The husband is killing my diet! Big time! I told him tonight that we're going to have to have new rules about eating when I come home this summer. Of course we'll be packing most of the time, so that'll make it easier because we'll be burning off calories. And we did plant the garden and a lot of flowers today, so we did get some exercise. He did more than I did so it doesn't hurt him to eat so much. Plus guys get 2000-2200 calories per day (maintain weight calories) and girls only get 1300-1400 per day. It's kind of like a gas tank. Bigger vehicles with bigger gas tanks have to have more gas to fill them up. I sometimes envy his 2000 calories, but really.... not too often.
Today when he took me to Mrs. Powells (see what I mean about a bad influence) I had to get one of those orange cinnamon rolls. That’s when I envied his 2000 calories. I tried googling the calories and couldn't find them anywhere so if anyone finds them... please tell me. I found lots of other cinnamon rolls and I'm guessing each one is about 450-500. I ate half for lunch and half for dinner. I know..... bad.
Did I mention we planted the garden? Okay... I ate 500 calories and maybe burned off 200 in my measly couple hours of being outside today. The husband probably burned off his whole roll though because he did a lot more digging. I only dug some smaller holes and pulled some weeds and planted some of the plants and flowers. Plus... he cooked me breakfast.... again.
So he spoils me, but I told him when I get back next week I only want my yogurt or cereal for breakfast. We should only cook breakfast once a week-- Saturdays. He agreed. So he made me some homemade hashbrowns but he used oil so I didn't eat much... maybe 1/2 cup (90). Just bothers my stomach now. He hard boiled my egg and I mushed it up while it was hot and put butter spray and pepper on it (90). Then we had another slice of that whole wheat/flax seed round bread toasted w/butter spray (80). Oh, and of course 2 slices of bacon (90). That’s another 350 calorie breakfast.
Then later I had a snack of 1 cup of cut up strawberries and bananas (50)
Lunch as Mrs. Powells was ½ bag of Sun Chips (75), ½ of a ½ sandwich (250), and ½ cinnamon roll (250). Total lunch calories= 575
For supper I stir-fried (in spray) asparagus, zucchini, squash, mushrooms and a couple left over shrimp from last night (I had two in mine). Total calories 90. I seasoned it with the Montreal Steak seasoning. I always zap the asparagus (put 1 tblsp. of water in the bottom of the bowl) for 5 min. before draining it and adding it to the stir fry pan. I also had 1 cup of the left-over broccoli salad from last night (200). I also had the other half of my cinnamon roll (250). Total Dinner Calories= 540
I had a horrid 1500 calorie day. I’m headed back across the state at 5am so I’ll be able to eat light tomorrow. I do think I at least burnt of 100 calories today with all the yard work, so I guess it isn’t that bad…..
Monday, May 31, 2010
Sunday, May 30, 2010
DAY 144- Healthier Eating Journal
If you didn't read Sunday's blog (yesterday) and you're one of my children, be sure to read it because you'll learn more about your mom and dad. :D
Church over here doesn't start until 1pm. Ugh! Right smack in the middle of the day. They're remodeling the church, so we're sharing a building and we got bumped. Oh well. I used one of the 80 calorie Danon Fit Yogurts and split it in half to make us a yogurt parfait in a soup bowl. You can use a cup too. The yogurt doesn't care. I put the yogurt, then granola, then blackberries, strawberries, and bananas. That was my breakfast. I couldn't bring myself to eat again before church so I just had some more strawberries and bananas. After church I made a broccoli salad-- you know the kind with chopped red onions, sunflower seeds, raisins (yellow are better but we didn't have any-- just reg.), broccoli, and bacon strips crumbled. I used the lighthouse cole slaw dressing instead of making my own because I only needed 4 tblsp. It was good but the onions are not so easy on the stomach. The husband grilled catfish and sauteed some mushrooms and shrimp. That was our dinner. For dessert we had the sugar-free angel food cake with fresh blackberries and fat free redi-whip in a can. The whole can is only 200 calories so it was hard to convince the husband we didn't need to eat the whole can. It was about 4:00 when we ate that so it was pointless to cook dinner later.
It is Sunday though so of course he made me homemade chocolate chip cookies. He makes the best cookies. We did a cookie drive instead of a cookie walk today and took cookies to people. I ate 3 for dinner then he got gabbing and I was bored so I ate one more while I was waiting for him at one of the houses. So that's 320 calories for cookie dinner.
Today's total calories=1100-1200
Church over here doesn't start until 1pm. Ugh! Right smack in the middle of the day. They're remodeling the church, so we're sharing a building and we got bumped. Oh well. I used one of the 80 calorie Danon Fit Yogurts and split it in half to make us a yogurt parfait in a soup bowl. You can use a cup too. The yogurt doesn't care. I put the yogurt, then granola, then blackberries, strawberries, and bananas. That was my breakfast. I couldn't bring myself to eat again before church so I just had some more strawberries and bananas. After church I made a broccoli salad-- you know the kind with chopped red onions, sunflower seeds, raisins (yellow are better but we didn't have any-- just reg.), broccoli, and bacon strips crumbled. I used the lighthouse cole slaw dressing instead of making my own because I only needed 4 tblsp. It was good but the onions are not so easy on the stomach. The husband grilled catfish and sauteed some mushrooms and shrimp. That was our dinner. For dessert we had the sugar-free angel food cake with fresh blackberries and fat free redi-whip in a can. The whole can is only 200 calories so it was hard to convince the husband we didn't need to eat the whole can. It was about 4:00 when we ate that so it was pointless to cook dinner later.
It is Sunday though so of course he made me homemade chocolate chip cookies. He makes the best cookies. We did a cookie drive instead of a cookie walk today and took cookies to people. I ate 3 for dinner then he got gabbing and I was bored so I ate one more while I was waiting for him at one of the houses. So that's 320 calories for cookie dinner.
Today's total calories=1100-1200
Saturday, May 29, 2010
DAY 142-Healthier Eating Journal
On 4th of July 1979 I went on a date that I've never forgotten. First of all, it was the 4th of July. I was one month shy of 17 and he was 2 weeks shy of 17 and we were in the same class at our very small town high school. Odd thing was.... he wasn't the type I usually dated. He drove this huge banana boat of an old car... I had seen upwards of 10 kids in it at one time--not even kidding-- some hanging out the windows. He was a clown.... about everything. So we went on this all day date. About mid-way through the day, kids started piling in his car at different stops.... including other girls. After this one stop we all went to get back in and she slides in the front IN THE MIDDLE. Excuse me!!! He's driving... I'm the date. She's all giggling and trying to be cutesy and I'm just thinking.... would you like your left eye to remain on the left side of your face. However, I didn't want to scare him off with my lack of feminism at times, so I went around to his side and opened the door, made him get out and I slid in from that side. It didn't take much to gently (okay maybe that's not the right adjective)give her a little hip slide to scoot her over to where she should have been. I included the "I'm going to hurt you" look with the little hip bump, and she quickly scooted. The rest of the day went as most 4th of Julys go with booths in the park, fireworks, and the drive home. He got up the nerve to give me a goodnight kiss and a funny thing happened.... I looked in his eyes and saw something that scared me... he liked me.... a lot. It wasn't a wink, wink look. It was a "man you're beautiful" look.
I avoided him a little after that because I was not one to be tied down, but long story short, we ended up dating that whole next school year. The whole "I wore his class ring and jacket" and he passed me notes between classes. I know, very dated, but I liked it. I liked him. He was different. We both graduated at 17. So why do I bring this up. In a little over a month, it will be 31 years since that first date and he is still different. He still looks at me like "man you're beautiful" and tells me I am... and he is still my best friend. I honestly wish everyone could have that kind of love. All the stuff that can cause me sadness, disappointment, and frustration, seem to go away when I'm with him. He knows me. Knows what to say or what to not say (Okay.... he can work on that last one) but mostly I just always know that no matter what.... he takes care of me.
Today we slept in then made some breakfast. He actually likes the fresh spinach scrambled in his eggs like I do now. We had that and some bacon and I bought a loaf of this round bread at Wal-mart that we sliced and toasted. Used butter spray. I checked to make sure the first word in the ingredients was NOT "enriched" and I was amazed what all was in it including flax, various nuts, whole wheat, rye, and some other seed types. Anyway... it was really good. We had about 310-350 calories for breakfast.
After lunch he had to hurry to a wedding he was conducting. I stayed home and watched the last two American Idol shows that I missed. May I just say that Crystal clearly blew Lee out of the water. She was ripped off. Seems to be this week's theme. Nevertheless.... she will sell far more records than Lee and she will continue to share her God-given talents that are clearly miles above Lees.
So I took a shower and dressed up in one of my new dresses and we headed to town to go to the temple. The tulips and flowers on the temple grounds were gorgeous. We were going to do a sealing for Grandma and Grandpa (time and all eternity and not just till death do we part)and I couldn't help but think how Grandma would have loved all the flowers. Then, as we were walking up the ramp a very strange thing happened. A fuzzy little gray bird with a yellow belly started walking in front of us. I expected it to fly when we took each step but it just kept darting back and forth across our path. My husband almost stepped on it. We stopped and he started to reach toward it expecting it to fly, but it didn't. It just looked at us. We thought maybe it was hurt, but he kept walking and it started raining a little so we hurried past it because it wasn't limping. We stopped at the top of the ramp and he sat there and looked at us.... then flew away.
See we had talked about not doing the sealing today-- maybe doing it another day. We stepped inside and I knew we had to do the sealing today. Grandma wanted it today. She had waited long enough. She knew I'd pay attention to that bird. And I did.
After the temple sealing we went to Jonny Carino's for dinner. We had eaten such a late breakfast we skipped lunch. We did eat some grapes on the way to town though. So I ordered the flat iron steak with roasted potatoes and grilled squash, mushrooms, and broccoli. I know... I'm so predictable. Unfortunately, before dinner got there I had eaten half of my ceasar salad (which is pretty much just lettuce), and two stuffed mushrooms. They were SO good. They had spinach in them but they could have done with a little less salt. I also had a little bit of the bread they bring you when you sit down. I'm sure it was 80-100 calories worth though. So between the bread, salad, and mushrooms, by the time the food got there.... I ate three bites of steak, three bites of potatoes, and most of my veggies. That was it. The rest are in my fridge. However..... the husband made me share the turtle cheesecake with him. We split it and couldn't eat the whole thing, so I'd say we each ate 1/3 of it. I just looked up the calories for the turtle cheesecake and we're talking 1000 calories!! Yikes. Even 1/3 of that is 330 calories. I thought for sure it'd be more than that. However, bad news for the husband... the lobster ravioli pasta dish he ordered-- 933 calories!! Good thing he only ate half and brought the rest home. Good thing I only ate half the Cesar salad too because it's 265 calories. We should have gotten on line and checked the calories before going so we could make better choices.
All total, some bread (100), 1/2 salad (135), 3 bites of roasted potato (30), grilled veggies w/mushrooms (80-100), 3 bites of steak (60), cheesecake (330) and 2 stuffed mushrooms (150). I found the calories for Johnny Carinos at http://www.carinos.com/content/documents/Nutritional-Info-Guide.pdf
Grand total for dinner= 910 Excessive calories! Good thing we didn't eat lunch!!!
Since we ate dinner 1t 4:30 we had a snack later of 1 cup of cut up strawberries and bananas. We knew we better go light!
Total Food Calories Today= 1400
I avoided him a little after that because I was not one to be tied down, but long story short, we ended up dating that whole next school year. The whole "I wore his class ring and jacket" and he passed me notes between classes. I know, very dated, but I liked it. I liked him. He was different. We both graduated at 17. So why do I bring this up. In a little over a month, it will be 31 years since that first date and he is still different. He still looks at me like "man you're beautiful" and tells me I am... and he is still my best friend. I honestly wish everyone could have that kind of love. All the stuff that can cause me sadness, disappointment, and frustration, seem to go away when I'm with him. He knows me. Knows what to say or what to not say (Okay.... he can work on that last one) but mostly I just always know that no matter what.... he takes care of me.
Today we slept in then made some breakfast. He actually likes the fresh spinach scrambled in his eggs like I do now. We had that and some bacon and I bought a loaf of this round bread at Wal-mart that we sliced and toasted. Used butter spray. I checked to make sure the first word in the ingredients was NOT "enriched" and I was amazed what all was in it including flax, various nuts, whole wheat, rye, and some other seed types. Anyway... it was really good. We had about 310-350 calories for breakfast.
After lunch he had to hurry to a wedding he was conducting. I stayed home and watched the last two American Idol shows that I missed. May I just say that Crystal clearly blew Lee out of the water. She was ripped off. Seems to be this week's theme. Nevertheless.... she will sell far more records than Lee and she will continue to share her God-given talents that are clearly miles above Lees.
So I took a shower and dressed up in one of my new dresses and we headed to town to go to the temple. The tulips and flowers on the temple grounds were gorgeous. We were going to do a sealing for Grandma and Grandpa (time and all eternity and not just till death do we part)and I couldn't help but think how Grandma would have loved all the flowers. Then, as we were walking up the ramp a very strange thing happened. A fuzzy little gray bird with a yellow belly started walking in front of us. I expected it to fly when we took each step but it just kept darting back and forth across our path. My husband almost stepped on it. We stopped and he started to reach toward it expecting it to fly, but it didn't. It just looked at us. We thought maybe it was hurt, but he kept walking and it started raining a little so we hurried past it because it wasn't limping. We stopped at the top of the ramp and he sat there and looked at us.... then flew away.
See we had talked about not doing the sealing today-- maybe doing it another day. We stepped inside and I knew we had to do the sealing today. Grandma wanted it today. She had waited long enough. She knew I'd pay attention to that bird. And I did.
After the temple sealing we went to Jonny Carino's for dinner. We had eaten such a late breakfast we skipped lunch. We did eat some grapes on the way to town though. So I ordered the flat iron steak with roasted potatoes and grilled squash, mushrooms, and broccoli. I know... I'm so predictable. Unfortunately, before dinner got there I had eaten half of my ceasar salad (which is pretty much just lettuce), and two stuffed mushrooms. They were SO good. They had spinach in them but they could have done with a little less salt. I also had a little bit of the bread they bring you when you sit down. I'm sure it was 80-100 calories worth though. So between the bread, salad, and mushrooms, by the time the food got there.... I ate three bites of steak, three bites of potatoes, and most of my veggies. That was it. The rest are in my fridge. However..... the husband made me share the turtle cheesecake with him. We split it and couldn't eat the whole thing, so I'd say we each ate 1/3 of it. I just looked up the calories for the turtle cheesecake and we're talking 1000 calories!! Yikes. Even 1/3 of that is 330 calories. I thought for sure it'd be more than that. However, bad news for the husband... the lobster ravioli pasta dish he ordered-- 933 calories!! Good thing he only ate half and brought the rest home. Good thing I only ate half the Cesar salad too because it's 265 calories. We should have gotten on line and checked the calories before going so we could make better choices.
All total, some bread (100), 1/2 salad (135), 3 bites of roasted potato (30), grilled veggies w/mushrooms (80-100), 3 bites of steak (60), cheesecake (330) and 2 stuffed mushrooms (150). I found the calories for Johnny Carinos at http://www.carinos.com/content/documents/Nutritional-Info-Guide.pdf
Grand total for dinner= 910 Excessive calories! Good thing we didn't eat lunch!!!
Since we ate dinner 1t 4:30 we had a snack later of 1 cup of cut up strawberries and bananas. We knew we better go light!
Total Food Calories Today= 1400
Friday, May 28, 2010
DAY 142- Healthier Eating Journal
Last day with students. Had a cafeteria yogurt (90) for breakfast because I was running around getting things organized and forgot my own yogurt. Didn't bring any other food because I knew we were doing the freshmen celebration bbq in my room. I was smarter this time and didn't have a bun. Had a turkey hotdog (no bun), some homemade potato salad that was yummy and some taco salad that was even yummier. It was not your typical taco salad. It had the beans, hamburger, cheese, doritos, and some type of seasoning/sauce. Very good. Beans are good fiber. I had one of Julie's brownies too (80).
The celebration went very well and the class officers did such an awesome job of organizing it, setting up and taking down. The had their slide show (thank you Kelsey), their class talk, and their food. It was a great way for them to say good-bye and celebrate that they survived their first year of high school. They really are one of the best classes I've ever taught. I love them and will miss them. More importantly, they know that.
So after school got out one of our teacher (the single one that played Gene Simons in my play) got his first house and had a house warming party after school. It was very bachelor looking but it was a nice touch to see he matached the wood shades with the color of his accent wall. Nice job Toby. He needs some help on the furniture though (I think his nightstand is the laundry hamper) so I told him I'd see what I could find at my house this weekend. One of his bedrooms had an ottoman from the 70's in it and that was about it.... so yeah.... I will see what I can find. It was a fun party and he was very excited about his first new house. Oh and I had some pulled pork (no bun) and some awesome broccoli salad while I was there.
