Jersey Girl

Tough love, part deux...

I opened yesterday's partial post with a warning about reading my opinions and practices I recommend for medical weight loss. I put it out there, that if you want to hold on to your myths, or do not take criticism well, or if you think you defy the laws of science, then read no more. If you want to lose weight, and are willing to take the leap of changing your life, then read on. I realize, much of my blog in the past few years has been about art, photography and design...with some weight loss discussions. But I've gotten SO many requests and questions regarding weight, that I wanted to take the opportunity to answer all of them in a series of posts about weight management.

MYTH : "I can't cut out carbs."

TRUTH: YES YOU CAN

I think the most common boundary that my patients have had, collectively, is the feeling that they are different than anyone else. I have, countless times, sat to listen to a patient at the initial consultation and how they either cannot get rid of refined carbs, or that they could do everything and not lose weight. Frequently, these statements are followed by a litany of rules that have to be followed in order for them to lose weight ("I cannot stop eating carbs, and can't exercise, but I still want to lose weight."). The first thing I say to them is...."for the past _______ (number) years, you have been doing it your way, following your rules. Clearly your rules aren't working or you wouldn't be here."  In the immortal words of Dr. Phil, I like to ask, "how's it workin for you?" I ask my patients to leave their previous notions at the door, and not to apply rules on their lifestyle change, and not to set themselves up for a battle they can't win. The first step in weight loss: Accept the fact that what you have been doing up to this time isn't working, and that it requires nothing short of a complete mental change to be successful in the long term on this journey.

Once you have accepted this, you can move on to changing the life you have. So what are the most important steps (aside from what I have already stated) in losing weight? First, it is to establish principles which govern your life and your nutrition. I have many, probably too many, but I ask you to establish a few that you just won't violate. This is hard, so choose carefully. I do not eat dessert. I accept the fact that eating sugar (for the most part, since occasionally I will have honey in tea at night) or high calorie foods like desserts are not conducive to being thin, or losing weight. I'm not trying to lose weight, so I will refer to my own habits as weight management instead. Having standards which you do not violate really sets the stage for making your goals a reality, enabling you to feel incredibly self-satisfied. When you carry through on your goals, you have a self-confidence that is unshakable. Having principles gives you a safety net that prevents you from returning to your old habits, and also makes the difference between where you were and where you are going.

So what will your principles be? I would probably start with something very simple. No desserts. That means no cookies, no cakes, no ice cream, no M&M's on a co-workers desk....no muffins with your Starbux, no brownies from my countertop, no cake at your sister's birthday party. No exceptions. If you cannot do this, then you cannot change your life. This committement is symbolic of changing your life. If you would rather begin with something like "no refined carbs before dinner," that's fine too. But to think you can go about your life the way you were, eating what you want with just a little change, you will not change your life for the better. Those who say "just drink 8 glasses of water a day" or "just use moderation!" are full of crap. Why? Because if that worked, and it was that easy, everyone would be thin. They're not, and it doesn't work. Now, I will say....it's not the same experience for an obese person to give up certain foods as it is for me. I know that. Each of us has a body milieu that is specific to us. There are neurotransmitters, hormones, etc that regulate our experiences with food. I know for me, turning down carbohydrates is only moderately uncomfortable. For some it is a serious feat. I know that. But you cannot change your biochemistry at this point, and you have to accept that you are who you are. Is it fair? No. Is it harder for you to say no to certain foods than it is for me? Probably. But too bad, because we only have what we have, and we have to deal with our own bodies individually. However...does it mean that you won't achieve your weight loss goals? NO WAY! You can, it just may be a bit harder. Or a lot harder, but uniquely possible! :)

Today I want you to make two decisions. One, to keep meticulous food and exercise records, and to make a commitment to ONE principle. If you want me to help you with it, leave it as a comment, not that its necessary. I know you can do it, but don't expect to keep on the way you have, and accepting what you already do. I'm not saying you shouldn't accept yourself. You should. But not your previous nutritional habits. Doing what you want has not gotten you the body you want, and it won't. Doing what is healthy WILL. The journey starts with the first step, and doing these two simple steps (food records and making one single guiding principle) can help you on your road to healthy living. I have one friend (who I hope will be guest blogging) who is going to be running his first 5K in June, and I am SO proud. Get a goal, live your goal, and make it happen. More on this tomorrow.

 If you don't hate me yet, or if you're unsure, I will post a few photos of my day. The first is the worst part of my day, waiting in line at Abercrombie & Fitch at the mall. I went to Williams-Sonoma today to purchase my popover pan, and sadly, as they were online, they were out of it. Boooo. I did, however, purchase the Pancake Pen and the baking spray (nonstick for loaf and cake pans).

