SnackAttack!

BY JC GARDNER

Hi there fellow foodies. I pray in this season of blossoms and blooms that you are planting your own seeds for what you desire in life, whether it be early retirement, new job, a big move or continuing your education. Planting those seeds early and watering them constantly can only help to move you to your “next,” no matter what that may be. Internal gardening, weeding, and pruning are key to allowing new and fresh ideas to come your way, so make sure you are planting your heart’s desires in rich soil and fertilizing that ground with faith and expectation knowing that what God has for you is for you!

Speaking of good soil, what about some good snacks? I find that I really do enjoy my snacks and when they are not in the home and I have a snack-attack, I tend to gravitate towards something I really don’t need.

Oh, that is so easy to do. Some folks say don’t buy anything that is not good for you, that way, it’ll help you avoid eating unhealthy food. I’ve tried that and what happens is then I want it two-fold and overeat, so that does not work for me.

My go-to snacks are many…ahhh, the life of a cook who loves to eat! Baked Cheetos, potato chips, and pretzels are mainstays --it’s the crunch for me! If I want chocolate, I prefer fair trade chocolate over Hershey’s. If you’ve never had fair trade chocolate, give it a try. The taste is worlds apart. Then I love fresh pineapple and mango and yogurt smoothies. Sliced avocado with seasoning is also great! I love nuts – but not a fan of peanuts – and buttered popcorn. Yes, buttered all day! Then there are the assorted cheese and crackers, sometimes topped with turkey pepperoni. As you see, I’m a mix between healthy and dangerous. What can I say?

One time I tried kale chips. I LOVE kale in salads and sauteed, but that kale chip almost took me out! My tastebuds were damaged, and I sought lots of water to wash that flavor away. Bleh! (Think the movie “Big” when Tom Hanks tried caviar. If you have not watched that scene, it’s hilarious.)

When I’m feeling super healthy, I do love snacks made with lentils. Those are really quite tasty. And I’ll eat a bowl of raisin bran with almond milk if I’m feeling hungry late at night. Another control method I’ve used is the small quart-size baggies. I’ll loosely fill those baggies from the bigger bags and that is a way to do some portion control.

All in all, do what works for you, but try to limit what you know is bad for you. If you’re serious about it, you can see a nutritionist to help with finding substitutes that will satisfy your cravings and give you a tailored approach to healthy living.

JC Gardner is an award-winning author, ghostwriter, speaker, poet and writing coach. Visit www.blossomlitservices.com to see how to bring your literary dreams to life!