Easter Sunday, like all major holidays, consists of food traditions. In our house, it’s ham, likely accompanied by potato salad and green beans. The only other mandatory-ham holiday is Christmas.
I like ham OK, but it doesn’t like me. There’s just too much sodium in cured meats like ham, bacon and lunchmeat, and I am the Hoover Dam of water retention.
Everything in moderation, as the saying goes. I’ll have a little ham, but guess what my real problem food is?
Green beans. Yes, I am very serious.
I’m content to just have a big plate of green beans, soulfully seasoned with smoked turkey necks. Sure, I season with salt and pepper as well, but the sodium hit isn’t as bad as it is with the ham – and much more worth it.
I’m the same way with collards. Forget everything else; if it’s green, I’m in it. Everyone else will likely load up on the ham and potato salad, and that’s fine. More green beans for me, and plenty of leftovers for Easter Monday.
While the Easter meal won’t prove much of a challenge for me, the rest of April certainly will. As I mentioned yesterday, I am so very happy to say I’m down 19 pounds. Not bad for about two months’ of work. I feel a real slowdown coming on, but that’s OK. I’m seeing some changes in my face and legs. Not in my upper arms, unfortunately, but am hoping for the best.
The bad news is, I have three big trips this month – two to Virginia, one to Florida – each requiring at least two nights in a hotel, and meals on the road. I’ve already made up my mind not to be disappointed if I hardly lose any weight this month. I will be, though, if I gain.
Have a great weekend.
I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam-I-am. ~ Dr. Seuss
Leslie J. Ansley is an award-winning journalist and entrepreneur who blogs daily for TheRoot. She lives in Raleigh, NC.