A New Year, A New Bree…Week 29
Posted on: January 21, 2013
Seven weeks have passed since I last wrote, but instead of being a bit further along in my quest to eat well and exercise, I hit a roadblock. I stopped putting in the effort and making time for healthy eating and exercise. I forgot about my promise to prioritize working out, to get there atleast three days a week. I was at one, sometimes none, days a week.
Two things happened that added to my slow slide into complacency: Christmas and Plenty of Fish (POF). Yes, we are playing the blame game again. I blame my lack of progress on the week-long binge of baking and booze that inevitebly accompanies Christmas. It started in December, with chocolates from students (not that I blame THEM…no, they are the good ones!), treats in the staff room, and nights out for dinner and drinks with friends who were home. Then I started baking, and that was a major mistake. While friends and family benefitted from my baked goods, they were trouble for my serious sweet toothe. I had to test everything: from the Gingersnaps (not my best), to the Shortbread I made especially for my dad (it tastes better raw, honestly) and my newest discovery-Snickerdoodles (YUM!). And of course there were cupcakes…oh the cupcakes: Gingerbread with Lemon Buttercream and Chocolate with Peppermint Frosting. They were amazing…but my soon to be expanding stomache and ass wouldn’t be so quick to agree. And I drank ALOT of wine, which led me to eat ALOT cheese and crackers, appies and even more sweets. I wasn’t yet gaining a lot of weight back, but I could see the numbers on the scale very slowly climbing again, and that got me scared. Of course not so scared that I immediately went out and bought the pass at the YMCA I have been talking about getting since the beginning of December, but it got me THINKING of making changes. I also needed do a serious overhaul of my diet; get healthy groceries, plan meals and keep track of my food.
Then I began an unhealthy love-hate relationship with online dating. I allowed my bestie Crystal to help me make a profile and pick the prettiest but un-cheesiest pictures of myself to upload, and began what can only be described as the scariest and silliest experience of my life. Seriously, this stuff is terrifying, but in a bad horror movie sort of way: you can’t believe you are watching that crap, but it’s actually kind of funny how awful it is. First, you are putting yourself out there for all the douchey as well as dashing men in the country to see. Besides the fact that if you were not smart, you could end up on the tv show Catfish, you are opening yourself up to constant judgement, and the very real possibility of pornographic pictures hitting your inbox (Mom and Dad, stop reading…your baby girl did not in fact receive a picture from a creep that made her scream in disgust then laugh with embarassment, more for the guy ha ha!!). It can make you feel all at once flattered for the attention, and frustrated by the quality of men handing out the compliments (I get why people often call it PFO rather than POF). It is both hilarious and horrifying. Case in point: when you create your profile, you have to choose your body type-Thin, Athletic, Average or A Few Extra Pounds. What, no Curvy or Hourglass!?
POF also has an addictive quality to it. At first I was scared to message guys back, or initiate conversation, but once I found some nice, normal ones to chat with, it was hard not to want to check my inbox several times a day. There were a few I was quite taken with: smart, funny, good-looking, and age appropriate. It quickly became a source of interest to my girlfriends as well: they were as excited as me, sometimes even more so, about these new prospects. And while I am embarassed to admit it, I was guilty of taking “selfies” (those cheesy self portraits done in the bathroom that teens the world over popularized). When you are taking pictures of yourself all pouty/pretty in your dimly-lit bathroom and spending too much time chatting with guys you haven’t even met, rather than having real conversations with your actual friends, something needs to change.
It wasn’t all bad. Save for the sick picture and a few dashed hopes when I failed to hear back from some promising “fish”, it did result in me talking to and meeting a few great guys. The actual dates were initially nerve racking (I may very well develop an ulcer before snagging a boyfriend!), but in the end, I had alot of fun and am excited to see where things go from here! I am not ready to give up on this new adventure (material for a second blog!?), I just need to devote some of my energy elsewhere. I realized that while dating online isn’t all bad, it is definitely starting to monopolize my time; time that could be spent cooking healthy food and working out at the gym. I had momentaringly lost sight of my goals to lose weight and get fit. While some guys might like me in all my curvalicious glory, I am still not satisfied with my body, so I need to get back to doing something about it.
So this is where I am now-more than mid January and ready to renew my commitment: better late than never, right!? I cleaned out my cupboards and fridge, ridding them of the treats and temptations that lie within. I spent all my Christmas grocery store gift certificates on healthy, Clean food. With my other gift certificates I bought some new workout clothes, cause this girl needs to look cute to feel motivated! And I have finally bought that pass at the Y and even signed up for three sessions with an awesome personal trainer I saw a few times years ago. Did I mention that the other night I made baked salmon, kale and asparagus for dinner then ran my ass off at women’s soccer at the Fieldhouse!? Yup, my butt and thighs hated me the next day, but I felt great. And the practice paid off; I felt I played better than ever at Friday’s game. I proceeded to eat two cheesy bread wedges when we went for after-soccer ceasars (oh and I had two of those too, oops) but atleast my workout warranted the indulgence this time. Baby steps people, baby steps;)
Twenty two weeks after I began this journey, I am almost 20 pounds lighter, and feeling pretty proud of myself! While I have hit road blocks along the way, struggled to to eat well and have yet to fully commit to making exercise a priority, I feel that I have made some major progress towards losing weight, getting healthy and being happy in my skin.
Walking down the hallways at work has been a huge boost, as my coworkers (all women of course) have consistently noticed my slowly shrinking frame. These women made me feel beautiful and stylish even before I started losing weight, as they have always been generous with compliments, but their acknowledgement of my recent efforts and progress boosts my self esteem on an almost daily basis! Then there are my friends and family, who celebrate and encourage each announcement of weight loss, and continue to support me by reading and commenting kindly on this blog. But it’s when your young male students comment, somewhat awkwardly in front of the whole class that you are losing weight and in a completely non-creepy way that you are looking good, you know that true progress has been made.
Another sign that I have come far, besides the male population finally noticing and announcing my weight loss, is when I fit into size large and can now happily shop at stores other than just Reitman’s, Sears and Superstore (I still love the comfort of these “real women” stores, but being able to shop elsewhere, especially for a serious shopaholic like me, is totally exciting!) I had been able to fit into a size smaller in jeans and dress pants, and I was able to buy shirts at my favourite Moose Jaw stores Guys and Dawls and Hibiscus, but the moment of true celebration came in Regina, while shopping with my favourite person. Tarren is my other, better half; more than my cousin and friend, she is my sister. We often text ten times a day to share our musings on fashion, beauty, current Hollywood gossip, our friends, work and respective furry babies. To have her there to share in the moment when I fit into a size large, long winter coat in a gorgeous shade of “look-at-me-I-am-fun and fashionable” red was amazing. She gave me a huge hug, told me I had to buy it, and I did a little happy dance:) When her mother, my aunt Michelle, walked into the store and shared in my excitement, my joy was magnified. These were the two women who, along with my mother, witnessed me at the lowest point of my disease, managed to lift me up with their unfaltering support and ultimately helped me seek help. My friends have been a constant source of love, support and encouragement, but there is nothing quite like family to get you through the lows, then celebrate the highs. The only thing that could have made the moment sweeter is if Tarren’s sister Dakota had been there with us. Dakota is my littlest “sister”; she would have enjoyed the day spent shopping and witnessing this milestone in my weight loss journey.
Then came the ultimate test of body image resilience: a wedding. My dear friend Cathy was about to get married to the love of her life in front of friends and family at a gorgeous ceremony and reception. Unlike some women in their late 20’s and early 30’s, weddings don’t send me into a devastating spiral of “when is it my turn?” I would like to get married, but I know if it’s in my future, it will come when the time is right. What weddings do put me through though is a panic of “what am I going to wear?” and “how best can I hide my love handles and the ample junk in my truck with a the right combination of super-duper spanx and control-top tights?” (thank god for winter…love covering up my pale thighs in dark, patterned tights!).