I was generally unimpressed with the sale at Abercrombie, but I did walk out with a cute henly-style top for me for under 20 bucks. Sorta looks like this but not quite. Mine is maroon & white, and has smaller buttons....

I went in to get the boy child a pair of jeans, but I didn't see the ones he wanted (he hates button fly), so I left jeans-less. The line was unnecessarily long, and the price, not a give-away so I may actually be regretting this.

I will leave you with a pic of the best banana bread I have ever made. Did I eat it? Nooooooo. Did I smell it? YESSSSS. I'm gluten-free as you may know, so of course I can't eat it since it is made with flour, but I had to use the brown bananas and the walnuts leftover from a Christmas basket. The boy child ate about four inches of this and proclaimed it the best I've ever made. I can't agree more, based solely on smell and appearance.

Thanks for sticking with me here, and I really want to help those who have asked me, along their journey for greater health and fitness. If you wish to email with questions, please do it (I won't use names) or if you want to post them in comments, that's cool too. You can even Facebook me! No question is too basic... but there's one thing I don't accept - EXCUSES. I really hope I don't sound like Jillian - the trainer on the Biggest Loser. Oh man, perhaps I have to change my vocabulary. Have a good night, I'm off to serve my ground turkey tacos. xoxo Snooks Out (by the way, Jersey Shore is on at 10pm EST on MTV so set your DVR's)!

The requisite weight loss post...

I was out running today in the balmy almost-40-degree weather, when it all became clear. What I have said to my patients for the past 10 years, and what I know from my career in medical weight loss and in my own life. If you constantly use excuses, and think that you are uniquely unable to lose weight, keep reading. If you are sensitive, and don't like to challenge your own beliefs, please skip this post. I am probably going to be giving some tough love, and in doing so I can be a bit harsh. Let's get started with some weight loss myths.

MYTH #1 "I CAN'T LOSE WEIGHT"

False. Not just a little false, but like CRAZY false. You can, and if you rework your lifestyle, you will. People have created a lifestyle that has made them fat, and is keeping them fat. No two people have the same story, or the same experience with weight but everyone, without exception, is a product of science. Science was not redefined by you, but rather you are ruled by science. This is both reassuring and perplexing at the same time, as some people have a more uphill battle than others. But no matter how you break it down, it is in your hands, your reality, your story.

 

MYTH #2: "I CAN'T __________________________. I JUST CAN'T" fill in the blank with "eat no carbs," "keep food records," "find time to exercise," "order healthy things at restaurants," "have time to lose weight," "stop eating at 7:30 pm," "give up sugar," "not eat bread"......and so on and so on.

MYTH #3: "THAT DOESN'T WORK FOR ME." This is sort of a take-off on MYTH #2, but it really deserves its own number!

I will continue my myth-busting in a bit, but I want to reflect on probably the most imoprtant principle regarding weight loss: accept what you are doing now, regardless of how you feel about it, isn't working and it must change. Once a person has accepted this, they can move on and begin replacing the flawed aspects of their own lifestyle with new, healthier habits. It sounds simple because it IS simple. Maintaining the new habits, not quite as simple, but developing the mindset that resigns the individual to welcome change is actually a simple and imperative step.

Sadly, it's 10:23 pm and I cannot power through the crazy fatigue setting in. I advanced my running by .7 miles today and ended up with a nice run of 3.8 miles (I usually just do a 5K). With the hip, it's very important that I not advance my mileage too quickly, or maybe not at all. I will see by tomorrow. On my run today I really gave my weight loss advice a lot of thought. I realize the common threads that weave through all of my patients, and people I've known who wanted to or succeeded in losing weight through the years. I want to share my experience, and how I've dealt with it, so others can make that connection to achieve a higher level of health, fitness and hopefully self-satisfaction.

Tomorrow I will embark on the tough-love part of this topic. On the agenda are developing personal principles (rules), cleaning out the emotional cobwebs of flawed thought patterns, and then working a lifestyle plan. It can work for everyone, even if in your humble opinion, you are the only one who can't do __________ or can't lose weight. I'm so excited to tackle this post, but want to do it after a good night's sleep. Good night and sorry for the lack of completion. Snooks out! xoxo

Weekend review, and it's already Tuesday!

Our three day weekend really was productive. Not too engaging, but plenty productive. We had our new sound system installed on Monday, which took about 8 hours just to wire...then all day today the contractor has been here patching the sheetrock and spackling. It will take another two to three days (probably two) to finish the repair work. Anyway, it has really been difficult with a house full of people, seeing that I love to work in peace, and now the dogs are bizirko barking...all day...every day. Oh well, all in the name of progress.

