On The Right Track

First things first, weigh in success! I’m down a total of 8.4 pounds since I started weighing in. That’s 2.8 pounds more than the last time I weighed in 2 weeks ago. Hooray for a accountability. I feel like I’m on the right track, losing weight but still enjoying my meals, not going hungry, and even incorporating some treats.

Thursday breakfast tried to use up some of the pumpkin that’s been calling me from the fridge.

I made two pumpkin waffles with a pumpkin yogurt mix. (Plain greek yogurt, pumpkin, and molasses.)

On the side two more clementines. Not sure they really went with the pumpkin flavor, but I wanted some fruit and these were easy.

I spent a bit of time in the morning with some more cooking. I’m always reading blogs and bookmarking recipes, but it’s hard to find time to make them all!

But before lunch I went for a three mile walk with Dawn around the reservoir. So great to be outside, enjoy company, and get some exercise. I think I may have overdone it a bit with my hip though – I have to be careful not to walk to fast when I’m with Dawn.

Here was one from Oh She Glows for Creamy Roasted Tomato, Garlic, Onion, and Coconut Soup.

As you know by now, I hate raw tomatoes and to be honest I got scared away from cooking them. Instead I subbed in this can of fire roasted tomatoes and then roasted the onion and garlic myself. I also halved the amount of coconut milk – I actually think it would have been good with more, but I just wanted to make it a bit lighter.

Plus I wanted to save some calories for my favorite side: grilled cheese. I made mine open-faced (more bang for the buck) and carefully measured an ounce and a half of cheese so as not to go way overboard. Great meal. I’m thinking of a repeat this afternoon.

Off to teach for a few hours before rehearsal. Another bar at 5:45 in the car – this time a chocolate peppermint stick luna bar. I think my current plan of a bar before rehearsal and dinner at rehearsal break (8:30) seems to be working – and not leaving me starving when I come home from rehearsal at 11:30pm.

Once again I managed to pack my dinner – makes all the difference.

My friends seemed to agree – I shared lots of my green pepper and carrots

  

Plus several slices of apple with a squeeze of chocolate peanut butter. In fact, even with sharing, I only finished half the peanut butter. Who am I???

Rounded out with a hard boiled egg (with salt and pepper.)

A very late night of work, but no late night snacking. All around a well planned day.

Preparations

Wednesday was a busy one – I actually made myself get right out of bed in the morning. And straight to breakfast with my newly restocked oatmeal supply.

My usual mix of oatmeal, water, almond milk, half a banana, cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, allspice and topped with two of my favorites: peanut butter and fig butter.

I had plans to walk with Dawn, but unfortunately she was feeling under the weather. Luckily though I made it out the door myself and she kept me company on the phone as I walked for a full hour. Go hip go!

At 10 I headed over to my therapy appointment and then over to my parents’ house to prepare for teaching. My workday started earlier than usual (noon) and really my only chance to eat was before that time.

I waited until 11:40 and scaled back my lunch a bit:

• 1/3 cup brown rice
• big scoop of baby spinach
• three bean chili
• 1/2 ounce cheddar cheese melted on top

I was still pretty hungry by the time 5:45 rolled around, but the chili helped.

The other day at the store I bought a few kinds of bars to experiment with and I tried this Luna protein bar in the car on the way to rehearsal. Yum. Still feel like I should work on making my own bars, but haven’t researched that yet.

The bar (and my new obsession with tea in my thermos) held me over until rehearsal break at 8:40.

And look, all prepped the night before!

I ate my hard boiled egg and sandwich with laughing cow, baby spinach, and tempeh. I ended up splitting my carrots with some friends and I actually skipped the two dates. I packed them in case I felt in need of some dessert, but I think the chocolate peanut buyer bar satisfied my sugar cravings.

Despite the hour long drive to and from rehearsal tonight, I enjoyed my car mates. Unfortunately, I accidentally left my physical therapy exercises until I got home at 11pm. Not quite what I was in the mood for at that point, but I did manage to complete a (slightly shortened) version of my routine before heading to bed.

Walk it Out

I must admit, I have been waking up later and spending a notable amount of time in bed reading and playing on the computer before getting up in the morning. Sometimes I think it’s good to give myself some relaxing time and other times I’m feeling remarkably unproductive…

I did leave time for my physical therapy exercises and making breakfast.

