2013 in review

The year 2013 had many big changes in store for me.  First, my husband and I moved to a new state where we didn't have any friends or family in order to help him pursue his dream of attending the Rhode Island School of Design.  He is a very talented artist, and this school is one of the best art schools in the country.  While he supported me through school, it was now my turn to return the favor.

We moved into a new 2 bedroom apartment with the smallest kitchen on the planet.  But I really like our apartment.  While it is small, we made it cozy.  It has wood floors and wooden exposed beams because we are on the top floor.  Our dog Molly moved in with us as well.  Our last hurrah with my family was an AMAZING trip to Disney World and Savannah in May.  After that, in June I started my current job and it's been a struggle to adjust ever since.

Before we moved, last spring, my mom and I started Nutrisystem together.  She lost about 40 or more pounds while I think I lost about 15, within the first month or month and a half.  I got so tired though of eating out of a container or pouch.  She stuck with it at least another month than I did.  I had to have real food again (even though on the plan you still eat your own fruits and vegetables).  I went into it knowing it was going to be a temporary diet.  I used it to learn portion control and what sized meals I was supposed to be having.  I starved most of the time.

Then during the summer, I was adjusting to my new work routine of driving at least an hour to work, working for 10 hours, then driving home for another hour or more for a total of 12 hours gone.  I have a desk job so moving isn't much of an option.  To add in movement to my daily routine, I started walking everyday at lunch.  At first it was only 15 minutes because I didn't know how long of a lunch hour I got.  Lunch was never the same 2 days in a row.  We always took lunch at a different time - but typically around 2pm.  My lunch walk now has been extended to 25 minutes.  I talk to my mom the whole time and we can catch up with each other and how our day is going.  It quickly has become my favorite time of day.  So much so that I continue to walk even when it is raining or snowing or freezing outside just so I can get my blood pumping and get to chit chat with my mom.

I am more settled now in my routine.  I recently joined Planet Fitness and (while I haven't been since before Christmas) I think pushing myself to go at night really helps me feel better both physically and mentally.  It's good to move.  It's natural.  A desk job for 10 hours isn't.

So as we say our final words to the year 2013, I want to thank Father Time for all the blessings that had come our way this year.  I pray that 2014 looks upon us with kind eyes as we continue to strive for our hopes and dreams to come true.

Let's raise a glass to 2013!

Merry Christmas

My little furbaby Charlie the Maltese wants to say:

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL - AND TO ALL A GOODNIGHT!!! xoxo

What to eat at Miller's Ale House

Miller's Boston Ale House

With my husband just finishing his classes for the semester, and with Christmas being next week, we thought it would be nice for him to come pick me up at my office and take me out to lunch!

I went to Miller's Ale House a week or two ago with my co-workers and I thought it was great in there.  The fat me was in heaven.

So today I go to look up their menu online, and as usual, am horrified.  Thankfully though like a guardian angel they have a "lighter fare" section for those that want to watch ourselves.  They have all other nutritional information posted online as well.

WHAT TO ORDER

(1) LIGHTER FARE POT-STICKERS

Lighter Fare Pot-stickers - 490 calories

Steamed Pork Dumplings on a bed of Cabbage. Served with a Tangy Plum Sauce.

Last time, I ordered the "Lighter Fare" Potstickers.  They were REALLY good, but face it, 6 pot-stickers isn't enough to satisfy anyone, let alone me.  However, they are a reasonable option for some.

The pdf nutritional menu does not offer more details on their lighter fare menu, so unfortunately all I can dig up is the calorie amount.

(2) BAHAMIAN MAHI MAHI

Lighter Fare Bahamian Mahi Mahi - 460 Calories

Mahi Mahi, Broccoli, Zucchini, Tomatoes, Red Potatoes, Lemon, Bell Peppers and Onions Marinated in Garlic Wine Sauce with a Hint of Tabasco® and Baked in a Foil Bag

This option looks the healthiest of the bunch since it includes fish, which is super healthy for you and mahi mahi is a nice type, along with all of the vegetables.

I am going to be ordering this along with a side of rice (which is 190 calories) for a total of 650 calories.  Usually I do not have so many calories for lunch, but this will probably be my "main" meal of the day and I will have a lighter than usual dinner.  But I also plan on hitting the gym again tonight so that will help!

