Need help with portion control? This can help.

This plate really comes in handy, and keeps meal portion under control. Not only that, it already spells out the different types of food for me in the categories of vegetables, starch, and protein.

Some are more obvious than others (in these food categories) for me, but having them listed helps (because going above the suggested amounts of certain types of food can affect ones health just like a smaller than suggested amount can). I don't have to worry about that with this plate because it spells it out and I just put the food in these areas. It's great for kids too helping with meal time, because it can teach them too.

If I can suggest any activities to my readers, it would be to make meal prep, and grocery shopping based on meal planning a group activity. If they learn as kids, it will help decrease their risk of childhood obesity, increase their knowledge and respect for healthier eating, and also may prevent other health related problems that may come as a result of a poor diet.

When I initially started making this move, I was concerned about costs, but there are options out there if the time is invested in looking (and even asking around). Spending money on the things that are on the meal and snack menu only, will impact the budget in a positive way. Sometimes shopping ends up being one big unhealthy unplanned mess, because going to the store grabbing a little of this or that can fall short of what makes full meals that contribute to properly portioned meals.

Even with proper portions, it could end up being an unhealthy combination, so I'm working on using what makes things easier for me (like this plate).

What's for dinner?

If you're looking at these mushrooms, asparagus, and red potatoes wondering what can be done for a delicious meal, there are various combinations that can deliver delicious dishes.

My thing is to make sure they taste good, while avoid all the additives that make them really unhealthy. I'm not an overly healthy person, but I'm making it a point to make better decisions that allow for an easier transition to build up menu options that don't taste like crap.

Beef was the meat I added to this mix


Source: Roderick A. Franklin

I've decreased my beef intake down to a few times per month, but when I do have beef I try to go with the best cut when it's on sale. Sirloin tip side steak is one of the more lean, flavorful steaks you can get, with less fat, less saturated fat, and still a good amount of protein.

The asparagus was cooked in a skillet w/ extra virgin olive oil, chopped garlic, some herbs, and half of a lemon. (I made this first so that I could use the same skillet to cook my meat, to keep dishes I have to wash at a minimum.)

These red potatoes were basically boiled in a little water to the point that they were really soft so that I could simply mash them up with a little non-lactic milk, and some herbal seasoning for taste.

The steak was medium well, with a little sea salt and ground pepper. After the steak was removed from the skillet, a little water was added along with the mushrooms to create a mushroom gravy to go over top of the steak. Salt was only placed on the steak, and some of you may prefer more salt than what was added to our dishes, but give herbal seasonings a try.

Some people just stick with salt because nothing else has ever been considered, but you may like it a lot. You don't have to go tasteless, just switch it up and then you wouldn't think of it being a decrease in salt intake, it would just be more variety for you to enjoy. Since I usually take a bit of each food item on my plate into each bite, I'm not missing salt, but I don't even use it as much because of the options I have opened myself up to. Now I appreciate them and how they enhance my meals.

I usually like to have a flavored beverage with my dinner, which will end up being spark at times. I have a fruit punch Spark earlier in the day, but sometimes I will have it with dinner when I plan to work over night so that I'm energized and alert.