Breakfast was an effort to use up some more food from the fridge.

The end of my leftover baked sweet potato, black beans, and a laughing cow cheese (queso fresco and chipotle flavor)

Into the pan with 1/4 cup egg whites and a handful of baby spinach.

on a tortilla with a scoop of salsa.

With another clementine to round out the meal.

I took my super sore muscles over to meet up with Dawn for a walk. The weather was SO amazing (I think it was almost 60 degrees!) it was great to get out and stretch my legs. We walked for an hour – not sure of the length, but it was definitely the most I’ve done since my hip started hurting me. Walking success!!!

I had the rest of my sweet potato wheat berry soup for lunch. Most of the broth had been absorbed by this point so I added a bit of water before heating up my soup. Still good.

I taught my first lesson and then had a break before the rest. Knowing I had a late night, I decided on a snack. 100 calories of microwave popcorn mixed with raisins. I ended up adding some chocolate chips post photo. A nice treat (and I did not go overboard.)    

My teaching day was long, but successful. Plus I had brought over my leftover Indian food for dinner. 1/2 cup brown rice with leftover baingan bharta. YUM. I have to keep working on a recipe for this.

I spent the rest of the evening listening to President Obama on the radio, taking a quick grocery trip, and packing lunch and dinner for tomorrow – so organized! Off for a bit of reading before bed.

Yelling Muscles

During physical therapy, my trainer and I are always discussing the difference between hip pain (bad) and sore muscles (fine.) Sometimes I’m not clear whether my hip is just tired or if it is bad pain, but today I’m SORE. My muscles are yelling at me from yesterday’s workout – and it makes me SO happy! I haven’t actually broken a sweat from a workout in ages and it was really fun to push myself.

The morning went by in a blur and I ended up grabbing a quick (but delicious) breakfast before leaving for PT.

Toasted multigrain bread (works well toasted straight from the freezer – and that way it won’t go bad before I have a chance to finish the whole loaf) with a smear of peanut butter, fig butter, and half a small banana.

During physical therapy I warmed up with 15 minutes on the bike followed by 5 whole minutes on the treadmill! We also did tons of exercises: walking lunges, squats while balancing on the boss, one-legged seats, and lots of band exercises. I’m feeling really hopeful.

Looking ahead at the week, my swimming possibilities were limited so I dragged myself straight from PT to the pool. 35 minutes of laps done and done. It’s rare that I”m excited about swimming, but I am always glad I’ve gone. My music definitely helps!

I actually brought some of my leftover sweet potato wheat berry vegetable soup in a tupperware to my parents’ house. I have an awful lot of food in my fridge and I knew I wouldn’t have time to go back home. Lunch is (reheated and) served.

For a post lunch treat, I made myself tea with lots of foamy milk

Plus I raided my parent’s fridge for fresh strawberries and a mini muffin. Not sure exactly what kind these were, but my Mom said they were a healthy recipe and included carrots and raisins.   

It was good to enjoy a small treat. One thing that has been working well for me is to allow myself foods I like in reasonable portions (I’m thinking about peanut butter and cheese especially) but I haven’t quite figured out how that works in terms of sweets. On the one hand, if I always avoid desserts it can lead to binges and on the other hand sometimes some sugar just makes me want more sugar. Still figuring this one out, but it seems like somewhat healthier treats might fill the craving without making me go overboard?

I taught just a couple lessons and then grabbed a quick snack on my way to group class. My go to snack: cottage cheese with apricot jam.

Group class went well (I’m minus my assistant for a few classes which is a bit stressful) and then I headed home where I had already planned out dinner.

A few days ago I made a version of three bean chili in the slow cooker. I used the flavoring from this recipe from Smitten Kitchen. I decided to try my hand again at dried beans, but I’m still struggling. I soaked the beans overnight, but then I ended up cooking the chili forever. Even so, the beans were not quite as soft as I might have liked? Still, I love chili – so comforting.

I heated up my serving on a big bed of baby spinach

and of course topped with an ounce of melted cheddar and a scoop of greek yogurt.

