Friday, June 27, 2014

Summer? Not...

We've had record (?) amounts of rainfall this week. It's not terribly cold (although cooler than summer), but it is very gray and wet. Leading to... meals that are not quite as summery. We've revisited chili, made by hubby. Last night I roasted some chicken and carrots. I always forget how much I love roasted carrots - should have them more often! The gloomy weather also led me to make chocolate cake. Now to freeze part of it so we don't eat it all...! I think today's chicken salad lunch may turn into chicken and veggie stir fry, which will be equally delicious. In what ways does weather affect what you eat?

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Food associations

Yesterday I wrote about how chili requires cornbread. There are other foods we may naturally pair together for various reasons. Sometimes our friends can give us new ideas of foods to combine. Today I'll be trying an experiment of sorts: making an Italian salad. No, it's not salad weather, given the inches of rain that have been dumped in less than 24 hours. But I have odds and ends I want to use, and I'm trying to think of a healthy lunch that has some protein.
Here's what I'll include:
romaine lettuce
tomatoes
green pepper
red pepper
olives
salami
parmesan cheese
and I'll make a little Italian dressing to drizzle over top.
I could defrost a bit of the bread I made yesterday and turn it into garlic bread. Hmm... this is sounding better and better!
What's your latest food experiement?

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Chili = cornbread!

It's interesting to observe the routines, rituals, and associations we make with different foods. Tonight we are having chili that hubby cooked last night. He likes to make it the night before to allow plenty of time for him to not be rushed. That's fine with me. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason to have chili is to make and enjoy fresh cornbread!! So tonight I'll bake the cornbread. I'm the only one at home now who eats it, but I've found if I cut the pieces (portion control, you know) and wrap them in plastic then put them in a sealed container, I can freeze and enjoy one piece at a time for future meals. We do have an excellent toaster oven that will reheat the *thawed cornbread just like fresh from the oven. What routines and/or associations do you have with specific foods?

Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Summer salad

Looking forward to it even if the weather is rather gray today.
I may have already posted this salad, but here it is, just in case I didn't.

grilled chicken
romaine lettuce
diced celery
diced green pepper
minced cashews
a few dried cranberries
a bit of mayonnaise (1 tsp.) mixed with a dash of dry mustard and a few drops of honey.

It's a shame I won't have time to make some flat bread/pockets to go with it. But I have an appointment in the middle of the time frame I would have to be messing with the bread. And I probably won't make cornbread until tomorrow. I guess this is one way to reduce grains -- schedule things so there's not time before meals to mess with it.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Welcome to summer!

Hiking, photo ops, bbq, garage sales, fresh strawberries and raspberries. As my parents agree, when the sun shines it's beautiful! Yesterday was another one of those days. :-) We took advantage of the sun and went for our second hike of the season. If we're not careful, this could get to be a habit! A nice hike up to Triple Falls in the gorge. Finished with a homemade granola bar. Hubby decided a hike needed an ice cream cone -- that was later, after dinner. Not to worry, he mowed the lawn to work it off. :-) I'll trim ivy tonight to work mine off. We also enjoyed meals on the grill this weekend. Perhaps I can think about salads and fruit again this week -- as long as the weather holds. :-)

Friday, June 20, 2014

Enjoying sun!

People are funny creatures. We thrive on consistency and routine. We allow many things to distract us. Example: in earlier posts I've talked about how sun can motivate me to healthier eating - more salads and fruit. Today I enjoyed sun and lunch with hubby, step-daughter, and granddaughter. Healthy eating went out the window. Got home too late to even care about that afternoon walk. (although I'll probably do something this evening). Sometimes the sun puts me in a party mood. One of my keys is planning. I need to come up with some healthy plans for the weekend. Yard work being part of that plan, if the sun cooperates.

Thursday, June 19, 2014

Sun makes all the difference

Instead of hot tea this morning and wondering how to have it without food, I went to pick strawberries and raspberries. Now I will have fresh fruit and will also freeze some, and will have some points to spare for lunch and dinner today. What's not to like about sun?!! I was also able to take my midday walk outside yesterday and will again today. :-) How do you celebrate the sun?

