Growing up, my mom used to cook a big dinner using the slow cooker. For several years we always had mashed potatoes, a vegetable, brown-n-serve rolls and some kind of meat for Sunday dinner. It would always be ready when we got home from church and tasted great!
When I started writing my book, I asked my brother and sisters if they had any funny memories about dad and my brother mentioned that he remembered how dad would always fix our dog, Brownie, a special plate on Sundays. I had forgotten about this. Brownie loved these Sunday dinners too!
At one point though our routine changed to going to McDonald’s for Sunday lunch. Brownie was disappointed but us kids were happy about it. We still had meat sometime during the week so Brownie still got some meat bones every week so don’t feel too bad for him. Us kids loved McDonald’s and it gave my mom a break from cooking. My mom was overweight and consequently was very careful about making sure us kids didn’t get fat. When we went to McDonald’s, she would bring along a couple paper cups to split the shakes. She always said that we didn’t need that big of a shake. My dad didn’t mind at all and saved a little money too doing that.
Portion control is a good practice to get into if you want to eat unhealthy things now and then. For example, I love pizza and could easily gobble up an entire large one at one sitting with no trouble at all, but I don’t. In fact, I have cut my pizza portion size down to just two slices instead of three like I used to eat before I started working out. When I was younger, I was more active and had better metabolism but as I age, I notice my metabolism has slowed down and so I adjusted my eating habits.
So, how many slices of pizza do you eat at a time? Do you like McDonald’s? Do you split shakes for your kids?
To find out more about my book and why I wrote it, read the Foreword here.
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9 comments:
I think your parents were very wise! I always brought bags and cups when we went to the movies. We would buy the extra large popcorn and it always came with an extra large soft drink. I always told my kids "Nobody needs THAT much pop!" and I would split both the pop and the popcorn into individual servings for them and us.
More parents should be questioning the size of the drinks and bag of fries that these companies are serving us. It is not healthy.
On a wacky note: I also never bought Happy Meals at McDonalds. My kids never ate what was in there, so I was really just paying for the stupid toy. When they'd ask for a Happy Meal, I'd tell them "You can't buy happiness". I think I scarred them for life. LOL!
I usually eat one slice of pizza, but the pizza can't have sauce on it. I know it sounds crazy, but sauce flares up my reflux like you wouldn't believe!
I do eat McDonalds on occasion. Portion sizes are a lot bigger these days, so I try to save stuff for later whenever they give me too much.
I like everything unhealthy. Bill and I split things sometimes, we're practicing on how to save money after retirement and still have fun. I like to eat all the toppings off the pizza and leave the crust.
I like how your dad gave the dog a treat on Sundays. I used to like doing very similar things for my old dog too. Even though they were both my two favorite foods at onetime, I've cut pizza and McDonald's completely out of my diet. I stick mostly to low carb, which works very well.
Lin: Your parents were smart too! I actually like the Happy meals--they are much smaller portions.
Christian Mommy Writer: Pizza without sauce doesn't not sound good to me. I love the sauce! Saving some of McDonald's portions for another meal works--very sensible.
Jude: I'm with you on leaving the crust--I like the toppings best! It's smart to share portions. When we go to Olive Garden, we do that and have also done it at Denny's and Cracker Barrel.
Ratty: I need my carbs! I have pizza 3 times a week but don't do McDonald's that often. When I do, I get the pancakes usually and sometimes I'll treat myself to a shake in the summer but not often. i do like their shakes though!
YES! I always split my kids' stuff! When they get to be adults they're going to say, "Wait, some people actually get their OWN cookie?" :) I love it!
We're a water with meals family, unless its a special occasion... it's one of the easiest ways to save 10% off the check at the restaurant... our other trick is to have them bring the doggy bag cartons at the beginning of the meal so we can divide our dinner before we eat... We've pretty much cut out McDonalds because my son is on a gluten free diet and even the french fries have gluten in them at McDonalds...
Thanks for stopping by!
Congrats on your book! What a wonderful way to memorialize your father and family times. I hope to be published one day and now look up to you because you are.
I could likely eat an entire pizza and not the chincy Dominos pizza, but the large NY style pizzas. Mmmm...good! However, I'm lucky to have my husband who eats faster than me. He is my portion control. Before I'm finished with my first serving, he's usually finished the last of our meal. It works out quite nicely for both of us :)
Your mom was right about the shakes. It's funny how little things like that become fond or laughable memories when we're older. Not to self: pick a behavior and repeat it with my children.
I think it's so disgusting that my daughter thinks McDonald's is a special treat. Yuck.
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This post was mistakenly published early and received this comment by THIS MAMA WORKS IT:
I try to limit myself to 2 slices. Because I am with you I can eat a whole pizza. I do not even let myself or my kids eat at McDonalds. I think it is totally gross. But I have been a lot more conscious lately on my kids nutrition,
Stopping by from SITS! You were above me :)
www.thismamaworksit.com
Andye: We didn't go that far that we had to split the cookies! LOL!
Acting Balanced Mom: That's a good idea to get the "doggie bag" containers up front.
Melissa: Glad to hear you could eat a whole pizza too! What, you don't like McDonald's?
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