Some think it's holding on that makes one strong; sometimes it's letting go.
-- Sylvia Robinson
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Wednesday breakfast & dinner
I made pb & j on a whole wheat english muffin for a late breakfast - so good!
For dinner, I made breakfast. We love having breakfast for dinner. I made cinnamon pancakes for Nate, scrambled eggs for the both of us (his with cheese on top), breakfast potatoes (my fave), sauteed green pepper, onion and mushrooms with EVOO for my eggs, and mandarin oranges.
Nate took me out for a nice little treat after dinner. We go to Rizuto's a few times a month - it's a mom and pop ice cream shop that's right down the street from us. Of course I couldn't have any ice cream since I'm on this 'no ice cream' kick for 31 days. So, the only thing there that wasn't ice cream, was a Bullet Popsicle, so that's what I had! It felt good not giving in to a craving and sticking to my goal. * high five *
For dinner, I made breakfast. We love having breakfast for dinner. I made cinnamon pancakes for Nate, scrambled eggs for the both of us (his with cheese on top), breakfast potatoes (my fave), sauteed green pepper, onion and mushrooms with EVOO for my eggs, and mandarin oranges.
Nate took me out for a nice little treat after dinner. We go to Rizuto's a few times a month - it's a mom and pop ice cream shop that's right down the street from us. Of course I couldn't have any ice cream since I'm on this 'no ice cream' kick for 31 days. So, the only thing there that wasn't ice cream, was a Bullet Popsicle, so that's what I had! It felt good not giving in to a craving and sticking to my goal. * high five *
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Tuesday late lunch & dinner
My breakfast kept me really full until late in the afternoon, and that's when I ate my salad. After work I went over to Wicked's. She always lays out some nice snacks for us and they are always soooo good! Yesterday, she had ice water with mint, a lemon slice and some strawberries and raspberries - was SO good and refreshing. She also had carrots, red potatoes, snap peas, pretzels and a Kashi cookie (forgot to take a pic). I was stuffed! I always enjoy our 'play dates'. I'm blessed to have Wicked - she always gives me great advice and healthy cooking ideas.
I had chicken cooking in the crock pot all day, so it would be ready for me to finish right when I walked in the door. I shredded the chicken, then re-heated it with bbq sauce. I made shredded bbq chicken sammies for the boys. Also made some green beans - Nate doesn't like fresh green beans he will only eat the canned.
I roasted some broccoli and cauliflower with evoo and sea salt with pepper for me. As soon as I took it out of the oven I drizzled it with fresh squeezed lemon juice - it was soooo good! I also baked some frozen green beans that were lightly breaded. I'm trying to stay away from processed food as much as possible, but these were calling my name.
Later on in the evening I made an iced smoothie for Nate and myself - 1 strawberry yogurt with some ice and frozen wild blueberries. It hit the spot.
Nate made some cinnamon toast for a late night snack so of course I helped him gobble that down while watching The Voice on tv. Man, those people can really sing. I wish I had a beautiful singing voice! Unfortunately that wasn't a gift that God gave me, but I still sing at the top of my lungs anyway! :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Vegetarian - 3 month mark
"I feel very deeply about vegetarianism and the animal kingdom. It was my dog Boycott who led me to question the right of humans to eat other sentient beings." -Cesar Chavez
Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary of being meat free. I'm so glad I made this choice. I found this quote - and it really hit home with me. One thing that really made me question why I was eating meat was, in fact, my own dog Brandie. Nate and I unfortunately had to put Brandie down on April 1st 2011. That was the hardest thing we have ever been through. She was in so much pain, and we couldn't bare for her to hurt anymore. Whoever said animals don't have feelings or unique personalities is a moron. Anyway, I read The Kind Diet and Skinny Bitch months prior, and I would remember little tidbits of information from each book while I was drinking milk or eating flesh. I started to eat/drink less and less and as the time wore on, meat just wasn't appealing to me anymore. Fast forward to 4/1/2011 - Brandie took her last breath and right at that moment I knew that meat eating was no longer an option for me. Those poor animals, suffering such demeaning deaths just so us humans can enjoy eating their rotting flesh - yep - doesn't make me hungry anymore.
On a positive note, I feel GREAT! I'm eating a ton of veggies and a couple cups of fruit a day. I do need to up my daily grain intake. I bought some quinoa, millet, whole grain brown rice - stuff like that, that The Kind Diet recommended. I'm so excited to try some new recipes!
I haven't once even craved meat. The only thing that I do miss, is my Mom's pork green chile from her restaurant, but I miss the green chile part - never really liked cubed pork to begin with.