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Grazing

The topic at weight watchers this week was "bites, licks, and tastes," known in our family as grazing. Although we do enjoy bites, licks, and tastes too! I'm not likely to avoid altogether -- one of the options. I'm not very likely to "replace" -- another option presented. I may or may not track my grazing -- the third option. So I thought I'd share some things that work for me. Last week I heard a discussion on satisfying cravings. For me, the two are related. If I want a cookie, for example, but I'm trying to stay out of the cookies, I'll eat my way all around it (see yesterday's post on reasons to eat, especially comfort*). Hence, the grazing. If I allow myself one cookie, i.e., defrost one from the freezer stash (see earlier posts on my friend the freezer and how I won't eat frozen cookies), then I can have the cookie, know the points value, and reduce grazing to almost non-existent. In this scenario, eating a cookie saves points! Who knew?! :-)

Another similar trick that works for me is to pre-measure whatever I'm likely to graze on. For example, people in our family like to graze on chocolate chips. Just a few, satisfies wanting a little something after a spicy dinner or in the evening. However, the number of trips to the chocolate chip tin can affect the total intake. When I'm really trying to stay on track, I measure 2 T. chocolate chips into a different dish (I can look up the points value for 2 T.) and that's my allotment for the day. When I want to graze on chocolate chips, I go to the pre-measured dish instead of the tin. This works for chips or crackers, too, by pre-measuring a serving. I even pre-measured the cookie dough last weekend by forming all the cookies into balls so when hubby came through looking for his cookie dough, instead of a random spoonful (and then another), he took one cookie ball, which has an established points value. I don't know that he completely buys into my plan, but it works for me.

Having a bite of grated cheese while cooking? Haven't addressed that one yet!
What are your tips for keeping "bites, licks, and tastes" under control?

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Hunger? Not always

I wanted to title this post Hunger games but someone else already used that title. It's true there are many reasons we eat besides hunger, though. Perhaps the game - or trick - is to find ways to accomplish the same thing without necessarily always turning to food. Here's my brainstorming checklist of reasons I eat:
  • hunger
  • family & friends - social / celebration
  • boredom
  • comfort * (this can be a big one)
  • variety - many good foods I like




What are your reasons? And what can we turn to instead of food? No great answers here.

A key item on my list is comfort. Another way I find comfort is through reading a good book. Let's face it, eating a cookie takes a lot less time than reading a book. :-) 
For variety, I tell myself there are 365 days in a year and try to space out the good food. For example, last night we had tacos. I love just a plain fried tortilla. But I had a tortilla with my taco, so I told myself one day this week for lunch I can have that plain fried tortilla. I still get the food, but I space it out over time.
To counter boredom, I try to keep enough going on to keep my mind occupied, even if that means multi-tasking or not using computer time as well as I might. Moving around helps break up tasks, too, and keeps my mind active. So there's a load of laundry started and another load to wash. That means every 30 minutes this morning I'll be getting up to keep the laundry going.
Some things there's just no getting around, for example, family birthday celebrations or other social occasions. The last two weekends, though, hubby and I have found ways to do some fun things that don't involve quite as many calories. Weekend before last, we went for a hike, mid-afternoon. That means, after lunch and before dinner. So our food was planned at home, with no snacks along the way. We just enjoyed the hike and took some pictures (we did take plenty of water, having learned the hard way in Kauai!). This past weekend, we did go out for dinner Saturday night: a deli sandwich, then a walk uptown, and I got dessert to take home for later. We like to combine activity with eating out whenever possible, and have smaller meals or split a meal.
I've found I can maximize enjoyment as well as health by planning ahead. That reminds me, I need to set out ingredients for today's lunch and dinner so I can follow my plan!

Monday, June 16, 2014

weather and health

A direct correlation? I'm not sure there's any scientific research, evidence, or proof. I can tell you that this weekend was a quiet, gray weekend at our house, and we compensated with chocolate. I also know that whenever the sun does return, I'll be thinking about doing active things, instead of tea and crumpets, which is what's on my mind this very cool, gray Monday morning. So I submit there is indeed a correlation between the weather and healthy eating. Open to discussion / challenges to the contrary!

