Healthier Eating...Start with what you LOVE!

I know... that sounds counter-intuitive,       right?  Start eating healthier by having what you love... what I mean is what you LOVE that's GOOD for you!!
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For me, what I truly LOVE are CARBS!!! Anyone with me?  Rice, pasta, bread, crackers, chips, cookies, cake, donuts, brownies... do I need to keep going? :)
Well that may be my LOVE, but let's just say CARBS definitely don't share the same sentiment.   So... how did I kick my carb addiction?

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1.  I was ready and committed to making some changes, even if small.
2.  I stopped having all those carbs on a  regular basis.  Not buying or cooking them.  
3. I replaced my carbs with alternatives that I truly LOVED and didn't feel like I would rather have carbs instead (my specific examples below).  
4.  I DID allow ONE "cheat/free" day out of the week when I could have ANYTHING I wanted (ONE DAY ONLY).*  For me, Saturdays worked best.  
*If you know you're going to a special event ... make THAT your "cheat/free" day instead.    

These are my examples of meals I LOVE that worked for me and helped me not feel deprived or like I was living with such sacrifice every week!  I expect your LOVES to be different.
1.  Big salads.  Mixed greens with baby spinach, diced hard boiled eggs, peppers, mushrooms, dried cranberries, walnuts, blue cheese, gorgonzola or goat cheese crumbles and either caesar or blue cheese dressing.*  
*Be mindful of the amount of dressing you use and I would suggest NO croutons (sorry, I love them too). :(  
This may not be a decadent salad to you, but find what's decadent to you.  :)
2. Sautéed spinach with lemon and garlic.  
3. Grilled or steamed asparagus.
4.  Steamed or sautéed green beans with onion,  garlic, salt and pepper. 
5.  Chicken Picatta.  I've also seen this referenced as Chicken Limone.  
Thin sliced, boneless, skinless chicken breast that's lightly breaded and pan-seared with a light lemon, butter, caper sauce.  
6.  Pot Roast.  Made in a slow cooker, once it's done I slice it up and portion it for dinner, lunch and freeze any remaining to have as a meal a different week.
7.  Snack - Hummus with sliced mini cucumbers, red, yellow and orange peppers.  
I like to add olive oil and paprika to my hummus for a special touch.  
If you like olives, I'dd add a couple olives to your snack as well.  You could also do carrots, celery, broccoli and/or cauliflower, which I rotated as well, but my faves are the cucumbers and peppers.
8. For a change of pace I'd have Alexia Foods potatoes.  I know, these are carbs, but baked and only ONE serving, it can help on a day (not days) during the week when you need  a break from the vegetables.  
Tips:
1.  On your "cheat/free" day, have what you want but promptly put them away so you don't have temptation.  I had a cabinet that was overhead where I stored all my cookies, chocolates, crackers, Cheetos, kettle cooked potato chips.  I also froze my bread so it wouldn't go bad since I only had it once a week.  I would buy bread from the bakery section at the local grocery store.  Nowadays they sell half rolls so that helps a bit as well.    
2.  The key here is to find your favorites and add them to your weekly meal repertoire so you're not feeling deprived or struggling.  Your favorites will differ from mine.
3.  If you screw up, go back to your healthy loves and be kind to yourself.  All is not lost, it will get easier.
  
I hope sharing my favorites will inspire you to dig deep for your own healthy LOVES.

Feel free to leave me a comment on what your healthy LOVES are that you'd like to incorporate into your weekly routine.  
Happy healthy eating!  You can do it!  I'm here to cheer you on!!
Hugs, 
Tita