tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217867292024-03-06T22:29:50.384-06:00Something to chew onMy personal journal of food, activity, body issues and starting each day as a new one.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.comBlogger411125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-77784002932681080262012-04-25T10:32:00.001-05:002012-04-25T10:33:23.903-05:00HBO's The Weight of the NationI'll be watching...
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="325" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/_wwwVOcOZOc?rel=0" width="495"></iframe>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-72865934668246774032011-09-22T14:12:00.002-05:002011-09-22T14:13:24.381-05:00Bacon: A DestinationWe went to <a href="http://baconaustin.com/">Bacon</a> today, the new restaurant in the old Screaming Goat Location at 10th and Lamar. Personally, I think bacon has jumped the shark a bit -- or maybe it's just that I will 9 times out of 10 choose sausage over bacon -- but I was willing to give this place a go with Cole and a group of friends during lunch today. I have to say: It wasn't bad at all.<br />
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They have lots of cute bacon stickers and t-shirts to go along with the theme.<br />
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Two diners at my table had today's bacon waffle: Blueberry waffle with hickory bacon. Apparently there was perfect bacon distribution and every bite included bacon.<br />
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I opted for the (healthier?) Clarksville Cobb, no red onions, leek vinaigrette on the side. It was delicious. Very fresh. The chicken was cooked to moist perfection.<br />
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One friend went for it and had the Double Grind Burger. He gave a very satisfied "two thumbs up" while his mouth was too full to utter words. <br />
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It was good though a bit pricey for a quick weekday lunch (my salad was 12 bucks). I can tell you to resist the urge to buy the "thick slices" of bacon on the special board. When I think of thick-sliced bacon, I think of <a href="http://www.peterluger.com/">Peter Luger's Steakhouse</a> in Brooklyn -- bacon so thick you have to use a knife and fork to cut it. It is delicious! The "thick slices" at Bacon weren't thick by any definition of the word. They were actually underwhelming.<br />
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So, in a few words, Bacon is good, but there is still room for improvement. Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-72184105432399399412011-04-04T14:20:00.003-05:002011-04-04T14:23:59.190-05:0019 DaysWell, I made it 19 days toward my goal of taking a picture of everything I eat for 30 days straight. And that's just not good enough.<br /><br />We had company in town last week from Saturday through Sunday, with enough time in between on Wednesday to put fresh sheets on the guest bed. With all of the visiting, running around town, showing off the sites and eating, I forgot, honestly just forgot.<br /><br />So, today is day 1, again. I don't want to just skip the last few days and jump in again starting at day 20 -- I really wanna make a real run of 30 days. Wish me luck!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-67242998985296956762011-03-18T10:44:00.004-05:002011-03-18T10:59:11.677-05:00Day 7: 1/2 Pound DownWell, I'm seven days into my self-assigned challenge of <a href="http://summerhuggins.posterous.com/">taking a picture of everything I eat</a> for (at least) 30 days. I'm liking what's going on!<br /><br />First, I stepped on the scale this morning and am down half a pound. Yay! That might not seem like much, but I'm looking at it this way: If I lost half a pound every week for a year, I'd be 26 pounds down overall. That's fun to think about!<br /><br />Secondly, it's forcing me to make better choices. It feels great to be honest and accountable to myself, but I also know there are a handful of people out there watching and offering their support, and I'm proud to tell them -- through my pictures -- <span style="font-style: italic;">Hey, look, I chose tomato soup instead of a bag of potato chips today.</span><br /><br />Finally, I'm starting to see my diet through a rainbow lens. After having a completely beige day a few weeks ago, I'm been challenging myself to work more color (and I don't mean M&Ms) into my day. This morning, that meant a handful of blueberries mixed into my oatmeal. Delicious! And, a serving of fruit before I even got dressed!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20d76hFr1qO1MbEAE9CpDodVNhwDA5r7mS6AU8q1EC_rBtl0NqnnZIOKl0ZSJQbdCxsAMLpnmRKXu0uLKfwKAkrrgkxAG0cF1cH-AN0ccQKX5tOmBal01n56ffuoGzHq76GUhxA/s1600/BlueberryOatmeal.