Viva la Cucumber

It had been a very big day. My family needed a special dinner. Child #1 and I hit the grocery store. Into the cart went deli-turkey sandwiches, milk and apples. Then we passed a chip display. "Mom," gushed child #1, "those are Cheetos. I adore Cheetos." I made some noncommittal noise and pushed past - all the while thinking that chips really do go famously with turkey subs. Fortunately, my commitment to making a few healthy substitutions every day won out. Hello produce section.

That night our meal was rounded out with sliced cucumbers (which we love with salt and pepper or dipped in hummus.) I felt a momentary longing for some potato-esque substance fried in oil and salted within an inch of a heart-attack - but it felt empowering to consciously choose a crunchy, green veg. over a chip, especially since there had been some indulging going on that morning. Whatever else may have happened that day, we ended strong. Cucumber power!