For dessert, a sweet clementine.

Off to stretch my sore muscles!

Symphony and Snow

So as not to enter the same time-warp as Saturday, I tried to get moving on Sunday. I squeezed in a bit of last minute practicing, the extended version of my PT exercises (I have extra exercises to do every other day.)

Breakfast:

A cocoa banana buckwheat bake with peanut butter and half a grilled banana.

Nothing like chocolate for breakfast.

Eventually I took myself out for a walk. The sidewalks were a bit snowy, but I managed to keep my balance and enjoy about 30 minutes outside before I had to get in the car. Plus, my brother kept me company on the phone.

Unfortunately, the walk took up my lunch time, but I grabbed a Clif bar for the road. I have mixed feelings about bars, but this week it’s definitely been helpful to have them around for emergencies.

My Mom came with me to hear the concert – great to have company in the car and it’s always nice to have a familiar face in the audience.

After the concert I dropped my Mom off and headed to Jess’ house for dinner.

I didn’t want to get too hungry so I had a few medjool dates and almonds I had packed in my bag for a snack.

Jess made us a delicious dinner. It was called a paella though we both agreed it wasn’t really that. Barley, tofu, bell peppers, and lots of flavors. Thanks Jess!

We enjoyed chatting for a few hours – a lovely way to end the weekend. Now to get ready for work!

Time Warp

Saturday I had to leave for my rehearsal by 1:00 and I swear there was a time warp before hand – I don’t know what I did in the morning. I guess I slept late, read my book, chatted on the phone with a friend, did a bit of cleaning, my PT exercises, and a late breakfast/brunch and suddenly it was time to get ready to go.

At least I got in a good meal first.

I baked a small sweet potato and then cubed half in a pan with onion, black beans, and baby spinach.

Scrambled with egg whites and onto a small tortilla with melted cheddar, salsa and plain greek yogurt.

These are pretty small tortillas (and only 45 calories!) so I had two. A big meal, but I was glad to enjoy a meal at home before I got started with my day.

I also enjoyed some more of my chocolate tea. I don’t know if it actually tastes like chocolate, but it is good.

I grabbed a clif bar for the road to eat during rehearsal break. Only I didn’t end up waiting for rehearsal break – to be honest it might have been more about being bored in the car than actual hunger, but I ended up eating at 2. Luckily with some tea during rehearsal break I managed to stay satiated until dinner.

Post rehearsal I headed over to Rachel’s for the evening. After I had to cancel last week’s plan because I was sick, I was glad to get together.

Rach ordered Indian takeout and I picked it up on my way over. We played with kids for a short while and then enjoyed our meal.

I ordered baingan bharta. Not my usual order, but maybe it should be! Eggplanty goodness.

I ate half my order and saved half for the next meal. Good for me.

Of course with some garlic naan. About this plate times two. With a mug of decaf chai on the side.

The rest of the evening was spent chatting, catching up on Glee and generally enjoying the evening. For some reason when I got home I was wide awake and didn’t go to bed until way too late. But at least it was an enjoyable evening.

Made My Day

The last two days have been a mix – a rotten day followed by some fantastic news.

Thursday was a terrible day. I’m not quite sure why, but I was in a terrible mood and just tired of being sick. I haven’t been swimming all week because my lungs don’t feel up for it, but I’m constantly reminded that no exercise makes Emily a very grumpy girl.

Started off the day okay with a fruit and yogurt bowl.

Heated frozen strawberries and raspberries with half a banana

Plus plain greek yogurt, the final 1/3 cup oatmeal (how did I let myself run out of oats!), and a squeeze of honey.

I wallowed in grumpiness for a while until Dawn convinced me to go for a walk. We wandered around Brookline – perhaps 2 miles? Chilly, but really good to get outside.

Lunch was more vegetable bean and wheat berry soup.

I was still hungry after and found some peanut butter puffins to munch on. I started with a handful from the box and realized I better just pour myself an actual serving.

I also packed my dinner before heading off to teaching and rehearsal.

Another sandwich: multigrain bread, garlic and herb laughing cow, hard boiled egg, and smokey tempeh.

I packed some string beans on the side and two clementines.

