Do as I say, not as I do.

So, I'm back. The diet was short lived...

Listen, I did great for the first two weeks. I was eating healthy and running sometimes twice a day. Then the tour started...and it all went to hell in a handbasket. Look, I tried...REALLY HARD but when you're tour is sponsored by the Cheesecake Factory something has got to give. "Diet starts Monday!" wait, that's tomorrow. Yah, that's not gonna work.

...is it handbag or handbasket? I feel like she used to say hand-basket. hmmm...

Just 'caus:

My hansome man, Teddy. One of his all time favorite things to do.

Jump into the refrigerator right before we're about to shut it.

bad teddy.

good teddy.

And then there's this guy...my other handsome man.

He -honest to god- sleeps like this.

Even when he relaxing watching TV...his little grump face. So cute.

Thank you babe...

I found this gorgeous bit of rope in Albany.

I saved it for a special treat and realized I never 

ate it. I have no idea where it is. 

I was on the JUMBOTRON in TIME SQUARE.

Something that doesn't happen too often.

.

Randomly I had a day off in DC on July 22, 

our Momma's birthday. Liss, the Kids, Kevin and I 

celebrated with her favorite ice cream, Black Raspberry.

Cheers Mom. xoxo

ummm,

I sure did love me some tan sweater this summer

... I can assure you I did change 

the clothes underneath.

SERIOUSLY???

they're like candy.

Laughed 'til it hurt in Columbus...that room was like 8x8

and probably foggy by the time we were done with it.

This is how they said, "goodbye."

They all lined up behind the wall, waving. 

Amazing.

In St.Louis I was able to have my Grandma and Aunt stay with Kevin and I. It was so special to me to be able to share something so meaningful with them. They had their own room overlooking the giant Arch, the river, and the pool. The Four Seasons had a casino downstairs where Grams won herself $150 bucks!! Thankx Aunt Barbara for helping make this happen. xo

What you don't see in the image below is that she brought back a little dessert from the buffet where we had just eaten dinner. I think Aunt Barbara is carrying it while she's taking the photo. Katie (one of the Idols) is standing right next to us-and though she just got back from her own dinner- grams asked her if shewould like some of the dessert she had taken with her. So thoughtful.

more to come...

oh one more thing... I didn't take a single picture while in Philly with Kenz or in NYC with Cathy. I must have been laughing too hard at the coffee shop to remember to take a photo and I'm positive that while with Cathy I was too busy trying to swallowing pig trotter. 

Cheesecake factory...Day 20

I've lost 8lbs.! Yesssss. Whoop! whoop! I'm hoping to lose the last 15 this week. lol

The past 11 days have been interesting. I've exercised 9 of the 11 days. While managing to travel and still fit it in. I've been surprising myself with it actually. I've been a runner in the past...running much further and faster than I have in the past couple weeks. This time it's different though. I thought I'd approach it more with a sense of routine and health instead of winning the race. In the past it's been about the minutes of the mile or how far. This time it's about getting out there now matter how busy. Figuring that out first and then going for the details. I have to learn not to pick myself apart. Just get out there and move and the rest will follow.

I've been reading some articles this week that Sophie Dahl has written. She was a famous plus size model who lost the plus and then modeled while itty bitty. She's put that life behind her and is now writting about life and food. Sorry Sophie, I have to count calories right now...

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-487314/Sophie-Dahls-new-choice.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/home/you/article-1172571/Sophie-Dahl-How-food-shaped-life.html

Over the past couple of weeks I've managed to allow myself to indulge here and there. It's just a reminder of how that stuff makes me feel. I haven't had a slice of pizza in about two months. That might not be a big deal for anyone else but living across the street from a pizza place and walking the streets of New York...it's hard to say no. Especially when you go all day without eating. Yesterday I had a slice - it's not like it tasted gross or anything. I just notice that my body just doesn't feel as energized afterward. I realize this is not something new I'M discovering...It's just something I'm finally realizing is so totally true. I'm a see it to believe it kinda person.

My pizza fix -

One small flour tortilla 80 calories
1/4 cup pizza sauce 40 calories
1/4 cup part skim mozzeralla cheese 72 calories
192 calories for a pizza. 

Pretty awesome.

FUN FINDS...Days 7, 8 & 9...

Day 7:

Baliwood Exercise video:

on In Demand is surprisingly AWESOME! My shoulders were in pain when I finished. I love running but it's nice to mix it up a bit.  

Kashi - Honey & Sunshine:

I was working on a project on Sunday and it's extremely important. If I thought day 6 was hard...day 7 was harder. I didn't do anything too drastic or horrible...I just bought Kashi cereal and had it with unsweetened Almond Milk. It was a yummy treat. I know Kashi is totally healthy (if you're a cereal person, and I am), but I've never really liked any of the flavors. I try, but never really that satisfying. Honey & Sunshine is gooooooood!!!!

Almond Milk UNSWEETENED:

Never liked the kinds I've tried before. They've always been to sweet or rich/creamy. The Blue Diamond Unsweetened Almond milk is perfect with the sweetness on cereal.

