Monday, September 9, 2013

From Skinny to Rhombus


I just heard a comedian say that he has dated all sizes of women – from skinny to rhombus. That struck me as so clever, simply because I myself am shaped like a rhombus. 
 
 
Did you know that I used to be skinny? I weighed 110 lbs. when I graduated from high school. This, my darling friends, is the hardest part about being fat; knowing that I once was the opposite. I could go into ANY store and find clothes to fit me. I dated a very skinny boy once. We used to get bruises on our pelvic bones. Seriously.  I could wrap my hand around my wrist and my fingers would touch. I could climb stairs at will, all without heavy breathing, and could rehearse dance for hours without tire.

Friends once called me “The Body”. When I look at my physical condition NOW, it is next to impossible not to compare it with the beautiful body I had BEFORE.

 I’ve gone from skinny to rhombus.

Which brings me to the point of this post. In the interest of full disclosure, I wanted to let you know that I’ve made an appointment with a therapist. I am incapable of helping myself at this point, and I’m thankful to my sisters who finally pushed me in the right direction. When my sister commented that she “never wanted to come over and see me in bed again in the middle of the day”, I realized I really did have a problem. The problems that I’m having with my mind are directly affecting the problems I have with my body.

It’s time to get my house in order, friends. I’ve not lost more weight because I can hardly get out of bed in the morning, let alone get up to work out. I’ve not lost more weight because I’m not motivated to go to the grocery store, let alone look up recipes. I’ve not lost more weight because I give up on myself again, and again, and again. I am my biggest disappointment.

I want to go from rhombus to skinny.

Or at least smooth out the edges and go from rhombus to heart. Cause my heart and mind is what counts, right?  

 

Yeah, that’s a puppy with a heart. You’re welcome.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Mercy

Maybe that's what I need... just a little bit of mercy. I'm crying foul, sweet friends. There's a skinny girl inside me who is screaming, my life is a complete mess, and I'm really struggling.

I CAN'T GIVE UP.
I WILL NOT GIVE UP.
I REFUSE TO GIVE UP.

Don’t give up, I know you can see,
All the world and the mess that we’re making.
Can’t give up and hope God will intercede.
Come on back, imagine that we could get it together.


Stand up for what we need to be,
‘Cause crime won’t save or feed a hungry child.
Can’t lay down and wait for a miracle to change things,
So lift up your eyes, lift up your heart,


Singing, mercy will we overcome this?
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around?
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer,
And I’ll try to give you what you need.


Me and you, and you, and you just wanna be free,
But you see, all the world is just as we’ve made it;
And until we got a new world I’ve got to say,
That love is not a whisper or a weakness.


No, love is strong, so we got to get together.
Yeah, gotta get, gotta get, gotta get.
‘Til there is no reason to fight.


Mercy, will we overcome this?
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around?
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer,
And I’ll try to give you what you need.


Mercy, will we overcome this?
Have we come too far to turn it around?
Ask too much to be a little bit stronger,
But I wanna give you what you need.


Mercy, what will become of us?
Oh, one by one, could we turn it around?
Maybe carry on just a little bit longer,
And I’ll try to give you what you need.


Dave Matthews Band

Monday, August 19, 2013

$%&ing Excuses


Q: Why is it so hard for me to break these bad, unhealthy habits?

A: I’m mired in my own #$%&ing excuses and addictions.

 

I was talking with a friend the other day about how annoying it is for people to talk a good game but never follow through. While we were talking, I couldn’t help but think of myself and that I’m a perfect annoying example. I talk an awesome game. I never follow through.

I am a con-artist when it comes to losing weight.

Don’t get me wrong – I’m still down 10 Lbs from when I started. I got that far and just stopped, and I have so many #$%&ing excuses why:

                I had a really rough summer, emotionally.

                I was too busy to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

                I was experiencing issues with depression and found it hard to motivate myself.

                I was focusing on Jameson and not myself.

You know what the real reason is that I’ve not lost any more weight? I AM LAZY. It’s as simple as that. I LOVE BAD FOOD. Also very simple. I look at myself in the mirror and do not like what I see, but I cannot force myself to change. I want to be healthy, be in relationship, run and play games with my son, but I cannot force myself to move. Which begs the question… cannot, or will not?

