I’m sure that’s not all that exciting to the world at large, but it is for us. We now have a grocery store within biking distance, and it’s a nice one. Fry’s had their big grand opening today and we were there to pick up some of the yummy specials - like raspberries and strawberries for $1/pack. Yum yum yum…
They also had lots of free samples - cookies, cake, bread, etc. I saw the biggest cake ever - it was huge! And I even had some of the samples, since I’ve used almost none of my 35 weekly points and I’ve only got two days left this week. My husband finished off the angel food cake, so no dessert-like foods are even in the house. I guess berries and whipped cream will have to be it, then.
I had leftovers for lunch today and they were SOOOOO yummy. It’s a take-off of Pei Wei’s Pad Thai - but without all the fat and a little more veggies! I found that this is actually better the second day around.
First, get a package of Trader Joe’s Pad Thai noodles/sauce mix. It’s in the dry section. Then, a package of their Maui beef short ribs. They are kind of expensive at $5.97/lb, but one pound is enough to make two packages of pad thai. I but the smallest pack I can and split them in half.
Next, you’ll need some veggies. Add whatever you like, but I’ve found that cole slaw mix is perfect.
The optional stuff comes next - you can add an egg, some tofu, peanuts and lime.
Follow the directions on the noodles while you stir-fry the beef. I chop it up into little bite-sized bits and cook it in a little bit olive oil. When it’s brown, add 1-2 big handfuls of cole slaw. When that’s done, transfer it to another dish. Then use the pan to scramble an egg. Once the egg is done, add the drained noodles, the veggies and beef mix, peanuts, tofu and sauce. Mix it up really well and you’ll have a much healthier version of Pad Thai than what you get in the restaurant!
Note - yes, the beef can look kind of scary - 37g fat in one serving! But a serving is four ounces, and if you use half a pound to make this, it can easily serve 4 people. So it’s really not so bad, and it doesn’t take all that much beef to add texture and taste.
I know there are other sites out there that do the same thing, but I’ve just started using The Daily Burn and find it VERY easy to use - it’s easy to make your favorite food lists, add foods, and keep track of exercise. They also track your progress for you - and it’s free!
The other sites I’ve used always seem to be missing a lot of foods. Maybe I just eat weird stuff, but I’ve found that this site DOES have most of the things I eat. Even the stuff from Trader Joe’s! And if it’s not there, it takes about 90 seconds to add it to the database and then everyone else can use it as well.
I don’t know how much the scale will show, but after just 4 days of eating better and exercising, I’m feeling pretty good.
Yesterday we made another trip to Sprouts and picked up some more fruit. Lots of apricots, strawberries and peaches - but the best part was the MELONS. Lots of melons. I got 4 different kinds - casaba, orange honeydew, Santa Clause and some new kind (I forgot the name) that smells absolutely divine.
With all of these yummy melons, why such a focus on cantaloupes? I think those are probably the least delicious, least gorgeous-smelling melons around, but that’s what everyone sells. I know that when I buy one, it sits until I get around to preparing it. But the other kinds, I can’t wait to eat those. Sure, they’re a little more expensive, but they are so worth it. We’re talking maybe $1 more expensive than a boring, bland cantaloupe.
Lots of fruits and veggies today!
I started out the day with a nice walk with Max, followed by a little bit of strength training. I went by myself since all three kids were being lazy and didn’t get up until well after 7. I realized that I didn’t have a headphone for my mp3 player, so I had to go without. I’ll put that on my shopping list, along with a nice “right size” plate. The ones we have are BIG and it’s hard not to fill them up. I figure something smaller will make it easier to cut portion size without feeling deprived.
I definitely got my produce in today - melon, apricots, berries, tomato and for dinner fresh sugar snap peas from Trader Joe’s. They were good and super-easy to cook - just stick the bag in the microwave for 2-3 minutes and that’s it. We had fresh fish (tilapia and shark) with them for a light summer meal.
If you haven’t tried them, Trader Joe’s has some cinnamon raisin rolls in the bread section - they don’t look spectacular, but if you put a little nutella on them or lemon curd, they taste wonderful. I toast them and it’s a quick 5-point breakfast that feels like more.