I managed to fit in a lot of other things this past weekend...

From the manicure/pedicure, to spotting red light cameras in Chatham. What a drag, I am SO against these things, roping people into tickets without even the decency of a traffic stop!

Hubby was working all weekend, so I was holding down the proverbial fort alone. From getting the girl child out at 7 am for snowboarding to filling Lobster Pot orders. My blogging goals for the week are twofold. First, I did promise several people to post some of my own receipe inventions that work for us. By "work for us" I mean fulfill my dietary rigidity, and pass the taste test by the family. That is more work than it seems, but I do have a go-to list of great meals I've compiled from years of trial and error. The second goal I would like to set for my blog this week is posting a new tutorial. I've been asked for both crafting/sewing and photoshop, and I may just do both.

This weekend was a friend's 40th Birthday party, so I was able to break out the world's most PERFECT SHOES for the occasion. In...love...with...these...shoes.

For those trying to lose weight, I want to set a goal for you...and this means YOU. 1) Food Records 2) Exercise Records. Modest goals, yes. But once you become accountable for your actions (what you eat and how much you exercise), you can begin to take stock of your lifestyle. This is what I shared every single first visit with my weight management patients. I cannot overstress the importance of accountability. For those who visit my blog for art, there will be something for you too! I will be making a download of halloween candy covers (for kids class handouts) and I'm going to try to post it here. Some people from my phtography/photoshop message board wanted it, so I think it's time!

I will leave you today with a pic of the office desk at the beach. I just love my plastic ugly dolls sitting atop my desk and cable modem. Sigh, makes me think of the summer, my absolute favorite time of the year. As I look outside into the ice piled 2" thick on my driveway, I will be thinking of the 90 degree days at the Jersey Shore. Sigh.

This post was almost as boring as they get, so I have to bring up last night's episode of none other than Jersey Shore. It was the Snooki getting arrested episode, much anticipated, much discussed & tremendously entertaining. I remember last summer at the shore, hearing on the radio that she got arrested for public intoxication. I was really shocked by the level of intoxication that would warrant an arrest (no pun intended, LOL). Snooki outdid herself, and JWOWW (leave on the extra W for WOWWWWW) was the most level-headed person on the beach, which is saying a lot.

The Jersey Shore crew brought it, as usual, and the special Monday Night episode really hit it out of the park. I can definitely get used to two episodes per week, but alas I am pretty sure that will be the exception to the rule. I am going to go into my review of last night's episode tomorrow, because I have to complete the beef stew, which is on tonight's dinner menu.

It's time to face facts...

It looks as though St. Valentine has vomited on my kitchen table. I must confess, I'm a sucker for Valentine's Day. Not only do I just adore pink, white and red, but I love love. LOVE love. I love romance, I love flowers, and love a day dedicated to showering gifts upon women! :) How do I celebrate the day? Well, I will go into that in another post, but I don't just celebrate the day, I celebrate the MONTH. I love to bake cupcakes, cookies & cakes with heart sprinkles, cupcake toppers (like I purchased last week) and cupids galore. I love to write with Valentine's pencils, procure adorable treats for my daughter's classmates, and design adorable little ways to deliver said treats. I love heart rugs, shirts with hearts, and cupid wings.

So Friday came, and I could not resist the urge to visit the Seasonal area of Target. Yes, it's only mid-January. But tell that to the shoppers who were draining Target of it's Valentine's Day merchandise! I was not surprised to find a good chunk of their stuff already sold. I jumped at the chance to add to my melamine plate collection (I have the past two years of heart plates) and snag four pink heart dinner plates and four pink heart dessert plates...along with four heart cereal sized bowls. I also purchased a nice size heart (pink) bowl, heart measuring cups and spoons (2.50 for the set). And that was just the start of my purchases.Please note all of the following photographs are from my blackberry....so go easy on the critiques!

Then before 8am on Saturday I went to Walmart to purchase one thing - which I cannot post because it is part of a friend's birthday gift. However, I diverted to the Valentine's day section (again) and ended up with some inspiration....I don't eat this candy, but I sure would love to...

I ended up purchasing a heck of a lot of heart shaped doilies, some heart (scalloped edges) cookie cutters, treat bags for the girl child's class, V-day pencils (also for class), pink and red ring pops (also for class), and some kick-ass heart sprinkles for the cupcakes that will hopefully be made in the weeks leading up to February 14th. I finally purchased a few more 8" diameter cake pans (7.00 apiece) and some 6" cake pans (6.00 apiece) so I can experiment with the fondant that I have been researching. After watching a few YouTube videos on how to use fondant on round and square cakes, I think I will give this a go. I would love to be profficient at this before the girl child's birthday, when I can actually create a several layer cake, complete with fondant and decorating. This idea may be a tad grandiose, but I will at least give this a try. Maybe.