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20d76hFr1qO1MbEAE9CpDodVNhwDA5r7mS6AU8q1EC_rBtl0NqnnZIOKl0ZSJQbdCxsAMLpnmRKXu0uLKfwKAkrrgkxAG0cF1cH-AN0ccQKX5tOmBal01n56ffuoGzHq76GUhxA/s320/BlueberryOatmeal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5585448495615420738" border="0" /></a><br />What would you learn about your diet if you photographed everything you ate for 30 days?Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-39979567396020027542011-03-12T20:39:00.004-06:002011-03-12T20:56:19.425-06:0030 Days and Five PoundsA Twitter conversation yesterday inspired and motivated me. Talk of money-saving tips at the grocery store turned into eating healthy, being accountable, and supporting a new friend as she does the same.<br /><br />I haven't been very good about keeping up with my <a href="http://summerhuggins.posterous.com/">photos of everything I eat</a> for the past week -- spraining the heck out of my ankle and having a bad reaction to the pain meds had me a bit out of commission. But I want to do better. And I want to keep track for 30 days. How hard can 30 days be?<br /><br />So, today is March 12. I've taken a picture of everything I've eaten today, and I'm ready to commit to 29 more. Join me. It's simple: Take a picture of everything you eat and keep a photo journal of it for 30 days. I have two goals as I do my 30 days: Make sure there is something colorful and fresh every day, avoiding <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2011/02/taste-rainbow.html">all-beige days</a>, and lose 5 pounds.<br /><br />I love it when inspiration and motivation strike unexpectedly!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-58418080901795257782011-02-02T14:05:00.004-06:002011-02-02T14:13:43.241-06:00Taste the Rainbow<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xuP5FKiGe9GE8-0rSnLA6hTnC7Z3h1Vvyaa2160nSqYDZL5YwOrwzxGMYAuBnJFOFFVZNK4CVSdIPtvkARGIQFqTwP7o9KtArIRQafIYa5cHLeHl7awwUvlR9hzSjcHwuCjF_g/s1600/oatmeal.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 256px; height: 192px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9xuP5FKiGe9GE8-0rSnLA6hTnC7Z3h1Vvyaa2160nSqYDZL5YwOrwzxGMYAuBnJFOFFVZNK4CVSdIPtvkARGIQFqTwP7o9KtArIRQafIYa5cHLeHl7awwUvlR9hzSjcHwuCjF_g/s320/oatmeal.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5569187512083402098" border="0" /></a>We've hear it all the time: We should fill our plates with color to get the best variety of nutrients. Filling a plate with all beige food just doesn't cut it.<br /><br />I've been taking <a href="http://summerhuggins.posterous.com/">a picture of everything I have eaten</a> for the past week -- and I mean everything -- and I see a trend. My rainbow isn't there. I eat a lot of beige, including shades of white, eggshell, cream, brown, yellow and tan. Looking at all of the pictures back-to-back-to-back just isn't very appetizing, so I can only imagine that it's not very good for me either.<br /><br />So for now, I'm not going to make some drastic goal about reducing calories or anything like that. For now, for the next week or so, my goal is simple: Eat more colorfully!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-59492578419797766682011-01-26T08:39:00.002-06:002011-01-26T08:47:51.472-06:00A New Way to JournalI take lots of <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/summertx/sets/72157600707168623/">food pictures</a>. Whether we're eating when we travel, visiting local restaurants or even cooking at home, I always have a camera within quick grabbing distance.<br /><br />Couple that with the fact that I'm ready to start trying to get healthier again, and I had an idea: I'll journal, but in photographs only. So, yesterday at lunch, it began. I took a picture of everything that I ate yesterday and <a href="http://summerhuggins.posterous.com/">my photo food journal</a> was up and running!<br /><br />My goal is simple: to be honest with myself and more thoughtful about what I eat.<br /><br />Our brains can do so odd things, like when we're driving late at night and your brain says, "Sure, rest your eyes for 10 seconds. It'll be fine." When it comes to food, my crazy brain often tells me, "If no one else sees you eat it, it doesn't count." Well, with this need photo food journal, it doesn't matter if anyone else sees me eat it. I'm taking a quick photo to force <span style="font-style: italic;">myself</span> to see it.<br /><br />It's about accountability and honesty. And if I can lose a pound or two along the way, I'll be thrilled!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-69997823037655440792010-12-20T20:41:00.004-06:002010-12-20T20:46:26.670-06:00Blood TypeI went to People's Pharmacy this evening to pick up a prescription refill for sweet, crazy T.J. While I was there, a small driver's license-sized card on the counter caught my eye. There were several actually, one for each blood type, and at the very top it simply said "Avoid Foods".