Recently Tom went on a guy vacation to North GA to ride motorcycles through the mountains with his friend Dave. Being home alone for a week I was kind of excited to have some time along to do what I wanted without considering anyone else. I was off to a grand start. I had dinner with a friend each night choosing carefully from websites prior to going out. Panera Bread has a wonderful website that allows me to plan my meal prior to eating there so that I know exactly what I am taking in and to be sure it fit into my meal plan for that day. Visit http://www.paneranutrition.com/ . Its a great tool.
When in doubt I order salads when Im not sure. On the Sunday I joined two pals at the Sunrise Theater in Fort Pierce FL (http://www.sunrisetheater.com/) to watch Gone With The Wind. It was wonderful to see it without commercial interruption and in a movie theater built in 1923. The intermission is long enough that we could go to the Original Tiki Bar (http://www.originaltikibar.com/) for dinner. When in doubt, I order salad. Their Citrus Salad is absolutely lovely. I also treated myself to a gin and tonic that day. It tasted wonderful on a such a hot day. We concluded that Ashley Wilkes just wasn't that into Scarlett O'Hara and it was just too late for she and Rhett. None the less we enjoyed the movie and seeing on a theater screen for free was a treat.
Tuesday night I met a friend at Pueblo Viejo,(http://www.puebloviejorestaraurants.com/) the best chips and salsa on the Treasure Coast. I had to have just a few. I also had a nice variety and ended up taking a lot of it home with me. What I know about "Pueblo" is that they make all their food from scratch and its fresh. I'm not sure how they make those chips that crispy, but they do and I am grateful. I notice that I don't eat as much as I used to and when I feel full I stop, I no longer want more so I no longer take more or try to get it all in at once. I took the tamale to work the next day for lunch, it was great and I enjoyed it more without that guilty self loathing stuffed feeling I used to have.
At the end of this eat out frenzy I was kind of nervous about the scale. What I learned was all the planning paid off, I had lost another pound that week and had such a great time in the process. Using websites and writing it all down, doing my homework and walking through the door knowing what I would order was extremely helpful. Occasional treats are fun and since often times socializing centers around food it felt good to handle it as well as I did.
Until next time remember to use the tools out there to help yurself get or stay healthy.
Onward!!!!
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Monday, July 25, 2011
Turkey for Tom? I'm Hopeful!
Recently as I was chopping fresh dill and getting out the Dijon mustard, I asked Tom if he would have a turkey burger. He crunched up his nose and said no. but offered to grill mine, I said no but we decided we could time it right to eat together so we set out to do exactly that.
I had all kinds of things to put on my burger, a nice slice of tomato, feta cheese, a slice of Vidalia onion, fresh ground pepper.This was going to be a work of art.
I stop to reread my recipe, just to be sure I got this, Tom scoffs, takes his burger from the box and heads for the grill.
Tom makes about 4 trips into the kitchen to peer over my shoulder "just seeing what you're doing Honey...mmmm smells good"
I brush my onion with olive oil take it out and place it on the grill...Tom frowns and moves it explaining that it shouldn't be over a direct flame. (Tom is our grill master)
I ask "Do you want a slice for your burger?"
"Nah, but thanks" I shrug and return to the kitchen.
I take my skillet from the burner and put it in the oven to let the cheese melt. I toast the bun just a little to give it some crunch. I make salads while it finishes baking.
I stick my head out the door, "You about finished?"
"Well my burger is but I don't know about your onion."
"It doesn't have to be charred, it just needs to be grilled"
Tom sighs "okay" shakes his head.
We sit down and begin eating. I construct my burger, and it looks really good, Tom looks at mine and at his then at mine again, he sighs, "looks good but how does it taste?"
I tell him I will let him know.
He says his looks flat, he is right it does look flat.
I finish my salad and start on my burger it's absolutely yummy and I "mmmm" my way through it. I get full and stop eating and offer the rest to Tom, he declines my offer. I ask how his is, he says he thinks the frozen patties are stale but finishes anyway.
