Fresh French Fries

Is there anything better, really, than a bag of fresh French fries straight from the fatty, bubbling oil, doused with salt, so fresh that they leave grease marks on the bag? Too hot to eat, but you do anyway...

My friend Megan and I were talking about Food Inc. this morning, and it made me think about SuperSize Me from several years ago, and I immediately hit YouTube. The DVD has a spectacular "extra" about McDonald's fries, and I was very pleased to find it. It was just the reminder I needed today. Delicious.

Big. Fat. Donuts.

I should know better. No girl who struggles with her weight should even think about going to a place called "Gourdough's." Add a tagline like "Big. Fat. Donuts." and it shouldn't even be on my radar. But I went anyway this weekend. Twice.

As is very popular in Austin, Gourdough's is housed in a cute little airstream trailer. Its South Lamar location makes it the perfect place for an after-movie or late-night snack. And what a fun night the creators must have had when they got together to decide on the menu! "Naughty & Nice," "Blue Balls" (seen here) and "Margaritaville" all grace the menu.

I must say, the donuts are really good! They come out to the table at just the perfect temperature, absolutely piled high with great toppings. They do not skimp.

And they do not care about the size of my butt.

Good Start

I haven't stepped on a scale in about a month. I know without even looking that I gained my six pounds from Jenny Craig back. I can feel it in my jeans. I was thinking about it this morning, and I'm guessing I've lost the same 20 pounds four times now. I know that's not healthy. And I know all I can do is keep trying and going from this very moment.

My goal is simple right now: To eat better and less. And to track it all.

Breakfast: cereal: 100 calories
1/2 cup fat-free milk: 40 calories
banana: 80 calories
(220 calories)

Lunch: Healthy Choice pasta lunch: 340 calories
crunchy bread sticks (90 calories)
(430 calories)

And then I worked a 13-hour day and ordered pizza for dinner. Dadgumit.

Lost

Why is this an issue for me? Why do I have to obsess and worry and fret? I know all the rules and tips and tricks, why can't I just use them?

I'm kinda at the point of not knowing what to do, just kinda lost. I mean, I know what to do: Eat less, eat better, move more. But I'm missing something somewhere. There's a disconnect between the knowing and doing. How do I bring it together? How do I get some momentum toward healthier?

Here's what I'm gonna try today: Just tracking calories. Good, bad or ugly, I'll be putting them here. I think that's part of the issue for me: accountability. Working from home, I'm afraid I'm taking on this "the calories don't count if no one sees me eat them" attitude. Maybe the simple act of tracking -- of showing the world what's going into my mouth and onto my hips -- will make a difference. Here we go!

Breakfast: Sugar-free cappuccino: 50 calories
cereal: 150 calories
1/2 cup fat-free milk: 40 calories
banana: 80 calories
(total: 320 calories)

Lunch: tuna and crackers: 210 calories
steamed veggies and butter: 150 calories
(total: 360 calories)

Afternoon snack: 1/4 cup peanut butter M&Ms: 230 calories
(total: 230 calories)

Dinner: grilled cheese sandwich: 400 calories
vegetable soup: 70 calories
Hostess snack cakes: 100 calories
(total: 570 calories)

Total for the day: 1480 calories. That seemed much easier that it normally is for me. Maybe the trick for me is the tracking, the accountability, the honestly with myself. And maybe I'll count calories again tomorrow.

Three Cookies

Jenny Craig Update: Week 5

Oh, what a crazy couple of weeks it has been. I traveled to Toronto for work, and went through shoulder surgery after injuring myself with an overly enthusiast golf swing. (Stitches come out tomorrow and I am counting down the hours!)

After my trip to the Great White North, I gained a pound. No biggie considering that more than one of my meals included fresh chocolate-covered blueberries. And last week I was too tired (and drugged) to drive to my weekly appointment. Instead, I sat on the couch for a couple of days eating like I didn't have to worry about it. Cupcakes included.

After all of that, I was a bit nervous about weighing in today. But I went, and I'm glad I did. Six pounds down since starting five weeks ago. It's not a huge loss yet, but it's a loss. Enough of one to keep me inspired for at least another six pounds!

Homemade Dog Treats

I was really itching to bake something Sunday afternoon. Cookies? Cupcakes? I know myself, and I knew if I baked something scrumptious I could eat half the batch by myself. So I opted for fresh dog treats instead!

Mom gave me a cute little dog-treat cookbook a couple of years ago that came with a bone-shaped cookie cutter. I just flipped through it to find a recipe that worked with ingredients I already had in the house. This one couldn't be simpler:

• 2 tablespoons butter (softened)
• 1/2 cup grated cheddar
• 1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup milk

Cream the butter and cheese together with a fork. Work in flour and milk. Form into a ball and roll 1/4 inch thick. Cut and bake at 375 for 28-30 minutes.

The house smelled so good while they were baking, like there was a fresh loaf of some fancy cheese bread in the oven. The boys loved them! We even shared a few with a the neighbors' new dog. Their 5-year-old told us "He didn't even spit it out!" So I guess he liked them too.