Then I snuck away and headed across the state to surprise my hubby. He wasn't expecting me until tomorrow night. I knew he was reffing and would be home late so I took my time and stopped along the way to shop. Bought myself my overdue new dresses. Then stopped again (I wanted him to answer the door) to kill more time at Wal-mart. Picked up groceries because I knew what kind of food I would find once I got there (if there would even be any). I called while I was shopping and discussed the food. He loves it when I talk to myself as I shop and he's on the phone. Not. :D Needless to say, when I knocked on the door and he answered it, he was speechless. He had reffed six games and was still in his ref uniform so he was also stinky!
I still love him though and it was a nice surprise. So I better go visit.
The celebration went very well and the class officers did such an awesome job of organizing it, setting up and taking down. The had their slide show (thank you Kelsey), their class talk, and their food. It was a great way for them to say good-bye and celebrate that they survived their first year of high school. They really are one of the best classes I've ever taught. I love them and will miss them. More importantly, they know that.
So after school got out one of our teacher (the single one that played Gene Simons in my play) got his first house and had a house warming party after school. It was very bachelor looking but it was a nice touch to see he matached the wood shades with the color of his accent wall. Nice job Toby. He needs some help on the furniture though (I think his nightstand is the laundry hamper) so I told him I'd see what I could find at my house this weekend. One of his bedrooms had an ottoman from the 70's in it and that was about it.... so yeah.... I will see what I can find. It was a fun party and he was very excited about his first new house. Oh and I had some pulled pork (no bun) and some awesome broccoli salad while I was there.
Then I snuck away and headed across the state to surprise my hubby. He wasn't expecting me until tomorrow night. I knew he was reffing and would be home late so I took my time and stopped along the way to shop. Bought myself my overdue new dresses. Then stopped again (I wanted him to answer the door) to kill more time at Wal-mart. Picked up groceries because I knew what kind of food I would find once I got there (if there would even be any). I called while I was shopping and discussed the food. He loves it when I talk to myself as I shop and he's on the phone. Not. :D Needless to say, when I knocked on the door and he answered it, he was speechless. He had reffed six games and was still in his ref uniform so he was also stinky!
I still love him though and it was a nice surprise. So I better go visit.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
Day 143- Healthier Eating Journal
I think it's ironic that "integrity" begins with I and ends with Y (you). You see integrity isn't something you can self proclaim. Otherwise it isn't really integrity-- it's justification.
Sometimes in life, you punt........ Sometimes you just breathe and count to ten.... or twenty. Sometimes..... you go on vacation..... sometimes you just learn to dance in the rain. Sometimes you just feel your age..... All of the above is usually accompanied by stress eating!
During the middle of an emotional conversation today I kept looking at a spot on my desk that needed cleaned. I didn't really see the point in the conversation. Suddenly I heard myself saying, "I'm sorry. I have to clean this spot. When I'm stressed I either become a cleaning fanatic or I eat and given the two choices, it's better that I clean." And then I stopped our conversation and scrubbed the spot on my desk. At least I didnt' eat..... then.
I did get a lot cleaned in my classroom today.... imagine that. It was kinda sad to know it's the last normal class day that my kids will be freshmen. I know.... it's dumb that I think like that. I will miss them. They drive you nuts at the beginning of the year.... because they're freshmen. Then you watch them grow in confidence and bond for emotional safety and then become comfortable (for the most part) in their own skin. They let you in. You let them in. You accept each other's imperfections and you laugh and cry together. And you thought I just taught from the textbook...
I brought donuts for period 1 and I did partake. Only one though.
Period 2 decided to do fondue and I behaved (because I had just eaten a donut) and only ate some of the fruit they brought for dipping. So I had a couple strawberries, apple slices, and banana pieces.
So Lunch..... I ate my apple and a small handful of skittles that were given to me
After school I finished entering grades so didn't eat a snack.
When I got home I heated up some casserole a neighbor brought over (yes, we have the best neighbors as I've said many times) and had 2 slices of the homemade and home ground whole wheat bread one of my student's moms brought me today at school. Rello and I ate together at the table. The casserole had some noodels, crackers, and sausage in it. I have no idea on the calories but I'd guess it was 300 per serving. The bread was probably 100-110 per slice and I had homemade apricot jam on each slice w/butter spray.
I missed my greens today so I really need to get some in tomorrow and more fiber.
Today's Calories=1200
Sometimes in life, you punt........ Sometimes you just breathe and count to ten.... or twenty. Sometimes..... you go on vacation..... sometimes you just learn to dance in the rain. Sometimes you just feel your age..... All of the above is usually accompanied by stress eating!
During the middle of an emotional conversation today I kept looking at a spot on my desk that needed cleaned. I didn't really see the point in the conversation. Suddenly I heard myself saying, "I'm sorry. I have to clean this spot. When I'm stressed I either become a cleaning fanatic or I eat and given the two choices, it's better that I clean." And then I stopped our conversation and scrubbed the spot on my desk. At least I didnt' eat..... then.
I did get a lot cleaned in my classroom today.... imagine that. It was kinda sad to know it's the last normal class day that my kids will be freshmen. I know.... it's dumb that I think like that. I will miss them. They drive you nuts at the beginning of the year.... because they're freshmen. Then you watch them grow in confidence and bond for emotional safety and then become comfortable (for the most part) in their own skin. They let you in. You let them in. You accept each other's imperfections and you laugh and cry together. And you thought I just taught from the textbook...
I brought donuts for period 1 and I did partake. Only one though.
Period 2 decided to do fondue and I behaved (because I had just eaten a donut) and only ate some of the fruit they brought for dipping. So I had a couple strawberries, apple slices, and banana pieces.
So Lunch..... I ate my apple and a small handful of skittles that were given to me
After school I finished entering grades so didn't eat a snack.
When I got home I heated up some casserole a neighbor brought over (yes, we have the best neighbors as I've said many times) and had 2 slices of the homemade and home ground whole wheat bread one of my student's moms brought me today at school. Rello and I ate together at the table. The casserole had some noodels, crackers, and sausage in it. I have no idea on the calories but I'd guess it was 300 per serving. The bread was probably 100-110 per slice and I had homemade apricot jam on each slice w/butter spray.
I missed my greens today so I really need to get some in tomorrow and more fiber.
Today's Calories=1200
Emotions
James Van Praagh:
"Just as it is natural for leaves to fall and wither, it is natural for
your emotions to come and go. You don't have to judge your emotional
experiences or hang on to them. Let them go. The tree knows exactly
what to do to grow and flourish."
"Just as it is natural for leaves to fall and wither, it is natural for
your emotions to come and go. You don't have to judge your emotional
experiences or hang on to them. Let them go. The tree knows exactly
what to do to grow and flourish."
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
CHOLESTEROL
Some cholesterol is made by your body. The food you eat is responsible for the rest. Food products from animals contain cholesterol — including meats, poultry, shellfish, eggs, butter, cheese and whole or 2 percent milk. And any type of food can also contain saturated fats and trans fats, which cause your body to make more cholesterol.
The American Heart Association recommends that you keep your intake of total fat to between 25 percent and 35 percent, your saturated fat consumption to less than 7 percent and your intake of trans fat to less than 1 percent of your total daily calories.
At the same time, limit your intake of cholesterol from food to less than 300 mg per day. People with high LDL (bad) blood cholesterol levels or who are taking cholesterol medication should consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day.
Eat at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day — preferably from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes.
To combat high blood pressure and for overall cardiovascular health, limit sodium to 1,500 mg or less per day.
But a heart-healthy diet isn't just about what you shouldn't eat. It also means eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, with whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats and poultry, fish at least twice a week, and fat-free or 1 percent fat dairy products. Also, the diet should be low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
By learning to make smart choices — whether you're cooking at home or eating out — you can enjoy flavorful foods while you manage your cholesterol
The American Heart Association recommends that you keep your intake of total fat to between 25 percent and 35 percent, your saturated fat consumption to less than 7 percent and your intake of trans fat to less than 1 percent of your total daily calories.
At the same time, limit your intake of cholesterol from food to less than 300 mg per day. People with high LDL (bad) blood cholesterol levels or who are taking cholesterol medication should consume less than 200 mg of cholesterol per day.
Eat at least 25 to 30 grams of dietary fiber each day — preferably from whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes.
To combat high blood pressure and for overall cardiovascular health, limit sodium to 1,500 mg or less per day.
But a heart-healthy diet isn't just about what you shouldn't eat. It also means eating a diet rich in vegetables and fruits, with whole grains, high-fiber foods, lean meats and poultry, fish at least twice a week, and fat-free or 1 percent fat dairy products. Also, the diet should be low in saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol.
By learning to make smart choices — whether you're cooking at home or eating out — you can enjoy flavorful foods while you manage your cholesterol
DAY 142- Healthier Eating Journal
BREAKFAST: Oatmeal w/fresh berries (no milk) 150
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Banana Split (what can I say…. Class parties) 250
Snack:1 cup of cereal at the drama cereal party (190)
Dinner: Homemade Enchilada (I have no idea) trial pack of sun dried tomato basil wheat thins (good but salty) 150
Total Calories Today- Don't know. Don't care.
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Banana Split (what can I say…. Class parties) 250
Snack:1 cup of cereal at the drama cereal party (190)
Dinner: Homemade Enchilada (I have no idea) trial pack of sun dried tomato basil wheat thins (good but salty) 150
Total Calories Today- Don't know. Don't care.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
HARMFUL DRINKS IN AMERICA
This website is awesome. Check out the top 20 worst things to drink and the healthy alternatives for each.
http://worldmysteries9.blogspot.com/2010/05/harmful-drinks-in-america.html
http://worldmysteries9.blogspot.com/2010/05/harmful-drinks-in-america.html
DAY 141- Healthier Eating Journal
Well it was a busy, productive day. Only two more days of regular school left. Kids are bouncing off the walls.... okay...so am I. But it's a good bouncing. A happy bouncing. Two more days of finals left and all my freshmen will be sophomores. I can't believe how fast this year flew by. This was definitely one of my favorite groups of kids. There are a lot of future stars and future top students and parents in this group. Oh, and my running nose stopped. Our weekend trip was so full of sagebrush that I think it was allergies and not a cold after all. I took Benadryl yesterday and last night and I'm pretty much back to normal today. A few minor sniffles, but no kleenex nose tampons needed today. Thank goodness.
Rello decided to get up and have breakfast with me this morning so I made some toast so I could sit down and eat it with him. I had my yogurt too. He eats better when you sit down with him. What a family concept. :D I grabbed my predictable frozen dinner for lunch (Smart Ones) and an apple for a snack. I'm sorry I'm not choosing more of a variety, but it's the last week of school and I'm focusing on more than just food this week. It's not a priority. Not overeating is always a priority, but if I can grab a low cal lunch (frozen dinner) and not have to think about it-- that works for me this week. I'll save creativity for next week.
After school I could tell mommy needed a break (my daughter) so I decided Rello and I should go visit the other grandchildren (his cousins). When I got to Jeremy's there was a vacuum cleaner salesman there demonstrating a vacuum. We headed on out to the back yard and we jumped on the trampoline. Now that's a good leg workout. Try chasing a 2, 3, and 4 year old around whilst they squeal and try not to be "tagged". They showed me all their games and I played the "dead man" (yes it sounds morbid), the cracked egg, musical something, and color tag. I also showed them that grandma can still jump high enough to touch my toes. I was too chicken to try any flips though without an adult out there to call 9-1-1. It can't be that different from doing it when you're a teenager. I'll work my way back up to it.
Then we went to the other son's house and Rello stayed with him and baby Maddy while I ran to the store to get things for class parties for the next two days. I also picked up some corn on the cob, pickle spears, and blackberries..... I know.... you should never shop when you're hungry. When I got home I fixed a sandwich and had the corn on the cob and blackberries. The corn was a little on the tough side. Now I know why it was on sale. The berries were great though. I need to get me some raw almonds this weekend. This weekend....... graduation. Kali is graduating and leaving. I will be sad.... but happy for her. Sweet Becca and Alli will be leaving too. There are a lot of good kids graduating.
Okay.... enough. Here's the food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110) and whole wheat toast (70) w/butter spray
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Choice Frozen Dinner (290)
Snack: Wheatables (140) and chips during the car ride from town (150)
DINNER: Sandwich on whole wheat w/organic turkey meat (250), corn on the cob (60), 1 cup of blackberries (60), cup of juice (125)
Total Calories: 1400
Rello decided to get up and have breakfast with me this morning so I made some toast so I could sit down and eat it with him. I had my yogurt too. He eats better when you sit down with him. What a family concept. :D I grabbed my predictable frozen dinner for lunch (Smart Ones) and an apple for a snack. I'm sorry I'm not choosing more of a variety, but it's the last week of school and I'm focusing on more than just food this week. It's not a priority. Not overeating is always a priority, but if I can grab a low cal lunch (frozen dinner) and not have to think about it-- that works for me this week. I'll save creativity for next week.
After school I could tell mommy needed a break (my daughter) so I decided Rello and I should go visit the other grandchildren (his cousins). When I got to Jeremy's there was a vacuum cleaner salesman there demonstrating a vacuum. We headed on out to the back yard and we jumped on the trampoline. Now that's a good leg workout. Try chasing a 2, 3, and 4 year old around whilst they squeal and try not to be "tagged". They showed me all their games and I played the "dead man" (yes it sounds morbid), the cracked egg, musical something, and color tag. I also showed them that grandma can still jump high enough to touch my toes. I was too chicken to try any flips though without an adult out there to call 9-1-1. It can't be that different from doing it when you're a teenager. I'll work my way back up to it.
Then we went to the other son's house and Rello stayed with him and baby Maddy while I ran to the store to get things for class parties for the next two days. I also picked up some corn on the cob, pickle spears, and blackberries..... I know.... you should never shop when you're hungry. When I got home I fixed a sandwich and had the corn on the cob and blackberries. The corn was a little on the tough side. Now I know why it was on sale. The berries were great though. I need to get me some raw almonds this weekend. This weekend....... graduation. Kali is graduating and leaving. I will be sad.... but happy for her. Sweet Becca and Alli will be leaving too. There are a lot of good kids graduating.
Okay.... enough. Here's the food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110) and whole wheat toast (70) w/butter spray
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Choice Frozen Dinner (290)
Snack: Wheatables (140) and chips during the car ride from town (150)
DINNER: Sandwich on whole wheat w/organic turkey meat (250), corn on the cob (60), 1 cup of blackberries (60), cup of juice (125)
Total Calories: 1400
Monday, May 24, 2010
DAY 140- Healthier Eating Journal
Today was a gratitude test day..... and I failed. You know how things are just going along great and you get answers to prayers and positive things happen to you and you get all excited and positive? Then BAM! One or two things happen and you're right back at the "woe is me" spot treading water from your tears. Plus.... it's Monday.
I woke up this morning with a faucet for a nose. Had to do the whole kleenex tampon thing it was so bad. Kind of hard to do that in school without tramatizing the students though. I couldn't tell if I was having hot flashes or getting sick from the obvious upcoming cold. Have an interivew coming up Wednesday and I'm going to look like Rudolph. Then I wore a new pair of shoes and they rubbed a bone red. Then I went to our teachers' contract ratification (vote) meeting after school and got more good news. I'm getting a pay cut! Great! I already took a big one coming to a smaller school and now it's being cut again. I'm now going to be back at where I was 4 years ago. More stressful news. I didn't start stress eating until right after school. Got some more news (family-type) that got me fired up. Then I was upset because I had shrimp all ready to cook and yes... I ate it.... but who can taste anything with two kleenex nose tampons up your nose to stop the flooding? That should keep me from eating, but I was so stressed I just ate more instead of less! I can't hold the baby either.
Okay... I'm done whining. My nose is not done running, but I'm done whining.... for today. Here's my food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (90)
Lunch: Frozen Smart Choice Dinner (290)
Snack: 8 Wheatables (70)
After School Snack: WW Toast w/1 tblsp of Peanut Butter (170)
DINNER: Shrimp veggie dish w/broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini (100) amd 4 oz. steak (200) and an ice cream sandwich (160) low cal. supposedly
Total Calories Today= 1300-1400
Stress Eating!
I woke up this morning with a faucet for a nose. Had to do the whole kleenex tampon thing it was so bad. Kind of hard to do that in school without tramatizing the students though. I couldn't tell if I was having hot flashes or getting sick from the obvious upcoming cold. Have an interivew coming up Wednesday and I'm going to look like Rudolph. Then I wore a new pair of shoes and they rubbed a bone red. Then I went to our teachers' contract ratification (vote) meeting after school and got more good news. I'm getting a pay cut! Great! I already took a big one coming to a smaller school and now it's being cut again. I'm now going to be back at where I was 4 years ago. More stressful news. I didn't start stress eating until right after school. Got some more news (family-type) that got me fired up. Then I was upset because I had shrimp all ready to cook and yes... I ate it.... but who can taste anything with two kleenex nose tampons up your nose to stop the flooding? That should keep me from eating, but I was so stressed I just ate more instead of less! I can't hold the baby either.
