Holiday Eating Tips

Long time no post, I know. Suffice it to say that I've been sorta putting the whole healthy eating on the wayside. Since I discovered the comfort fit waistband from Reitmans all went to hell in a handbasket, too. Even trying to watch what I put into my pie hole is futile this time of year, and the only bit of exercise that I will be getting is the movement of hand to mouth, no doubt. So you can bet that you'll be seeing a reprise of this here blog in 2010 - and possibly a reprise of the daily menus to help me get my fat arse back on the wagon.

Without further ado, I'd like to wish you all the happiest of Christmas' and I do hope that 2010 brings you much happiness, health and prosperity!

I'm borrowing this from an email forward I received. I do feel it's fitting for the blog, in that it's been a bit of a food thing :).

HOLIDAY EATING TIPS

1. Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows nothing of the Holiday spirit. In fact, if you see carrots, leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.
2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. It's rare.. You cannot find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-alcoholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Holiday party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple, Pumpkin, Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Re-read tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner. Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate and wine in one hand, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!"

Mmmmmm.......

A new breakfast concoction that tastes so frickin good you figure it shouldn't be 'good' for you:

bowl of oatmeal with the following mixed in:

-1/2 handful of slivered almonds

-1/2 a small banana, diced

-a few chocolate chips (you don't need many)

-a small spoonful of peanut butter

Mix 'er up and enjoy.

Freaking delicious.I have to admit that this meal idea has been borrowed from a blog that I'm creeping on. I have full intentions of introducing myself to the lovely Angela of http://angiealltheway.blogspot.com/, and I've pulled the photo above from her blog. She's a wealth of healthy food knowledge and a true inspiration to anyone who is going through their own battle of eating healthier and trying to reduce a bit of extra plummage. Since reading her archives, I've already learned so much and I can only hope to be half as successful. Her rendition is a little more healthy than my own choice -- being that she uses peanut butter powder (didn't know about it, folks, until she posted about it), & raw oatmeal she cooked herself, but the way I figure it, even my choice is a whole lot healthier than a bowl of Froot Loops. Not that I eat those, but you know what I mean.

Check out Angie's blog, and the recipe above -- you'll thank yourself for both :)

Everybody makes mistakes...

Hello my lovelies! I haven't forgotten about this here blog, and I'm making a vow to revisit it more often, even contemplating again logging my daily menus because being accountable really does help me 'control myself'. While I've been MIA, I have been still consciously making an effort to eat more 'healthfully', but I'm not depriving myself by any means (nor was I ever). I have to admit to oinking out last weekend on Ruffles potato chips and philly cream cheese dip. I was so very proud of myself on Saturday night as I only snacked on the bowlful of chips that I had delicately divied up and ate slowly, consciously - enjoying every morsel. Better still was the large glass of Pinot that helped wash them down *ahem*.

Sunday was a whole new level of gluttony though, I'm afraid.

Sunday night, during the Amazing Race premiere (I'm very guilty of requiring "snacks" for the new shows), Chris goes to the fridge to pour himself a drink. He motions with his eyebrows to the location above the fridge holding the remaining bags of fried up goodness in a chip. I wasn't even really that hungry either (mistake #1), as I had recently just consumed a nutritious and filling supper. I have a problem with restraining, especially when knowing that I'd be watching him on the other couch consuming his own snack, so I nodded to him in agreement (mistake #2). I also didn't request that he bring with him a small chip bowl to hold my chips (mistake#3).

I also finished the remaining dip (mistake #4).

*OINK*

I will tell you, though...my tummy did NOT appreciate me on Monday. Proof positive that there is a direct relation to health via what you put into your body. I felt terrible. How can I justify ever putting something into my body that makes me feel that terrible again? Here's hoping it was a lesson learned. I just wish the darn stuff didn't taste so good.

Checkin' in...

Ok so I haven't been back to the food journalling -- and I think once the busy-ness of the summer season is over (ie, the cold beer on the hot deck, ice cream to cool thyself, visiting with people-from-away and eating nachos because I can days), I may return to that to get myself back on track. On the weekend, Chris and I popped into his parents' house for a quick second to drop something off so I had a pee stop and hopped on the scale. I will admit I was very frightened at what the scale would tell me...and yes, I am up as I expected, but only up by 2lbs. I expected about 10. Soooo...I'm maintaining my fluffy self for the most part. Now that Old Home Week is behind us, hopefully that means the end of the wicked humidity that was upon us and I can try to get a few walks in and start a routine. And yes, perhaps I should also dust off the Wii Fit. I like how the little message plays, "over a week ago since last check in", when I sign in to the Wii to play Super Mario Bros, rather than the actual amount of time since my last check in (ie, how many months ago Amber??!).

Bah!

And yet another week goes by...

Ok - so I'm going to give the daily food journalling a break (no sh!t, eh?) ... and, more than likely will revert back to it once I jump on the scale again and realize that I've put on a bunch of what I'd lost. Summer time is rough ... friends visiting and supper's dining out...cold beer when it's hot...oy vey. I did go for a walk on the boardwalk on Tuesday night though with Erin and a visiting Julie J. And, it didn't kill me ;). My knee started to bother me on the 2nd leg, but the weather could also be playing a part in that. Seems when the humidity is really high I always have trouble.

So far this week I've tried to eat 'well', but I have to admit to having an ice cream flurry and nachos Tuesday (Lana you're a bad influence :P), and a more-than-likely-calorific (that's Amberese for horrifically high in calories) chicken/brie dish at the Pilot House last night (oh, and a slice of cheese cake too). Tomorrow night I'm partaking in Rosanne's girls night - where there will be undoubtably many good eats and cold beer... And Saturday another girls night with the girls from work...

Perhaps you'll see the return of the food journalling on Sunday.

:)

Whoopsie!

What a disgrace - I've left you all for a full week interval.

What a disgrace - I've been eating like a pig lately. Perhaps, subconsiously, that's why I didn't force myself to post? I know summer is a more 'trying' time when it comes to healthy eating. Choices aren't as plenty (well, 'good' choice, that is). Suffice it to say that, yes, I'm still trying desperately to keep on track. Suffice it to say that I do still need a belt with some pants, so that's a bonus! Suffice it to say that I've also treated myself - a little bit too much - this past 7 day interval. And when I say "treat", I mean days like yesterday...with ice cream for supper, followed by popcorn with butter, root beer & a Kitkat bar for ..er...dessert? Oh, and a beer with Crispers whilst watching Big Brother because I got hungry (this would be the ultimate of treat days, mind you).

*sigh*

Now, if I could just be free of this overwhelming urge to snack on ruffles chips and copious quantities of dip, I'd be all set.

What do you snack on in the summer time that you find overwhelmingly delicious?

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed berries & yogourt
1 slice of Chris' Nannie's bread toasted w/ jam
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
choc monkey smoothie
Mediterranean wrap

Snack:
grapes

Snack/"Supper":
popcorn & a Coors Light (great supper, eh?)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
a piece of the most delicious carrot cake (it was Amanda's birthday at work, and the lovely Dina had made her a cake to celebrate. I never say no to carrot cake).
1 twizzler (hey, I already had cake - why not, right?)

