Land of the Lean
People always ask me how I am able to remain lean for such long periods of time. There is no “secret” answer; it just takes a lot of preparation and discipline. In my opinion, it takes more of the former than the latter. I thought I would share a few things that I do to make life easier while living in “The Land of the Lean!”
1)How it works. The pictures show the process my food goes through from grocery store to meal ready. EVERYTHING is premeasured, weighed, and packaged…..at least during the season. I’m more lax with the scale during the off season.
2)So what’s in the pictures? It is 15lbs of chicken, 4lbs extra lean ground turkey, 4-16oz cartons of Egg Beaters, 2-10oz packs of extra lean deli meat, 6lbs of sweet potatoes, ½ pack of Uncle Ben’s instant brown rice, 2 bushels of asparagus, 2 red peppers, 2 orange peppers, 2 chopped cucumbers, 1 large purple onion, 1-16oz pack of sliced mushrooms, ½ bushel of spinach, and about 46 egg whites. I had enough food cooked, measured, and eventually frozen for 2 additional weeks. (How’s that for preparation?)
3)I cook because I have to. I have learned to enjoy it over time and have become quite the chef in the kitchen. I never use the excuse “I can’t cook!” because initially, I couldn’t do it so well. But FYI, you learn to do what you have to to get the results you want!
4)I look for bargains EVERYWHERE! Eating clean is as expensive or inexpensive as you make it. There are certain things I just refuse to pay outrageous prices for….unless I have no choice. I have learned when and where to shop to get the best bargains. (Notice the discount prices in the pictures. I spent $18 on what would typically cost $40).
5)The preparation involved is worth the long-term benefits. So what if you have to spend 6-8 hrs of your weekend preparing your food for weeks in advance. You would definitely spend more time than that doing cardio if you chose to eat out….think about that!
6)Get creative! People assume all I eat is chicken, broccoli, and oatmeal. My question to them is this: even when you eat junk, do you eat the same thing every time? No! If you are bored with trying to eat healthy it is because your menu and preparation of the food is boring. “Food” is never boring, it is always the hands that prepare it that are drab. When was the last time you checked out the food network and got some ideas for creative healthy meals? You should try it sometime.
7)I ALWAYS travel with food. I laugh when people blame their poor nutritional choices on travel. Do you know how much you can put in a cooler that fits in a carry on suitcase? The attached picture has 39 meals. That is almost 7 days worth of food. And YES, it ALL fits in my carry on suitcase with room to spare.
Hopefully you learned something that you can take with you and try out for yourself. When you get it down, let me know how it works, or feel free to add your own alternatives or comments……and then come on over to the “The Land of the Lean”….it ain’t so bad….really!
November 2, 2009 at 7:08 am
Laura, This is just what i need. After the blog i wrote yesteerday about how i want to close out the year, that spread is fantastic. And you are fantastic for posting this
November 2, 2009 at 7:19 am
I guess my old boy scout motto "be prepared" stuck with me. Preparation can be a real B@$ch sometimes, especially when the day hasn’t gone according to plan, but in the long run it helps out sooooo much. This past weekend was grocery shopping time, and although Costco ripped yet another hole in my wallet, it’ll pay off in the end. I basically make all my meals for the week during the sunday football games. see, yet another reason to love football.
Peace!!
November 2, 2009 at 7:20 am
lol I did the same thing last night, and it is what I do every Sunday to get ready for the week. sometimes it is such a chore, but it always makes me feel calm and prepared to go into a hectic week with the fuel I need. great pic & great blog!
November 2, 2009 at 7:56 am
This is an incredible blog, I love the pics!! This is exactly what I need to guide me through the preparation phase and everything looks so delicious…care to share some of those recipes
November 2, 2009 at 9:14 am
I am so printing this and making it my grocery list! That’s pretty stinkin idiot proof there.
November 2, 2009 at 9:28 am
as flipping usual. Awesome!
November 2, 2009 at 9:48 pm
Damn!!! Not that I haven’t seen it before, you have never failed to impress me, that much is certain!
November 3, 2009 at 11:12 am
OMG Wait until I show my friends and co-workers who think I’m a nut or one fry short of a happy meal. This was the easiest part of my transformation as I always pre-planned meals due to my work schedule did not want my daughter eating out or junk before I got home so she always had a good meal waiting after school. Now I’m full tilt. I plan out my menu for the month, yes all 30 or 31 days that way I don’t stray. It also allows me to plan my meals around activities that cause me to be more out then in soccer games, swim meets, request to work OT. We have 2 full size fridges at work so i take a wks worth of meals so can never say I forgot anything. When I have to participate at a luncheon meeting at work I have my to go plate or shake. In fact right now we are having an ice cream social I’m talking the works. So I put my protein shake in the freezer this a.m. and now I’m able to enjoy hanging out with my co-workers without the guilt. Thanks for confirmation that I’m on the right track!
