What to do when you're in the mood for "comfort" food?

Well you could eat that whole bag of Oreo cookies in the pantry... or you could order out for a veggie pizza with extra cheese. But really, about 10 minutes after you eat that food you were craving, chances are you will be feeling worse, MUCH worse about yourself, then you did to begin with.

So, next time you want to shove your face full of the kids Christmas cookies remember, it's not about comfort NOW, it's about comfort LATER. In the long run what food choice is going to bring you more comfort? One that adds weight and gulit, or one that is just as satisfying, will give you energy AND a boost in confidence because you can be absolutely certain you made a good choice??

I'm talking to myself as much as I am to my whole, well, two readers... 

Today for example... I am in pretty melancholy mood.... I have this gingerbread cookie mix sitting on the counter that I promised the kids we'd make next week. BUT I could make it now, eat oh.... say 1/2 the dough and the kids would never need to know. 

However, I know that I am DETERMINED to run my first 5k for my birthday. I also know I am so close to my goal of an unassisted pullup I can taste it. And next on my list of fitness goals is a one arm pushup. Now, If I eat 1 lb of cookie dough is that going to make me feel better? Yes. For the 5 minutes it would take me to inhale it. But then I'd feel like crap the rest of today, tomorrow and all next week because ultimately I'd be sabotaging my goals.

So while I wondered back and forth between my kitchen to living room for oh, 3 hours deciding if I was more interested in my immediate comfort, or future comfort I thankfully decided on the future and made my home version of one of my favorite restaurant salads. 

Chipotle Roasted Veggie and Black Bean Salad.

You will need:

 Romaine Lettuce

 Salsa

 Vegetables to roast, you can use whatever you want. They use onions and peppers, I had onion, celery and carrots on hand so into the roasting pan they went!

 

I added some sea salt, pepper and Bragg's Liquid Aminio's which I use whenever I get the chance. YUM!

Then open up a can of black beans and microwave them til warm. I use about 1/3-1/2 can on each  salad.

I topped it off with some low fat shredded cheese.

If you're a meat eater add chicken or lean cuts of beef.

And if you're not as concerned about calories and carbs, add some low fat sour cream and guacamole for your healthy fats.

Yay! Now it's time to go run some intervals!