I was recently watching a past season of The Amazing Race on the Kindle. I never thought about it before, but I realized that I COULD NEVER DO THAT. My buddy Becky could – she would rock that shit. My dear girls Dora and Sarah could bust that race out. Wendy would dominate and probably win the million. I was almost in tears, having finally come to the conclusion that I would never be able to make even one leg of that race.

 AND IT’S MY OWN DAMN FAULT.

So where do I go from here? How on earth can I succeed this time, when I’ve failed so many other times?

I think I’ve finally realized that I cannot do this on my own. I need help, dear friends. Today is my plea for accountability, and my request for ideas, suggestions, support, and physical help to make this happen. I HAVE TO LOSE WEIGHT. Maybe I’ll never be able to actually be on The Amazing Race, but I would really like to feel like I could if I wanted to.

I might be coming to some of you in the very near future. No more #$%&ing excuses for this girl. Let’s do this.

Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Lazy Bones

That’s what you can call me from now on, since I’ve gotten completely lazy and complacent over the past several weeks. I even ate fast food (gasp). I am pretty much sucking it up, diet wise. And by that, I mean sucking up all the food in my path (or so it seems). I’m not really sure what has triggered this recent bout of laziness, but I know for sure that it is NOT working out in my favor. I have not gained any weight back, but I’ve not lost one single pound.



I don’t plan my meals anymore at all. It’s just Jameson and I since my dad has been out of town, so I’m not cooking as much. Jamo eats like a bird, and only has about four things that he really likes to eat. Yes, it’s an excuse, but meal planning is very tricky when it’s only two of us. It’s so much easier to go for the easy meal – one that I can just grab at the store. 

My Tupperware collection is getting dusty. I am using plastic baggies almost exclusively, because I’m only bringing my breakfast to work; a bagel or dry cereal. I run home for lunch, get something at the grocery store, or eat something out of the dreaded vending machine. My employer is fairly concerned with health and wellness, so there are usually a couple good choices in the machine, but the temptation for Danish is right there in front of me.

And here’s the rub – I’ve committed to lose 40 L-B’s by…December! That’s the date of my next wellness appointment at my work, and I’ve made a promise to the lovely Katie. Gulp. As the administrator of our wellness exams, Katie is so kind and helpful, and I just couldn’t help myself. WHAT HAVE I GOTTEN MYSELF INTO?

Dieting, or changing one’s lifestyle, is often a hit-or-miss journey. As long as I keep trying to succeed, I believe occasional failure is just a stumbling block on this road to wellness. My biggest obstacle is MYSELF. I would like to ask you, my lovely readers, for your help. How can I be more accountable on this journey? I end up spending so much time alone, and I have no one to answer to! I seem to only be writing about failures lately, and I’d really love to put some positive numbers in the win column again. 

Thursday, June 13, 2013

Let's Get (a) Physical


A couple of weeks ago I went to my doctor to get my first physical in three years (insert chastising comments here). It was... fun. No, really! My doc is one of the good ones - he jokes, he swears, he explains everything thoroughly, and he truly cares about me and my family. I was a little worried about what my blood tests would reveal, but as it turned out, I'm actually pretty... healthy. I know, right?

All the tests turned out within range. My family has a history of diabetes, but my blood sugar was great. My blood pressure was within normal range, as was my cholesterol. There were little to no red flags, in my opinion, and I think that Dr. Bobby (real name is Robert LeFevre out of Bronson) was pleased. He was also pleased with my weight loss strides, and was encouraging me to keep up the good work. Clearly my excess weight does affect my long-term health, but he was happy I was moving in the right direction. 

A suspicion about my thyroid was confirmed - and I was officially diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When Jameson was a baby I suffered a hyperthyroid attack, and it's pretty common to swing the other way once your thyroid realizes it's innate power. Not to worry, I've been prescribed medication to regulate my numbers, and will have a re-check in a few weeks. My mom had this same malady, and handled it without incident, so I'm not concerned. 

