It's All About The Food

Thank you all so much for the positive feedback and comments you are giving me as I move into this journey of changing how I look at food. It's been really helpful to me to put all these feelings and self-discoveries into words. Who needs therapy, right? Just blog it!!!

Of course, I have more to babble about, but I have make it quick so I can spend some family time , so it's just all about the food tonight!


I had an early workout this a.m.: a 30 minute run followed by 10 minute upper body strength workout. I had to be out the door quick to pick up Gram, so I went with an easy breakfast - Fiber One Strawberry yogurt sprinkled with Grape Nuts Cereal , CranBran Vitatop and joe-to-go...



The daughters and I took Gram to our local indoor farmer's market for some shopping. It is chock full of amazing fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, meats and lots and lots and lots of baked goods. Did I mention there were lots?? There were so many drool-worthy items. We walked around for a good hour oogling all the yummy stuff, then the daughters were getting hungry, so we stopped at one of the sit-down cafes inside the market. I wasn't very hungry yet, and for some reason, nothing on the menu really jumped out at me. I finally decided on Insalata Florentina - a spinach salad topped with portabello mushroom, roasted red pepper and feta dressed with a balsamic viniagrette...


There were lots more chunks of cheese and peppers under the mound of salad, too. I ended up eating only half the salad and brought the rest home, along with the roll, for another time.

We did some more exploring in the market. I loved the selection of bulk grains and nuts, not to mention the array of cheeses and MORE baked goods. I came across some organic foods and some interesting healthy treats, too. I wasn't much in the mood to buy anything today, but next visit, I will definitely give some of those treats a try. I did end up with a bag of these pretzels, though...


After we got home, I had a serving (3) for a snack...


I did some kitchen clean-up the rest of the afternoon, only to dirty it up again for dinner! I had thoughts of making calzones for dinner but, I wanted something a little different than the traditional calzone. I saw the Dominex Eggplant Cutlets in my freezer and thought it would be fun to make Eggplant Parmesan Calzones. I baked the cutlets in the oven for 15 minutes until crisp, then set aside. I rolled out Trader Joe's Whole Wheat Pizza Dough, spread some homemade marinara on it, layered on the eggplant cutlets and topped it with some shredded mozzarella and a couple tbsp. parmesan cheese. I folded it over, sealing the edges and baked in 400 degree oven for about 15 minutes. With a side salad, it was the perfect Friday night meal...

Mangia!

Now, I know I said that I didn't feel much like buying any goodies at the farmer's market, however, Gram bought up a storm! I think because she is diabetic and can't have them, she buys them for everyone else!! She bought a vat of chocolate covered pretzels for the daughters and gooey sticky buns for the husband. I just posted yesterday about being able to have it all, remember? Today was definitely a test in being able to "walk the walk". It's funny, I really wasn't affected by looking at all the food today. I was intrigued by it all and enjoyed looking at all of the interesting and delicious foods but, I think it was a big trigger today. Maybe too much all at one time. I know I can have anything I want in moderation, but this day conjured up that old dieting mentality. It's almost as if I was looking at a buffet of "don't haves"; a running list of all the things that I have "given up" during my years of dieting. Kinda like a "food-life flashing before my eyes", so to speak. I was fighting some big cravings when I got home. I kept telling myself it was okay, I can have something if I really want it. But, I didn't really want anything, I just craved something, anything, all of it. I fought the negative feelings that were coming and the guilt feelings. This is okay, I kept saying. So, I decided it was okay to eat a few chocolate covered pretzels...

And I wanted it to be okay to eat a whole lot more, but I stopped. I got to taste them and they were good, really good, and that's all I need. I don't need to scarf down half the bag because it is okay to eat a few chocolate covered pretzels. Yes! But, the dieting feelings were still in the background. I did feel a little guilty. I realize now why: deep down I still want to see a loss on the scale and I worry that eating chocolate covered pretzels and a small taste of ...

(oh, yes I did)... will keep me from losing. So, to be honest, I felt a little uneasy tonight. This past week, I had some pretty good momentum with intuitive eating and I was feeling so liberated from those heavy dieting thoughts. But, they made a mini-appearance today and it was kinda sucky to feel those feelings again. I know this change will take time and I'm going to have these "tests" along the way. I think what's going to matter most is consistency not perfection. So, I'm shakin' these stinky feelings off and I'm excited to keep on keeping on!

