EMM: No Fast Food

Actions for today:
1. Don't eat fast food today.
2. Start by switching 1 fast food meal a week to a healthier alternative.
3. If you do eat fast food, eat smaller portions.
4. NEVER super-size.
5. Plan your meals for the week to help cut down on impromptu fast food meals. Find helpful tips here.
6. Keep your fridge and pantry stocked.
7. Pack a healthy lunch or cook dinner at home tonight.

So here is how I tackled these actions this week. Here is my dinner meal plan:
Monday-Box dinner using chicken with applesauce (my kids are not eating much these days and Paul has been working late so this was a simple meal mostly for me)
Tuesday-Enchilada casserole with corn (I actually made 2 of these and froze one for later)
Wednesday-Easy Italian Chicken ( crock pot recipe) with green beans
Thursday-Round Steak with herbs and mixed veggies
Friday-Broiled chicken with oyster sauce with jasmine rice

Today I took the kids to McDonalds but we didn't eat there, just played in the the play area. The kids asked about eating but we came home instead. I will be at the office tomorrow and I am planning on taking my lunch (actually, I have a lunch there I think, probably tuna, crackers, protein bar). I have never super-sized anything, in fact I usually get the kids meal because it is just the right portion.

I would really like to find some healthy fast food options because sometimes I need the convenience.

EMM: No Nicotine

Okay, so I don't smoke (and never have) but my dad does. He had a cancer scare a couple of years ago and tried to quit. I know that didn't go so well, but I do think he's still trying to cut back. The book suggests helping someone else who's trying to quit so that is what I will do...help my Dad.

EMM: Read a Book

Actions:


1. Read a book you've never read.


2. Join a book club.


3. Give books to people as gifts.


4. Exchange books.





I would also add: donate books!





I've read 11 books so far this year which is more than the average. We have so many books in our home it's really kind of crazy. Lately, I have been trying to get rid of some of them (but usually not the children's books). I decided I was never going to have enough time to read all the books I have, much less re-read ones I've already read. Sometimes, I donate the books, sometimes sell them (to buy more). I've always liked the idea of a book club but never found one. I do enjoy small group studies at the church that use books as their basis. With the kids I haven't been able to fit one in my schedule, but maybe soon.

EMM: Don't Speed

Paul would probably laugh if he saw this. My driving makes him crazy because I tend to be too cautious (at least in his opinion). I tend to stay close to the posted speed limit, try not to change lanes too often (kind of the idea of no need to change paths until I need to), and slow down in bad weather. I rarely don't have enough time to get where I'm going (usually show up early). Hey if you don't speed you can't get a speeding ticket!

EMM: Don't Honk

This day's actions are:
1. Only us horn when reasonably necessary to ensure the safe operation of your car.
2. Don't use your horn to let someone know you're angry, to let them know you are waiting outside, or as a way of protesting.
3. Get your hearing checked.

I read the actions first and thought the last one was funny, but they are trying to make the point that unnecessary horns blaring is a form of noise pollution that can cause hearing loss. I'm not sure when the last time I used my horn at all or the last time I heard a horn being used as indicated in the first action. I'm not even sure that if I used my horn for some safety-type reasons, those around me would even understand it that way or just think someone was mad.

EMM: Treat Homeless with Diginty

Actions:
1. Don't judge people.
2. Better understand the homeless by speaking to them when you get a chance.
3. Look them in the eye and be polite. A simple "hello" or "God bless you" is fine.
4. Offer bottles water or pre-packaged food instead of money.
5. If you can't help, simply state "I'm sorry. I'm not able to help."

With small children it's been difficult to do any kind of volunteer work, but I have tried to find other ways to help our local life shelter. We had a dozen cupcakes plus a cake left from Logan's baptism celebration so we contacted the life shelter and was able to take the sweets to them. I have always tried to be polite when I can't help. I do like the idea of giving out water or ready-to-eat food. I rarely have cash on hand and this would be a way to give something.

EMM: Don't Flick Your Cigarette Butt

Although my Dad smokes, I don't see much smoking. The city I spend most of my time in is fairly non-smoking...other than the outside the only place I can think of that you can smoke is the bar-area of restaurants. Because of this most of the Action Items don't really apply. There is one...if you see a discarded cigarette butt either ask the smoker to pick it up or do it yourself. Okay, I can do that. Oh, and also the last Item:

DON'T SMOKE!