Last weekend, I saw an old friend of mine who has lost over 20 lbs this summer.  She looks great!  She was full of energy and seemed to have more pep in her step, than her usual good-spirited self.  I admit, I was jealous.

She says she has been calorie counting, eating real food and using the “My Fitness Pal” app.  So, of course, I downloaded it last night.

Ever since I accepted a desk job, almost 15 years ago, over my more physical job, where I was constantly walking, I have gained 50 lbs.  That is 50 lbs from my wedding weight.  I have used every excuse for the weight gain…

“I am happily married, so of course, I am gonna gain weight.”

“I am getting older.  Naturally, you gain weight as you age.”

“I am a food writer.  It is inevitable to gain weight because I am trying so many different foods.”

“I participate in a professional barbecue cook team…I am gonna taste what we put in the box for judges.”

For 18 years, I have said “these are reason’s, not excuses.”  THEY ARE NEITHER.  It is what I kept telling myself to justify that I have gained all this weight.  NO MORE!

Practice what I preach

On my blog, I preach about sustainability and “good quality food.”  Hell, I am just as guilty as my readers when it comes to eating processed foods.

NO MORE!

I need to avoid the processed food isles and stick to the produce, meat, dairy isles.  These are real foods, with exceptions, that make up a balanced diet.

First of all, I HATE the word D – I- E – T!

These are real foods, with exceptions, that make up healthy, good eating.

100 Days of Real Food Challenge

Today I received my copy of Lisa Leake’s second book, 100 Days of Real Food: Fast & Fabulous: The Easy and Delicious Way to Cut Out Processed Food.  This is a follow up to her first book, 100 Days of Real Food: How We Did It, What We Learned, and 100 Easy, Wholesome Recipes Your Family Will Love.

Several months ago I read her first book and loved it, but I lacked the motivation to dive in and try her method.  Today is a different story.

I want to succeed; therefore, I am taking on her 100 Days of Real Food and I will cut out processed foods from my daily eating habits.

Her motivating book not only contains family friendly recipes, but also mouth-watering photos to tantalize your taste buds.  Lisa gets her whole family involved in the kitchen.  Her girls are in several photos prepping vegetables and herbs.

She prefaces her recipes with tips and information on how to shop, buy and store food, for healthier living.  The “real food” method is not expensive.  Structure a meal plan for the week and buy only what you and your family will need.

Foods I will avoid

• Hydrogenated oils
• Trans Fats
• Corn Syrup
• Margarine
• High Frutose Corn Syrup
• Enriched Wheat Flour
• Bleached or unbleached flour
• Sodium Nitrite – a known carcinogen
• Sodium or calcium propionates
• Sodium diacetate
• Lactic or acetic acid
• Mono-digleycrides

Do you want to take the 100 Day of Real Food Challenge with me?  Reply to my blog and keep me informed on your progress.  I will post updates here.

Also, consider buying Lisa Leake’s book for great information and motivation to eat less processed foods and get healthy.

On Monday’s blog, I will have pictures and recipe from Lisa’s book, Easy Fish Tacos with Pico de Gallo.

**I received a free copy of Lisa’s book as compensation.

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