November 3, 2009 at 11:33 am
This was an awesome and informative post! Thank you!
November 3, 2009 at 11:35 am
You’re so neat and organized. I’m bookmarking this post so I can refer to it. Thanks!
November 3, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Hey Laura:
What is that you have there in the foil tray?
November 3, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Great post and I love that you took photos for us! thanks!
November 3, 2009 at 9:56 pm
JENNY O is MY HOMEGIRL TOO!!! i’m beginning to get close to possibly maybe preparing my meals for the week. I can usually do a few days…but i really really like new food and i’m nice in the kitchen sooooo. anywho…this is an excellent piece of bloggage which i will be er uh..attempting to incorporate in to my eating habits… PS: can we kill the word diet??
November 4, 2009 at 9:20 pm
WAYNE: Well i wanna see you close ‘09 out right big daddy! LOL!
Hope this helps!
November 4, 2009 at 9:21 pm
LEX: i like that idea of doing food prep while watching football. Gives you something to do during commercials instead of channel surfing. I’ll be excited to hear when you start prepping for 2 weeks ahead!
November 4, 2009 at 9:23 pm
JPERRY: You’re right, sometimes it does feel like a chore, but when we can open our fridge and just grab and go, it makes the chore well worth it! Glad to see someones else knows what it’s like…….and by the way, I’m still eating the food in the pics above!
PREPARATION—–IT"S A GOOD THING! 
November 4, 2009 at 9:25 pm
MS_TEE: Thanks girl! Everything in that pics is DELISH!!! I’m not about eating food that tastes drab. If it’s not good, I’m not eating it!
As for the recipes, I have a few of them posted on a previous blog on here under "10 minute meals"…check it out! I think it’s the breakfast quiche!
November 4, 2009 at 9:26 pm
XNEWSOME: You’re funny! And yes, all the reipes are "idiot proof"…LOL
November 4, 2009 at 9:26 pm
CHRONICLE: Thanks hun! Good food always makes me smile!
November 4, 2009 at 9:27 pm
CRZYHORSE: Thanks a million mighty oak!!!
November 4, 2009 at 9:30 pm
RENEW: Haaa! Look at you girl! A month in advance??? I’m not mad at you! I’m so jealous that you have 2 refrigerators. That’s the only thing keep me from buying more food….I run out of space. Man, when I get a deep freezer it is OVER!!!
And you are so right about having food for you and the kids before and after events and even during work…..will you please blog about that for the many mothers who say, "well I have kids and can’t do that!" Much respect you to you….MUAH!!
November 4, 2009 at 9:31 pm
FITCLUBMOM: Not a problem at all! you’re more than welcomed!
November 4, 2009 at 9:31 pm
SHANBL: Great. Glad you can use it missy!
November 4, 2009 at 9:34 pm
LEX: That’s "breakfast quiche"….at least that’s what I call it! It’s in the "10-minute meals" blog I did a while back. It’s so good. One tray makes 6 servings for me and each has about 28 grams of protein, 2 grams fat. It is MUY BUENO!!!
November 4, 2009 at 9:36 pm
KC5280: Although I don’t really worry too much about how food looks, you see so many competitors who food looks and smells awful!!! Almost everything in my kitchen looks delish when it’s done, is "aromatic," and tastes mmmmmm’mmmmm good!
November 4, 2009 at 9:39 pm
DOOBEE: Jennie-o is your home girl too?? Aww man she and I go wayyyy back! LOL!
If you like to eat different things, then just prepare about 6 different meals then you’ll be good…but I won’t push it. Let’s work in getting you to the one week mark first!
As for the word "diet" I don’t think I used it in my post did I?? b/c I’m not a fan of that word either.
November 4, 2009 at 10:32 pm
i’m on it Jumper11 in fact i appoint myself as the poster child umm mom of the "i don’t have anytime and what about the kids" i’m living proof that it can be done cause i’m doing it
November 6, 2009 at 6:29 pm
This is AWESOME!! My favorite blog and photos. I am the "worst" cook likely due to laziness and fear of the unknown.Maybe spoiled from mom all my life too i guess.Because none of my girlfriends ever really cooked for me-lol hmmm.
Being a dude and visual this makes alot more sense and attainable.Thank you for your time & effort.I am off to burn some food and misflavor it! I will still plug my nose and churn it down like the old school protein shakes back in the day!
November 9, 2009 at 7:30 pm
RENEW: YOU GO GIRL!! REPRESENT!
November 9, 2009 at 7:32 pm
INSIDEOUT: Sure thing man! Glad someone can use it. I’ve actually leanred to enjoy cooking over the years. ……no tget in that kitchen and stop being lazy!