J Day 41: The countdown begins, 19 days to go :()

J Day 41

Weight ?

Time to talk about the exit strategy:

Step 1: Stocking you (a)pantry, (b)fridge and (c)freezer.

Part 1: Pantry

Items that you want to have in stock that will be flavorful, low in bad fats and low in sodium.

Vinegar:  Lots of different flavors but be wary balsamic has more sugar oz/oz than a COKE!  We stock; red wine, rice wine (low sodium), apple cider, malt, sherry and yes, balsamic.  These are great in making homemade salad dressing and can brighten up soups, flavor fish or chicken and are great for digestion.

Olive Oil: Pure Olive oil for cooking, not a whole lot of flavor but all the benefits of olive oil you can cook with. 

                 Extra Virgin for raw eating, spend some good money here, crappy olive oil will taste like...crap so get something that is a little costlier.  If you know that you just spent $20 on olive oil you are less likely to squander it. 

Sweeteners:  Agave nectar or real local honey.  Some store bought honeys are loaded with high fructose corn syrup so be careful and buy local. go check this out: about GI index and other good for you sweeteners: http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/blog/healthy-sugar-alternatives.php

Fresh Made Peanut Butter and Nut Butters: This is whole nut butters no added sugar or salt just ground nuts.  You can sweeten with agave syrup or honey at home in small quantities.  We get ours at Earth Fare, its fairly inexpensive.

Nuts and seeds and Peanuts (which are legumes not nuts):  Whatever you like but limit yourself to 1/4 cup a day total.  Try to find dry roasted or unsalted or even raw and season and roast them them yourself.   Add almonds to a smoothie or fresh roasted pecans on a salad or just a midday snack of my favorite cashews.

No Salt and/or Low Sodium Seasonings: http://www.penzeys.com just go check out what these guys have got.

Basmati Rice: Low GI, need i say more

Whole Grain Pastas: Low GI 

Canned and Dried Beans: PROTEIN, PROTEIN, PROTEIN!  Low in fat high in protein this is the future of cheep protein. 

Parmesan Cheese:  My favorite "salt". Go ahead, look into it, this is a homework project or better yet ask Andy he'll tell you.

Popcorn:  Pop it yourself. Do: 1 teaspoon of EVOO, 1/2 cup of corn in a nonstick popper (see below) and that's it 4 minutes later you have a 150 calories, 10 CUP SERVING snack!!! add some salt free seasonings.     Pop Corn Popper: http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.item.K20912.desc.Chris-Freytag-Stir-Crazy-6-Quart-Corn-Popper

Fresh Produce: Behind closed doors; fresh garlic, onions, sweet potatoes, red bliss potatoes
                          On the counter; tomatoes, bananas, lemons and limes, apples

Last but not least...

HOT SAUCE!!! I love anything from Blair's http://extremefood.com/shop/home.php but find something that you like, check the sodium and sugar content and then go nuts!

The key is not what IS in the pantry it is what IS NOT in there.  Think smart, eat smart.

Peace.