Waist Not

You would think by the amount of food my Hubby intakes that he would be terribly pudgy. Ha! This is hardly the case. Despite the fact that he will inhale two Big Macs in six bites "as a snack", the man has remained trim and muscular for the 18 years that I've known him. Whether it's due to his genetic metabolism, the fact that he works physically, or the superb meals I create for him using only fresh ingredients (of course!), it's all an unjust mystery to me. Though the majority of the meals I make are healthy, I swear I can feel my ass expand just watching the amount and vigor with which he eats.

I, on the other hand, consume less than your average toddler and adhere to the following:

• Protein, protein, protein (minimum of 60 grams per day)
• low to no sugar
• very few breads/pasta/rice/potato carbs (they expand and fill too quickly)

For the gastric by-pass patient, a yogurt and a cheese stick is considered a meal.

How blah!

My feeling is that no matter how much or little you are able to consume, every bite should be divinely designed and savored for full flavor impact.

I say a healthy "bottom line" for all body types and metabolic speeds is moderation. It's okay to USE real, unsalted butter - not Paula Deene amounts -  just enough to add moisture and flavor. If your pasta is not whole wheat once in a while, it will not kill you. I see so many people go overboard over what's reportedly healthy, and miss out on some of life's greatest flavors.  

Today Hubby has requested "his" meatloaf. Oh, the meat and potato. So humble. So comforting. So yet again I find myself venturing toward the line of Winter vs Summer meals (because it IS technically still Summer. Damn it!)   Still, much as I hate to, there's no denying the distinct (48 degree!) chill in the early morning air, despite the peppers and tomatoes still abundantly ripening in the garden.

I call this Hubby's Favorite Meatloaf  because a) he would choose ground beef over steak any day and b) one night he made the suggestion of mixing tomato sauce with the meat itself, rather than just baked on top. Huh. Personally, I've never seen meatloaf made that way, but I'll be darned if it isn't DELICIOUS!

"Yes please, I LOVE meatloaf"