Lunch:
choc monkey smoothie
Mediterranean wrap

Snack/Supper:
2 slices of Chris' Nannie's homemade bread, toasted with peanut butter
glass of choc milk

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
grapes
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
bagel
yogourt, granola & blueberries

Snack:
grapes
Crispers

"Supper"/Snack (late shift again):
2 slices of Chris' Nannie's homemade bread, toasted, with peanut butter
glass of choc milk

Sunday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberries & blueberries
1 slice of Chris' Nannie's homemade bread, toasted, with Chris' Nannie's homemade strawberry jam (mmmm)
coffee

Supper:
baked potato
shrimp done on the barbie

Snack:
ice cream cone from Jewells

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Break:
banana nut granola bar
grapes

Lunch:
Mediterranean wrap & choc monkey smoothie

Supper:
vendor hot dog (another FoL night)

Snack:
bagel

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
2 hard boiled eggs
Greek pasta salad
choc monkey smoothie

Snack:
granola, blueberries, choc chips & yogourt

Snack:
gross vendor hotdog from the FoL to stave off hunger

Supper*:
baked potato
jr. cheeseburger
milkshake

*I joined Chris down on the waterfront for the FoL concert. I had to leave right after work so didn't have a chance to grab another snack or supper. Needless to say, by 9:30 -10:00pm we were starving so when the boy brought back Wendys I happily scarfed it down. It wasn't as good as the thought of it was ;)

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
rice, shrimp & peas
choc pudding

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
Greek pasta salad
tuna wrap
(and 1/2 banana while prepping supper)

Wednesday

Breakfast:
blueberry pancake
coffee

Lunch:
yogourt, granola & fruit

Supper (huge thanks to Lana & Bruce!!!):
bbq'd hamburger
coleslaw
potatoes
mixed grilled veggies
a honkin piece of the most delicious coconut cream pie for dessert...mmmm :)

Snack (firework treats!):
Mike's hard pink lemonade
several handfuls of doritios (did I mention how much I miss chips?)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
2 hard-boiled eggs
Greek salad

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
rice, shrimp & peas
frozen yogourt with choc chips (tasty!)

Snack (night out at Erin & Shane's - thanks for the treats!!!!):
2 Moose Light w/ Lime (sooo good!)
a few handfuls of chips (I miss chips...Oh how I miss chips)

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana, blueberries and strawberries (NS beauts - finally not California's!)
coffee

Lunch:
egg on a bagel, with red onion, green pepper & shredded cheese. I cooked the egg in a non-stick pan so I didn't put anything at all in the pan to "fry" it.
glass of choc milk

Snack:
Crispers

Supper:
veggie wrap - on a whole wheat tortilla with hummus. green, red & yellow peppers, red onion, cucumbers & feta
choc monkey smoothie

Sunday

Brunch (it was a laaaate night last night so a late rise! We ate at 1pm I think!):
blueberry pancake
coffee

Snack:
banana

Supper:
bbq'd hotdog (1 and a half)
Greek salad

Snack:
smoothie, made with frozen vanilla yogourt, blueberries, strawberries & banana

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & fruit
coffee

Snack:
choc milk
oatcake

Lunch:
penne with mixed veggies, grilled chicken and goat cheese from Montanas (BON BON weekend!)

Snack*:
a few chips
crackers, cheese & pepperoni
garlic pita chips and arugula & almond dip (very tasty!)
*Thanks to Leanne for the little pre-concert snack!

Supper:
a slice of tasteless, greasy Greco pizza

Snack:
a few mouthfuls of Pepsi
Sweet 'n Salty bar (thanks Mark!)

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & fruit
coffee

Lunch:
Highliner frozen shrimp/wild rice dinner
bowl of frozen vanilla yogourt and choc pudding (try it -Yummm-o!)

Snack:
Crispers

Supper:
choc monkey smoothie and a Mediterranean wrap from the JZ

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, blueberries, 1/2 banana & strawberries
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
leftover spaghetti
choc pudding

Snack:
grapes
1 Babybel cheese
banana

Supper:
glass of choc milk
bagel
bowl of yogourt with blueberries & a few choc chips - good!

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, blueberries, strawberries & 1/2 banana
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
chicken salad
choc pudding
1/2 Greek pita

Snack:
more grapes
hummus & flatbread crackers

Supper:
spaghetti (we had a lot of leftovers!)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, blueberries, strawberries & banana
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
leftover spaghetti
Greek salad

Snack:
hummus, carrots & 1/2 greek pita

Supper:
chicken salad
1/2 Greek pita

Dessert:
a 'chocolate mud' cone from Cows - in a chocolate dipped waffle cone, at that ;).
We have a brand new Cows creamery that just opened up close to home, so when Chris offers to take me out to ice cream, I have no will power to say no. One would think, well, it being 'close to home', you at least walked to and fro, yes? That would be a 'no'...we were unsure if it was open or not so we drove there (those who know me and know how close the new creamery is, will be disgusted with me, as I am with myself. The cone was beyond delicious so I did enjoy every lick).

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & blueberries
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
yet another luncheon at the Juice Zone. A good thing about supper out at the W's is no supper mess to clean Sunday night...bad thing being no chance to stop for groceries at the store before closing time and less than adequate lunch supplies. I had another delicious Mediterranean wrap with a choc monkey smoothie.

Supper:
Greek salad
spaghetti

Snack:
popcorn

Sunday

Brunch (another late start to the weekend day):
bowl of granola, yogourt & blueberries
1 blueberry pancake (hey, I don't refuse them when they're made for me)
coffee

I consumed enough for "Brunch" to tide me over nicely til supper. And I also scrubbed the floors, vacuumed and did 2 loads of laundry to help burn off that pancake.

Supper*:
We dined at the Wilkinson home, enjoying a full turkey dinner for Father's Day. I had a full plate of turkey, mashed potatoes, carrots, and stuffing (and yes, oh yes, gravy too). We ended our big meal with a dessert of strawberry shortcake - made from fresh-out-of-the-oven biscuits. I was full. It was worth every morsel.

*I did hop on the scale while there, as it is really the only scale I've been paying attention to since this 'healthy me' journey began...I reported a few weeks ago that the number on the scale hadn't changed. Happily, it didn't go up, but it didn't go down from what it had been for weeks and weeks. My thoughts are I've been teeter tottering and luckily standing on the thing on the totter day. Anyway. Last night, I'm down apparently 3 more pounds since my last weigh-in on June 8th. Of course, this apparent 'loss' is prior to the turkey, the stuffing, the biscuit, and ALL that gravy made its way to my buttocks. The pants I'm wearing today sure don't feel as though 3 pounds are missing. An on-going battle, to say the least!

Saturday

Brunch (I love weekends but they do interfere with regular eating times):
granola, mixed fruit & yogourt
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Supper:
bbq'd hamburger
small helping of macaroni salad
1 chip & nacho dip

We'd been at a housewarming party, and by the time we got home - about 9:00ish I was starving and really wished I'd indulged more in that nacho dip.

Snack:
I ended up popping a bag of microwave popcorn and polishing it off rather quickly (in my defence, it didn't pop that well, so it's not like I had a 'full' bag to consume). Chris opened a bag of Party Mix that the hostess of the housewarming party insisted we take home with us, and I also helped myself to that as well, and polished off the eats with a delicious blueberry smoothie Chris made us with frozen blueberries, frozen mixed fruit, frozen banana, plain yogourt & vanilla frozen yogourt. YUM!

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
Mediterranean wrap & choc monkey from the Juice Zone (My name is Amber, and I am a Juice Zone-aholic)

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
toast & peanut butter
glass of choc milk

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
bagel & cream cheese
coffee

Lunch:
Mediterranean wrap & choc monkey from the Juice Zone

Snack:
plum

Supper:
bagel with cream cheese (I know, I know...twice in one day. I had a nail appoint this morning before working a late shift, and Tim Hortons was the quickest and closest to get me to work on time. That, and a substantial requirement for extra caffeine due to the lack of sleep on account of getting up for said appointment. "Supper" bagel due to extreme laziness, and lack of a better alternative 'quick' sup.)
glass of choc milk

Hump Day

Breakfast:
coffee
yogourt, granola & mixed fruit

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
2 hard-boiled eggs
Greek salad

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
plum

Supper:
Gahan nachos...b'day girls in June night. I've tried other menu options, and there's nothing that's worth splurging on other then nachos. I was very careful to ensure I ate healthfully the rest of the day :).

*Update*: the nachos weren't that great. The Gahan, once more, changed their menu, and some of our favorites, once more, are missing. We're going to try to find a new hang, wethinks.

Let the record show...

(I almost forgot to post this!)...Chris offered me a chunk of milk chocolate (Dairy Milk bar) and I declined.

Yes, you've read that right. I declined a piece of free chocolate.

I opted for a glass of chocolate milk with my supper as it would last longer than the small hunk of candy.

Really, wonders truly never cease.

