First, I feel I owe an apology. I haven't blogged in a while, and I feel guilty. I have only felt like whining, and there aren't many people that enjoy whining, so...but let's see if I can get you up to speed.
I've been experimenting with new foods. I've been doing a lot of crock pot cooking, trying to find something that works well for me. Meatloaf, roasts, beef tips, turkey meatballs...It has all led me to this conclusion: I think I'm destined to become a reluctant vegetarian. Not in the "won't eat anything that comes in contact with meat" or anything like that, but so far I'm not having much luck at all. Still the thing I eat most of all is potatoes of some sort--mashed, baked, cut up and seasoned like home fries, o'brien...
Everything is kind of hit and miss. For example, twice now I've made something for dinner and been fine, yet the next day when I try it for lunch, I puke my face off. As recently as two days ago, I had beef tips and gravy over mashed potatoes that we had had for dinner the night before. I had it for lunch before having to pick up my daughter from school for a doctor appointment. I threw up probably 10 times while getting ready to go get her, and I thought by the time I left the house I was ok. I wasn't. I ended up having to pull over twice over the 45 minute drive to the doctor. Then I got to listen to a lecture from my 6-year-old, something along the lines of I should know by now what I can eat, and it's not good to be throwing up all the time, and I really need to learn. She was seriously mad at me!
Still, I've lost 62 lbs, so I can't bitch too much. I've had several people ask me if it was worth it, and I say hell yes. If I wouldn't have had this surgery, I would have just kept ballooning. As I sit here and type this, a Jenny Craig commercial is on, with Sara Rue. She has lost 50 lbs, and she said she realized she needed a lifestyle change. Well, I tried that through Weight Watchers...three times. I need the type of permanent lifestyle change that allows me no control. The way I see it, I'm halfway there. I'm almost out of the 200 lb range, which I haven't been since I was 20.
This weekend will prove to be a challenge. We are leaving to stay at my brother-in-law's, which the entire family does every year in the fall. There will be 16 of us or so, and who knows what we'll be eating. I know that there will be chicken wing soup, a spaghetti dish of sorts, and I'm taking a taco casserole that I've never tried (ground chicken, taco seasoning, refried beans, salsa, sour cream and cheese) and hot sausage with onions and peppers (that's the Italian in me). I don't know if I can eat anything that I'm taking...guess we'll have to wait and see. I'll report back next week!
Friday, September 24, 2010
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Another milestone mark
Today is my three month "anniversary". It's amazing how much my life has changed in those three months. The biggest change of all....I've lost the small child that has been dragging on my ass (and by that I mean the 57 pounds I have lost!) I've gone from a size 26/28 to an 18. That's almost out of the plus sizes, baby! Halle-frickin-lujah!
In these three months, I've lost my taste for sweets and meat. I can hardly believe it. I make some sort of meat every night for my family, and if I have one bite that's a lot. I just don't crave it like I used to. The only meat I've really been tempted to eat has been chicken fingers or nuggets at a fast food joint. Bad bad bad! Luckily I'm too afraid to try anything deep fried. And it used to be that after every meal, I'd crave something sweet. I don't anymore. I haven't had chocolate at all this whole time. Well, a little chocolate milk once, but I don't think that counts.
It has always been a natural response to cross my legs when I sit. I haven't been able to do that in a while. I get a little smug now every time I sit down and cross my legs...because I can, and because when I do they actually cross comfortably. I also find myself sitting with my arms crossed a lot. I don't know why, but again, it's comfortable. I haven't been able to cross my arms without looking or feeling like a moron because my arms were so fat and my boobs were so big.
I'm definitely reaping the rewards...and I can't imagine how I'm going to feel another 50 pounds from now if already feel this good!
In these three months, I've lost my taste for sweets and meat. I can hardly believe it. I make some sort of meat every night for my family, and if I have one bite that's a lot. I just don't crave it like I used to. The only meat I've really been tempted to eat has been chicken fingers or nuggets at a fast food joint. Bad bad bad! Luckily I'm too afraid to try anything deep fried. And it used to be that after every meal, I'd crave something sweet. I don't anymore. I haven't had chocolate at all this whole time. Well, a little chocolate milk once, but I don't think that counts.