Since I have some client work to finish, I cannot post any of my art journal I wanted to post today, or my new still life photos. I guess work first. I am also debating seeking an x-ray for my elbow. Last night, getting ready for a friend's birthday party, I hit it with particuarly great force, on the closet door. I hit the ulnar nerve, and launched into a half hour of writhing in pain with no ability to move the lateral side of my right lower arm. I freaked, but slowly the feeling returned (aside from the scorching burning nerve pain I was experiencing), but I was left with pain in the elbow which just isn't relenting. Sleeping was difficult, and today the elbow is seriously 2-3x the size of the other one, but isn't as painful. I will wait to see if I can function (read: RUN) with this, and if not, I will have the thing x-rayed on Monday. All I have to say is :( and BUMMER! Perhaps the baking of the pink cupcakes will have to wait!

Getting back to it...

The day after the snow-day-birthday-rainbow cake extravaganza has been surprisingly productive. The cake was a rousing success and extremely well-received.

All sixteen candles (one for good luck) were blown out in a single breath without incident (or housefire stemming from flying candles). Whew! I hear the cake tasted moist &  tasty, but then again, I think "bad cake" is still good, much like "bad pizza."

Immediately after shopping at Shop Right last week, we had a message left on our voicemail that the organic ground beef had been recalled for fears of e. Coli contamination. As happy as I was that Shop Right let us know (b/c we used our frequent shopper card), there went my meatloaf. Oh well. I brought it all back today, got my credit, brought my Giga-craft punch back to Michael's, and the ski pants & juicy jacket back to Marshall's (yes, I returned it because as it turns out I'm very consistent and purchased the same hoodie twice, and the price at Juicy before Christmas was actually cheaper than Marshall's). Anyway, of course I didn't walk out with a credit, b/c I buzzed the boot department and found some clearance Michael Kors boots (Not exactly the same as the ones in the post from two or three days ago, but pretty close) for a whopping 60 dollars...GASP, a STEAL! I came home to unload the groceries from the car (couldn't just return the beef, had to pick up some stuff) to find my month-old order from Asia on my doorstep.

My hamburger bento box!!! Many of you know my crazy preoccupation for cute Japanese products, including but not limited to craft supplies, writing implements, toys and food. This little beauty now sits atop my island, waiting to be used.

So what are the odds that hubby will take this beauty to work holding his lunch? Hmmm, I am guessing those odds are lower than that of Brett Favre becoming un-retired. Wayyyy lower. Sorry no recipe today. I was going to put some of my low-cal faves up here, but alas, no time this afternoon. Just finished my treadmill 5K program (hills!) because the snow (and vicious windy cold) preempted my outdoor run. At least it's over. Good evening all!! xoxo

The boy child turns fifteen...

and what better way to begin the festivities, then to bust butt on this monumental project, the RAINBOW CAKE. I saw this cake in 2010 on a blog....which I will find to give proper credit. Found it on Whisk Kid, later picked up by Martha. I decided to make it last Fall for the hubby's birthday. Well, now that the boy's birthday is here, he flippantly requested "that rainbow cake!' Little did he know that this would require herculean efforts followed by herculean restraint exhibited by the baker when certain layers (PINK and to some extent PURPLE....damn shades requiring red) decided not to behave with the grace the others showed. Anyway, I did plan on making the super tall chocolate layer cake, but when the word "rainbow" was uttered from his mouth, I knew the gauntlet had been thrown down. I would once again, meet the challenge and create another super layer cake, this time with CHOCOLATE FROSTING (which is good because I ran out of whipped white after assembling 5 of the six layers). Okay so we started at 7:20 am, with a smile on my face, and a bounce in my step. That and six Anthropologie latte bowls.

The countertop soon became littered with these (because a white cake uses whites only):

Everything is fun then. And also fun when I get my camera and mix that first squeeze of pink food coloring into the divided cake batter. Ooooo the excitement.

Then by number six, it becomes tedious and the realization sets in that I only have two 8" round cake pans. Drat not getting more when I had them in my hands for 7.99 apiece. I just couldn't commit to spending another 16.00 plus tax for two more. Ugh.

So the baking begins, the waiting continues and the strategy develops. I did find the beauty in the green-purple combo here. I even got the girl child to hold the bowl against the sliding deck doors glass, so I could have a change of pace from the damn granite & tumbled marble backsplash. I never thought I would get tired of it, yet I have, even if it's just today!

