Something to chew on

Bacon: A Destination

2011-09-22T14:12:00.002-05:00

We went to Bacon 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.

They have lots of cute bacon stickers and t-shirts to go along with the theme.

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.

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.

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.

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 Peter Luger's Steakhouse 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.

So, in a few words, Bacon is good, but there is still room for improvement.

19 Days

2011-04-04T14:20:00.003-05:00

Well, 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.

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.

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!

Day 7: 1/2 Pound Down

2011-03-18T10:44:00.004-05:00

Well, I'm seven days into my self-assigned challenge of taking a picture of everything I eat for (at least) 30 days. I'm liking what's going on!

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!

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 -- Hey, look, I chose tomato soup instead of a bag of potato chips today.

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!

What would you learn about your diet if you photographed everything you ate for 30 days?

30 Days and Five Pounds

2011-03-12T20:39:00.004-06:00

A 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.

I haven't been very good about keeping up with my photos of everything I eat 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?

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 all-beige days, and lose 5 pounds.

I love it when inspiration and motivation strike unexpectedly!

Taste the Rainbow

2011-02-02T14:05:00.004-06:00

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.

I've been taking a picture of everything I have eaten 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.

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!

A New Way to Journal

2011-01-26T08:39:00.002-06:00

I take lots of food pictures. Whether we're eating when we travel, visiting local restaurants or even cooking at home, I always have a camera within quick grabbing distance.

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 my photo food journal was up and running!

My goal is simple: to be honest with myself and more thoughtful about what I eat.

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 myself to see it.

It's about accountability and honesty. And if I can lose a pound or two along the way, I'll be thrilled!

Blood Type

2010-12-20T20:41:00.004-06:00

I 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".

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 should 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...

Anyone out there eating based on your blood type?

Kicking off the Holidays

2010-11-18T18:26:00.003-06:00

Sunday is Empty Bowl Project 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.

The Austin Empty Bowl Project is a fundraiser for the Capital Area Food Bank'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.

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.

So, are you going?

Emotional Eating

2010-11-08T15:28:00.005-06:00

For 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.

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.

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.

It still feels very unreal to me that he's gone.

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.

No Wonder We Have Issues...

2010-10-26T17:31:00.002-05:00

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.

One encouraged "fatties" to "get a room" in an article where the author confesses to being grossed out by simply watching someone who's overweight walk across a room.

The other, written by a single dad who's ready to see a change -- 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.

One hurt my stomach.

One made me proud of my freckles.

One article made me cringe to call myself a writer or a woman.

One article made me want to be better at being both.

One article brought tears to my eyes for anyone who has ever had to endure the stares from eyes filled with such harmful judgment.

One made me want to smile more.

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.

Today

2010-10-08T10:24:00.003-05:00

I'm not a size 2. I'm not even a size 10.

I'm not 22 or even 32.

I'm not blonde or tall or tan.

I have freckles, scars on my left cheek and left thigh, and I have big feet. I still have a retainer.

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.

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.

Today, I turn 39. And for some reason, I'm loving it!

(Many thanks to 666 Photography for the fun photo shoot. Makeup by Lisa, photos by Gayla. This is a before-40 gift that every woman should give herself.)

Potato and Onion Skillet Bake

2010-09-08T21:46:00.004-05:00

I 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.

I googled. And found nothing.

I tweeted. And got a few suggestions.

But I never got an official recipe. So I whipped one up myself at dinnertime. Here's all it took:

Thinly sliced potatoes
Thinly sliced onion
Salt
Pepper
Grated cheese
Olive oil

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.

I turned it over on a plate, sliced it and served it up! We'll definitely be having it again soon.

A Simple Request

2010-08-31T10:39:00.003-05:00

Do me a favor and eat something healthy today.

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.

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.

Choose an apple instead of cookies.
Drink an extra glass of water today.
Eat one instead of three -- whatever "it" is.
Bake or grill instead of fry.
Don't drown it in cheese.
Walk around the block. Again.

I love these men, both of them, and I want them around for many more years. You too!

Eating Locally

2010-08-03T21:03:00.004-05:00

We have some friends who are venturing out with family to start a new business, Summerlin Farms. 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.