Tuesday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt & mixed fruit. I'm trying this organic granola - it's low fat, and well, low taste. Previously I'd always bought the "Our Compliments" low fat kind that didn't seem to be any worse, health-wise, and it tastes a whole lot better
coffee

Snack:
grapes

Lunch:
Greek pasta salad
2 hard boiled eggs

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

Supper:
bagel toasted with light veggie cream cheese
glass of milk
2 slices of watermelon

Monday

Breakfast:

yogourt, granola & mixed fruit

coffee

Snack:

grapes

"All Bran" bar

Lunch:

Highliner shrimp/rice frozen dinner

salad - with mixed greens, cucumber, carrot, mushroom, almonds and shredded cheese

choc pudding

Snack:

2 babybel cheese rounds

banana

Supper:
greek pasta salad
glass of choc milk

Snack:
Crispers - "They're baked, not fried!"

Sunday

Breakfast:
blueberry pancake
coffee

Lunch:
bagel toasted with light veggie cream cheese
glass of choc milk
fruit & yogourt

Supper:
Hey, when the boy offers to buy supper, you must oblige. When the boy offers to buy chicken shawarma you ask how fast can I get it for you? Twice in a week I was treated to chicken shawarma and lebanese rice from Cedars. Mmmm mmm mmm. However, I do admit to feeling a twinge of need for a Cows ice cream for dessert. I did not give in to temptation, however. And Lana, when you read this you may say to yourself, 'Hee hee, that's my fault'... And, you wouldn't be wrong. But I'm not dissing you for it, either ;).

Saturday

Breakfast:
mixed fruit, yogourt & granola
coffee

Lunch:
english muffin toasted with peanut butter
glass of milk

Supper:
chicken salad - with mixed greens, carrots, cucumber, cheese, & chicken slices

Snack:
granola, yogourt & choc chips

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Lunch:
spaghetti

Supper:
english muffin, toasted with peanut butter
glass of choc milk
banana

I was starving by the time I arrived home from my stamping club so I had another meal. I was craving garlic fingers something fierce, but instead I made up two small veggie wraps - made with whole wheat wraps, hummus, cucumber, carrot, cheese & mixed greens. I also had a glass of choc milk & a handful of Crispers.

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Lunch:
whole wheat veggie wrap with cucumbers, carrot, mixed greens, cheese 'n hummus
glass of choc milk
watermelon slice

Supper:
1/2 of a small garlic toasted bun
chicken shawarma & Lebanese rice from Cedars
small Moo Crunch cone from Cows (Happy Birthday tooo meeee...)

I was very, very full. Uncomfortable full. Good thing Lana and I only do that twice/year (well, ....heh).

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Lunch:
It was Momma day, so she treated me to lunch at Smittys, where I ordered a "Sunrise Skillet"...I ate 1 1/2 slices of whole wheat toast, egg with green onion, mushrooms, and cheese and a few hashbrowns. Oh, and I did eat the bacon too. Who leaves bacon on a plate, anyway?
coffee

Supper:
egg rolls and shrimp fried rice

Not a stellar food day. I think my body will benefit from an end to my 'vacation' week. It will also be more quenched. I have a really hard time getting my water into me when I'm at home.

Tuesday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola, & mixed fruit

Lunch:
veggie sandwich on a whole wheat pita - filled with cucumber, carrot, mushrooms, green pepper, cheese, mixed greens, garnished with hummus
glass of milk
slice of watermelon

Supper:
spaghetti

Snack:
1/2 a bag (at least) of Crispy Mini rice cake snacks

Monday

Breakfast:
coffee
yogourt, granola, mixed berries

Lunch:
English muffin with egg & cheese

Snack:
green tea

Supper:
2 fish cakes
homemade brown beans
1 slice of homemade bread
glass of milk
a few small cookies

Snack:
bowl of frozen yogourt

Supper was at the W homestead, so I was finally able to hop on the scale again - well - I haven't gained anything, but I haven't lost anymore either. At least it wasn't higher...especially after all the 'treating' of late.

Chocolate Monkey

Someone commented asking for the recipe for the infamous "Chocolate Monkey" smoothie and I'd be delighted to oblige!

There actually are a lot of different recipes out there. My obsession started when I tried one from the Juice Zone - their menu indicates it's a combination of chocolate soy milk, vanilla frozen yogourt, bananas and peanut butter, though our local Zone doesn't use peanut butter.

We make them at home, and instead of the soy milk we substitute chocolate milk and it doesn't taste quite the same -- more banana-y, but it's still good.

The following link sums up fairly close to what we do (aside from the flax and protein powder, but I suppose it couldn't hurt to add one/both in the mix!):

http://zestycook.com/come-get-your-chocolate-monkey/

We've also tried chocolate frozen yogourt - mostly to try to achieve more of a chocolate taste. I'd also recommend possibly freezing older bananas...may have less of a 'green banana' taste.

Sunday

Breakfast:
1 blueberry pancake
yogourt, strawberries & cantaloupe, and a bit of granola
coffee

Snack:
Crispers

Supper:
1/4 of a gross frozen veggie pizza. I couldn't eat anymore of it so supper ended with a toasted English muffin with peanut butter.

I haven't weighed myself in weeks...I'm certain I've likely put on 7 or 8 lbs of the 21 that I lost. I've consumed way too much crap in the past few days (oh the joys of birthday gatherings)...I have to get on track next week...and I've got to get my fat arse in gear, too...Wish me luck...

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Lunch:
mixed veggies & dip, melba toast, piece of cheese
small piece of choc cake

Snack:
yogourt cup with strawberries & granola

Supper:
grilled potatoes & shrimp

Snacks:
2 1/2 beers, small piece of choc cake, several dips of delicious nacho dip and a 1/2 a Dutch bread/meat 'wastabra' thing

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit

Snack:
"All Bran bar"
1/2 banana

Lunch:
Mediterranean wrap & choc monkey smoothie from the Juice Zone (thank you Bobbi!!)

Supper:
B'day supper at the Merchant Man - small biscuit starter; artichoke dip with flatbread chips for an appetizer, and artichoke foccacia and a greek salad. I also downed two glasses of wine. 'Urp. We had intentions of walking to Cows for dessert but I think the bread did me in...I didn't even have room for Moo Crunch. Go figure.

"Snack":
1 butter shot, 1 Mudslide and a handful of Party Mix at Tina's

Thursday

Breakfast:
mixed fruit, yogourt & granola
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
leftover rice, peas & shrimp
choc pudding

Snack:
hummus & pita bread

Supper:
Chinese b'day supper at Mummy's - 2 egg rolls, shrimp fried rice, beef & brocolli, and moo goo guy pan
a small sliver of a delicious cheesecake and a peppermint tea topped it off in style

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
Leftover rice, shrimp & peas
1 Babybel cheese
choc pudding

Snack:
7 choc covered almonds (it's my Birthday week)

Supper:
bbq'd salmon
baked (bbq'd) potatoes
peas
choc monkey smoothie for dessert :)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
coffee
granola, mixed fruit & yogourt

Snack:
1/2 banana
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
leftover spaghetti
a few carrots with hummus

Snack:
1 homemade oatmeal & raisin cookie (you just cannot refuse Joan's homemade goodies!)

Supper:
shrimp, rice & peas

Monday

Breakfast:
yogourt, mixed fruit & granola
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
veggie wraps
mixed fruit

Snack:
1/2 banana

Supper:
spaghetti
a homemade chocolate monkey smoothie topped it for a delicious dessert :)

Snack:
handful of Crispers

Sunday

Breakfast:
1 blueberry pancake
bowl of fruit & yogourt
coffee

Lunch:
egg salad sandwich on whole wheat bun
coffee
choc chip cookie (hey, it's cheaper in a combo)

Supper:
2 bbq'd hotdogs & a hamburger
spinach salad

Saturday

Breakfast:
2 blueberry pancakes
coffee

Lunch:
Breakfast was so filling I really didn't get hungry again until 4:o0 - so I had some hummus & carrots, a few flatbread crackers and a Babybel cheese to tide me over til supper.

Supper:
1/2 a chicken fajita wrap & 1/2 a Mediterranean wrap from the Juice Zone (I took Chris there because he wanted to see what all the fuss was about. Sadly, he wasn't as impressed as me)
chocolate monkey smooooothie ...mmmmmmm

Friday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola, mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
tuna wrap

Lunch:
Mediterranean panini sandwich
choc monkey smoothie (Again from my new favorite eating place, the Juice Zone - Just when I thought it couldn't get any more delicious...it did!)