Okay... I'm done whining. My nose is not done running, but I'm done whining.... for today. Here's my food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (90)
Lunch: Frozen Smart Choice Dinner (290)
Snack: 8 Wheatables (70)
After School Snack: WW Toast w/1 tblsp of Peanut Butter (170)
DINNER: Shrimp veggie dish w/broccoli, mushrooms, and zucchini (100) amd 4 oz. steak (200) and an ice cream sandwich (160) low cal. supposedly
Total Calories Today= 1300-1400
Stress Eating!
Sunday, May 23, 2010
DAY 139- Healthier Eating Journal
Still recovering from my weekend rendezvous/getaway with the husband in our former hometown. Got home this morning in time to get changed and head to church. Still thinking about the boat trip down the Snake River yesterday and all the great scenery in our driving over the weekend (see yesterday's blog). The only downside to my trip (besides little sleep) was the sagebrush and weather change. Between the two I have the kleenex-made tampon up the left nostril tonight because it just keeps running. There was a ton of sagebrush there and I don't know why it didn't bother me more when we lived there. At any rate, it was still a fantastic weekend with our friends Ron and Alice.
When I headed out this morning I grabbed a banana and some hot chocolate (that was not more than 70 degrees because I don't want to increase my chances 7X of getting throat cancer). It wasn't a very normal breakfast but I was in a hurry and on the road and tired. So it worked. I didn't have time to grab lunch so ate when I got out of church about 2:30. I was starving by then so I grilled a steak, baked a potato and steamed some broccoli. Mom and dad and Sandy came over to see the new addition to the family-- grandbaby #7-- and I visited a little bit but couldn't stay awake. I left them to visit with Russ and Mandy and had to lay down. Sorry mom. I woke up about 8pm (hope I can sleep tonight). Mandy made cookies and I was hungry again. I know... I shouldn't eat that late... and there I go with the cookies again. It's Sunday... we do cookies on Sunday. They were dinky sized cookies (which you would think would be better calorie-wise but then you eat 3 instead of 2 so same diff). Not a very normal or healthy dinner, but it's been an odd day. I'm going to go gargle with some salt water and make sure I don't start a cold. Then, I'm going to try to go to bed again and I'll just get up way early in the morning.
Today's Food Intake:
BREAKFAST: Banana and hot chocolate (12 oz.) 230
Snack: Pastry (what? I found it in the car) 200
Lunch: 4 oz. steak, 1/2 cup baked potato w/butter spray and 1 tblsp. of sour cream, 1/2 cup steamed broccoli, 1 piece of toast w/homemade apricot jam (450)
Dinner: 3 very small choc. chip cookies 150-210
Total Calories= 1100
When I headed out this morning I grabbed a banana and some hot chocolate (that was not more than 70 degrees because I don't want to increase my chances 7X of getting throat cancer). It wasn't a very normal breakfast but I was in a hurry and on the road and tired. So it worked. I didn't have time to grab lunch so ate when I got out of church about 2:30. I was starving by then so I grilled a steak, baked a potato and steamed some broccoli. Mom and dad and Sandy came over to see the new addition to the family-- grandbaby #7-- and I visited a little bit but couldn't stay awake. I left them to visit with Russ and Mandy and had to lay down. Sorry mom. I woke up about 8pm (hope I can sleep tonight). Mandy made cookies and I was hungry again. I know... I shouldn't eat that late... and there I go with the cookies again. It's Sunday... we do cookies on Sunday. They were dinky sized cookies (which you would think would be better calorie-wise but then you eat 3 instead of 2 so same diff). Not a very normal or healthy dinner, but it's been an odd day. I'm going to go gargle with some salt water and make sure I don't start a cold. Then, I'm going to try to go to bed again and I'll just get up way early in the morning.
Today's Food Intake:
BREAKFAST: Banana and hot chocolate (12 oz.) 230
Snack: Pastry (what? I found it in the car) 200
Lunch: 4 oz. steak, 1/2 cup baked potato w/butter spray and 1 tblsp. of sour cream, 1/2 cup steamed broccoli, 1 piece of toast w/homemade apricot jam (450)
Dinner: 3 very small choc. chip cookies 150-210
Total Calories= 1100
MEDICAL BENEFITS OF HUMOR AND LAUGHTER
Laughter is a powerful antidote to stress, pain, and conflict. Nothing works faster or more dependably to bring your mind and body back into balance than a good laugh. Humor lightens your burdens, inspires hopes, connects you to others, and keeps you grounded, focused, and alert.
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.
+ Laughter is good for your health
+ Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
+ Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
+ Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
+ Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER
Physical Health Benefits:
Boosts immunity
Lowers stress hormones
Decreases pain
Relaxes your muscles
Prevents heart disease
Mental Health Benefits:
Adds joy and zest to life
Eases anxiety and fear
Relieves stress
Improves mood
Enhances resilience
Social Benefits:
Strengthens relationships
Attracts others to us
Enhances teamwork
Helps defuse conflict
Promotes group bonding
http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm
With so much power to heal and renew, the ability to laugh easily and frequently is a tremendous resource for surmounting problems, enhancing your relationships, and supporting both physical and emotional health.
+ Laughter is good for your health
+ Laughter relaxes the whole body. A good, hearty laugh relieves physical tension and stress, leaving your muscles relaxed for up to 45 minutes after.
+ Laughter boosts the immune system. Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, thus improving your resistance to disease.
+ Laughter triggers the release of endorphins, the body’s natural feel-good chemicals. Endorphins promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
+ Laughter protects the heart. Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
THE BENEFITS OF LAUGHTER
Physical Health Benefits:
Boosts immunity
Lowers stress hormones
Decreases pain
Relaxes your muscles
Prevents heart disease
Mental Health Benefits:
Adds joy and zest to life
Eases anxiety and fear
Relieves stress
Improves mood
Enhances resilience
Social Benefits:
Strengthens relationships
Attracts others to us
Enhances teamwork
Helps defuse conflict
Promotes group bonding
http://helpguide.org/life/humor_laughter_health.htm
Saturday, May 22, 2010
DAY 138- Healthier Eating Journal
Have to hurry. The husband says it's taking "his" time. I will just say we are having a wonderful weekend with our high school friends Ron and Alice. Today we went on a river boat ride down the Snake River and it was beautiful. Ron's a great driver and the rapids only made me nervous once. Saw lots of deer and pelicans and beautiful scenery even in the rain drizzle. Also watched some of my students play in the state baseball game. They didn't win, but I could tell they were enjoying the experience of being at state. I felt for them out there in the rain. I also thought about the other kids who were participating in state tennis and track.
I didn't stay within normal calories at all today, but it was a great day and I didn't stress that too much nevertheless. We ate at a little place downtown for breakfast. Had some hashbrowns, bacon, eggs, and a few bites of pancake, but the pancake tasted like sourdough so didn't each munch. Not a fan of that. We ate pretty light for lunch-- had one of those 110 cal. salmon fillets, some cottage cheese, and a piece of whole wheat toast w/homemade apricot jam that alice made. It was yummy and I didn't use butter at all. We drove out to the old farming place that my husband and his dad used to farm and it's a big mesa with thousands of acres. They didn't farm all of it-- only about 3000 acres. Our old trailer house is gone, but the main house is still there. It was a beautiful drive. Didn't see the wild horses, but lots of farmland and some more deer, etc.
For dinner we decided to drive to Hagerman-- another beautiful drive-- and we ate a place across the river. The husband was going to try the alligator, but changed his mind when she said some people complained that the texture was a little gritty! I stuck to catfish! I had some chocolate fudge cheesecake that was just too rich to finish and the husband had the white mousse pie of some sort. That was pretty much our eating for the day. On the way home we stopped and visited Wes and Christine whom we haven't see in quite some time-- old friends we love and miss. It was so good to see them. That reminds me--while we were eating at the place in Hagerman we ran into some friends from near the town where I live now. It was so weird. Like what are the odds of driving three hours from home to go eat at a place where the population is probably lucky to break a thousand-- very small town-- and seeing them there. Then, on top of that, we get to talking and they are good friends with Wes and Christine and have been for quite some time. Small world.
All in all-- a great day and a great reminder that we need to make time for friends in our life-- reconnect.
I didn't stay within normal calories at all today, but it was a great day and I didn't stress that too much nevertheless. We ate at a little place downtown for breakfast. Had some hashbrowns, bacon, eggs, and a few bites of pancake, but the pancake tasted like sourdough so didn't each munch. Not a fan of that. We ate pretty light for lunch-- had one of those 110 cal. salmon fillets, some cottage cheese, and a piece of whole wheat toast w/homemade apricot jam that alice made. It was yummy and I didn't use butter at all. We drove out to the old farming place that my husband and his dad used to farm and it's a big mesa with thousands of acres. They didn't farm all of it-- only about 3000 acres. Our old trailer house is gone, but the main house is still there. It was a beautiful drive. Didn't see the wild horses, but lots of farmland and some more deer, etc.
For dinner we decided to drive to Hagerman-- another beautiful drive-- and we ate a place across the river. The husband was going to try the alligator, but changed his mind when she said some people complained that the texture was a little gritty! I stuck to catfish! I had some chocolate fudge cheesecake that was just too rich to finish and the husband had the white mousse pie of some sort. That was pretty much our eating for the day. On the way home we stopped and visited Wes and Christine whom we haven't see in quite some time-- old friends we love and miss. It was so good to see them. That reminds me--while we were eating at the place in Hagerman we ran into some friends from near the town where I live now. It was so weird. Like what are the odds of driving three hours from home to go eat at a place where the population is probably lucky to break a thousand-- very small town-- and seeing them there. Then, on top of that, we get to talking and they are good friends with Wes and Christine and have been for quite some time. Small world.
All in all-- a great day and a great reminder that we need to make time for friends in our life-- reconnect.
Friday, May 21, 2010
DAY 137- Healthier Eating Journal
I'm posting early today because I'm headed for a secret rendezvous with my husband. Okay, well, it's not secret after you all read this, but we didn't even tell the kids (sorry kids). But since they're all grown up with families of their own... we shouldn't have to, now should we. :) So we just decided to meet half way since my school's baseball team is playing at State Baseball tomorrow for either 3rd place or championship depending on how they do today. They are playing the tournament at our old high school-- the one my husband and I graduated from. I thought... hmmmmm.... rendezvous at our old high school.... how romantic. So... I'm off to pack. We're going to stay with our old high school friends (who were also high school sweethearts)-- Ron and Alice-- thank you.
Our baseball team started off like the bad news bears and have turned into the Cinderella team of the tournament. Very cool. I get to watch my students, visit my old school, and spend the weekend with my hubby and old friends. As my students would say.... "SWEET!" Okay.... it doesn't sound the same at my age. Anyway, here is my food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (80) and some Wheatables (70)
Lunch: Wheatables and tuna (230)
After School Snack: Activa Yogurt (110)
Dinner: Something with my husband-- I will stay between 500-600 calories.... I hope. It's hard when he's around. :D
The rest of you DO SOMETHING SPONTANEOUS TOO! Life is too short not to mix it up a little. :D
Our baseball team started off like the bad news bears and have turned into the Cinderella team of the tournament. Very cool. I get to watch my students, visit my old school, and spend the weekend with my hubby and old friends. As my students would say.... "SWEET!" Okay.... it doesn't sound the same at my age. Anyway, here is my food intake for the day:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (80) and some Wheatables (70)
Lunch: Wheatables and tuna (230)
After School Snack: Activa Yogurt (110)
Dinner: Something with my husband-- I will stay between 500-600 calories.... I hope. It's hard when he's around. :D
The rest of you DO SOMETHING SPONTANEOUS TOO! Life is too short not to mix it up a little. :D
Thursday, May 20, 2010
DAY 136- Healthier Eating Journal
The seniors had their heads in the clouds and their hearts on their sleeves today as they wandered the halls. I saw some of them looking at display and trophy cases like they were their long lost friends. I saw lots of hugging and hard back patting going on. Tomorrow is their last day but apparently a lot of them check out a day early. Mentally, some of them have been checked out for the last month. :D I remember that last month. It lasts forever, but it's also so hard to believe that all your years of schooling as a kid are over. Anyway, it made it difficult to conduct business as usual. And... it will be weird not having Kali around. She's like the 4th child I never had and I feel like I've barely gotten to know her this year, but at the same time I feel like I just love that kid and I'll miss her.
I was smart and packed my food again, but a couple of things did come up today to add some calories. I avoided one big temptation- - birthday cake in the teacher's lounge again-- not falling for that one again unless I'm the one cooking it and I know how many calories are in it. I took my yogurt for breakfast and my apple and banana for my snacks today. I took another frozen dinner for lunch, but 3 days in a row is about enough so tomorrow, I'm taking some salad or something. I had the granola bar for dessert. One thing I did add that wasn't on my menu was a cup of dry Fruit Loops. My drama kids wanted to have cereal with their video today. I made a video of their year for them. I had never heard of eating cereal with it, but they informed me that the last day in my class (next week) they want to watch their spring play they just did and have a cereal party. I guess I bring a gallon of milk and they each bring their favorite cereal (to share) and their own bowl. Hmmmmm. Things have changed since I was a kid.
So 100 calories for a cup of Fruit Loops wasn't figured in. Then, when I got home, some more well-wishing neighbors brough cookies over AND Mandy made cookies. Killin' me with the cookies again. I had one of the oatmeal cookies and I had two small choc. chip cookies. 3 Cookies for dessert wasn't exactly on the menu either. The good news though is that I did stick to my dinner menu, and I should still be okay on calories. It won't be a weight loss day now (and I'll have to do a few more crunches tonight), but I still maintained my weight and didn't go crazy.
Today's Food Intake:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110) and a small banana (80)
SNACK: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Frozen Smart Choice Dinner (270) and a granola bar (110)
Snack: 1 cup of Fruit Loops (100)
DINNER: 4 oz. grilled steak (210), 1/2 baked potato w/sour cream and butter spray (80), broccoli, zucchini, and sauteed mushrooms (50)
Snack: 3 small cookies (240)
Total Calories Today= 1240-1300
Don't forget to read the "Fish Facts" below-- especially about the mercury-- and don't forget to do your crunches. It's a little thing that makes A BIG difference.
I was smart and packed my food again, but a couple of things did come up today to add some calories. I avoided one big temptation- - birthday cake in the teacher's lounge again-- not falling for that one again unless I'm the one cooking it and I know how many calories are in it. I took my yogurt for breakfast and my apple and banana for my snacks today. I took another frozen dinner for lunch, but 3 days in a row is about enough so tomorrow, I'm taking some salad or something. I had the granola bar for dessert. One thing I did add that wasn't on my menu was a cup of dry Fruit Loops. My drama kids wanted to have cereal with their video today. I made a video of their year for them. I had never heard of eating cereal with it, but they informed me that the last day in my class (next week) they want to watch their spring play they just did and have a cereal party. I guess I bring a gallon of milk and they each bring their favorite cereal (to share) and their own bowl. Hmmmmm. Things have changed since I was a kid.
So 100 calories for a cup of Fruit Loops wasn't figured in. Then, when I got home, some more well-wishing neighbors brough cookies over AND Mandy made cookies. Killin' me with the cookies again. I had one of the oatmeal cookies and I had two small choc. chip cookies. 3 Cookies for dessert wasn't exactly on the menu either. The good news though is that I did stick to my dinner menu, and I should still be okay on calories. It won't be a weight loss day now (and I'll have to do a few more crunches tonight), but I still maintained my weight and didn't go crazy.
Today's Food Intake:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110) and a small banana (80)
SNACK: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Frozen Smart Choice Dinner (270) and a granola bar (110)
Snack: 1 cup of Fruit Loops (100)
DINNER: 4 oz. grilled steak (210), 1/2 baked potato w/sour cream and butter spray (80), broccoli, zucchini, and sauteed mushrooms (50)
Snack: 3 small cookies (240)
Total Calories Today= 1240-1300
Don't forget to read the "Fish Facts" below-- especially about the mercury-- and don't forget to do your crunches. It's a little thing that makes A BIG difference.
FISH FACTS
Fish and Fish Oil
Eating fish helps cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. The fatty varieties may also help alleviate depression. The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat at least two fish meals per week, especially wild salmon, herring, and sardines, because those varieties provide the most heart healthy omega 3s. Avoid mercury-containing varieties like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and albacore tuna. Chunk light tuna is ok.
Eating fish helps cut the risk of heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis. The fatty varieties may also help alleviate depression. The American Heart Association recommends that adults eat at least two fish meals per week, especially wild salmon, herring, and sardines, because those varieties provide the most heart healthy omega 3s. Avoid mercury-containing varieties like shark, swordfish, king mackerel, tilefish, and albacore tuna. Chunk light tuna is ok.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
DAY 135- Healthier Eating Journal
Be sure to read the info I posted below about garlic and if you have apple trees, you might want to read the other one I posted below.
The humidity is very high right now and it's usually not humid here. Mix that with the pollen count being out of control and I've got some raging sinuses! That aside though... it was another busy day, so little time to sit around and just munch (thank goodness). Any time I plan ahead it's pretty easy to stay on task with my eating. I packed an Activa yogurt, an apple, a banana, and a Smart Choice frozen dinner. Oh, and my ever essential water bottle. Smart packing and having those healthy choices in a bag as you head out the door to work, is 90% of the battle.
