Jerry the Blogger

I'm happy to report that in just a couple of weeks (or maybe less), my wife and I will be welcoming our baby boy into this world. We've been preparing for months, wondering how this addition to our family will change our lives and what he'll be like.

Before my wife's pregnancy, both of us had been watching our weight and working hard to lose excess pounds. But neither had reached our goals when we decided to try for a second child. We had big plans to continue eating as healthy as we had been and exercising just as regularly, even when my wife became pregnant. Reality was a different matter.

We didn't go completely crazy with food. We still ate plenty of lower-calorie choices and fruits and veggies. We even still exercised, though not as much. My wife was so tired after work that she no longer had the energy to do the intense workouts she had been so diligent about before. And due to some issues with my legs and hips, I had to quit seeing my personal trainer -- which meant I no longer had scheduled workouts.

As the pregnancy wore on, we got more "relaxed" about our nutrition. When my wife craved ice cream, I ate some too. If she wanted French fries with dinner instead of broccoli, I happily dug in alongside her. Naturally, she gained weight as the baby grew. With just a few weeks to go, she's up 30 pounds from her pre-pregnancy weight -- not too shabby. I didn't have to gain any weight, but I did. I'm not sure how much, because I really don't want to face the scale.

Some people call it "sympathy" weight when fathers gain along with mothers during a pregnancy. I'm not happy about where I am right now, but I'm hoping once this boy comes into the world, we'll have newfound motivation to start losing again -- together. 

I've always enjoyed a little vinegar on my food, here and there. You know, mixed into a nice vinaigrette dressing or -- on occasion -- to add a sour splash of flavor to fish 'n' chips. But I never thought much of its nutritional qualities, until I heard about some recent research findings.

Apparently, the main chemical in vinegar (acetic acid -- sounds tasty!) can help control blood pressure and blood sugar. This according to the latest issue of Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. Consuming vinegar might even help a person lose weight or fight obesity. Now we're talking!

Of course, the tests of acetic acid's effectiveness were done on mice, not people. But the results are hopeful -- maybe vinegar could even help our bodies prevent fat buildup. I definitely plan to be a lot more liberal in my vinegar usage, especially since it has virtually no calories or fat.

I searched for some recipes on Start Making Choices that contain vinegar and found plenty to choose from. I'd definitely like to try the Asian Beef Noodle Salad (pan-seared ribbons of beef tossed with crisp, colorful veggies, spaghetti pasta and a spicy Asian dressing), German Potato Salad (creamy potato salad flavored with bacon, brown sugar, zesty brown mustard and vinegar!) and Panzanella (a classic Italian salad made with toasted chunks of bread tossed with colorful veggies, seasonings and a splash of vinegar). Any of these would make a great lunch to take to the office, or a savory side dish for dinner at home.

How might you splash more vinegar into your daily diet? Good luck and enjoy the delicious discovery.

Ever since I became a father three years ago, Father's Day has taken on a lot more meaning for me. I used to get my dad the usual suspects -- bad ties, tools he already had, sappy cards, and the like. I knew it was good to show my dad I cared, but I had no idea how important it was to recognize his role in my life until I was someone's father.

My daughter is 3 this year, so I'm not expecting much beyond a kiss and a hand-drawn card (and really, does it get any better than that?) But I do like the idea of giving and receiving a Father's Day gift that's made with love. I'm talking about food, of course.

Whether the dads in your life prefer breakfast in bed, a picnic lunch, or a gourmet dinner, I bet there are some recipes on Start Making Choices to help you this Father's Day (Sunday, June 21). You can whip up something delicious that Dad will love, while feeling great knowing it's nutritious, too.

So what to make? Well, if breakfast in bed is on the menu, try the Western Omelet made with PAM Original No-Stick Cooking Spray and Egg Beaters Original. This fluffy omelet is packed with bell pepper, potato, bacon and oregano -- sure to get Dad's day off to a great start.

Taking your father on a Sunday picnic (or just eating on the back patio)? Try this Grilled Chicken Salad with Fresh Raspberries. He'll savor the crisp greens tossed with a raspberry vinaigrette, then topped with grilled chicken, sliced red onion and fresh raspberries and accompanied with warm flat bread.

Does Dad have a sweet tooth? More importantly, does he love chocolate? If so, he'll certainly appreciate a healthy serving of Cocoa Pudding Cake. Here, Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix becomes the pudding in this favorite home-style dessert. For a special touch, top it off with some Reddi-wip Original Whipped Light Cream.

Here's to all the great dads in our lives!