THE VIOLA SWAMP of FOOD

I used to think that healthy food alternatives and substitutes were like Miss Viola Swamp; cold, empty and harsh. Low calorie foods, and whole wheat substitutes always seemed like they'd taste like newspaper and bark to me.I really made no effort to seek them out in the preparation of my meals, nor even considered them. Then in the past year or two, with my awakening to eating better and living better i had no choice but to give them a fair chance. Here is a list of my favorite low calorie alternative foods, that get me through the day, and that help me be in it to win it. In all honestly some of these foods i prefer to their high in calorie and fat counter parts.

1. TURKEY- it comes in all shapes and sizes, just like beef. Turkey dogs, sausages, ground turkey meat, bacon, pepperoni and more. When i was a kid my parents went on this short lived health kick, and they started to buy turkey bacon. It has less fat, and still has the great protein. I really liked it. I actually prefer turkey bacon to the real stuff. I use it in my green chili breakfast burritos on top of my New Mexico Tortilla Company whole wheat tortillas. I use turkey pepperoni on my pita bread pizzas, you can use so much more for less fat and calories on top of that pizza!

2.Granny's Delight Wheat and Fiber bread- So yummy! It makes great toast! I love this bread. Who am i kidding i love all bread. This bread is great and high in fiber. I use it for toast mostly with some "I Can't Believe Its Not Butter" spray on top and a teaspoon of raspberry jam. YUM! Hold on, i am gonna go make some now.

3. Dove Dark Chocolate Bars- 110 calories, 3 grams of fiber. This chocolate bar really hits the spot. I love to eat it while munching on some pretzel sticks. Its a great movie watching treat.

4. Jiffy Pop Healthy Pop Popcorn. So good, i love to pop a bag and sprinkle a small amount of season salt and pepper on it, and then go watch "So You Think You Can Dance", or late night "Monarch of the Glen" reruns.

5. Egg Beaters/Egg Whites- Egg beaters and other egg substitutes are made from egg whites and cook and feel and taste just like real eggs. I love them because you can have more for less fat and calories. I also include them in my breakfast burritos, on top of the turkey bacon, and some green chili salsa. Wow maybe i shouldn't be writing about food while i am hungry. I wish my toast would hurry up.

These are my favorite friendly substitutes while i continue on this slow but steady road of healthy living and weight loss. Some of you may wonder, "But Jeddah, aren't their days where all you want is Dion's Pepperoni Pizza dipped in vats of ranch dressing? i mean come on, you can't substitute Dion's Pizza!?!?!" and that's when i say; "That's why i moved to Utah. It would take 8-10 hours of driving to enable myself, so by Moab i would have talked myself out of it and turned around."

I find that when i have a PMA (positive mental attitude) about these great healthy choices, then they all taste less and less like the wanted ads from the Deseret Morning News, and more like some good flavors. EXCEPT LOW CALORIE CHEESE. i am sorry that's where i draw the line. If cheese can't bubble in the oven like God intended, then its not worth it. I'll cut calories somewhere else.

ESTHER WILLIAMS ONLY WISHES!

A few weeks ago a friend of mine mentioned an article about Mariah Carey in a fashion magazine. In the article she talked about how she used water aerobics to lose weight and that she loved it. We laughed, but then found ourselves looking up class info on line. Now here i am 2 weeks later, weak in the knees from hard workouts, and actually looking forward to putting on a swimsuit.
I used to think water aerobics was for old ladies who have fallen and can't get up.When we got to our 1st class we were the youngest people in it by far, by decades! I thought it would come easy, but those little old ladies schooled me for an entire 60 minutes. Not only did they keep up and work out faster and more consistent than us newbies but they also maintained looks of pure intimidation and force without even splashing their faces or getting their hair wet. People i am here to say that water aerobics is hard work. Every time i get out of that pool i feel like i have ran a marathon, or been run over by the Oldsmobile Cutlass that these mean old ladies drive to get to class. I love it. I over came my swimsuit in public fears and go twice a week. It is so much fun! We have great tunes ranging from Michael Jackson (pre-awkwardness) to 70's Rock. We do a combination of cardio workouts and aerobic moves, using the water resistance to tighten the work out and push harder. We stretch and do yoga and pilate moves to warm up and cool down.I go with a few friends. I am not lying when i say the older women who look like innocent organists from church, leave us in the kiddie pool when it comes to the exercises. I look forward to every Tuesday and Thursday lately. The bonus features of my class include the giant purple water slide we go down in the recreational pool after every workout, and the very entertaining Gay Men's Swim Team that meets in the pool after us, and cheers us on!