Fast Food Can Be Done

Hey y'all! I want to first wish my bestie for life, Jordan Pittman, a SUPER DUPER happy birthday! You are always the one I call first when I need to be reeled in from the ledge. Thanks for always being on my side. I hope you have an amazing day.

For some reason, momentum comes and goes in waves. Last week was the first week in a LONG time in which I totally nailed it M-F. I planned out my food, suffered through a few hunger pangs...though nothing too serious...and felt better. Since Saturday, it's been a train wreck. Well, maybe not a train wreck...maybe like a mild canoe accident. This weekend there was a pizza incident and since then I haven't felt like planning. My schedule hasn't helped. I'm dealing with a major financial issue that will be worth it in the end but I've been through hell trying to get it done. I've got students coming out of the woodwork looking for help with their grades because it's finals week. And it's one errand after another this week. Blah, blah, blah...excuses excuses. I think I'll do some planning tonight for the rest of the week or at least tomorrow. That always helps me stay on track.

Since I've been busy, I haven't had much time to cook, though hopefully that will change tonight. Ian made grilled chicken kabobs last night from Fresh Market and they were yummy but I ate them so quickly I forgot to take a photo. I wanted to cheat a bit today and tell y'all what I eat at fast food restaurants. It goes without saying that stopping at a fast food chain should be a last resort. In theory, you should eat breakfast at home, pack a lunch and cook a healthy meal for dinner. Well, I don't have kids and I still find that swinging through a drive-thru makes sense if you actually want to eat lunch. I had Jimmy John's yesterday because it was that or skip lunch completely and let me just tell you, I'm not that kind of girl. For the record, I got a #1 no mayo (because I'm a hero) and their Thinny Chips (which are still caloric af). So, what do you all eat at fast food places? I thought I'd share a few go to menu items I get.

I spend a lot of time feeling guilty eating Chick-Fil-A because the corporate side of Chick-Fil-A is NOT pretty. I try to focus on the fact that our local stores do a lot of positive things in the community and that their employees have to have a job. Also, if I never used any mainstream organization that was crappy to their employees or did shady stuff overseas, I'd spend a lot of time without soda, growing my own vegetables and killing chickens in my backyard. I'd also have to stay at home with no electronics. So, in the meantime, if I need a low calorie lunch, I'm heading to Chick-Fil-A. It's a bit pricy but you can get a 12 count nugget for 210 calories and a fruit cup as your side for 45 calories. My other favorite is a regular sized cup of their Hearty Chicken Noodle Soup which will only set you back 140 calories. Their egg white grill for breakfast is also really tasty and 300 calories. That's kind of a lot for breakfast but that sandwich is filling. Essentially, you can full for under 400 calories for breakfast OR lunch and that's awesome.

I have a Wendy's about a minute from my house so when I don't want to cook, I can slide on through the drive-thru. There's not a whole lot going on at Wendy's that I would deem "good" for you. I've gotten their salads before and they are efficient and have good size but the dressing tends to be a problem. When I want to fill up my belly for 440 calories, I go for the Grilled Chicken Wrap and a cup of chili. I know the foul things you've heard about the chili. Please don't tell those things to me. The beans in the chili make you feel like you're eating something which is unlike most fast food joints. Also, like McDonald's, they have apple slices which would add a sweet touch to the end of the meal.

Other than the Egg White Delight and apple slices, McDonald's is kind of a mess. If you have to go there, stick to the cheap menu because the items are smaller so they are in turn, less calories. You can get a salad too but you may want to skip the dressing. On the plus side, the calories are plastered right on their menu so you can see the damage for yourself.

Bojangles' is more of a southern staple and to be honest, there's nothing healthy about a biscuit...though their cinnamon biscuits make me weep tears of joy. What many people don't know is that they have these Roasted Chicken Bites that are only 280 calories. Add some green beans for 40 calories and you've got a tasty meal. I'll let you decide if you want to throw in some dirty rice for 165 cals. If you want the biscuit, it'll cost you 280 calories. I'm sorry. Biscuits are fat on fat on flour.

Let me be the first to admit that nothing I've ever gotten from Panda Express looks like the picture above. However, if you get a panda bowl and eat either beef and broccoli or mushroom chicken on top of mixed veggies instead of rice, you're getting Americanized Chinese food that could be WAY worse with calories. Honestly, it's a good tip all around to get broccoli beef. It seems to always be the least offensive in terms of numbers. Rice isn't terrible but if your'e like me, you can eat it by the bucketload so it helps to get the veggies.

Those are just SOME ideas. I'd love to know if you all have any ideas for the drive-thru or tips at restaurants. Like, can anyone tell me how NOT to eat chips and queso at a Mexican place? The only way I think I'm ever going to resist is if I'm handcuffed at the table. Cinco de Mayo is Friday and I know how that ends for me. Margaritas and Queso for everyone! Well, that's all. Happy May everyone!