Snack:
popcorn, diet rootbeer & a few Crispers

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed fruit, yogourt
coffee

Lunch:
thai chicken wrap
choc milk

Supper*:
chocolate monkey smoothie
chicken fajita wrap
*from the Juice Zone - my new favourite place to eat! Superb!

Snack:
banana

Snack:
diet root beer
microwave popcorn
(And I may or may not have consumed the entire bag - ok, I confess. It was the whole bag)

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt and mixed fruit - today I added a few frozen blueberries to the mix and I tell you, it made it even MORE delicious!
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
tuna wrap
choc pudding cup

Snack:
flatbread crackers
2 Babybel cheeses

Supper/snack:
granola, 1/2 banana, blueberries & choc chips
handful of Crispers again (gotta get rid of them)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
large salad with a hard-boiled egg, spinach, mushrooms, strawberries, cucumber, red onion and cheese (oh everything needs cheese)
small amount of leftover broccoli salad

Snack:
hummus with flatbread crackers

"Supper"/snack:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana & choc chips
crispers and a diet root beer (not the best combination...I loathe the late shift - I really, really do).

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
broccoli salad
egg salad sandwich
grapes

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

Supper/"snack" (another night of g.d. late shifts):
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana & choc chips

Sunday

Breakfast:
blueberry pancakes
coffee

Lunch:
glass of milk
2 slices of toast with peanut butter

Supper:
BBQ'd hamburger
Greek salad
BBQ'd 'hotdog' (quotation marks to denote the fact that 'lower/lesser' fat, "healthier choice" hot dogs are not hotdogs. I had been craving a bbq'd hotdog since the weather turned nicer so I gave in to the craving. It was ungood. Very ungood).

Snack:
Iced Capp from Tim's...I was cleaning in the evening and very warm, so indulged when Chris offered to pick me up a coffee on his coffee run.

Saturday

Breakfast:
bowl of Oatmeal Crisp
coffee

Lunch:
2 slices of toast with peanut butter
glass of milk
2 "Rice Krisipie" straws

Supper:
leftover shrimp/rice & pea dish

Snack:
bowl of chocolate frozen yogourt (not the same as ice cream, but it'll do in a pinch!)

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
'chocolate monkey' smoothie
chicken fajita grilled wrap (both from the "Juicezone"...and if you haven't been there yet, GO! Delicious, and healthy!)

Supper:
My healthy lunch day thus far was completely nullified by the subsequent hours of the day... Chris & I stopped at Mom's to spend the evening there with Belinda & Fred. I consumed several beer (let's just say amongst 5 of us, the fridge went from full to void of all brown pops). For supper we dined on garlic fingers and pizza. Complete and utter disregard of all healthy eating habits. It was delicious though - but I did pay the price later in the evening, and into the next day.

Wii-Fit

So Chris and I are the proud owners of a Wii Fit. The appeal to get it stemmed from a recent purchase of the regular Wii. Chris enjoys video games. Me? Notsomuch. However, acknowledging that healthy eating (and frequent lapses if you've been following along), I know eating alone isn't going to gnaw away at this pudge. So, I agreed to hop on the Wii Fit. If you've not yet used one, you are given the opportunity to set up your Wii "Mii" -- a cartoon caricature of yourself. I believe I got a pretty good semblance of myself, and I totally tweaked Chris' to look more like him.

Next, you're ready to start 'Fit-ing'... It's a good idea to do the Body Test first, that way you have a starting point and can work toward goals that you set for yourself. You're BMI is measured, along with your weight, and you're also given your "Wii-Fit Age"...based on your measurements. My initial body test wasn't a huge surprise...I know I'm overweight, and I know approximately what I weigh. However, there is a level that rises from a good weight, to moderately overweight, to obese. Let's just say that when my measurements were being presented to me, that level went sky high as quick as can be...and would have gone higher, had the level allowed. Let's just say I'm morbidly obese...and my initial Wii-Fit age was a whopping 60 years old (ah, that explains so much!) . In addition my Wii-Mii, which I had added some 'pudge' to got a lot 'pudgier'.

Aside from the initial set-up-self-esteem-kick-in-the-junk, I have managed to hop on the platform 3 or 4 times now. I do a few yoga poses, hula-hooping (freaking hilarious to watch someone hula hoop without actually using a hula hoop), stepping, and I even did some running (4 mins straight - thought I would die). The second time I did the 'body test' my Wii Fit age decreased to a normal range...I think I'm 34 now. I didn't complete the stability test the first time. Chris walked me through doing it both times. Perhaps he purposely missed the stability test the first time to poke fun? Truth be told I do feel more like a 60 year old woman than one of 34.

Now, if I could just get into a DAILY routine of doing the Fit. What do you all do for regular, routine exercise?

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar (I get the 'chocolate chip' kind, and believe it or not, I really enjoy them...and they're high fiber... You do have to have a glass of water close by because they're very dry, and I'd be fearing the choking factor if you didn't have a steady stream of water to wash it down with)
grapes

Lunch:
another tuna wrap like yesterday (1 can, 2 lunches)
spinach salad
watermelon cubes

Snack:
a few more grapes
banana

Supper:
rice, shrimp & peas dish (my own concoction but quite tasty; I simply fry up the shrimp in a little EVOO, add the rice once cooked, throw in some frozen peas and mix 'er up. The spices I use are simply pepper, garlic and soy sauce).
bbq'd haddock

Snack:
two "Rice Crispie" straw snacks. Kinda like a little cookie. Pretty good.

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
tuna sandwich on a whole wheat tortilla wrap. I sprinkled some cheese and heated it in the microwave for about 20 seconds. Everything should have cheese.
spinach salad
watermelon cubes

Snack:
rest of grapes
1/2 banana

Supper:
fruit smoothie
bagel with low fat cream cheese (I usually buy the "light" version of the garlic & herb Philly cream cheese spread. I found this "low fat" version that I thought was the same. Notsomuch.)

Snack:
Chris was hungry after we'd been out shopping at Walmart - and was craving a cheeseburger. (Gosh it's great to have support from home, isn't it??). We stopped at a local dairy bar where he ordered a cheeseburger platter and a choc milkshake. I had two bites of the burger, several fries, and a good portion of the shake. It was all fantastically delicious...but I did rather gross later in the evening so I guess the devil got me back for picking.

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
shrimp/wild rice frozen dinner
watermelon

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
spinach salad
leftover spaghetti

Snack:
glass of chocolate milk

*If you're paying very careful attention you'd realize that this Tuesday is really 7 days from the Tuesday that I should be reporting. I acknowledge that. I also acknowledge that in these past 7 days that no one shall read about, I probably (well, ok, I did) eat things that I probably shouldn't have. I'm almost to the point where I feel writing out this daily menu to be at the point of complete redundancy ... and me missing nearly a full week is proof that I'm losing a bit of the habit. However, I do feel that writing it down does help keep me accountable. Will I likely continue to eat granola, mixed fruit & yogourt for breakfast? Chances are good. The biggest challenge ahead now is to work in some regular exercise... Onward and upward....

Monday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola, strawberries & 1/2 banana
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" bar
a few grapes (til I tasted mold :S)

Lunch:
spinach salad
2 hard-boiled eggs

Snack:
Triscuits & cheese

Supper:
bagel & cream cheese

Sunday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, few choc chips (I ran out of fruit for breakfast and just the cereal & yogourt felt too empty - ha!)

Lunch:
coffee
bagel with egg & cheese

Supper:
I could 'cheat' and list a bunch of vegetables here because I technically did eat vegetables...but let's face it...it was Chinese food, so the health factor in those veggies is questionable, at best... so I had a healthy portion of beef & broccoli, moo goo guy pan, shrimp-fried rice, and 2 delicious egg rolls. Not to be outdone, I also topped it off with a peppermint tea (Mummy always needs her Timmy's coffee after a big meal) and a mini Kitkat.

Observation: This "healthy eating" thing seems to be lost on the weekends.... :S Zero deprivation, right?