I also have an iron deficiency, and it's been suggested that I start an iron supplement. It will help my restless leg syndrome if I keep my levels up, which will in turn help me get a better night's sleep. 

All in all, I really was pleased with my appointment. Now on to the gynecologist. I have to find a new doctor in my area, but that visit I will not share.  

The moral of this story, my dearest friends, is to get your annual physical. YOU ARE WORTH IT. I was lucky that I didn't run up against more pressing health issues, having avoided this check-up for so long, and I want all of you to be lucky, too! 

Now, if I can only get Olivia Newton John out of my head, my day will be complete. 

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Spring can really hang you up...



I had a really rough spring, as some of you know. May is, by far, the hardest month for me to handle, and it really kicked my ass this year. I ate too much food, sat around way too much, and drank too much as well. As a result I’ve gained back some of the weight I worked so hard to lose. I’ve been singing a song in my head for weeks now, and thought you might enjoy it. I like the Bette Midler version. It’s about love, but it means so much more to me.

Spring Can Really Hang You Up The Most

Once I was a sentimental thing;
threw my heart away each spring.
Now a spring romance
hasn’t got a chance.
Promised my first dance to winter.
All I’ve got to show’s a splinter
for my little fling.

Spring this year has got me feeling
like a horse who never left the post.
I lie in my room
staring up at the ceiling.
Spring can really hang you up the most.

Morning’s kiss wakes trees and flowers,
and to them I’d like to drink a toast.
But I walk in the park
just to kill the lonely hours.
Spring can really hang you up the most.

All afternoon the birds twitter-twitt.
I know the tune, this is love, this is it.
Heard it before
and don’t I know the score.
And I’ve decided that spring is a bore.

Love seems sure around the new year.
Now it’s April, love is just a ghost.
Spring arrived on time,
only what became of you, dear?
Spring can really hang you up the most.
Spring can really hang you up the most.

Love came my way, I thought it would last.
We had our day, now it’s all in the past.
Spring came along, a season of song,
full of sweet promise
but something went wrong.

Doctors once prescribed a tonic.
Sulfur and molasses was the dose.
Didn’t help one bit,
my condition must be chronic.
Spring can really hang you up the most.

All alone, the party is over.
Old Man Winter was a gracious host.
But when you keep praying
for snow to hide the clover,
spring can really hang you up the most.

So I know what I have to do to lose weight. I know what I have to do to get healthy and fit. I think the next step is getting my brain on track. My emotions continue to sabotage my success and I can’t fight a losing battle forever. Maybe it’s time to reach out to someone for help. It couldn’t hurt to get a healthy mind as well, right? 

Let’s chat soon about my recent physical and all that entailed. It was all good, but for now I’ll leave you with this song. Sing it for me, will you?

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

One Day, One Pound

I want to talk a little bit today about being alone. I've been thinking a lot about it, and how it relates to my journey to lose weight.

I have so many lovely friends and relatives that love me and share their lives with me. I am a million times blessed to be the mother of Jameson, and love him to pieces. Over the past several months especially, I've extended my network to include my amazing Beer Broads and their families; I just spent a priceless weekend with most of them, and am so thankful. I am truly a lucky woman, and cherish the relationships in my life.

But I'm still very much alone in the romance department.

I've been alone for seven years now - since my divorce from Jameson's father. I have been on a total of two dates since. I haven't had one person ask me out since my divorce. I'm thirty-seven years old and getting older, and am still very much alone. You might wonder how my relationship status relates to this blog and my weight loss journey, and I'll tell you. I have gained 100 lbs since my divorce. I'm entirely positive that this fat turns the opposite sex off, and that it is a major reason why I'm still single. I'm not saying it's the only reason, but it's a big one, I think.

So what do I do? I definitely don't want to think that I'm on this weight loss journey just to find a man, or that the only reason a man would be interested in me is because I was skinnier. I'm a funny, interesting, and sassy girl with a lovely son and a good job. I would like to believe that I can be attractive to people even with the extra weight, but I'm not sure.

I hate not being sure.

