If Not Now, When?

Often I hear people say they're going to start eating better … tomorrow. Or, I hear them say they're going to start exercising … tomorrow. This morning on my way to the grocery store with my six year-old grandson in tow he asked if we could take a walk. I explained we had shopping to do and chores at home. Then he reminded me I said I needed to walk more and asked if we could walk all around the store before we started shopping. It seemed like a reasonable request so once we entered the store we walked passed the carts and he pointed where he wanted to start. Off we went. We got a pretty good pace going, dodging people and carts, and as we approached the toy section of the store, he said, “We need to keep up our pace, Grandma, so let's just keep going we can look at the toys later, OK?” What could I say?

Believe me I sure didn't want to walk especially with so much on my agenda, but I asked myself if not, when? Yes, when would I get a walk in when my day was already packed with things to do? If not now, when would I have the time? Or make the time? I agreed and we walked and not only did we get two laps in we opted to do it again … the other way … to unwind, as my grandson stated in a very matter-of-fact manner. I'll have to admit I felt rather pleased with myself to not only get a walk in, but please my grandson, as well.

Then a funny thing happened after we finished our walk. I felt very inclined to pass the chip aisle, pass the cookie aisle, to stand up straighter, to have a goal and I spent a bit more time thinking about a couple new recipes I'd found that would fit into my "new found" self! When I find a recipe I want to try I usually tuck it into a notebook and find it many months later … however, today I knew I had to give one ... or two of those recipes a try. I remember most of the ingredients and hit the aisles head-on. The first recipe was for a unique pizza … ah, salad … well … both!

Tossed Salad Pizza
4 servings
Ingredients

• 2 8-inch Italian bread shells (such as Boboli brand) 
• ½ cup shredded reduced-fat mozzarella cheese (2 ounces) 
• 4 cups packaged mixed salad greens
• 2 medium plum tomatoes, chopped
• 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 4 pitted kalamata olives, halved (or regular ripe black olives, if you prefer)
• 3 tablespoons bottled reduced-calorie Caesar salad dressing
• 1tablespoon crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese

Directions

• Preheat oven to 450̊F. Sprinkle each bread shell with half of the mozzarella cheese. Place bread shells directly on middle oven rack. Bake for 5 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine salad greens, tomato, onion, and olives. Drizzle salad dressing over greens mixture; toss to coat. Top bread shells with lettuce mixture. Sprinkle with feta cheese. Cut into wedges.

The other heart-healthy salad I found was one that was all wrapped up ... literally!

All-Wrapped-Upped Salad

Ingredients

• 8-inch whole grain, whole wheat, or flour tortillas
• 3/4 cup shredded romaine and/or fresh spinach 
• 1/2 of an avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and sliced
• 1/4 of a cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced
• 1 ounce Monterey Jack cheese with jalapeño peppers, shredded (1/4 cup)
• purchased salsa (optional)

Directions

• On each tortilla, layer romaine, avocado, cucumber, and cheese. Roll up tightly. If desired, halve tortillas diagonally. Wrap each tightly with plastic wrap. Chill for up to 6 hours. If desired, serve with salsa.
  

Every time I even try to procrastinate, I be sure to ask myself … if not now, when? in hopes that I will remember there is no time like the present ... or commit to a solid answer! The scenario with which I started is just one example of the many times my children and now grandchildren “keep me honest.”Do you have someone who cares about you and helps keep you focused? I hope so!

Now I ask you this – if you are going to delay doing something ask yourself … if not now, when? Perhaps there is no time like the present! Form an intention for yourself today!