<br /><br />I grabbed my blood type and scanned it: peanuts, peanut butter, catfish, pork -- all, Brussels sprouts. I couldn't believe the things it was telling me to avoid and wondered exactly what it meant I <span style="font-style: italic;">should</span> eat. I put it back and made a mental note of the book the information came from. I have some research to do this evening...<br /><br />Anyone out there eating based on your blood type?Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-74021272021789762052010-11-18T18:26:00.003-06:002010-11-18T18:37:49.630-06:00Kicking off the Holidays<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3OSsQnIQ-JQhKN1LGUSIywmW0-RbpEm_6ba58G6yfRBmsi3uRpBjHxnhyphenhyphenWzuFSw4NX4M1Dw6w9Bzb76tcS_Gnys4rtUPnqdQY40GOG9OqxuNryhB_Pv6cU1pVLRz-LdE2g0Qhw/s1600/2981992621_3f8038642d.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 237px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha3OSsQnIQ-JQhKN1LGUSIywmW0-RbpEm_6ba58G6yfRBmsi3uRpBjHxnhyphenhyphenWzuFSw4NX4M1Dw6w9Bzb76tcS_Gnys4rtUPnqdQY40GOG9OqxuNryhB_Pv6cU1pVLRz-LdE2g0Qhw/s320/2981992621_3f8038642d.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5541053050324264354" border="0" /></a>Sunday is <a href="http://www.austinfoodbank.org/aebp/home.html">Empty Bowl Project</a> day in Austin! It's always the Sunday before Thanksgiving, and I always think of it as the kickoff to the holiday season. Mom and I go together, and this will be our sixth or seventh year in a row to do so.<br /><br />The Austin Empty Bowl Project is a fundraiser for the <a href="http://www.austinfoodbank.org/">Capital Area Food Bank</a>'s Kids Cafe. Local potters create beautiful pieces of art in the form of bowls. You pick your bowl for a donation of $15, have it washed and filled with delicious soup made from a few dozen local restaurants, and then sit down to some live music to enjoy the eats. There is also a silent auction of "celebrity bowls" and commemorative t-shirts. All supporting those who are hungry right here in our community.<br /><br />I'm sure the holidays are going to be tough this year since Daddy passed away just a few weeks ago, but if I can do things like this -- spend time with family and focus on giving and helping right here close to home -- I think I just might survive.<br /><br />So, are you going?Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-87897220898923348302010-11-08T15:28:00.005-06:002010-11-09T08:52:48.015-06:00Emotional EatingFor almost the last two weeks, I've been the walking and talking definition of "emotional eating." That's normally not me. I'm a clock eater: I eat at 9am, noon, 3pm and as close to 6pm as possible. But when Daddy was hospitalized and then put on life support, I had to force myself to eat just to fuel my body enough to travel to see him. When he passed away and we buried him, I again had to force myself to eat just to keep from being dehydrated from all the tears.<br /><br />Since then, I've been eating everything in sight. I'm sad. And I'm a bit scared and worried, but I really don't know what I'm scared of. And although I know peanut butter cups don't really help with any of that, for some reason in some tiny way, they kinda do.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVum_wsP52lvY_Hi1DwDzL9w0vmVGAXtnRE_1B1nPYB46f-CeiHCD_L1D0AsS1QlvkHt80CUL2ZgdGoXveRCSGQ3EVYS77xX49CykzhsYLT1SovxBBfCgzI2SIXboMVr5CQAuvw/s1600/REF.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 195px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVum_wsP52lvY_Hi1DwDzL9w0vmVGAXtnRE_1B1nPYB46f-CeiHCD_L1D0AsS1QlvkHt80CUL2ZgdGoXveRCSGQ3EVYS77xX49CykzhsYLT1SovxBBfCgzI2SIXboMVr5CQAuvw/s200/REF.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5537298966783383234" border="0" /></a>My dad was an incredible character. I have his eyes and dimples and broad shoulders. He taught me to catch a fish, shoot a gun, unclog a toilet and drive. He was proud of my education and my work, and he hung my photographs proudly throughout his home. He had an amazing laugh that I hope my memory will always allow me to hold on to.<br /><br />It still feels very unreal to me that he's gone.<br /><br />I hope I can pull a lesson or two out of all of this: Eat for fuel and health. Cry when I need to. Take more pictures. Laugh. Remember the good. Do something beautiful and full of life every day. Love.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-44043299896399613622010-10-26T17:31:00.002-05:002010-10-26T17:39:04.735-05:00No Wonder We Have Issues...If you run in the same Twitter circles that I do, you read two articles today that couldn't be more different from each other.<br /><br />One encouraged "fatties" to "get a room" in <a href="http://www.marieclaire.com/sex-love/dating-blog/overweight-couples-on-television">an article where the author confesses</a> to being grossed out by simply watching someone who's overweight walk across a room.<br /><br />The other, <a href="http://www.danoah.com/2010/10/worthless-women-and-men-who-make-them.html">written by a single dad who's ready to see a change</a> -- not only in the way the media and other men see women, but in the way we see ourselves -- had me feeling comfortable in my own skin, ready to give up worrying about trying to be perfect. Whatever that word means.