I wish I had a recipe to report on today, but yesterday turned out to be another eating challenge. I didn't plan ahead, and we hadn't done the grocery shopping, and so there was nothing for me to fix. So, we went to Whole Foods to pick up "something healthy." Well, the only healthy thing there are the healthy prices! Ouch! I ended up with tabbuli, melon, and black bean soup - all good choices. But at a steep price!
So the question is this: How do serious dieters cope with today's hectic schedules,that don't always allow time for cooking, or result in eating out too often? One reader suggested planning and fixing meals the day before. A good idea, I think, but I need some help with restaurant meals. I can only eat so many salads, and the dishes I order that I think are dietarily safe seem to always arrive at my table laden with fat! It's really a challenge. But, case in point, I'll be eating out for lunch and dinner today and Thursday night and Friday, so I need help NOW!
I'll leave you with this thought for the day: There is nothing "dietarily safe" on a Mexican restaurant menu!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Monday, August 10, 2009
Note to Self: Don't Open That Menu!
I'm very happy to report that after a weekend fraught with pitfalls, my 7 lbs. are still lost! I don't know why or how, considering my meal choices over the weekend, but I'm not complaining. It all started smoothly enough, and then my whole eating plan went to hell in a hand-basket on Saturday morning. I started the day with a bowl of oatmeal - harmless enough, right - just needed something to give me energy to get moving. But then I met my friend a couple of hours later for breakfast. I was just going to have a cup of coffee and an english muffin. But I made the mistake of opening the menu and two words that I love to see jumped right off the menu - BREAKFAST BURRITO. So I ate again - breakfast burrito with chorizo, no less! What was I thinking? I figured I would offset some of the chorizo fat by having egg whites instead of whole eggs - how silly of me. That burrito reminded it was there for the rest of the day. Finally, at about 8:00 that night, I had a small salad, but I was so hungry by the time we got back to the room at 11:30 that I ordered room service and ate a chicken sandwich - yes, at 11:30 at night! Again, what was I thinking? So on Sunday, I started repairing the damage, and herein lies the answer. We all fall down, but then we have to pick ourselves up again and continue with our program. No looking back. So, that's what I did. And look - I can't find those 7 lbs!
Anyway, I was anxious to have a nutritional meal last night, I think as a result of my poor eating on Saturday, and my irregular eating on Friday. So I made Lemon-Caper Chicken from In a Flash. This was one of the best things I've cooked so far. This and the linguine and clam sauce are my favorites. There were no problems, no hazards (no chopping), and no drama. My kind of cooking experience! I served it with Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous (pre-packaged) and peas.
On a different note, I met a woman over the weekend who said she lost 60 lbs. on Weight Watchers, and I thought, "If she can do that, I certainly can lose my measly 15-25 lbs." She's accomplished quite a feat - she's an inspiration!
Anyway, I was anxious to have a nutritional meal last night, I think as a result of my poor eating on Saturday, and my irregular eating on Friday. So I made Lemon-Caper Chicken from In a Flash. This was one of the best things I've cooked so far. This and the linguine and clam sauce are my favorites. There were no problems, no hazards (no chopping), and no drama. My kind of cooking experience! I served it with Roasted Garlic and Olive Oil Couscous (pre-packaged) and peas.
On a different note, I met a woman over the weekend who said she lost 60 lbs. on Weight Watchers, and I thought, "If she can do that, I certainly can lose my measly 15-25 lbs." She's accomplished quite a feat - she's an inspiration!
Friday, August 7, 2009
Eat, Sleep, Play
I didn't cook at all yesterday - just no time. So, since I'll be away for the weekend, I'm leaving you with a few thoughts.
As I mentioned yesterday, I seemed to have hit a weight-loss plateau, so I've been thinking about what I did differently over the last few days that may have caused my already slow-as-the-coming-of-cool-weather weight loss to stop completely. A couple of things come to mind.
First, I had a glass of wine with dinner for three nights now. Heavens to Murgatroid! They were each only a carefully measured 4 oz., or 2 points in WW parlance, but I've been told that wine contributes to weight gain. It may be that something in the wine counteracts the trend towards losing that other foods (like the salad (again) I ate last night or points-conscience WW meals) promote.
The other thing that's different is that I've only gotten 6 hours of sleep for the last two nights. It's those dang video games - who said they're not for grown-ups? Anyway, I've heard that not getting 8 hours of sleep per night contributes to weight gain - something to do with metabolism. So I'm wondering if being tired the last two days has slowed my metabolism enough that weight loss is slower. The question is are the games worth it? That's a tough one!
I'll leave you with that. As I said, I'll be away for the weekend, so until Sunday, or maybe Monday if I'm too lazy Sunday afternoon, get some sleep, stay away from the wine, but play video games - we have to have at least one vice!
