If you have been following me you know that I am not a chef, I am pretty simple when it comes to cooking and I definitely do not make up my own recipes. So this is the closest you will get to a food blog from me! I love food, I enjoy eating, but I prefer when someone else does the recipe work (and even the cooking…that is wonderful too) So enjoy this attmept and a food blog: Eat your Chipotle like a Fitness BOSS!
Let’s talk for a moment about my favorite food: Chipotle. When Chipotle first hit the scene in Elk Grove (small suburb of Sacramento) when I was in high school I quickly became obsessed. Back then I would load up a burrito, or order a bowl and use the whole thing like nachos as I dipped my chips in. I could easily finish a whole meal and my own side of chips and guac. Those days I was young, naive to nutrition, and overweight. Fast forward a bunch of years and when I moved to Bellingham, Wa and NO CHIPOTLE within 80 miles! Chipotle became a very rare treat I would get when in Seattle or driving to the Sea-Tac airport. I was now educated on fitness and nutrition and tailored my Chipotle habits and order to accommodate my new healthy lifestyle. Now there is a location at the mall in Bellingham. Being at the mall it’s far enough away, and a hassle with traffic to get there so it deters me from eating all the time. When I do have to venture out to the mall anyway, you bet I get my favorite food. However the way I eat my Burrito Bowl has significantly changed.
Here is MY WAY to each Chipotle
(I don’t claim that my way or the highway, but I do suggest you find the best way to turn your Chipotle into a moderate healthy eating choice that fuels your body instead of putting you in a food coma feeling bloated and guilty)
Meal #1: Usually at Chipotle Restaurant
I start by ordering my burrito bowl to go. It is always the same:
Brown Rice
Black Beans
Double Chicken
Roasted Corn
Tiny bit of Hot Salsa
Side of Guac (yes I know it’s extra)
Bag of Chips
I eat about 1/3 of the bowl. I use 1/2 the Guacamole and I eat a small serving of chips. I have learned to share my chips, because I’m generous like that 😉 Self control level: EXPERT! I enjoy every bite of it. I eat slowly enough to really know when I am full, otherwise I will mindlessly eat more than I need to. I usually have this as a lunch out with my friend or a meal with my husband so the chatting and company keep me busy.
Meal #2-3: Leftovers at home
Now I have my routine when I eat these as leftovers too. The one big downside I have to Chipotle as a stand alone meal is that there is not enough vegetables in the bowl. I do not order lettuce because I don’t see the point of 1/2 an ounce of lettuce that will inevitably wilt by the time I get to leftovers.
I heat up approximately another 1/3 of my burrito bowl. I toss it on top of some greens. My favorites convenient greens are from Organic Girl and I get the Spinach and then a box of other dark greens. I toss the re-heated Chipotle on my big bowl of greens and add the rest of the guacamole. This time I added a bit more of some salsa I had in my fridge. I will have a small serving of chips here as well, if I am hungry enough.
The third meal is the same. The only downside to meal #3 is that there isn’t any more guacamole. Sometimes I will order a second side of guacamole to make sure this does not happen. Other times I will just add a few avocado slices which I will just bring home in my normal grocery run. I’ll add extra salsa as my dressing too.
Now that is what I call a success at Chipotle! I get 3 full meals out of my Burrito bowl. All my meals are satisfying. I have to tell you I actually enjoy the leftovers on my big ass bowl of greens even more than the first meal that lacks the veggies. Sometimes if I have extra steamed veggies I’ll toss those into the salad as well…because I can!
Hope you enjoyed my version of a food blog!
I’d love to know: How do you eat your Chipotle?
Eat Well my friends!