The Power of Suggestion

I woke up to yuck!  It was stormy, pouring, windy, chilly and just plain nasty!  When did winter get here?  It was just summer last week!  Hoping this doesn’t stick around :(  Anywho, I got the daughters ready for school and tried out another Yogurt Bowl:  Pineapple Coconut.  I topped Chobani nonfat plain yogurt with 1/2 c. crushed canned pineapple (in its own juice) and a sprinkle of shredded coconut…

This was not my favorite, either.  I was hoping for a pina colada taste to it, but it was a little too bland.  Maybe it was missing a cherry on top, or a little drink umbrella, or…rum :oD  But, drinking , driving and going to the gym don’t mix, so I just made due.

After kicking everyone out sending everyone off with hugs and kisses, I headed to the gym.  I got on the elliptical for 35 minutes while chatting with my friend, Coleen. We went our separate ways and  I ran (I know I shouldn’t have) and walked on the treadmill for 25 minutes, then did a 20 minute upper body workout – chest and arms.  Something about that environment really fuels me!  Kinda like “we’re all in this together” to quote that ever-annoying High School Musical song:)  Maybe, it’s the newness of the whole gym thing for me, so I’m thinking this might wear off, but I’ll ride it while it’s here!

I wasn’t too hungry when lunch rolled around, but knew I’d be out all afternoon and didn’t want to get caught with the munchies.  The weather of the day dictated a Soup and Sandwich kind of meal.  I decided on one of my favorite canned soups from Trader Joe’s…

And I was inspired by Andrea’s awesome grilled cheese, so I made a grilled cheese to go with it using Seven Grain Bread, asiago cheese and some diced ham.  I had some leftover  grilled sweet potatoes on the side, too…

Chunky and cheesy…like me :)

It was the perfect rainy day filling lunch to get me through and afternoon of shopping with Mom and Gram!  They are great shoppers;  I, however, do not love it so much, but I needed some non-schlocky, stain free, rip free, not 3 sizes too big gym clothes, so I bucked up and met them at Marshalls/Home Goods.  I scored some good clearance deals in the active wear department and got some serving bowls on clearance, too…

All four bowls for $20!  My Mom also found me a cool picture for my kitchen at a great price, so with deals galore, it was worth the trip!

Once home, the daughters came in from school and snack time was here.  Per your suggestions in response to my “GINORMOUS bag of blueberries” dilemma, I decided to make a Blueberry Tofu Smoothie.  Tofu, you ask?  I know you are saying that you did not suggest tofu, but I bought this new Nasoya Silken Creations Vanilla flavored Tofu and thought it might be a good addition…

I used 1 cup blueberries, 1 cup Nasoya Silken Creations Vanilla and 1/2 cup water and blended away.  I split it with little daughter;  we both really liked it…

It wasn’t enough though.  For some reason, I was craving “crunch”, so I grabbed a handful of Cheez-Its, but put them in a bowl to remind myself that this “is” a snack, not just mindless nibbling…

That was better and held me over nicely until dinner.  Pizza was on the menu, but I decided on something else for myself.  I made “Seafood Scallops” with Spinach and Beans.  This was inspired by a Cooking Light recipe for Seared Scallops with Warm Tuscan Beans.  For my version, I used…

• 1 Trader Joe’s Seafood Sausage, defrosted and sliced in 1/2” pieces
• 2 tsp. evoo
• 2 tbsp. minced shallots
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp. dry white wine
• 1/4 c. fat free chicken broth
• 2-3 large handfuls of baby spinach
• 1/3 c. cannellini beans

This was a quick dish.  I pan-seared the sausage slices in the evoo; added the shallots and garlic and sauteed for a minute or two;  added the wine, broth and spinach.  Let that simmer for 2 minutes until the spinach wilts and added the beans to warm through.  Viola!  I added s+p to taste and a sprinkle of crushed red pepper…

I put it in one of my new bowl to make it seem “restaurant style”…

After dinner, the soreness came.  Big Time!  I think I overdid it at the gym.  My hip is really sore and throbbing a little.  I know I need to get it checked out .  My big fat babyness / I’m a chicken laziness is holding me back from getting around to it.  I popped some Advil and I think I will take a day off this weekend from exercise.  Ah, the horror!  The guilt will kill me, but I think it’s necessary.  Okay, I’ve blabbed your eyes off long enough, so I’ll leave you with a…

Question of the Day:  Do you take a day off from exercise?

