Eating with Awareness…..Sort of…..

So I recently read an article that Dr. Oz wrote in Oprah magazine (I know, I know – I have a love/hate thing going on with both of them), it contained some tips for starting your New Year’s Resolution to lose weight off on the right foot. Now, one resolution that I will never make again is to go on diet. I don’t diet. I suck at it, and have figured out that I actually gain more weight, because I’m worried about what I can’t eat and therefore all I do is think about food, and binge. Enough said. But, one of his tips was to “Eat with awareness” meaning, think about what you are eating. To me that translate to the simple principle of thinking before you stick something in your mouth. That seems to have struck a cord with me. I can do that.

So I made eating with awareness one of my New Year’s Resolutions. In an effort to be more conscious of what I’m eating, I’m trying to eat some more fruits and veggies and less of the cookies and goodies. I’ve quit baking as much, to cut down on the temptation. I’m also looking for ways to trim down our favorite dinners and add some more veggies. Let’s just say that my body is not totally down with that plan. It seems to be rejecting the idea (literally) – I know TMI. But, my hope is that it will evidently get used to the idea.

It has not been as easy as I make it sound. Saturday afternoon my dear sweet husband took me out for a late lunch/early dinner. I think the only veggies I had were in the cheese dip, and the only fruit was the strawberry served along with the vanilla bean cheesecake (did I mention it was drizzled with chocolate sauce and topped with white chocolate shavings? – one word – awesome). So the next day, I got right back on track. I had apples, for my snack during the Colts game - (Go Peyton Go) - and salad with our dinner. Oh yeah and I had Fruity Pebbles for breakfast (I know doesn’t count – but it’s funny!) Today has been a day full of grapes and apples. I’m trying. Baby steps.

So my new recipe for last week, was not really a recipe. On Monday, I celebrated my day off, by going shopping for grill pan. I found the greatest one ever. It is cast iron and pre-seasoned, and on sale. Jackpot! I love that Crate and Barrel. So for dinner that night, I spoiled Hubba with steak and grilled shrimp. I’m in love with it, in kitchen speak; it is the best thing to happen to me since my Kitchen Aid Mixer.

Had a very successful trip to JoAnn Fabric yesterday, supplies to finish my pillow and make a new necklace, now I just need to find sometime to put it all together. Looks like a busy week ahead.

Have a Great One!

You Talkin' to me?

Getting ready to sit down and watch 'Jersey Shore' - MTV's latest train wreck. I cannot stop watching it, it's like driving past an accident on the highway. If you are unfamiliar with the show, it's a 'reality' show that focuses on a group of mid-twenty somethings all living together in house at the Jersey Shore over the summer. It's kinda 'The Real World' meets 'True Life'. All they seem to do is drink, fight, tan and eat. I mean there is at least one fist/cat fight per episode. I can't take my eyes off it. Another good MTV reality show is "Teen Mom" which centers on 4 teenage mothers, their children and families. One couple is truely inspirational (did I just say that about something on MTV?) having decided to give up their child for adoption. They knew they could not provide for their child they why that they wanted to, and chose to give her a better life. Good Stuff.

So I promised that I would talk alittle bit more about the train. What a week. Note to the woman in the light blue puffy ski jacket, if you push me like that again on the way to the parking garage, you are going down. Hard. I've been taking pointers from the ladies of the 'Jersey Shore" - Consider yourself warned. I am always amazed at the way people act at the train station and on the train. A couple of weeks ago, I watched (and if I could have reached him, I would have yanked him off of the steps) a twenty something year old boy (not worthy of being called a man) in a business suit, push an older lady out of the way so that he could get on the train in front of her. Oh and then there is hybrid guy, yep that stupid little bald man in the hybrid, that has almost hit me not once, but twice while I walked to my car. Sometimes I like to hurry to my car to pull out in front of him, drive really slow and let everyone out in front of me. I can just imagine his little bald head getting redder and redder. Usually I am not this hostile, I promise. These people and their bad behavior just bring it out in me, and I guess some of my reactions are just to teach some lessons to those who should know better.

On the home front, Hubba stepped on a nail the other day, so he has been alittle limpy getting around. No worries, he had a tentus shot around 6 years ago, so he should be fine. Though he has been acting like someone forceable ripped something from his body the way that he was carrying on. The chicken parma bundles didn't happen, I used broccli and cheddar instead...yummmmm Pasta primavera this week. Hope that I can find some good veggies.

Looking forward to my 3-day weekend, going to do some cleaning, get my hair done and do some visiting (better known as baby sitting).

Have a great weekend!

2010, already?

So I’m starting this blog, again from scratch. I’ve erased all the previous posts and I’m starting fresh. Kinda like how I’m starting fresh in 2010. I have made numerous resolutions again this year, and if I can get one or two to stick I’ll be super happy.



My favorite resolution is a repeat from last year, and it stuck with it until July when I got busy will the all the summer things we get busy with. I’m going to try one new recipe each week. Why not, I must have 500 recipes I’ve cut out of magazines or saved from emails or the Internet. Heck, I probably have enough to try 2 or 3 a week. It’s really too bad that I lack the time for that, with my 12 hours a day I’m either at work or on the train.



So anyway, last week I made cherry cheesecake squares using my awesome new Perfect Brownie Pan (big Thanks to both my Mom and Kelly – now I have two!). Let’s just say that I should not stray too far on a recipe. I made this for the Rose Bowl party that Jeff (that’s my hubby, or as I like to say Hubba Bubba), had on New Year’s Day. The crust did not ‘hold-up’ to all the super yummy cheesecake and cherries I piled on top of it (I’ve always had issues with portion control). All was not lost, we ended up with a bowl of cherry cheesecake squares. Presentation doesn’t kill the taste! LOL This week I will be making Chicken Parma Bundles. I will let you know how that goes. I get to use my meat mallet, Yeah! I’ll continue to update you on this and my other resolutions as the month goes on.



For those of you who enjoy my train commute stories. Do not fear, I plan to continue those. Everyone seems to be back from their holiday vacations, and I’m sure that they haven’t lost their ‘crazy’ ; In fact, banana man seems to be suffering from what I have diagnosed as ‘restless leg syndrome’ ; but more on that later.



Well, I have a date with Mr. Johnny Depp for the rest of the evening. Have a great night :)