Eating to Live!

Feeding the cravings

I believe there’s a difference between giving in to a craving versus going on a binge, and giving in is what I did Monday. Had I known that it would be a nearly vegetable- and fruit-free day, I might have made different choices. But it was what it was; and a lack of nutrients seemed to be what it was.

My husband and I have been trying to have more meals together. We seemed to have gotten into a routine that didn’t put us in the same place at mealtime. As a result, we often found ourselves eating most of our meals alone. Eating alone is not a good scenario for healthy eating, not to mention it is not all that pleasant.

Where is the conversation and relaxation? We often find ourselves hurrying through our meals to get back to work. We hope to change all of that my being more mindful of what is most important.

So breakfast on Monday found us eating omelettes and toast with butter and fruit spread. Lunch alone was inevitable. I was at work and my husband was at home and we couldn’t get to where the other was without traveling. So I took the opportunity to indulge in a craving I’ve been having for a few weeks, and that was a burger.

I like my burgers with lettuce, tomato and mayonnaise, so that is exactly what I ordered from a local establishment near my office. Nothing goes better with burgers than fries, so I opted for a value meal that also included a diet soft drink.

Once I bit into the burger; however, I realized it wasn’t what I wanted at all. The meat was virtually tasteless, as were the lettuce and tomato. If there was mayo on the sandwich, I didn’t notice. The fries were salty and greasy and also not as good as they looked in my mind.

I did eat about half the burger and maybe two-thirds of the fries. But I realized that my homemade turkey burgers with leeks, chopped mushrooms and my own seasonings is much more tasty than a frozen, pressed and fried piece of ground beef. I’m sure I’ll want a burger again, but I expect to plan it better the next time.

As it was, I don’t plan to dwell on the fact that I might have wasted a day of good eating by not making good choices on Monday. The good thing is, there is always another day that gives us the opportunity to improve. I also wasn’t aware that my husband was planning a simple dinner of chili with crackers. While there was tomato sauce in the chili, vegetable and fruit servings for the day were next to nothing. That happens on occasion and that’s okay, as long as it isn’t a daily practice.

Over the weekend, I was able to get a few early crops in the garden. I started with a planting of shallots and garlic and my husband put in a couple rows of Yukon Gold and Kennebec potatoes. Once these plants break the surface of the soil, they will be able to handle a few light frosts if that should happen.