Good morning, chickies! Hope no one minds that I started our new thread for the week. I didn't want to get lost in last week!
I can’t believe that somehow it got to be May and my yard is so green (partly with weeds — must get out there this week). So it’s time to plant my herb garden. It looks like the oregano has taken over the garden from last year and the chives and thyme are fine. This year, I’ll put in huge amounts of basil, rosemary, parsley, and some others, though fresh basil is my favorite. I think it smells like perfume — and I use it a lot in marinades.
Which reminds me of cooking — I have a cooking challenge for those of you who like to cook: marinara sauce, so simple but I can’t make a good one! Do any of you make a great spaghetti/marinara sauce? (I’m not talking necessarily diet friendly here, just good, though most aren’t too bad) I made one last night with crushed tomatoes (Muir Glen), fresh basil, olive oil, garlic, onion, little sugar, salt and pepper, but it still was missing … something?
I’m curious to hear the results of everyone’s programs — the CKD, 50/20/30, and all. That way I get ideas on what to try and what to skip. I’ll go first: on cranwater — I think it did help get rid of excess water but after that, it’s no different than ordinary water, so I think it’s good for bloating but not for every day. Last week I tried to stay between 1200 and 1400 calories and around 100g of carbs per day. Reviewing Fitday, I averaged 1358 calories and 120g of carbs per day for the week. My weight has varied from 137.4 down to 134.6 and is at 136 today, so the net result is 1.4#. This doesn’t mean a lot to me though because these are the pounds I am always playing with (I always seem to be between 134 and 137). One thing that may have affected this is that I did far less cardio than I would ordinarily due to bad life circumstances. So my plan for this week is to try the 1200 — 1400 calories again, really keep the carbs down to 100g or below, and an hour of cardio a day (which is what I typically would do). We’ll see if I can bust out of this weight range and move down to the lower 130s! I will report back next Monday.
Sel, I love my All-Clad! Since it is pricey, I keep adding a piece here and there. I have the LTD and use the non-stick fry and sauté pans, but the regular saucepans clean up so well too! My favorite is the 7 quart pasta pan with the colander insert — I use it for so many things besides pasta, like making chicken stock. I love making the perfect meal, too, and Friday nights are special nights for DH and me because it’s our time together. He’s too tired to go out after a long week, so I make a special dinner and we just sit and relax and drink wine and talk (well, he drinks the wine). It’s a nice way to reconnect. I often make something our of the ordinary and he loves Asian or pasta, so it’s frequently one of those. Asian noodles (and I have a cookbook by that name!) are the best, combining the two favorites! That’s why I was making Pad Thai last Friday, but it made enough for a small army.
Re baking and eating the batter or dough: I had a neighbor who ate half of a batch of chocolate chip cookie dough and then drank a big Pepsi. Apparently the Pepsi reacted with the baking soda in the dough and gave her tremendous … problems!
Adriana — I hope the carpal tunnel is getting better. My trainer at the gym has developed it and wears a brace most of the time, especially at night, which seems to help.
Have a great day, all! Today is shoulder day — not my favorite, but I think I’m still skittish about re-injuring it.
Meg