We eat pretty well all week long, but Sunday is Sunday Splurge Day a.k.a “cheat” day and a good day to empty out the leftovers. A friend of mine introduced me to the idea a long time ago and a few of us share a Pinterest board with ways to bring the other down with really rich, decadent foods!! (Insert maniacal laughter here). One of the advantages of having a day where you don't worry about diet/what you eat is to help you not feel so deprived. Do your best for 6 days and eat what you want for the 7th and do it guilt free. WAIT! This doesn't mean gorge yourself, just don't worry about your choices as much. Enjoy! No shame! Shame and guilt can keep us in vicious cycles of self destruction, let it go!
Is this a trick? Yes....The truth is that the more accustomed you become to eating healthy meals the more your body craves it. Healthy eating is eating in moderation, eating a variety of wholesome foods including fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, whole grains, (fish, lean meat if not a Vegetarian of Vegan), and being mindful and wise about your choices. You will find that cheating isn't as yummy as it used to be and "decadent" starts to mean something else. Like lusting after a bowlful of delicious berries and turning down the banana split!
While we learn to eat better because we start eating better, sometimes you still like the ooey gooey foods, and thats ok. Treat yourself and enjoy.
What is a Treat?
I can't tell you if something is a treat, it's different for everyone. For example, if you eat ice cream every night before going to bed and decide to change this, than a treat may be a bowl every couple of nights, than maybe once a week, and later maybe once a month. Defining a treat is up to you and the frequency changes with your lifestyle. Just be honest and remember to take your time, savor the flavors, slow down and enjoy; treats aren't treats if we don't experience them.
What's for Dinner in the Burbach house this week? A Fridge Dump Dish!
A couple of weeks ago our Sunday Splurge was crackers served with cheese dip while at a Blues concert:
4 ounces cream cheese
8 ounces grated Cheddar cheese
4 ounces grated Pepper Jack cheese
2 Tablespoons Spinach and Herb mix from Tastefully Simple
1 Tablespoon Fiesta Party Seasoning from Tastefully Simple
Blend in the food processor and add
Equal Parts Mayo and Sour cream until the consistency you like. 1-1/2 cup total
Another night we had Chili from The Pioneer Woman. I often alter recipes to make them more healthy and if it's a Sunday Splurge sometimes I don't. These flavors work nicely with your favorite vegetarian chili base (I like lentils and bulgar).
These items were in our fridge and still good- DO check this when make creative meals from leftovers; when in doubt, through it out! Then make Fridge Dump Dishes.
Leftovers: 1 Cup chili, 1 1/2 cups cheese dip, 2 half bags of tortilla chips
Sounds like Nacho Night!!
Cheese Sauce:
Add 2 tsps of olive oil to a sauce pan and heat it up then stir in 2 Tbsp flour. Mix until smooth and gradually pour in 1-2 cups milk, stir as you ago and allow to thicken. Then add the leftover cheese dip and allow to fully melt. Stir constantly and watch the heat. Because my grated cheeses already had cream cheese in it (low fat), it melted nicely and was smooth.
Nacho Topping
1 cup chili
1 can beans of choice, rinsed
Heat together until warmed through. Then layer the beans and chili over the chips and top with cheese sauce and your favorite nacho toppings.
It's one meal all week long where you just splurged. It won't destroy your hard work and it will be yummy! Each time you do a Sunday Splurge ask yourself if there is a more healthful choice or ingredient you'd like to use. Check in with your body and see what it tells you.
Caveat - If your self discipline is a problem and one dish leads to a week of poor choices please step back and ask yourself if you are ready and can handle it and if not, wait until you've practiced a little more mindful eating and self discipline. It can change, just give yourself time and don't be afraid to ask for help.
Enjoy!