<br /><br />One hurt my stomach.<br /><br />One made me proud of my freckles.<br /><br />One article made me cringe to call myself a writer or a woman.<br /><br />One article made me want to be better at being both.<br /><br />One article brought tears to my eyes for anyone who has ever had to endure the stares from eyes filled with such harmful judgment.<br /><br />One made me want to smile more.<br /><br />Both articles have me wanting to hug every woman that I know to tell her how special, funny, beautiful and smart she is. Not for the size of her thighs or the number printed in her jeans, but because she's just exactly who she is. And that's perfect.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-1603053548605595752010-10-08T10:24:00.003-05:002010-10-08T10:24:00.971-05:00Today<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxchTwVeRhc3jXFvUZFEF7GoJUMl_pU4Tf45yqgGMqKgrVYI63HH6_hapy_yMscNE-iCms6ZkbcwvjowoU64hX6YoI5Ta2jDouvmi-WYndDrXzPTZl0yTU8vp-_qj1p51sY0-ag/s1600/summerprev1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxchTwVeRhc3jXFvUZFEF7GoJUMl_pU4Tf45yqgGMqKgrVYI63HH6_hapy_yMscNE-iCms6ZkbcwvjowoU64hX6YoI5Ta2jDouvmi-WYndDrXzPTZl0yTU8vp-_qj1p51sY0-ag/s320/summerprev1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511597083269983042" border="0" /></a>I'm not a size 2. I'm not even a size 10.<br /><br />I'm not 22 or even 32.<br /><br />I'm not blonde or tall or tan.<br /><br />I have freckles, scars on my left cheek and left thigh, and I have big feet. I still have a retainer.<br /><br />But... I have more confidence and comfort in my own skin today than I've ever known. As much as I joke about calling in the plastic surgeon the second that I need to, I'm trying to age in a healthful way. I'm eating better than I have my whole life. I'm walking daily and even working out a few times a week. I'm drinking a ton of water. I'm smiling, not afraid of the wrinkles that doing so might bring. I'm making new friends, taking lots of photographs, getting plenty of sleep and hugging everyone I can get my arms around.<br /><br />Today I will walk the streets of NYC and say hi to strangers. Today I will eat a cupcake and not worry about the calories.<br /><br />Today, I turn 39. And for some reason, I'm loving it!<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Many thanks to <a href="http://666photography.com/">666 Photography</a> for the fun photo shoot. Makeup by Lisa, photos by Gayla. This is a before-40 gift that every woman should give herself.)</span>Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-25508919465972945722010-09-08T21:46:00.004-05:002010-09-08T21:58:42.438-05:00Potato and Onion Skillet BakeI can't remember when or where, but within the last year or so, I saw a potato and onion dish made on TV that I wanted to try. So this evening, having a kitchen stocked with fresh potatoes and onions, I wanted to find that exact dish.<br /><br />I googled. And found nothing.<br /><br />I tweeted. And got a few suggestions.<br /><br />But I never got an official recipe. So I whipped one up myself at dinnertime. Here's all it took:<br /><ul><li>Thinly sliced potatoes</li><li>Thinly sliced onion</li><li>Salt</li><li>Pepper</li><li>Grated cheese</li><li>Olive oil</li></ul>I started by swirling an oven-safe skillet with oil, and then started layering ingredients: A layer of potatoes, then onions, all sprinkled with salt and pepper, then a layer of cheese. I repeated until I reached the top of the skillet, ending with potatoes, a drizzle more of oil, salt and pepper. I then baked at 375 for about 40 minutes.<br /><br />I turned it over on a plate, sliced it and served it up! We'll definitely be having it again soon.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-9584928466591502392010-08-31T10:39:00.003-05:002010-08-31T10:48:35.127-05:00A Simple RequestDo me a favor and eat something healthy today.<br /><br />In the last year, two men in our family have had a total of five stints placed. Both of these men under the age of 60.<br /><br />It's the food. It's too much of the bad stuff and not enough of the good. We all know the formula -- eat less and better, and move more -- but it can be so hard to live it. But small changes in your day will make all the difference.<br /><ul><li>Choose an apple instead of cookies. </li><li>Drink an extra glass of water today.</li><li>Eat one instead of three -- whatever "it" is.</li><li>Bake or grill instead of fry.</li><li>Don't drown it in cheese. </li><li>Walk around the block. Again.<br /></li></ul>I love these men, both of them, and I want them around for many more years. You too!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-67816078045342474322010-08-03T21:03:00.004-05:002010-08-03T21:17:14.328-05:00Eating Locally<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcGGm0CBxLrSSIJ3mjmzZXas9iR-BQ-pQ0Fu8BQo6G2xNtf7Kg4wHw5WE2pcu1SioC-NEFPQHUK5BzwxPZp9_oE18Z5mJglmw_nMZung8vInMqAvneTGXb_h7u4sgix40qrdlPQ/s1600/4858222155_1727dcc543.