My Aunt and I decided to do a 31 day challenge - and my challenge was to not eat cheese, candy or ice cream. We are almost 3 weeks into it and I'm doing great! I'm still chewing gum, but no candy whatsoever. I did have to scrape off some cheese when Nate and I went to eat at Mimi's Cafe on Friday (asked for no cheese on the Crispy Zucchini, but alas the dish was delivered with Parmesan on top). So, I scraped it off the best I could. I do miss cheese somewhat! I will crave pizza, manicotti, something like that - but soon after remember how sluggish and uncomfortable I feel after ingesting dairy. My Aunt is swearing off chocolate for her 31 day challenge and I'm sooo proud of her! We can do this!
Have you 'challenged' your diet lately? Is there something you eat that makes you feel bloated, lethargic, cranky or tired after eating it? Maybe you are allergic to it. Cut it out, and see how you feel!
Yesterday was my 3 month anniversary of being meat free. I'm so glad I made this choice. I found this quote - and it really hit home with me. One thing that really made me question why I was eating meat was, in fact, my own dog Brandie. Nate and I unfortunately had to put Brandie down on April 1st 2011. That was the hardest thing we have ever been through. She was in so much pain, and we couldn't bare for her to hurt anymore. Whoever said animals don't have feelings or unique personalities is a moron. Anyway, I read The Kind Diet and Skinny Bitch months prior, and I would remember little tidbits of information from each book while I was drinking milk or eating flesh. I started to eat/drink less and less and as the time wore on, meat just wasn't appealing to me anymore. Fast forward to 4/1/2011 - Brandie took her last breath and right at that moment I knew that meat eating was no longer an option for me. Those poor animals, suffering such demeaning deaths just so us humans can enjoy eating their rotting flesh - yep - doesn't make me hungry anymore.
On a positive note, I feel GREAT! I'm eating a ton of veggies and a couple cups of fruit a day. I do need to up my daily grain intake. I bought some quinoa, millet, whole grain brown rice - stuff like that, that The Kind Diet recommended. I'm so excited to try some new recipes!
I haven't once even craved meat. The only thing that I do miss, is my Mom's pork green chile from her restaurant, but I miss the green chile part - never really liked cubed pork to begin with.
My Aunt and I decided to do a 31 day challenge - and my challenge was to not eat cheese, candy or ice cream. We are almost 3 weeks into it and I'm doing great! I'm still chewing gum, but no candy whatsoever. I did have to scrape off some cheese when Nate and I went to eat at Mimi's Cafe on Friday (asked for no cheese on the Crispy Zucchini, but alas the dish was delivered with Parmesan on top). So, I scraped it off the best I could. I do miss cheese somewhat! I will crave pizza, manicotti, something like that - but soon after remember how sluggish and uncomfortable I feel after ingesting dairy. My Aunt is swearing off chocolate for her 31 day challenge and I'm sooo proud of her! We can do this!
Have you 'challenged' your diet lately? Is there something you eat that makes you feel bloated, lethargic, cranky or tired after eating it? Maybe you are allergic to it. Cut it out, and see how you feel!
Monday, June 20, 2011
Friday night date night
Nate and I have been doing Friday night date night the past couple weeks, and I really enjoy our time together!
2 weeks ago we went out to Village Inn for dinner, and it was awesome. I got the Farmers Market without cheese and it was soooo good.
Friday that just passed we went out to Mimis Cafe, and I had the Mediterranean Fettuccine without cheese and I also ordered the crispy zucchini without cheese, although it was delivered with the Parmesan. :( I scraped off as much as I possibly could. I was happy that I had leftovers so I could enjoy the food once again!
I wonder where we will end up this week!
2 weeks ago we went out to Village Inn for dinner, and it was awesome. I got the Farmers Market without cheese and it was soooo good.
Friday that just passed we went out to Mimis Cafe, and I had the Mediterranean Fettuccine without cheese and I also ordered the crispy zucchini without cheese, although it was delivered with the Parmesan. :( I scraped off as much as I possibly could. I was happy that I had leftovers so I could enjoy the food once again!
I wonder where we will end up this week!
Friday, June 17, 2011
Food processor/chopper
Yay! Finally got a food processor/chopper and I can't wait to use it! Salsa here I come! :)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
TODAY
Today will never come again. Be a blessing. Be a friend. Encourage someone. Take time to care. Let your words heal, and not wound. Today will never come again.
Thanks Karen for posting this! It's SO TRUE!
Thanks Karen for posting this! It's SO TRUE!
Daily OM
Like a tree, our growth depends upon our ability to soften, loosen, and shed boundaries and defenses we no longer need.
Michael Pollan
7 Words & 7 Rules for Eating
Pollan says everything he's learned about food and health can be summed up in seven words: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."
Probably the first two words are most important. "Eat food" means to eat real food -- vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and, yes, fish and meat -- and to avoid what Pollan calls "edible food-like substances."
Here's how:
1. Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food. "When you pick up that box of portable yogurt tubes, or eat something with 15 ingredients you can't pronounce, ask yourself, "What are those things doing there?" Pollan says.
2. Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.
3. Stay out of the middle of the supermarket; shop on the perimeter of the store. Real food tends to be on the outer edge of the store near the loading docks, where it can be replaced with fresh foods when it goes bad.
4. Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot. "There are exceptions -- honey -- but as a rule, things like Twinkies that never go bad aren't food," Pollan says.
5. It is not just what you eat but how you eat. "Always leave the table a little hungry," Pollan says. "Many cultures have rules that you stop eating before you are full. In Japan, they say eat until you are four-fifths full. Islamic culture has a similar rule, and in German culture they say, 'Tie off the sack before it's full.'"
6. Families traditionally ate together, around a table and not a TV, at regular meal times. It's a good tradition. Enjoy meals with the people you love. "Remember when eating between meals felt wrong?" Pollan asks.
7. Don't buy food where you buy your gasoline. In the U.S., 20% of food is eaten in the car.
I loved this book, and I encourage you to read it!
Pollan says everything he's learned about food and health can be summed up in seven words: "Eat food, not too much, mostly plants."
Probably the first two words are most important. "Eat food" means to eat real food -- vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and, yes, fish and meat -- and to avoid what Pollan calls "edible food-like substances."
Here's how:
1. Don't eat anything your great grandmother wouldn't recognize as food. "When you pick up that box of portable yogurt tubes, or eat something with 15 ingredients you can't pronounce, ask yourself, "What are those things doing there?" Pollan says.
2. Don’t eat anything with more than five ingredients, or ingredients you can't pronounce.
3. Stay out of the middle of the supermarket; shop on the perimeter of the store. Real food tends to be on the outer edge of the store near the loading docks, where it can be replaced with fresh foods when it goes bad.
4. Don't eat anything that won't eventually rot. "There are exceptions -- honey -- but as a rule, things like Twinkies that never go bad aren't food," Pollan says.
5. It is not just what you eat but how you eat. "Always leave the table a little hungry," Pollan says. "Many cultures have rules that you stop eating before you are full. In Japan, they say eat until you are four-fifths full. Islamic culture has a similar rule, and in German culture they say, 'Tie off the sack before it's full.'"
6. Families traditionally ate together, around a table and not a TV, at regular meal times. It's a good tradition. Enjoy meals with the people you love. "Remember when eating between meals felt wrong?" Pollan asks.
7. Don't buy food where you buy your gasoline. In the U.S., 20% of food is eaten in the car.
I loved this book, and I encourage you to read it!
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
Self.com
So, I've been following the www.self.com Eat Like Me posts http://www.self.com/fooddiet/blogs/eatlikeme (licensed nutritionists make the posts) for a while now and I love them. I have learned so much. They inspired me to take pics of what I'm consuming (this will help me keep on track) plus I love to share recipes with everyone. I'm still going to come out with a cook book one day, but it doesn't look like that's going to happen anytime soon, so I decided to start including the recipes of what I cook when I post pics on here. Anyway, Self currently has 4 nutritionists that are competing to be the new Self.com Eat Like Me blogger. I encourage you to visit that site, browse through the past couple weeks worth of posts and vote on who you want the next blogger to be!
For breakfast I had a banana and some Yogi Green Tea Goji Berry with a little bit of honey (forgot to take a pic).
I didn't have any leftovers to bring to work today for lunch, so I went to Hibachi San at the mall and got some Yaki Soba noodles with veggies and mushrooms. I would rather cook this at home, that way I can control the ingredients that go into the dish, but when I don't have food and want to eat something that will keep me full for a long time, this is where I go.
Thursday
I went over to Nate's Moms house after work to visit with her and Grandma and to see the puppies! I love the puppies. They are sooo cute and so funny to watch! They play really rough for as young as they are.
For dinner I made roasted carrots and red potatoes (cut them up and drizzled them with EVOO, pepper and a little bit of sea salt - put in oven for about half an hour on 350 degrees, would stir them around every 10 minutes). I also sauteed zucchini and grape tomatoes in EVOO with pepper and Mrs Dash no salt lemon pepper on medium for 20 minutes. SO GOOD!
I had to go home on my lunch break to let the dogs out since Nate was on a big job and couldn't make it home. While I was there I put some pork ribs in the crock pot with some spicy bbq sauce for Nate. Cooked on low for 6 hours. I also made him some green beans (canned he doesn't like fresh) but of course forgot to take a picture of his plate!
The radio show was off the hook! Nate and Mike were dropping the nasties as usual! I will see if I can post the link to the video later on when Nate posts it. Tune in to www.the-lost-art.com to watch the DJ's spin live!
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Blog
Welp, I finally updated my blog! YAY! :) I'm going to start posting the recipes of what I cook. It doesn't look like my cookbook is coming out anytime soon, and I don't want to make people wait!
Monday, June 6, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
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