Meal Mentor

Avoiding the Festive 15

The average American gains 10-15 pounds this month.

Let’s make sure that’s not you!

Weigh Yourself Twice a Week

While I encourage NSVs (non-scale victories) all year, I find weighing yourself twice a week keeps you honest during the holidaze.

If nothing else, there’s no BIG BIG surprise come January 1st.

Keep in mind, though, that when drinking and being merry, your body will hold onto more water than usual, so don’t get too obsessed with the numbers.

Wear Tight, Fitted Clothes

Sweats and sweaters are cozy and comfy, but loose-fitting and stretchy attire makes it easy to gain weight without realizing it. Choose clothes that are fitted so you stay honest.

Be PICKY

Only plate items you really, really want, rather than taking helpings of everything you don’t hate.

Don’t Chase the Dragon

With desserts and rich treats, the first bite is mind-blowing, but each bite thereafter isn’t as good. Oftentimes we keep eating, trying to get back to that initial bliss.

The point of diminishing returns is typically after the third bite. Pay attention and stop eating when you’re not having the same enjoyment.

Keep a Warm Weather Outfit Out

Look at it as a reminder and try it on periodically, too!

Consider Intermittent Fasting

Many of our members have had great success with IF (for weight-loss and learning their true hunger). I love practicing it when I’m on vacation and during the holidays because rules bypass willpower, which is an extremely exhaustible resource!

Plus, as my husband jokes, it’s less hours in the day your face is in the troph ;)

(Members, see the weight-loss ebook on your dashboard and threads in the forums to learn more.)

Happy Holidays (not Holidaze!)

P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!

Meal Mentor 2015 Holiday Gift Guide!

It's that time of year to start thinking about what to gift the Herbie in your life!

(OR just think of this post as a comprehensive list of MUST HAVE tools!)

Seriously… some of these things make eating healthy (or following the meal plans) SO.MUCH.EASIER.

OH! Before I forget!!

Annual Meal Plan Premium Memberships will be back for the LAST TIME on Cyber Monday (that's this coming Monday, November 30th)! ONE DAY ONLY!

Signup for the FREE newsletter for details!

We will not be offering this deal again.

Annual Membership includes:

• Private VIP Facebook group with Lindsay
• Access to Private Members Forums
• 1-on-1 with Lindsay in the VIP group
• Priority support/email
• Private monthly group challenges (with prizes!)
• Access to new features before anyone else
• Opportunity to make recipe requests
• Provide feedback/suggestions on upcoming features or workshops
• Free books & bonus cookbooks
• Exclusive videos
• Live workshops!!
• Live chats
• An ultra supportive family (1,671+ new besties!)
• Long-time members as your mentor

Gifts for the BATCH COOKER:

Meal prep containers. Also available in round.

GLASSLOCK!!! (please-oh-please Santa bring me some more!)

Pressure Cooker (for batching beans, grains, broth, potatoes & more basics)

(See my comparison blog post Instapot vs. Cuisinart if you’re undecided)

Silicone Freezer Tray (for soups, sauces, leftovers like tomato sauce or pumpkin)

Gifts for the Healthy Professional:

Mini Slow Cooker for workdays.

Or use a Portable Soup container (a thermos works too--it just isn’t as user-friendly)

Here’s a cheaper, no-frills version.

Stays Cold/No Sweat Water bottle

Gifts for the Home Cook (a.k.a. House Chef):

A quality Chef’s Knife like Wusthof Classic ($79.95) or Victorinox ($39) for a cheaper (but still great!) option.

Microplane zester

And if you want to suggest the plant-based lifestyle to someone...

The Happy Herbivore Guide to Plant-Based Living (also available as an audible book!)

Feel like you'll miss out?

The holiday season tends to feel a bit like the gluttony bowl…

And if you’re trying to be healthy?? You’re running the looongest gauntlet ever!

TWO things to keep in mind:

First, willpower is an exhaustible resource.

You have to create a self-supporting environment to succeed!

Whether that’s eating a monster salad before you go, filling your fridge with pre-made healthy meals to reheat, or using any of the tips below… success requires a PLAN.

(And a backup plan too! Really folks, keep healthy food on the ready!)

Second, (and this is a biggie!) YOU’RE NOT THERE FOR THE FOOD.

You’re there for the laughter, the cheer, the socializing.

Make the holidays about fun times and GRATITUDE!

Focus on making memories. Being with family.

Food is not fun OR how we can measure participation in an activity.

When you feel like you’re missing out…

Remember there’s nothing you can’t have, but there’s lots you’re CHOOSING not to.

AND is eating junky foods really the best way you can “treat” yourself?

Give thanks and show gratitude to yourself. Be true to you!