I bought a dress about a month before the wedding; a black and white polka dot wrap-style dress, which I hoped to pair with red lips and old-Hollywood hair. After trying it on and being unsatisfied with the result, I went looking for something that covered up areas on my body I still wasn’t crazy about, while highlighting those that were looking a bit better, post-weight loss. And I also wanted something all black…yup, the slimming effect of black will never be lost on this girl!! I didn’t have to look far, finding a winning number at Sears, which I liked so much I bought it in two sizes…I hope to be in the smaller one by January or February…no pressure ha ha;) It highlighted my smaller waist, clothed my no-closer-to-being-toned arms in sexy black lace and for once, my amples TaTas weren’t spilling out:)
That night was monumental not only because one of my best friends got married, but because I haven’t felt that comfortable in my skin in years: I felt good where I was, in that moment, at that size, in that dress. In fact, I felt gorgeous! I also did something I haven’t done in a long time: I drank, I enjoyed myself, but I didn’t get out of hand. I didn’t feel the need to drink myself into a stupor to mask how unhappy I was with my appearance, nor did I require it to give me false confidence. I felt great that night, and the next day, my alcohol-hating body really thanked me! It was a night to remember for a number of reasons, but when I look back at pictures, I can recognize how good I looked AND felt in my little/size large black dress:):)
Dancing On My Own…Week 14-18
Posted on: November 14, 2012
Revelation #1: Pumpkin makes for amazing pasta! I found this out one night when I followed through on my plan to use the leftover pumpkin from the not so healthy pumpkin spice cupcakes I baked for Thanksgiving. I found a few intriguing recipes online, and ended up taking parts from each to create my own version of these two clean eating pumpkin pasta dishes. I was out of zucchini and didn’t feel like stopping at the store to get light coconut milk. But I did have whole wheat pasta, light cream cheese, parmesan, chicken broth and mushrooms, and added carrots to the mix. If you love all things pumpkin, then you need to try one of these:
Clean Eating Pumpkin Spaghetti
It also makes great soups! Here’s a pretty basic pumpkin soup recipe I made one night, and it was delicious:
If you are feeling more ambitious, this one looks delicious (I will try it soon and report back):
So I started Spin and Sculpt again at Double Shift, this time the morning session, and I didn’t fare very well-you know the girl who runs out during the sculpting cause she pushed herself (or is just way too out of shape) during the spin!? Well friends, that girl was me…almost twice!! But I was sticking with it; even after getting sick, I made a point of hauling my tired, big booty out of bed to make the 6am class. I even felt like I was making progress; after a few sessions I didn’t feel horribly nauseous following the first half hour, and felt good about my sore thighs and abs the day after…you know the feeling, the good kind of hurt! Then life through another wrench in my weight loss plans…
Revelation #2: when things start going good, expect another curve ball to hit you in the face! I crashed my car (my fault guys! The rumours about me being a horrible driver have now been proven correct-FML!). With no vehicle, and no friend or family willing to pick me up at such an ungodly hour, the torturous but rewarding spin and sculpt sessions had to be put on hold.
So here I am, not working out much and not eating not so great (I blame Halloween and those oh-so-yummy, seemingly innocent mini chocolate bars that are unfortunely between 40 and 60 calories each!). I started soccer (more on that later…all I will say now is it kicked my ass!) and have finally ventured down the hallway and the whole two flights of stairs to the fitness center at work. But I am thinking about getting a pass at the gym all my friends frequent, just to have another option when the school is closed, or I just don’t feel like working out next to my 19 year old students!!
Revelation #3: Dancing on my own in my room to Robyn’s aptly named song really does make a sad girl feel better. I thought I would attempt this after re-watching the 1st season of HBO’s “Girls”; like the cynical black sheep baby of “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Sex and the City”, this show is a must-see for anyone who has a dark, sick humour;) So I thought if this song can perk me up while blaring in my bedroom, what could it do to my mood while loathing my life on the treadmill!? Great things people. This song is nowhere close to my break up experience, and it’s not the most pumped up of gym songs, but it nonetheless inspires me to push forward, dig deeper, and generally work out harder. So here is my playlist (some old, some new) for the girl trying to push her blues away, or just have a more motivated exercise session:
“Dancing on my Own”-Robyn
“Survivor”-Destiny’s Child
“Fighter”-Christina Aguilera
“Since You’ve Been Gone”-Kelly Clarkson (or “Walk Away”; she has so many empowering, post break up anthems)
“I Don’t Wanna Be in Love”-Good Charlotte
“Cry Me a River”-Justin Timberlake
“You Oughta Know”-Alanis Morisette (my all time fave break up song!)
“Rolling in the Deep”-Adele
“Feelin Good”-Muse
“Single”-Natasha Bedingfield (or “Pocket Full of Sunshine” when you need more of a pick me up)
“So What”-Pink
“I Saw the Sign”-Ace of Base (Or “Don’t Turn Around”)
“I Hate This Part”-Pussy Cat Dolls
“Too Close”-Alex Clare (my fave new song, and has a great beat)
“Bleed”-Anna Nalick
“One More Night”-Maroon Five (makes me wanna box…you would get this if you’ve seen the video…mmm, Adam Levine!)
“It’s My Life”-Bon Jovi
“Stronger”-Britney Spears (yes, I love her…make fun of me all you want, I don’t care;)
So remember when I ate not so great for a few weeks, but was lucky to not gain back any of the weight I’d worked so hard to lose?!? Well, I wasn’t so lucky this time. I started off at 11 pounds down from where I started 10 weeks ago, at the beginning of my blogging journey. Even before a weekend of indulgent eating (birthday makes for too much drinking and too much cake!), I had done major damage by shattering many of my break up rules. First, I breached the one to not watch any sappy chick flicks by watching He’s Just Not That Into You, Someone Like You and The Sweetest Thing. I completely disregarded my self-imposed promise to work out rather than wallow by skipping almost all of all of my Tuesday/Thursday night Spin and Sculpt sessions. And I broke the Thou Shall Not Drink When Going Through Emotional Turmoil rule, which resulted in the complete breakdown of my eating well resolve (I start by consuming too many calories drinking, then try to compensate for the hangover that is sure to come by eating when I get home at night, which never works because I still end up waking up with one, and finish this vicious cycle the next day by indulging in my craving for McDonald’s, cheezy pasta or pounds of candy!).
I guess I can’t be too hard on myself; it takes most of my energy just to make it through most days without falling apart. Getting through the days with little sleep is hard enough, and to make it to a killer workout class is more than I can seem to accomplish at the moment. But sitting in front of the tv, watching Cameron Diaz whine about the dating game while eating Kraft Dinner isn’t making things better either! I get out of the funk long enough to make a healthy dinner or get out with my friends, but then I fall back into my black hole of emotional eating whenever something reminds me that I am once again on my own, away from the man I love and things are never going back to the way they were. Knowing that I did what was best gives me little to no comfort; and the old adage that things will get better only makes me frustrated…when people, when???
I have moments when I try hard to stay on track. Before a party I made sure to eat a healthy dinner (I was rushed so all I could muster was a Lean Cuisine…bettter than KD though); I hoped this would curb the cravings I would innevitably feel standing near the appetizers. It worked till my second glass of wine (Skinny Grape wine…cheaper and better than Skinny Girl wine, and it’s Canadian!). When I went for groceries I stuck mostly to my guns and said no to packaged pastas, gummy candies and cheese (other than Laughing Cow Light). This resolve only lasts so long though.