So the layers were baked, the house filled with that remarkable smell of cake (LOVE CAKE!) and I could not eat a crumb (gluten). Sigh. I realize I probably wouldn't have eaten it anyway (which anyone who knows me pretty much understands - I do not eat any desserts ever....under any circumstances aside from one, which will be revealed in March or April). Sort of like water water everywhere and not a drop to drink. Now I really know the meaning of that statement!

 

When things get boring, waiting to reboot the pans, I start getting subversive.

I am not a serious baker. I'm barely a baker at all. I'm a gal who likes to make stuff that her athlete son will eat, and that her junk-food loving husband enjoys. The rest is icing on the proverbial cake.

When I get bored, I look for other things to photograph.
And plenty of things I find.

And for those who think the pig is a comment on how I feel about Apple, it is.

Back to my original topic....the hot mess that was my island at this point.

And no comments about my stuipd bow around my cake plate. It was the only TJ Maxx offering for 14.99 in a neutral color. I figure I will just remove the bow, and call it a day.

 

Lest you all think I'm perfect.....HA HA HA HA HA HA okay I had to say that because of the sheer hilarity. Tip-off number 10,536 comes when you evaluate these layers for cohesion, regularity & beauty. Epic fail on that, but still, it's the thought that counts, and the fact that they are still in a stack, which is no small feat.

Just when I was sweating it out, having separated out (inadvertently) the last of the whipped white frosting in the microwave, the boy child asked for CHOCOLATE. The heavens opened, the sun came out and the two huge tubs of chocolate frosting were taken out of the pantry. No, I didn't do homemade frosting. I'm lucky to have escaped with my sanity, so I'm pretty grateful for Betty Crocker at this juncture.

The boy likes coconut, so our sweetened coconut is perched atop the masterpieces. No sooner had the shreds hit the frosting, did the girl child come in and say "Coconut? Oh." That translates to "what the hell did you put coconut on this cake for. I hate coconut. I have the restraint not to yell this because I know it's my brother's birthday, but truly I'm disgusted!"

 What post would be complete without a nod to my constant companions, the children that do not scoff at coconut, nor ask for cakes that would frustrate the Cake Boss himself! First, Clete who knows what a camera means....treats.

Looking for treats in the freshly fallen snow.

The always skeptical Camilla wonders if she will have to touch snow for the treats. The answer, yes.

If you are still reading this epic post, thanks for bearing with me. Thanks also for sharing in this very special day. I'm so proud of my son, and the one thing I can say is nothing has ever come close to the pride I have felt, and not one single day could I ever have described as boring. To the boy who was the quintessential game-changer, Happy Birthday my son.

"The sky is falling, the sky is falling!"

...and if you believe the newscasters, better yet, "meteorologists"....you would believe this and be in long lines for gas, milk, bread and eggs. Like when is the last time supermarkets were closed for more than a few hours, muchless weeks on end where you may need that fried egg sandwich with milk. Puh-leese. I think my father may be behind all the hype, since I think he may very well be the last person left who believes mayhem will befall us all if more than four inches of snow touches pavement.

Maybe being married to a Minnesotan has changed me. Maybe I'm not much for meaningless hype? Regardless, I'm not really quaking in my new Louboutins, and actually am really sort of looking forward to some down time to finish my office reboot - wait, that's begin my office reboot. :)

I want to review yesterday's meal, and give some reviews of the folk living under this roof. There was a sale on pork roast at Shop Right late last week, but can't remember the cut. It was something with loin in it, but a big ole roast of it. Anyway, I'm not one for a pork roast, so I decided to make pulled pork. I know I didn't need to use such a decent cut (so I'm told) but I had it, and in it went!  First I sauteed it in pam (HA), with a bit of kosher salt (another serious issue to reconcile, using kosher salt on pulled pork), minced garlic and pepper. While that was browning I chopped up a whole vidalia onion, thanks to my Pampered Chef food chopper! How do I love this thing! I've had it for almost ten years, and I love it more today than I did back then. Sigh. Anyway, I have to use that to get the onion small enough to melt away in the pulled pork and bbq sauce, so the kids won't see it! I realize by the teen years, my son should accept small specks of onion, but alas, he is not that culinarily mature (is that a word?) and I must keep my onion invisible. I put the onion inside my slow-cooker, where I rest the sauteed roast. I turned it on high, and whipped up a little home made bbq sauce on the stove (sweet this time, not spicy, which comes later as a finisher). My secret ingredient, white vinegar. I will share my own recipe when I have time, but for now, suffice it to say, don't use the cider vinegars, or wine vinegars. Heinz white vinegar is all you will ever need for some zesty sauce. Those attendants at my anual Ribfest parties know my BBQ well, and regardless of sweet, spicy or somewhere in between, it's white vinegar all the way!