So here's the scoop. I CAN'T CARE ANYMORE. I can't cry anymore. However much I yearn to share my life with someone new, I cannot make this journey about my desire to catch a man. I will keep taking this journey one day at a time and one pound at a time for the sole purpose of being healthy and happy.

And besides - I want to meet someone who loves me for who I am and what I believe in - not someone who wants a skinny girl.

One day, one pound. For me.

Tuesday, May 21, 2013

MIA, L-B's and F


MIA – Missing In Action
I know I’ve been missing in action lately. I’m still working, still striving to be a better, healthier, more active person, and for the most part I’m succeeding. My mother’s birthday, and Mother’s Day really threw me for a loop this year, and knocked me a bit off track. As some of you know, on June 1, 2009, my dear mother passed away. It’s been almost four years, and I’m still dealing with her loss every day. I missed her especially this year.  I spent several days not really caring what I ate, and not working out at all. I realized how very hard it is to resist “eating my feelings”, when all I really wanted to do was gorge myself on ice cream and spaghetti. 

I wasn’t that bad. Just a little bad. I’ve forgiven myself, and moved on.

L-B’s – slang for Pounds
At my last weigh-in, late Monday morning, I was down to 255.8, bringing my total weight loss to 16.2 L-B’s. I’d like to get in the 240’s by the end of June, but we’ll see how it goes. This is a marathon, not a race, and I’m pacing myself. It would be nice for the L-B’s to melt right off, but I’m realistic. And optimistic. 

F – My Bra Size
Or so I’ve been told. I have very large breasts, and finding a bra is a NIGHTMARE for me. I recently went to Lane Bryant on a whim, and they were having a special promotion which included a bra fitting and a buy one, get one ½ off deal. 

I was measured.

At first the news was good. I had lost 4” under The Girls! How cool is that? Then… the cup size, which this very nice girl figured as an F. An effing F (seriously, I didn’t think they were THAT big). I proceeded to the bra section, where every color in the rainbow was displayed. There were push-ups, under-wires, padded, and wire-free. The selection was seemingly endless and exciting.  I started searching for just the right size, feeling exhilarated – finally I was going to purchase a bra that fit! 

I came to discover that there were four bras in the whole effing F section that were my size. And none of them fit. I was being pushed up so far that I could honestly rest my chin on the overage. One I crammed in the entire side boob, there was nowhere for The Girls to go but up. I could have applied lip gloss without my hands. I was devastated. 

*********

Some of you may be wondering what the moral is to this post. It’s simple. They are just letters. They don’t really mean anything.

I’m not defined by MIA, L-B’s, or F – I’m defined by who I am inside, how I feel about myself, and how I act towards others. I cannot let my absence from this forum get me down, or my lack of discipline, or my enormous bra size. I can no longer sabotage my success with these letters, and I won’t ever do it again. 

I promise.

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Yoga for Dummies

Me being the dummy.



I got a question from a friend / reader regarding the type of yoga that I practice. That makes me sound so accomplished and professional, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth! I’m a beginner! Did you know that yoga is GREAT for flexibility and building long, lean muscle? In addition, it makes me feel GREAT. I mean, really great – centered, affirmed, and ready for the day. Here’s my routine, which I’ve started to do while my oatmeal is cooking every morning. Each pose should be held for approximately 10 counts.

 Sun Salutation, Step 1

1.       Stand with both feet touching. Bring your hands together, palm to palm, at the heart. Make sure your weight is evenly distributed. Exhale.

Sun Salutation, Step 2

2.       Raise your arms upward. Slowly bend backward, stretching arms above the head. Relax your neck. Inhale.

Bend Forward, Step 3

3.       Exhale while you slowly bend forward until your hands are in line with your feet, touching your head to your knees, if possible. Press your palms down, fingertips in line with toes (bend your knees if you have to), and touch the floor.

Lunge, Step 4

4.       Move your right leg back behind your body in a wide lunge. As you inhale, keep your hands and feet on the ground, with your left foot between your hands, and raise your head.

Plank, Step 5

5.       Bring your left foot together with your right foot.

Push Up, Step 6

6.       Exhale as you lower your body, resting on your forearms.

Upward Facing Dog, Step 7

7.       As you inhale, lower your pelvis to the ground and raise your hand and bend backward as far as possible, while straightening your arms.