Then the bad eating event that trumps all bad eating events, save Christmas, happened: Thanksgiving. I had told my mom I would bring a clean eating version of dressing…but I didn’t. I said I might look into a healthier version of potatoes, maybe even my Creamy Cheesy Cauliflower, faux-version of mashed potatoes…but I didn’t. But guess what I did make? Pumpkin Spiced Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting. While this is meant to be a blog detailing my healthy eating and adventures in getting fit, I feel I have to share this recipe because it is that delicious (just don’t eat a cupcake’s worth of batter, use light cream cheese as I did, and only make them to share with your family and friends this pumpkin season;)
Pumpkin Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Oh and don’t save the extra frosting just in case…cause you won’t throw it away; you know you’ll eat it!
So this is where I am at-Monday night of the long weekend, watching the new 90210, drinking a glass of wine to wash down Brie cheese, crackers, and prosciutto and feeling pretty low about the status of my journey to health and happiness. I need to quit making excuses, stop wallowing, whining and being generally apathetic. I need to take an active role in my health and happiness, and actually do the things I need to get there…not just talk about doing them!
I have taken some steps recently: I signed up for Spin and Sculpt again, but this time the 6am class. I did this with the hope of no longer being too lazy following work to make it to the night class (whether a girl who loathes mornings can somehow make the bright and early class over the evening one remains to be seen!!). And I signed up for indoor co-ed soccer, starting at the end of this month. This one should combine my adolescent love of soccer with my need to get physical activity, and the social aspect of it shouldn’t hurt me either (Friday nights spent running on the soccer field sound like a way healthier option than sitting in front of the tv drinking wine and eating popcorn!).
As for getting back on track with my diet, I have already looked up several recipes for dinners this week, and made a new grocery list on my phone, complete with lentils and brown rice, spinach and kale. I even have a clean eating pasta using the leftover pumpkin in my fridge planned for Tuesday night. Now to follow through on these goals…only time will tell!
So life threw me a major curveball. Ok, more like a slow-pitch ball to the chest; I wasn’t blindsided, more numb to the impending injury. It took out my heart nonetheless. This blog isn’t a place for me to divulge all of my relationship hardships, or publish the private struggles of my partner and I. All I will say is that I have moved out on my own. As Fergie so elequently said: “I need some shelter of my own protection baby. To be with myself and center, Clarity, Peace, Serenity”
See, I still have a sense of humour in all this. I refuse to take myself too seriously; even in the midst of heartbreak I still see the hilarity of quoting a pop singer;)
All kidding aside, I need to express what this major life event is doing to my quest for weight loss and fitness: bad things people, bad things. I read an article about a girl who was going through a break up at the start of her total lifestyle overhaul. She didn’t let the pain and stress derail her desire to lose! Me, not so much…
There are two kinds of people in this world: those who cannot eat during crisis, and those who use a tumultuous time to consume every greasy, fattening, chocolaty food insight. I, unfortunetly, fall into the latter category. Instead of sticking to my plan to eat well and get to the gym, I wallowed in my sadness, and thought copious amounts of candy and fast food would be the cure. Did the pizza I ordered, the McDonald’s I consumed (twice) or the Dairy Queen I indulged in help my mood? For a time, yes. But looking back, it didn’t make me feel better for long, only worse because it severely derailed my progress (not in terms of weight gain-surprisingly, I didn’t gain back any of the weight I lost). Eating horribly for a few weeks made jumping back on the healthy train that much harder.
A major detour, besides the aforementioned pizza, McDonald’s and Dairy Queen, was a serious binge of Chinese food. Not the Chicken in Black Bean Sauce on rice I had started ordering as a slightly healthier alternative when stuck ordering Chinese with the family, but the deep fried Chicken Balls, Shrimp Fried Rice and greasy Chow Mein my broken heart had me craving.
One night I went to Quizno’s with the express purpose of ordering the Turkey Ranch and Swiss on Whole Wheat, and left instead with the Carbonara Chicken (extra sauce), Broccoli Cheddar Soup (it’s like there’s crack in it!?!-seriously addictive…a small cup is good but it might make you dependant on the stuff!), Raspberry Lemonade (look it up on myfitnesspal.com and then you’ll get why it’s so bad…but so good!) and a big oatmeal raisin cookie! Seriously, any sense of willpower I had found since I began my weight loss journey was completely MIA!
Another big slip up was my red wine and Red Velvet Ice Cream night-yup, I bought into the stereotype of the broken hearted girl eating a tub of ice cream while watching a sappy movie (one of my new break up rules: NO SAPPY MOVIES-thanks Cathy;) I not only bought into the stereotype, I milked it for all it’s worth-watching The Vow I proceeded to fill my face with the most delicious Ben & Jerry’s ice cream (after Chunky Monkey of course), gulp down wine (and not Skinny Girl wine at that. Nope, nothing skinny about this picture!), bawl, drool over Channing Tatum, and bawl some more…very sad and therapeutic only in the sense that I got it out of my system.
By Week 9, I picked myself up out of the dark hole I’d climbed into and jumped back on the healthy eating train. One noteworthy healthy dinner was Roasted Beet Salad with Goat Cheese, Walnuts and Honey-Dijon Vinaigrette. OMFG-delicious! It kicked all my fattening foods’ big booties…if there was someone around to cook this for me everyday, I’d have no problem losing weight. Damn not being born Jennifer Aniston (or not, that girl has way bigger boy troubles than I’ve ever had!!)! You have to try this one:
With the deliciousness that was the beet salad, I baked chicken in the oven with Epicure’s Poco Picante Salsa Mix and a little olive oil. It was awesome-I don’t use the mix for making homemade salsa, but I love it for seasoning meat!
Another night, I was craving my mother’s mayonnaise and cornmeal-coated chicken…mmm! My mom, Bonnie, or Bonbon as we call her, is the best cook! While I love this dish, it’s not the healthiest. I looked online for an alternative, and tested this one out! It’s Bree-approved:
Skinny Greek Yogurt Covered Chicken
I continued to eat healthy most of that week, baking garden potatoes and carrots in the oven with olive oil and dill to go along with some “natural” smokies I had found (they were lower in calorie than the cheddar cheese-filled ones, and I had a serious craving for smokies in general!). When I went with my aunt and cousin for a walk and coffee to Coffee Encounters, I ignored the cupcakes on display and the pushed back the thought that hot chocolate or some frothy latte would help heal my soul, and went instead for the iced Cherrybana tea, sweetened only with evaporated cane juice-so good! I have been reading about the benefits of evaporated cane juice, and wanted to try it. While it’s not less calories, it’s sweeter than other sweeteners, so I definitely think I would use less! If you’re interested in investigating the hype, here’s one article I read:
I even found the strength to finally get in and out of Quizno’s with only a Turkey Ranch and Swiss on Whole Wheat-take that willpower!!
On Sunday of Week 9 I ordered sushi for dinner; indulged with Tempura Udon (my comfort food of choice for almost 2 years while living in Japan-this version didn’t live up to it, unfortunetly!). But I balanced it out by having no treats, save a Bud Light! And while I curled up on the couch to eat this comforting meal, I watched another one of my new boyfriend’s movies-yes, I’ve already moved on…to Channing Tatum LOL! This is a healthier picture than the one of me crying into a tub of ice cream, bottle of red wine in hand. It was me, a bowl of noodles, and a light beer, laughing out loud watching 21 Jump Street:) I think I’ve come a long way in 3 weeks!
FYI-My feet are much cuter! And my nail polish is not so offensively shinny…more of a matte coral at the moment…just so you know;)
If I had forgotten how I gained the Freshman Fifteen my first year at university, my first weeks back at school provided me more than an inkling. Studying brings out the supreme piglet in me: as I’m reading a textbook or article, I feel the strong need to snack; typing up an assignment brings on the munchies; at coffee break I walk toward the nearest vending machine instead of bee-lining for the washroom.
