Day 2 - South Beach

Just wanted to give you a quick update on Day 2 and into Day 3.  So far, I have lost 4 pounds.  Now, I realize most of that is water, but whatever.  I'll take it.  I have been dealing with a headache for the past 5 days, even before the diet, but the detox off the sugar and wine is making it worse.  I think I am kind of sick and I'm sure that is where this headache is coming from.  Plus, I have this lovely cold sore which is an indication that something isn't right.  So very, very, tired of those. 

On a lighter note, Pam has lost 6 pounds in one week.  Awesome! 

Haven't cheated even though the kids have had pasta, popcorn, oatmeal, etc.  It's hard not to taste while you're cooking, but I'm making it work.  Stupid kids.  Probably why I'm fat in the first place.  Looking forward to making it off the first two weeks and getting rid of the sugar cravings.  There should be a sugar methadone clinic where you could go for a quick hit of a relief.  Maybe the opportunity to eat one ear off of a chocolate Easter bunny.  Mmmmmmmmm, bunnies.

Need to train.  I feel a bit weak for training, but promised myself I would work that in sometime tonight.  Or a nap.  Can't decide.  Only 14 weeks away from the race and really need to start the program.  You know they have Yoga (Bikram) that is done is a really warm environment.  Why not swimming?  Wouldn't it be nice to work out in a pool that was about 88 degrees?  I hate getting in the water when it's so cold outside and then so cold in the water.  The warm pool is the answer.  So you sweat a little in the water.  Who cares?  It washes right off. 

Year-End Statements

The following is the dialogue as we were watching a movie on TV the other night:

Lady on TV: I don't know what we are going to do.  Just look at these year-end statements.

Taylor: Urine statement?  What's a urine statement?

Me: Year-End Statement

Man, that kid is funny.  She's going to make me a lot of money one day.

Day 1 - South Beach

I woke up feeling really crappy.  I was so cold and couldn't get warmed up, and I was a little sick to my stomach.  I went back to bed after I dropped off the kids for an hour and seem to be recovering.  I made these little quiche things that were in the SB book, and I thought they were disgusting.  I can make them better and will.  I would rather have no cheese then a fat-free cheese.  Yuck.  Also, not a big fan of things processed, and the cheese seems so fake.  Not like the deliciousness of, say, Velveeta.  That cheese is not processed at all.  Nope.  Not at all.  Mmmmmmmm, Velveeta.

Kraft introduced Velveeta process cheese loaf in 1928 describing it as: "A delicious Cheese Food consisting of Kraft Process American Cheese with added milk sugar, milk minerals and water."  Wow, I'll say it's delicious.  Kraft won't actually tell you how they make it or exactly what goes into it.  I, for one, don't want to know. 

There is a stigma about Velveeta.  I always feel a bit sheepish about reaching for the big loaf and plopping it into my cart.  Also, it is always in the weirdest places in the grocery store.  No one seems to know how to classify it since it is cheese, but doesn't need refrigeration.  When I get home with my loaf, I always hide it behind the cereal boxes.  Just in case some foodie examines my pantry and busts me with the goods.  I have a couple of recipes that ONLY works with Velveeta.  When people ask what kind of cheese is in the recipe, I reply that it is usually a blend of cheeses.  No lie.  That's what Kraft says.  I've tried other cheeses, and they don't compare, so I am a purchaser, but probably only buy 2 loafs per year. However, there are those that embrace their relationship with Velveeta. About 5% of the population buys about 75% of all Velveeta sold in the United States.  I personally know several of them.

Funny how I go from talking about diet food right on to Velveeta.  It explains so much.  I didn't cheat today, but wasn't able to work out do to aforementioned crappy feeling, but will let you know the results in the morning.

Happy Dieting!

This is usually about the time that I pour my first glass of wine.  Sigh. 

New Year, New Decade, New ME!

One of my New Year's resolutions is to try to write more for the blog.  I really miss it and it brings me great joy (especially when someone leaves a comment - hint hint), so I'm going to try to carve more time out for this. 

Other things for 2010??

• South Beach Diet starts January 4th.  Since I've complained that my weight was out of control, I've managed to gain 10 more pounds.  I've never done South Beach before so this should be fun.  I need to lose 20 by June.  Pam is doing it as well, but she always has really good luck with these things.  It's more of a struggle for me, but I'm going to try.  If it doesn't work, I'm thinking of having my jaw wired.  Plus, all the stars are aligned.  First of the year, first of the month, and a Monday.  It's pretty much fool proof except for that whole no wine for two weeks part of the program.  Everyone here is bracing for the impact.
• Signed up for a triathlon on April 17th, so training pretty much starts Monday.
• Might do a 1/2 Marathon on April 24th with the family in Nashville.  It's the weekend after aforementioned triathlon, so I'm concerned I won't be able to walk.  This race is a definite maybe.
• Triathlon on May 15th in Las Vegas.
• Pumpkinman triathlon in October.
• 1/2 Marathon in Las Vegas in December.

