LIVING AN EXCEPTIONAL LIFE #86

By Rhonda Jones

How are the New Year’s resolutions going? Most of us make a commitment for the new year to get fitter and healthier. About three weeks into January, those resolutions are usually abandoned. I can relate to this because it often happens to me. Actually, I don’t usually get a good start until February.

This year is no exception for me, as I have been out of town more than in town this month. Traveling is always a challenge, especially when you are meeting friends who are not eating the same foods as you are.

Try to make the best choices possible and get back on your eating plan when you return home. Simply tell yourself that you are doing a great job and will do even better once you are in your own environment. And any extra pounds gained will come off quickly.

This is the time of year I love doing a potato reset, or “Mary’s Mini,” as coined by Mary McDougal, who came up with the idea of eating only potatoes and non-starchy vegetables for 10 days. Since potatoes and vegetables are healthy with lots of vitamins and nutrients, this way of eating can be done for more than 10 days, but most are ready to add more foods after the 10 days are up. Still, a potato reset is a great way to get back on track, lose some weight, and feel better.

The concept is easy. For 10 days, your starch is only potatoes—any potatoes, including sweet potatoes—and they can be steamed, mashed, or air-fried, however you choose to eat them. You can eat as many as you need to be full and satisfied. The secret is not adding any fat, sugar, or salt.

Make a big batch of mashed potatoes, then mash them with a little plant milk and some garlic and no-salt seasoning. If you have an air fryer, you can cut a baked potato into strips, season them with smoked paprika, garlic powder, and black pepper, and cook them until crisp. You can even eat them with a little ketchup. If you don’t have an air fryer, bake in the oven at 375 degrees until brown and crisp.

I like to buy new potatoes, steam them, and store them in the fridge for snacks. I keep them with me and eat one or two when hungry. I actually met a lady years ago who told me she never goes anywhere without a potato in her pocket, and that it’s her snack if she gets hungry.

Another fun way to eat potatoes is to make potato waffles. I put a baked potato in the waffle iron and press down until the potato is very flat. It will crisp up in the waffle iron. You can do the same with frozen hashbrowns. Put a generous amount in the waffle iron and cook until the hashbrowns are very crisp. Serve with some ketchup (low-sugar if you can find it) and some seasoning.

In addition to the potato options, add lots of non-starchy vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, tomatoes, cooked greens, celery, and many more. I love to combine several vegetables, such as celery, mushrooms, onions, cabbage, and broccoli, and stir-fry them until tender. I store them in the fridge and can just heat up a portion to add to my potato. Be liberal with spices, salt substitutes, and nutritional yeast to add flavor. I love using balsamic vinegar on vegetables for a tangy taste.

Try the potato reset and call me with your results!