It’s been over 7 years since I was in school, but in terms of my studying habits, little has changed. While reading about educational philosophies, I picked up handfuls of popcorn. Typing up my article review took me an extra 30 minutes because I had to wipe my fingers after each dip into a bag of maltballs and sour gummie worms (which I had actually only bought for my 2nd week mini-lesson plan on How to Use Chopsticks, using the candies in place of sushi and noodles. But I bought way too much; a bad idea to have such tempters hindering my success around the house!). There were times the force was strong in me, and I resisted the urge to raid the cupboard or drive to the store for a junk food fix, but more often than not, I was too weak to fight the urge to snack. It’s as if candy and chocolate, popcorn and chips are my kryptonite, and I am powerless against them. Other times, they are the only thing between me and the school-related meltdown that is boiling just under the surface of my bubbly student persona.
Another characteristic of my student self that hasn’t changed is my tendency to procrastinate. I begin by budgeting my time, planning out the steps, then failing miserably to follow-through on them. It’s a given that I will working on as assignment till midnight the night before it’s due. I will most likely be printing my paper out the morning of the deadline. And I will probably be the student racing to apologize to the instructor for getting it in a few minutes past due. But another thing is still quite certain: I will rock each and every one of those down-to-the-wire assignments. So is junk food my fool-proof fuel, propelling me forward, motivating me onward with each bite? Why can’t I crave carrot sticks when I read? Rice cakes when I type up a report? Go for the packed apple at break, rather than the chocolate or chips at $2 a package?
As I feel the pounds packing back on, I worry that all my hard work has now been compromised. So I need to figure out ways to not propel my studious self forward with fattening foods. Because this is not the last 3 weeks I will be studying. This is just the start: I now have 4 on-line courses to take (I already see myself popping smarties into my mouth as I read about educational technology) and another 3 week course to complete (I’m sure this be a repeat of the “f*** sandwiches, bring on the brownies” mantra I developed for my recent 3-week stint on campus). And now I am very keen to start my Master’s, which would involve almost a dozen graduate classes through the U of R, resulting in more commuting with crap meals on the go, serious studying accompanied by salty and sweet treats, and inevitable late night nibbling.
I can’t forego completing the online classes or 2nd 3-week course, as they mandatory for my job. And I am not going to give up on my dream of getting a Master’s degree. So I need to find a way not to snack while studying, or more realistically, make healthier choices. The last week of school, I tried harder to have 70% dark chocolate at home, to nibble on with fresh cherries. I bought pretzels to satisfy my need for salt and crunch. One night I even chose a partly skimmed mozzarela cheese string and an apple, rather than leftover pizza. My go-to sweet snack right now is Greek yogurt: Key Lime or with Honey…both delicious!
I am now on the hunt for some new studying snacks; other students may come to class equipped with Tablets and I-pads, but I am choosing to come armed with healthy snacks and clean-eating treats. Technology might be essential tools for some, but I’m going to do some studious research into the tastiest and freshman-fifteen-free foods I can find.
Until then, these are some snacks I’ve tried making in the past, and will strive harder to make for my next study session:
(love making these spicy!)
(almost as good as chips…almost! I make the curry ones with cumin and turmeric)
(these taste like Eat Mores!)
(when craving After Eights or Junior Mints)
(to combine the sweet and salty…in chocolate of course!)
Creative Cooking
So I am back at school. Commuting to Regina everyday, sitting in class from 9-4, studying Adult Education…and feeling very, very sorry for myself. It’s not the content getting me down, rather the grind of waking up early, driving an a hour and a half a day, and trying to stay on top of reading and assignments. It’s also the lack of healthy options at the free lunch throwing a wrench in my weight loss plans: pre-made sandwiches with high sodium sandwich meat on white bread and buns, piles of pasta and plenty of sweets (you know the ones: slices, brownies, cookies and cakes). There are always veggies and dip, salad and fruit, but I have a seriously hard time saying no to all the goodies and sticking only to the healthier fare. There are also free treats at the start of the day, danishes, doughnuts or cinnamon buns…with a side of fruit some days…not what I needed only 4 weeks into my attempt at a whole lifestyle change.
I should have created some healthy alternatives to bring for lunch, but without a fridge to store them in, the best I did was make a healthy snack to rely on when I veered towards the mini muffins or banana bread during morning and afternoon coffee breaks. I had found a recipe on The Gracious Pantry I really wanted to try: Clean Eating Pumpkin Spiced Energy Bars. These are SO yummy, and so filling. Jon’s mom tried one that night and loved it. Grannie is a diabetic; she had one and it kept her full, and her blood sugar was at a good number when she tested it hours later. They are a sweet, filling breakfast; the bought baked goods at school didn’t stand a chance!! If you like pumpkin, peanut butter or oatmeal, you’ll love this recipe!!!
I had another cooking revelation, when I successfully made faux mashed potatoes. I had heard about the use of cauliflower to create a healthier alternative to creamy, cheesy potatoes. I had a head of cauliflower, I had cheese…YUM! I tweaked some recipes online a bit to come up with this delicious creation:
Breezy’s Cheezy, Garlicky Mashed Cauliflower
1 head of Cauliflower
1/4 Light Cream Cheese
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese (I used Parmesan-Romano-Asiago)
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
Salt and Pepper to taste
Cut and boil cauliflower just until soft. In a blender, food processor or using an immersion blender, puree cauliflower. Add cheeses, garlic powder, salt and pepper and puree until well blended. Season more with garlic or salt and pepper if desired. Enjoy with steak and mushrooms, chicken and green beans…or whatever you like! (And if your boyfriend’s mom says it’s like baby food, ignore her…some baby food is really good;)
The Produce Aisle in My Backyard
Are you all getting tired of hearing how amazing I think my garden is!? I’m sorry to repeatedly mention how amazed I am every time something new breaks through the soil, or sprouts on a stem, but it doesn’t get old to me! Being able to walk ten steps to pick my veggies for dinner is just about the coolest thing!!
One night I baked salmon with a tablespoon of pesto on top (I’m going to get to making my own soon enough, with the basil from…you guessed it, the garden!!). I boiled yellow beans and then sauteed them with a teaspoon of Italian Olive Oil and salt and pepper. It was delicious, and definitely going into my mental recipe box:)
The next week, I barbequed cheddar jalapeno smokies, potatoes with olive oil and fresh dill grilled in tin foil and zucchini seasoned with salt and pepper, olive oil and a little parmesan cheese. These picked-from-the-garden veggies were amazing, and delicious left over.
Love for a Certain Lean Cuisine
I’ve said before how I’d prefer to make my own healthy dinner, but when in a rush, I rely on certain frozen meals. And I just found my favourite: Lean Cuisine Shrimp Alfredo with Whole Wheat Pasta. There are not many Lean Cuisines I love. Lets be honest, they usually are too small a portion, taste like cardboard or lack anything resembling real meat. But this one really stood out. If you are in need of some ready-made meals on the go, this one comes recommended!
Week 3…Cravings and Cabin Cave Ins
Posted on: August 2, 2012
Monday
1st day of my week off, and I’d planned to go to the lake with my Gingers (Rachelle, Shawn and baby Declan), but I was up half the night coughing. The sore throat and headache were back with full force (lesson learned-even if you don’t drink, staying out till 3 am having great girl talks with your friends is not the best way to get rid of bronchitis!). So I stayed in bed, got some leftover work done, and rested. I wasn’t up for making food, so I grabbed Subway for lunch, sticking to the turkey breast on whole wheat, which is only 280 calories, but I’m a sucker for cheese and mayo, even light mayo.
