Raines Realm

We all know that when we go out to eat, we are given ridiculous portion sizes. Quanity has topped quality and our health and waist lines are suffering. The good news is that we don't have to let our out of control portion sizes dictate our lives as long as we exercise some proper planning. The key to correct portions is developing those habits at home. When you plate your food, don't pile it high, covering every inch of your plate. In fact, no food should ever go around the rim of your plate. You should be able to see your plate through your food. It should be delicately placed, preferably in a way that's aesthetically pleasing. We have all heard the ratio that half of the plate should be vegetables, one quarter starch, and one quarter protein. But, what about the fact that there are a multitude of plate sizes on the market. The ratio is not to be taken literally. It means that out of the proper portion sizes, you should aim for twice as much vegetables as starch and...

In this day and age, many of us have lives so demanding that we have become accustomed to rushing. One common sacrifice is the act of savoring our food. To consume anything at all some days is sadly considered a victory. Meals are one of the most primary functions that we achieve throughout the day. How we approach them says a lot about our personalities. If we treat meals as an inconvenience or something that merits little more than an afterthought, then we are telling ourselves that we are not worth the effort. We are stifling our own importance. We must love ourselves enough to savor our meals. We all deserve to have the time to experience our food. Interesting things happen when we do this. Our taste buds may change. We realize that certain foods taste differently when we take the time to chew. Slow eating also leads to better digestion and becoming full from less food. To truly savor your meals, start in the kitchen by savoring the various aromas. Allow your anticipati...

It seems that every day we are bombarded by some guru or weight-loss program telling us how to measure, weigh, or divide our plates for perfect portion sizes. Honestly, it seems like a tedious task, unrealistic, and I'm not interested in rationing my food out for every meal. While I was re-organizing my kitchen, (clearing out the clutter), I came across our gorgeous China that was sadly, collecting dust. I decided to purge the rest and only use China. Not only do I feel special at every meal, but I have lost weight! The sizes of antique China dishes are considerably smaller than almost all modern dishware. Smaller portion sizes come naturally on these delicate little plates. And, they're so fun! I am a firm believer that meals should be enjoyed. China can transform any meal into an elegant event. Even if you're dining alone, I challenge you to break out the China, and cloth napkins if you have them, and sit at your table to eat. When we treat a meal as an ...