Have a great night, everyone!!!

No Fooling - It's A Larabar Giveaway!

My scale is roadkill. I have run over it with my vehicle until it resembled something like a smashed aluminum can. Okay, daydream over. But, it was a lovely thought. As you can guess, the scale was not my friend this morning. I got on and sirens wailed and red lights flashed, warning of self-destruction. No fooling that thing. You can fool yourself but, the scale will always yank you back into reality. The reality is that the whole 80/20 rule that I seem to be unintentionally practicing lately, is not working. If you do the program 80% of the time, but the other 20%, you are shoveling cookies, snacks and chocolate, it's gonna catch up with you. No doubt about it. Exercise, schmexercise. If you don't eat right, you will not lose weight. I spent the morning giving myself this lecture and, well, throwing a pity party, too. You know the drill, you've heard me crying about it in many other posts. So, *in my best Forrest Gump voice* that's all I have to say about that :D

Breakfast was a repeat of the other day: smoked salmon with Laughing Cow Light on a Thomas' Light English Muffin for 3 POINTS...

More cheesiness for lunch. I was dying for a good old grilled cheese! I made one using 2 slices of Arnold Natural Whole Grain White Bread and a slice of American and a slice of Asiago. I paired it with some sweet cherries for a quick 7 POINT lunch...

After lunch, I headed to Trader Joe's to pick up a couple of things. While I was there, I noticed they had all of my favorite Larabar flavors! I eyed up the Peanut Butter Cookie right away and broke into that as soon as I got home...

A most delicious 4 POINT snack!


I chilled out with the daughters this afternoon, then made some dinner. Pepperoni and Cheese Strombolis (made with whole wheat crust) and orzo soup for them and eggplant for me! I love the Dominex Eggplant Cutlets and since I had some left in the freezer stash, I thought it would make a good dinner tonight. I topped them with a bit of light mozzarella. Plain, simple and delish. I went with some watermelon slices for a light tasting 7 POINT dinner...

No dessert tonight. I'm full. Of fat. That's all I have to say about that.


So, since TJ's had only my favorite Larabar flavors (Cherry Pie, Apple Pie, Cashew Cookie and Peanut Butter Cookie), I thought I would get them all to giveaway to one lucky winner!!!!!



All you need to do is leave me a comment with this post telling me which flavor you would like to try. One winner will get all 4 of my faves! I'll choose the winner, using random.org, on Thurs. June 4. Be sure to check back Thurs. night when I'll announce the winner. Open to all, since I'm doing the shipping :) Good luck!!!!

An Exercising Fool

Happy Monday! I hope everyone enjoyed the Superbowl festivities! I can't believe how many commercials there were; some funny, some not so much. I thought Jennifer Hudson's version of the Star Spangled Banner was absolutely amazing. She is so talented!

Well, today I was an exercisin fool! I don't know what got into me; maybe the beautiful weather. I did my normal morning workout on the elliptical for 30 minutes before getting little daughter off to school. Breakfast was short and sweet; a Weight Watchers Strawberry Yogurt (1 POINT) and a Cran Bran Vitatop (1 POINT)... and a ray of sunshine...



Then, I was off to grocery shop. It's usually an all-day affair because I go to 3 different stores. First stop is always the produce market, then I headed to Trader Joe's. I came home to drop off this stash and since it was so nice outside (50 degrees!), I decided to head over to a hilly trail nearby and go for a run. It was AWESOME! I was able to run 2 hilly miles without stopping. I can't believe how much I enjoyed doing this! Between the beautiful weather, great tunes and some strong motivation, I managed the 2 miles without hardship! I felt so good afterward.

I came home and made some lunch before hitting my last grocery stop. I broiled some breaded eggplant cutlets (3 0z. = 2 POINTS) and put them on a lite english muffin. I topped them with sliced tomato and 1 oz. lite mozzarella cheese, then ran it under the broiler until cheese was melted. YUM! I had a sweet golden delicious apple on the side for a delicious 5 POINT lunch...

During my travels, I found a new cracker at Trader Joe's - Flax and Honey Flatbread...

Isn't the packaging pretty?? I'm an advertiser's dream - a total sucker for things in cute packaging!! These are only 80 cal. for 3 flatbread which is 1 POINT! I had to break into these right away! My afternoon snack was 3 of these yummy guys, 2 tbsp. hummus and a few carrots for 3 POINTS...