Saturday

Breakfast:
bagel with cream cheese

Snack:
fruit/yogourt cup
coffee

Lunch:
turkey sub from Subway with veggies
chocolate milk

Snack:
1 and 1/2 Babybel cheeses

Supper*:
my Amitriciana pasta at East Side Marios
ceasar salad
ample pieces of garlic bread
2 strawberry blush martinis
*I pretty much gorged on bread and salad so by the time the pasta arrived I was full. I ate about 1/4 of it...intending to take the rest home. Our waitress bullied us into ordering dessert -- daring Chris that he couldn't finish it... the big ploy being, "if you don't finish it, I'll buy it". Never one to refuse a dare, especially when it comes to matters of the stomach, Chris was quick to say, "Bring it!". I felt sick just watching him...had two very teensy tiny bites myself (never one to refuse dessert completely). By the time we made it back to the car I felt like hurling. I guess the richness of everything was just too much for me...and we ended up turfing the leftovers in the dumpster. While I hate being a food waster, I think my buttocks will benefit more for them being in the dumpster and not sitting in my fridge awaiting my next meal.

Friday

Breakfast:
bagel with cream cheese
tea

Break:
coffee
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
potato & vegetable soup
2 slices of homemade bread, toasted with margarine
raw veggies (few carrots, cucumber, broccoli & cauliflower; watermelon & strawberries)

Snack:
yogourt, granola & a sprinkle of choco chips

"Supper":
It's movie night so supper will again be popcorn and pop :)

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
tea

Snack:
coffee
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
frozen shrimp/wild rice Highliner dinner

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

"Supper":
popcorn and 2 Babybels (man I'll be glad to get this shift over to get back on regular eating intervals!)

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed fruit & yogourt
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
The other half of that delicious, delectable lasagna (thank you, thank again Rose!)
spinach salad

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

"Supper":
2 slices of homemade bread toasted, with peanut butter. Homemade bread is terribly hard to pass up!

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
2 hard-boiled eggs

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Supper:
small piece of lasagna (thank you, thank you Rose!!)
garlic toast

Monday

Starting that gross 11:00 to 7:30pm work week again...therefore mealtimes will be completely screwed up...bah! I should have totally took that into consideration before making a complete pig of myself this past weekend....aaaaanyway...

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
bbq'd salmon

Break:
grapes

"Supper":
bagel and cream cheese
glass of milk

Snack:
triscits, cheese and dill pickles (if you've not had this combination before, I strongly urge you to try it)

Sunday

Breakfast:
mixed fruit and yogourt
1 blueberry pancake
coffee

"Snack":
1 regular cone of Chocolate Peanut Butter Parfait ice cream at Jewell's. And yes, this is the day after scarfing down too many bad things...but it was delicious anyway.

Supper:
bbq'd salmon
steamed brocolli

Snack:
leftover nacho dip & multigrain chips (damn, WHY did I take that home?!)
rootbeer

Saturday

Breakfast:
yogourt and fruit
bagel with cream cheese
coffee

Lunch:
bowl of Vector cereal

Supper:
Tonight I joined my work girlies for a much needed gathering - where we feasted on some tasty treats and enjoyed some yummy bevvies while we 'decompressed' since the last time we gathered. It was a fab time, and I ate extremely unhealthfully...including a dozen (or more - read, likely many more) dips of walkin' nacho dip; anijitos (the number of which I cannot name as I just kept ho-ing into them); 3 mozza sticks; 2 spring rolls; 2 mini chicken balls; a few pieces of fruit (strawberries, melon & apple dipped in Skor bar dip); 2 extremely small pieces of to-die-for cheesecake; and, 4 cold Coors Light. Wow - in recounting it I feel like a rather ginourmous sow...but hey, we have to treat ourselves, and not beat ourselves up -right? Sigh....

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
My rubber arm was twisted by my dear co-workers today - to join them for lunch at East Side Marios...wherein I once again enjoyed my new favourite pasta of all time -Bucatini Chicken Amatricana. The lunch size is very small....and yes, I've done the math...I realize that within a week span that would make four meals of said dish. I'm not proud...but damn if it isn't completely delicious that I lose all will power whatsoever. Plus, it's pay day...and Friday...and I will also blame a little 'peer pressure'.

Supper:
bbq'd hamburger
spinach salad

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
frozen shrimp/wild rice dinner

Break:
apple

Supper:
spinach salad
bbq'd hamburger

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
baked potato
grilled chicken sandwich

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
Leftover Bucatini Chicken Amatricana :) -- the serving was humungous last night, so left ample quantities for a good-sized dinner. Next time Mummy & I might just split a regular order between us. 'Til then, I'm going to enjoy every morsel - for the 2nd time in 2 days :).
glass of chocolate milk

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
shrimp & wild rice frozen dinner from Highliner

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

Supper:
QT with Mummy means supper out and tonight we dined on East Side Mario's Bucatini Chicken Amatricana, caesar salad and a few pieces of bread. No night out with Mummy is complete until she gets her coffee from Timmy's on the way home, and she insists I have something with her, so I always order a peppermint tea. Tonight I coupled that with a miniature Kitkat bar that she 'made' me eat for dessert. Why not - I was falling down a slippery slope anyway :P

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
PEI had a major power outage - cutting power for a great percentage of the area, and resulting in very little choice for lunch. It just happened to be the one day that I didn't actually pack a lunch. We ended up at Pizza Delight to dine on their lunch buffet...so lunch consisted of a small bit of pasta salad, garden salad, 1 garlic finger and 2 small slices of pizza. *oink*

Snack:
1 slice of watermelon

Supper:
tomato & red pepper soup
bagel

Snack:
popcorn
glass of chocolate milk

Sunday

Breakfast*:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

*It was a late 'rise' to the day so that was really 'Brunch'

Supper:
mashed potatoes
peas
baked salmon

Hmmph - I really didn't eat much did I? My body can take it ;)

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
watermelon slice
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
Bucatini Chicken Amatricana from East Side Marios. It was April's "Birthday Lunch" so we treated ourselves. It was fan-freaking-tastic. It was off the lunch menu so the portion was a lot smaller. I'm pretty full though and will aim for a lighter supper methinks.

Lunch filled me up rather substantially so I only snacked on melba rounds and cream cheese into the evening hours of the day.

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
watermelon slice
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
tuna sandwich on a pita
spinach salad
watermelon slice

Snack:
melba rounds with light veggie cream cheese

"Supper"/Snack (worked another late shift today so my eating times were all over the place):
granola, 1/2 banana, choc chips

Snack:
popcorn & 3 sips of beer

Thursday

Breakfast:
(I really oughta mix up the breakfast a bit shouldn't I? I just like it so much!)
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
shrimp & rice Highliner frozen dinner
spinach salad

Snack:
carrots & hummus

Supper:
chicken penne from Gahan (out with the girlies - and I managed to refrain from ordering nachos, and now wish that I had because the pasta was overcooked, over-sauced and just....blech!)

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed fruit & yogourt
vanilla tea

Lunch:
bagel with cream cheese
coffee

Snack:
watermelon slice

Supper:
mashed potatoes
shrimp
peas

Dessert:
1 small Lindor "carrot" - Chris' Easter candy. I had started my taxes and I wasn't in a stellar mood, so felt it next to impossible to refuse Chris' offer of the treat. It didn't make me feel any better though. It was delicious, nevertheless.

Snack:
watermelon slice
handful of "Crispers"

Tuesday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt & mixed fruit

coffee

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

grapes

Lunch:

chicken, vegetables and rice

1 plum

grapes

Snack:

melba rounds with light veggie cream cheese

Supper:

shish touak with Greek salad (Mummy night - she always treats me to supper when we go out. This time it was Mosaic)

Dessert:
peppermint tea & a trail mix cookie

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" Bar
grapes

Lunch:
beef with brocolli & rice (leftovers from Sunday's supper)
mixed melon

Snack:
hummus with flatbread crackers

Supper:
shrimp
mashed potatoes
peas

Snack:
chocolate pudding

Whoopsie

Ok I'm a bad blogger...and have missed updating this until now. I could try to recall by memory what I've consumed since Thursday night of last week, but I'm no doubt going to be off, and the contents of which will undoubtably make me feel sorta guilty. It would be safe to say that I had another 'treating' weekend...complete with a beer and a slice of pizza on Friday night, a Frosty Treat cone & Cedars' shawarma on Saturday, followed up by Chinese food on Sunday. (*whistle whistle*). Did I exercise at all this weekend to try to offset the added intake? If one counts leisurely strolling through a furniture shop, Wal-Mart and walking to the car and back, then sure!