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMcGGm0CBxLrSSIJ3mjmzZXas9iR-BQ-pQ0Fu8BQo6G2xNtf7Kg4wHw5WE2pcu1SioC-NEFPQHUK5BzwxPZp9_oE18Z5mJglmw_nMZung8vInMqAvneTGXb_h7u4sgix40qrdlPQ/s320/4858222155_1727dcc543.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501371661273272306" border="0" /></a>We have some friends who are venturing out with family to start a new business, <a href="http://summerlinfarms.com/">Summerlin Farms</a>. They offer locally grown, pasture-raised beef from just down the highway in Thorndale, Texas. Cole and I got to make our first purchase from them over the weekend, and I cooked up our first meal from our purchase this evening. The Pike's Peak roast to be exact.<br /><br />Here's what our first local-beef dinner looked like:<br /><br />Pike's Peak roast (ours was 2.25 pounds)<br />1 large yellow onion<br />1 bottle of pale ale (I used Sam Adams, but I imagine it wouldn't matter)<br />1 bay leaf<br />salt<br />pepper<br /><br />I chopped the onion into large chunks and put half of the chunks into the slow cooker. I then salted and peppered the roast and put it on top of onions. I topped it with the remainder of onions and slowly poured the beer and dropped a bay leaf in, just for fun. I simmered on low heat in the slow cooker for six hours.<br /><br />Delicious! It actually reminded me of the Sunday-afternoon roasts we used to have at Gran's house. Those came from the cows that Grandad raised, and there was such a natural and delicious flavor. Same with this first cut of beef we've tried from Summerlin Farms.<br /><br />The only thing missing from tonight's roast was the buckshot.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-11753774452174918252010-07-20T12:02:00.004-05:002010-07-20T12:08:36.557-05:00It's Official: I'm Composting!You know several weeks ago when I was trying to figure out the best way for us to <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/05/composting-101.html">compost at home</a>? I didn't want to dig holes in the backyard. We don't really have the space to build three above-ground containers for filling and turning. And I don't have 300 bucks to spend on an electric counter-top system right now.<br /><br />But I've found the solution: <a href="http://www.greenbucket.net/home">Green Bucket Composting</a> here in Austin! For as little as $3.50 a week, they'll pick up the food waste right from your front porch, compost it on their family farm, and use it to grow vegetables for their families, their employees and even local food banks. They provide the containers, filters and bags, all I'll have to do is provide the food scraps. My bucket arrives Friday!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-71051946544660190922010-07-14T13:20:00.004-05:002010-07-14T13:34:16.058-05:00A Weight-Loss UpdateRemember the old Slim Fast plan? "A shake for breakfast, another for lunch and a sensible dinner." I would have starved on the first day, devouring everything I could get my hands on come 3 p.m.<br /><br />For the last month, I've been doing their new 3-2-1 plan (Three snacks, two Slim Fast meals and dinner on my own). And I've lost 10 pounds. 10 pounds! I couldn't believe it when I stepped on the scale this morning. I seriously squinted my eyes and bent closer to the scale to make sure I was reading it correctly.<br /><br />It's been so easy. I have a shake or a meal bar for both breakfast and lunch, and then I scatter three snacks throughout the day before that "sensible dinner." For me, that means a snack late in the morning and two in the afternoon. My snacks have been things like yogurt, nuts, fresh fruit, dried fruit, even a cookie or two along the way. I try to keep those snacks around 100-150 calories. And it's working!<br /><br />I was a little hesitant to share that Slim Fast is what I've been doing, that y'all would think of it as something other than real food. But when I compared the labels to the things I had been eating previously, it all made total sense. I'm getting a ton of protein in, fiber, vitamins, the whole shebang, and I'm getting my fruits and veggies in during snacks and dinner. My blood work after my annual visit to my doctor last week came back "excellent."<br /><br />How will I reward myself? Not with cupcakes. My plan is to start either a Pandora bracelet or necklace now that I've hit that 10-pound mark, and I'll add a charm with each five pounds.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-90573460614634785352010-06-15T13:57:00.004-05:002010-06-15T14:06:01.663-05:00Now a Treasured Photograph<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJetp1K1gMJAt38o-5JUPq_W9GFW3niog31ftbQbuOFCni5gD2_N6ki51wsbA8o7IAXsRc687gZKzR2mJVbMbzB9CvnMdKNBprmQXycD3JdEA1PqrC-XI3-V43wkSk90naHJUOsg/s1600/3142794526_9a06069743.