I smile and ask if he will try mine next time and he said something I didn't think he ever would.
"Maybe, if it looks like that."
Wow, the man who swore off all things ground turkey just said "maybe" !
I'm hopeful.
I had all kinds of things to put on my burger, a nice slice of tomato, feta cheese, a slice of Vidalia onion, fresh ground pepper.This was going to be a work of art.
I stop to reread my recipe, just to be sure I got this, Tom scoffs, takes his burger from the box and heads for the grill.
Tom makes about 4 trips into the kitchen to peer over my shoulder "just seeing what you're doing Honey...mmmm smells good"
I brush my onion with olive oil take it out and place it on the grill...Tom frowns and moves it explaining that it shouldn't be over a direct flame. (Tom is our grill master)
I ask "Do you want a slice for your burger?"
"Nah, but thanks" I shrug and return to the kitchen.
I take my skillet from the burner and put it in the oven to let the cheese melt. I toast the bun just a little to give it some crunch. I make salads while it finishes baking.
I stick my head out the door, "You about finished?"
"Well my burger is but I don't know about your onion."
"It doesn't have to be charred, it just needs to be grilled"
Tom sighs "okay" shakes his head.
We sit down and begin eating. I construct my burger, and it looks really good, Tom looks at mine and at his then at mine again, he sighs, "looks good but how does it taste?"
I tell him I will let him know.
He says his looks flat, he is right it does look flat.
I finish my salad and start on my burger it's absolutely yummy and I "mmmm" my way through it. I get full and stop eating and offer the rest to Tom, he declines my offer. I ask how his is, he says he thinks the frozen patties are stale but finishes anyway.
I smile and ask if he will try mine next time and he said something I didn't think he ever would.
"Maybe, if it looks like that."
Wow, the man who swore off all things ground turkey just said "maybe" !
I'm hopeful.
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Not Just About The Scale
Often as I write I'm so excited to report what I have lost and gained, I haven't mentioned what I notice physically. Besides the number on the scale and glucometer, I have gone down one size in pants. I'm not just trying to downsize my bod, but my closet as well (Tom will be happy about that). I'm not a vane person but it will be nice to be smaller than the average size, offering a more diverse wardrobe (and of course more shopping, which will not make Tom happy).
Another thing I have ignored is the fact that I have converted some favorite recipes to my new way of thinking. Not to say that I have found a low carb, low calorie cake with flavor (lets be realistic) butI have converted a recipe given to me by a high school friend for taste of home loose meat sandwiches (you know what I mean if you are from the QC's and if you aren't trust me you need to try this). It really wasn't that difficult to make it work, turkey tends to be a bit less flavorful that ground beef so season as needed but the recipe works for a nice flavorful lunch. I have it on a whole wheat bun with a salad and whole grain cheese Pringles (not exactly fries and an infamous chocolate shake but hey, I'm trying to be healthy).
Also, I have tried to love diet soda, I really have, but that aftertaste just stays with me and I don't care for it. This said, for now iced tea or water with lemon is my drink of choice. I have also discovered Mio. (I'm sure it has artificial sweetener in it but it doesn't leave the aftertaste) Mio offers some variety and the little container snaps tight and I can throw it in my bag. If I don't have my usual amount of water I can tell the difference so I drink what all I want during the day. I read that often thirst is mistaken for hunger, consequentially, if I feel hungry I drink a glass of water and typically it fills me up. Of course a cup of coffee in the morning with my regular creamer (now I measure it so that I can record it) remains part of my morning routine.
At first I ignored the advise of two small 100 calorie snacks, but now they are like a religion for me. An apple, banana, frozen grapes are refreshing this time of year, and of course my beloved Pringles. These small snacks prevent afternoon lulls and I'm not ravished by dinner time. It allows me to take my time making dinner and cuts down on after work snacking.
Planning meals has become a valuable use of time. Knowing what we are having for dinner helps me carefully plan lunch and breakfast.