Okay, so I put a little bit of sauce in the slow cooker, and put the cover on. Done (for hours). I went out to the supermarket, post office, dropped husband's lunch (he forgot it, and brings the two days per week he is in the office, and doesn't have time to purchase and eat w/ his group), went to TJ Maxx (above boot photos - still am not terribly regretful over the Michael Kors boots - could I be growing up???), came home and went on my first outdoor run in 5 days (sinus infection). It felt wonderful, and I wrapped up the three mile extraveganza with a cup of coffee, a glass of Fresca and the making of even more BBQ sauce for the pulled pork. Okay here goes...

It was DELICIOUS. For the men, I served it on a griled roll, for the ladies, straight on the plate. I am gluten free and won't touch bread at all, and the girl child doesn't like sandwiches with meat, only the meat on the plate. She requested her favorite side dish, mashed potatoes, so I made that happily since I had a few extra whites hanging around looking a tad piqued. For those who care, I don't eat mashed potatoes, so my side dish consisted of roasted veggies (cut up veg sprayed w/ pam and light dusting of olive oil in oven on parchment paper at 475 degrees til they look roasted, usually around 20-30 minutes). No photo, because the oven was dark and I didn't feel like pausing once I took it out.

Before I forget, some like it spicy, so at the end instead of making spicy sauce, I sought the help of Mr. Stubbs, and spiced it up as I put it on the roll.

See how long this cooked for??? WOW, took a while, but worth it. It got FOUR THUMBS UP from the humans and eight paws up from the canines. A good meal was had by all. Oh I almost forgot. My son hates white potatoes (good boy!) and likes only sweet potatoes. I made him some sweet potatoe fries which were rejected by him, but happily accepted by the husband. So, I guess one out of two ain't bad!

That meal sure took up a lot of real estate. I hesitate discussing anything else, but I want to give a quick showing of my soon-to-be-photographs and subsequently, cupcake toppers.

These retro chickies are adorable. Purchased from Sweet, I can't wait to take some photos of them before they make an appearance at the homes of some of my friends who invite me over around Easter time. Then there are these...

which I'm going to say will NOT be making an appearance on anyone's cupcakes. I love these, and will keep them when I'm done photographing them. Imagine the odds, I got a dachshund in one of the bags. I purchased two bags, and in the middle of one is a smooth chocolate dachshund. CANNOT WAIT to take some photos. Will definitely share them...the photos, not the dogs.

These are adorable little Valentine's Day toppers, that will definitely be given away on cupcakes. I love them. For those that know me, I'm a real sucker for Valentine's Day and adore everything that goes along with it (as long as it's good). I even loved it way back when, in seventh grade, when this boy left a humongous Hershey Kiss in my locker with a card that said "secret admirer." I found out later who it was (when he told me) but to this day I have no clue where he got my locker combination. I guess I wasn't so careful of people looking over my shoulder. Anyway, I've always loved V-day and the festivities will begin immediately after the boy child's birthday, which is almost upon us. I've purchased the ingredients for the rainbow cake I made for the husband's birthday. I have to find some pix of that, definitely worth sharing. Have a great day all. This post wasn't really as interesting as I had originally planned, nor as artistic as I had wanted (to showcase my new projects) but alas, with a potential snow day looming, maybe I will get some art done!

 

Monday starting out with a bang...

One of my New Year's resolutions was to get back on track. Track, being nonspecific, could be determined as I went along. Monday morning used to mean drop off of the girl child, followed by an immediate track to the dry cleaner (hubby's shirts) and post office (Lobster Pot orders from the weekend). I let that slide when my work life got too hectic, and my home life like a pressure cooker (do to the work life). Now it's a new year, and a new chance to get my routine back. So immediately following the drop-off, I went to the dry cleaner, then Shop Right, then Post Office, then home to unlaod. Then, seeing hubby forgot his lunch, over to his office to drop it, then to TJ Maxx where I used the gift card that my amazing physical therapist gave me for Christmas. To begin, let's talk shopping...I mean for food. I talked about my passion for 99% lean ground turkey, well here's where you have to be careful...if you care (I know, some don't compromise on taste for calories, which pretty much negates my entire lifestyle because I always choose lower calories).

To the left is the regular ground turkey (cut off in pic). The calories significantly higher when it doesn't say 99% fat free. It's a mix of dark meat and white (mostly dark) and if you are going to use that, perhaps you should consider ground beef, since the calorie counts are not substantially different. On the right is lean ground turkey, which is a bit better than regular, but sitll not great. I always buy the middle one b/c if I'm going to compromise on flavor, I may as well get what I'm going for - a very lean, healthy choice! Enough turkey talk. Time for shopping talk.