It has always been a natural response to cross my legs when I sit. I haven't been able to do that in a while. I get a little smug now every time I sit down and cross my legs...because I can, and because when I do they actually cross comfortably. I also find myself sitting with my arms crossed a lot. I don't know why, but again, it's comfortable. I haven't been able to cross my arms without looking or feeling like a moron because my arms were so fat and my boobs were so big.
I'm definitely reaping the rewards...and I can't imagine how I'm going to feel another 50 pounds from now if already feel this good!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
It's Been A While...
So....it's been a while since I've posted. I've really had nothing new to report, so I didn't want to bore anyone with my nonsense. I don't know if I should blog about things other than my post-surgery experiences (since that was the intention). If you have an opinion, feel free to share.
Anyway, today I do have something to share. Chili = bad news. I made chili today, as it is cold, damp, and rainy here, and I love something simmering in the crockpot in this kind of weather. Wellll.....if you want to know what fire in your stomach feels like, just eat some chili after having this surgery. I didn't even make it that spicy, because the kids would be eating it too. It will be a long time before I try it again. So now I have a huge crockpot full of the stuff, and really only one person to eat it all. I'll be freezing some, and pawning some off....Mom, you'll be getting some!
I've been trying to break out of the mashed potato mold, and experience new foods. One thing new I've noticed about myself is that I really am not a meat girl anymore. Me, whose favorite meal is a big honkin' steak and a baked potato.
The other night I cooked up some loose hamburger with onions and spices, with the intention of mixing it with pasta. My husband loves that, and I wasn't planning on eating it. Then my creativity streak kicked in. I ended up adding wine, Worchestershire sauce, a bit of reduced fat cream cheese, and a smidge of milk. It ended up as kind of a stroganoff, and it was fabulous. I mixed it up with radiatore pasta. My son ate two bowls. I ended up throwing up, because I ate one too many bites (and I didn't even have the pasta).
I also did a meatloaf in the crockpot, something I had never done before. But I keep hearing to "moist cook" all of my meats, and the best way to do that is to use the crockpot. With it I made (big shock here) mashed potatoes. I tried the meatloaf, but it didn't sit well, so I went with the potatoes...again. Luckily I had gravy from KFC to change it up.
That night, I broke out the ol' "Fix It and Forget It" cookbook (that's for the crockpot, for those of you who don't know) for some new ideas. Well, "forget it"...practically every recipe in there calls for some kind of cream-of soup plus one or two other ingredients. I am not that kind of cook. I like to cook as naturally as possible, ie not use canned soups (not only for the sodium content, but it usually doesn't taste like anything other than soup). So instead of using recipes straight out of the book, I have used it for ideas.
I did a pork roast the other day. I wanted to throw potatoes in there, but since I had made the mashed potatoes the night before, I didn't want to do them two nights in a row. So I decided to throw brown rice into the crockpot about 2 hours before I was going to serve dinner. I took the roast out and put the uncooked rice in the liquid (pork juices, wine, V8, and water) that the roast was cooking in, and set the roast back in. Well....it was ok. I couldn't eat it. Everyone else did, but I ended up tossing all that was left over. The pork is making great sandwiches for my husband's lunch though.
So. Chili is not good for me. What will tomorrow bring? Hopefully not more friggin mashed potatoes. I never thought I'd say this, but damn, I'm getting sick of them!
Anyway, today I do have something to share. Chili = bad news. I made chili today, as it is cold, damp, and rainy here, and I love something simmering in the crockpot in this kind of weather. Wellll.....if you want to know what fire in your stomach feels like, just eat some chili after having this surgery. I didn't even make it that spicy, because the kids would be eating it too. It will be a long time before I try it again. So now I have a huge crockpot full of the stuff, and really only one person to eat it all. I'll be freezing some, and pawning some off....Mom, you'll be getting some!
