back on the band wagon

I gave up calorie-counting for Memorial Day weekend. It really just wasn’t going to be practical to be jumping on-and-off the computer all day with everything going on. Not to mention all the yummy goodies everywhere! Cinnamon rolls and mimosas at Heather’s promotion! Rita’s gelati TWICE! Birthday cake, outrageous brownies, lemon bars, mojitos, sangria…and that was just FRIDAY. Raspberry angel food cake with raspberry buttercream icing awaited me in Carmel.

I went into the weekend knowing I’d be faced with temptation at every turn. I did my best, most of the time, to make good choices yet still enjoy myself and the food. I am a foodie, after all.

Well, you win some, you lose some. According to the scale, I didn’t do too much damage, but I didn’t lose any, either. So, basically, I’ve been at the same weight for a couple weeks now, which is fine, don’t get me wrong. But I’m supposed to be LOSING two pounds a week… I’m fine until I think about how much I COULD have lost if I’d just been stricter. And then I remember how good the cake tasted.

Thankfully, all has returned to (relative) normalcy around here, so I’m back on the calorie-counting band wagon. Yippee! After four days off, I realized I actually feel better when I’m counting. Maybe it’s a control-thing, maybe it’s just my personality, maybe it’s because I’m typically eating healthier food, maybe it’s a combination of all three, but I really do enjoy it. I know it stresses a lot of people out. Or they think it’s too complicated or time-consuming. But I love it. I just wish I had an iPhone so I could do it when I’m on the go, too…

Between eating more produce and cleaning out my fridge, I’ve come up with some great meals since last night. Dinner last night was roasted broccoli and cauliflower (leftover from the party), hummus and tomatoes and fruit. Breakfast this morning was a banana, followed by a post-workout yogurt, mango and granola parfait. Here’s what I had tonight:

Roasted cauliflower (olive oil, cumin and paprika), a Wasa Fiber cracker spread with a Laughing Cow cheese wedge and four dried figs. Yum. I spooned up a mixture of mango and watermelon as well, but I may save that for dessert–I got full!

I really do feel better when I’m eating smaller meals (like 200 calories) every 2-3 hours. I’m a fan of cottage cheese with pineapple, or an apple and peanut butter or cheese and crackers.

Off to get some more exercise: disassembling Hadrian’s crate, lugging it upstairs and into the car, followed by a walk (for him) because the weather is so nice!

sushi newbie

The other night I went to a local Japanese steakhouse for a friend’s goodbye dinner. I’ve never been a huge hibachi fan (I know, I’m majorly in the minority here); I feel like it’s a lot of show, but come on, it’s all the same. They all do the steaming volcano of onion rings, the egg toss and fancy knife tricks. I don’t want to pay more for my teriyaki because someone is lighting things on fire just inches from my plate. Maybe I just don’t like strangers at my table when I’m out trying to enjoy dinner with someone…

Anyway, ahead of time I decided it would be a great opportunity to order sushi since I don’t go places that have it very often and I’m attempting to broaden my horizons. I’ve probably had it on only five or six occasions in my life. I also didn’t work out that day, so I wanted to make sure I had something light for dinner anyway.

Three of the six of us ordered sushi platters! I’m still what I’d consider a “sushi newbie,” so if I get any at all, it’s typically just a roll with my dinner. I figured this might be a good way to just jump right in with both feet!

The wasabi was HOT! Not that I didn’t know that already… I usually don’t even touch the stuff, but I figured with all the “non-rolls” (is that what you call those? sashimi?) on my plate, I’d want a little extra flavor. Whew, no! This chick can’t handle wasabi.

Thankfully, my friend Nicole was sitting next to me and is much more knowledgeable about sushi, so she was able to help. I definitely prefer the rolls that have fish plus an assortment of other things, as opposed to the plain fish on rice. I ate almost the whole platter and still wasn’t uncomfortably full. (If I remember correctly, I think Heather and I probably munched on chips and dip when I got home that night, so to heck with the “keeping dinner light” idea.)

Bottom line: If you haven’t tried sushi yet because you’re freaked out, or you aren’t a big fish-eater to begin with, start with something cooked. Look for the word “tempura” in the name. Or shrimp or crab. You can always just stick with California Rolls (rice-coated pieces with crab and avocado near the top of the plate) for awhile–that’s what I did. I’ve really gotten a taste for it, although I don’t love it or have to have it that often.

Here’s to my trip to Thai 9 tonight with Heather and her mom! I’m thinking that because I had a whole platter of sushi a couple days ago, I’ll stick with my usual: Pad Thai ZERO HOT!

best tea EVER

I would not call myself a “tea person.” Nine times out of ten, I’d much prefer a steaming cup of coffee with just a little too much flavored creamer stirred in. I love the slightly creamy, sweetness of such flavors as French Vanilla, English Butter Toffee, Caramel Macchiato and Creme Brulee, just to name a few.

I read a magazine article once that rated just how bad for your health some things were, like binge-eating on the weekends, skipping breakfast and skipping a workout. Flavored non-dairy creamer was one of them. And it was bad. Surprisingly bad. Basically, the article said if it’s possible to kick your creamer habit, do it. Like, yesterday. (They, of course, recommend replacing it with a ‘splash of skim milk and a teaspoon of sugar. Or, better yet, skip the sugar and add some cinnamon.’ Seriously? Creamer makes coffee worth drinking!)

While I’m all for implementing the various health-related tidbits of wisdom I pick up here and there, this is one I will not. WILL NOT. I LOVE flavored creamer. LOVE. I have got to run enough to deserve at least one vice. (Or five.) So, I will not be giving up my creamer any time soon. In fact, I just might add another flavor to my arsenal today. (Yes, I’ve been known to keep 3-4 different flavors in the fridge door at any given time, especially during Christmas.)

ANYWAY…all this to say, I’m not a huge tea-drinker. I do, however, like to keep a stash of “before bedtime” and energizing teas around just for those times I’d like a warm drink but not coffee. (I can’t do caffeine past about 4 p.m. or I turn into a gremlin and toss and turn until 3 a.m.)

However, in the midst of my current weight-loss campaign, I’ve begun to drink more and more tea as it’s only an expense of 15 or so calories for a teaspoon of honey. A nice pick-me-up in the afternoon that won’t break the caloric bank. I currently have peach, peppermint (leftover from Christmas), a green and white combo tea and a nighttime relaxing blend (which I just pitched the last couple bags of as I’ve figured out I’m not a huge fan of chamomile).

Then I found this:

I LOVE it. I am completely obsessed with ginger right now, so when I saw it at Kroger, I just had to get it. Bonus that it aids in digestion! Seriously, if I could only have one tea for the rest of my life, this would be it. It’s just slightly sweet with a hint of warmth from the ginger. I must have gotten it a couple weeks ago; I just finished my last bag today! I’ve already purchased a new box for myself, and one for a special friend who just happens to have a birthday coming up…

If you like tea and ginger, go get this. Now.