A few days before New Years one of my parents (kinda want to leave it at that for privacy reasons) was rushed to the emergency room. The nurse there said “you had better call the children”, which is never a good sign. At first it looked like a heart attack, but just two days later it had escalated to multiple organ failure. We were told to call the family and anyone else who may want to see them.
I won’t sugar coat this, I was pissed off. I was angry because the cause of this “sudden illness” was self induced. Forty or more years of smoking, drinking and over working had taken its toll. I was losing my parent before the age of 60 and I was really freaking pissed about it. I then had a sudden realization that hit me so hard I just about fell over. Who the hell was I to judge? I may not smoke or drink but I do shove just about anything I can get my hands on into my mouth. Honestly, at 33 I’m 60 (or more) pounds overweight and already have elevated cholesterol. I never exercise and and the truth is when my kids are my age they are probably going to be feeling the same damn thing about me that I was feeling about my loved one…anger, sadness and helplessness.
My parent is doing much better and has given up smoking and drinking cold turkey. With only 15% heart function left, they certainly don’t have much choice in the matter, but it’s a difficult thing to do just the same. If they can do it after forty years, I most certainly can give up cheeseburgers and chocolate! So here I go, on with my new healthier lifestyle. I guess it’s kind of a New Years Resolution. My last resolution was a few years ago and it was TO GET ORGANIZED. I love organizing because I see immediate and lasting results after just 20 minutes of effort. I wish I could same the same thing for this resolution. Eating healthy is a lot of work, self discipline and I most certainly am not seeing immediate results. I do feel better about myself though. I feel better knowing my family is eating healthier and that I am doing what I can to take care of myself so I can be there for my kids both now and when they’re my age. You are never too old to need your parents in your life and I want to make sure I’m around for my kids as long as I possibly can be….well, I hope I go before I’m too old and decrepitude, but that’s another post 😉
So here you go, my meal plan for the week. Healthy and low calorie. I am finding that the app My Fitness Pal is really helping me and its free, so give it a try!
MONDAY
Pan fried fish Basa (only 150 a filet)
Cabbage Coleslaw
Oven baked French Fries
Total Calories: 460
TUESDAY
Chicken tacos (With lettuce, tomatoes, low fat shredded cheese and salsa on a small wrap)
Tuscan Salad
Total Calories: 130 a taco…yes, you read that right!!!
WEDNESDAY
Meatloaf (Extra lean ground beef) 230 calories a serving
Mashed Garlic Cauliflower and Potatoes (equal parts potatoes and cauliflower boil together at same time along with a few pieces of garlic…drain and mash together!) 100 calories per cup
Club house low sodium gravy (25 calories) I gotta have gravy!
Mixed Vegetables (75 calories a cup)
Total Calories: 470
THURSDAY
Chicken Caesar Salad (I use low calorie dressing)
Total Calories: 360 for a BIG BOWL!
FRIDAY
6 oz Baseball Steak (only 65 calories)
Fried Onions and Mushrooms
Mashed Sweet Potatoes and Apples (Boil Together and Mash together with a little margarine…OMG good!) 180 calories per cup
Tossed Spinach Salad with Vinaigrette Dressing
Total Calories: 400
SATURDAY
MY CHEAT DAY!!! YEAH!
SUNDAY
Tex Mex Chili (1 lb Ground Turkey, 1 cup diced carrots instead of beans, corn, mushrooms, onions, celery and 1 can of crushed tomatoes and 1 can of whole tomatoes (we use frozen from our garden))
I use a chili package plus 2 teaspoons of Cumin)
Total calories: 150 a cup…SERIOUSLY!!!
I snack A LOT, so I need to keep my meal calories down. Maybe I’ll share my low calorie snack options with you next post! Have a great week!
