's motd Thurs Feb 18, 2010

[Guest guest]

C-R-R-R-UNCH!

Thursday, 18 February 2010

Yesterday, we talked about doing crunches for your abs. Today, we're going to talk about crunchy foods for your taste buds. I may as well begin by telling you that crunchy foods are my weakness. I began eating and loving them very early in life.

My Mom used to make sandwiches for me and when she served them, she always included half a plate of potato chips. And oh, I just loved potato chips. Back then, they only came in two flavors, regular and barbecue. My mother used to mix them so I would have a variety of flavors...that crunched.My father made the fried chicken at our house. He would serve it from the pan straight to the plate. My daddy's fried chicken always tasted so unbelievable! You sunk your teeth into a drumstick or a thigh and oh, that crunch! My dad also made hash browns and they would be so crispy and crunchy on both sides. And I loved the crunch of fried oysters and fried shrimp.

I had my crush on sweet crunches too. I'm talking cookies and candies like the good-old Nestle's Crunch Bar. I even used to put mixed nuts in one side of my cheek and barbecued potato chips on the other. Then I'd close my eyes and let the orchestra in my mouth begin. That crunchy flavor combination was one of my all-time favorites.When Pepperidge Farms introduced those little Goldfish crackers, I rejoiced! Hey, did you ever put Whoppers Malted Milk Balls in one side of your mouth then add Goldfish crackers to the other? Oh...sorry, I'm getting carried away here!We love crunchy foods because most crunchy foods have lots of salt and grease in them. Yes, I mean even in candy bars and cookies. I believe the crunch of certain foods is comforting to us and it makes such a fun, happy little sound inside your head. But the minute you finish eating some of these foods, the guilt sets in, doesn't it? Then you start feeling and thinking negative thoughts as you beat yourself up for eating those foods you know aren't good for you. Hey, I've done it myself so I know it's not a very pleasant feeling.

You need to focus on those foods that are going to make you healthy and not the foods that are only going to bring you a little temporary happiness, that is...only while you're eating them!My favorite crunchy foods are now in the salads I make and love to eat. See, I prefer nature's crunch now. I'm talking tasty salad foods like carrots, shredded cabbage, celery, radishes and my favorite...cucumbers. And you know what? The healthy foods I now adore make the same kind of crunch as that bag of chips...only better!Love,