I was so good all day that I have 9 points left in my daily allowance. What should I have for dessert - the raspberry angel food cake with whipped cream, or the Joe-Joe’s vanilla sandwich cookies? I guess I’ll go take a look and see what sounds best.
I woke up this morning knowing that I’m the heaviest I’ll ever be - or at least I hope that’s the case! I have 28 points each day, 35 bonus points to use over the course of the week and I plan to make the most of them.
We went to Sprouts and picked up lots of goodies - jicama, 2 different melons, onions, potatoes, lettuce, fresh parmesan and one of my favorites - apricots! Lots and lots of apricots. They were perfectly ripe, very soft and they smell so good! A real points bargain too.
So how did I do? I got my water in for the day, and I think I hit my fruits and veggie requirement - a banana, some apricots, potatoes with onions, and a melon salad with dinner. The melon was so sweet and juicy - the watermelon was so-so, but the other two (Juan canary and Santa Claus?) were amazingly sweet. Everything got eaten, the kids loved the melon salad so it didn’t last long.
I had 3 points left so I used them up and 6 of my flex points to eat a piece of my birthday cake from last night. It’s really good, but very rich - too rich for me! Now it’s gone and life is back to normal.
Today’s the big day! I’m 38 now and ready to start working towards fitness. I went to the grocery store with a list full of healthy stuff, and that’s pretty much what I got. I did pick up a SMALL birthday cake for me - without a lot of icing, and with berries on top. Update: it was pretty rich and yummy, but not something I feel compelled to finish. My husband, on the other hand, has no problem finishing it off!
So, I’ll enjoy my day with a nice dinner and some yummy cake and tomorrow the points counting shall begin. I did start the day off right - with a nice walk with the dog and some weight training.
We spent the day driving back from a mini-vacation in Los Angeles, and tomorrow is my birthday. I plan to enjoy tomorrow with cake and something yummy for dinner (I don’t know what yet, I’m still recuperating from the drive) and then on the 20th, it’s down to business. I’m planning to go grocery shopping tomorrow and get the pantry stocked with healthy, points-friendly foods.
Tonight, I’m exhausted. I did find the energy to take a peek at the weekly food ads, lots of fresh produce on sale. It looks like we’ll be eating peaches and salad this week, and I got some boneless/skinless thighs from Sam’s club. One of the best summer meals is chicken thighs marinated and then grilled. Add some corn on the cob and watermelon for dessert and it’s perfection.
This Friday, I’ll be 38 years old. Only two years until I hit 40. I don’t want to be one of those “old” 40-year olds who start their decline and just go downhill until they die. I want to be fitter and healthier when I’m 40 than when I was 20, or 30.
For a while, I was fit. I worked out 5 days a week, I lost 49 pounds and was only 1 pound away from my goal. Then I got pregnant. She’s the sweetest thing and I love her with all my heart, but she sure set me back healthwise. I gained it all back, then lost a little after she was born, then went up to my pregnancy weight and more. Now I’d like to lose 70 pounds. I figure if I start on Friday, I have two years - 104 weeks - so a little less than a pound a week.
How do I plan to do this? Here are my steps…
1. Journal everything. Every bite. Even if I go over for the day, write it down.
2. Follow WW points to keep track of what I should eat and when I need to stop.
3. Eat more fruits and vegetables - 5-9 servings per day.
4. Drink more water, less soda. I only drink a can a day, but sometimes when we go out to eat I’ll have more. I’ve started getting water rather than soda, but it’s a hard habit to break.
5. Stop going out for restaurant meals so often. Sure, it’s less often than the average family does - maybe 1-2 times a week - but even so, those are calories that add up quickly. Cutting back to 1-2 times per month would be budget-friendly AND weight-friendly.
6. Move more. I do take the dog on a walk 3-4 times a week, but it needs to be more. Longer walks and more frequent. He needs it and I could sure use it.
7. Add in some strength training to mix it up. I always wanted to have firm, sexy arms. Right now I have the flabby arms that keep me from going sleeveless.