Most laws of dieting are difficult to abide by because they require too much calorie counting, not enough eating, and acute self-control of hunger and appetite. 

I present a new approach: The Grocery Store Diet

It’s too simple of an idea.  All you have to do are stick to the rules, and whether you diet for your health or to change your weight, you’ll be surprised with the outcome. 

1. Form the List: The list will be your ten commandments you carry down Mount Publix.  When you write your list, choose foods that are nutritional, simple, and useful.  ”Nutritional” means lots of vitamins and nutrients (fruits and veggies). Get weird and scientist on your food and learn what proteins, vitamins, and chemicals it has that are good for you.  ”Simple” does NOT refer to “Ok good I won’t mess this one up ‘cuz the recipe is sooo easy.” (In fact, a cooking challenge can be quite fun.) What I mean is, you want foods that have ingredients that you can understand. Compare:

 vs. 

Usually, the one with the words that make more sense are the more nutritional ones. You don’t need anything “artificial.” Keep it simple! By “useful,” I mean select foods that you will actually eat.  There is NO need to keep a pantry full of things you will never touch.  It’s also a great way to save money. 

 2. Stick to the List: I know how it goes. You walk into Walmart, pick up your veggies, head to the soup aisle, then BAM! You see the most delicious looking 2 liter Coca Cola bottle and it is 30% off. You think, “Hey, I LOVE coke. AND it’s on sale! It’s so cheap I should buy it.” Slow down, chief. If you have a list and PROMISE yourself that you will abide by it, you will not buy that coke. That’s 275 calories, 75 grams of sugar, and a few dollars you are saving yourself. If you form a healthy list and abide by what it tells you to buy, you win. Don’t let supermarkets remind you of your appetite. Remember: food is fuel.

3. Make it Last:  Make your trips to the store minimal.  Eat smaller portions. Make one meal into two by eating half of it for dinner one night, storing it in the fridge, and eating leftovers the next day.  You will save so much money, time, food, and even gasoline! 

Pretty simple, huh?  The primary control of this diet is your spending habits. Your spending habits will control your eating habits (if it’s not in the pantry, then you can’t eat it!). Your eating habits will control your health. Like I said, food is fuel.  Feed your body what it needs, not what it wants.

Here are a couple dos and don’ts you should try out as well:

• DO drink more water than you’ve ever wanted to.  Up to 60% of the human body is water, the brain is composed of 70% water, and the lungs are nearly 90% water. I think that’s enough evidence to prove that you need it. 
• DON’T drink sodas.  Water is so much more cleansing. Cutting sodas is also (in my opinion) the easiest and quickest way to lose a few pounds. 
• DO eat more than 3 times a day.   Just make sure that the portions are small. If its bigger than your closed fist, don’t eat it. Little (healthy) snacks throughout the day keep your metabolism (all your body’s chemical reactions) running. 
• DO exercise.   Stop watching the olympics on your couch and start watching them on the floor while you do sit-ups. Heck, go outside and try to run like they do!
• DON’T keep eating after you’re full.  In fact, try to be aware of the moment when you’re about 80% full and stop there. That leaves you some room for your food to expand in your stomach. 
• DON’T be afraid to monitor your diet. You don’t have to call it “dieting”; just be aware of what you put in your body. Having control over this part of your life will empower you and make you feel better about yourself. So go ahead and try it! It’s worth a shot. 

SALSA VERDE RECIPE

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There are few things I can do in the kitchen, but somehow I have concocted a salsa recipe that is fresh, spicy, and muy deliciosa:

1 lb Tomatillo

1/2 Onion (White or sweet is what I usually choose to use)

1 Clove of Garlic

1 Fresh jalapeño

1/2 Fresh habañero

1/2 Lime, squeezed

Cilantro

Salt

Chop it all up, throw it in a blender, and let ‘er mix! Now, if you don’t want it too spicy, don’t use as much of the habañero or jalapeño. Also, use cilantro to your own taste. This recipe makes about 2 cups. Serve chilled with chips or put it on any of your favorite mexican dishes to add some fresh green flavor and spice. 

This snack is healthy AND tasty. Enjoy!