 Downward Dog, Step 8

8.       Putting your hand on the ground and keeping your arms straight, raise your hips and align your head with your arms.

 Lunge, Step 9

9.       Slowly inhale and bend your right leg to take a wide forward step. Keeping your hands firmly on the ground, place your right foot between your hands and lift your head up.

 Bend Forward, Step 10

10.   Keeping your hands in place, bring both feet together. Straighten your legs but keep your waist bent and upper body lowered. Touch your head to your knees, if possible. Exhale.

 Sun Salutation, Step 11

11.   Slowly rise, straightening your back into a standing pose. Bend backward, stretching your arms above your head as you inhale.

 Mountain Pose, Step 12

12.   Return to Step 1. Exhale.

 I hope that you will join me each morning while your oatmeal is cooking!
 
This post got me thinking about other questions ya'll might have about my eating, my journey, or my life. Ask away! Obviously I'm an open book, and hope to help at least one person out there, by making their own journey a little bit easier.

Monday, May 6, 2013

Exorcising the Exercising Demon


This morning’s stats are:

Weight – 258.8 (271.8 – March 28, 2013)

Waist – 44” (49”)

Chest – 48” (53”)

Thigh – 25” (27”)

My body is slowly changing. My pants are looser, and my boobs are less “bulgy” over the top of my bras. My progress has been slow the last two weeks, but I’m pleased nonetheless. My health issues are still present, but easing. I seem to have gotten a grasp on the IBS by watching what I eat and taking a fiber supplement and a probiotic. My back is definitely still an issue, but I've started seeing a chiropractor and am continuing with my pain meds when needed.

At this point, the exercise is the only thing that’s missing from this equation, and it’s a hurdle I’ve yet to jump over. I see so many pictures of people exercising, AND THEY ARE SMILING. Huh? This is a little more accurate…

 


 
Have you ever been scared of exercise? I am. I don’t like to run because I’m self-conscious about my chest. I don’t want to go to the gym because I’m FAT. I constantly and consistently sabotage myself by not rising to my full potential. Can you imagine how quickly those numbers above would move if I actually exercised? Jeez – I’d be swimsuit ready in no time!

Since I have a delightful black-with-white polka dot suit to wear to the beach this summer, I vow right here and now that I will exercise EVERY DAY. Since I now schedule my food, why shouldn’t I schedule my exercise? Here’s the plan:

Monday – 10 minute yoga routine @ 6:15 AM. Walk with Colleen at a brisk pace for 30 minutes at 6:30 PM. (Thanks for offering to do this, Colleen!!)

Tuesday – 10 minute yoga routine @ 6:15 AM.  Just Dance on the Kinect with Jameson at 6:30 PM. 30 minute Pilates after dinner.

Wednesday – 10 minute yoga routine @ 6:15 AM. 30 minute walk around dog park fence at 5:30 PM.

Thursday – 10 minute yoga routine @ 6:15 AM. 30 minute walk around neighborhood w/ the dogs at 5:30 PM. 30 minute Pilates after dinner.

FAT FRIDAY! – 10 minute yoga routine @ 6:15 AM. Just Dance on the Kinect with Jameson at 6:30 PM.

Saturday – 30 minute walk around dog park fence.

Sunday – 30 minute walk around dog park fence.

Maybe someday soon those walks will turn into runs.  Maybe someday I’ll realize a distant dream of mine, to become certified and teach children’s yoga. Maybe I’ll start teaching dance classes again, and become a nicer, prettier version of Abby Lee Miller. Until then, this is my solemn vow to you, dear readers: I will exercise, in some way, EVERY DAY.

Monday, April 29, 2013

57 Trips


I feel like I’ve taken 57 trips to the bathroom today. I know it’s too much information, but it’s the foremost thing on my mind this very moment. I saw my doctor about several issues on Wednesday, and I’ve been diagnosed with Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Apparently my body is missing its daily doses of crap, and making crap in its own way (sorry). So that’s what I’ve been dealing with over the last month – grumbly, painful stomach, some cramps, and a lot of trips. There’s a grove in the floor from my desk to the bathroom.
 