As I mentioned yesterday, I seemed to have hit a weight-loss plateau, so I've been thinking about what I did differently over the last few days that may have caused my already slow-as-the-coming-of-cool-weather weight loss to stop completely. A couple of things come to mind.
First, I had a glass of wine with dinner for three nights now. Heavens to Murgatroid! They were each only a carefully measured 4 oz., or 2 points in WW parlance, but I've been told that wine contributes to weight gain. It may be that something in the wine counteracts the trend towards losing that other foods (like the salad (again) I ate last night or points-conscience WW meals) promote.
The other thing that's different is that I've only gotten 6 hours of sleep for the last two nights. It's those dang video games - who said they're not for grown-ups? Anyway, I've heard that not getting 8 hours of sleep per night contributes to weight gain - something to do with metabolism. So I'm wondering if being tired the last two days has slowed my metabolism enough that weight loss is slower. The question is are the games worth it? That's a tough one!
I'll leave you with that. As I said, I'll be away for the weekend, so until Sunday, or maybe Monday if I'm too lazy Sunday afternoon, get some sleep, stay away from the wine, but play video games - we have to have at least one vice!
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Gone Fishin'
One of the challenges I've had with this new cooking venture is in making sure we have variety. I tend to seek out the chicken and pork recipes, for some reason, and have to work at doing something different. If I start clucking or start snorting you'll know I failed at diversity. So last night I decided fish was the thing.
Pan-Fried Flounder with Corn and Tomatoes from In a Flash was on the menu for last night. I used halibut instead of flounder, and I imagine any kind of fish that comes in steak-form would work just as well. The corn and tomatoes were really good...although having to slice a pint of cherry tomatoes into quarters was a bit of a drag (knives and I don't usually get along all that well). In reality, it was a 15-Minute Meal, so the whole thing didn't take very long at all. The fish was bland, though. I like spicier, more flavorful things. The next time I make it I'll add some kind of seasoning to the fish and then it will be perfect.
But the best thing about the dinner, believe it or not, was the Idahoan Garlic and Cheese instant mashed potatoes I made to go with it. I was very surprised. I wonder, when all is said and done, what it means about the rest of the dinner, if the prepackaged powdered potatoes got the highest rating?
As for weight loss, well I seem to be at one of those dreaded plateaus everyone always talks about. The good news is that I haven't gained anything and am still holding at 7 lbs. The problem is that I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend of scrapbooking - which means eating away from home for a few days. The red Danger lights are flashing. I'll have to be really diligent...
Pan-Fried Flounder with Corn and Tomatoes from In a Flash was on the menu for last night. I used halibut instead of flounder, and I imagine any kind of fish that comes in steak-form would work just as well. The corn and tomatoes were really good...although having to slice a pint of cherry tomatoes into quarters was a bit of a drag (knives and I don't usually get along all that well). In reality, it was a 15-Minute Meal, so the whole thing didn't take very long at all. The fish was bland, though. I like spicier, more flavorful things. The next time I make it I'll add some kind of seasoning to the fish and then it will be perfect.
But the best thing about the dinner, believe it or not, was the Idahoan Garlic and Cheese instant mashed potatoes I made to go with it. I was very surprised. I wonder, when all is said and done, what it means about the rest of the dinner, if the prepackaged powdered potatoes got the highest rating?
As for weight loss, well I seem to be at one of those dreaded plateaus everyone always talks about. The good news is that I haven't gained anything and am still holding at 7 lbs. The problem is that I'm leaving tomorrow for a weekend of scrapbooking - which means eating away from home for a few days. The red Danger lights are flashing. I'll have to be really diligent...
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Bivalves, Bread, and Wine
I'm a slug. I didn't cook yesterday, and I didn't make breakfast this morning, either. I had good intentions about breakfast, but I couldn't get my laziness out of bed in time to make it before Manny had to leave for work, and what I was going to make was too much for just one person. Oh well, there are plenty of cooking days left.
We went to locals' night at the Oxbow, a little market-y place in Napa. Hogs Island had happy hour oysters, so 8 of us dined on oysters, bread, and wine. It wasn't nearly enough to fill Manny up, but I was fine - that's the benefit of not working out like a fiend, like he does. Less exercise means less food - hey! An idea for a new diet plan - The Don't Exercise and Lose Weight Plan. That'll be a best seller for sure! Anyway, the best part was that oysters are only 1 point for 6 and it was better than any dinner I could have fixed.
No cooking means no opportunity to hurt myself, so all is well in my world!
We went to locals' night at the Oxbow, a little market-y place in Napa. Hogs Island had happy hour oysters, so 8 of us dined on oysters, bread, and wine. It wasn't nearly enough to fill Manny up, but I was fine - that's the benefit of not working out like a fiend, like he does. Less exercise means less food - hey! An idea for a new diet plan - The Don't Exercise and Lose Weight Plan. That'll be a best seller for sure! Anyway, the best part was that oysters are only 1 point for 6 and it was better than any dinner I could have fixed.
