As a mom, there are few dinners my ENTIRE family not only eats without complaint, but is excited to eat.  Charcuterie is one of those magical meals that everyone in the home loves.

I get it, what isn’t there to love?  Meats, cheeses, crackers, breads and spreads!  So many items to love, highly customizable and if you don’t like a component – it’s simple… don’t put it on your plate!

I’ve loved making this meal for years. However, it’s even more exciting now that I fast!

How did it get better you ask?

No more decision fatigue. I don’t worry if I had too much of this, or if I can eat more of that.  Did I eat too many olives?  Can I put the spread on or should I leave it off.  How much cheese is too much?  All of these questions were what I juggled in my diet life.  I always loved the foods (I mean, duh…. I am the one that bought all the elements) but hated trying to figure out how I was going to enjoy the meal without feeling like I didn’t fail my diet.  

Anyone with a diet history knows the struggle.  

Now, it’s simple.  Wait for my eating window and then eat.  I am free to make the plate(s) that sound good to me.  And that freedom is just as delicious as the smoked gouda.  If your ears perked at smoked gouda… I know we’d be BFFs.

ALDI Items

If you’ve been around a while you know I love ALDI and the food they offer is amazing for charcuterie.

Some of my personal favorites to enjoy are the garlic stuffed olives, the 6 cracker assortment, the hummus, the garlic herb goat cheese and the sliced baguette.  I could go on, but really you can see all my ALDI favorites in this video.

There is nothing special about Charcuterie and fasting, but to me it’s one of the meals that when I prepare and enjoy it it feels like the perfect illustration of why I love to fast.  I am just a happy lady (see here) on charcuterie nights; always window worthy!