think simple than complex?!?! If I keep it simple, it might be bland, boring….and unsuccessful.
Well, now you know what I’m up to. Besides the usual mothering, home schooling, homemaking, exercising, God-seeking, book business stuff, writing….yawn. Nite nite.
To Be Continued…