I routinely advocate nourishing the entire child.  Our children often follow our leads, not our words. So, as part of our whole child mix, I sometimes serve up recipes for healthy parents.  Nutrition, exercise, sleep and physical fitness are good ingredients to support everyone’s mental capacity.  This being the start of a new year, I know many parents have committed to fitness and healthy weight loss.

I just joined weight watchers to get some juicy weight loss secrets.    In the last two weeks, I have logged in twice.  This is not a commentary on the program or my commitment.  I joined during the free registration period for the three month online deal.   Given Weight Watchers offers this deal, they not only have a great weight loss program, but good market segmentation.  I am in the group that wants to get tasty weight loss recipes with ingredients that can be found at a local Central Market.  I want an occasional reminder to drink half my body weight in water and to exercise regularly until it becomes a habit.  Plus, I must find out the secrets behind the points system. 

The system is to be true to yourself.  Plus,  eat in moderation.  They make recipes and food combinations for regular people.  Brown rice carries the same point value as white rice.  So, you can use whatever you have in your kitchen, pantry, cupboards, or routinely shop for at a grocery store like Central Market.  When I followed In the Kitchen With Rosie: Oprah’s Favorite Recipes, I had to buy items that were not commonplace in my regular recipes.  These do not ask for fresh chervil, white pepper, shallots or dry sherry.  One could easily find these foods at Central Market.  But, most people do not cook with them, not even us foodies who crave fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and love a mouthwatering recipe.  

The program offers tasty weight loss recipes.  However, let’s be real.  They are still weight loss recipes.  When one is used to making chocolate chip cookies using half of a stick to a whole stick of butter, putting in two tablespoons of butter can leave a digestive feeling that something is missing.  So, at Central Market, whole wheat flour or spelt flour added to the recipe makes the cookies a littler heartier and healthier.  Weight Watcher’s South-of-the-Border Chicken Soup (aka chicken tortilla soup) can also be spiced up at Central Market.  Substitute a half cup of chipolte salsa for a cup of regular salsa.  Plus, use a fresh tomato from the Central Market produce section instead of the canned diced tomatoes called for in the soup recipe.  Whola!  With the help of Central Market, tasty weight loss recipes are transformed into lip smacking, tasty weight loss recipes.

Now, you might ask – what is my fascination with Central Market?  Well, I look for motivation everywhere.  I understand that the more pleasurable a thing is; the more likely you will continue.  When you go to Central Market, you are greeted with fresh produce and a store full of products that are common, yet spiced up.  It is more than just a shopping trip.  It is an experience.  Cooking is extremely sensory.  Good smells and tastes create memories and comfort for you and your children.  Tasty weight loss recipes can help your children develop healthy eating habits that will last them a lifetime.  I want to help you enjoy cooking and healthy eating so that you can set a sustainable example.   Experiment with ingredients that spice up your weight loss recipes and make them tasty to your family.  When you go to the grocery store, pick foods your taste buds enjoy and you will maintain healthy eating habits.