I've been trying to break out of the mashed potato mold, and experience new foods. One thing new I've noticed about myself is that I really am not a meat girl anymore. Me, whose favorite meal is a big honkin' steak and a baked potato.
The other night I cooked up some loose hamburger with onions and spices, with the intention of mixing it with pasta. My husband loves that, and I wasn't planning on eating it. Then my creativity streak kicked in. I ended up adding wine, Worchestershire sauce, a bit of reduced fat cream cheese, and a smidge of milk. It ended up as kind of a stroganoff, and it was fabulous. I mixed it up with radiatore pasta. My son ate two bowls. I ended up throwing up, because I ate one too many bites (and I didn't even have the pasta).
I also did a meatloaf in the crockpot, something I had never done before. But I keep hearing to "moist cook" all of my meats, and the best way to do that is to use the crockpot. With it I made (big shock here) mashed potatoes. I tried the meatloaf, but it didn't sit well, so I went with the potatoes...again. Luckily I had gravy from KFC to change it up.
That night, I broke out the ol' "Fix It and Forget It" cookbook (that's for the crockpot, for those of you who don't know) for some new ideas. Well, "forget it"...practically every recipe in there calls for some kind of cream-of soup plus one or two other ingredients. I am not that kind of cook. I like to cook as naturally as possible, ie not use canned soups (not only for the sodium content, but it usually doesn't taste like anything other than soup). So instead of using recipes straight out of the book, I have used it for ideas.
I did a pork roast the other day. I wanted to throw potatoes in there, but since I had made the mashed potatoes the night before, I didn't want to do them two nights in a row. So I decided to throw brown rice into the crockpot about 2 hours before I was going to serve dinner. I took the roast out and put the uncooked rice in the liquid (pork juices, wine, V8, and water) that the roast was cooking in, and set the roast back in. Well....it was ok. I couldn't eat it. Everyone else did, but I ended up tossing all that was left over. The pork is making great sandwiches for my husband's lunch though.
So. Chili is not good for me. What will tomorrow bring? Hopefully not more friggin mashed potatoes. I never thought I'd say this, but damn, I'm getting sick of them!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Labor Day Weekend...well, the first half anyway...
This weekend finds me 51 pounds lighter. It is still amazing to me. I am officially smaller than I was when I got married, 7 years ago. Today, for the first time in literally years, I went shopping and only had to buy size XL shirts...mainly to accommodate my boobs. Never in a million years did I think I'd be giddy about buying 3 shirts in Target. It's a good thing we were strapped for time, or those 3 shirts might have ballooned into many many more!
Before going to Target, my daughter, my sister, and I went to Red Lobster for lunch. I wanted to see if I could handle the clam chowder. I got it in the bread bowl...those of you who haven't had that, do yourself a favor and get it the next time. It's one of my faves. Anyway, they don't put much more than a cup of soup in the bread bowl, so it was actually about the perfect amount, and I got to bring the bowl home for later. It turns out that yes, yes I can eat clam chowder. They suggest that you stay away from soup in the beginning, because they'd rather you eat solid foods (remember, you're not supposed to drink while eating). I guess I'm a rebel that way. It was a toss up between the soup and the lobster pizza...I think that'll be next time.
After Target, we went to see "Despicable Me", the only kids movie left playing. I'm so glad, because it was great. It didn't drag like a lot of kids movies do for adults. I liked it, Gabby loved it, and I think my sister even enjoyed it. And who doesn't like Steve Carrell, really?
We went to Big Lots after that, and across the road is a Pizza Hut. My sister wanted to order a pizza for her husband and my dad, who were doing construction at her house. While she was in placing her order, my husband called, I told him where we were, and I ended up ordering the Big Italy to take home. Come to find out, yes, it is huge like the commerical boasts. And I was able to have a few nibbles, but after all this time of craving pizza, the fact that it was room temperature just didn't do it for me. I guess my "first" pizza is going to have to be fresh...even though I usually love cold pizza.
