Before the McMuffin!

That lovely sandwich you see there is a Bacon, Lettuce and Tomato Sandwich!  Yummo!  This morning while at Denny's for breakfast, I had a craving for a BLT with a fried egg on it.  It always takes me back about 40 years when I eat one of these.  At my second job in Washington, D.C. back in 1967, I worked downtown on 17th and K streets.  I lived about 40 miles out of town, and it always seemed too early for breakfast when I rose to dress and leave for work.  I was extremely happy there was a tiny deli type shop on one of the floors of the building where I worked.  I was happy because, if I timed it just right I could get there in just enough time to have a BLT on whole wheat with a hard fried egg and a cup of hot coffee before starting work each day.

I have good memories of those days.  I was young and healthy and really enjoyed those sandwiches.  It just seemed to get my day off to a great start.  Those were the days before the McMuffin!  Now, I don't have anything against the McMuffin per se, but it just isn't the same as a perfectly made BLT with nice fresh tomatoes, lettuce and crispy bacon and that freshly fried egg...sigh.  I didn't have to count calories back in those days.  The BLT is actually the second most popular sandwich in the USA!  I was kind of worried about the calories in the sandwich, but after checking it out I was surprised to find if made on whole grain bread, it only has about 180 calories, compared to the egg McMuffin which has about 300!

That sounds like a pretty good argument for keeping my BLT habit alive and well.  Fast food has been the downfall of the American diet.  Much of the obesity problems we are experiencing in this country today can be attributed to the fast food/drive thru experience.  So, if you would like to be more healthy and have less calories, yet have a delicious way to start the day - start it with a BLT.  Cook some bacon ahead and have it in the fridge for quick access.  Toast a couple slices of nice whole grain bread.  Slice a fresh tomato and pull off a piece of lettuce...there ya go...you can even have a "little" mayo and some salt and pepper and still be under 200 calories for all.  It is satisfying, healthy and will give you just the get up and go you need to start a perfect day.  Ah, for the days before the Egg McMuffin!

Veggin' It!

Happy New Year folks...boy, hard to believe tomorrow is the last day of 2011.  I'm working hard at getting back on track with weight loss and healthy eating for 2012.  Aren't those some great looking vegetables?  There are so many kinds of vegetables out there nowadays, and I'll bet you haven't even tried half of them yet!  So in this New Year, get adventurous and try something new.  If you have questions about how to prepare them, or a good recipe for a new one, message me!  I'll bet I can help!
I am a true veggie lover! It has been demonstrated over and over that the so-called Mediterranean Diet is the absolute best to prevent heart disease and other health problems...olive oil, fresh vegetables, fish and poultry, very little red meat..so let's all give it a try in this New Year.

If you think of lettuce when you think salad...stop!  Let me share a really good salad fit for a wholesome and filling lunch.

TUNA VEGGIE DELITE


1 Large sweet onion, sliced thinly
1 Large carrot, sliced thinly
6 Radish, sliced thinly..these are the radish you usually see, but don't be afraid to try a large, white daikon radish...it has a slightly milder flavor and great crunch!  Jicama is also a good crunchy choice.

1 Cucumber (or 1/2 of an English Cucumber) sliced thinly

1 Zucchini, sliced thinly

5-6 Campari tomatoes, cut into quarters (small, tasty, sweet on the vine tomatoes) or 1 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
10 chopped green or black olives
1/3 cup of your favorite chopped nuts (optional)
1/4 cup Sesame Seeds (optional)  Could use Pine Nuts instead!
Juice of ONE lemon
2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
1 Tablespoon Tony Chachere Creole Seasoning
2 Cans Albacore Tuna, packed in water, DRAINED

Slice and combine all vegetables and lemon and oil, break up tuna and add to mixture.  Season with Tony Chachere or other creole seasoning..you may substitute salt and pepper or other seasoning if you like, but this really is snappy.  Stir all together and wait about 10 minutes before serving to allow flavors/seasonings to meld.  Yummy...low calorie....packed with tone of great nutrients and very filling!
Happy New Year and Good Eating!