When I got home I liked my sandwich so much yesterday I decided to eat another one. I really like the organic lunchmeat w/no preservatives and only 20 calories a slice (and they're not wafer slices). I found the whole wheat that's only 70 calories a slice and splurged and had a whole sandwich. Two slices of whole wheat (140), one slice of low-fat cheese (50), TWO slices of organic turkey lunch meat (40), 1 tblsp. of lite Miracle-Whip (20) and some lettuce. I would have put a tomato on it too, but didn't have one. Calories for the whole sandwich= 250. I had a Quaker granola bar for dessert (110).
After the Performing Arts Awards ceremony I came home and popped some 100 calorie mini-pouch popcorn to eat while I played solitaire via the computer against my husband. The only problem was I set the microwave for 14 minutes instead of 1 min. and 40 sec. I started smelling something and ran to the kitchen. Burnt popcorn is such a nasty smell. I've never burnt it so bad that the inside of the microwave turned brown though! There was still 9 minutes left on the timer so I popped it 5 minutes. I think it caught on fire. No worries. I opened the window, turned on the kitchen fans, and the microwave still works because I stuck another bag in there to make sure. The rest of the house's inhabitants are not happy with the smell however. Sorry. :D I will nuke a bowl with some vinegar in it tomorrow after it's aired out a bit and get it all back to normal.
I was thinking about how lives in small towns are the stuff movies are made of and how people in small towns are the type movies are made about. Why was I thinking about this? As I was sitting there at the Performing Arts Ceremony tonight I was sitting next to a choir teacher who has been teaching for 39 years. I put together her slide show for the ceremony and amongst the pictures were pictures of her skydiving. Both of those facts-- teaching 39 years and skydiving at her age-- are just awesome. The band teacher is also sitting next to me (there's just the three of us presenting for the evening) and I smile as I think about my slide show which includes pictures of the band teacher (not to mention our A.D. and science teacher) dressed as Gene Simmons when they acted as "KISS" in my spring play. Then you have the school board member helping stack chairs and put them away and it's the same school board member you saw at the track meet a few weeks ago running a stopwatch at the finish line. And that is why.... I will always be a small town girl.
My food intake for today:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110)
SNACK: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Choice Angel Hair Pasta w/zucchini (290) and a small banana (80)
AFTER SCHOOL SNACK: Granola Bar (110)
DINNER: Sandwich (see above) 250
AFTER DINNER SNACK: Mini-Pouch Popcorn (100)
Total Calories Today: 1100
Don't forget to do your crunches. Even if you cut back your calories, if you don't work on your core, you'll still look pudgy.
The humidity is very high right now and it's usually not humid here. Mix that with the pollen count being out of control and I've got some raging sinuses! That aside though... it was another busy day, so little time to sit around and just munch (thank goodness). Any time I plan ahead it's pretty easy to stay on task with my eating. I packed an Activa yogurt, an apple, a banana, and a Smart Choice frozen dinner. Oh, and my ever essential water bottle. Smart packing and having those healthy choices in a bag as you head out the door to work, is 90% of the battle.
When I got home I liked my sandwich so much yesterday I decided to eat another one. I really like the organic lunchmeat w/no preservatives and only 20 calories a slice (and they're not wafer slices). I found the whole wheat that's only 70 calories a slice and splurged and had a whole sandwich. Two slices of whole wheat (140), one slice of low-fat cheese (50), TWO slices of organic turkey lunch meat (40), 1 tblsp. of lite Miracle-Whip (20) and some lettuce. I would have put a tomato on it too, but didn't have one. Calories for the whole sandwich= 250. I had a Quaker granola bar for dessert (110).
After the Performing Arts Awards ceremony I came home and popped some 100 calorie mini-pouch popcorn to eat while I played solitaire via the computer against my husband. The only problem was I set the microwave for 14 minutes instead of 1 min. and 40 sec. I started smelling something and ran to the kitchen. Burnt popcorn is such a nasty smell. I've never burnt it so bad that the inside of the microwave turned brown though! There was still 9 minutes left on the timer so I popped it 5 minutes. I think it caught on fire. No worries. I opened the window, turned on the kitchen fans, and the microwave still works because I stuck another bag in there to make sure. The rest of the house's inhabitants are not happy with the smell however. Sorry. :D I will nuke a bowl with some vinegar in it tomorrow after it's aired out a bit and get it all back to normal.
I was thinking about how lives in small towns are the stuff movies are made of and how people in small towns are the type movies are made about. Why was I thinking about this? As I was sitting there at the Performing Arts Ceremony tonight I was sitting next to a choir teacher who has been teaching for 39 years. I put together her slide show for the ceremony and amongst the pictures were pictures of her skydiving. Both of those facts-- teaching 39 years and skydiving at her age-- are just awesome. The band teacher is also sitting next to me (there's just the three of us presenting for the evening) and I smile as I think about my slide show which includes pictures of the band teacher (not to mention our A.D. and science teacher) dressed as Gene Simmons when they acted as "KISS" in my spring play. Then you have the school board member helping stack chairs and put them away and it's the same school board member you saw at the track meet a few weeks ago running a stopwatch at the finish line. And that is why.... I will always be a small town girl.
My food intake for today:
BREAKFAST: Activa Yogurt (110)
SNACK: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Choice Angel Hair Pasta w/zucchini (290) and a small banana (80)
AFTER SCHOOL SNACK: Granola Bar (110)
DINNER: Sandwich (see above) 250
AFTER DINNER SNACK: Mini-Pouch Popcorn (100)
Total Calories Today: 1100
Don't forget to do your crunches. Even if you cut back your calories, if you don't work on your core, you'll still look pudgy.
GARLIC INFO
Garlic what a great little product. 3 gloves a day can be so beneficial, lowers cholesterol, triglyceride levels and helps keep those arteries clear. Garlic also tops the national cancer institutes list of potential cancer-preventive foods. Baked garlic helps detoxify the body of heavy metals like mercury (from fish) and cadmium. Garlic also acts as an antibacterial and antiviral. (Natural source for stopping the growth and reproduction of viruses.) Boosting resistance to stress-induced colds and infections. There are garlic pills you can get but the baked or fresh are the best way to go. Can’t stand garlic breath? Chew on a sprig on parsley.
APPLE TREE TIPS TO GET RID OF WORMS
Go green, if you have apple trees, try taking a milk jug put one inch holes about 1/3 down from top. Make a mixture of equal parts of white vinegar and molasses put in jug hang in apple tree. They say the insect that causes your apples to have worms will go to the molasses and be trapped in the jug. There for no worms in your apples! I am going to try this, hope it works.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
DAY 134- Healthier Eating Journal
Redeemed myself today.... mostly. It helps that a HUGE load of stress was removed today. The husband was offered a job on this side of the state. You see, we've been together since we were 17 and we turn 48 in a couple of months so this has been one of the LONGEST years of our relationship life! Prayers answered. Stress relieved. I'm feeling happy! One day I think "I eat when I'm stressed" and another day I think "I eat when I'm happy" so..... okay.... I just eat when I'm emotionally up OR down. Great.....
So, back to the good news. It was a very busy day and not the model of a perfect day where I accomplished all I wanted to, but it was busy and I was happy and I didn't go over my calories. Can't complain. In fact, I will have a multitude of gratitude tonight in my bedtime discussion with the man upstairs. He will be happy to have a break from my whining and wishing I'm sure. I will ask forgiveness for my impatience (and whining) as well.
Okay, so the food..... I had an Activa yogurt to start my day off and took an apple for my morning snack. Thank you Mandy for the healthy food purchases in your coupon shopping last night. For lunch I had a Smart Choice lasagna w/spinach that was very good and 290 calories. It was plenty filling as well. Stayed after school to put together my awards for tomorrow's Performing Arts Award Ceremony and to get ready for tonight's Academic Awards Ceremony so I had some Wheatables whilst waiting. I didn't take all my salad ingredients (can't just eat lettuce) so I ran home and decided to have half a sandwich and a banana instead-- quick and easy. My daughter found some all natural organic lunch meat and it's normal thickness (not wafer meat) and one slice was plenty for my 1/2 sandwich. Imagine my joy when I discovered it was only 20 calories per slice. The low-fat cheese was both tasty and low-cal (50) as well and the 80 cal. whole wheat bread and 1 tblsp. of lite miracle whip all added up to a whopping 170 for the sandwich and 80 for the small banana. So yeah.... pretty low-cal quick dinner.
When I got home, I was still hungry and remembered she bought grapes too, so headed downstairs to get them. I spied chicken nuggest on Rello's plate and knew he was done (meaning they would go to waste) so I popped two in my mouth and headed down to get the grapes because they're 25 calories for 10. The daughter asked me if Rello ate his nuggets and I fessed up, then seeing her expression asked how many calories were in them. I will just say..... they are devil food. They are Redi-serve chicken nibblers-- WARNING: They are 50 calories per nugget and we're talking little bite thingies! 100 calories in like 2 seconds! Good thing I had a low-cal day! What if I had popped 5 of those in my mouth or 10. 10 Bites= 500 calories! Whew!!! It could have been worse. So I ate my grapes and steered clear of the nibblers!
BREAKFAST: Activa Strawberry Yogurt (110)
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Ones Frozen Dinner (290)
Snack: Wheatables (140)
DINNER: 1/2 Sandwich and 1 small banana (250)
Snack: Evil chicken nibblers (100) and 20 grapes (50)
Total Calories= 1100 and 19g of fiber
So, back to the good news. It was a very busy day and not the model of a perfect day where I accomplished all I wanted to, but it was busy and I was happy and I didn't go over my calories. Can't complain. In fact, I will have a multitude of gratitude tonight in my bedtime discussion with the man upstairs. He will be happy to have a break from my whining and wishing I'm sure. I will ask forgiveness for my impatience (and whining) as well.
Okay, so the food..... I had an Activa yogurt to start my day off and took an apple for my morning snack. Thank you Mandy for the healthy food purchases in your coupon shopping last night. For lunch I had a Smart Choice lasagna w/spinach that was very good and 290 calories. It was plenty filling as well. Stayed after school to put together my awards for tomorrow's Performing Arts Award Ceremony and to get ready for tonight's Academic Awards Ceremony so I had some Wheatables whilst waiting. I didn't take all my salad ingredients (can't just eat lettuce) so I ran home and decided to have half a sandwich and a banana instead-- quick and easy. My daughter found some all natural organic lunch meat and it's normal thickness (not wafer meat) and one slice was plenty for my 1/2 sandwich. Imagine my joy when I discovered it was only 20 calories per slice. The low-fat cheese was both tasty and low-cal (50) as well and the 80 cal. whole wheat bread and 1 tblsp. of lite miracle whip all added up to a whopping 170 for the sandwich and 80 for the small banana. So yeah.... pretty low-cal quick dinner.
When I got home, I was still hungry and remembered she bought grapes too, so headed downstairs to get them. I spied chicken nuggest on Rello's plate and knew he was done (meaning they would go to waste) so I popped two in my mouth and headed down to get the grapes because they're 25 calories for 10. The daughter asked me if Rello ate his nuggets and I fessed up, then seeing her expression asked how many calories were in them. I will just say..... they are devil food. They are Redi-serve chicken nibblers-- WARNING: They are 50 calories per nugget and we're talking little bite thingies! 100 calories in like 2 seconds! Good thing I had a low-cal day! What if I had popped 5 of those in my mouth or 10. 10 Bites= 500 calories! Whew!!! It could have been worse. So I ate my grapes and steered clear of the nibblers!
BREAKFAST: Activa Strawberry Yogurt (110)
Snack: Apple (90)
LUNCH: Smart Ones Frozen Dinner (290)
Snack: Wheatables (140)
DINNER: 1/2 Sandwich and 1 small banana (250)
Snack: Evil chicken nibblers (100) and 20 grapes (50)
Total Calories= 1100 and 19g of fiber
Monday, May 17, 2010
DAY 133- Healthier Eating Journal
Had a terrible eating day. Didn't make good choices. Stress-eating at its best. Not good. I went 300 calories over my recommended daily calorie intake. For my age and size I am supposed to eat about 1400 to MAINTAIN my weight. That means I need to eat less to lose it and if I eat more.... I gain. See.... this is how we gain weight.... one BBQ at a time. It was hot today and I ran around with my head cut off between Romeo and Juliet class rehearsals and setting up the BBQ luncheon in my room, so I did sweat off a few little calories, but pretty sure I didn't come close to getting rid of 300. My daughter said I could go down and burn off 130 in 20 minutes on the wii step program. I am headed down as soon as I finish typing that. Even so.... I'm going to be over. And... I still have papers to grade.
Food Intake For the Day-
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
SNACK: Wheatables 140 and ½ cup of Fruit Loops (50)
LUNCH BBQ: Chorizo w/bun (370) , 2 types of Pasta Salad (400), Brownie, (80)
SNACK: Quaker Granola Bar (110)
DINNER: Bowl of Hamburger Soup (200) and piece of whole wheat toast (110)
Total Calories= 1700
To get back on track, my daughter, the coupon queen, is venturing out to shop tonight and she is bringing me back the food that's been helping me make better decisions. Our rental fridge went out last week and we've had to pack everything into a smaller fridge PLUS we've just been swamped with the play and babies being born, etc. and I've just realized that I need to restock on healthier choices if I'm going to avoid gaining any weight back. So.... she's going to pick up the butter spray that ran out yesterday. And.... she's getting me more of the frozen dinners for lunch. And of course fresh fruit and yogurt. More importantly though, I just need to watch my choices. I didn't need to eat some of both pasta salads-- one would have been enough. I usually don't eat the bun with the chorizo and they would have saved 100 calories right there. See... just those two choices-- no bun and only one helping of pasta salad would have put me at normal calorie intake today and I would have still enjoyed the BBQ and a brownie. My bad.
Food Intake For the Day-
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
SNACK: Wheatables 140 and ½ cup of Fruit Loops (50)
LUNCH BBQ: Chorizo w/bun (370) , 2 types of Pasta Salad (400), Brownie, (80)
SNACK: Quaker Granola Bar (110)
DINNER: Bowl of Hamburger Soup (200) and piece of whole wheat toast (110)
Total Calories= 1700
To get back on track, my daughter, the coupon queen, is venturing out to shop tonight and she is bringing me back the food that's been helping me make better decisions. Our rental fridge went out last week and we've had to pack everything into a smaller fridge PLUS we've just been swamped with the play and babies being born, etc. and I've just realized that I need to restock on healthier choices if I'm going to avoid gaining any weight back. So.... she's going to pick up the butter spray that ran out yesterday. And.... she's getting me more of the frozen dinners for lunch. And of course fresh fruit and yogurt. More importantly though, I just need to watch my choices. I didn't need to eat some of both pasta salads-- one would have been enough. I usually don't eat the bun with the chorizo and they would have saved 100 calories right there. See... just those two choices-- no bun and only one helping of pasta salad would have put me at normal calorie intake today and I would have still enjoyed the BBQ and a brownie. My bad.
Sunday, May 16, 2010
DAY 132- Healthier Eating Journal
Slept in this morning. Not used to the whole drive-in movie thing. Another hot day that makes you think that summer is here. Running late so just had a bowl of frosted mini-wheats (230) for breakfast while I reviewed my Sunday School lesson. I threw my hamburger crockpot stew in the crockpot and headed to church. It's so easy to make and it tastes good even on day two.
HAMBURGER CROCKPOT SOUP-
1 lb. of lean ground beef
4-6 peeled, cubed potatoes
1 can or small bag of corn
1 can of green beans (NOT French cut)
1 can of olives sliced
celery (chopped)
1 can of stewed or diced tomatoes
1 can of tomatoe sauce
taco seasoning packet
garlic powder
Directions: Peel and cut your potatoes and put them in the crockpot. You can add onion if your stomach can handle it (mine can't). Add the celery and crumble the RAW hamburger up all over it. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Add your canned or stewed tomatoes. Cover with water enough just to cover all the potatoes. Cook for 4 hours. Add all the rest of your ingreditents draining both the corn and green beans before adding. Mix it up. Season to taste. Let it cook about 15 minutes longer and it's done. Makes 9-10 bowls. 250 cal.
I had a bowl of soup (250) and a piece of whole wheat toast (110) for lunch. I had a bowl of the same soup for dinner. I had a Quaker granola bar (110) for a snack. Didn't get my fruit in today. My bad.
Total Calories Today=1100
HAMBURGER CROCKPOT SOUP-
1 lb. of lean ground beef
4-6 peeled, cubed potatoes
1 can or small bag of corn
1 can of green beans (NOT French cut)
1 can of olives sliced
celery (chopped)
1 can of stewed or diced tomatoes
1 can of tomatoe sauce
taco seasoning packet
garlic powder
Directions: Peel and cut your potatoes and put them in the crockpot. You can add onion if your stomach can handle it (mine can't). Add the celery and crumble the RAW hamburger up all over it. Sprinkle with garlic powder. Add your canned or stewed tomatoes. Cover with water enough just to cover all the potatoes. Cook for 4 hours. Add all the rest of your ingreditents draining both the corn and green beans before adding. Mix it up. Season to taste. Let it cook about 15 minutes longer and it's done. Makes 9-10 bowls. 250 cal.