Then...we went to KFC. You're probably thinking I'm nuts, and no wonder I needed surgery to slim my fat ass down. Well, I wanted to see if they would sell me just the gravy, minus the potatoes. I am so sick of instant potatoes I just wanted the gravy. Yep, they will sell just gravy. So I ordered that, and couldn't resist the $5 fill up box, which I filled with a grilled breast, a grilled wing, a biscuit, and....potatoes and gravy. I have only had a nibble of the wing and it didn't sit great, so I'm a little leery at this point. But I have two containers of gravy, and that's what's important!
We'll see what the rest of the weekend brings to this foodie...
*******************************************************
On another note, I'm exploring the world of soft cheeses. I recently bought fresh mozzarella, and there's nothing like it. Just wish I could pair it with fresh tomatoes and basil at this point, but not yet. Also, I bought the mini Babybel cheese, which I believe is gouda. The size of it is perfect for me, and gives me both the dairy and protein that I'm missing elsewhere. Lastly I bought the Laughing Cow spreadable wedges, in mozzarella and sun dried tomato. Fabulous spread on three reduced fat Club crackers.
I'm constantly looking to switch up my potatoes, so I did something I never would have done previously--I bought Cheese Whiz. I don't even think you can classify the stuff as cheese. But it's pretty tasty melted into some mashed potatoes!
There's your cheese review for this week. Enjoy.
Before going to Target, my daughter, my sister, and I went to Red Lobster for lunch. I wanted to see if I could handle the clam chowder. I got it in the bread bowl...those of you who haven't had that, do yourself a favor and get it the next time. It's one of my faves. Anyway, they don't put much more than a cup of soup in the bread bowl, so it was actually about the perfect amount, and I got to bring the bowl home for later. It turns out that yes, yes I can eat clam chowder. They suggest that you stay away from soup in the beginning, because they'd rather you eat solid foods (remember, you're not supposed to drink while eating). I guess I'm a rebel that way. It was a toss up between the soup and the lobster pizza...I think that'll be next time.
After Target, we went to see "Despicable Me", the only kids movie left playing. I'm so glad, because it was great. It didn't drag like a lot of kids movies do for adults. I liked it, Gabby loved it, and I think my sister even enjoyed it. And who doesn't like Steve Carrell, really?
We went to Big Lots after that, and across the road is a Pizza Hut. My sister wanted to order a pizza for her husband and my dad, who were doing construction at her house. While she was in placing her order, my husband called, I told him where we were, and I ended up ordering the Big Italy to take home. Come to find out, yes, it is huge like the commerical boasts. And I was able to have a few nibbles, but after all this time of craving pizza, the fact that it was room temperature just didn't do it for me. I guess my "first" pizza is going to have to be fresh...even though I usually love cold pizza.
Then...we went to KFC. You're probably thinking I'm nuts, and no wonder I needed surgery to slim my fat ass down. Well, I wanted to see if they would sell me just the gravy, minus the potatoes. I am so sick of instant potatoes I just wanted the gravy. Yep, they will sell just gravy. So I ordered that, and couldn't resist the $5 fill up box, which I filled with a grilled breast, a grilled wing, a biscuit, and....potatoes and gravy. I have only had a nibble of the wing and it didn't sit great, so I'm a little leery at this point. But I have two containers of gravy, and that's what's important!
We'll see what the rest of the weekend brings to this foodie...
*******************************************************
On another note, I'm exploring the world of soft cheeses. I recently bought fresh mozzarella, and there's nothing like it. Just wish I could pair it with fresh tomatoes and basil at this point, but not yet. Also, I bought the mini Babybel cheese, which I believe is gouda. The size of it is perfect for me, and gives me both the dairy and protein that I'm missing elsewhere. Lastly I bought the Laughing Cow spreadable wedges, in mozzarella and sun dried tomato. Fabulous spread on three reduced fat Club crackers.
I'm constantly looking to switch up my potatoes, so I did something I never would have done previously--I bought Cheese Whiz. I don't even think you can classify the stuff as cheese. But it's pretty tasty melted into some mashed potatoes!
There's your cheese review for this week. Enjoy.
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