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJetp1K1gMJAt38o-5JUPq_W9GFW3niog31ftbQbuOFCni5gD2_N6ki51wsbA8o7IAXsRc687gZKzR2mJVbMbzB9CvnMdKNBprmQXycD3JdEA1PqrC-XI3-V43wkSk90naHJUOsg/s320/3142794526_9a06069743.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483076827027994978" border="0" /></a>I got a difficult call from my dad while I was out running errands during lunch today. His dad, my grandfather, had passed away just minutes before.<br /><br />I hadn't had much of a relationship with that set of grandparents for about the last 15 years, but Daddy had been able to start to repair and rebuild his relationship with them over the last few. I remember several times when he would go out to their farm to help B.J., my grandfather, trim branches from trees or feed cattle or just sit down and visit with them over lunch. What had been a strained and silent relationship between them was mending. So when Daddy asked me to join him to visit them during Christmas 2008, I was nervous to do so after so many years, but excited at the same time.<br /><br />Our visit was pleasant and friendly, no hint of regret or anger, and I was glad to be able to visit with both of my dad's parents after so many years. I took this picture of Daddy and B.J. that day. That was the last time I saw him. He was 85 years old.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-23235227601627507062010-06-14T11:13:00.003-05:002010-06-14T11:25:31.108-05:00I Ate One Cookie, and Only One CookieTwo weeks ago, I would not have been able to make such a claim when a box of cookies was placed on the table in front of me. But this weekend, when I picked up a package of cookies on the recommendation of a friend, I ate one of them. Just one. And it was amazing!<br /><br />I think there has been a bit of a change in my brain. And over the past week, I've lost six pounds. Now, I know that is not sustainable or even healthy to do on an on-going basis, but for my first week on the new mystery program, I'm very pleased. And six pounds: That just shows me how terribly I was eating (and how much) before.<br /><br />Now if my brain can just turn on its "I love to exercise" lobe, I'll really be rockin' and rollin'...<br /><br />Oh, the mystery program? I think I'm just about ready to share. If I can just figure out how to do it without sounding like a commercial...Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-24244802308993747942010-06-08T09:43:00.004-05:002010-06-08T09:52:58.169-05:00BecauseBecause the scale is scary.<br /><br />Because I'm not comfortable in my own skin right now.<br /><br />Because I wanna shop for cute summertime dresses.<br /><br />Because 40 is entirely too close.<br /><br />Because I want to be healthier.<br /><br />Cryptic, but I will say this: I'm on day 2 of seriously trying to lose some weight again and not just talking about it. I've chosen a plan that may not be popular with lots of folks, and I'm not quite ready to defend it, but it makes sense for me right now. It's easy and convenient, and I get to eat six times a day -- with my blood sugar, that's very important.<br /><br />Let me see how it goes for a week or so, and I may be ready to offer a full report. Until then, wish me luck!Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-17014068629382202832010-05-25T14:11:00.005-05:002010-05-25T14:23:18.347-05:00Does Where We Shop Matter?My jaw was gaping open the whole time I read this article from MSNBC about more <a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37280972/ns/health-diet_and_nutrition/">expensive grocery stores having thinner shoppers</a>. The first post I read tried to twist the research to say that shopping at these more expensive stores would make you lose weight. Not likely...<br /><br />The article starts out like this:<br /><blockquote>The percentage of food shoppers who are obese is almost 10 times higher at low-cost grocery stores compared with upscale markets, a small new study shows. <p class="textBodyBlack">Researchers say the striking findings underscore poverty as a key factor in America’s growing girth. </p></blockquote>Sad. And scary.<br /><br />Here's another quote that really got me:<br /><blockquote>... a calorie-dense diet cost $3.52 a day compared with $36.32 a day for a low-calorie diet.</blockquote><br />How can that be? And how can we fix it?Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-82447264420910464162010-05-06T10:09:00.004-05:002010-05-06T10:24:10.165-05:00Composting 101<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnTjjJS4J758xs3_ueGOguw4iyB64yJ2-EkncVw5zO95l6w1MHyoZ8_QW-_fUBE5u_rR2h4eAX_FRYTwvHGncOghi01hllTdR8taCaHAjhy6teu-FbEs-hMN-OodA4ulp56y_aQ/s1600/4583054806_623e9279a1.