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Salads

Last night I mixed up one of my favorite "salad dressing for one" combinations to have with dinner. As I was putting it away, another small jar caught my eye and it occurred to me I need to get back into the habit of having more salads. I think I've been distracted with summer fruit. :-)  What's your favorite summer salad?
Maybe we need more meals in a day to fit it all in? ?? Sounds good to me. :-) But then I'd also have to find more time for exercise to balance out the eating. Hmmm. Somewhere in there, there is a life to be lived. Off to get started living today!

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Question of the day

Any thoughts or ideas to make strength training (i.e., light weights) fun?
Last night I read tips on fitness blogs: music, fitness buddy, gym class. None of those are really options. The most realistic post I read was one that said to just do it, and stay motivated by envisioning the end results. Fine, except end results take a long time to realize. And I can find many interruptions and excuses to slow that process. :-)  Meanwhile, my excuse this week is letting muscles rest after the hiking and home repair work!

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Summer workouts

They count, I'm sure of it. Hiking in the gorge, climbing up and down ladders to do home repairs, house work, yard work. These things certainly use different muscles! Therefore, I made chocolate chip cookies last night to offset the hard work. These cookies really should be my next claim to fame. One cookie is only 3 weight watcher points, and they're attractive, too. One of these days I'll have to take a picture, but for now the imagination will have to suffice. Yes, I'm offsetting the cookies with broccoli salad at lunch and a relish plate at dinner. :-)

Friday, June 6, 2014

Practice

In my efforts to get back on track after being in "vacation mode" (even though at home), I'm reminding myself of weight watcher tips that have helped in the past. These are things I need to continue to practice to maintain my goals of overall health.
1. Slow down and enjoy what I eat. In theory, this enables me to be satisfied with less food.
2. Keep healthy foods handy and limit access to not-so-healthy foods (i.e. sugar).
3. Continue to work towards consistent exercise goals and routines.

Those three alone will keep me busy for the foreseeable future!
What tips help you maintain your health goals?

Thursday, June 5, 2014

Good summer eating

Even though it's cool and gray this morning, I have a great summer lunch planned. A couple of times during the last few months I've had occasion to enjoy a "veggie" sandwich at a local deli. Today I'm going to try it at home:
avocado slices
cucumber slices
tomato
lettuce
with cream cheese on homemade bread
I might add a slice of swiss cheese? not sure about that yet. I think the deli sandwich did have lettuce, although my mom reminded me that some veggie sandwiches have alfalfa sprouts instead of lettuce. Lettuce is what I have. There's still a few grapes to have on the side.
We'll continue the summer theme of fresh food with shrimp and veggie stir fry tonight. My shrimp will have lemon. Hubby's will have cajun seasoning. Each to his own in our house! What's one of your healthy summer favorites?

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Freezer friend

The freezer is my friend. It enables me to make muffins or other things for breakfast and have one each morning, fresh. I set it out the night before and then heat if I want. I do the same thing with a batch of cinnamon or almond rolls or other quick breads. Scones will even taste fresh if wrapped singly and then frozen in a larger container. :-) Of course, this is also a good way to maintain portion control - I can have my treats and eat them too, since I'm only eating one (cookie or piece) at a time. I don't like to eat them frozen, so I'm limited to what I choose to defrost at any given time. The same principle applies to main dishes, and of course, fruits and vegetables. Blueberries - I can use what I want, when I want, and they are always fresh. We make our spaghetti sauce (which also works for lasagne or any pasta dish) in batches in the crockpot, then ladle out portions for 2 people in individual jars or containers. I take out a jar, and I have pre-measured (nearly) instant dinner. Works for taco meat, meat balls, soup stock, you name it. Side bonus: I get to practice planning and discipline to think ahead 12-24 hours to defrost what I need. :-)

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Long weekends

As in, we've had two. Memorial Day weekend consisted of much cleaning (that counts as exercise, right?) and rain (which slowed down walking plans a bit). This past weekend we spent with family and it consisted of much eating and some walking Saturday to enjoy Portland's rose gardens. Yard work yesterday gave us more exercise. Today, it's time to ease back into exercise routines and start to think about healthy meals. We enjoyed healthy eating over the weekend, along with treats. :-)