Summer Lovin'

I love this time of the year. The mornings are warm and with all of the rain, everything shines all clean and beautiful. This morning I went for a walk through my neighborhood, which is full of old trees. There are fruit trees that grow along my route -- plump pear-shaped figs, crab apples, and seckle pears. Nothing's ready to eat yet, but it's so yummy to think about!

I imagine making succulent roasted figs stuffed with Gorgonzola cheese or sweet fig preserves. I can see the golden sweet preserves slathered on warm fresh bread...yum! The small apples are perfect for sauteing with a little brown sugar and butter and serving hot over melting ice cream. Seckle pears would be delicious thinly sliced over a mixed green salad with toasted pecans and goat cheese toast.

Of course, some of these dishes are higher calorie foods, which inspires me to walk faster and pump my arms to burn more calories in anticipation...another month or two and the fruit will be ready. I think by then, I will have banked enough calories to afford at least some of these treats!

This is a concept that doesn't come easy to most people. We live in a society of immediate gratification. The idea of holding out and saving up isn't popular! But, when managing weight, it can be really helpful. You see, all foods can fit into a healthy diet in moderation. But the key is MODERATION. I can't eat rich, high fat foods all of the time in any portion that I desire. (If I could, I assure you that it would be bon-bons and full-fat lattes for breakfast and truffles for lunch and dinner!). What I can do is plan for those "treats" by remembering to eat sensibly at the rest of my meals, looking forward to savoring dessert, indulging in a margarita, or celebrating with birthday cake. By "banking" my calories, I get to "spend" them on whatever I want later. Now, if I could only translate that into a way to save up for those new running shoes I need...