And using the excuse of being sick still, I indulged in an old classic for dinner: popcorn! I honestly used to think popcorn was a meal, as there are so many ways you can prepare it: spinkle salt and hot sauce on top, or parmesan cheese and italian spices, one of a number of the Kernels flavours I love, or my newest addition: black truffle and garlic olive oil drizzled on top, courtesy of Oliv in Moose Jaw. While having 1-2 cups air popped or on the stove in a little olive oil, or even a 100 calorie microwave bag is not a terrible snack every so often, making popcorn a food group on its own, and eating it for dinner is a problem. I need to limit my favourite salty snack to movie nights with my boyfriend and True Blood marathons with Haley (back to the blame game-Haley Oshowy, you are to blame for my love of kettle corn, and Gerry, you are the one who kept this addiction alive, by popping it at home… who can resist the smell!?!)
I also finished this stellar day by eating not one, but 2 of my brother’s home made Reeses Peanut Butter Chocolate Cookies…damn that kid can bake! Who would have thought my brother, who on a regular basis used to ask my mom to go to the kitchen to toast his bread-“Light Mom!” and smear it with cheeze whiz and then deliver it to him, laid out on the couch, would now be baking for the kids at the group home where he work!? He also makes a mean beer butt chicken, and cauliflower dish! I love that my brother is so domesticated now, but I can’t try everything he bakes, no matter how much I wish to support his new talent, or how much the peanut butter-chocolate combo makes my mouth water. Next time he delivers baking, I will have one bite, congratulate him on another successful treat, and then give the rest to Gerry or Grannie. They aren’t the one with serious weight to lose! In the words of the great Kim Kardashian, “A moment on the lips is a lifetime on the hips!”
Tuesday
I was still feeling icky when I woke up, but forced myself to have a moothie, get into my gym clothes and go to the gym at work. I had to do some emailing first, and by the time I was finished, it was past 1 and I was hungry for lunch. So I left…bad idea since I went there with the primary purpose of working out-I thought walking or running a bit might actually help clear up my sinuses. But I went home to eat (edamame and tofu, very Japanese of me and not a bad lunch) and proceeded to lay in bed watching The Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County all day. I have so many projects I wanted to get done on my week off (go through and get rid of clothes, organize the boxes in the furnace room, clean out bathroom cabinets and re-arrange the kitchen cupboards…essentially purge the house of old crap and organize everything nicely!), and I wanted to be getting into a workout routine, even with a sore throat and headache. So what was I doing lazing out in bed? It’s nice to have some down time on your vacation, but this wasn’t helping me, only making me more tired. I was in danger of getting into a serious funk.
So I got up, still in my workout gear, made coffee, ate a Lean Cuisine, cleaned the bathroom and dusted, and organized the piles of laundry in my room. This made me feel better-having a clean and organized house makes me feel clearheaded and focused. I got a text from Deb to go to Spin at 7, but I wasn’t quite ready for that kind of workout yet (considering that last time I had puked following the early morning class)! Then I remembered Kim and I had made a date to go to Yoga in the Park…I know I should’ve gone-yoga would help me relax, stretch and put me through a good workout. But by that time, I felt I needed to sweat it out a bit, so I forced myself back to work to start my running program at the gym.
I may never become a runner; one of those people who wakes up early and swears it is the ultimate way to de-stress and relax (give me a bubble bath and a glass of shira anyday for that). I may never add completing a marathon to my bucket list, but I do having getting in shape and losing weight on the list of things I want to achieve in this life, so I need to learn to run. Online So I looked at a few running programs online, consulted a few of my “runner” friends, and decided on this one:
Beginning Runner’s Training Program
Wednesday
I love fried food. I am not going to pretend as though a few weeks of healthier eating has extinguished my cravings for Mcdonald’s, deep-fried mushrooms or chocolate-chip cookie dough. Someday I hope to be so in love with what healthy eating has done for my body that I no longer long for poutine, but that day isn’t today. So in the mean time, I need healthy alternatives to my not-s0-healthy food favourites.
This week the craving was for battered, deep fried veggies. I once worked at a bar where my lunch time splurge was deep fried zucchini, cauliflower and mushrooms. Before that, I got my fill of sweet potato and eggplant tempura living in Japan for almost 2 years. I told myself I was getting my veggies; they just happened to be coated in batter and boiled in oil, then dipped in dressing or soya sauce…horrible, I know). So when I got another deliciously large zucchini from my garden, I knew I had to find a way to satiate my craving, minus the majority of fat.
Skinnytaste.com has some great recipes, and the Baked Zucchini Sticks are just one more I am adding to my collection of favourites. They satisfied my craving for crunchy, breaded zucchini and were great paired with lettuce from the garden and home-made ceasar dressing. I even felt good enough after quickly eating dinner to rush to spin;something that could have never have happened following pub-style deep-fried zucchini. Oh and they are Future-Mother-In-Law Approved;) Try them out and see for yourself:
The trick to making it to spin tonight was that I didn’t think about it; I just went. I changed, got in the car, and drove to spin without contemplating my decision at every step. I am such an overthinker; my mind is constantly spinning with observations, assumptions and analyses of the most simple things. It’s exhausting, and it also keeps me from just doing things, spur of the moment, without hesitation. This can be a good thing at times, saving me from situations both embarassing and dangerous. But in the realm of exercise, it keeps me constantly second guessing and making excuses. Deb said the guilt we feel over not working out takes up more time and energy than it does to to just go to the gym, and this comment spurred me into action. Spin was hard; I sweated profusely and felt a bit nauseous following it, but I also felt exhilarated, strong and guilt-free!
Thursday
My friend Haley had a party for her beloved cat’s birthday (keep your comments to yourself people, cause us crazy cat ladies don’t snicker when you have bday parties for your babies, who, similar to Yoshi, lay in the corner watching the action with only mild interest until wrapping paper crinkles and begs to be played with). The party was more for Haley’s friends and family; an opportunity to visit and enjoy food and wine. So she commissioned me to bake cupcakes-yay for my first paying baking job! I baked vanilla vanilla cupcakes (Haley vetoed creamsicle cupcakes, which would have been so fun, considering Yoshi is a ginger, but the customer is always right, right!?). Good news-I didn’t have a cupcake. I even said no when Haley had a few left at the end of the night and asked me to take one home! Bad news-I ate a LOT of icing while decorating the cupcakes with white chocolate whiskers and green eye smarties. I fell off the wagon all for the love of my best friend’s lovable pet…there are worse things in the world;)
Friday-201 yay!
I took off yesterday, so back to the gym I went. I used The Runner’s World 8-Week Beginning Runner’s Training Program again and almost died at the gym; not because the “run 1 minute, walk 2 minutes, repeat 9 times” routine was too difficult, but because it was a million degrees in the place.
For dinner, I asked Grannie to come and join me for the latest gift from my garden: yellow beans! I marinated chicken in home made barbecue sauce (sorry guys, no recipe here, all I know is Jonny made it, there is bourbon in it, and it is delicious!), steamed yellow beans and tossed them with salt, pepper and olive oil, and created a quick side ceasar salad. The meal was so good that Grannie, who normally eats only a little and rarely finishes the portions we dish out for her, refused to give our dog Seph any scraps, and finished every last bite!
Saturday
A weekend at the lake means lazy mornings, afternoons spent reading magazines in the sun, and nights laughing with family around the fire. These things are all good. What isn’t good are the multiple tablespoons of flavoured creamer with the coffee that accompanies these lazy mornings, the handfuls of chips consumed while looking through mags, and the drinks and smores shoveled down round that fire. I was off to a good start with oatmeal for breakfast, followed by 2 turkey roll-ups for lunch (I roll up sliced turkey with lettuce, mustard and mozzarela cheese). But then I slipped…hard. I slipped all the way into piles of dill pickle chips, cheezies, a huge hot dog and heaps of pasta salad an a smore.
