Challenge 2

Last day of Fruit and Vegetable challenge! Initially I thought it would be an easy challenge for me but I’ve learned I don’t eat as many helpings of fruits and vegetables as I thought I did. I was kind of surprised by this. This is one area I’m going to need to continue to work on.

Ready for challenge #3? Here it is:

Challenge#3 – Meat

Ok, don’t panic, I’m not asking you to give up meat for a week (unless you want to challenge yourself to do that!) What I am asking is that you give this week’s challenge a true effort. It’s only 7 days – keep that in mind. 7 days – In the ‘big picture’ 7 days is nothing!! J Are you with me?

Here is Challenge #3: Meat consumption will be limited to 7 servings this week and when meat is eaten, it won’t be the “main dish” of the meal. Instead, treat meat as a side dish or something to use to add flavor to the dish. Also, focus on eating meat that is locally raised (within 100 miles of home) whenever possible. For some that will be easy and for others that isn’t possible. Do the best you can on this point. Just for clarification, “meat” includes beef, turkey, chicken, pork, lamb, duck, seafood, etc. The idea here is the less meat you eat, the more of something else you will eat instead, hopefully more vegetables and fruits. Be creative!!!  7 servings of meat in a week’s time seems like plenty but if you think about it, there are 7 days in a week with 3 meals a day which equals 21 meals. SO…. having meat at only 7 of those meals will require some ‘planning’ of some sort on your part.

Suggestions:

*Stir Fry with LOTS of veggies and a small amount of meat served over brown rice – Or simply leave the meat out all together – you’ll never miss it!

*Veggie Pizza  - you could add some pineapple too and get an extra fruit in there!

*Tomato soup with grilled cheese sandwich

*Whole wheat pasta with fresh peppers, onions, mushrooms, garlic and sauce – Yum!

* Veggie Fajitas made with bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, & tortilla

*Omelets filled with veggies like spinach, mushrooms, onions, peppers, broccoli etc.

*Veggie Lasagna – you won’t miss the meat at all! – Make up the crock pot lasagna recipe! Love that recipe!

* Cheese enchiladas

* Manicotti

This might be a real challenge for some but I’m hoping it opens up some new and creative ideas for you and your family!!! You might even surprise yourself by what you discover during the week! Good Luck!!

*Thought for the day*

"Time is all you have and you may find one day that you have less than you think." — Randy Pausch (The Last Lecture)