Nutrition Facts
Serving Size: 8 fl oz

Calories 40
Total Fat 3g
Saturated Fat  0g
Monounsaturated Fat  0g
Polyunsaturated Fat  0g
Trans Fat  0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 180mg
Potassium 190mg
Total Carbohydrate 2g
Dietary Fiber  1g
Sugars  0g
Protein 1g

Vitamin 10%
Calcium 20%
Iron 2%
Vitamin D 25%
Vitamin E 50%
Magnesium 4%

LENTIL CHIPS:

YUM! Perfect with Tuna Salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 1 oz (28g/about 30 chips)

Calories 110

Total Fat grams 3

Dietary Fiber 3g

Sugars 1g

Protein 4g

ONE MORE THING...

KAME Rice Crackers: (no need for a 12 pack)

I've loved these forever and never realized they aren't so bad for you!

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size: 19 crackers

Calories 120

Total Fat 1g

Dietary Fiber 0g (no good but, not horrible)

Protein 3g

Day 8:

Yesterday I gave my self a break. 

Good? Bad? Not sure but I stayed on the healthy eating path. Didn't exercise though - unless, sitting for 12 hours counts???? 

Wendy and I celebrated our work deadlines with a walk and some Thai food. We split some boiled veggie dumplings for a treat and then onto dinner...Ginger Veggies for me with some brown rice. 

I'm learning that It's just about training yourself to remember you are important and you have to feed yourself the right stuff. Ginger Vegetables with Rice was delicious. I didn't miss the curry at all. 

It's just the ordering part, you know? Once you make the right choice...the eating part is easy. 

This day wasn't filled with as many healthy fruits and vegetables as I would have liked. I have to remember though that normally, a day like this would have been filled with junk...for the convenience factor. I forget to eat and then need to eat QUICK. That's not a good way to stay healthy. By that time I'm ravenous. Anyway, that excuse wont last forever. All in all, it was a good day! 

Day 9:

Cheers to another day of running. Both of us were not feeling it but I have this suspicion that this is just a hump we need to RUN over. The other side I think is going to be a lot more smooth...we're gonna keep on truckin and hope we can make it to the other side. 

Another Mark Bittman article that you may like. I basically already blew it because I had yogurt for breakfast but...there's always tomorrow!

Thank you again Wendy!

Vegan Before Dinnertime (this is from the NY times)

By TARA PARKER-POPE

Many people struggle to improve their eating habits. The Times food writer Mark Bittman, appearing this week on WNYC radio, told listeners about an unusual strategy that has worked for him.

All day long, he eats a vegan diet. But after about 6 p.m., anything goes.

In his newest book, “Food Matters: A Guide to Conscious Eating With More Than 75 Recipes,” Mark explains how increasing fruit and vegetable consumption and reducing dependence on processed foods will lead to better health not only for your body, but also for the planet. He explained his “vegan before dinnertime” strategy recently on the Leonard Lopate show:

My arrangement with myself is that from the time I wake up until dinner I eat only fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. I don’t even eat white bread during the day. And then starting at dinner, I do. I have one meal a day when I do pretty much what I want, which is normally quite indulgent.

Mark made the changes after developing high cholesterol, borderline high blood sugar, bad knees and sleep apnea, and realizing he was about 35 pounds overweight. A doctor suggested he adopt a vegan diet, which means no animal products. But for a food writer, Mark said, becoming a full-time vegan was both unrealistic and undesirable. Instead, he came up with a compromise:

I decided to do this sort of “vegan till 6” plan. I didn’t have huge thoughts or plans about it. I just thought it was worth a try. Within three or four months, I lost 35 pounds, my blood sugar was normal, cholesterol levels were again normal … and my sleep apnea indeed went away. All these good things happened, and it wasn’t as if I was suffering so I stayed with it…. I have not eliminated anything completely from my diet. I haven’t had a Coke in a while, but I didn’t drink that much Coke to begin with.

Mark says he’s not trying to promote a particular diet, but does want people to realize that a simple evaluation of your diet can lead to meaningful changes.

I want to make things as simple as possible. This is consistent with everything I’ve ever done. I’m the guy who says, “Don’t sweat it.” I’m trying to once again say, “Let’s figure out how to do this cleanly and easily.” I would just encourage everyone to examine the portion in their own diet between processed foods and animal food and junk food on the one hand and plants on the other. To the extent the first group is much heavier than the second group, I say make some adaptations to change that.

whatever...

How come when i post the pictures are screwed up and the words don't publish underneath??

Oatmeal pancakes Day 5 & 6...

Day 5:

It was a good day. Wendy and I took our measurements in the morning. Not a good thing for me. I think that's why I failed at weight watchers. I just have to do it and not look back. The measurement thing is now hanging over my head. Now I really know how fat I am. I like to be under the illusion that I'm smaller than I am.  Enough said...

Pinkberry is goooood. I indulged myself at the end of my hot day. A little sugar wont kill me. I never really liked Pinkberry before. Not eating dairy lately has made my taste buds change. It was delicious. I especially love that in NYC they put calories on everything-even the little sides. Love that.  