The husband and daughters danced a jig when I told them it was tacos for dinner tonight. They are so easy to please....NOT! That's okay, I'll take all the non-complainy days I can get ;)

I decided to make a giant taco salad for myself with lots of lettuce, tomato, 3 oz. 96% lean ground beef, 1 0z. Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese, 2 tbsp. guacamole and 1/4 c. salsa. I crumbled 1/2 of a taco shell over the top. I also had a side of broccoli - I'm pretty sure I got in all my fruits and veg servings today!! This was a very filling and delicious 7 POINT dinner...

And because I made the goal for February to Shred every day, I shredded it up with Jillian and her girls after dinner. Whew! I better lose some damn weight this week after all this exercise and good eating! Just gotta keep the lips zipped with the snacking.

After the Shred, it was dessert time! I had a serving of Breyer's Fat Free Double Churn French Chocolate Ice Cream and a Weight Watchers Peanut Butter Cookie mixed in. A 2 POINT deal...

Well, I may be bedridden tomorrow after all this exercise! I hope I didn't overdo it :0

Maybe, I should take an ice bath like the football players! Brrrrrr.......

Reading, Cooking, Games

Happy Saturday! Hope everyone has had a nice relaxing day. Wishful thinking, huh?!



I'm posting late tonight and I'm pretty beat, so I'll try not to be too verbose and just get right to the food!



I woke up this morning and headed to the computer to catch up on some blog reading. So much fun! I love hearing everyone's stories, trials and tribulations. I can relate to so many and find these blogs so motivational! The time really got away from me, but my stomach let me know that I better get something in there. Since, it was pretty late, I went with a bowl of Trader Joe's High Fiber O's mixed with another high fiber cereal (Fiber One knockoff), some sliced strawberries and 1 c. Soy Slender...





After that, I spent some time in the kitchen; cleaning and then, messing it up again. I always do that! I couldn't help myself though; I was itching to make these Pumpkin Parmesan Scones from the Jan/Feb. 2009 issue of Cooking Light. ( Click here for the recipe). I adapted the recipe a little: omitted the butter and used 2 tbsp. olive oil, used whole wheat pastry flour instead of ww flour and used 1 oz. Cabot 75% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese for the topping because I was out of parmesan. I also omitted the pumpkin seeds topping since I didn't have those either! So mine scones were Pumpkin Cheddar and they were delish! Kinda smallish, so I had to have two with my lunch. Each scone came to 2 POINTS with my recipe adjustments. Along with these scones for lunch, I had a cup of lentil soup and some grapes...




No snack this afternoon. I just had a cup of coffee and a nibble of a Clif Z Honey Graham Bar before heading to big daughter's basketball game. BAD MOVE! I was starving and overly anxious from the game(so exciting watching them play!) and I came home and ate a bunch of different snacky things while getting dinner ready. I didn't take pics; I guess I was moving so quickly through it all that I didn't think about it. But, here's the laundry list: hummus, carrots, pretzel sticks/rod, couple bran crackers, cheese stick and piece of chocolate. Well, I'll look at it this way; it could've been : brownies, chocolate, chips and cookies. So, I guess I didn't do too badly. I have used almost all my extra weekly allowance POINTS, though so I'll have to be on my best behavior until Thurs. weigh-in! Anyway, dinner for the husband and daughters was chicken parmesan. I breaded, I fried, I doused in sauce and cheese! Not for me, though. I opted to make a little eggplant parmesan using these...

These eggplant cutlets are really tasty. They are sliced and breaded for you, so all you have to do is bake, broil or fry them. I run them under the broiler; quick and easy. A serving is 3 oz.; 100 cal., 2 gr. fat and 3 gr. fiber = 2 POINTS. I made a 6 oz. serving tonight, with a bit of sauce and a string cheese divided over the eggplant slices. I had a side of string beans with garlic and EVOO. A very veggie 7 POINT meal...

Bread would have went nicely with this dinner, but I was out of luck/POINTS due to the overabundance of snacks. Oh well, next time :) After dinner, I did my workout since I fiddled around too much this morning to get it in. I am really sticking to my 45 min.- a-day workout goal. It feels good to follow through on that. Then, it was an evening of games with the daughters. We're all ready to wind down now and flop in bed! Have a great night!