I DO plan on getting active now that the weather is (finally) turning more spring-like. Really, I do...and as I sit typing in a pair of pants that didn't fit for quite a while, I'm still getting somewhere, albeit slowly. I just wish the pants felt as comfortable as they did the last time I wore them. :S

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana, strawberries & melon
I was still hungry so then I had a piece of homemade bread toasted with Chris' Nannie's homemade strawberry jam. I finished the jam. Sorry Chris.
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
2 Smarties from April's birthday cake. I managed to have enough willpower to not have a slice of one of the 3 cakes on her desk. I am kicking myself a bit for not partaking in the carrot cake though.

Lunch:
Highliner frozen shrimp/rice dinner
spinach salad
choc pudding

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers
1/2 banana

Supper:
12 grain toast and peanut butter
glass of choc milk
1/2 a pudding

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, melon, 1/2 banana & yogourt
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1 plum

Lunch:
turkey sandwich on a pita
spinach salad
choc pudding

Snack:
apple slices and peanut butter

Supper:
Lean Cuisine panini sandwich - chicken & tomato

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberries, 1/2 banana, melon
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
frozen Highliner shrimp & rice dinner
choc pudding

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

"Supper/Snack" (god I hate the late shift):
granola, banana, & choc chips

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana and strawberries
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" Bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
turkey sandwich on a pita
chocolate pudding

Snack:
hummus & flatbread crackers

"Supper"/Snack...whatever:
granola, yogourt, strawberries & choc chips
I was still hungry so helped Chris eat a bag of microwave popcorn, too.

Friday, Saturday & Sunday

Suffice it to say that I 'treated' myself this weekend. The food...OH THE FOOD!

I don't feel that it's worth accounting for every morsel (put it in front of me, I ate it! From Timbits to chips & dip, Party Mix, spring rolls... bottles and bottles of beer ...huge plate of turkey dinner and glass after glass of wine...'urp). I know I ate crappy. I felt crappy because I ate crappy...and it's Monday, and I'm back on the wagon!

Some points that make me feel a little less guilty about my all-out gorgefest this weekend:

• I still fit into the 2-sizes-smaller-jeans and lasted all evening long in them on Saturday night
• I am still down the 21 lbs (no more than that, but at least the scale didn't move in the other direction. Mind you, that calculation was done prior to the turkey dinner with trimmings, dessert and 3 glasses of wine!)
• zero Easter chocolate in the house to worry about consuming

Back at 'er!

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana & strawberries
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
Highliner shrimp & wild rice dinner
chocolate pudding

Snack:
1 of April's delicious Easter sugar cookies
hummus & pita

Supper:
Lean Cuisine "panini" sandwich (chicken, spinach & veggie)
spinach salad

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & banana
coffee

Snack:
"Balance" granola bar
1 plum

Lunch:
turkey sandwich on a pita
tomato soup
pudding

Snack:
melba toast rounds with light veggie cream cheese

Supper:
spinach salad
turkey sandwich on pita

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, banana & yogourt
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
bowl of chicken noodle soup & bagel
peppermint tea

Snack:
2 Babybel cheese rounds
1 plum

Supper:
personal size pizza with mushrooms, green pepper & onion with caesar salad*

Dessert:
peppermint tea
Trail Mix cookie

*I had a date with Mummy and she treated me to supper. We went to Pizza Delight and there didn't appear to be much on the menu that was 'health smart'. Ah well - it was yummy regardless. Prior to supper we went shopping...and I have a newly purchased pair of jeans TWO sizes smaller than some of the other pants in my closet. I'm not gonna lie, they likely won't be completely comfortable for another few weeks of "healthy eating"...however, they do fasten, and did I mention, they're 2 sizes smaller? Granted, some of my pants do vary between sizes just based on the actual pant style and make, but I'm looking at the big picture :)

Monday

Breakfast:
mixed fruit, yogourt & granola
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" bar, and about 3 grapes - the rest got turfed because they sucked

Lunch:
Lean Cuisine shrimp & whole wheat pasta frozen dinner
spinach salad
1 plum

Break:
"Oatmeal to Go" bar

Supper: 2 egg omelette with mushrooms, green pepper, garnished with shredded cheese & salsa; 1 slice of 12 grain toast; glass of chocolate milk

Snack: tea & a white chocolate macadamia nut cookie - hard to resist when it was staring at me...and it could have been worse. I could've also had 2 slices of cheesecake AND the cookie :).

Sunday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberrie & 1/2 banana
coffee

Lunch:
coffee
3/4 of a bagel with cream cheese (Chris whined so I gave him a 1/4)

Supper:
baked salmon
spinach salad
mashed potatoes
corn

Dessert:
chocolate 'shake' made with frozen yogourt

Saturday

Breakfast:
1/2 banana

(later):
Timothy's breakfast bagel (egg, bacon, cheese & veggies...soooo good)
coffee

Lunch:
"Oatmeal to Go" bar and a part of Chris' chocloate chip cookie because it was there

Supper:
I met some work girlies out for a bite at the Gahan, so I did my best to restrain myself, but did 'treat' myself:
2 bacon-wrapped scallops
a handful of sweet potato fries (which I thought I didn't like, but apparently, I haven't tried them at the Gahan and that makes all the difference!)
2 small John A drafts
spinach salad
garden burger (in a wrap)

I also had a few mouthfuls of Pepsi later that night and a handful of Party Mix

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit
coffee

Lunch:
spinach salad
egg salad sandwich on 12 grain toast
green tea

Supper:
spinach salad
tuna sandwich on a pita
small serving of seafood chowder
chocolate pudding (yummy hint: stick in the freezer for about 2 hours prior to eating...it doesn't feeze completely - the result is similar to what you get in the middle of those yummy ice cream cakes from DQ! Soooo good!)

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & fruit
coffee

Lunch:
2 slices of 12 grain toast and peanut butter
glass of chocolate milk
mixed melon

Supper:
small chicken shawarma
Greek salad (I threw most of it out because it did NOT keep well from last night)
3 small shortbread cookies
chocolate milk

Wednesday

Breakfast/Brunch:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana and honeydew melon
coffee & 3 small shortbread cookies (hey, they're still in the cupboard)

Snack:
hummus and pita

Supper:
baked salmon
mashed potatoes
corn
Greek salad
blueberry smoothie for dessert

Tuesday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt, honeydew melon & 1/2 banana

coffee

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

grapes

Lunch:

leftover spaghetti

spinach salad

Snack:

honeydew melon

2 Babybel cheese rounds

Supper:
ham & havarti quiche
Greek salad
glass of milk

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberries, 1/2 banana (and intended mixed melon...until said melon found their way allll over my kitchen floor. Let's just say it was a bad start to the day).
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
"Lean Cuisine" shrimp & whole wheat pasta dinner

Snack:
hummus & carrots

Supper:
spaghetti with whole wheat pasta (I know, I know, for shame...two meals with 'pasta'. I can't complain since supper was waiting for me by the time I finally got home from work. I'm also out of spinach, so I couldn't even add a salad).

Sunday and a "Yay me!"

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana, mixed melon
blueberry smoothie
coffee

Snack:
pita, green peppers & hummus

Supper:
bbq'd chicken
mashed potatoes
carrots
brocolli
1 small piece of apple pie for dessert
milk

Snack:
chocolate shake made with frozen yogourt & milk...and some choc pudding to make it chocolate-y. I'm not gonna lie...it tasted totally bad for me, and I had a little trouble sleeping since we had them close to bedtime, but it was really freakin' delicious. REALLY. (Chris bought a blender...the novelty will wear off shortly I presume).

**Oh, and before the big-ass supper and probably-not-so-good-for-me shake I hopped on the scale at the Wilkinson's ....I've surpassed the 20 mark! Down 21 lbs since the start of this 'healthy eating' journey!!