Also had a delicious vegetarian stir-fry at Dragon Fly. Yummmm. 

Later that night I went over to my friend Cathy's place. Again, another awesome friend...she made a whole spread of delicious healthy snacks. Here are a few...

Wow, I'm sure you're so happy I've attached these gorgeous pictures. ew! My phone camera really doesn't cut it. Anyway, it's another day down and I won. 

Use your imagination...Asparagus Salad. Despite the photo, it was delicious

Salsa....yummy and these baked tortilla chips saved me. They taste like paper but you need something to eat the salsa.

Even baked Tortilla chips are good when you're not indulging in carbs often.

Halle and Cathy...Thank you for the lovely dinner Cathy! xo

Day 6:

Well, it's 4 and I've yet to do anything. This day is flying by and it's the hardest one so far. I'm not feeling it. What I do feel is lots of anxiety and I wanna eat some really good bad stuff. Nope, I will not be bad. I gotta get to work and do what this day intends me to be doing... productive things. 

Breakfast idea:

I made oatmeal pancakes that were amazing. I used left over oatmeal and cooked them with some PAM spray- a little Agave and berries... delicious. 

Proud...Day 3 & 4

DAY 3

On day 2 I was invited for dinner at a new friends house for the next evening. She was nice enough to ask if there was any foods I didn't like or if I had any food allergies. I responded with a quick text..."no allergies - I love everything." Ok, so this is totally true - well, except for maybe Tripe and penicillin but I just had a feeling that my chances were good that she wasn't serving either of those. 

I'm very polite and would eat just about anything someone served to me. Unfortunately, it took me until the next day to realize that I may have just set myself up for failure. I did something I would normally never do. I called and apologized to her for any inconvenience but that I do have some special needs...I NEED TO EAT HEALTHY FOOD ONLY. Luckily for me, all is well. She's a really natural eater and her menu for the evening was deliciously yummy. It's taken me years to realize what a lot of people already know...SPEAK UP - You're worth it.

Thank you for the dinner Jenn! It was so, so tasty.

I LOVED her salad and thought I'd share...

Ingredients:

• 1 large fennel bulb, halved, cored, and very thinly sliced
• 3 heads butter or Boston lettuce, torn into pieces
• 1/4 cup fresh tarragon leaves, torn into pieces
• 4 scallions, white and green parts, chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• shaved Pecorino Romano (optional)

DAY 4:

So many things to be proud of today. This is my fourth day in a row to go running. They've been short runs...1.4 miles to be exact. Except for my run last night (i can't stand evening runs) - I picked it up to 2 miles - wahoo!! I've read recently that it's best for us ladies 30+ to exercise for atleast 1hr 5 days a week. Well, too bad- both Wendy and I are happy we're getting up and moving our asses! 


Wendy, my roommate, and I have decided to wake up everyday at 6AM for a swift run. We are totes slow runners, but practice makes perfect. It feels so good to get it out of the way so early in the day. I bet you thought I was gonna say something to the effect of "getting fresh air" -though a very good thing...I'm perfectly fine with doing that a little later in the day. Plus, the early wake-up call is a great way to beat the heat. 


My body hated me this morning while running...it stayed contorted in Rollie Pollie mode the whole time. Again though, I did it...it's done. Another day down. I'm treating myself today to a Manicure and Pedicure.

Cheers to DAY 4!

OATMEAL saves the day. Day 2...

Today's a new day and it's already been rough - it's 10AM. Luckily last night I wined to my roommate about over eating oatmeal...and this morning I get this... 

Hungry Girl blog:

Oatmeal is great, but I totally hear you about the serving size. That's why I am ALWAYS looking for ways to bulk it up. And I have a brand-new trick for you! Last week, I was teasing HG video guy Adam about his ginormous bowl of oatmeal -- I almost fell down when I saw how much was in the bowl! Well, he informed me that it was ONE SERVING. I didn't believe him. Then he told me he made it with at least TWICE the amount of liquid recommended, cooked it for twice as long, and let it sit for a while 'til it became nice and thick. The next morning, I tried it out for myself. I used a serving of Old Fashioned Quaker Oats (1/2 cup), 1 cupUnsweetened Vanilla Almond Breeze (only 40 calories a cup!), and 1 cup water; then I cooked it on the stove for about 10 minutes with 2 Splenda packets, a little bit of cinnamon, and a dash of salt. The result was a HUUUUGE bowl of oatmeal that was fairly thick, creamy, smooth, and DELICIOUS. Only about 200 calories and 6g fat, plus 5g fiber (POINTS® value 4*)! Since then, I have experimented by adding some other ingredients: fruit, original Fiber One cereal (1/4 cup -- just cook it right in there during the last few minutes!), and even a sprinkle of fat-free powdered Coffee-mate (for added creaminess). Completely AMAZING. I'm shocked it took me so long to discover this little tip, and I'm excited to be sharing it with all of you. Try it and let me know what you think!