 

This is sad. I love these boots. A real steal at TJ Maxx. But thanks to the magic of technology, I passed on them. I texted a pic to Tracy, then to Max, and the consensus was....YOU HAVE ONES JUST LIKE THEM.....tho tracy did confirm the hotness of said boots. I'm sad that I passed, they truly were a deal, at $130.00 down from TJ Maxx price of 180.00 and a retail price of about 300 (which is true b/c that's how much they are!). I can't tell if I'm happy I passed them up, or if I'm sad. I will probably know by tonight, which means I'm gonna regret it. Pictured also, note my favorite purse in the whole wide world, my mother's day gift last year, the Tods bag. I love it so much, it makes passing on the boots easier. I've used it since May, and love it more now than I did then.

I'm also working to get my new website picked out, customized and online. It's presented to be more of an issue than I had thought initially, because it requires long hours in front of the computer, which means long hours away from other things that I have to do. Well, that's not a Monday task, and duty calls. I'm going to leave you with a pic from my box that arrived today from a new guilty pleasure of mine, Sweet baking supply!

Now I will have to make some kick-ass cupcakes with some awesome toppers. I'm ready for Valentine's Day, Spring and basically every other holiday known to man (is there an Apple Day, or a Dog Day? Or even a plastic pink pig day?...if so I'm totally prepared). So after blogging about healthy eating, I will be making a cake and cookies both of which I will not eat. Oh well! HAPPY MONDAY! XOXO

 

Thinking about what food habits I model...

This morning, as I made french toast for the familly, I knew I had to say something about food, and my consumption thereof, since I focus so universally on my homemaking, including cooking & baking. I have to put a humongous disclaimer on all my posts containing baked goods (and french toast in this circumstance). I do not eat them. I know if you read my blog you know I'm gluten free, because of celiac disease. Okay, so you may ask why not make them with gluten free flours like rice and almond, and use the xantham gum for the binder, etc. Well, it is because eating things that are calorically dense is not conducive to the lifestyle I have chosen (maintaining a body weight that happens to be on the low end of the spectrum). I began writing a post about this, but decided it was too large a topic to tackle on a Saturday morning. That will have to come later. Today I want to state that everything I make (except for baked goods) is made in a most low-cal way possible, unless I'm cooking for my athlete-son who runs 40-60 miles per week as a distance (and track) runner. So today I will show how my recipes can vary with the individuals I am feeding. This will help those I treat to feed their children in a healthier fashion. What seems like a gigantic pain in the butt (cooking differently for different people) really is not so, and I want to demystify it.

My basic run-of-the-mill french toast ingredient must-haves are of course eggs, bread & milk. The rest is icing on the cake. For my calorie-burning machine son, I use heavy cream (GASP) and for everyone else, I use 1% milk. ALWAYS use cage-free eggs. I'm willing to pay more for the the fact that perhaps the chickens are not treated as poorly as I know they are otherwise. I realize it's not great, because case free doesn't neccesarily mean free - but it's better than nothing. Sorry, I digressed. So for the family at large I use any whole wheat bread:

For my son I use a higher-density bread, the above pictured sourdough english muffin bread. That's an easy way to get more calories in, and have it be particularly thick & tasty! I usually use light wheat bread, but it's out of stock here, so I reached for the regular Wonder Wheat. I always use my hand-me-down iron skillet that I believe belonged to my great grandmother (mom's grandma). It looks like it has been around for the better part of the millenium, but it is perfectly seasoned and mint as far as I'm concerned.

I use PAM (again, I know) in the pan for the family french toast, and butter in the pan for my son's. It was a quick Saturday breakfast, taking only 12 minutes from idea to table. Could have been less had I not misplaced the powdered sugar. I use only real maple syrup (none of this log cabin crap) because I believe in minimizing the amount of high fructose corn syrup that I serve to my famiy.

When my daughter sat down to eat, she asked me "are you eating gluten-free french toast?" The answer is what prompted me to blog about breakfast. No, I don't eat french toast. And not only do I not eat french toast, I don't eat breakfast at all. This got me wondering what food habits I am modeling for my daughter. I worry about her equating fitness and health with not eating at all (because she never is around to see me eat my strange lunch). I also worry about how my overly-strict repetoir of food influences her.This is something that I have to work out in the long hall, but my response is usually that I have to model behavior for my patients, and live the lifestyle that I preach to them over and over again. But maybe it is more important to model normal eating habits to my daughter than to a group of people that is never at my dining table. Food for thought. No pun intended.