I had a bowl of soup (250) and a piece of whole wheat toast (110) for lunch. I had a bowl of the same soup for dinner. I had a Quaker granola bar (110) for a snack. Didn't get my fruit in today. My bad.
Total Calories Today=1100
DAY 131- Saturday, May 15, 2010
If you didn't read Friday's blog (DAY 130), please read it. It took me a long time to write. :D Today's will be short. I'm tired and, as you can see, late. It was a long day. Hot day. Started at 9:30 am with district track. Took Rello with me so his mom/my daughter could have a break and the new baby could experience some quiet. :D We have some great athletes and the kids performed very well. It was the Cherry Blossom Festival so we went there and I took Rello on the carnival rides. His little cousin Kayla rode most of them with him. Got home late afternoon. Put together the picture show for the drama/performing arts banquet next week. Jason and Anne came over for dinner (they helped us eat the leftovers since our fridge is overflowing due to the generosity of others). Then my eldest son and his wife/children came over and we all went to the drive-in movie. Felt like rookies compared to some of the more experienced campers. Both movies were good, but I fell asleep during the second one. Long day.
Food today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (90)
Lunch: tuna fish and wheatables and 1/2 banana (260)
Snack: popcorn at the movie (did not add butter and we all shared the bag)300
Dinner: Chicken Enchilada (230) and 1 cup of green salad (added 1/3 cup of kidney beans)-110 1/4 cup of ice cream on a sugar cone (100)
Total Calories Today=1320
EXERCISE- Taking a two-year-old to a track meet and the carnival
Food today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230)
Snack: Apple (90)
Lunch: tuna fish and wheatables and 1/2 banana (260)
Snack: popcorn at the movie (did not add butter and we all shared the bag)300
Dinner: Chicken Enchilada (230) and 1 cup of green salad (added 1/3 cup of kidney beans)-110 1/4 cup of ice cream on a sugar cone (100)
Total Calories Today=1320
EXERCISE- Taking a two-year-old to a track meet and the carnival
Friday, May 14, 2010
DAY 130- Healthier Eating Journal
There is more to being healthy than focusing just on "the food we eat". There is balance in our lives overall. That is the real trick. You can do all this awesome weight loss and even educate yourself on the food and go out and exercise more, but if you don't find inner peace, inner realization, inner acceptance, and spiritual balance (whatever that spirituality is) in your life-- all your work can unravel in one night, one event, or even just gradually erode leaving you right back where you started.
I look at certain women-- I call them the resilient ones-- and ask myself how they were able to become successful-- to make a difference not just to their immediate friends and family members, but to generations of others. They have what I call "the resiliency factor" and it has tempered them and strengthened them, yet at the same time it has exaggerated their sense of compassion. I give you two examples:
Oprah-- love her or hate her-- people listen-- people care what she thinks-- and most importantly-- she has done a lot to educate, to help others, and to bring certain issues or people to light. So what makes her different? What she did with the trials in her life is what made her different. She was raped and sexually abused more than once as a child. She bounced from mom to grandma to mom to aunts to dad and all over. Despite it all, she saved her education. She was reading when she started kindergarten and was twice advanced in elementary because she was so far ahead. This despite her home circumstances and poverty. At 14 she became pregnant and had a child who died shortly after he was born.
Again, she could have dropped out, but she didn't. She went on to excel at school and at speaking. She received scholarships and set high goals. She was more than a survivor, she was a fighter. There's the difference... some people survive... some don't.... some become fighters for a greater cause. Is she perfect? Obviously not. Do I always agree with her views? No. Do I respect what she's done despite the trials in her life? Absolutely. Am I surprised that she goes back and forth with her weight gain/loss? No. It's not just part of who you are... it's part of who you were. Don't ask people to forget who they were. Learn from it... move on.... yes. Forget? Not happening.
My second, but most prominent female role model-- Mother Teresa. What a saint... literally. :D It doesn't really matter what religion you are... you know her. Why? She's made a difference. Some people think "oh what a sweet little lady". They obviously know "of" her and not "about" her. Again, there is a story behind the making of this resilient spiritual giant. She too lacked a strong father figure in her life and her mother died when MT was young. She also faced poverty yet stood out to others at a young age. Some people think that she was just this humble, people-serving saint who wandered about helping the poor. She did far more than help the poor and she was not intimidated by anyone. While she was the picture of compassion-- she stood firm on topics that were not popular to stand firm on-- like abortion and homosexuality. In 1994.she was invited to be the speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast. President and First Lady Clinton were in attendance as were other dignitaries. This did not stop her from using the breakfast as an opportunity to speak her mind-- in front of the president-- about abortion. Here is an excerpt from that event:
“But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because Jesus said, ‘If you receive a little child, you receive me.’ So every abortion is the denial of receiving Jesus.”
After an awkward silence, the entire ballroom erupted in a standing ovation that seemed to last minutes. It felt even longer to the embarrassed Clintons (and Al and Tipper Gore), who remained seated and did not clap.
Undeterred by the Clintons’ coldness, the tiny, aged lady was only warming up. Abortion was, said Mother, “really a war against the child, and I hate the killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that the mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? … This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”
http://douglawrence.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/mother-teresa-v-hilary-clinton-on-abortion-at-1994s-national-prayer-breakfast/
Another article in USA Today highlights this resilient woman's views that balanced compassion with backbone as I like to call it. http://www.usatoday.com/news/mothert/mother01.htm
"While recovering from her first heart attack in 1989, doctors told Mother Teresa to give up her hectic work schedule. She never did.
"The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven. And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth, there are no slums up here." Mother Teresa was quoted as telling Prince Michael of Greece in 1996.
To millions of people of all faiths and stations in life, Mother Teresa radiated pure, selfless goodness. In a world too often darkened by genocide, war and cruel indifference, she was a beacon of light and hope.
When told, in 1979, she had won the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing hope and dignity to millions of unwanted people, she said: "I am unworthy."
Even some admirers were unhappy that Mother Teresa objected to artificial birth control despite the serious problems caused in India and elsewhere by overpopulation. She constantly condemned abortion as a "the greatest destroyer of peace." She said it is better for women to be "handmaids of the Lord" than to become priests. But she also brought traditional Catholic views intolerant of homosexuality."
Mother Teresa cared little about conforming to the world's views. Did she struggle with her health? She died of a massive heart attack. Her passion and compassion was so pronounced in her life that she did not balance care for herself with care for others.
So what does all this have to do with food? Food is part of the balance we have to find in our life, but we also have to find balance with life in general. Not everyone can be or should be a leader like these two ladies. We need all types. Even these notable women struggled/struggle with balance. But what we do with the cards we are dealt is perhaps the biggest challenge this life offers us. How are we doing with that challenge? How are we making our trials our strengths? How are we helping each other? Oprah had people who helped her during vital times that could make or break her and so did Mother Teresa. These women also dug down though and survived it "anyway". They were resilient.
We each face our own trials. What we ate today is an insignificant part of who we are in the big picture of things, but it is part of the telling. I am sure if we delved deep into the lives of obese or overweight people, we would uncover trials that they encountered when no one was there to help them through it OR we would find that they simply do not have the same internal resiliency as others. When I reflect on my weight gain that most notably started four years ago, I can clearly see (NOW) what it was all about. It was a combination and accumulation of things. As I have shed the pounds, I have also exposed the layers (internally) that got me there.
And you just wanted to know what I ate today.......
Okay.... here it is.
BREAKFAST: Banana (90)
SNACK: 16 Almond Wheatables (140)
LUNCH: ½ tuna fish sandwich on whole wheat (180)
SNACK: Apple (90)
DINNER: (Another neighbor brought us dinner)
½ cup of corn (70 cal.)
1 Homemade Chicken Enchilada (230-275)
1 cup Green Salad w/low fat ranch (60)
2 no-bake cookies (small) 55-135 ea
TOTAL CALORIES TODAY=1200
I look at certain women-- I call them the resilient ones-- and ask myself how they were able to become successful-- to make a difference not just to their immediate friends and family members, but to generations of others. They have what I call "the resiliency factor" and it has tempered them and strengthened them, yet at the same time it has exaggerated their sense of compassion. I give you two examples:
Oprah-- love her or hate her-- people listen-- people care what she thinks-- and most importantly-- she has done a lot to educate, to help others, and to bring certain issues or people to light. So what makes her different? What she did with the trials in her life is what made her different. She was raped and sexually abused more than once as a child. She bounced from mom to grandma to mom to aunts to dad and all over. Despite it all, she saved her education. She was reading when she started kindergarten and was twice advanced in elementary because she was so far ahead. This despite her home circumstances and poverty. At 14 she became pregnant and had a child who died shortly after he was born.
Again, she could have dropped out, but she didn't. She went on to excel at school and at speaking. She received scholarships and set high goals. She was more than a survivor, she was a fighter. There's the difference... some people survive... some don't.... some become fighters for a greater cause. Is she perfect? Obviously not. Do I always agree with her views? No. Do I respect what she's done despite the trials in her life? Absolutely. Am I surprised that she goes back and forth with her weight gain/loss? No. It's not just part of who you are... it's part of who you were. Don't ask people to forget who they were. Learn from it... move on.... yes. Forget? Not happening.
My second, but most prominent female role model-- Mother Teresa. What a saint... literally. :D It doesn't really matter what religion you are... you know her. Why? She's made a difference. Some people think "oh what a sweet little lady". They obviously know "of" her and not "about" her. Again, there is a story behind the making of this resilient spiritual giant. She too lacked a strong father figure in her life and her mother died when MT was young. She also faced poverty yet stood out to others at a young age. Some people think that she was just this humble, people-serving saint who wandered about helping the poor. She did far more than help the poor and she was not intimidated by anyone. While she was the picture of compassion-- she stood firm on topics that were not popular to stand firm on-- like abortion and homosexuality. In 1994.she was invited to be the speaker at the National Prayer Breakfast. President and First Lady Clinton were in attendance as were other dignitaries. This did not stop her from using the breakfast as an opportunity to speak her mind-- in front of the president-- about abortion. Here is an excerpt from that event:
“But I feel that the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because Jesus said, ‘If you receive a little child, you receive me.’ So every abortion is the denial of receiving Jesus.”
After an awkward silence, the entire ballroom erupted in a standing ovation that seemed to last minutes. It felt even longer to the embarrassed Clintons (and Al and Tipper Gore), who remained seated and did not clap.
Undeterred by the Clintons’ coldness, the tiny, aged lady was only warming up. Abortion was, said Mother, “really a war against the child, and I hate the killing of the innocent child, murder by the mother herself. And if we accept that the mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? … This is why the greatest destroyer of love and peace is abortion.”
http://douglawrence.wordpress.com/2010/02/24/mother-teresa-v-hilary-clinton-on-abortion-at-1994s-national-prayer-breakfast/
Another article in USA Today highlights this resilient woman's views that balanced compassion with backbone as I like to call it. http://www.usatoday.com/news/mothert/mother01.htm
"While recovering from her first heart attack in 1989, doctors told Mother Teresa to give up her hectic work schedule. She never did.
"The other day I dreamed that I was at the gates of heaven. And St. Peter said, 'Go back to Earth, there are no slums up here." Mother Teresa was quoted as telling Prince Michael of Greece in 1996.
To millions of people of all faiths and stations in life, Mother Teresa radiated pure, selfless goodness. In a world too often darkened by genocide, war and cruel indifference, she was a beacon of light and hope.
When told, in 1979, she had won the Nobel Peace Prize for bringing hope and dignity to millions of unwanted people, she said: "I am unworthy."
Even some admirers were unhappy that Mother Teresa objected to artificial birth control despite the serious problems caused in India and elsewhere by overpopulation. She constantly condemned abortion as a "the greatest destroyer of peace." She said it is better for women to be "handmaids of the Lord" than to become priests. But she also brought traditional Catholic views intolerant of homosexuality."
Mother Teresa cared little about conforming to the world's views. Did she struggle with her health? She died of a massive heart attack. Her passion and compassion was so pronounced in her life that she did not balance care for herself with care for others.
So what does all this have to do with food? Food is part of the balance we have to find in our life, but we also have to find balance with life in general. Not everyone can be or should be a leader like these two ladies. We need all types. Even these notable women struggled/struggle with balance. But what we do with the cards we are dealt is perhaps the biggest challenge this life offers us. How are we doing with that challenge? How are we making our trials our strengths? How are we helping each other? Oprah had people who helped her during vital times that could make or break her and so did Mother Teresa. These women also dug down though and survived it "anyway". They were resilient.
We each face our own trials. What we ate today is an insignificant part of who we are in the big picture of things, but it is part of the telling. I am sure if we delved deep into the lives of obese or overweight people, we would uncover trials that they encountered when no one was there to help them through it OR we would find that they simply do not have the same internal resiliency as others. When I reflect on my weight gain that most notably started four years ago, I can clearly see (NOW) what it was all about. It was a combination and accumulation of things. As I have shed the pounds, I have also exposed the layers (internally) that got me there.
And you just wanted to know what I ate today.......
Okay.... here it is.
BREAKFAST: Banana (90)
SNACK: 16 Almond Wheatables (140)
LUNCH: ½ tuna fish sandwich on whole wheat (180)
SNACK: Apple (90)
DINNER: (Another neighbor brought us dinner)
½ cup of corn (70 cal.)
1 Homemade Chicken Enchilada (230-275)
1 cup Green Salad w/low fat ranch (60)
2 no-bake cookies (small) 55-135 ea
TOTAL CALORIES TODAY=1200
Thursday, May 13, 2010
DAY 129- Healthier Eating Journal
Long night. Rello slept upstairs so as not to disturb the baby. He disturbed me instead. Poor guy woke up every two hours. Papa was gone and he was afraid mom and dad would be gone too. Daddy came up and slept in the spare room with him. That helped. Then the little guy had to adjust to seeing mommy holding another baby all day long. By the end of the day he was trying to help with baby Kayson and had accepted that Kayson was here to stay. I took him to the park because it was such a great day outside and so he could work off some of that two-year-old energy.
He took a short afternoon nap, but by the time I did some laundry, cooked lunch, and did up the dishes, there wasn't time for me to nap. And here I am going to bed late. What a long day. A mother's job is the hardest! I'm going back to work tomorrow just to get a break! Mandy did great today with both children despite still being very sore and slow moving. I think she will be okay tomorrow on her own, but I'll check on her on my break just the same.
I had frosted mini-wheats for breakfast while holding a baby in my arms (multi-tasking). Then I had an oatmeal raisin cookie or two throughout the day as my on-the-go snacks. For lunch I made baked chicken, rice, and left-over stuffing with broccoli. Two wonderful women from our church brought homemade lasagna and salad and rolls (white). I skipped the rolls and the salad because I was too tired to eat more than a serving of the lasagna. My after dinner snack was a banana.
Today's calories= about 1500 (another no loss day)
I need to get the cookies out of the house!
He took a short afternoon nap, but by the time I did some laundry, cooked lunch, and did up the dishes, there wasn't time for me to nap. And here I am going to bed late. What a long day. A mother's job is the hardest! I'm going back to work tomorrow just to get a break! Mandy did great today with both children despite still being very sore and slow moving. I think she will be okay tomorrow on her own, but I'll check on her on my break just the same.
I had frosted mini-wheats for breakfast while holding a baby in my arms (multi-tasking). Then I had an oatmeal raisin cookie or two throughout the day as my on-the-go snacks. For lunch I made baked chicken, rice, and left-over stuffing with broccoli. Two wonderful women from our church brought homemade lasagna and salad and rolls (white). I skipped the rolls and the salad because I was too tired to eat more than a serving of the lasagna. My after dinner snack was a banana.
Today's calories= about 1500 (another no loss day)
I need to get the cookies out of the house!
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
DAY 128- Healthier Eating Journal
Had one of my old favorites this morning that I haven't had in a while-- oatmeal w/fresh blackberries (no milk). Didn't pack a snack and was too busy to eat one. I did pack leftovers for lunch. Finished off the fingersteaks (200) I made last night and the sauteed mushrooms (40). Had a little spinach salad w/a few slivered almonds and a few more berries for the salad (50). It was a big lunch and couldn't eat it all. Had a Fiber One bar after school. Good thing. I went through the costume closet and sorted it out and organized it. It took me four hours and got home at 7pm starving. Someone brought pizza over for dinner. They heard the daughter was home. A lot of nice people in this community.
I had two pieces of Papa Murphy pizza (540) and they also brought cookies that were not that small (200). What is it with cookies? They seek me out. I ate two. I would apologize but I easily worked off two cookies after school with all the packing and lifting I did. I mean I broke a sweat and I didn't even break a sweat last week when I was dancing. Plus, between the Fiber One Bar (9g of fiber and 140 cal.) and the blackberries I ate today (1 cup- 7.6g of fiber and 60 calories) and the oatmeal (3g of fiber and 110 cal.)-- I got plenty of fiber.