PLUS all the familiar flavors are still available to you -- just repackaged in a new, healthy way!

Other tips:

• Only choose items you really want (rather than taking helpings of everything you don’t hate).
• Always fill half your plate with vegetables.
• If you’re going to splurge, have a drink OR dessert (not both).
• Be the last to start eating.
• Use a smaller plate or napkin, especially at buffets.
• Combat “just live a little” peer pressure by saying, “I’m doing good right now and one bite will really derail me, but please, you go ahead and enjoy!”

P.S. MOST IMPORTANTLY if you do slip up… don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.

P.P.S. Annual Meal Plan Premium Memberships will be back for the LAST TIME on Cyber Monday (that's this coming Monday, November 30th)! ONE DAY ONLY! Stay tuned for more deets!

Plant-Based During the Holidays Podcast

The final Meal Mentor podcast of the season is ready for you!​

In this episode, Scott and Carly join me to discuss all things holiday-related and answer YOUR questions!

Tune in to the season finale to get tips and advice for staying plant-based during the holidays (even while traveling!), how to survive holiday parties and not overeat, talking with friends and family about your lifestyle, what to feed omnis and much more!

P.S. Do you love listening to the podcast? Show your support by leaving a review on iTunes.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!

Mental Health Podcast

A new Meal Mentor podcast is ready for you!

In this episode, Brea (my copilot!) talks with me about mental illness. In addition to sharing coping strategies, we also discuss the importance of being open and honest, and working to erase the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Don't miss this episode to hear about the power in admitting weaknesses, why embarrassment and shame should be eliminated, and how to find the silver lining when living with a mental illness!

P.S. Do you love listening to the podcast? Show your support by leaving a review on iTunes.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!

10 Ways to Transform Leftovers

Do you hate leftovers? Does your partner?

I didn’t grow up eating leftovers.

My father had grown up very very poor, rarely having enough food to eat. And when they had food, it was often a 10lb bag of beans they would eat meal after meal for a week straight.

It’s not surprising that my father became apprehensive of leftovers, or that as a provider, he felt a sense of pride that his family never had to eat leftovers…

As I grew older I realized other families did not live or eat like mine.

Friends with single, working parents often ate the same casserole all week long.

Other kids ate the same exact lunch every day or took “leftovers.”

In fact when a kid tried to trade me lunches, his leftover lasagna for my sandwich, I said something about how I didn’t like leftovers (even though I really loved lasagna and loved it a whole lot more than a bologna sandwich).

Not liking leftovers is a learned behavior.

How could I conclusively hate something I had never really had?

More importantly, would I turn away “leftover” birthday cake? Absolutely not.

My husband didn’t grow up eating leftovers either, but for entirely different reasons. His parents worked opposite shifts, so they never had mealtimes together to have leftovers.

Point is, we both came into our marriage hating leftovers.

Or not wanting to eat leftovers if we had them.

And because we were both too busy and too tired to cook a “fresh” meal after a long day, we went out to eat or ordered take-out so someone else would do the “fresh” cooking for us.

(Nevermind that most restaurant food is made well ahead and “leftover.”)

We had colored our minds against “leftovers” thinking they were gross, soggy seconds.

But when we decided to get serious about our health, go vegan, and lose weight…

I KNEW I had to meal plan *and* cook. There was no other way.

And with my schedule, there was NO WAY I could cook nightly.

So I HAD to cook on the weekends, and because I was slow and inexperienced, I started cooking big batches to save time and effort.

We HATED it, especially my husband, but we forced it down.

Then something happened: We felt the UPSIDES.

Losing weight and feeling better—yes!! But we LOVED the money savings, routine, and convenience most of all!

Coming home after a long day knowing dinner is ALREADY in the fridge?

Such an awesome feeling.

All I have to do is reheat and eat?! Hell to the YEAH.

We also started noticing a lot of foods only got more flavorful and better tasting as they sat and “marinated” for a few days.

BUT if you’re still mentally blocked about leftovers…

Try these “repackaging” ideas:

• turn into a sandwich or wrap
• put it with pasta
• serve it inside lettuce cups
• or over leaves (kale, spinach, etc.) for a salad
• put it on top of pizza
• stuff into a bell pepper
• mix into tofu scramble
• puree into a soup (works GREAT for veggies!)
• serve as a pot pie filling
• serve warm or cold (whatever you didn’t do last time)

P.S. In a happy turn of events, even my plant-based parents have come to love “leftovers” too. Not only for the ease, but they feel most Meal Mentor recipes taste BETTER a few days later. My DAD often cooks extra so they have enough for a second meal, even though both he and my mom are retired and have the time to cook daily.

P.P.S. Join the Meal Mentor newsletter (it's FREE!) Click here to signup!