Slacker McSlacksOffALot

So this whole diet thing obviously deserves a giant FAIL. Although I have lost a few pounds lately, it's mostly because I've been working two jobs and eating very sporadically (which is so bad for you!)

Yesterday for example, I had a Slim Fast shake at 10 am, then I started work and didn't eat again until 5 pm when I had some popcorn shrimp.

Get out the weight loss experts: what's that? I'm going to crash and burn and gain 40 pounds if I keep eating like crap? I'm aware.

I have been slowly reducing my carb intake though and eating more salads. It's really hard to eat properly when your schedule is so messed up. Last time I did low-carb I worked a normal 9-5 job and it was SO much easier.

Any tips from anyone on how to get back into the swing of it when I have NO time to prepare good meals ahead of time?

Meanwhile, here's a great wintertime low-carb recipe that I HOPE to make this weekend:

Stuffed Bell Peppers


1 pound ground chicken, beef or turkey
1/4 cup butter, softened
pinch each (1/4 tsp) of pepper, cumin & cayenne
1/2 tsp each of salt & oregano
1 can crushed tomatoes
1 medium onion, chopped and sauteed
Large handful of mushrooms, sliced (can also be sauteed with onions)
1 can of diced green chilies
4 bell peppers (your choice of color), tops sliced off & seeds removed
1 cup of shredded cheese (mozza, cheddar or jack are all good)

Mix together meat, butter, spices, tomatoes, onions, mushrooms and chilies
Stuff the bell peppers with the meat mixture
Place upright in a slow-cooker on high for 3 1/2 hours or low for 7 hours
30 minutes before they are finished cooking, sprinkle with cheese
You can also bake these in the oven for an hour at 350 degrees

Enjoy!


And here is the easiest, quickest, yummiest homemade tomato soup recipe:

2 Tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 can diced tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup heavy cream
Sour cream (garnish, optional)

Melt butter in large saucepan; add onions and saute.
Add tomatoes, chicken broth, and cream
Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes
Pour into a blender or food processor and blend until smooth
Pour into soup bowls and garnish with sour cream

Halloween Eating

I've been crazy busy this week, not entirely sure why (although I'm fairly sure Halloween has a lot to do with it).

Most of the week I was pretty good with my eating. I try really hard to eat breakfast every day even if it's just a shake. I've been mixing the vanilla shakes with frozen berries to make them a bit more full of nutrients and more filling, it's actually really tasty.

Friday night I cheated on my non-diet. We went out for Halloween (I'll have more stories on my other blog) and because I'd only had soup and salad for dinner I was starving by the time 3 am rolled around. Curly and I went to her place and ordered a mushroom, bacon and tomato pizza. I guess it's not the worst thing you can eat but it's pretty unhealthy.

To top things off I munched on a bunch of Halloween candy at the party I went to on Saturday night. I guess you have to allow yourself treats here and there especially if it's an occasion like that.

Otherwise, you'll go crazy trying not to eat "bad" food and eventually break down and eat all the pasta, bagels, chips and pizza you can get your hands on. I don't really have a sweet tooth, I like salty foods more. Occasionally I do get cravings for something sweet though!

It's almost winter, although it's still really warm here but in honor of the cold fast approaching, here's a great recipe for a pretty healthy, yummy soup:

Easy Mushroom Soup

• 2 medium onions, chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/2 cup sliced fresh mushrooms
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 3 cups chicken broth
• 3 cups vegetable broth
• 1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed
• cayenne, to taste
  
• 1 pound fresh broccoli, cut into florets
• 2 tablespoons cornstarch
• 1/4 cup cold water
• 2 cups half-and-half cream
• Salt and pepper
• grated Parmesan cheese
  

1. In a large saucepan saute the first three ingredients in butter until tender. Add the chicken and vegetable broths, cayenne and rosemary.
   
2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes
3. Add broccoli; cover and cook for 10 minutes or until broccoli is tender
4. In a small bowl, combine cornstarch and cold water until smooth; stir into the soup.
   
5. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened.
   
6. Reduce heat; stir in the cream, salt and pepper (do not boil). Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and cayenne
   

Enjoy!

Day One

Alright, here goes nothing.

I just got back from vacation and since I recently lost my job (oh and half my money in the stock market crashes) I am too poor to grocery shop until the weekend.

Luckily I bought all those Slim-Fast shakes and Lean Cuisines before I left for vacation. To me this isn't an ideal way to eat. Prepackaged food is never as healthy and delicious home made meals but it will have to do for now. Especially if I want to afford my rent this month.

So far today I've had 2 slices of whole wheat toast (breakfast) and a Lean Cuisine meal for lunch. I'm going to go grab a head of lettuce so I can make myself a big salad with chicken for dinner. Snack of choice today: almonds. Water drinking must be upped - my trainer said that 3 liters a day is a good start.

I'm heading out for a walk right now. One of my favorite things to do lately is to walk around my cute neighborhood, sit in the park and write.

I don't own a scale so I guess I can't say how much I weigh - all I know is that my jeans are fitting a little too snugly for me to be happy with. Maybe i'll put buying a scale on my ever-growing To Do list

In Preparation

So my healthy eating gets started Monday. The reason I've chosen that day is because I've been on vacation for two weeks (not eating well) and just got back yesterday. I need two days to organize my cupboards*, get some healthy food**, and figure out exactly what I'll be writing about*** on this here blog.

I think I'll probably do a version of Suzanne Somers - which is a low-carb but not no-carb diet. You can eat pretty much any vegetables other then corn (which I hate anyway), carrots (not a huge fan) and potatoes (which might pose a problem) because those veggies are super starchy.

You can have bread and pasta as long as it's whole wheat and you have it with vegetables only (no fats or protein). You can eat fats, protein and veggies all the live long day as long as it's not with carbs. Basically it's a plan where you don't combine your carbs with anything else.

And no sugar. I don't have a sweet tooth so this isn't really a problem for me. I might get some sugar-free candies for when I have a craving but other then that I'll be fine with no sweets.

Drink lots of water (obviously) and do a few workouts. I was debating getting a personal trainer again (the last guy was awesome and helped me tone up really well before my trip to Cuba) but right now I am unemployed and the whole $1000 price tag isn't going to work for me.

I have a lot more time though so I'll be able to go for walks in my neighborhood (free), do the stairs (I found a huge wooden staircase last week - this is also free) and maybe I'll even do something crazy like sign up for salsa dancing. I've always wanted to do it.

The first week or two I'm going to try Slim Fast shakes for breakfast and lunch. I bought a ton of them a few weeks ago, I even bought 24 that are for diabetics - meaning they have low sugar and are acceptable on the Suzanne Somers plan.

I'll probably end up writing when I "cheat" and what mood I was in etc. to help myself understand why I eat poorly (psychiatrist style)

I'm relatively healthy already, I don't really ever eat fast food.I usually have a small breakfast, lunch and dinner with a couple snacks which is a healthy way to eat and my cupboards really don't have that much crap in them. I have granola bars which aren't exactly good for your sugar intake and popcorn - those are the two unhealthiest things I have right now. So I think I'll do fine.

Here's hoping!

* shove all the Chips Ahoy and chocolate I can swallow into my mouth and throw the empty bags out
** Get my lazy ass to the store and buy some damn lettuce
*** Complaining about

Thus The Basis Of Its Appeal

Starting October 26th I will be on a "healthy eating plan" (not a diet - we all know those FAIL). My goal is 15 pounds by January which I know is totally possible. Even with Christmas and all that fattening holiday stress.

I have a vacation in Hawaii in February and I need to look beach-body perfect

This side of my blog is basically a food and exercise diary with recipes, workouts etc.



*Yawn* - I know



Don't worry it's mostly just for me - though if I think I'm being monitored I'll most likely do better...



For my actual blog visit me in Average-Land