Well, that's the plan for now.  I'm never going to finish the races unless I lose the weight.  Waddling into the finish line is not a good thing.  You get the courtesy clapping and the, "Good job - you're almost there."  Ugh.  I want, "Hey, you're on fire.  Way to finish strong."  I just hope I don't get faint while trying to train and diet.  Those people do it on The Biggest Loser.  I'm ready for someone to write a tell-all book about that place and how people lose the weight.  I think they have little lipo machines sucking stuff out before the weigh-ins.  That's really the only way to explain it.

Happy New Year!  I'm so ready for this year to be over and for great things in 2010.  This year is going to be awesome - I can feel it!

The Grind -

I made a great dinner last night.  I watched some guy make it on the Today Show and here is a link to the recipe Joe Bastianich’s healthy white bean stew.  However, the recipe that is posted and what he did on the show was a little different.  He used sausage, and while I'm not a huge fan, I did put in some chicken sausage instead.  Not as much fat, but still some of the flavor.  I wanted to use shredded chicken but someone in the house thought it would be too bland.  Sigh.  I deviated from the recipe a little because I sauteed the sausage, added pepper, green pepper, and onion before the garlic and then picked up the recipe from there.  Oh, and the Swiss chard?  Shut up and eat it already.  It is delicious.  I also never use as much oil as they say.  Just enough not the burn or stick the veggies while they saute.  The recipe only has 274 calories per serving if you use no meat.  They also have turkey sausage which isn't bad either.  I usually get the ones that have the hot pepper in them.  Great vegetarian dish sans sausage.  Bon Appetit!

Tasty!  I highly recommend this dish!

Everyone has one

Have you noticed how many of my stories come from Albertsons?  Could that be because that is where I spend the majority of my free time?  I should write a book on my adventures at the grocery.

I'm there the other day buying groceries, and we come to the wine.  Sweet, life-giving, sanity-keeping wine.  The checker asks me for my ID.  Ha!  Love it when that happens.  She then says, "Girl, you look really good for your age.  Except I like your hair color better in your license picture.  Maybe you should think about having it that color again."  Wow.  Really?  Couldn't we just end with how good I look for my age?  It would be different if I had asked her opinion on my hair color.  However, I didn't.  This may come as a shock, but rarely do I engage in much conversation other than the weather, groceries, kids, work, etc.  Light conversation.  Little did I know I should be voicing my displeasure with the checker's hair style, hair color, or their choice of smock for the day.  Maybe I could ask if they had sex last night, if it was any good, and maybe my opinion on why it wasn't satisfactory.  How would you like them apples?

Always remember, opinions are like assholes.  Everyone has one.

There was no Grind for Thursday - Saturday. Yippee.  We had dinner out with the family on Thursday, and Friday and Saturday were spent either getting ready for or working in a haunted house.  Details later. 

The Grind - Wednesday

Lime and Honey Glazed Salmon, Risotto Cakes, and Roasted Cauliflower with Herbed Breadcrumbs. 

The salmon recipe called for the salmon to be cooked with rice and broccolini in the same pan.  I hate broccoli.  Even if they try to dress it up by using other cute little names like broccolini.  Still smells like gas when you cook it.  I just did the salmon by itself with the lime and honey glaze.  You can click above for the recipe.  It was Yummy!

For the risotto cakes, you take your leftover risotto, push a little buffalo mozzarella ball in the middle of it, and form a little patty about 1/2 inch thick.  Make sure the cheese is covered.  Dredge patties in flour and place on a baking sheet in fridge for 15 min.  Heat 1 T extra virgin olive oil over medium heat until it sizzles when a pinch of flour is added.  Dredge patties in flour again.  Fry until golden brown and warmed through, about 10 minutes.

I love roasting veggies at high heat.  It is my favorite way to cook them.  The only way broccoli is tolerated.  For the cauliflower, I preheated the oven to 450, tossed the cauliflower with a little olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper and cooked for about 15 minutes.  I like my veggies a little crunchy, so you might have to cook them longer depending on your taste.  Meanwhile, I took about 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and 2 chopped garlic cloves and roasted them over medium heat with a little bit of oil.  Once the crumbs browned, I added some thyme and the grated zest of a lemon.  After the cauliflower was finished, I sprinkled it with the juice of the lemon and added it to the breadcrumbs.  Big hit with the kids!

Tonight?  Going out.  Family in town for a big 21st birthday - Happy Birthday, Brad!