Have you ever been going along everything is going well – work is good, workouts are happening and fun, food is working well – then out of nowhere something happens that throws everything out of kilter.  I can often hear the “THWACK” when my clients talk about what has been happening.  It is like a brick wall popped up and before you can see it you walk (or run) right into it.  Your head is spinning and, often, you are trying to figure out what just happened and where it came from.  That wall could be an illness or injury of your own, the illness or injury of someone else, a job loss, a vacation (yes, even good things can cause a brick wall to appear), school starting or ending. . . anything that causes the routine that has been working for you to get thrown off.

Once we determine what the issue is then we go into “firefighting mode” to fix it or decide how we are going to deal with it long term.  Then, we start dealing.  During this time, some or all of those things we were doing that made us feel so good (working out, eating well, self-care) may fall by the way-side.  We look up one day and realize “when was the last time I worked out?”  Or, “why am I leaving a drive thru with a large burger, humongous fries, and a soda that I have to hold between my legs because it won’t fit in the cup holder?”

During these times it is important to realize that all is not lost.  Those habits you had established are still there, and you can get back into them.  You have done it before, you can do it again.  You may have to do it differently this time depending on why that wall appeared, but you can do it.

We hear it a lot. . .if you don’t take care of yourself, you can’t take care of others.  It is so true.  Eating right and exercising are both ways of taking care of ourselves.  Next time that wall appears, pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and decide on one thing you can do to take care of yourself.  It could be starting to pack a snack each day to have with you.  Or, asking someone to help with a task such as grocery shopping.  Or, asking a friend to take a walk with you or going for a walk by yourself rather than sitting in front of the TV after dinner.  The small things add up.  Starting with something small will build your confidence you can get back on track.  Once that one thing is working, pick something else.  Before you know it, you’ll be back on track.

Those walls are part of life.  Starting small allows you to know that when that next wall appears, you’ll be ready to deal with it.

I’m always looking for quick and easy meals.  However, I was surprised at the simplicity of this meal when I ran across it on the Cooking Light website.  It is a recipe for Refried Bean Poblanos with Cheese.  Seriously, it has 5 ingredients (OK, 6 if you decide you want cilantro), cooks in a microwave, and was ready in about 15 minutes.  They suggest serving it with a Creamy Chipotle Wedge Salad which has 4 ingredients and can be made while the Poblanos are cooking.

One of the other things I like about the Poblano recipe is that it is vegetarian, but you can make so many modifications with it.  Honestly, John and I kept saying, “Hey, you could . . . ” and suggesting variations for it.  Here are a few we thought of:
- Using different salsas.  For example, using a smoky one would change the flavor of the filling.
- We used refried black beans instead of pinto.
- You could cook and add some ground turkey or beef.
- Change the type of cheese.
- I used fresh peppers, but they have different dried peppers in the store.  Each would give it a different flavor.

This recipe is also fabulous for Meatless Mondays!

I hope you try and enjoy this recipe.  If you have favorite recipes you’d be willing to share, I’d enjoy receiving them.

I’ve seen and heard several of my foodie and RD friends joining the “Meatless Mondays” movement.  Even Mario Batali has gotten in on the movement at his restaurants.  What is all the buzz about?

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health started the movement with the goal of cutting meat consumption by 15% to improve both public health and the health of the planet.  They have established a website – Meatless Mondays – to provide information, education, and recipes.  You can also sign a pledge to go meatless on Mondays.  Consumption of meats has been linked to many diseases including cardiovascular disease, some types of cancer, obesity, and diabetes.  Reducing meat consumption is also a way to reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the need to produce, process, and ship meat products.

One of the things I really like about Meatless Mondays is that it is an easy way to try something different – eating vegetarian for a day.  It challenges you, and me, to try new recipes and eat out of my normal “box” of recipes and foods.  I do have several vegetarian cookbooks, but they are not the ones I normally reach for on a daily basis.

As you think about your meals for next week, think about going meatless on Monday.  You can find great recipes at Meatless Mondays, at Vegetarian Times, and Cooking Light among others.

I’ve signed the pledge to go meatless on Mondays.  Even if you don’t sign the pledge, you can reduce your meat consumption and increase your fruit and vegetable intake by going. . . Meatless on Mondays!

Several of my RD and foodie friends have been talking about the “Meatless Monday” movement.  This is a movement started by John Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health to promote a reduction in meat consumption to improve public health and the health of the planet.   Reducing meat consumption can help lower your risk for several diseases including some cancers, heart disease, obesity, and diabetes.  It also helps the planet by reducing the need to produce, process, and transport meat to stores.

What’s involved in “meatless Mondays”?  Simple, not eating meat on Monday.  The John Hopkins group has established a website where you can find recipes to help you go meatless on Monday.  You can also sign a pledge and sign up to receive weekly newsletters to help you have a meatless Monday.

I’ve signed the pledge and am looking at recipes for Monday.  I should also add it to my calendar to remind me until it becomes a habit.

Here’s to going meatless on Mondays!