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHnTjjJS4J758xs3_ueGOguw4iyB64yJ2-EkncVw5zO95l6w1MHyoZ8_QW-_fUBE5u_rR2h4eAX_FRYTwvHGncOghi01hllTdR8taCaHAjhy6teu-FbEs-hMN-OodA4ulp56y_aQ/s320/4583054806_623e9279a1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5468175541238095330" border="0" /></a>I took a free composting class last night with the City of Austin. It's part of their <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/green30_challenge.htm">Green30 Challenge</a>, where a class, a small trash can and a home composter can get you $75 from the City. I didn't take the class for the rebate though, I took it after worrying so much about waste during the <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/search/label/Capital%20Area%20Food%20Bank">food pantry blog project</a> last week.<br /><br />There was a lot of information to take in during the class last night, and it's all still swirling around in my head this morning. We talked about the things you can compost (veggies, fruit, coffee grounds, wilted flowers) and the things you can't (pet waste, dairy, meat, sauces). We talked about the optimum ratio of "brown" to "green" in the compost pile and the solutions for problems that could come up. Is the pile too wet or too dry? Does it smell sweet or stinky?<br /><br />Now I'm trying to figure out what to do next.<br /><br />Our instructor, Jason, said that any composter is a successful composter. And I'm trying to work from those words, but I'm just wondering if we produce enough compostable waste to make it worth the trouble. I don't want to start a pile in the backyard that the dogs will mess with. I don't want to dig holes in the backyard and bury compost.<br /><br />Is anyone else composting at home? What's the easiest way to get started? Any and all tips are welcome...Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-7270617037535343352010-04-29T08:52:00.006-05:002010-05-05T21:24:36.524-05:00Food Pantry Blog Project: Finale<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYy6aQvCeGs7QsD71Dn9z6cyGzfTWxMKnjI7A3CLYZd3IVm-cGSgd6__t5sHgw2ubu3I_Wb_Y1hSFL0Ir_QPpXccotpmCLoO4VpYk4M476a14YUSVcSDin630m5aFM2ebZQNseQ/s1600/blog-widget.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnYy6aQvCeGs7QsD71Dn9z6cyGzfTWxMKnjI7A3CLYZd3IVm-cGSgd6__t5sHgw2ubu3I_Wb_Y1hSFL0Ir_QPpXccotpmCLoO4VpYk4M476a14YUSVcSDin630m5aFM2ebZQNseQ/s320/blog-widget.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5465560181649287970" border="0" /></a>My plan was to make it seven full days on this project, but I ended up with five days under my belt total. And I wasn't the only one to learn that sometimes life steps in and <a href="http://thedinnerhour.wordpress.com/2010/04/29/many-obligations-one-big-pot/" target="new">changes our plans</a>.<br /><br />There may be more words to write after a few days of reflection, but life has stepped in and stolen my attention: I'm about to do some traveling; I've just gotten a dog out of the hospital, narrowly avoiding surgery to remove part of his small intestine; and there was family drama many miles from here (thankfully) that involved a gun. I didn't even blog Day 5.<br /><br />But I would not have traded my time participating in this project for anything. Along the way I learned so much, not only about myself, but also about our community and people I don't even know.<br /><br />This project has spurred change in me: My composting class is Wednesday.<br /><br />I learned that more people than I ever realized -- <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/face-of-hunger_24.html">myself included</a> -- need a lift and some support from time to time, just to find comfort in knowing where their next meal is coming from.<br /><br />For both Cole and me, this project cemented the decision we made long ago to make the <a href="http://austinfoodbank.org/">Capital Area Food Bank</a> one of the organizations that we support as a family, through regular financial donations, volunteering, and going to great events like the <a href="http://www.austinfoodbank.org/aebp/home.html">Empty Bowl Project</a> every year.<br /><br />There are a few cans leftover from the original <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/list.html">bag of food pantry items</a> I brought home. They'll be going into a large paper bag to be left for our mail carrier for <a href="http://www.austinfoodbank.org/stampout/" target="new">Stamp Out Hunger</a> on May 8.<br /><br />When we first met with Lisa to get this project started, she said that the mission of the food bank is two-fold: To feed hungry people. To end hunger in Central Texas. By making donations of money and food, and by volunteering, I can help with the former. But it will take all of us working together to accomplish the latter.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-48820475724836021612010-04-26T21:38:00.000-05:002010-04-26T21:38:21.575-05:00Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 4<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1CW9tOI7cuY9oRV60nWx67tB8ccUc00913xL4J8yN7CYNTOwfrz5EC1anWqAY2YItaHceMrc2H5OefD5mlsskFvJcd5DBryULFqKLURuwc6kFXq1UCCV0_xJuO_k_M-idF6qGQ/s1600/blog-widget.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF1CW9tOI7cuY9oRV60nWx67tB8ccUc00913xL4J8yN7CYNTOwfrz5EC1anWqAY2YItaHceMrc2H5OefD5mlsskFvJcd5DBryULFqKLURuwc6kFXq1UCCV0_xJuO_k_M-idF6qGQ/s320/blog-widget.