Here's the skinny on my food!

I called my blog It's All About The Food and now lets get down to the nitty gritty of how I go about my daily planning of  meals.  I am single so right off the bat that shows that how I plan meals can be and should be different from men or women with families and kids. I don't have to stock my fridge. Now that was a big revelation for me.  One day I realized I wasn't cooking for a family of 5 like my mom or 7 like my grandmother.  I didn't need to stock a pantry or cook huge portions and then freeze later.  I was actually a family of One, uno, solo, solitary blah, blah, blah. One!! I got it and that set me on my path to sane shopping, cooking and eating...for one. I put away my cookbooks that all were geared toward a minimum of 2 people.  I put away all my huge pots and pans, stacks of dishes, cups, plates etc. I haven't been to Costco since.  Here is what has been working for me.  I shop everyday.  I know very European.  I feel very Parisian, though I'm not.  I am an American mutt (half german, half italian). I now know most of the names of all the workers at my local Trader Joe's, occasionally I go to Ralph's.  I like TJ's mostly because they have small pre-packaged salads most of them low calorie, especially if you don't use the dressings.  I get lots of variety.  They even have a few hot meals that work for one person as well.  My calorie goal everyday is between 1300 and 1500 calories.  I stay in that range most days.  Once in a while it goes a little over.  I have lost 15lbs this way.  Total weight loss in 2 yrs is 35lbs.  It sometimes is hard not to buy the oversized bag of spinach or the big bag of frozen chicken breasts.  Once you taste a fresh chicken breast or piece of salmon from the butcher you will never go back.  Mostly I eat my pre-packaged salads with some extra spinach.  However last Saturday I was craving salmon.  So I went to the local fish market bought a fresh piece of salmon and some fresh brussel sprouts.  Cooked it, ate it, no leftovers.  It was delish!!!! I buy only what I need. I no longer stock 6 months worth of toilet paper either. I have taken hold and I now shop by the adage "Less is More".  I don't live in the jungle. There are stores around every corner.  I can buy as I need. It's okay. I won't starve if I don't buy 2 boxes of cereal.  One will do until it's gone.  Then if I am done with cereal for awhile it doesn't sit in my house.  Less is More!!! Try it. I feel so much lighter not just weight wise.  As well, I meet more people.  When someone sees you buy 2 salads, one peach, one banana and a small thing of muffins...Hmmm!!! She must be single.  They talk to you.  They engage you.  Life is alot more interesting.