I did discover that the Skinnygirl California White Wine is delicious, and at only 100 calories per portion, it’s my new favourite vino! Next weekend, I plan to taste test the Skinnygirl Red Wine…oh the things I do in the name of blogging;)
Sunday
Yesterday it was my love’s 32nd birthday (I have to emphasize the fact that he is older than me for the next 2 months!). As he had to work, we chose to celebrate it today, with dinner at his family’s cabin. Jonny requested home made burgers (his mom makes the best, with crushed Bacon Dippers as binder) and traditional potato salad. I wanted to make the meal as health-conscious as possible, so I cut up lots of garden vegetables (not from my garden, but from the Hutterites who sell produce Wednesdays and Saturdays on the corner of River and Main Street. Grannie and I spent heaps on everything from beets to peas, and even flirted with the young men…yes, my boyfriend’s grandmother and I flirted with Hutterites selling veggies from a van…I have no shame!). I also made a home made dip, combining plain Greek yogurt, reduced fat mayo and a little sour cream, mixed with fresh dill, honey, salt and pepper and lemon juice-it was delicious.
I tried to stick to only the burger, veggies and dip, so that I could indulge in the Saskatoon pie Grannie and I had picked up following our farmer’s market fun. But what a disappointment! I won’t say where we got it from, because perhaps it was just a bad one, but when you forego potato salad in the name of pie, you expect to enjoy it. I felt legitimately cheated:(
I got a little exercise, enjoying a walk with Jon and our dog Seph. But it was definitely an over-indulgent weekend, which is sure to show on the scale soon. Good thing I have an amazing boyfriend, who loves me just the way I am…and supports my quest to lose weight and get in shape as just being icing on the cake;)
Week 2…Bronchitis to Bbq
Posted on: July 24, 2012
Monday
So this was the start of my second week, blogging about my journey to a healthier body and mind. After a not-so-healthy weekend, I was ready to get back into the swing of things…until I woke up Monday morning and realized a weekend away and lack of sleep had turned my allergy-induced scratchy throat into an aching mess, accompanied by a serious headache. I was relieved classes were over, and I would not have to struggle through a lesson with a barely-there voice. But getting through the day, and a pile of marking, took all my strength. Pro: I barely ate! Con: I didn’t work out!! I hate the blame game I started cause I don’t want to point fingers at my precious garden, but its weeds were the culprit. (Or was it my own fault for letting the weeds get so bad I had to tackle all of them in frenzy!?) I have horrible allergies, like sneeze-20-times-in-the-course-of-a-morning, Reactin-every-morning kind of allergies. But I’m doing it again, making excuses for not putting in effort to get active. I need to fight through the sickness, and get my lazy butt to the gym, that is literally down the hall and a flight of stairs from my office…it’s honestly that close…and yet so far! So while my awesome boyfriend and his mother did yard work, I hid in my room, engrossed in a marathon of The Hills, only to make myself feel worse for not being a size 2 living a fashion-lover’s dream in LA…with Brody Jenner;(
Tuesday
I feel slightly better than yesterday-motivated by cooking a delicious dinner for Jon’s mother, for her birthday. We sometimes go out for dinner for family birthdays, but I would much rather cook and visit in the comfort of our own home. It’s more enjoyable, cheaper and the chances of eating better are greater, especially when I choose the meal and have a hand in cooking it.
Jon had said he would cook me dinner Sunday evening, upon my return from Saskatoon, and let me choose what he’d make. I picked his amazing veggie lasagna. Well, it got pushed back to Monday night, then we decided to make it for his mom for her birthday. The only snag was she doesn’t like chickpeas. I really wanted to make the lasagna, and knew it would be a good dish for a group dinner, combined with salad and garlic toast. So just like Jerry Seinfeld’s wife and smart mothers the world over, who consistently sneak veggies into their children’s meals by masking the flavour or changing the texture, Jon and I decided to hide the ingredient by pureeing it and mixing it into the sauce. She would’ve never known…except I had to tell her after her first few “Mmm”s, to prove the point that I think she is, in fact, wrong about her distaste for chickpeas. The difference between Gerry and a stubborn child, besides the obvious, is that she continued eating it after knowing what was hiding deep within the deliciousness.
We served the dish with fresh-from-the-garden lettuce, a home made ceasar dressing, and garlic toast (which I didn’t even try…now that’s will power!). I had to wait a few more days for it but my man’s lasagna didn’t dissappoint; I told him it was his best one yet. It’s better than any meat-filled version I’ve had. My carnivore-obsessed brother may not agree with this (I asked him and Gerry’s boyfriend if they missed the meat? Dean-not at all, my brother-yes!) but some people are just weird (seriously, the kid ate only Cheerios, Bacon Dippers and A & W Mozza Burgers till he was well into his 20’s!). You’ll never know if you prefer this version or not till you try it, so I dare you!! Here’s how (keep in mind we don’t measure anything, so this is just an approximation):
Jonny’s Veggie Lasagna
1 can Marinara Sauce (I like Paul Newman’s; smells delicious and delivers on taste!)
Whole Wheat Lasagna noodles, enough to cover 2 layers in a 9×13 casserole dish
1 cup Cottage Cheese
2 cups Partly Skimmed Mozzarela Cheese
1 can Chickpeas, pureed or whole (we pureed them to hide them from Jon’s mom; she doesn’t think she likes them but she’s wrong!)
1 Zucchini
1 Pepper- (we did one half red, one half green)
1 cup Mushrooms, thinly sliced
2 cups Spinach
Heat oven to 350. Spray a medium, rectangular casserole dish with Pam and set aside. Cook noodles only till al dente, as they will cook more in the oven. Roast zucchini and peppers in oven just until tender. Sautee mushrooms and spinach. Heat marinara sauce in a medim pot over medium heat, add cooked veggies, cottage cheese and chickpeas. Stir till combined, then begin assembling your lasagna with a layer of noodles, cover with a third of the sauce mixture, and sprinkle with a third of the mozzarela cheese. Repeat till casserole is full, finishing the sauce mixture on top, to keep everything moist, and mozza. We added fresh basil leaves to make it look purdy:) Bake for approx. 20-30 minutes, or until edges are brown and crispy.
Enjoy!
Wednesday
I felt like a zombie all day. But even in my allergy-induced haze, I was motivated to eat well. Instead of groaning and walking in pursuit of flesh to feed on, I was worried only about eating whole grains, veggies, lean protein and some fruit. This was especially important since the thought of doing anything physical made me feel like keeling over.
So without the energy to search for a new recipe, stop for groceries for a new recipe, or take the time and effort to cook a new recipe, I turned to ingredients I already had stored in my fridge and cupboard; ingreadients which I knew would provide me with a healthy, balanced meal.
I knew I wanted it to include one of my newest loves: quinoa. My introduction to this “mother grain” came courtesy of our Mexican-themed Splurge night. I brought Jonny’s Enchiladas-delicious but not the healthiest. Courtney brought a quinoa salad, and my life hasn’t been the same since. I’ve made this salad many times since. It’s amazing as a side dish with dinner, or to bring along to a potluck or summer bbq:
http://www.yummly.com/recipe/Avocado-Quinoa-Salad-AllRecipes
I love using quinoa as an alternative to rice, with a stir-fry. So I made a stir-fry with mushrooms, peppers, and another of my food loves: tofu. Now I know tofu isn’t for everyone, but I love the stuff. I fell for it in Japan, fried and crispy and served with soya sauce and ginger. I love that it takes on whatever flavour you are cooking with, like a sponge, soaking up flavours. I put it in stir-fries, flavoured with sesame oil, soya sauce, fish sauce, ginger, garlic or sirachi. I have it in my home made miso soup, or with bok choy and soba noodles. It’s great in a salad, if you are tired of adding tuna or egg for protein. When we ran out of meal ideas in Japan, my roommate Gen and I even used to add it, along with frozen veggies, into tomato soup (everyone has a strange food combo or two from their childhood or university days-this is just one of mine…trust me, it gets weirder;). I would love to always have stir fries, soups and salads with chicken, shrimp or salmon, but the reality is, these proteins are expensive and hard to always have on hand. So whenever I can, I try to use beans, eggs and nuts…and tofu! Don’t knock it till you’ve tried it.