ONE GOOD THING:  I made my snack “official” by putting it in a bowl instead of chomping out of the bag!

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Twenty-Four Seven

Fall is in the air.  At least it felt that way this morning.  It was cool and breezy, which is fine by me.  I love fall and the cooler weather makes me want to get outside and run!  But, I’m not sure my hip will cooperate :( 

I felt in the mood for some Pilates this morning, so I popped in the cheapo DVD, I bought and did about 35 minutes of the video before starting on some breakfast.

I didn’t have much in stock since we just got back from the shore, but there were a few eggs left so I decided on an Antipasto Open Faced Omelette using 3 egg whites and the leftover antipasto topping from my Chicken Antipasto last week…

It was a very flavorful start!  And can’t forget the Teeccino…

Then, it was off to the produce store.  Look at this stash…

 

I got spring mix, brussel sprouts (don’t say eeww!), cauliflower, romaine hearts, sliced mushrooms, cucumber, baby spinach, zucchini, parsley, celery hearts, honeydew melon, strawberries, gala apples, fuji apples, nectarines, peaches, blueberries and a loaf of crusty Italian bread.  All that for $29!!!! 

I prepped the romaine lettuce right away to put together my lunch salad.  I made up a Southwest Chicken Salad using big handfuls of romaine, 1/4 c. black beans, 1/4 c. frozen corn (defrosted), cherry tomatoes, 1 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese and chicken breast (about 2 oz.) chopped.  I topped it with Kraft Light Three Cheese Ranch dressing.  It was so tasty and filling…

Some avocado would have been great in there, too, but I forgot to buy some!  Next time :)

As filling as the salad was, it still left me wanting a  little something.  I thought about grabbing crackers or pretzels, but feared that would lead to lots of munching.  Then, I saw these guys and thought they would be the perfect something…

After lunch, more shopping…Walmart for a few dry goods and school supplies, then Trader Joe’s.  Food shopping is an all day affair!  I did make a pit stop in between to drop off some bags and have a snack…

I finally made it home just in time to start on dinner.  Pasta was on the menu, but of course, something a little different for me.  I picked up a new item at Trader Joe’s – Seafood Sausage – and I was dying to trying it out…

A real find at only 110 calories and 3.5 grams fat per sausage…

I decided to make Seafood Scampi for one because the husband and daughters would rather starve than to try it!  LOL!

I sliced the sausage and pan fried in  1 tbsp. evoo and 1 clove garlic until cooked through.  I added about 2-3 tbsp. white wine and simmered for a minute, then added some chopped parsley.  I served it over whole wheat spaghetti and topped with a little parmesan.  Delish…

So, you may be wondering why I titled this post 24-7.  Well, I realized today that I think about food 24-7.  Seriously.  All day long.  I probably dream about it, too.  I am always thinking about what I should and should not eat.  I think about whether or not eating something will help me lose weight or contribute to weight gain.  I bargain with myself.  I wheel and deal.  I try to push these thoughts out of my mind and then, think about how great it is that I am not thinking about food!  Ugh!  I really do feel compulsive when it comes to food.  I think about it always.  It rules my world.  I am most definitely a novice to the concept of intuitive eating.  I’m not even certain that someone like me can even wrap my brain around it or ascertain what it means to be able to eat according to my body’s needs.  Is this something I can truly learn?  Is this something that can eventually come naturally to me?  I guess I’m scared that it isn’t possible for me.  I may be too far gone;  too old to learn “new tricks”, too accustomed to living life on a diet that I am unable to see the other side.  That grass sure does look greener, though…

Have a great night, everyone =)