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed melon, 1/2 banana
coffee

Lunch:
1/8 lb turkey sandwich from Urban Eatery
1 delicious macadamia/white choc chip cookie (truly, their cookies are the BOMB)

Snack:
pita & hummus

Supper:
baked potato
bbq'd chicken (first bbq of the season, might I add?)
mixed veggies (brocolli, cauliflower, carrots)

"Snack":
Bailey's 'Shiver'

Friday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola & mixed fruit
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
tuna sandwich on a pita
chocolate pudding

Snack:
hummus & pita

Snack:
granola, banana, yogourt & choc chips

Thursday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola, mixed melon, 1/2 banana, & strawberries
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
tuna sandwich on a pita
spinach salad
grapes

Snack:
hummus & pita

Snack:
granola, strawberries, yogourt & choc chips

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed melon & 1/2 banana
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
1/2 banana

Lunch:
spinach salad
frozen shrimp/wild rice Highliner dinner
choc pudding

Snack:
"Oatmeal to Go" bar

Snack:
granola, 1/2 banana, yogourt & choc chips

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed melon & 1/2 banana
coffee

Snack:
grapes

Lunch:
frozen shrimp/wild rice Highliner dinner
spinach salad

Snack:
hummus & pita

Snack:
hummus, carrots & pita

Lesson learned

Yeah. So. Just because I can fasten the button on the pants that I've been 'storing' in the closet does not necessarily mean it's a good idea to wear said pants and sit on one's rump for an 8 hour work shift.

I'm uncomfortable.

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed melon

"Snack" (wierd shift at work this week...11:15 am start, til 7:45 pm, which will undoubtably screw up the eating routine):

2 slices of 12 grain toast with peanut butter
glass of milk

Snack:
"All Bran" Bar
grapes

Lunch:
slice of greek pizza
spinach salad

Snack:
grapes
2 Babybel cheeses

Snack:
granola/yogourt & choc chips

Sunday

Breakfast:
mixed melon
2 slices of French toast made with 12 grain bread
coffee

Lunch:
coffee
bagel & cream cheese

Supper:
chicken fajitas

Snack:
bowl of granola, yogourt & choc chips

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed melon, strawberries & 1/2 banana

Lunch:
ham, cheese & dill sandwich

Supper:
homemade Greek pizza (2 slices)
spinach salad

Snack:
1 small shortbread cookie
Vanilla creme tea

Friday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana, strawberries & mixed melon

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

Lunch:

baked potato

grilled chicken sandwich (a la Wendys)

Supper:
chicken, veggie & pasta soup
2 slices of homemade bread toasted

Snack:
granola, yogourt & choc chips

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana, mixed melon, strawberries

Snack:
coffee
small choc chip/banana muffin courtesy of the lovely Joan. I said no at first, but changed my mind, and it was delicious.
Later in the morning: grapes

Lunch:
1 slice of leftover "homemade" Greek pizza
spinach salad
hummus & carrots

Snack:
hummus and flatbread crackers

Supper:
1/8 lb turkey sandwich from Urban Eatery (**soooo delish!)
coffee
a supremely amazing double chocolate cookie that was worth every bit of 'cheating' on a healthy eating day

Snack:
popcorn

Wednesday

Breakfast:

oatmeal with strawberries and 1/2 banana

glass of 1% milk

Snack:

"Oatmeal to Go" bar

Lunch:

spinach salad

tuna sandwich on a pita
a few carrots and hummus

Snack:
carrots and hummus

Supper:
2 slices of homemade Greek pizza *(don't get too excited when I type "homemade"; there was a package of thin crust multi-grain flatbread pizza shells and sauce at Sobeys. I just slapped it on a pizza pan, added some peppers, onion and feta, et voila..)
spinach salad
glass of 1% milk

Snack:
Vanilla Nut tea
2 shortbread cookies (like I said, if'n there in my house, consider them in my belly)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberries & 1/2 banana
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
a few grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
hummus and pita
a few more grapes

Snack:
yet the end of my grapes (guess I packed a lot)

Supper:
toasted tuna pita
chicken/pasta soup with carrots
2 very small homemade shortbread cookies - because I felt like I needed something dessert-y after having picked the chicken out of my teeth, and because they were there. Chris' day trip to Truro yielded a bag of his grandmother's cookies, and she might possibly bake the best shortbread cookies - ever. So, if'n they're in the house, you bet they'll find their way into my mouth.

Snack:
Evidently my supper and dessert weren't enough to sustain me until morning as I was starving as I sat to watch American Idol, so had a bowl of granola, yogourt and choc chips. That could possibly be better than a few shortbread cookies...and it lasted much, much longer.

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, strawberries, and 1/2 banana

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
hummus and pita

Snack:
grapes
vanilla yogourt cup

Supper:
greek flat crust pizza from Mavors...and it was DELISH!*
1 glass of white wine**

*I also snuck approximately 5-6 french fries, dipped in ketchup, from Chris' plate. I have to admit they tasted so.darn.good.
**I didn't really need it...and in hindsight, wish I hadn't, as I had heartburn even before I finished the glass. It just felt like the date-y thing to do.

Sunday

Not feeling good today, so I haven't had much of an appetite.

Brunch:
granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana and canteloupe

Snack:
leftover chicken/vegetable/rice soup
Snackwell crackers
coffee

Supper:
toasted tuna sandwich on a pita
carrots and hummus
chocolate pudding

Something to Share

I met Brittany through Chris. She used to work with him, and has now started her own career as a personal trainer/fitness instructor (congratulations Brittany!). She started a blog with daily tips for maintaining/reaching a healthy body state. I read it religiously, and her words are filled with so much wisdom and positivity that I thought I would share with the rest of my reading public:

http://embodybia.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!

Saturday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt, 1/2 banana & melon

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

Lunch:

greek salad

2 slices of 12 grain toast

Snack:

grapes

1/2 banana

Snack:
Trail mix granola bar

Supper*:
Italian wedding soup
"New Yorker" pizza
small bit of ceasar salad
small portion of a funnel cake

*Chris treated me to supper at ESM's ...the 'healthy' choices looked oh so boring, so we split a "Duo" meal. It was tasty...though I did wake up at 2am with horrific heartburn. Guess I proved what was causing that all along...crap food.

Friday

Breakfast:
mixed melon, 1/2 banana, yogourt & granola
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
frozen Highliner shrimp/rice dinner

Snack:
1/2 banana
grapes

Snack:
1 pita with hummus (it was a late supper)

Supper:
bowl of chicken, rice & vegetable soup
tuna sandwich on a pita
vanilla yogourt cup

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed melon, 1/2 banana, yogourt
coffee

Break:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
leftover rice/shrimp & peas
small spinach salad

Break:
grapes
hummus w/ flatbread crackers

Supper:
chicken schwarma
spinach salad

Wednesday

Breakfast:
granola, mixed melon & yogourt

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
leftover spaghetti

Snack:
hummus with flatbread crackers
grapes

Supper:
2 eggrolls
rice/shrimp & peas

Snack:
sleepytime tea
2 stale "Simple Pleasure" cookies (they're all gone now)

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola & yogourt
1 plum
coffee

Lunch:
2 slices of brown bread, toasted with light peanut butter
glass of chocolate milk

Snack:
melba rounds with light veggie cream cheese

Lunch:
spinach salad
spaghetti

Monday

Breakfast:
yogourt & granola with 1/2 banana
glass of chocolate milk

Lunch:
2 egg omelete with mixed veggies
2 slices of 12 grain toast

Supper:
baked salmon
jasmine rice
mixed veggies: broccoli, cauliflower, & carrots, and corn

Snack:
bowl of Oatmeal Crisp

Sunday

Breakfast:
granola, 1/2 banana & yogourt

Lunch:
pita sandwich with veggies & hummus
small glass of fruit/veggie juice

Supper:
baked ham
roasted potatoes
carrots & squash

Snack:
movie kid pack - popcorn, small rootbeer & Kitkat

Saturday

Breakfast:
yogourt, granola & 1/2 banana
coffee

Lunch:
1/2 banana
2 slices of 12 grain French toast
glass of chocolate milk

Supper:
spinach salad
2 fish cakes

Snack:
bowl of granola, yogourt and chocolate chips

Friday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt and 1/2 banana
coffee