(3) ORIENTAL CHICKEN

Teriyaki Marinated Boneless Breast of Chicken, Seared to Perfection and Topped with Fresh Pineapple. Served with a Choice of Potato and Cole Slaw

While I could not find a photo of this and also while it is not on their lighter fare, this dish has 450 calories plus whatever side you choose.  If you get this with broccoli, it will only set you back 510 calories.  Not bad!

WHAT NOT TO ORDER

(1) MILLER'S SEAFOOD LOBSTER CLAM BAKE

Miller's Seafood Lobster Clam Bake - 1900 calories

Snow Crab, Cold Water Lobster Tail, Mussels, Clams, Shrimp, Redskin Potatoes and Corn on the Cob Cooked in Crab Boil & Old Bay. Served with a Taste of our Clam Chowder.

1900 calories!!!!!!! AND THAT DOES NOT INCLUDE A SIDE!!!!!!!!!  Once you see that astonishing number, this dish falls flat pretty quickly.  Not to mention the 84g of fat.

This one really threw me for a loop because everything is BROILED there is NOTHING fried and yet look at those calories and fat!! Imagined if it was fried!  I am fainting!

(2) ENGLISH STYLE FISH AND CHIPS

English Style Fish and Chips - 2090 calories

A Generous Portion of Flaky White Fish Fried Golden Brown. Served with Cole Slaw and French Fries.

This takes the cake.  This plate has 2090 calories and that is just the fish alone without the tartar sauce, fries or cole slaw.

(3) BROWNIE HOT FUDGE SUNDAE

Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae - 2700 calories

It is not surprise that a Brownie Hot Fudge Sundae on ANY menu is one to steer clear of - but still at 2700 calories and 101g of fat, it is quite impressively terrible for you.  I almost feel like restaurants that serve this stuff should be locked up.  

So many people have NO CLUE what they are eating.  Would you REALLY choose this if you KNEW it was 2700 calories?  Even if you are sharing it????

Once again, Miller's disappoints.  Many restaurants do.  BUT at least Miller's has some decent choices as well. 

You just have to be strong when you are ordering!

Benefits of Water

As I write this entry, I have already gone about three times and I feel like I need to go again.  TMI, my bad.

People are always saying how important water is for weight loss.  For the longest time, I thought that it meant any liquid.  As long as I was drinking a lot, it was good for me right, RIGHT?!?!

Wrong.

I used to drink diet soda all day long.  At the end of September I gave up diet soda completely and have not had a single drop of it since.  Sometimes I will have a glass of regular soda, but mostly these days I drink Polar Seltzer or plain old H2O.

Always check the ingredients!

If you decide to add seltzer into your diet, but VERY wary of the type!  ONLY drink seltzer that is made of of water and natural flavors.  You will be SHOCKED at the amount of seltzer's out there that are jam packed with artificial flavoring and sugars!

Food for thought: for every caffeinated drink you have, you have to drink an extra two glasses of water to make up for the caffeine's dehydration effects.

WebMD has an article that states that a study has been done and how drinking water can actually raise your metablish.

BUT WAIT - You mean I can burn more calories DOING NOTHING as long as I am having my water intake?

That's right! In the article on WebMD, there were only a couple extra calories burned because of this.  It does this by aiding in the body's breakdown of carbohydrates, which is one of the biggest enemies for women to begin with as to why we are struggling with weight loss to begin with.

While this is modest at best, water's main benefits also include that it helps with skin elasticity (which we all will need help with after we shed all these pounds), flushes out toxins, and it even helps strengthen the immune system!

And ladies, it helps keep your skin glowing too!

Of course the excessive bathroom breaks is an unfortunate side-effect, but with all the benefits that water has, I say it is a fair trade.

http://cranberrycorner.ca/the-benefits-of-drinking-water/

Fear the Scale

This is so me.  After having a good (not perfect) day, I often get excited to weigh-in.  I used to weigh-in every day but I have stopped that.

There is plenty room for debate on the whole weighing in everyday vs. once a week.  I tend to do a happy medium and weigh in twice a week.  I want to know how I am doing.  My official weigh-in day is Friday, where I will record my results to keep track.  I just weighed myself yesterday to find out if I was on track for a loss this week.  Happy to say that I was.

Some people like to weigh in every day because they want a daily reminder of how they are doing.  I get too crazy if I see a gain if it is every day so for my mental health I just do twice a week.