I didn't lose any weight today, but I did a good job with my fiber and I didn't gain any weight, so life is good. It's also good because baby Kayson came home today with mom and daddy. Rello isn't quite sure what to think about his little brother yet-- especially since he is taking up so much space and time on mommy's lap.... but he was so tired and excited from spending a day with his cousins at Aunt Stacy and Uncle Jeremy's house, that he wound down pretty quickly and he was out by 8:30pm. I will be staying home tomorrow to help him get used to his new baby brother (his mom can't lift him just yet) and to help my daughter get used to two little boys instead of one! She has some bruising and swelling, so she'll need a little help the next couple of days. Speaking of exercise... I think I'll get plenty tomorrow!! :D
TODAY'S CALORIES:
Breakfast= 140
Lunch= 300
Snack= 140
2 Cookies= 200
2 Pieces of Papa Murphy's Pizza 540
Total calories today= 1400
Total fiber today= 21g
I had two pieces of Papa Murphy pizza (540) and they also brought cookies that were not that small (200). What is it with cookies? They seek me out. I ate two. I would apologize but I easily worked off two cookies after school with all the packing and lifting I did. I mean I broke a sweat and I didn't even break a sweat last week when I was dancing. Plus, between the Fiber One Bar (9g of fiber and 140 cal.) and the blackberries I ate today (1 cup- 7.6g of fiber and 60 calories) and the oatmeal (3g of fiber and 110 cal.)-- I got plenty of fiber.
I didn't lose any weight today, but I did a good job with my fiber and I didn't gain any weight, so life is good. It's also good because baby Kayson came home today with mom and daddy. Rello isn't quite sure what to think about his little brother yet-- especially since he is taking up so much space and time on mommy's lap.... but he was so tired and excited from spending a day with his cousins at Aunt Stacy and Uncle Jeremy's house, that he wound down pretty quickly and he was out by 8:30pm. I will be staying home tomorrow to help him get used to his new baby brother (his mom can't lift him just yet) and to help my daughter get used to two little boys instead of one! She has some bruising and swelling, so she'll need a little help the next couple of days. Speaking of exercise... I think I'll get plenty tomorrow!! :D
TODAY'S CALORIES:
Breakfast= 140
Lunch= 300
Snack= 140
2 Cookies= 200
2 Pieces of Papa Murphy's Pizza 540
Total calories today= 1400
Total fiber today= 21g
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
DAY 127- Healthier Eating Journal
It's been a while since I felt like I was backsliding. Today, it occurred to me that I am backsliding a little. So much has been happening at once that I have not been as disciplined in my food choices and more importantly, in my food planning and discipline. With the baby being born, the play going on, getting over that horrid stomach flu, and dealing with a few things that I'm in "waiting" mode over to see how they turn out, I have just been on automatic pilot and that really hasn't been working. I've also done a little stress eating. I've discovered that I rationalize "stress food" by calling it "reward food" in my mind. Like, "you've had a stressful two weeks. It's okay to have that cookie your nice neighbors brought you."
Staying healthy and keeping the weight off is a commitment that takes more of a desire to really eat healthier than it does to have a desire just to eat what is easiest and tastes the most like comfort food in times of stress. I mean a carrot just doesn't say "comfort food". So.... today I realized I still have a ways to go. I have to figure out how to eat correctly during times of high stress. I also can't start thinking, "well I've been losing weight, so I can have this or that once in a while" unless it's really only once in a while.
The daughter and new baby Kayson come home tomorrow. Thank you to my sweetie/husband for going through the house and lysoling every room, changing out all the bedding, and wiping down doorknobs, etc. for little Kayson's welcome home tomorrow. We're all a little nervous about bringing him home since everyone just got over the crud. We're also hoping to hear some positive news about some job interviews. These are tough times. Those of us with jobs are blessed to have them. My son's school is cutting 30 positions thanks to all the cuts to education funding this year. He was a first year teacher and got rifted for other teachers with seniority. It's happening everywhere. Just one more thing I stress about as a mom.
On the positive side... we have a new addition to the family. My sons and their wives have been helping out with Rello while I'm at work and making their sister's recovery much easier as she rests. Thank you! I love that my children help each other and do things together. It was also nice having them all there to see the play. They humor their mom. :D For Mother's Day Ann made me the cutest desk pen holder that included pictures of her and Jas and little Maddi. Jeremy and Stacy found some old books (I collect them) and some classics that they knew I would love (and I do). Mandy gave me a picture frame collage with pictures of their family and it sits proudly on the piano in our living room. Each gift was thoughtful and useful, and personal. The best gift on every Mother's Day is my kids. Of course, the husband gets some credit there too. :D He flies out tomorrow and I will miss him so much.
Today I grabbed an Activa Yogurt for breakfast (110) and had the Special K Crackers for my morning snack (120 calories). For lunch I had the Healthy Choice Vegetable Soup (200 calories) and a little after lunch I had 1 cup of Fruit Loops (because I found them under my desk from where I poured a bowl out for a prop in the play). It was obviously an unplanned, pointless calorie snack (100 calories). After school I had a can of 100 calorie pears to get some more fiber in.
For dinner I cooked finger steaks (4oz.) 200 calories and some mac and cheese for Rello. I had 1/2 cup (160 calories). 1/2 cup of stuffing w/broccoli (I added the frozen broccoli to the stuffing mix and cooked it) for the husband (200). And I had 1/2 cup of sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach (30). Pretty much I had a 600 calorie dinner. I suppose that would have been fine since I had a light lunch and breakfast, but then there were the cookies our gracious neighbors brought. Not one, but two neighbors. I had 3. I know.... cookie weakness. So add another 240 calories to my day.
Total Calories for Today=1500 :{
If 1400 calories maintains my weight then obviously 1500 adds to it unless I'm going to go out and do some extra exercising to work the extra off. I didn't. I just did my normal night exercises that help tone, but I'm pretty sure I didn't work off the extra 100 calories. Now the husband did all the house cleaning, mowed the lawn, took Rello to the park, and went into town for an interview, so he could have had the three cookies. He had two and more than worked them off.
I could be sad today, but it's a happy day in spite of my eating weaknesses. I am blessed with a great family. I have a job I love. I have a new grandbaby and my sweetie is home. I'll just suck it up and get back on track tomorrow.
Staying healthy and keeping the weight off is a commitment that takes more of a desire to really eat healthier than it does to have a desire just to eat what is easiest and tastes the most like comfort food in times of stress. I mean a carrot just doesn't say "comfort food". So.... today I realized I still have a ways to go. I have to figure out how to eat correctly during times of high stress. I also can't start thinking, "well I've been losing weight, so I can have this or that once in a while" unless it's really only once in a while.
The daughter and new baby Kayson come home tomorrow. Thank you to my sweetie/husband for going through the house and lysoling every room, changing out all the bedding, and wiping down doorknobs, etc. for little Kayson's welcome home tomorrow. We're all a little nervous about bringing him home since everyone just got over the crud. We're also hoping to hear some positive news about some job interviews. These are tough times. Those of us with jobs are blessed to have them. My son's school is cutting 30 positions thanks to all the cuts to education funding this year. He was a first year teacher and got rifted for other teachers with seniority. It's happening everywhere. Just one more thing I stress about as a mom.
On the positive side... we have a new addition to the family. My sons and their wives have been helping out with Rello while I'm at work and making their sister's recovery much easier as she rests. Thank you! I love that my children help each other and do things together. It was also nice having them all there to see the play. They humor their mom. :D For Mother's Day Ann made me the cutest desk pen holder that included pictures of her and Jas and little Maddi. Jeremy and Stacy found some old books (I collect them) and some classics that they knew I would love (and I do). Mandy gave me a picture frame collage with pictures of their family and it sits proudly on the piano in our living room. Each gift was thoughtful and useful, and personal. The best gift on every Mother's Day is my kids. Of course, the husband gets some credit there too. :D He flies out tomorrow and I will miss him so much.
Today I grabbed an Activa Yogurt for breakfast (110) and had the Special K Crackers for my morning snack (120 calories). For lunch I had the Healthy Choice Vegetable Soup (200 calories) and a little after lunch I had 1 cup of Fruit Loops (because I found them under my desk from where I poured a bowl out for a prop in the play). It was obviously an unplanned, pointless calorie snack (100 calories). After school I had a can of 100 calorie pears to get some more fiber in.
For dinner I cooked finger steaks (4oz.) 200 calories and some mac and cheese for Rello. I had 1/2 cup (160 calories). 1/2 cup of stuffing w/broccoli (I added the frozen broccoli to the stuffing mix and cooked it) for the husband (200). And I had 1/2 cup of sautéed mushrooms and fresh spinach (30). Pretty much I had a 600 calorie dinner. I suppose that would have been fine since I had a light lunch and breakfast, but then there were the cookies our gracious neighbors brought. Not one, but two neighbors. I had 3. I know.... cookie weakness. So add another 240 calories to my day.
Total Calories for Today=1500 :{
If 1400 calories maintains my weight then obviously 1500 adds to it unless I'm going to go out and do some extra exercising to work the extra off. I didn't. I just did my normal night exercises that help tone, but I'm pretty sure I didn't work off the extra 100 calories. Now the husband did all the house cleaning, mowed the lawn, took Rello to the park, and went into town for an interview, so he could have had the three cookies. He had two and more than worked them off.
I could be sad today, but it's a happy day in spite of my eating weaknesses. I am blessed with a great family. I have a job I love. I have a new grandbaby and my sweetie is home. I'll just suck it up and get back on track tomorrow.
DAY 126- MONDAY, MAY 10, 2010
Grandchild #7 was born yesterday-- Kayson Gregory. Weighed in at 7lbs. 13 oz. and 22" long. He is a cutie. Sunday evening the daughter started having pretty regular contractions so I started preparing my sub plans just in case. Went to bed about midnight after I finihsed all my handouts and plans. She woke me up at 3am and said it was time. We headed in. She had him about 9am. She didn't have any medications-- all natural and he was so alert it was amazing. Some babies look like starved birds, wrinkled little men, or straight out aliens when they're born but baby Kayson is just cute. They should get to come home tomorrow.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
DAY 125- Healthier Eating Journal
Happy Mother's Day! Had a craving for homemade cinnamon and sugar toast (used butter spray) and hot chocolate for breakfast. I know... weird. I haven't made that in the oven in a long time. Just hit the spot. Enjoyed doing the puzzle with my sweetie. Took a Sunday drive together too. I am a pretty cheap date really. :D For lunch he made me some salmon and a baked potato. During our drive we tried a new snack my daughter picked up. They're called Special K crackers. 120 Calories for 24 crackers, 0 sat. fat and 2g of fiber. Not too shabby and they were filling. On the way home we also munched on some of the sunflower, nuts, and raisins trail mix. (150 cal. 1/4 cup). Later in the day he made me his chocolate chip cookies. I had three. Not a healthy dinner, but we were on the go so much and ate such a late lunch after church that we just didn't eat that much today. Had a bowl of 100 calorie mini-pouch popcorn for a night snack to increase both my fiber and calories in case the daughter decides to go into labor tonight-- need my reserve energy! :D Be sure to read the info below about the effects of soda pop.
Total Calories Today= 1100
Total Calories Today= 1100
REASONS TO SAY NO TO SODA POP
Great article in the paper today. Had to share some of the info from it:
1. WEIGHT GAIN- Soda gives you calories without any nutrients. A 12 oz. can of Coke has 140 caloires. A child's risk for obesity increases an average of 60 % with every additional daily serving of soda.
2. I'M NOT HUNGRY- Soda or sugary drinks decrease kids' appetites, increasing the odds they will skip food or drinks that are GOOD for them.
3. CALCIUM DEPLETION- Phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can suck the calcium out of kids' bones. This is most dangerous for teen girls.
4. SAVE IT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS- once in a while should be the rule.
5. SODA WITH CAFFEINE as an ingredient can give kids headaches and insomnia.
6. SODA ROTS YOUR TEETH.
7. IT'S ADDICTIVE.
8. SUPERSIZED- The average soda sold in the U. S. has more than doubled in size since the 1950's, from 6.5 oz. to 16.2 oz.
Dr. John Freeman, pediatrician, Salzer Medical Group.
1. WEIGHT GAIN- Soda gives you calories without any nutrients. A 12 oz. can of Coke has 140 caloires. A child's risk for obesity increases an average of 60 % with every additional daily serving of soda.
2. I'M NOT HUNGRY- Soda or sugary drinks decrease kids' appetites, increasing the odds they will skip food or drinks that are GOOD for them.
3. CALCIUM DEPLETION- Phosphorus, a common ingredient in soda, can suck the calcium out of kids' bones. This is most dangerous for teen girls.
4. SAVE IT FOR SPECIAL OCCASIONS- once in a while should be the rule.
5. SODA WITH CAFFEINE as an ingredient can give kids headaches and insomnia.
6. SODA ROTS YOUR TEETH.
7. IT'S ADDICTIVE.
8. SUPERSIZED- The average soda sold in the U. S. has more than doubled in size since the 1950's, from 6.5 oz. to 16.2 oz.
Dr. John Freeman, pediatrician, Salzer Medical Group.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
DAY 124- Healthier Eating Journal
So apologies to Whit for not doing my normal type of blog last night (she's the only one I saw on there :D) but I was just so stinkin' tired. I did post stuff, but it was about flax seed and eating meat. Good stuff and probably more useful than my ramblings.
So it was a beautiful Saturday. We took Rello downtown to the Bistro for lunch but he still hasn't completely recovered from that horrid stomach flu. Poor little guy. He just isn't eating too much. I still haven't got all my appetite back, but I just have to eat what sounds good right now so I get my calories in and keep the food down. Had a scrambled egg w/toast this morning and some bacon. The bacon I was worried about but it's not really very heavy as far as food goes. 300 calories for breakfast-- We went to the Bistro for lunch and I like to order 1/2 sandwich and soup. They had my favorite soup-- Broccoli Cheddar-- yum! It was really good but I could only eat 1/2 the cup. My husband was glad. My half sandwich was roast beef on whole wheat with lite cream cheese and their cranberry mustard. I also had spinach leaves. I shared some strawberry lemonade w/my sweetie too. 600 calories. After that we had to run into HOme Depot and get a replacement valve for the sprinkler and pick up the fog machine from my son (for the play).
From there we picked up one of the granddaughters-- Daisha Sue-- and she came back to keep Rellie company (mommy's still very pregnant and slow moving) while we headed to the school to do last minute things for the play. Didn't really have time to eat so broke down and ate one of the donuts out of the box I took for the kids who came early to help set up. Shared a small blackberry shake (added 1 cup of real blackberries to the shake for fiber) with my hubby after the play. The kids did an awesome job with the play tonight. They were more relaxed and I could tell they were out there to enjoy it this time and not just be nervous or worried. They had fun and the audience had fun. They are very talented. It's always so much work, but you're just always so proud of them when it's all over. Plus... there's only two more weeks of real school left. Unbelievable! Where did this school year go?!
So my total calories today=1300-1400
Lots of walking today :D
So it was a beautiful Saturday. We took Rello downtown to the Bistro for lunch but he still hasn't completely recovered from that horrid stomach flu. Poor little guy. He just isn't eating too much. I still haven't got all my appetite back, but I just have to eat what sounds good right now so I get my calories in and keep the food down. Had a scrambled egg w/toast this morning and some bacon. The bacon I was worried about but it's not really very heavy as far as food goes. 300 calories for breakfast-- We went to the Bistro for lunch and I like to order 1/2 sandwich and soup. They had my favorite soup-- Broccoli Cheddar-- yum! It was really good but I could only eat 1/2 the cup. My husband was glad. My half sandwich was roast beef on whole wheat with lite cream cheese and their cranberry mustard. I also had spinach leaves. I shared some strawberry lemonade w/my sweetie too. 600 calories. After that we had to run into HOme Depot and get a replacement valve for the sprinkler and pick up the fog machine from my son (for the play).
From there we picked up one of the granddaughters-- Daisha Sue-- and she came back to keep Rellie company (mommy's still very pregnant and slow moving) while we headed to the school to do last minute things for the play. Didn't really have time to eat so broke down and ate one of the donuts out of the box I took for the kids who came early to help set up. Shared a small blackberry shake (added 1 cup of real blackberries to the shake for fiber) with my hubby after the play. The kids did an awesome job with the play tonight. They were more relaxed and I could tell they were out there to enjoy it this time and not just be nervous or worried. They had fun and the audience had fun. They are very talented. It's always so much work, but you're just always so proud of them when it's all over. Plus... there's only two more weeks of real school left. Unbelievable! Where did this school year go?!
So my total calories today=1300-1400
Lots of walking today :D
Friday, May 7, 2010
FLAX SEED
The flax seed is loaded with alpha-linolenic acid, an essential fatty acid that helps reduce inflammation.
The nutritional value, very useable protein, tremendous fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc they’re a great source of fiber. They come in a liquid, or gel tab. You can buy them bulk at most stores, but make sure you grind them in order to get the nutrients. You will notice your hair thicker and healthier, AND your skin looking younger.