Thursday
Went to the doctor and I have Bronchitis…so that explains my coughing attacks, painful chest and overall feelings of shittyness. Doc said not to do anything too physical and to just rest, so that was my plan. I did however have an intense craving for soup, in particular the Tom Yum Goong from Saigon 75, so Cathy and I decided to go there for lunch. Man I love that place, and I love that I can order delicious Vietnamese and not feel bad about it, unless of course I ordered deep fried spring rolls, and a bowl of fattening curry over rice. But I stuck to the fresh rolls and broth-based soup with veggies and shrimp, and thoroughly enjoyed my comfort food, feeling guilt-free.
Cathy was excited to tell me about finalizing several key elements for her upcoming wedding (for which I hope to fit into a cute, few sizes smaller dress!). The soup, combined with seeing my friend so blissfully happy and in love, really helped lift my spirits (I love wedding talk: the dress, the flowers, the decorations…I used to spend Friday nights watching “Say Yes to the Dress”, often drinking wine and eating French cheese, crackers and olives. Now I sip Crystal Light and watch Joan Rivers bitch about movie stars on “Fashion Police”.).
I was feeling so much better that when Cathy said I should be fine doing spin, but not to attempt running yet, I thought I would be feeling well enough to make it to the 6:15 am class. This intense feeling of determination to make it to a workout was bolstered by what I chose to eat for dinner (why is that I crave two things when I am sick: Asian soup and ice cream!? Why can’t I crave salad and rice cakes!?). My consolation is that I had only a half a cup of chocolate frozen yogurt, which was surprisingly low in calories, considering how decadent it tasted, and I piled strawberries on top of it.
Friday-the scale is my friend today…203!
How did I think I was going to get up for spin, at the ungodly hour of 5:45 am, after being up half the night coughing? The bronchitis must have made me temporarily delusional. Whatever the cause of my madness, I didn’t make it…again. I see a trend forming.
But I ate well. I even said no to cupcakes. I said no to delicious, just-out-of-the-oven, fresh cherry cupcakes, covered in vanilla, butter cream cheese frosting. Me-1. Cupcakes-0.
So why, you ask, is a girl who is trying so hard to eat well and lose weight surrounding herself with the enemy? Well, I have a-not-so-secret-secret: I love baking cupcakes, I’m good at it, and I’m not going to stop. I started baking cupcakes on four months ago, when I wanted to provide a yummy and festive treat at our girl’s St. Patty’s party. I made Guiness chocolate cupcakes, with Bailey’s frosting (which I did curdle on the 1st attempt). They were a success, and I was hooked. I have made a variety of equally delicious cupcakes in the months since-everything from Coconut Lime to Apple Pie (complete with red sugar, pretzels and apple gummies as decoration). I had decided to continue experimenting with cupcakes, bringing them to potlucks and birthday parties, when I began this blog, and I know it’s going to be a struggle, but they are fun to make, decorate and the best gift for friends and family. Maybe this relatively new pastime will be my downfall? Maybe it will be the ultimate test of willpower? Stay tuned.
Saturday
I’ve often read that when trying to lose weight, and faced with the possibility of pigging out at a weekend or holiday party, you should eat a balanced meal before-hand, so you’re less likely to go crazy all over the snack table. I used to skip a meal before a party; I figured I didn’t want to eat and then pile on more calories snacking. And the appies are always great at my friends’ parties, so I would forego a meal in favour of the deliciousness that no doubt awaited me. (I also didn’t often leave myself much time to cook or eat, as I’d be getting ready till the very last minute.) But this habit was just stupid; I always ended up pigging out on unhealthy options, rather than the veggies and dip that are usually present (thank you Rachelle!). So now I am going to make time for a healthy meal prior to the party, and if I do go for the snack table, veer away from the cheese, chips and chocolate, and instead peruse the spead of veg or fruit that I once ignored.
I stuck to this plan Saturday. I had already splurged at bit at lunch in Regina. Dakota and I had drove to meet Tarren to have lunch at La Bodega, and get matching tattoos (I consider them more like sisters, and we wanted to get something we all liked, and had some sort of symbolism. We chose anchors!). At La Bodega I had delicious but fried crab and seafood cakes, and the freshest sangria. It was a great day, but I knew I needed to stick to healthy food and no booze the rest of the day.
I was late getting to the event (our Splurge was having a Pampered Chef cooking party), so I could have easily skipped dinner, and indulged in the yummy food that would no doubt be there. But I still made time at home to heat up quinoa, veggies and tofu. I was lucky to have healthy leftovers waiting for me, but had I not been so lucky, I would have had a Peanut Butter Banana Wrap, my new fave on-the-go-snack:
http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-banana-wrap/
And when I arrived to the party, I avoided sitting too long at the table with assorted snacks and appies on it. I said no to the chicken they’d made, which looked great and would have been a healthier choice, but why have a few pieces of chicken, and feel not-so-satisfied, only to end up having cake? So I went for one small bite of the cake they’d baked; it was delicious, and hard to say no to more, but I was strong in my resolve. I even stuck to water; which, in the face of frothy beer margaritas and virgin daiquiris, courtesy of the damn MargaritaVille, was momentous! I had a great night with my lovely Splurge ladies, talking and laughing, and didn’t miss the appies or booze…much.
Sunday
Ahh Sundays, my favourite day of the week. My day to be a little lazy, get a little cleaning done, and hang out with my boyfriend. I woke up with the strongest craving for something sweet, french toast or pancakes. Rather than fall into temptation with either one of those (and who wants to make such a thing for only one?), I made a chocolatey smoothie. I blended a cup of almond milk, 1 banana, a few frozen strawberries, 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, 1 scoop of whey protein and a few ice cubes. It was delicious, and totally sastisfied my morning sweet tooth!
For lunch I made a new quinoa salad, which I chose because we had all the ingredients for it: tomato, pine nuts, lemon, parsley and a garden cucumber I was excited to try. I used only a cup of quinoa, so I limited the olive oil as well. It was light but still filling.
http://www.vegetariantimes.com/recipe/refreshing-quinoa-salad/
We have a standing date to cook dinner and watch one of our food shows on Sundays. This time we barbequed, which, for me, makes eating well easier and tastier. We had chicken with home-made bbq sauce (with Brandy), red peppers with olive oil and salt and pepper, and mushrooms with garlic: it was delicious. While you can’t all get a Jonny to whip up home-made bbq sauce and grill veggies, anyone can make thing tastier by using the bbq. Another bonus: less dishes, and more time for Kitchen Nightmares.
Monday
I started today with the intention of creating my first post and documenting my food and activity, so I chose my favourite new breakfast recipe, Clean Eating Peanut Butter Oatmeal, courtesy of The Gracious Pantry. I was perusing the list of Clean Eating Oatmeal Recipes, and since I LOVE peanut butter, I immediately wanted to try it. I love natural peanut butter, but it isn’t for everyone. I also add half a banana to this recipe-YUM! I only ate half the amount it makes though-man it was filling!
http://www.thegraciouspantry.com/clean-eating-peanut-butter-oatmeal/
I had a serious case of the Mondays so I chose not to cook, but still wanted to have something healthy. Whenver I skip a meal, I end up eating too much too late at night, so even if I don’t feel like cooking, I need things round the house that are healthy and ready to eat. I had a Weight Watchers Smart Ones frozen meal, which while it usually doesn’t fill me up for long, was pretty good. I ended up having a bit of oil-popped popcorn while watching Kitchen Nightmares on Netflix with Jonny (we love all food shows!). But this snack, while not the very best I could’ve done at 9pm, still fit into my calorie count for the day, which luckily was raised because I weeded in the garden for over an hour-not the workout I had planned, but better than no physical activity (I am new to gardening, and well, to anything domestic to be honest, but I am loving it! It is calming and I love seeing the results of my hard work!! And my cat Akira follows me around and watches-coolest cat in the world!!!).
