T...Tomatoes

There are just some things that may be healthy but you just can't eat them no matter what others say. Tomatoes fall into that category for me. Never liked them. I even once tried a tomato and grapefruit diet when I was a teen of which it almost made me sick.

Is there something that you absolutely won't eat?

~Kim~

S...Shredded Wheat

Let's talk cereal. I happen to love cereal. Not the super sugary stuff that I used to eat but some healthier types of cereal. I just recently rediscovered Shredded Wheat which I used to eat when I was growing up. It is supposedly healthy for you and very low sugar.

I was eating Quaker Oatmeal Squares but since being on the Dash Diet, I was trying to look for a lower sugar variety. I still have that one but not quite as often. Just looking and switching to foods with lower sugar content is just one small step to a healthier life.

I know, trying to play catch up again. Have a great day!

~Kim~

R...Real Food

Switching over to real food is tricky, especially when you would rather just open up a box of Kraft mac and cheese and fish sticks and be done with it. However, it's not exactly the healthiest to consume. In a perfect world, no one would use any of those nasty 100+ ingredients in their food. But we are a busy bunch, so those processed foods just come in handy.

Real food might be a little more work but just think of all of the nutrients and healthy stuff that is so much better for you. I have been trying to read labels and pick those that have five items or less or at least things I know and can pronounce. There will be times when it may just not be possible to follow but let me tell you, reading the back of a box or bag can truly be enlightening. More real food and less processed is my goal.

Have you tried more fresh food and less processed?

~Kim~

Q...Quinoa

What is quinoa? I had to ask myself that same question when I first saw this on the shelf. It is actually a seed of some kind, although most see it as a whole grain. Guess it can be considered both but the most important thing is that it is a healthier alternative than rice and it tastes good!

It is high in protein and gluten-free. I have seen many kinds at the store recently. Have you tried this delicious and healthy food?

~Kim~

P...Peaches!

I think peaches might be my second favorite fruit behind blueberries. I love anything peaches...peach pie, peach cobbler, peaches and cream...or just a plain old juicy sweet peach. Yum! How about peaches and cottage cheese?

Peaches have fiber and high in vitamin C, along with other nutrients. But they are just plain peachy!

~Kim~

Photo by Rick Harris

O...Optimum Health

The definition of optimum is something that is most favorable. Wouldn't your health fall under this? Who wouldn't favor optimum health? However, no one said it would be easy to obtain it.

After losing 11 lbs. doing the Dash diet, I am wavered a bit. I haven't stepped on the scale the past week but I am sure I have gained a lb. or two back. So, I am still plugging along remembering exactly why I need to do this! I struggle just like everyone else but the road to optimum health can be fun and interesting.

Here's to an optimum kind of day!

~Kim~

N...Oh Nuts!

I have never been much of a nut person. They are okay but they would certainly be on the bottom of my choices of things to snack on. I have since changed my tune.

I have discovered that I really love pistachios. And I have rediscovered cashews. Those actually made me sick just thinking about them for years because I really did get sick on them when I was little. I know...pretty gross. But they are quite yummy and I ate them on the Dash diet so they can't be all that bad.

Nuts are certainly a healthier alternative to candy bars or chips. What kind do you like to munch on?

~Kim~