Book It!

Planners are good for more than lunch dates and business meetings: Turn yours into a healthy eating ally

    

It happens all the time: We want to get together with a friend, so we call ahead, set a date and book it in our planners. Ditto if we need to work through a problem with the boss or block out time to complete a big project. Don't ask me how it works, but plopping something down in a planner has a way of making sure that particular something happens.

Happily, the miraculous effects of a planner can be used to make sure our eating ideals happen, too. While you're waking up in bed, washing your face or having your first cup of coffee, you're likely engaged in a mental conversation about the day ahead and what needs to be done. Simply add food to the conversation, like this:

• "Hmmm. I've got Boot Camp this morning. While I'm getting dressed, I could boil a couple eggs for some fast protein after my workout."
• "I've got some leftover salad from dinner. What if I top it with walnuts, apples and leftover brown rice for a great lunch?"
• "The hummus I bought last week is going to go bad. What if I pack it for a snack with some cucumbers and whole wheat crackers?"

Now the next step: write 'em down. While a planner or calendar is a perfect place to write down your eating plans, a to-do list, telephone message pad or back of an envelope works just as well. This step takes a little discipline, but it is absolutely vital. Here's why: Because good eating intentions can vanish at the mere whiff of a donut! Writing them down, particularly in a planner with all your other to-dos, is the way to make them stick-and happen.

One of the reasons diet plans are so successful (as long as we follow them) is that they tell us exactly what to do. There's no worrying or fighting temptation. We just stick with the plan. You can achieve the same effect by simply planning your food day. Unlike a diet plan, however, you can plan in all sorts of interesting foods and creative dishes that suit your tastes.

As anyone knows, an unscheduled day can easily get frittered away with things like reading the mail, talking on the phone and tidying the desk. The same can happen with our good eating ideals. We wake up with every good intention of eating well, but then get tempted by an oversized muffin at the coffee shop. We promise that lunch will be better, but end up joining our co-workers at Wendy's. A good afternoon snack could offer some redemption, but we forgot to pack something and end up getting peanut butter crackers from the vending machine. Then we're late getting home and can only manage to get spaghetti on the table. Guess the veggies have to wait until tomorrow.

Don't leave your precious eating dreams to chance and the last minute. Think ahead and plan (roughly or precisely) what you want to eat. Then "book it" and watch a miracle unfold: You'll actually eat in a way that matches your eating ideals.

(Copyright 2009, Culinary Concepts, Inc. )

Article courtesy of Kitchen Coach Mary Collette Rogers, author of Take Control of Your Kitchen, delights in finding ways to save time and sanity while getting wonderfully wholesome and tempting meals on the table. A frequent guest on Channel 2 and Fox 31, she offers healthy eating coaching for both individuals and groups. Learn about her Vegetable-a-Month Club at www.everydaygoodeating.com and read more fun food talk at www.everydaygoodeating.wordpress.com

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