Not only that, the lower abdominal pain I’ve been experiencing is actually from an injury to my back, in the L2 region. (The pain is radiating from the back to the front, not from front to back as I originally thought). The second lumbar region is called the L2. It is one of the five vertebrae in the lower back responsible for supporting the weight of the upper body and providing flexibility for a wide range of motion. I personally think it’s my huge bosom that is the problem, but the Doc seems to think I sustained an injury. I’m now on pain medication with a review scheduled in a month.

All in all, it’s been a rough week, and my diet has suffered. I succumbed to the spaghetti, drank too much beer, and ate several snacks that are not on the plan at a party Saturday night. I woke up this morning feeling bloated and tired, and have decided to forego the weigh-in. I’m sure you’ve all been waiting for this week’s numbers with baited breath, so I apologize. I just feel kinda lousy.
Please rest assured that I’m NOT GIVING UP! I’m really great at this new healthy lifestyle, and it’s rewarding to do something that I’m good at. One week does not a crisis make – it’s just a small setback in a larger journey!

On a lighter note, here’s an excellent pork chop recipe that I found and made last night. It’s very delish, and less than 300 calories per serving!

Oven Barbequed Pork Chops
1 ½ - 1 ¾ lbs bone-in thick cut pork chops, trimmed of fat. (I used boneless, as that was what I had handy).
3 teaspoons canola oil
1 medium onion, diced

1 clove of garlic, minced
1/3 cup orange juice

½ cup barbeque sauce

1.       Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

2.       In a large over-proof sauce pan, heat 2 teaspoons of canola oil. Season pork with salt and pepper. Cook the pork chops until just starting to brown (1-2 minutes on both sides). Remove chops from pan and set aside.

3.       Add the remaining teaspoon of oil and sauté onions until just starting to soften. Add garlic and cook an additional 30 seconds to 1 minute (until garlic releases aroma).

4.       Pour in orange juice and cook until most of the liquid is evaporated. Add barbeque sauce and mix.

5.       Return pork to the pan and coat with barbeque. Move pan to the oven and cook until the internal temperature of the chops is 145 degrees. (I had four thick-cut chops and cooked them for approximately 20 minutes).

This is a great recipe to cook for family members who are hesitant about healthy eating (i.e. John Merritt). It is very flavorful, easy to put together, and tastes indulgent!

Friday, April 26, 2013

An Unfortunate Relapse


It all began when I was invited to a dear friend’s house for dinner, and she made pasta and chicken with an olive oil, pesto, and pine nut sauce. It was DELICIOUS. Until that time I’ve only been eating “brown” carbs – whole wheat breads and pastas. That taste of old school pasta sent me over the edge of a very steep canyon of desire. Last night when I asked Jameson what he wanted for dinner, I secretly prayed he’d say spaghetti. And he did. Two nights in a row, people.

 
Hi, my name is Erin, and I’m addicted to pasta.
I truly thought that if I were to relapse I would do so with baked goods (I love a good cinnamon roll), but it was the pasta that ultimately got me. The sweet Siren song of thin spaghetti was too beautiful to resist.

So today I’m going to start over, and keep starting over until I have successfully conquered this food addiction that has plagued my life for so long. I will not feel bad about my momentary loss of sanity, but move forward knowing that I have the tools and the power to lose weight, make great food choices, and enjoy life.

 

Monday, April 22, 2013

Food - A Love Affair


It’s Monday, which means weigh-in day. The numbers in red are current – the parenthetical numbers are my beginning stats.

Weight – 259.0 (271.8 – March 28, 2013)

Waist – 44” (49”)

Chest – 49” (53”)

I’ve been thinking a lot this weekend about food, and how I feel about it. Thought I’d share…

I love food. I love food so much, that I think maybe it’s replaced a man in my life. Instead of loving someone, and being loved, I’ve just been eating. I haven’t been with anyone since my divorce in 2006, and I can’t believe I just wrote that, but it’s true. When my husband left, I started eating. A head-sized cinnamon roll became a lover’s caress. Huge bowls of pasta with butter and parmesan cheese felt like holding hands, and a pint of ice cream was a sweet cuddle. When I needed comfort, I turned to a spicy chicken extra value meal (large with a coke).