No cooking means no opportunity to hurt myself, so all is well in my world!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Choppers are Dangerous!
7 lbs today! I know it may be hard to believe, but I can actually feel a small (very small) difference in my clothes.
I was home yesterday, so I had a little time to make something special for lunch instead of the usual Smart Ones frozen lunch. And so I chose Tuna-and-Bow Tie Pasta Salad from Day by Day. This was an easy recipe, even for me, and it didn't take too long to prepare, but in the end, it wasn't all that wonderful. I mean it tasted fine, but it needed some pizazz. Maybe my lack of enthusiasm has something to do with the fact that I had it for lunch, and then again for dinner. In any case, for those who aren't adventurous eaters (and you know who you are), this might be a good recipe for you. Pasta, tomato, carrot, cucumber, celery, and tuna. You can't go wrong there.
Note to self: Keep your fingers out of the way when chopping. No, I didn't cut myself with the knife, but I pinched my finger between the top of the chopper and the thing you push down on. And, as you might imagine, when chopping one uses quite a bit of force. So, there was a little swearing and some jumping up and down, but the pasta needed to be drained, so I couldn't dwell on my misery for long. A messy kitchen and a bruised finger later I had a nice (although boring) salad for lunch.
Second note to self: Do not sip wine vinegar from a spoon. All I wanted to do was see what flavor of vinegar I wanted to use in the salad, so I sipped a little to taste. Maybe slurp was more accurate, because that vinegar went right to the back of my throat and I started coughing...gagging...choking...struggling for breath...and diving for water. I caused so much of a rucus that the dogs came in to see what was going on. Maybe I should teach them CPR?
I think tomorrow I might try breakfast - maybe it's safer. Stay tuned!
I was home yesterday, so I had a little time to make something special for lunch instead of the usual Smart Ones frozen lunch. And so I chose Tuna-and-Bow Tie Pasta Salad from Day by Day. This was an easy recipe, even for me, and it didn't take too long to prepare, but in the end, it wasn't all that wonderful. I mean it tasted fine, but it needed some pizazz. Maybe my lack of enthusiasm has something to do with the fact that I had it for lunch, and then again for dinner. In any case, for those who aren't adventurous eaters (and you know who you are), this might be a good recipe for you. Pasta, tomato, carrot, cucumber, celery, and tuna. You can't go wrong there.
Note to self: Keep your fingers out of the way when chopping. No, I didn't cut myself with the knife, but I pinched my finger between the top of the chopper and the thing you push down on. And, as you might imagine, when chopping one uses quite a bit of force. So, there was a little swearing and some jumping up and down, but the pasta needed to be drained, so I couldn't dwell on my misery for long. A messy kitchen and a bruised finger later I had a nice (although boring) salad for lunch.
Second note to self: Do not sip wine vinegar from a spoon. All I wanted to do was see what flavor of vinegar I wanted to use in the salad, so I sipped a little to taste. Maybe slurp was more accurate, because that vinegar went right to the back of my throat and I started coughing...gagging...choking...struggling for breath...and diving for water. I caused so much of a rucus that the dogs came in to see what was going on. Maybe I should teach them CPR?
I think tomorrow I might try breakfast - maybe it's safer. Stay tuned!
Monday, August 3, 2009
I'm Back!
I took a few days off - from cooking and from blogging. We had leftovers that needed to be eaten, and it's been a busy few days.
We had a yard sale on Saturday, which meant Manny and I spent a Saturday a few weeks ago going through all that stuff that accumulated over the years. Then I spent last Friday cleaning it all up and tagging it for the sale. Then we spent Saturday putting it all out so we could pick it all up again in the afternoon. In the end, we made some extra money - according to my calculations, we made approximately $4.68 per hour. But, we got rid of some stuff, and we went to Goodwill with the majority of the rest of it, so we'll have a tax write off. I remember now why I don't like to do yard sales!
Now it's back to the grind. Today I'm going to make a pasta salad for lunch (I took today off). I don't think I'll be making dinner tonight - our schedules are getting in the way again!
By the way - 6 lbs in spite of burritos on Friday and dinner out on Saturday!
We had a yard sale on Saturday, which meant Manny and I spent a Saturday a few weeks ago going through all that stuff that accumulated over the years. Then I spent last Friday cleaning it all up and tagging it for the sale. Then we spent Saturday putting it all out so we could pick it all up again in the afternoon. In the end, we made some extra money - according to my calculations, we made approximately $4.68 per hour. But, we got rid of some stuff, and we went to Goodwill with the majority of the rest of it, so we'll have a tax write off. I remember now why I don't like to do yard sales!
Now it's back to the grind. Today I'm going to make a pasta salad for lunch (I took today off). I don't think I'll be making dinner tonight - our schedules are getting in the way again!
By the way - 6 lbs in spite of burritos on Friday and dinner out on Saturday!
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