Unfortunately, it turns out clementines are not a good rehearsal snack – not enough time to eat them and wash my sticky hands.

I’ve been on pretty good track for eating recently, but my grumpy mood and my packed dinner left me feeling unsatisfied and I ended up overeating when I got home at 11pm. Grrr…

Friday I was determined to have a fresh start. I wasn’t too hungry after my late night eating, but I’ve constantly noticed that missing breakfast (or waiting too long) seems to set me up for a bad day later on.

I had a simple whole wheat english muffin with peanut butter, half a small banana, and a sprinkle of cinnamon. With a mug of tea (a new Black china tea with hints of chocolate!)

Quick and easy, but delicious.

Then came the best part of the day: in physical therapy I RAN ON THE TREADMILL!!!! Yes, it was only for three minutes this time, but I felt great and my PT is sure we can start increasing. Hooray!!! It made me feel so much more hopeful, I’m so ready to get out there and start training again. We also tested out some lunges – perhaps I can head back to Body Pump soonish?

I headed over to my parent’s house next and was happy for more soup for lunch (it seems to be all I want recently.) Butternut squash soup from my mother – the recipe included squash, apple, and almonds. And she used vegetable broth just for me.

On the side I made an open faced sandwich on a sandwich thin with melted gouda and arugala

I was happy to enjoy a hot meal as once again dinner had to be packed.

I ate a cottage cheese with apricot jam on my way out the door at 5:45 and then packed the rest.

The last square of my Trader Joe’s marinated tofu on a bed of baby spinach. Plus some carrots and hummus on the side for dipping.

Another day of teaching and a late night of rehearsal but this time no late night snacking (just read my book and bed.) Amazing what a good mood I’m in with the hope of running. Just remind me of this in the future when I don’t feel like exercising, right?

Still Sick

Can’t seem to shake this thing (probably doesn’t help that I’m still going to work and rehearsals) but I am starting to improve. Between lounging around in bed and leaving my camera at my parents’ house (twice) I got a bit behind on the blog.

Food-wise life has been a mix of healthy and not-so-healthy. In general I’ve been happy staying on track but I do notice that small (planned) splurges make it harder for me to get back on track. I definitely want to be able to occasionally enjoy some treats, but I’m still working on getting rid of my all-or-nothing thinking.

Monday evening I took my sick-self out to the Publick House with a friend (I just needed some social plans!) and we split some (delicious) french fries. I also did some baking – a gift for my grandmother’s birthday.

Two kinds of cookies:

Chocolate fudge cookies with toffee and dried cherries

Pomegranate White Chocolate Chip Cookies

Of course I ate some dough and tried both kinds, but over all I didn’t go totally crazy – and now half the cookies are all packed up for my Grandmother and the rest were given to my parents.

I’m 100% okay enjoying these treats, but I do notice that I struggle SO much more after – I’m not sure it’s worth it right now.

I have been mostly on track with healthy eats though.

Lots of buckwheat bakes

with cashew butter

My favorite marinated tofu

on a salad with match and tzatziki

Still-warm bread from Whole Foods (mostly put in the freezer for future sandwiches)

topped with garlic and herb laughing cow cheese, tempeh, and a hard boiled egg.

Lots of winter citrus.

grapefruit

and clementines

(with my thermos of tea – a new regular companion to help me make it through work)

Plus lots of my my Slow Cooker Vegetable Soup.

I made this recipe inspired by my friend Rachel and my trip to San Francisco. Thanks Rach!

Mostly I just chopped everything and dumped it in the slow cooker, but here was this incarnation of the recipe:

• 1 cup cranberry beans (soaked overnight)
• 1/4 cup wheat berries
• small sweet potato
• 2 stalks celery
• 2 carrots
• bunch of dinosaur kale
• fresh parsley
• salt
• pepper
• my homemade vegetable stock

Between being winter and feeling sick and in need of vegetables, this was the perfect soup. I even had it as a late breakfast one day!

Back to regular blogging – I must admit that staying on top of the blogging definitely helps me stay on track. I am also looking forward to having my regular energy back – I feel like I’m moving in slow motion these days.

Antsy

I definitely didn’t feel 100% today (and now I seem to have lost my voice) but I was feeling well enough that I was antsy to get outside. Turns out most of my friends are away this weekend and I regretted not making plans.