Anyway, I have to start doing calorie counts and post them, so you know what's what, but today I don't have any. I do know that the English Muffin Bread is quite literally twice the calories of the Wonder Wheat. Also the butter adds fat and calories, as does the heavy cream (for my son who needs them desperately). I make traditional recipes light because I am aiming to create a healthier diet for my family.The trade-offs I do on a daily basis consist of the following:

cream/half and half........1%milk (easy and a big duh)

ground beef/veal..........99% fat-free ground turkey

breads.......................Wonder Light, which is 45 calories per slice

oil............................ PAM (almost exclusively)

Sour Cream..............Chobani fat-free plain greek yogurt. This product is amazing. It tastes so creamy and delightful, but is only 100 calories per little container (6 oz).

Cheese.........reduced fat cheese. Mixed reviews, so this one we do not do universally

I don't have time to go through them all, but these are just a few. Also I have to discuss exercise, as it is such a huge part of our lives. I am a firm believer of sweating with each workout. If you don't push it (medically, you first must make sure it's safe for you....so clear w/ your doctor) you aren't going to burn calories well. I like to see my patients get the biggest bang for their buck with the time they spend on exercise.

Also in today's news, Costco. I got more of some of my favorite products EVER made by Costco. First are the space-saver velvet-coated no-slip hangers. Box of 50 for 14.99. I mean REALLY, that is almost free. Also I got another heated throw blanket for the dogs (gotta have one on each floor) and picked up some frames for a photo shoot I am doing for my Etsy store. They have beautiful matted 11x14 frames, two for 19.99 which for the double mats, is pretty stinkin' good.

Have a wonderful weekend. And do something fun! xoxo

Down for the count...

This virus and subsequent sinus infection has really taken me for a loop. My head is about to explode and I have no energy. None.

Started the antibiotics last night, and yes, the tooth pain is better, which is good because that was the precipitating reason I sought treatment. But the fatigue and blahh feeling, it's here in spades. In the news this morning, my friend who I mentioned a few days ago is FINALLY being discharged from the hospital. My husband, who I affectionately call Dr. House, took wonderful care of her and now she is ON THE MEND. I won't give out personal information here, so I just wanted to share my joy and let you all know that my chicken soup w/ dumplings (and antibiotics) worked.....and she is improving and going home. I am grateful.

So taco night. Mediocre, pretty much. I started with 99% fat free ground turkey and sauteed it with some fresh garlic in pam (I know, I am told I am  oil averse, more like oil-phobic but whatever you call it, it's right.... I take my healthy cooking to a seriously new level, and make almost all my meals (excluding baked goods) in the lowest-calorie way possible. I don't think you have to sacrifice taste, but taste is subjective. This coming from a person who thinks skinless-boneless sardines in water go well with cottage cheese and tomatoes. HA!

I added a bit of tomato paste, some Ortega taco sauce (surprising low in calories), many spices (loose, not in packet), and a bit of chicken stock. I think one of my problems is that if I put saucy stuff in it (salsa, etc.) the kids start balking, and picking out the "crap." So this is it, plain jane I think. Oh I threw in one packet of Goya seasoning for that lustrous orange-ish color (sorta like Snooki's skin tone). The male child requested brownies for a teacher going-away party, so I decided to be super-mom and bake these.

I must confess, I used a mix. That's just between us, okay? I do have a sinus infection and I wasn't gonna be melting cocoa in a double boiler damn it! Anyway, side dishes last night were pretty mundane, and included steamed brocoli and some veggies sauteed in PAM (yes, again, I know). I'm not into screwing with veggies, as they are pretty much good as they come.

On the tacos - low-fat sour cream (not on mine), freshly grated NY Sharp Cheddar (also not on mine), salsa (not on the kids) and diced green & red peppers. They tasted fab, but didn't look as beautiful as my other culinary wonders of this week.

Finally, I baked some chocolate/butterscotch chip cookies for dessert.

 

Also in work news, I finished producing another 20 11x14 prints to add to my Etsy Shop, The Lobster Pot. When this sinus infection leaves, I will meet the challenges of expansion full-force, starting w/ my new website. I just hope that I will have the energy sooner rather than later.

You know you're not doing particularly well when your training journal hides in the back of the bookshelf when you reach for it. Ugh, I managed to get out and run 3 miles on Wednesday, but the sinus stood in the way of further exercise yesterday, and it looks like today as well. I need the exercise for the hip, and to feel like a normal person, but alas...it's not in the cards today.

I'm open to some taco suggestions if anyone has them. I love tacos, but need some *BANG* in the meat component. Also, I will be breaking out the old slow cooker next week, and sharing some tried and true basics. I've gotten a request for pulled pork sandwiches, which I think is going to happen for Monday. Stay tuned! xoxo