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464640203730313682" border="0" /></a>Remember yesterday how I was <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/food-pantry-blog-project-day-3.html">thinking about (obsessing over) waste</a>? Well, instead of just letting myself worry and fret, I took a first step. I signed up for a <a href="http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/sws/green30_challenge.htm">City of Austin composting class</a>. I had no idea there was such a thing; I was just searching the City site for general composting information. Four days in, and this blogging project is leading me to action. I didn't know I would be called to look into becoming a worm farmer of sorts, but that's okay with me!<br /><br />Here's how Day 4 looks:<br /><br />For breakfast, more oatmeal. Breakfast is really where I'm feeling the lack of choice. I'm still not quite ready to open my Cheerios and risk them going stale. I'm going to wait until all the other cereal in the house is consumed first. So, oatmeal it was. Luckily, it's good for me!<br /><br />For lunch, leftover Hamburger Helper from Friday night and a slice of plain, dry bread. We've eaten more sliced bread over the last four days than we have in ages. I'm almost looking at it as a "side" right now. I've used the loaf to make garlic bread this week, and Cole used a couple of slices with last night's dinner to build a pulled pork sandwich.<br /><br />For dinner, more Hamburger Helper, with chips and salsa. I should have opened a canned vegetable for the side, but I'm hoping that the salsa and some Ocean Spray Light Fruit and Veggie Juice put a couple of servings into my system...Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21786729.post-59249789850699192432010-04-25T18:43:00.004-05:002010-04-26T09:52:39.803-05:00Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 3<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo2zDLrn0JRjOnnTOQnvk01p3_PoF-AGZ0jOHwJ4wG7KRPLGfIaXaXzw_4M_VVMtsPvoJPm043nOoQ_nnLhJNx3MRR-FWpp3CefUe542Tt-AkKo75n2NNkBMoafzxd1NpgL37TQ/s1600/blog-widget.png"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 197px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxo2zDLrn0JRjOnnTOQnvk01p3_PoF-AGZ0jOHwJ4wG7KRPLGfIaXaXzw_4M_VVMtsPvoJPm043nOoQ_nnLhJNx3MRR-FWpp3CefUe542Tt-AkKo75n2NNkBMoafzxd1NpgL37TQ/s320/blog-widget.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5464459184049195250" border="0" /></a>I've been thinking about so much today. Convenience, waste, budget, the definition of hunger. I can't quite focus my mind enough on each thought yet to put them into words, but I'll get there, I'm sure. So for now, just a recap of the day. Day 3:<br /><br />For breakfast, I was going to have the Cheerios that came in my <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/list.html">food pantry bag</a>, but I already had a box of cereal open from last week, unrelated to this project. I didn't want to open another and risk both going bad, so the Cheerios are still unopened, unable to get stale. And I worked on finishing what was already started in my pantry. And so, with that thought over breakfast and worry about wasting cereal, my mind thought all day about waste. Not only what we waste in food as a country each day, but what we let go to waste right here in this house. I think it's time to start composting...<br /><br />For lunch, well... We had been doing yardwork a good part of the day and then headed out to run errands. If you know me, you know my blood sugar can drop like a rock. And it did. I had planned on having leftover Hamburger Helper from <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2010/04/foo.html">Friday night</a>, but instead we had to stop and get something into my system, and fast. A burger and fries it was. For the two of us, our lunch totaled 20 bucks and some change. Just a little less than I spent with my "supplemental" funds for this project. Again, my mind was churning over our grocery budget and how we had just spent -- in five minutes on one meal -- almost what I spent to supplement this project for a whole week...<br /><br />For dinner, I got back on track with the project. With part of my supplemental $28, I splurged on a pork roast. It was the most expensive item I purchased at $7.45. My thinking was: Cook it in the slow cooker, eat on it for dinner and for a couple of lunches over the following days. I simply seared it in salt and pepper before putting it into the slow cooker and covering it with beef broth and Hell on the Red salsa. We paired it with our favorite <a href="http://myfoodtoday.blogspot.com/2007/02/mustard-roasted-potatoes.html">roasted potatoes</a>.<br /><br />That's it for now. I'm off to see if there is a Composting for Dummies book.Summerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03492738257249560261noreply@blogger.com0