Reality Check! Nobody Is Perfect

This one really is going out to all the ladies!  If any men have experienced what I'm about to share, I'd love to know (I'm sure its possible).  I have come to realize that the more I exercise, the hungrier I feel.  Given this fact, I keep my fridge and pantry full of healthy options so if a big glass of water does not cure the hunger, I at least know I will not do any harm.  I have also learned that sometimes, for whatever reason (I'm pretty sure of mine), I have cravings for some of those "not-so-good" options.  Well, this weekend, specifically Friday night, I was feeling sooo hungry and was having hard core cravings for tacos, peanut butter cookies, and cake!  I could have made my own tacos or practiced my ala carte strategy for Mexican take-out, but I was not in the mood to cook nor did I want to even have to get out of the car for any "special orders".  I could have made myself a peanut butter and banana sandwich, but that was not an option either.  My solution...drive my ass to taco bell and handle some business! Then, after I got home and downed my four tacos, yes 4, my husband went out to run some errands.  I insisted that he get me some cookies and/or cake.  Usually, he knows that I'm just saying it and can do without.  This time, I meant it!  God Bless him, he brought me some peanut butter cookies and piece of chocolate cake.  I inhaled four cookies and a huge bite of cake.  Surprisingly, I did not and still do not feel guilty.  I did not feel nor did I get sick.  I felt satisfied!  What have I learned from this?  I have learned that sometimes you just have to feed the craving, but be warned, you also have to recover!  It's the start of a new week and I no longer have these cravings.  I've also managed to get back on track quite easily.  This reminds me of why it is so important to keep only healthy options in the house.  Having to go out to feed the craving makes it easier to recover from it.  Nobody Is Perfect, Duh!

Eat Your Veggies!

 

 

Very Veggie Chili Soup

 

I was inspired by the free chili the Salvation Army fed us following the Kettle Krush 5K yesterday to make this Chili Spiced Veggie Soup for my lunches this week.  Chili can be a bit heavy for lunch, so I used chili spices to flavor this very veggie soup. It turned out great!  It's also light enough to have on a warm day!

Ingredients:
1 cup of chopped carrots
1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped onion
1/2 cup chopped celery
4 cups Kale, stemmed & pulled into small pieces
2 cups "chunky" chopped zucchini
1 can drained & rinsed Cannellini Beans
1 can of No Salt Added Petite Diced Tomatoes
32 oz. box Veggie Broth
1 tbsp. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 tsp. minced garlic
3 big pinches of kosher course salt
8 grinds of black pepper
1/2 to 1 tsp. dried Oregano
1/2 to 1 tsp. Smoked Paprika
2 to 3 tsp. Chili Powder
1 tsp. Cumin Powder
1 cup of Water

Directions: 
Prep all veggies & beans.  In a large stock pot, saute in the olive oil, the carrots, onions, celery, zucchini, and garlic on medium heat until onions are translucent.  Add the kale, and continue sauteing until Kale wilts. Add salt, pepper, cumin, chili powder, oregano, and paprika.  Mix well, then add canned tomatoes, beans, veggie broth, and water.  Bring to boil, then reduce to simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, until kale is no longer tough.  Let it cool and portion into 1 to 2 cup individual servings. 

Nutritional Information (using MyFitnessPal app to record ingredients & divide by 5 servings):  Calories 122, Fat 3g, Cholesterol 0g, Sodium 536mg, Carbohydrates 20g, Dietary Fiber 6g, Sugar 6g, Protein 5g, Vitamin A 224%, Vitamin C 130%, Calcium 12%, Iron 9%.

Tip:  You can reduce the amount of sodium by using lower sodium canned beans or cooking your own dried beans; as well as, by making your own veggie broth instead of buying pre-made broth.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game

 

Going to a baseball game does not automatically mean you have no options for healthy eating.  My two "go-to" places are the taco stand and the philly cheesesteak stand.  What?  Philly Cheesteaks & Tacos?  Yep!  Here's how it works.  At the taco stand, order the chicken taco with no cheese and extra salsa.  At the philly cheesesteak stand order the chicken philly with no cheese and no sauce of any sort (e.g. mayo).  I know how can "no cheese" possibly taste good?  Well, it can & it does! By selecting chicken and eliminating cheese you are cutting almost 300 calories for two tacos or an 8 inch philly. Also request no sides.  They are just unnecessary calories that usually aren't that great to begin with.  Last but not least, suck it up and buy the $4 bottle of water or find a way to sneak your own bottle in!

1st Annual Kettle Krush 5K

Up early this morning to participate in the first annual Kettle Krush 5K to benefit the Salvation Army.  The race started at the entrance of Harbor Park and ended at home plate. Although it was cold, it was great running along Waterside and it was really exciting to end at Home Plate! I'm still hoping to improve my running ability; however, I finished in 39:35 which was my best 5K Race time yet! I am a goal setter but I am also a realist with severe sinus problems (which affects breathing) and recognize the fact that 39:35 may be the best I can do.  The fact that I can get up and actually participate and finish is a pretty big deal!  4 years ago I participated in my first 5K and finished in close to 45 minutes; therefore any thing under 40 minutes is an accomplishment!

 

In the Beginning

This was me in the Summer of 2011.  I was not "unhappy" and in fact did not pay much attention to how overweight I had become. But, a picture is worth a thousand words, right? I keep this one with me as a reminder of where I started!