Random New Things

Because I am generally a sucker for trying new things (not because of an unfulfilled pumpkin spice obsession) I picked up this box of Pumpkin Spice Cheerios. I have had them for about two weeks and have yet to try a bowl. I sampled a couple dry Cheerios and thought they must be better with milk, but they still sit atop the fridge. The other night my poor husband thought they were Honey Nut Cheerios...disappointment. I am a bit turned off by the strong clove smell. I need to try them or move on, I will let you know.

Now these are what I really wish I had in the house. I have resisted them several times in the store. Crunch Berries are kinda my thing and I need to leave them at the store :(

I noticed these in the store awhile back, but have been turned off by the price - almost $4 for three packets. The other day I threw budget to the wind and picked them up.

It was a nice mix....it is hard not to like cheddar, cashews and raisins. I am not sure if they are the most satisfying snack because I actually ate them as part of my lunch. I have two more packets to experiment with.

I found these at Aldi the other day. I forgot until after I bought them that I am not a big fan of freeze dried strawberries in cereal (like Special K). They weren't bad though on their own. However, I much prefer the peach. The whole bag is one serving (130-150 calories), but it only weighs 1.2 oz so it isn't filling anyone up. I will say one or two pieces of the peach is pretty satisfying. They were $3 a bag so it is a good thing I can make them last.

We ate at a little Cuban place last week. I have had their sandwiches and street tacos before. Last time we were there, I heard another customer raving about the salmon and the Cuban beans...so of course, I had to try it. It was very tasty. Even my non-fish eater husband kept stealing bites from my plate.

The farmer's market is starting to close down, but not before putting all the squash and gourds on display :)

There was also an adjoining craft/yard sale at the market last Saturday. I am a bit in love with the birds.

I had to laugh when I saw this guy. Engelbert Humperdinck is my husband's go-to alias. It is an unforgettable name. I tried to take a selfie with him, but I failed. Maybe I should try listening to some of his music.

And because this post is a bit random already, I am including my favorite thing that has come home from pre-school. We have been hearing plenty about fire safety this week :)

 Finally - T-bone - need I say more?

Have you tried anything new lately you can recommend (or warn against)?

Weigh-In and Freedom

I am quite happy with today's weigh-in.  I am down 3 pounds this week. I am especially proud of how hard I worked this week to make celebrating my birthday and a holiday fit into a healthier lifestyle. I struggle with an all or nothing mentality - if I don't do perfect I have failed. But this time I didn't do perfectly and I am okay with that. Yes, maybe I would be less okay if I didn't lose :)  

I have heard lots of people say that "dieting" is just too restrictive.  And, of course, I have been that person too.  No doubt there are times I just want ot strap on the feedbag and eat whatever/whenever I want. However, there is a flip side to that "restriction."  I have found freedom too. When I go to the grocery store I know what I am buying and what I am NOT buying. I don't have to stand in front of a huge rack of chips trying to decide if I should buy some this time.  Do I need them? Do I deserve them? How will I feel if I do? Can I ration them or will I gobble them all up? Then picture the same scene repeated as I move on to the ice cream section or the bakery.

The freedom is that I know I am not buying them. Period. So I can completely skip those "danger" zones. When I leave the store I am free of guilt and stress. I know what I have purchased is good food that is helping me toward my ultimate freedom - freedom from my fat :)

The same can be said about our house. There aren't "naughty snacks" calling to me from the cabinet because I didn't buy them and invite them in. So I am not constantly struggling with "should I have some? or "forget this I am eating what I want."  Now please don't misunderstand I absolutely work in sweets, chips and other goodies - I just am not keeping them at home. I would have to make a conscious effort to go get them and thankfully that usually stops me. Maybe one day I will be stronger and I won't need this protection, but for now it is working for me.

I am much happier with the "naughty snacks" not hanging out in the house.I am becoming a believer in not allowing myself instant treat gratification. I feel so much better when I have planned for the treat and rarely regret it afterwards.

For example..  Today at Walmart I noticed this big "healthy snack" section in the produce aisle. In general, I am not a fan of individually packaged items - usually more expensive and I feel guilty about the extra trash generated. However, sometimes I feel like a portioned out item can be a very useful tool for success. Let's face it I don't want my laziness to interfere with making good food choices.

Okay, I just thought these were cute. I am sure that is what the marketers are banking on. Definitely more than a snack for me though.

I was intrigued by all the different items. Then this caught my eye.

Yes, I can be an impulse buyer. (My husband says checkout lanes are designed specifically for people like me.)  In this case, the caramel/chocolate/nut dip sucked me in like a vacuum. And who doesn't feel virtuous eating apples? A yummy treat for only 130 calories. Turns out the dip was yummy...for the first couple of bites. But then it became tainted by the sourness of the apple - I am sure they had been doused in lemon juice to prevent browning. I felt like I forced myself to finish it. There were only 5 apple slices so you know the majority of the calories came from the dip. When I finished I realized I would have been much happier with an undisguised treat like this...

