Day 225 - Weigh In

: )

Even though I am not completely back in pre-trip form, I can still see that the way I eat works.

A loss of 1.8 pounds this week! That's right on track for my typical weight loss, and I have a few pounds to catch up on from the 3 weeks of gluttony. Now my next test... TURKEY DAY!!!

I'm excited to plan a menu and adjust some of my typical dishes to be more healthful while still being delicious. I have the talent and the know-how (I'm a student at The Culinary Institute of America for heavens sake!) so it's time to put that knowledge to my own personal use.

Some of my menu items (other than the bird) and how I used to prepare them:

• Mashed Potatoes: usually Russets; typically loaded (and I mean loaded) with butter, whole milk, sour cream; also with small dice green and red bell peppers, garlic, salt and pepper.
• Sweet Potato Cassarole: TONS of butter and brown sugar, and of course topped with toasty marshmallows (or smell-os as my boys would say)
• Gravy: It is what it is. Any suggestions? This may end up being my big indulgence.
• Biscuits and Rolls: I'm a baker. I love bread any way it comes. 
• Pumpkin Pie: A thick and flaky crust with a perfect egg based custard filling; whipped cream, lots of whipped cream.

I'm going to get creative. I'm also going to add other vegetable based dishes to my menu that are packed with flavor so I can fill up a bit, still have some of my indulgences, and get away from the table not feeling like I missed out on anything.

Stay tuned this week for ideas to make your Thanksgiving menu full of flavor and waistline friendly : )

Day 135 - Me and My Steel Cut Oats

Have I told you how much I love steel cut oats? If I haven't, let me declare to the world my undying affections for those little bundles of chewy, tender, wholesome goodness! Prepared with organic skim milk (yes- I'm an organic milk kind of gal) and served over a tablespoon or two of creamy peanut butter is one of my favorite morning meals.

Why am I pining over my beloved steel cut oats? Because my meal plan for the week is in need of a makeover. I'm not satisfied throughout the day and need to reconfigure my meal plan that I had laid out for the week. Don't get me wrong, I've stuck to it faithfully but to ward off an overreaction to feeling deprived I need to address the fact that my body is not being given what it needs.

So let's start at the very beginning. It's a very good place to start. I promise I won't break into song, but I will change my breakfast. This morning. Out with the old (cereal) and in with the new (oats). I'll let you know how it goes. In the mean time, watch Chef Keith Snow prepare these yummy oats!

(While his serving suggestion at the end looks tempting I will resist! Too many points that aren't worth it to me. Peanut butter. Just peanut butter.)

Day 132 - A New Beginning

After a not-so-surprising gain of 1.4 lbs. last week I'm getting myself refocused by planning out my meals for the entire week. Here's what I'll be eating each day, from first bite to last crumb:

Breakfast:

• Corn Chex with 1 cup skim milk (or one container of yogurt)
• 3 egg whites cooked in EVOO or safflower oil, topped with fresh sliced tomato
• 1 large nectarine, 1 cup of grapes or 1 medium apple
• Coffee. Coffee. Coffee. With 1/2 cup of fat free milk. 

AM Snack:

• 1 large banana slice lengthwise (like for a banana split)
• 32 grams of peanut butter sandwiched between

Lunch:

• Extra-lean ham sandwich; made with 2 slices whole wheat bread, 3 oz. lean ham, 1 slice American cheese, yellow mustard
• String cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced cucumber or green bell pepper
• 2 Tbsp. tomato and basil hummus

Dinner (all tossed together):

• 4 oz. chicken breast sauteed in 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1/2 cup grilled zucchini 
• 10 grams shredded parmesan cheese
• 1 oz shredded mozzarella (full fat)

PM Snack: 1/2 cup Sugar free/fat free Jell-O pudding or Sugar free Jell-O

My Declaration of Eating. I will:

• Not eat after 7:30 pm
• abstain from Snickers and all related products (at least for now)
• drink all of my water
• get in all of my GHGs
• give my relationship with carbs a timeout

Coming this week: Some of my favorite foods. And perhaps a few recipes. Photos, of what I'm not sure. : )  And we're working on the mans perspective.

Day 75

Today was my son's birthday party (yay Antonio! 4 years old, wow!) and of course I did all of the cooking... And I made:

• Rainbow cake and cupcakes (and about 3 times too many)
• Gazpacho served in cucumber shooters
• Home made guacamole
• Roasted red pepper and veggie wraps
• Roast beef and cheddar on caramelized onion rolls
• Turkey and Swiss one ciabatta rolls
• Ham and cheddar with tomato, lettuce, onion on multigrain
• Jello Mousse (house specialty)  : )
• Caprese salad skewers with fresh mozzarella
• Old fashioned Coke in glass bottles
• Macaroni salad and cole slaw
• Toasted ravioli with marinara dipping sauce

And I managed to eat only my daily allotment of points!!! I was so good! I enjoyed myself and am in good shape (I think) for the scale tomorrow morning.

Did I mention my new trick?  Bending over forward and not getting winded? Love that one!