I thought I woke up early, but somehow it was almost 11 by the time I got around to breakfast? I read my book, played on the computer, and I guess I might have fallen back to sleep?

Anyway, I decided to try out a new apple buckwheat bake this morning.

I based my recipe on this one from the Edible Perspective but I’m not a fan of protein powder so I skipped that. I also forgot to add the ground flax which serves as a binding agent so that was a bit of a fail. Lastly I really wanted to use up this half an apple sitting in my fridge, but I may have stuffed too many apple pieces for the amount of dough.

Let’s just say I won’t be serving these to company, but I was happy to eat one myself (most anything tastes good with cashew butter and cinnamon.

I kept this a light breakfast and had lunch a few hours later. I probably should have saved this meal for when I have to pack my dinner later this week, but I was in the mood.

An open faced sandwich on whole wheat bread with a garlic and herb laughing cow cheese, hard boiled egg and tempeh. Plus two clementines.

I guess I haven’t been eating much since I’ve been sick because this really filled me up.

I decided to take myself out to Harvard Square this afternoon to walk around – just for a change of scenery. I was glad I wore my long underwear, but even so I had to stop in at various shops just to warm up.

In the late afternoon I stopped at my favorite Tealuxe and ordered a personal pot of caramel creme brûlée tea. They serve it to you with a timer so you know when to remove the tea. I had mine with soy milk. Not my very favorite tea I’ve tried, but pretty good. I was lucky to get a table and I stayed to read my book for a while while I sipped.

I also munched on some roasted salted almonds I brought from home.

After I felt a bit like I was going to float away, but I was definitely warmer. I also purchased some new tea for at home and a few new tea jars from the cute hardware store on the street. I went inside lots of stores but mostly stuck to browsing though I did finally find some long black fingerless gloves I’ve been searching for to help warm up my hands during especially cold gigs.

Eventually I returned home, did a bit of apartment organizing and prepared some dinner.

I measured out a serving of whole wheat fusilli (200 calories worth)

and bulked it up with some shredded zucchini

I made a quick balsamic reduction and poured it over with an ounce of shredded cheddar.

I am definitely a pasta fan, but measuring it out before cooking is a good portion control tactic for me.

And thus ends my day. Unfortunately I’m teaching a lot of make up lessons and starting early tomorrow so I better shut off my lights shortly. I hope others are taking better advantage of the three day weekend!

Unexpected Evening

Woke up Saturday still under the weather – my throat especially. Ouch!

I stayed in bed until late (at least I’m putting a good dent in my book) and eventually made it up for breakfast. The day before was so good, I made an exact repeat.

Whole wheat english muffin french toast with half a grilled banana and a mountain of pumpkin mixed with honey and cinnamon.

Yup. Still good.

I didn’t get hungry for hours – I guess lying in bed doesn’t take much fuel. At 4 I figured I should eat a little something, but since I had dinner plans at 6 I stuck to a very light meal.

Yup. More miso soup. It’s just so good. I had a big mug with some chopped scallions and 1 ounce of tofu.

Promise it was in there on the bottom.

In the evening I pumped myself full of Advil to meet up with Jon and Jonathan for dinner and a play. We had dinner plans at Betty’s Wok and Noodle. I picked out my meal in advance: stir fry with tofu, vegetables (you get to pick your own), and brown rice. They offered 4 kinds of sauce and since I couldn’t find any information online I actually called the restaurant to ask them which sauce was the healthiest. I’ve never done that before, but I liked knowing what to order in advance. Plus I ended up with a tasty stir fry with “asian pesto” – a mix of mint, basil, cilantro, and peanuts. Very flavorful and not super oily. I only ate about 1/3 of the rice, I just wasn’t that hungry.

At this point our evening took a strange turn – the play was cancelled! I got a call from the box office that there had been an actor injury. Not sure why there wasn’t an understudy?!? At any rate, we took the opportunity to go to Symphony Hall and get tickets for the Boston Symphony instead. They have a great deal of seats for $20 for those under 40. And amazing seats! So we got in our cultural evening after all and I rescheduled my play tickets for a later date.