Eating Healthy Includes the Occasional Waffle Treat

“It takes time to eat healthy."

I spoke those words to my husband as I was packing myself food for a three and a half hour road trip. I do this because I am trying to eat the right things and avoid having to eat fast food.

Now I’m not a dietician or a health nut, although my kids might call me a nut, I’m just trying to stay as healthy as I can with diet and exercise. And like many of you out there, you’re doing the same thing too. I’ve always said, “We Baby Boomers are going into old age kicking and screaming.”

While on my decades-long journey, I’ve attended Weight Watchers meetings, worked out at the local Curves, walked in the park or down our country road in my ongoing attempt to remain healthy. A few years ago, I joined TOPS (Take Off Pounds Sensibly) in Dexter and have been successful at losing some weight and keeping it off. For me, it’s all about accountability and TOPS has been a great resource for me. It’s unlike Weight Watchers because it’s an actual club with meetings and dues (only $1 per week) and informative health presentations given by members or occasional guests.

So why is eating healthy, for me anyway, so time consuming? Well, there’s the measuring, weighing, chopping and cooking not to mention the cleanup. There’s always a big mess in the kitchen when I prepare meals because I mostly use fresh food. Right after I grocery shop, the refrigerator can barely hold everything. By the end of the week, the cupboard is bare.

If you’ve read my profile, you’re probably wondering about the whole waffle thing. Yes, I love waffles, especially the Belgium variety, which I attribute to the Belgium blood running through my veins. Moreover, waffles have all those wonderful little pockets that hold syrup perfectly. If I ever write a book one day, I already have a title: “I Could Live On Waffles”—words I spoke one day when having a waffle breakfast with my daughter and her friend.

However, waffles are only an occasional treat when we go out to breakfast. I loved the waffles that were served at the Lighthouse Restaurant. But since its closing, I get my waffle fix at Dexter’s Coney Island. If you go there, order the pecan waffle. Delicious.

After I’ve enjoyed my waffle, I avoid feeling guilty by jumping back on the healthy eating bandwagon right away. I go back to measuring, cutting and chopping as I’ve done for several years now. I also avoid the scale for a few days although it seems to be screaming at me every time I get near it just waiting to give me a reality check.

As I said, it’s all about accountability for me. I can only hope that with healthy eating, regular exercise and an occasional waffle, I can minimize my kicking and screaming as I journey ahead to my golden years along with millions of other Baby Boomers.

Disclosure:  I’m a member of TOPS and Curves and I am not receiving any compensation for this blog. The waffle photo is used with explicit permission from Brown Eyed Baker.