My husband and I started this…

Not a diet.

Not a fast.

Not a fad.

Not a resolution.

Not even a lifestyle change.

Nope, not even that.

It’s a MEAL PLAN.

That means, we figure out what we will eat for the week, and then buy what we need from store. And the last step in this process is…making it.

Sticking to the plan. Making it work.

And while that is not easy…it’s a better start than just making up meals as you go along. And well, that is pretty much what we have done for YEARS.

Actually, one time, we made a meal plan. A week’s worth. It was AWESOME. We had a plan. We would eat at home. We knew what we would fix and shop for. We’d save TONS of money from not eating out. YEAH!

Then?

Disaster. That week four of our five family members were in a roll-over car accident. Outright creamed and knocked over by a giant Chevy Silverado as they happily headed home from ice cream.

Worst day of my life. Probably because, I was the one member NOT in the car.

From that day on, meal planning was cursed, and strictly forbidden. Because. Hello? Accident from Hell.

So as this year begins, we have thrown caution to the wind and created a MEAL PLAN.

Oh, God.

But so far, no accidents. No near disasters. No bad mojo.

It’s a just a meal plan, dammit.

And a damn good one at that.

Well, except for the nuts. One cup is a trillion calories. A handful is a good guide. And eat as many carrots as you want. Crunch. Crunch.

So Day 3 of the “plan” and all is well. I have even danced like no one is watching in my old Zumba class.

So take that, doomsday plan! In your face!

As you can see by our fancy meal planning board, part of our plan involves GREEN juice.

Yes, GREEN.

As in, all veggies, and no fruit syrup.

My sweet tooth cried.

But that is okay. It’s good for you! And do you know what I discovered? I feel a heck of a lot happier when I am on the GREEN juice plan.

Maybe, my body is getting all the nutrients it needs and so it concentrates on sending me feel-good hormones.

I don’t know if that is what it is. But, I’ll take a another cup of whatever it is!

Oh yeah, GREEN juice!

My husband has a special recipe. He takes spinach, cucumbers, zucchini, a pear, a few mango chunks, and a bit of lime.

So yes, a bit of sweet (the pear and mangos) and sour (the lime) to offset the taste of pure boatloads of spinach.

We actually didn’t have all these ingredients last night. My juice connoisseur husband was having a fit. He had to use Apple instead of pear. And NO LIME at all. The shame.

But I thought it was fantastic!

Guess I don’t have the juice palate. Because I honestly can’t tell what from what. I just chug-a-lug and be happy.

So happy!

If you want to know more about green juice and other benefits. You can check out the video we watched before we started Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead. And keep in mind, I don’t take everything I see or read to heart. It’s a guide. It’s one movie’s opinion. Believe me, there are plenty more where that came from.

Our good friends recommended the movie and they juiced with their meals. It looked like they discovered the fountain of youth or something. They look absolutely amazing! We tried the Whole Foods juice (they have a juicer on-site). And liked it enough to invest in our nifty juicer.

Isn’t she a beaut?

Cheers to you who are trying something new this year. Cheers to you for doing something that makes you feel better and feel happier.

Wishing you much success!

And for those without New Year Resolutions? Cheers to you too.

I dislike resolutions and that is why I have a MEAL PLAN.