I realize that I am not breaking any records on a speedy loss, but often slow and steady wins a race. As I said when I started the journey, I want to become a student and that doesnt happen over night. I take suggestions from my mentor and I read all I can about what may help me reach this goal. I'm always willing to try something new (except maybe skydiving which has nothing to do with weight loss).
Following is my healthy alternative to the famous loose meat sandwich that I spoke of earlier. if you want to "kick it old school" use lean ground beef and you can even rinse it before you add the ingredients.
You will need:
1 pound ground lean ground turkey
2T apple cider vinegar
1t salt
2T prepared mustard
2T ketchup
2T onion flakes (or less if you desire)
1 1/2 cups of boiling vegetable broth
Lightly brown the turkey breaking it up as you go. I boil the broth at the same time and add the onion flakes to the broth to soften them. Add the vinegar, salt, mustard and ketchup to the turkey then add the broth. Simmer until tender and moisture is absorbed, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.
I have it on a whole wheat bun with dill pickles, a slice of American cheese if you prefer and mustard (no ketchup is a tradition with this sandwich).
Let me know if you try this, and Id like to thank my HS classmate Tammy for the original recipe a couple of years ago. We have used it often.
Another thing I have ignored is the fact that I have converted some favorite recipes to my new way of thinking. Not to say that I have found a low carb, low calorie cake with flavor (lets be realistic) butI have converted a recipe given to me by a high school friend for taste of home loose meat sandwiches (you know what I mean if you are from the QC's and if you aren't trust me you need to try this). It really wasn't that difficult to make it work, turkey tends to be a bit less flavorful that ground beef so season as needed but the recipe works for a nice flavorful lunch. I have it on a whole wheat bun with a salad and whole grain cheese Pringles (not exactly fries and an infamous chocolate shake but hey, I'm trying to be healthy).
Also, I have tried to love diet soda, I really have, but that aftertaste just stays with me and I don't care for it. This said, for now iced tea or water with lemon is my drink of choice. I have also discovered Mio. (I'm sure it has artificial sweetener in it but it doesn't leave the aftertaste) Mio offers some variety and the little container snaps tight and I can throw it in my bag. If I don't have my usual amount of water I can tell the difference so I drink what all I want during the day. I read that often thirst is mistaken for hunger, consequentially, if I feel hungry I drink a glass of water and typically it fills me up. Of course a cup of coffee in the morning with my regular creamer (now I measure it so that I can record it) remains part of my morning routine.
At first I ignored the advise of two small 100 calorie snacks, but now they are like a religion for me. An apple, banana, frozen grapes are refreshing this time of year, and of course my beloved Pringles. These small snacks prevent afternoon lulls and I'm not ravished by dinner time. It allows me to take my time making dinner and cuts down on after work snacking.
Planning meals has become a valuable use of time. Knowing what we are having for dinner helps me carefully plan lunch and breakfast.
I realize that I am not breaking any records on a speedy loss, but often slow and steady wins a race. As I said when I started the journey, I want to become a student and that doesnt happen over night. I take suggestions from my mentor and I read all I can about what may help me reach this goal. I'm always willing to try something new (except maybe skydiving which has nothing to do with weight loss).
Following is my healthy alternative to the famous loose meat sandwich that I spoke of earlier. if you want to "kick it old school" use lean ground beef and you can even rinse it before you add the ingredients.
You will need:
1 pound ground lean ground turkey
2T apple cider vinegar
1t salt
2T prepared mustard
2T ketchup
2T onion flakes (or less if you desire)
1 1/2 cups of boiling vegetable broth
Lightly brown the turkey breaking it up as you go. I boil the broth at the same time and add the onion flakes to the broth to soften them. Add the vinegar, salt, mustard and ketchup to the turkey then add the broth. Simmer until tender and moisture is absorbed, stirring occasionally so it doesn't stick.
I have it on a whole wheat bun with dill pickles, a slice of American cheese if you prefer and mustard (no ketchup is a tradition with this sandwich).
Let me know if you try this, and Id like to thank my HS classmate Tammy for the original recipe a couple of years ago. We have used it often.
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