The Blizzard Diet

It’s called the Blizzard Diet, and it’s better than the Atkins, Mayo Clinic, or even Weight Watchers versions because it is easier.  You don’t need to buy special foods, or attend meetings, and it works.  It really does.

The holidays were wonderful, possibly too much so.  At least that’s what my scale has been telling me.  Much, much, too much so, and I truly intended to do something about it soon.  But then the storm arrived, and while it was stressful, intimidating and inconvenient, it did have its plus side, and that was the Blizzard Diet.

Since it hit our area several days ahead of time (not the actual blizzard, of course, but the snow showers that arrived earlier) it became difficult for me to fill my refrigerator with all the items I didn’t need, but certainly wanted.  Of course, they were the comfort foods that everyone seeks before becoming housebound for 24 to 48 hours, i.e., potato chips, cookies, and perhaps even the ultimate tranquilizer, ice cream.  The parking lots were full, the roads slick, and I decided the refrigerator held the essentials, and I would take my chances on using what was available.

As the snow began to fall, I tallied my supplies (4 eggs, 2 loaves of thin sliced bread, a huge bag of frozen kale, 1 lb. of sweet butter, along with a half gallon of skim milk, frozen chicken cutlets and two steaks) I felt comfortable.  There were also several boxes of KCup coffee and tea in my pantry.  All would be well.

As the winds howled, and the storm became a reality, I reassessed my provisions.  Yes, there was enough provided I could shop by Friday, but listening to Channel 12, I began to wonder if that was realistic.  I decided to limit myself to three planed meals a day, no snacks and no unnecessary opening the refrigerator.

The planning was almost fun.  Not quite like working on a menu for guests, but close.  I realized I had only one potato so divided that into two dinners, and the bag of kale was a Godsend.  I also remembered the frozen blueberries tucked into the back of the freezer.  Wrapped into the sheet of frozen puff pastry that I had also forgotten bout, they provided dessert for several dinners.

The snow subsided on Tuesday, but the roads were still difficult, and I hadn’t been plowed out.  When I weighed myself Wednesday morning the results made me smile.  That hadn’t happened after a morning weigh in since Christmas.  The surprising part was I began to look forward to each meal, and I didn’t crave any snacks. Life is constantly teaching me lessons, and I find that exhilarating.  By the end of the week I certainly hadn’t suffered any culinary hardship.  I felt better, and I wasn’t hungry.

So while the 2015 Blizzard may bring back memories for a lot of reasons, I will remember it mostly as one of the best diets  have known .  And yes, I lost 6 lbs.  More importantly, however, I know I learned an important lesson, and that’s always a good thing.