AARP Rewards Healthy Plate Contest, Week 1 May 3-9, 2021

I hope this is where I put this entry!! AARP doesn't always make things clear enough for those of us who are not electronically inclined.
We invested in a small air fryer to make our plates healthier. It isn't big and fancy but enough for the 2 of us. A small investment for a time saver, money saver, time saver and cooking healthier.
It does veggies great (fresh or frozen) and with little to no oil. A chicken breast or even a small steak is wonderful. We have little waste because it makes enough for both of us if we watch our portioning. There are some frozen bagged dinners, can be bought for a reasonable price, that can be prepared in the microwave. This is our way for the healthier plate.

I am eating 3 servings of veggies a day

Cutting back on sugar and sugary drinks

We have a large green salad every day. Greens may include one or more of the following: kale, baby greens, romaine, cabbage, spinach. We vary what we add using raw vegetables, sauteed mushrooms, beans, salsa, or fruits like berries, oranges, mangoes, etc. If we need dressing we make it with nuts instead of oil. We also eat nuts and beans every day. We have gained a new appreciation for the flavors of fresh and unprocessed food. Both my husband and I have lost weight and never felt better. We also have found that as we aged, our appetites have decreased. We are now perfectly happy eating two highly nutritious meals a day.  

I’m a life member of WW (Weight Watchers). I’m encouraged in a healthy lifestyle and eating.

We try eat dinner earlier in the day. Then take at walk at regular dinner time. 

I use a smaller plate for my food. That way it looks like I have more to eat. 

T try to stay out of the room with the food.  I don't have to go through the kitchen for most things so that helps.  I do not try to eat as much as others in my group whether out and about or home for the long haul.  I try to avoid buying the stuff that makes me want more.

About an hour before dinner, I eat four or five cookies to reduce my appetite, then I eat less dinner.

Last year, 2020, we regularly took advantage of sales on strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and blueberries.  We froze them in single batches and in mixed batches.  Throughout the Winter, and now Spring, we have thawed a container of these healthy berries to eat either with or meals or as an dessert afterwards.  I even froze batches of strawberries & rhubarb that I cooked into a sauce, which we use on pancakes now instead of sugary syrups.  All fiber rich and full of vitamin and healthy nutrients!