 I was totally and completely, head-over-heals, in love with food.

 Have you ever been in a really bad relationship, where you knew it wasn’t good, but couldn’t leave; a relationship where destructive behavior and bad choices were commonplace? That’s been my relationship with food.

 We’re breaking up.
 

Friday, April 19, 2013

Not All Rainbows and Unicorns


Changing my diet has been so rewarding and exciting in a lot of ways. I feel better, I’m not as tired, I’m sleeping well, and I’m more active. I’ve gotten back into the kitchen, rather than just grabbing something on the go, and I really do love cooking. I’m jumping again, walking faster, and moving more.


 
That being said, I should also admit that it hasn’t all been rainbows and unicorns. I’ve noticed there are some distinct drawbacks to eating a healthier diet, and because of my continuing mission to fully disclose all aspects of this journey, here there are…

 
1.       Planning is hard. In order to eat a well-balanced and healthy diet, a certain amount of planning is required. Gone are the days when “grabbing something on the way” was a possibility. Did you know that even something that is seemingly healthy is a calorie and fat bomb in disguise?  I used to zip through the drive-thru at Wendy’s for a Spicy Chicken Caesar Salad. I was appalled to discover that the full size salad I just mentioned is 770 calories. 770 CALORIES. Over half of those calories are from FAT. And don’t even get me started on the chicken, which in my enlightened opinion really isn’t chicken at all.

Weekly menu planning is a MUST. Browsing through recipes and coming up with ideas for a meal is fun, but a grocery list for the week is essential, and Sunday shopping is the key. Not only do I have to plan what we’ll be eating for the week, but because of my busy schedule I have to plan what meals will be eaten on what days. I can’t plan chicken enchiladas when I don’t get home until after 7 PM!


2.       Cooking for Jameson sucks. Paybacks are a bitch, for sure, and I happen to have the pickiest kid on the planet living in my house.  I feel so sorry that my parents had to put up with my food idiosyncrasies when I was a child, now that I know how it effects dinner time. If I don’t plan a meal with at least ONE component that Jamo will eat, I have to either send him to bed hungry, or make him a Nutella sandwich. It’s tough, but we’re powering through. Every week we’ve discovered one or two new items that he’s willing to try, and that he likes, so we are slowly building a list. Turkey sausage is a godsend. 


3.       Staying off the scale is impossible. I know I should, but I just. can’t. do. it. I’m obsessed with weighing myself, and it’s becoming detrimental to my journey. I stepped on this morning, and was pleased that I’m down another pound, but I need to find my Zen about this. I am committing to you today, my dear friends, that I will put the scale away and only weigh in once a week.


4.       I’ve bought stock in Tupperware. Why didn’t anyone tell me that my use of storage containers would multiply like rabbits? I feel like I take my entire kitchen to work every day. Thank goodness I have a dishwasher.


5.       Instant gratification goes OUT THE WINDOW. Even though I’m not dieting, I still have a goal of losing a lot of weight. A LOT. It’s so tempting to go for the quick fix – Body by Vi, Xingular, Slim Fast – are all effective products for instant weight loss.  If I was only concerned with short term, these would be my products of choice. But here’s the thing: all of those fad diets and products don’t teach you how to lose weight or how to keep it off; they only teach you to lose, and lose fast. The quick fix is simply not an option for me.  I feel like I need to walk before I can run, and learning HOW to eat and WHAT to eat is the first “step” towards my ultimate goal.


I hope that this post will let you know that, even though it might seem like I’ve had an easy go it’s not all flowers and hearts, or rainbows and unicorns. It’s hard. Every day is hard.


But I’m so worth it.

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Recipes for Carnivores


I like meat. There, I said it. I’m a carnivore in every sense of the word, and I love a delightful beef recipe. Here are a couple low-calorie recipes that I’ve discovered and tried (with possible modifications and comments in red). Enjoy!

