grubsleep

Just like your body will tell you when it's hungry and what it's hungry for; it will let you know when it is tired.
When the digestive system is overworked, it too becomes 'tired' and needs a break!
Who hasn't experienced the feeling of being 'narced up' on calories after a heavy meal? A full cycle of sleep rests the digestive system, as well as the entire body and mind.  A good, long rest, after a filling meal, can also result in an unplanned fast. By not mistaking fatigue for hunger, and by learning to recognize the difference between the two; anyone can succeed!
Know when you have reached the point of needing a good cleansing rest. Wait for the growl of your gut to be your cue to eat again and make sure to load up on veggies and fluids when you come out of hibernation~

grubmoney

Eating good, fresh, healthy food does not have to be expensive!
You just have to become a more frequent shopper when going the fresh route; the operative word here being fresh. Purchase items daily when shopping for produce, dairy, meats or baked goods. Buy only what you will use for the next two or three meals. This cuts down on cost by eliminating waste!
On the other hand, some products have a much longer shelf life, and can be purchased in bulk to cut costs. Spices, and baking staples are good examples of items that can be bought in larger quantities. There are thousands of items, depending upon your own food preferences, and kitchen skills.
Lacking in the latter, I chose to bring home a Black Forest ham with Provolone cheese on a feshly baked Italian Herb and Cheese roll. I carefully loaded it down with veggies and a smattering of mayo and used my Subway employee discount, of course~

Grubrut

Yesterday , I decided to break the grubrut and eat something different.
I ended up at Burger King, where I got a gigantic double cheeseburger, complete with a side of fries and a diet coke. I hadn't had fries in awhile and found them to be heavy and tasteless! What I was craving, some fresh veggies! I decided that the solitary slice of tomato and skimpy portion of lettuce didn't quite measure up. I ate half the sandwich and only a few of the fries before deciding that I wasn't really hungry anymore, and I didn't feel satisfied either!
Eating something different, doesn't have to mean eating fried or frozen foods. Breaking your grubrut doesn't mean seeking out foods high in fat and low in nutrients.
Today, I tried a new sandwich after my shift at work, it was loaded with fresh veggies and sliced roast beef...toasted and garnished with some ranch dressing on a toasted flatbread...yum~

grubgrill

Last night, a trip to the Chinese buffet.
I kept to the salad and saute side of the menu. I chose some skillfully prepared sushi;, mostly California rolls, and a roll stuffed with crab, avocado and cream cheese in seaweed. What was lacking in selection, was more than made up for in freshness and presentation.
For the entrees, there were plenty of fresh veggies, (especially broccoli), chicken in a mix of diffent recipes, shrimp dishes, grilled fish in a lemon butter sauce, and cheese stuffed mushrooms. I had a bite or three of just about everything. Obviously, I was not in a fasting mode last night.
Today was lighter, less voluminous fare.
I kicked off my morning with a couple of homemade cinnamon rolls, complete with cream cheese icing.
For lunch, some Teriyaki Beef flavor Ramen noodles. Dinner; a grilled cheese sandwich, made with 2% American cheese, honey-roasted turkey breast, and whole grain white sandwich slices.
Something tells me, tomorrow I'm going to want some fruits and veggies~

grubmix

I'm a firm believer that anytime can be MEALTIME!
BREAKFAST is not limited to the early morning hours and, as many of you may already know, foods like eggs and bacon can make a swell DINNER.
Since I work at a Subway, a sandwich means so much more than LUNCH to me, and of course, can be eaten anytime.  A freshly made sandwich can hold all of the necessary food groups neatly inside itself. It can be eaten quickly and leave little or no clean-up after enjoying it.
There are literally thousands of ways to create a sandwich, using a myriad of fillings, mixed with any number of types of breads and rolls.
This morning I enjoyed two spicy hot dogs laced with jalapenos and injected with extra-sharp cheddar cheese; heated just enough to make the cheese ooze, and wrapped neatly in seeded potato bread. It was perfect with a glass of sweet tea and a few Sun Chips.
I'm bound to get hungry sooner or later, and who knows what my next meal will be, or when~

grubfast

I did finally get that veggie sub I've been talking about. I ate it late in the afternoon, after a hectic shift at work; breaking my 'grubfast' from the night before. I was pretty hungry, having only had a yoo-hoo and a chocolate chip cookie all day.
I tucked myself in early with a bowl of frosted mini-wheats, (the mini size), and some diet cherry 7-Up.
Back to my grinder...
I opted for the Italian gourmet cheese bread, freshly baked with a blend of shredded cheeses, and lightly spiced with parmesan and oregano. After loading my hoagie down with lettuce, tomatoes and onion; I decided to add a few black olives, some jalapeno peppers, a couple of banana peppers, and  some more tomatoes. The hint of monterey jack and mild cheddar, with the smattering of italian spices, gave the sandwich a huge flavor boost, while satisfying my craving for some protein!
I am not condoning going for long periods of time without fluids or nourishment, but, I have found that a short FAST can be cleansing and have positive effects on your digestive system. For me, however, the biggest perk of truly being hungry is that it seems to make the foods I do eat, taste so much better~

grubplan

Sometimes, even the most well-laid out plan can be upset by an unforseen change in circumstances.
For example, yesterday's PLAN to have a veggie sub after work, ended up being a turkey club after grocery shopping. I wasn't really needed at work, so, I decided to hit the grocery store on the way home. I had hours worth of unspent energy, and needed to burn it off somewhere.
After lugging in ten cases of assorted drinks and cleaning supplies, I ate my turkey, with white American, on a toasted, cheesy, fresh roll. I followed it with a snack of soft, fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies, (three of them), also from Subway. Several hours later, during a CSI marathon, I inhaled a small bowl of frosted mini-wheats with a handful of white-chocolate baking chips sprinkled in. Seems like my sweet tooth was calling the shots last night!
Of course, I am not suggesting that you throw your PLAN out the window every day. What I am saying is: it's okay to 'wing it' once in awhile. You don't have to weigh and measure every morsel. You don't have to know how many calories is in every bite; or how many carbs versus proteins and fats is in every food you choose! Where's the spontaneity in that?
The main idea is to be flexible with what you eat, as well as, with what you do! Your body will tell you when it's hungry, but, if you listen carefully and learn to recognize the aura, your brain will tell you what it is hungry for! Who hasn't thought, "I'm hungry for FOOD-FOOD, not JUNK-FOOD? Since breakfast was a diet, cherry 7-Up and a piece of jerky; my stomach hasn't weighed in on the matter, but, my brain is craving some vegetables.
 If my body and brain agree, maybe tonight, I will have that Veggie on honey-oat~