The nutritional value, very useable protein, tremendous fatty acids, and minerals like magnesium, potassium, and zinc they’re a great source of fiber. They come in a liquid, or gel tab. You can buy them bulk at most stores, but make sure you grind them in order to get the nutrients. You will notice your hair thicker and healthier, AND your skin looking younger.
WHERE'S THE BEEF FACTS
Among our healthy tips at work today, I received this bit of very interesting information about the importance of meat in our diet.
I am a Christian meat-eater and I have friends who are atheists (heaven help them too :D) and I have friends who are vegetarians. This article should be interesting to all the above groups!
1. (For the atheists) Studies indicate that, if our ancestors had not eaten red meats, the brain of humans would be 1/4 of its present size! During human evolution, our adaptation to red meat and the vital protein and fats it provides, is one of the KEY reasons behind the rapid growth in our intelligence and brain capacity.. without meat we still would be living in the trees eating bananas!
2. (For the vegetarian) In regions where people have the longest lifespan, the diet is based almost exclusively on meat of ruminant animals and cultured dairy products.
3. Protein in beef and lamb provides plenty of building blocks for our body, ensuring strong lean muscles and healthy hormones.
4. Red meat is an excellent source of vital minerals like zinc, iron, and magnesium. In meat, these minerals exist in form that is much easier for the body to absorb compared to the minerals in grains and pulses.
5. Vitamin B12, which can be obtained ONLY from animal sources and which is abundant in beef, is crucial for a healthy nervous system and blood.
6. The carnitine in red meat is essential for balanced and steady functioning of the heart.
7. Beef and lamb fat is rich in linoleic and palmiotelic acids, which have strong anticancer effects and fight viruses and other pathogens.
Note: This does not mean we need to eat meat daily or excessively, but it does mean that meat does a body good when... like everything else... it's eaten in proper portions and with proper frequency.
Based on my research, we should limit our red meat intake to twice a week.
I am a Christian meat-eater and I have friends who are atheists (heaven help them too :D) and I have friends who are vegetarians. This article should be interesting to all the above groups!
1. (For the atheists) Studies indicate that, if our ancestors had not eaten red meats, the brain of humans would be 1/4 of its present size! During human evolution, our adaptation to red meat and the vital protein and fats it provides, is one of the KEY reasons behind the rapid growth in our intelligence and brain capacity.. without meat we still would be living in the trees eating bananas!
2. (For the vegetarian) In regions where people have the longest lifespan, the diet is based almost exclusively on meat of ruminant animals and cultured dairy products.
3. Protein in beef and lamb provides plenty of building blocks for our body, ensuring strong lean muscles and healthy hormones.
4. Red meat is an excellent source of vital minerals like zinc, iron, and magnesium. In meat, these minerals exist in form that is much easier for the body to absorb compared to the minerals in grains and pulses.
5. Vitamin B12, which can be obtained ONLY from animal sources and which is abundant in beef, is crucial for a healthy nervous system and blood.
6. The carnitine in red meat is essential for balanced and steady functioning of the heart.
7. Beef and lamb fat is rich in linoleic and palmiotelic acids, which have strong anticancer effects and fight viruses and other pathogens.
Note: This does not mean we need to eat meat daily or excessively, but it does mean that meat does a body good when... like everything else... it's eaten in proper portions and with proper frequency.
Based on my research, we should limit our red meat intake to twice a week.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
DAY 122- Healthier Eating Journal
Praises to the parent committee for providing us with some healthy breakfast food for teacher appreciation week. First my mom has all the healthy fruit and food choices at her BBQ and then the parents bring healthy treats in the teachers' lounge. This has probably happened often and I just never noticed before (about the healthy options). Either way, it's nice that other people think about the choices they are offering their guests too. Something to remember.
So I have to quickly give high fives to my students for the play tonight. We did have some missed lines, cues, and technical difficulties, but overall... I am SO stinkin' proud of them. We were down by 20 in the third quarter (dress rehearsal) and they came back and won the game in the 4th quarter and they did it as a team. We have a few kinks to work out for Saturday's performance, but I'm very happy for them and proud of them. Now they can relax and have even more confidence for the final performance.
So I'm really tired... exhausted actually.... and my stomach's still recovering. I'm working my way back up to fiber for one. Easing back into it. I did get my appetite back but my husband brought me a hamburger from the drive-in while we were setting up for the play and I ate almost half of it, but it just didn't taste right... like fake meat. My stomach is still recovering so I couldn't eat anything else after that. Made me a little sick again.
Here's my food for today:
BREAKFAST: ½ banana (45) ½ cup of egg quiche w/ham and cheese (no crust) 200
Snack: 1 cup of Fruit Loops (no milk) 100
Lunch: Healthy Choice Frozen Dinner- Herb Chicken (290 and 9g of fiber)
After School Snack: Brownie (180)
Dinner: 1/2 a hamburger from the drive-in (no cheese) (200)
After Dinner Snack: Cherry Activa Yogurt (100)
Total Calories= 1120
Fiber=13g
So I have to quickly give high fives to my students for the play tonight. We did have some missed lines, cues, and technical difficulties, but overall... I am SO stinkin' proud of them. We were down by 20 in the third quarter (dress rehearsal) and they came back and won the game in the 4th quarter and they did it as a team. We have a few kinks to work out for Saturday's performance, but I'm very happy for them and proud of them. Now they can relax and have even more confidence for the final performance.
So I'm really tired... exhausted actually.... and my stomach's still recovering. I'm working my way back up to fiber for one. Easing back into it. I did get my appetite back but my husband brought me a hamburger from the drive-in while we were setting up for the play and I ate almost half of it, but it just didn't taste right... like fake meat. My stomach is still recovering so I couldn't eat anything else after that. Made me a little sick again.
Here's my food for today:
BREAKFAST: ½ banana (45) ½ cup of egg quiche w/ham and cheese (no crust) 200
Snack: 1 cup of Fruit Loops (no milk) 100
Lunch: Healthy Choice Frozen Dinner- Herb Chicken (290 and 9g of fiber)
After School Snack: Brownie (180)
Dinner: 1/2 a hamburger from the drive-in (no cheese) (200)
After Dinner Snack: Cherry Activa Yogurt (100)
Total Calories= 1120
Fiber=13g
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
DAY 121- Healthier Eating Journal
The number one worst way to lose weight--- GET SICK! The stomach flu that Rello had then my daughter had, hit me about 3am and I mean hit me. I have seriously not experienced so much physical misery in so many years! I couldn't keep anything in or down either one. It's the worst stomach bug I've ever had. I think everything was totally wiped out of my stomach within two hours. My legs started cramping I was so dehydrated but even water just came straight back up or went straight through. I just camped in the bathroom for almost two hours. Then I got the chills and then broke into a sweat. I tried to call in for a sub, but didn't get a call back, so went in to check. I just threw some sweats on. I'm sure I looked highly attractive.
Apparently there was a field trip or something and they were out of subs. I stuck it out till 3rd period, then a co-worker took my class so I could run home and at least shower. I had lunch right after that so I was able to at least be presentable. I only threw up once during the day so that was progress. Plus I had dress rehearsal to get ready for. I had to finish costumes and I was going to check props but the room kept spinning and I just had to sit down for a while. Two main characters were late for dress rehearsal and some kids still don't know their lines. It's disappointing, but overall, the kids did okay and their dances were great. Plus, I'm just too sick to let the world end over it. I'll get the missing props tomorrow and we'll practice set changes one last time during class. The show must go on!
Plus, my sweetie is coming home tomorrow, so that will make me happy even if someone forgets their lines. :) I don't have much to write about what I ate today because not much sounded good.
I had a Dannon Fit yogurt (80) about 10 am and it stayed down until 5th period. I had some pretzels (110) during 7th period and they remained permanently in my stomach. After school I sat down to sew costumes and had a bagel (210) w/butter spray. I tried some soup but only had a couple bites and knew the chunks just resembled other stuff too much and almost lost it again. So "no" on the soup. Drank more water so my legs wouldn't cramp up again. After dress rehearsal I had another bagel because the last one stayed down. And that was it.
Total Calories Today=610
Fiber--- Not a focus today. Had plenty of colon cleansing without it!
Apparently there was a field trip or something and they were out of subs. I stuck it out till 3rd period, then a co-worker took my class so I could run home and at least shower. I had lunch right after that so I was able to at least be presentable. I only threw up once during the day so that was progress. Plus I had dress rehearsal to get ready for. I had to finish costumes and I was going to check props but the room kept spinning and I just had to sit down for a while. Two main characters were late for dress rehearsal and some kids still don't know their lines. It's disappointing, but overall, the kids did okay and their dances were great. Plus, I'm just too sick to let the world end over it. I'll get the missing props tomorrow and we'll practice set changes one last time during class. The show must go on!
Plus, my sweetie is coming home tomorrow, so that will make me happy even if someone forgets their lines. :) I don't have much to write about what I ate today because not much sounded good.
I had a Dannon Fit yogurt (80) about 10 am and it stayed down until 5th period. I had some pretzels (110) during 7th period and they remained permanently in my stomach. After school I sat down to sew costumes and had a bagel (210) w/butter spray. I tried some soup but only had a couple bites and knew the chunks just resembled other stuff too much and almost lost it again. So "no" on the soup. Drank more water so my legs wouldn't cramp up again. After dress rehearsal I had another bagel because the last one stayed down. And that was it.
Total Calories Today=610
Fiber--- Not a focus today. Had plenty of colon cleansing without it!
OMELET IN A BAG
Did you know? You can put all your ingredients you would like for an omelet in a bowl and whip it to mix. Put it in a ziplock sandwich bag and put in a pan of boiling water. It takes about 15 min to set the eggs. It will roll out of the bag in a perfect rolled omelet. Top with salsa and enjoy without the extra fat from frying.
Another tip from Shirley-
Another tip from Shirley-
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
DAY 120- Healthier Eating Journal
Word of the Day--- Eggs
Be sure to read the egg info in the blog right below this one. It was pretty interesting. Like any food-- including the colon cleansing cabbage-- you have to be careful of eating too much of any one thing. But eggs really do get a bum wrap. I wouldn't eat them every day and probably no more than a couple times a week as just eggs, but we also use them in cooking and baking.
On the fiber note-- I had a General Mills Fiber One bar today and not only did it NOT taste like cardboard-- it was really good. Like I'd eat it even if it wasn't high in fiber. It was the chewy oatmeal and chocolate chip. Today I hit 23g of fiber. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself and pretty on top of my digestive system and metabolism.
So today was a c-razy day. We're doing all the last minute stuff for the play. Finishing costumes. Finishing set details. Checking props. Moving everything on to the stage. Rehearsing before, during, and after school. Tomorrow is dress rehearsal. I am going back tonight to do some more detail on the set and my son and his wife are coming in to help out along with some students. Everyone seems to be working hard to get their dance routines down, memorize their lines, and come together as a team/cast. We shall see tomorrow, but at least I know they are really sincerely trying. I am already very proud of them just for stepping it up.
Knowing I'd be just going and going today and that I'd be going back tonight, I added 200 calories to my dinner tonight. I know once I get over there that I'll just keep going and I remember to drink water, but I rarely stop for anything else once I get going. It's like end of third quarter. Tomorrow is the first of the 4th quarter (dress rehearsal) and the show is Thursday (end of 4th quarter). You'd think each Act would be a quarter but it isn't for me. Everything leading up to the show is an important quarter. Okay, enough analogies.
I'm doing this early tonight because I'm heading back to school in an hour after Rello wakes up from his nap. His mommy (my daughter) still hasn't had the baby yet, but she was not feeling well today so her husband took her in to the doctor and she was a little dehydrated so they hooked her up to the I.V. and put some fluids back in her. She gets to come home today, but she's also ready to have the baby and they said it could still be any time. We hope it's not tonight because she needs to be feeling better to go through labor. With my luck, it'll be Thursday-- the day of the play. Then what? Hopefully that's a bridge we don't have to cross. Her dad will be here though, so that is a relief. He's flying in early because of an interview. I don't think he'd be much of a labor coach though (speaking from experience here). Might send him to run the play if I have to choose. He's watched me do that enough that I think he could handle it and the kids really are stepping up. Okay... too much stress... I don't want to think about what if.....
Here's my menu today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 calories and 6g of fiber)
Snack: 100 calorie cheese pack AND 140 Calorie Fiber One Oats & Chocolate Bar (9g of fiber)
LUNCH: Healthy Choice Turkey Breast Dinner (290 calories and 9g of fiber)
After School Snack: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Bar (90)
DINNER: ½ Sandwich w/4 thin wafer meats (50) on whole grain (100) w/lettuce, pickle, and ½ slice of cheese (50). Sandwich = 200 calories. 15 chips (160 calories and 1g of fiber). ½ cup of potato salad (150 calories and 2g of fiber). Total Dinner Calories= 510
Total Calories Today=1400
Total Fiber Today= 27 grams
Be sure to read the egg info in the blog right below this one. It was pretty interesting. Like any food-- including the colon cleansing cabbage-- you have to be careful of eating too much of any one thing. But eggs really do get a bum wrap. I wouldn't eat them every day and probably no more than a couple times a week as just eggs, but we also use them in cooking and baking.
On the fiber note-- I had a General Mills Fiber One bar today and not only did it NOT taste like cardboard-- it was really good. Like I'd eat it even if it wasn't high in fiber. It was the chewy oatmeal and chocolate chip. Today I hit 23g of fiber. I'm feeling pretty proud of myself and pretty on top of my digestive system and metabolism.
So today was a c-razy day. We're doing all the last minute stuff for the play. Finishing costumes. Finishing set details. Checking props. Moving everything on to the stage. Rehearsing before, during, and after school. Tomorrow is dress rehearsal. I am going back tonight to do some more detail on the set and my son and his wife are coming in to help out along with some students. Everyone seems to be working hard to get their dance routines down, memorize their lines, and come together as a team/cast. We shall see tomorrow, but at least I know they are really sincerely trying. I am already very proud of them just for stepping it up.
Knowing I'd be just going and going today and that I'd be going back tonight, I added 200 calories to my dinner tonight. I know once I get over there that I'll just keep going and I remember to drink water, but I rarely stop for anything else once I get going. It's like end of third quarter. Tomorrow is the first of the 4th quarter (dress rehearsal) and the show is Thursday (end of 4th quarter). You'd think each Act would be a quarter but it isn't for me. Everything leading up to the show is an important quarter. Okay, enough analogies.
I'm doing this early tonight because I'm heading back to school in an hour after Rello wakes up from his nap. His mommy (my daughter) still hasn't had the baby yet, but she was not feeling well today so her husband took her in to the doctor and she was a little dehydrated so they hooked her up to the I.V. and put some fluids back in her. She gets to come home today, but she's also ready to have the baby and they said it could still be any time. We hope it's not tonight because she needs to be feeling better to go through labor. With my luck, it'll be Thursday-- the day of the play. Then what? Hopefully that's a bridge we don't have to cross. Her dad will be here though, so that is a relief. He's flying in early because of an interview. I don't think he'd be much of a labor coach though (speaking from experience here). Might send him to run the play if I have to choose. He's watched me do that enough that I think he could handle it and the kids really are stepping up. Okay... too much stress... I don't want to think about what if.....
Here's my menu today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 calories and 6g of fiber)
Snack: 100 calorie cheese pack AND 140 Calorie Fiber One Oats & Chocolate Bar (9g of fiber)
LUNCH: Healthy Choice Turkey Breast Dinner (290 calories and 9g of fiber)
After School Snack: Skinny Cow Ice Cream Bar (90)
DINNER: ½ Sandwich w/4 thin wafer meats (50) on whole grain (100) w/lettuce, pickle, and ½ slice of cheese (50). Sandwich = 200 calories. 15 chips (160 calories and 1g of fiber). ½ cup of potato salad (150 calories and 2g of fiber). Total Dinner Calories= 510
Total Calories Today=1400
Total Fiber Today= 27 grams
THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE EGG- Myth and Facts
More Info From Our School Nutritionist
The egg gets a bum wrap! It is the best source of protein on the planet; eggs consistently outrank milk, beef, whey, and soy in the quality of protein they provide. In addition to containing all nine essential amino acids, eggs are loaded with nutrients. Eat the yoke; people avoid the yolk because they fear cholesterol, but egg yolks contain choline, which helps protect heart and brain function and prevents cholesterol and fat from accumulating in the liver. So the saying the eatable incredible egg is true.
The egg gets a bum wrap! It is the best source of protein on the planet; eggs consistently outrank milk, beef, whey, and soy in the quality of protein they provide. In addition to containing all nine essential amino acids, eggs are loaded with nutrients. Eat the yoke; people avoid the yolk because they fear cholesterol, but egg yolks contain choline, which helps protect heart and brain function and prevents cholesterol and fat from accumulating in the liver. So the saying the eatable incredible egg is true.
Monday, May 3, 2010
DAY 119- Healthier Eating Journal
It felt like Act I of Wizard of Oz today. It was SO windy. Just when I think it's going to turn into summer.... I am reminded it can still be cold. One good thing about the wind is that it won't freeze tonight because of the wind.