As long as you have one official weigh in day where you record your results, do whatever you think is best for you.

Surving the holidays

With Christmas only a week away, now is the time where all the cookies are coming out, the party gatherings are in full swing, and it seems like something tempting is being thrown in front of you every minute of the day.

For me, at my office we had someone drop off a giant plate of cookies last night.  So far I haven't had one.  I wish I had taken a picture of it when it was still full.  This was the plate of cookies this morning:

Half eaten tray of cookies

Traditionally the holidays can go 1 of 2 ways : 1) Stuff your face and regret everything in the New Year or 2) Deprive yourself so badly that you end up binge eating or doing something stupid

Anyway, the point is, these cookies are tempting me.  And while I am far away from being perfect as I had a couple extra foods last night once I got home, the point is your "diet" (or better yet, way of life) is right NOW.  There is no tomorrow as far as life is concerned.  We only have the present.  Deciding to have a life change and create new healthier habits cycles every day and just like the sun, it rises again the next morning staring you in the face.

It often seems that my diet is starting over again, almost daily, until I realized that my diet does start over daily.  Often I hear from my mom "Oh I'm going go start again on Monday" and I have found myself saying this as well.

The reality is, every morning is a new start to your diet.  Today isn't going to be 100% like yesterday.  Plans will change, your meals will change, and your motivation will wax and wane at different times than it did yesterday.  

Evil cookie

And while this cookie may be staring at my face, for now, in the present, I decide to skip it.  That doesn't mean I will deprive myself this whole Christmas season.  It just means right now I am strong and can pass it.

After all, if we make more good decisions than bad decisions, it's a win.  

If I come out of the Christmas season a little lighter than I went in, this will be a success.

Frozen Crock Pot Meal - Savory Pepper Steak

Another modification from the awesome over at Mommy's Fabulous Finds about pre-making easy crock-pot freezer meals.

With Christmas just a week away, we are all busy trying to fit in our normal busy schedules along with all the Christmas festivities, cookie making, friend-seeing, gift wrapping and carol singing that I thought that the last recipe for Tropical Meatballs was such a success that I would try another!

So without further a-do, I give you Savory Pepper Steak.

SAVORY PEPPER STEAK - SERVES 4

298 calories per serving

Savory Pepper Steak

• 1 package of beef stew meat boneless chuck fresh (1.5 lbs)
• 1/4 cup whole wheat flour (I use King Arthur White Whole Wheat Flour Unbleached)
• 3/4 of a giant onion or 1 whole medium/large onion, sliced
• 1 tbs of chopped garlic (I use chopped garlic in water)
• 1 red pepper, sliced
• 2 tbs of Worcestershire sauce (I use Lea & Perrin's)
• a few dashes of steak seasoning (I recommend McCormick Grill Mates Seasoning Montreal Steak 15% less Sodium)
• a few dashes of Molasses Bacon seasoning (I used McCormmick Grill Mates)
• a tbs of lower sodium soy sauce

CALORIE BREAKDOWN

6oz serving of beef - 245 calories

flour - 25 calories

onion - 12 calories

garlic - 1 calorie

pepper - 9

Worcestershire sauce - 2 calories

seasoning - 0 calories

low sodium soy sauce - 4  calories

INSTRUCTIONS

Toss steak in salt, pepper, & flour and add to gallon-sized freezer bag. In a med bowl mix together the rest of the ingredients, add to bag. Zip close and place in freezer. When ready to use thaw in fridge overnight. Cook on low 7 hours or on high for 3 hours.

As you can see from the original recipe, I modified it quite a bit to go with what I had at home.  I did not have steak sauce so I substituted a little bit of soy sauce - I thought that would help.  I also completely disregarded the tomatoes because my husband hates them.  Also, we did not have beef bouillon so I left that out too.  

Feel free to serve this over brown rice whole grain (by Carolina) for an additional 150 calories per 3/4 cup or white rice for 160 calories per 1/4 cup.

MY REVIEW

Originally my husband lost track of the time that it was in the crock-pot for.  The original recipe says 8 hours on low or 4 hours on high and I think we stuck pretty close to it - but it was overcooked to me.  I would suggest cooking it 1 hour less - low for 7 hours or high for 3 hours (like I stated above).

Overall, 3 out of 5 stars.