Tuesday-weighed myself and it said 206! woooo hoooo!!
I did amazing by getting up at 6:15 am to fix Jonny and my brother a smoothie (they had yardwork for their business to get done). I love the Classic Green Monster on the fabulous Oh She Glows site (wish I had thought of that name first!). But I did a little tweaking to it-I used the only banana I had, added frozen mango (which made it the yummiest version yet) and some plain greek yogurt, and 2 scoops whey protein powder (I needed to be sure it filled the guys up as they had a long day ahead of them). Here’s the recipe:
http://ohsheglows.com/recipage/?recipe_id=6001790
For dinner, I had the yummiest Eggplant Caprese; a recipe I found in an old Shape magazine while on the treadmill at the gym at work. I enjoy trying vegetarian meals, I love fresh mozza and eggplant and my fabulous garden just so happens to have produced some basil (not maybe as large as the grocery store variety, but walking out the door and picking fresh ingredients for a dish is way more fun, and cheap!).
http://www.shape.com/appetizer/eggplant-caprese-tomato-and-basil
As for activity, I was hoping to get to Yoga in the Park, through the Yoga Loft, but I was just too lazy; not a good excuse, I know. I think I need to make more of an effort to get a workout in-be it spin, or a walk-in the morning, rather than waiting till after work or at night, because chances are, I will make an excuse to not go. So plan is to get to spin at 6:15 am tomorrow morning…
Wednesday
Lie-it wasn’t cold outside! It’s been ridiculously hot everyday here for weeks!!
So…I didn’t make it to spin:( I was up at 5 with my previously referred to “coolest cat”, who has since lost his former title for being annoying and needy. First he wanted food (how dare he bother me for sustenance!? Can’t he open his food bin and scoop it out himself? He opens door by himself. He jumps up on the counter. He is super cat except in this area!), then he wanted out (he can open doors that are swung ajar, or sliding closet doors, but not doors with knobs that are locked, boo). So I should have been up and ready for spin at 6:15, but instead I chose to lay back down in my comfy bed and go back to sleep for a few hours…bad idea. I woke up even more tired and cranky than before. I learned my lesson-just suck it up, be a big girl and get my booty to the gym!
I had the delicious eggplant again for lunch. I love making healthy, tasty dinners and having enough for the next day. I also think carrying my leftovers in my new pink, white and black polka dot lunch bag helps with the appeal;)
I didn’t make much for dinner-I was tired from a great afternoon visiting with my cousins, and really enjoyed watching my cousin Brea’s baby walk and play. We also talked a lot about our personal struggles with weight, exercise and diet. It’s so great to have close girlfriends and family who can sympathize with fluctuating weight, the desire to lose and get in shape. But they also stressed the diffuculty this poses when you have children. I know that now is the time to start my journey, not after a kid or two. I have the time and resources now to do something about my weight, and it will only get harder as I start a family and grow older.
Anyway, I contemplated getting something on the way home, but knew that going through any fast food window would only tempt me to diverge off the diet path. So I chose to save money and another pound on my belly or butt, by making something quick and easy at home. I discovered my new favourite “I’m starving-but don’t have the energy to cook-but shouldn’t pig out on popcorn” snack: The Lazy Girl’s Quesadilla! I sprayed and heated Pam in a frying pan, spread 2 Laughing Cow regular cheese wedges on a Weight Watcher’s whole wheat wrap, and fried and flipped my concoction. I am going to experiment with adding veggies (I recognize that this is not the most balanced of snacks) like tomatoes, jalopeno and peppers, and using different flavours of Laughing Cow-they now have jalopeno even (you’ll soon find out I like everything spicy!).
Thursday
I made a great dish inspired by the first, big zucchini I found in my garden over the weekend. Having never had a garden of my own, or ever put any work into the garden my family had for a time growing up, I was shocked and ecstatic to see the progress of my veggies. I ran in and called my mom, took a picture, woke Jon to show him, and even ran across the street to show Grannie my prized zucchini!
I cooked a yummy and healthy Tuscan Zucchini for my mom and Grannie, along with Halibut baked with fresh dill-yes, from my garden. Here’s the recipe for the great zucchini dish:
http://www.womenshealthmag.com/nutrition/baked-zucchini-recipe
Friday
I had another play on the Green Monster smoothie for breakfast, and the Tuscan Zucchini for lunch, but knew the night would cause problems for my healthy eating resolve. I love Motif in Moose Jaw, I go every year. I wasn’t about to boycott it in the name of dieting, so I thought I would do my best to eat well the whole day, get a workout in, and not overload on fried foods and fattening cocktails. I didn’t quite succeed:( I blame the Phillipines for having possibly the most delicious pastry in the world-the Sweet Bun! Seriously, it’s to die for…I would have once said it’s worth being fat for! It’s like the best Krispy Kreme-sweet and soft and delicious. It was hard not to want another one after a Mojito and Jamaican Rum (I will blame Jamaica and their sweet and strong rum while I’m at it-you take away all my resolve with your potent alcohol!). But somehow, after a yummy Empanada, a Cambodian spring roll and beef stick, and more Phillipino food (it’s by far my fave!), I chose not to have one more Sweet Bun, or take one for the road, or for everyone in my family to try cause they were that good! I instead went home before the rum went to my head and the mojitos called my name again…
Saturday
I love a girls weekend: shopping, visiting, dressing up for dinner out. This one was made even better by its primary purpose: meeting my cousin Carly’s new baby girl and showering her with gifts. My aunt Michelle, cousins Dakota, Tarren, Meghan and I gathered in Saskatoon for a belated baby shower, and much needed girl time. The only draw-back, besides the serious damage I did to my bank account while shopping (I’m into this blame game, so Frakas in Saskatoon, I blame you for being my downfall!) was the food. I was still strong while at the food court in the mall-I debated going to Subway, but in the end chose sushi, which was a great success when faced with so fast food options surrounding me. But by dinner, after one Margarita on the Rocks (thank you Amigos), I had lost my strength. I indulged in Ancho Chicken Enchiladas and then went full throttle into two mini cupcakes from Crave…why does falling off the wagon have to taste so good!?!
Sunday
So after being less than mindful Friday and Saturday night, I was happy not to end up at the Park Cafe for breakfast. There, I would have surely been tempted by some version of Eggs Benedict or their Strawberry Pancakes (Meg says they leave the whip cream can right at your table…damn them!). Instead, Carly and her hubbie TJ cooked us a healthy breakfast, I played with Avery, visited with my aunt and uncle, hung out with my Dad and did a little more shopping before we were on our way. Dakota and Michelle are also mindful about the food they eat, so instead of a stop at the nearby Burger King, we selected some not-so-crappy-traveling-snacks. This is not easy to do in any convenience store: chips, chocolate and sugary drinks abound, and even the seemingly healthy alternatives are loaded with hidden sugar and sodium. Well, I learned my lesson: like on our cousin’s trip to the Hat (not Med Hat, Dakota!), I should have made us trail mix and we should have packed fruit. I will not let us fall into this trap again. Here’s my fave healthy trail mix recipe, which I plan to make for my next road trip:
http://www.eatcleandiet.com/food_and_recipes/clean_recipe/healthy,_hearty_trail_mix.aspx
A Lighter, Brighter Life 