 
Chunky Beef Stew

240 calories per serving

 


 
¾ lb boneless beef sirloin steak cut into 1” cubes

¾ lb tiny new potatoes, halved - I used white potatoes, since I had them on hand

1 pkg frozen green beans (2 cups)

4 carrots – peeled & cut

1 small onion – diced

1 can (14 oz) low-sodium beef broth

1 tablespoon (T) Worcestershire sauce

1 ½ teaspoon (tsp) dried Italian Seasoning - found in the seasoning aisle!

¼ t black pepper

24 oz no-salt tomato sauce
 

1.       Lightly coat a 4-quart pot with cooking spray. Add beef and cook 4-5 minutes over medium heat. Remove beef and set aside.

2.       Add potatoes, green beans, carrots, onion, broth, Worcestershire sauce, seasoning, and pepper. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for about 15 minutes.

3.       Add tomato sauce and return to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, for another 10 minutes.

4.       Add beef and heat through.

 

Slow Cooker Lasagna

321 calories per serving, total fat 10.1 g, total carbohydrates 25.1.

I didn’t make the exact recipe below, but decided to share this modified version which bulks up the veggie content. I know the simpler version I made was delicious, so I’m sure this is even better!
 
 

1 lb uncooked lean ground beef (or turkey) make this vegetarian by using Morning Star Veggie Crumbles or omitting meat.

1 small onion, chopped

2 zucchini, halved and sliced

2 cups sliced mushrooms

3 medium garlic cloves, minced

28 oz can crushed tomatoes

15 oz canned tomato sauce

1 tsp sea salt

1 tsp sweetener (sugar, agave, sucant, etc.)

½ tsp dried Italian seasoning

¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes

15 oz low fat ricotta cheese

1 ½ cups part-skim shredded mozzarella cheese

3 oz fresh spinach leaves

6 dry lasagna noodles, not cooked – I substituted whole wheat lasagna noodles

¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese, strong-flavored like Romano or Parmigiano Reggiano

¼ cup chopped fresh basil (optional)

 

1.       Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Add beef, onion, zucchini, mushrooms, and garlic; cook, stirring frequently, for about 5-7 minutes. Stir in crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt, sugar, Italian seasoning, and red pepper flakes; simmer 5 minutes to allow flavors to blend.

2.       In a medium blow, stir together ricotta cheese and 1 cup mozzarella cheese

3.       Spoon 1/3 of beef mixture into a 5-quart slow cooker. Break 3 lasagna sheets and arrange over beef mixture; top with half of ricotta mixture, then layer with spinach leaves. Repeat with another layer and finish with the remaining 1/3 of beef mixture.

4.       Cover slow cooker and cook on low setting for 4 to 6 hours. Remove cover; turn off heat and season to taste, if desired.

5.       In a small bowl, combine remaining ½ cup of mozzarella cheese and Parmesan cheese; sprinkle over top of lasagna. Cover and set aside until cheese melts and lasagna firms up (about 10 minutes).

 

Italian Pot Roast

218 calories per serving, total fat 6.8 g, carbohydrates 5.9 g. These are only approximate values. The recipe below doesn’t have actual nutrition listed (damn Martha Stewart).
 
 

 
1 T olive oil

Coarse salt and ground pepper

1 can whole tomatoes in puree (28 oz)

1 large onion, cut in 8 wedges

1 T fresh rosemary, chopped (or 1 T dried and crumbled)

3 lbs beef chuck roast, trimmed and halved crosswise

4 garlic cloves, halved lengthwise

1 ¼ lbs small white potatoes, scrubbed

 

1.       With a sharp paring knife, cut 4 slits in beef roast; stuff slits with half the garlic. Generously season beef with 1 ½ tsp salt and 1 tsp pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over high heat, swirling to coat bottom of pan. Cook beef until browned on all sides, about 5 minutes.

2.       In a 5-quart slow cooker, combine beef, onion, potatoes, tomatoes (with puree), rosemary, and remaining garlic. Cover; cook on high setting until meat is fork-tender, about 6 hours (do not uncover while cookeing).

3.       Transfer meat to a cutting board. Thinly slice and discard any gristle. Serve covered with vegetables and sauce.