Lunch:
2 slices of brown bread toasted
tomato soup
glass of chocolate milk

Supper:
spinach salad with peppers, mushrooms, cucumber, red onion & grated cheese
small portion of whole wheat pasta with tomato sauce
2 "Simple Pleasures" cookies
chocolate milk

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, melon & 1/2 banana

Lunch:
pita sandwich with veggies & hummus
glass of chocolate milk

Snack:
"All Bran" Bar

Lunch:
egg salad sandwich on toasted 12 grain bread
spinach salad
1 plum

Snack:
melba rounds with light veggie cream cheese

Snack:
small chicken schawarma from Pita Express

Wednesday

Breakfast:

granola, melon & 1/2 banana, with yogourt

Lunch:

2 slices of 12 grain toast with peanut butter

glass of chocolate milk

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

grapes

Supper:

frozen shrimp/wild rice Highliner dinner

spinach salad with baby spinach, peppers, red onion, cucumber, mushrooms & cheese

2 pieces of melba toast

Snack:

1 plum

Snack:
bowl of Oatmeal Crisp

Confessions of a fatty...

“Confession is the first step to repentance". Perhaps by publicly admitting this, I shall never, ever, get to the breaking point again. God help me!

It's no secret that I'm overweight. I've been 'chubby' for pretty much all of my life. Growing up, one of the more exciting times was the arrival of the new Sears catalogue, and I'd go through it to order some new school clothes. I couldn't have been older than 8 or 9. I remember succinctly showing Mom a cool pair of jeans I wanted. They had pink stitching on the back pockets, and I wanted them. I remember how sad I felt when she said, "No Amber, you can't order those - they don't come in 'Pretty Plus'". Talk about dashing a little girl's heart...

So yeah, I've always had to order 'larger' sizes than the norm, but my weight reached an all-time high just recently. At my second heaviest point in the early 90's I remember having to get a size 20 and I vowed I would never, ever, get to the point of needing that size again. Lo and behold I did, and some clothes have surpassed it by a size. When did I get to the point that I stopped caring? Was it just pure laziness? I do not enjoy exercise, but there was a time where I got up and went to the gym every day. I used to blame it on the 'new relationship' because it was at that point that my daily trips to the gym stopped - wanting to make extra time for Chris. Chris and I just had our 5 year anniversary in October. So the relationship wasn't 'new' for a long time, yet I still didn't change anything. So what was my next excuse?: "I want to eat what I want"; "I'm going to live fat and happy". So, I did eat what I wanted; as much as I wanted and whatever I wanted. So, I got one part of that right - I was fat. But, I certainly wasn't happy.

One of the saddest (ie pathetic!) things I was doing prior to the time I decided I needed to make a change was my lunch behaviour. I would leave work, run through a drive-thru, be it McDonalds or Dairy Queen or Wendys...order up a burger and fries, and sit in the car and eat it - because I felt too ashamed to bring it into the lunchroom and face the inner mocking of the people in there saying to themselves, "No wonder she looks like she does...look what she eats". In addition to that, there wasn't many nights that I didn't plunk my arse in front of the tv with a 'snack' of some kind, be it chips or nachos...and I felt that I 'needed' chocolate every day. Basically I was a product of what I was doing to myself. I deserved to look the way I did.

I'm so thankful that I finally had a moment where I said enough is enough....and slowly, but surely (I hope) I will gain control of my life & my weight instead of letting it control me.

Tuesday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & fruit (mixed melon & a 1/2 banana)
small glass of V8 fusion
coffee

Lunch:
pita sandwich with veggies & hummus
glass of chocolate milk
1/2 c. cottage cheese

Snack:
"All Bran" bar
grapes

Supper:
toasted egg salad sandwich on 12 grain
spinach salad
1 plum

Snack:
hummus with flatbread crackers

Snack:
bowl of Oatmeal Crisp

Monday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt, mixed fruit (melon, 1/2 banana)
coffee

Lunch:
pita sandwich with hummus & veggies
glass of chocolate milk

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Supper:
2 slices of the leftover "Balance" roasted vegetable pizza
spinach salad
1 plum

Snack:
hummus and flatbread crackers

Snack:
I'm back on late shifts this week, so was really hungry when I got back home so I had a bowl of cereal and a tea

Sunday

Brunch:
granola, yogourt, melon and 1/2 banana
coffee

Supper:
Rosie's* homemade turkey dinner! Mmmm...
turkey,
mashed pototoes,
carrot
squash
dressing
glass of milk
small bowl of fruit salad for dessert

Snack:
I met Lana at the movies so had very little willpower to not get popcorn - even after a full supper....shameful, I know. I justified it in the fact that I had only had 2 meals in the day. I got a kid's pack - sans real butter, and ate every crumb of popcorn and a Kitkat. And the Kitkat was as delicious as I'd remembered. And I didn't feel a bit guilty. Well, I kinda did.

*I hopped back on the scale (before the popcorn and Kitkat, of course :S) and down another 4 lbs since the last time there...so that brings me up to 17 lbs lost! I had really hoped for 20, but I'll take anything but an increase!

Saturday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit (melon, 1/2 banana)
glass of V8 Fusion

Snack:
grapes

Lunch:
spinach salad
yogourt
melon

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Supper:
2 slices of "Balance" Roasted Veggie Pizza
spinach salad
glass of milk
2 "Simple Pleasures" oatmeal chocolate chunk cookies (I had milk left over)

Snack:
It was a bit of an indulgent evening - with the "Mid Winter Blahs" party put on by the MacAuslands! I enjoyed a shooter, a glass of rum punch, and 2 glasses of wine, a small portion of walkin' nachos, 1 cracker and cheese, a few pretzels, and 2 bites of the most delicious dessert pizza I've ever, ever tasted!)

Friday

Breakfast:

granola, yogourt & fruit (melon, blueberries)

glass of milk

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

1/2 banana

Lunch:

tomato soup

whole wheat pita sandwich with hummus & veggies (*tip: works better if made just prior to consumption. I made mine this morning, and it fell apart)

1/2 c. cottage cheese

Snack:

melba rounds with light veggie cream cheese

Supper:
whole wheat pita sandwich with hummus & veggies
carrots dipped in hummus
glass of V8 Fusion

Snack:
Bowl of Oatmeal Crisp

Thursday

Breakfast:
granola, yogourt & mixed fruit (melon & blueberries)
glass of milk

Snack:
"All Bran" Bar
coffee

Lunch:
rice, shrimp & pea dish
salad
grapes

Snack:
hummus with flatbread crackers

Supper:
'Garden Burger' platter from Gahan House with spinach salad
2 nacho chips (I couldn't avoid a small taste)

Wednesday

Breakfast:

yogourt, granola, mixed fruit (melon & blueberries)

glass of milk

Break:

apple slices with peanut butter

handful of grapes

Lunch:

leftover shrimp/rice/pea dish

small salad

Break:

"All Bran" bar

grapes

1/2 banana (a few hours after my break snack because I knew I'd be eating supper late)

Supper:

chicken shawarma from Pita Express (small)

salad with baby spinach, greens, mushrooms, peppers, carrot & red onion

Tuesday

Breakfast:

Yogourt, granola, mixed fruit (blueberries, melon)

glass of chocolate milk

Snack:

"All Bran" bar

grapes

Lunch:

2 slices of chicken/veggie pizza

small salad with baby spinach, greens, peppers, muchroom, cucumber & red onion

Snack:

mini pitas and hummus

Supper:
baked salmon fillet
salad with baby spinach, greens, peppers, red onion & mushrooms
mixed veggies - cauliflower, broccoli, carrot
mashed potatoes
vanilla nut creme tea for dessert

Monday

Breakfast:
yogourt & granola with 1/2 banana
coffee

Snack:
"All Bran" bar

Lunch:
2 slices of toasted 12 grain bread and peanut butter
1 small banana
glass of 1% milk

Snack:
grapes

Supper:
rice, peas & shrimp
2 eggrolls
small glass of milk