I can have all three of these candies for the same calories.  I can spread them out over the day and truly enjoy them. Why do I have these candies at home, you ask?  I don't. I took the picture at work using the candy stash we have for people when we hold workshops.

Hopefully, it is another lesson learned that I can apply to future success. I'd love to know how other people handle "goodies."

A Peek in My Diary

Just a quick walk so our 13 year old dachshund could go.

This morning's walk was pretty uneventful. Millie walked with me because she has run two days in a row and we don't want her to stress her still growing bones. For the first half mile she was a handful...always looking for her running partner. Finally as the walk progressed she settle down and I could let my mind wander. I thought I'd been talking so much about my exercise and have not mentioned much about the food side. I have heard many people say that losing weight is 80% diet and 20% exercise. I don't know if that is true, but I do believe that diet is the major factor.

I decided to share my food diary from the past three days...okay, make that four. I feel like I should include Sunday also because it was unusual.

Sunday - Total calories - 1663
Breakfast - 1 egg, Healthy Life English muffin (before 6 mile walk) / Smoothie - banana, 3/4 c frozen blueberries,  3/4 c. almond milk (after walk) - 328 calories
Lunch - 2 small corn tortillas, 1/2 c. fat-free refried beans, 1 oz. queso fresco, 1/4 c. pico de gallo - 307 calories
Afternoon Birthday Party - 2"x2" white cake, 3/4 c. homemade vanilla ice cream, 1 oz. regular potato chips, 6 tortilla chips, 2 T guacamole, 1/2 c. pineapple - 765 calories
Dinner - 1 c. Eating Well Lo Mein, 1 c. steamed broccoli - 263 calories

Monday - Total calories - 1313
Breakfast - Smoothie (banana, 1/2 c. frozen blueberries, 3/4 c. almond milk, 1/2 c. fresh spinach), spiral string cheese - 223 calories
Lunch - 2 pita bread pockets, 3 oz. deli turkey, lettuce, 1 c. pineapple, 1/2 c. strawberries - 353 calories
Dinner - Skinnytaste Flounder Piccata, 3/4 c. red quinoa, 1 c. steamed spinach - 461 calories
Snacks - 2 Midnight Milky Way minis, 1 small piece pizza - 276 calories

Tuesday - Total calories - 1334
Breakfast - 1 c. mixed cereal, banana, 1/4 fresh blueberries, 3/4 c. 1% milk  - 291 calories
Lunch - 1 oz. deli turkey, 1 oz. deli roast beef, pita bread pocket, lettuce, 1/2 c. pineapple, 1/2 c. strawberries - 206 calories
Dinner - 2 Skinnytaste Salsa Verde Chicken Tostadas, 1/3 c. cabbage slaw, 1/2 pear - 456 calories
Snacks - Gouda cheese stick, 1/8 c. almonds, 2 Midnight Milky Way minis, 1/2 c. chocolate ice cream - 381 calories

Wednesday - Total calories - 1345
Breakfast - Smoothie (banana, 3/4 c. frozen strawberries, 3/4 c. almond milk, 1/2 c. fresh spinach), hard boiled egg - 225 calories
Lunch - 1 Skinnytaste Salsa Verde Chicken Tostada, 1/4 c. cabbage slaw, pear - 295 calories
Dinner - Fajitas (2 corn tortillas, 1 flour tortilla, 5 oz grilled chicken breast, 1 c. orange peppers, 1/2 c. onion, 2 T light sour cream, 1/4 c. pico de gallo) - 447 calories
Snacks - Gouda cheese stick, 1/8 c. almonds, Midnight Milky Way mini, 2 Twix minis, 1/4 c. chocolate ice cream - 378 calories

I track my calories/exercise using MyFitnessPal. I have it set for 1650 calories, but aim for 1500. Yes, it is a mind game, but if I set it for 1500 I might think I am being starved to death. Obviously, the days I have shared are closer to 1300. I am not quite sure how this happens. I am satisfied with what I am eating. I am getting plenty of "goodies" so I don't feel completely deprived. Sometimes, I just want to stuff my face, but the temptation has passed without too many tears :)

The toughest time was Sunday at the birthday party. The food was constantly available for snacking. I have a terrible time passing up chips. I do know if I had not been tracking I would have eaten much more without giving it a second thought. I did enjoy what I had at the party. Even though I went slightly over the 1650 max. for my day, I don't feel too guilty since I had burned over 500 calories on our 6 mile walk that morning.