When I started this blog I weighed 167 pounds. Some of you may be thinking "that's not that bad" but I weighed 152 pounds when I was 9 months pregnant with my last child. Tonight I told my husband that if I ever start weighing that much again and he tells me that I am not fat and that I look just fine.... that is the same as telling a smoker that the cigarettes are fine for them to smoke. Go ahead... it won't kill ya! Is that really love? No! I don't intend to get to that weight ever again, but even it I creep back up from my 143 to 153, I think he'll be educated enough now when I say "I'm getting fat again" to say "then let's go get some healthier groceries" or "I need to lose a few pounds too-- let's work on it together" or "if you want to lose weight again, just tell me how I can help". Just don't say, "You're fine!"
He's been reading health books now and last night he told me that the bad cholesterol is what sits there in your jelly roll, spare tire, flab slab, whatever you call that pooch in the front of your stomach. It's all the gross, bad cholesterol. Loading up on fiber will help speed up your metabolism and clean out the sewer, so to speak.... unload some of the spare tire. Be sure to read the info directly below this post to find out about how cabbage can help cleanse you too. Just remember though that too much cabbage can make you gaseous and cramped. Twice a week alternated w/once a week would be plenty.
Today I had a student come in and tell me that she went and bought the fruit crisps and ate those (two of them only have 100 calories) for a snack instead of a candy bar. While fruit crisps aren't nearly as healthy as real fruit, they are better than just eating a candy bar and they are half the calories. A lot of my students have said they think about what they order when they go through a drive-thru now and that they ask what the calories are before they get it.
Well it's late and I need to start getting to bed earlier. It doesn't do any good to have a healthier body if it's tired all the time.
My Food Intake Today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 6g of fiber)
SNACK: One Apple and Carrot Sticks (90 cal. and 3g of fiber)
LUNCH: Dannon Fit Yogurt (80) and 9 slices of thin wafer meat (100 calories and 1g of fiber)
SNACK: 16 Wheatables (140 cal. and 1g of fiber) and 1 Pear (100 cal. and 5g of fiber)
DINNER: 1 mini-taco with a ½ size shell, 2 tblsp. of meat, lettuce, cilantro, and a slice of avocado (145 cal. and 2g of fiber). 100 Calorie Pouch Cheese Bite Pack
DESSERT: 200 Calorie Banana Split —1 banana cut in half (80), ¼ cup split into two scoops of Breyer’s Lowfat Vanilla Ice Cream (55), add ½ cup of raspberries if you have it (I didn’t) and a few strawberries (10). Drizzle LIGHTLY w/some chocolate syrup- 25 cal. (should just be a thin drizzle that would only fill a tsp.) If you don’t like chocolate skip it. If you want lite cool-whip add two tblsp. for only 20 more calories. (Add 30 calories if you add the ½ cup of raspberries, but you also get to add 4g of fiber)
Total Calories Today= 1300
Total Grams of Fiber= 22
When I started this blog I weighed 167 pounds. Some of you may be thinking "that's not that bad" but I weighed 152 pounds when I was 9 months pregnant with my last child. Tonight I told my husband that if I ever start weighing that much again and he tells me that I am not fat and that I look just fine.... that is the same as telling a smoker that the cigarettes are fine for them to smoke. Go ahead... it won't kill ya! Is that really love? No! I don't intend to get to that weight ever again, but even it I creep back up from my 143 to 153, I think he'll be educated enough now when I say "I'm getting fat again" to say "then let's go get some healthier groceries" or "I need to lose a few pounds too-- let's work on it together" or "if you want to lose weight again, just tell me how I can help". Just don't say, "You're fine!"
He's been reading health books now and last night he told me that the bad cholesterol is what sits there in your jelly roll, spare tire, flab slab, whatever you call that pooch in the front of your stomach. It's all the gross, bad cholesterol. Loading up on fiber will help speed up your metabolism and clean out the sewer, so to speak.... unload some of the spare tire. Be sure to read the info directly below this post to find out about how cabbage can help cleanse you too. Just remember though that too much cabbage can make you gaseous and cramped. Twice a week alternated w/once a week would be plenty.
Today I had a student come in and tell me that she went and bought the fruit crisps and ate those (two of them only have 100 calories) for a snack instead of a candy bar. While fruit crisps aren't nearly as healthy as real fruit, they are better than just eating a candy bar and they are half the calories. A lot of my students have said they think about what they order when they go through a drive-thru now and that they ask what the calories are before they get it.
Well it's late and I need to start getting to bed earlier. It doesn't do any good to have a healthier body if it's tired all the time.
My Food Intake Today:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 6g of fiber)
SNACK: One Apple and Carrot Sticks (90 cal. and 3g of fiber)
LUNCH: Dannon Fit Yogurt (80) and 9 slices of thin wafer meat (100 calories and 1g of fiber)
SNACK: 16 Wheatables (140 cal. and 1g of fiber) and 1 Pear (100 cal. and 5g of fiber)
DINNER: 1 mini-taco with a ½ size shell, 2 tblsp. of meat, lettuce, cilantro, and a slice of avocado (145 cal. and 2g of fiber). 100 Calorie Pouch Cheese Bite Pack
DESSERT: 200 Calorie Banana Split —1 banana cut in half (80), ¼ cup split into two scoops of Breyer’s Lowfat Vanilla Ice Cream (55), add ½ cup of raspberries if you have it (I didn’t) and a few strawberries (10). Drizzle LIGHTLY w/some chocolate syrup- 25 cal. (should just be a thin drizzle that would only fill a tsp.) If you don’t like chocolate skip it. If you want lite cool-whip add two tblsp. for only 20 more calories. (Add 30 calories if you add the ½ cup of raspberries, but you also get to add 4g of fiber)
Total Calories Today= 1300
Total Grams of Fiber= 22
CABBAGE- Reduce colon cancer by 66%
In the vegetable world, the Brassica genus reigns supreme, and the cabbage is the most impressive, then broccoli and bok choy. They contain a compound called indoles, which has been shown to reduce the risk of cancer dramatically. Cabbage eaten more than once a week can cut colon cancer by 66%. Cabbage also stimulates the immune system, kills bacteria and viruses, and is a good blood purifier. If you eat the red variety you’ll also get a healthy dose of antioxidants. Sauerkraut is good for you and only has 23 cal. Per ½ cup.
Got this today from our nutritionist at the school.
Got this today from our nutritionist at the school.
Sunday, May 2, 2010
HOMEMADE BASALMIC DRESSING- 1 calorie per tblsp.
Ingredients: 3/4 cup of water, 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar, 3 tsp. capers, 2 tsp. Dijon mustard, 1.5 tsps.dried basil, 1 tblsp. fresh chopped parsley. Makes about 1 cup. No fat or cholesterol, and ONLY 1 CALORIE per tablespoon (Taken from the Low-fat Good Cookbook)
DAY 116- Healthier Eating Journal
Question of the day-- how many calories are in a cup of homemade potato salad (that someone else makes and they're not using diet anything)? Answer: 350 calories. Unfortunate part-- didn't know that till after the BBQ. So, missed my calorie mark by 200 today thanks to one indulgence. That's all it takes though. No, I'm not devastated, it just means that I have to go for a walk or something extra besides just my normal night time exercises and of course, I definitely need to do my exercises tonight. Maybe I'll go through some of the dance routines I put together for the play. That's always a good workout and it doesn't even seem like one at all. Okay, to some people, it isn't . To me, it is.
So it was a beautiful Sunday. The sun was shining and I'm sure, somewhere, the birds were singing. Church was good for my soul :D. Poor Rello was sick today though and he loves church. He got up. I cooked breakfast. He took one sip of orange juice and couldn't keep it down. We thought maybe he just tried to drink it too quick and he ate some scrambled eggs. I gave him a bath and got all dressed up for church then he laid down on my floor. I got an instant replay of the eggs. He stayed home w/mom and dad and he was sleeping by the time I got home. He's had a rough day, but no fever. He just told me he was ready to go to church. Doesn't quite understand yet. He does seem to be feeling better though.
I made scrambled eggs w/spinach this morning and link sausages and French Toast w/my 10 cal. per 1/4 cup sugar free syrup. Right after church I was going to grab an apple, but there was only one left and it's just not polite to wrestle a pregnant lady for food. Of course this is the same P. Lady who had 4 cheese Digiourno ? pizza ready when I got home. I'm not a big fan of pizza, but every now and then it sounds good. I only had 1/2 a slice though because most pizza is 300-400 a slice and I was headed to a BBQ. Already told you what I ate at the BBQ. When I got home I could have just been good w/what I ate all day and would have met my calorie goal, but I was only at 10g of fiber. That's not good at all. So I ate my frosted mini-wheats about 7pm and at least got up to 16g of fiber. I also went from 1200-1400 calories, but I got in fresh veggies and fruits today and my fiber, so I can live with that. I'm only three pounds from my goal weight and I have a month to get there, so I'm feeling pretty positive.
So it was a beautiful Sunday. The sun was shining and I'm sure, somewhere, the birds were singing. Church was good for my soul :D. Poor Rello was sick today though and he loves church. He got up. I cooked breakfast. He took one sip of orange juice and couldn't keep it down. We thought maybe he just tried to drink it too quick and he ate some scrambled eggs. I gave him a bath and got all dressed up for church then he laid down on my floor. I got an instant replay of the eggs. He stayed home w/mom and dad and he was sleeping by the time I got home. He's had a rough day, but no fever. He just told me he was ready to go to church. Doesn't quite understand yet. He does seem to be feeling better though.
I made scrambled eggs w/spinach this morning and link sausages and French Toast w/my 10 cal. per 1/4 cup sugar free syrup. Right after church I was going to grab an apple, but there was only one left and it's just not polite to wrestle a pregnant lady for food. Of course this is the same P. Lady who had 4 cheese Digiourno ? pizza ready when I got home. I'm not a big fan of pizza, but every now and then it sounds good. I only had 1/2 a slice though because most pizza is 300-400 a slice and I was headed to a BBQ. Already told you what I ate at the BBQ. When I got home I could have just been good w/what I ate all day and would have met my calorie goal, but I was only at 10g of fiber. That's not good at all. So I ate my frosted mini-wheats about 7pm and at least got up to 16g of fiber. I also went from 1200-1400 calories, but I got in fresh veggies and fruits today and my fiber, so I can live with that. I'm only three pounds from my goal weight and I have a month to get there, so I'm feeling pretty positive.
Saturday, May 1, 2010
DAY 118- Healthier Eating Journal
Still no baby. Slept in this morning and it was well needed after yesterday's sleep deprivation! Okay, whining is never attractive. So it occurred to me that I haven't weighed myself in a while. I fired back up the Wii Fit and it gave me the usual lecture about not being on in a while and I was one day short of 3 weeks! I really didn't think it had been that long. But you have to remember I'm a girl that has hardly ever weighed myself before and I've never bought a scale in my life. So.... I have lost 3 more pounds. As I noted before, I'm happy with a pound a week now instead of two or three because I'm almost at my weight goal and the idea is to eat in a way that I WANT to eat so it's a habit and not a diet. I have now lost 23 pounds and weigh 143. Only three pounds to go by July 1st. That was my New Year's goal (that and blogging about it every single day) and I am going to make both of those goals. This could possibly be the first New Year's goal I have ever made! Woo Hoo!:D
I know there are people out there reading this so I'd appreciate it if you would share your stories on here once in a while so I don't feel like a stranded Gilligan on a made-up island. Jackie, thanks for your feedback on here and I'm glad you introduced your co-workers to 100 calorie mini pouch popcorn and the importance of fiber. The more people you tell about healthy eating (in a non-annoying or lectorious way-- yes I meant to spell it that way) , the more apt YOU are to stick to it. It's called saving face. :D I'd also like to hear if anyone else has been doing the--- ask how many calories are in your order when you go through the drive-through window somewhere. I hit Wendy's today as planned and ordered the cup of chili (which I already know how many calories are in) and then I asked how many calories are in a small smoothie. She said, "One minute ma'am and I'll find out." Then she came back and told me 300. I didn't get it, but I was impressed that she was both polite and cooperative. Chili also has good fiber by the way and is very filling. Of course those two things kinda go together....
So I planted flowers in front of my rental today. I know.... why do I keep doing all this stuff when I'm just temporarily living here....? Because I'm temporarily living here... duh! Plus, if I move out, the next person will surely enjoy them too. Oh, and I was looking up calories burned and gardening was right up there. I took Rello out there to help me out but he wanted to pick them already before I even got them into the ground. I probably burned off more calories chasing him around the yard to get the flowers back, than I did planting all of them. We both got our exercise.
Then I did my favorite Saturday activity (other than hanging out with my sweetie) and that is yard-saling and second-hand shopping. I needed a few more things for my drama costumes. I found some perfect things but the one cashier did look at me strangely when I purchased the silver sequin blouse. I mean it was 100% sequins! What? I wouldn't look stylin' in that flashy shirt? I thought about telling her it was for a costume, but I'm sure I'll be a conversation piece this way. :D
Was going to cook breakfast but I ran to the store to get some bacon and when I got back, they had already eaten! So, I had my frosted mini-wheats. A good fiber start for the day. I tried the strawberry frosted ones and they make strawberry milk in your bowl. Brought back some good childhood memories of the strawberry Nesquik (?) powder for making strawberry milk. Okay, you purist have to remember that I'm eating healthier, I'm not going granola here. Sorry. Have to make it real. And the fiber in it is good for you!
So I'll just do the food breakdown and get to bed:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 cal. and 7g of fiber)
Snack: Banana (80 and 3g of fiber)
LUNCH: 1 cup of Wendy's chili w/saltines (187 cal. and 4.7g of fiber)
Snack: mini-snickers ice cream snack (90 cal.)
Dinner; Crockpot chicken (180), 1/2 cup of brown rice (150 and 2g of fiber), 1/2 corn on the cob (70), 1/2 cup of fresh steamed squash (40)
Night Snack: craving the strawberry mini-wheats again, but only a few with some milk (200 and 6g of fiber)
Total Calories Today=1240-1300
Total Fiber= 25grams (my highest day!!!)
Calorie info provided by the labels on the food and/or calorieking.com
I know there are people out there reading this so I'd appreciate it if you would share your stories on here once in a while so I don't feel like a stranded Gilligan on a made-up island. Jackie, thanks for your feedback on here and I'm glad you introduced your co-workers to 100 calorie mini pouch popcorn and the importance of fiber. The more people you tell about healthy eating (in a non-annoying or lectorious way-- yes I meant to spell it that way) , the more apt YOU are to stick to it. It's called saving face. :D I'd also like to hear if anyone else has been doing the--- ask how many calories are in your order when you go through the drive-through window somewhere. I hit Wendy's today as planned and ordered the cup of chili (which I already know how many calories are in) and then I asked how many calories are in a small smoothie. She said, "One minute ma'am and I'll find out." Then she came back and told me 300. I didn't get it, but I was impressed that she was both polite and cooperative. Chili also has good fiber by the way and is very filling. Of course those two things kinda go together....
So I planted flowers in front of my rental today. I know.... why do I keep doing all this stuff when I'm just temporarily living here....? Because I'm temporarily living here... duh! Plus, if I move out, the next person will surely enjoy them too. Oh, and I was looking up calories burned and gardening was right up there. I took Rello out there to help me out but he wanted to pick them already before I even got them into the ground. I probably burned off more calories chasing him around the yard to get the flowers back, than I did planting all of them. We both got our exercise.
Then I did my favorite Saturday activity (other than hanging out with my sweetie) and that is yard-saling and second-hand shopping. I needed a few more things for my drama costumes. I found some perfect things but the one cashier did look at me strangely when I purchased the silver sequin blouse. I mean it was 100% sequins! What? I wouldn't look stylin' in that flashy shirt? I thought about telling her it was for a costume, but I'm sure I'll be a conversation piece this way. :D
Was going to cook breakfast but I ran to the store to get some bacon and when I got back, they had already eaten! So, I had my frosted mini-wheats. A good fiber start for the day. I tried the strawberry frosted ones and they make strawberry milk in your bowl. Brought back some good childhood memories of the strawberry Nesquik (?) powder for making strawberry milk. Okay, you purist have to remember that I'm eating healthier, I'm not going granola here. Sorry. Have to make it real. And the fiber in it is good for you!
So I'll just do the food breakdown and get to bed:
BREAKFAST: Frosted Mini-Wheats (230 cal. and 7g of fiber)
Snack: Banana (80 and 3g of fiber)
LUNCH: 1 cup of Wendy's chili w/saltines (187 cal. and 4.7g of fiber)
Snack: mini-snickers ice cream snack (90 cal.)
Dinner; Crockpot chicken (180), 1/2 cup of brown rice (150 and 2g of fiber), 1/2 corn on the cob (70), 1/2 cup of fresh steamed squash (40)
Night Snack: craving the strawberry mini-wheats again, but only a few with some milk (200 and 6g of fiber)
Total Calories Today=1240-1300
Total Fiber= 25grams (my highest day!!!)
Calorie info provided by the labels on the food and/or calorieking.com
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