Here's what our first local-beef dinner looked like:

Pike's Peak roast (ours was 2.25 pounds)
1 large yellow onion
1 bottle of pale ale (I used Sam Adams, but I imagine it wouldn't matter)
1 bay leaf
salt
pepper

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.

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.

The only thing missing from tonight's roast was the buckshot.

It's Official: I'm Composting!

2010-07-20T12:02:00.004-05:00

You know several weeks ago when I was trying to figure out the best way for us to compost at home? 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.

But I've found the solution: Green Bucket Composting 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!

A Weight-Loss Update

2010-07-14T13:20:00.004-05:00

Remember 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.

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.

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!

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."

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.

Now a Treasured Photograph

2010-06-15T13:57:00.004-05:00

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.

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.

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.

I Ate One Cookie, and Only One Cookie

2010-06-14T11:13:00.003-05:00

Two 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!

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.

Now if my brain can just turn on its "I love to exercise" lobe, I'll really be rockin' and rollin'...

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...

Because

2010-06-08T09:43:00.004-05:00

Because the scale is scary.

Because I'm not comfortable in my own skin right now.

Because I wanna shop for cute summertime dresses.

Because 40 is entirely too close.

Because I want to be healthier.

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.

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!

Does Where We Shop Matter?

2010-05-25T14:11:00.005-05:00

My jaw was gaping open the whole time I read this article from MSNBC about more expensive grocery stores having thinner shoppers. 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...

The article starts out like this:

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.
Researchers say the striking findings underscore poverty as a key factor in America’s growing girth.

Sad. And scary.

Here's another quote that really got me:

... a calorie-dense diet cost $3.52 a day compared with $36.32 a day for a low-calorie diet.

How can that be? And how can we fix it?

Composting 101

2010-05-06T10:09:00.004-05:00

I took a free composting class last night with the City of Austin. It's part of their Green30 Challenge, 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 food pantry blog project last week.

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?

Now I'm trying to figure out what to do next.

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.

Is anyone else composting at home? What's the easiest way to get started? Any and all tips are welcome...

Food Pantry Blog Project: Finale

2010-04-29T08:52:00.006-05:00

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 changes our plans.

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.

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.

This project has spurred change in me: My composting class is Wednesday.

I learned that more people than I ever realized -- myself included -- need a lift and some support from time to time, just to find comfort in knowing where their next meal is coming from.

For both Cole and me, this project cemented the decision we made long ago to make the Capital Area Food Bank one of the organizations that we support as a family, through regular financial donations, volunteering, and going to great events like the Empty Bowl Project every year.

There are a few cans leftover from the original bag of food pantry items I brought home. They'll be going into a large paper bag to be left for our mail carrier for Stamp Out Hunger on May 8.

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.

Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 4

2010-04-26T21:38:00.000-05:00

Remember yesterday how I was thinking about (obsessing over) waste? Well, instead of just letting myself worry and fret, I took a first step. I signed up for a City of Austin composting class. 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!

Here's how Day 4 looks:

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!

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.

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...

Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 3

2010-04-25T18:43:00.004-05:00

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:

For breakfast, I was going to have the Cheerios that came in my food pantry bag, 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...

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 Friday night, 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...

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 roasted potatoes.

That's it for now. I'm off to see if there is a Composting for Dummies book.

The Face of Hunger

2010-04-24T09:31:00.002-05:00

Wednesday evening, to kick off this food pantry project, all the bloggers involved met at the Capital Area Food Bank for a tour and some great (and even staggering) information about hunger in Central Texas. (For instance: The food bank has seen a 60 percent increase in usage compared to this time a year ago.) Lisa Goddard, CAFB's online marketing director, was our tour guide and host for the evening, and I remember her saying that even in just the five years that she's been working there, she's seen the face of hunger change.

It's not just the face of the homeless man asking for spare change on the street. The face of hunger belongs the young married couple who just spent every dime repairing their only car so that they can both get to work, or even look for work. The face of hunger belongs to the proud grandmother of 12 who takes several medicines each day and needs a little bit of help making sure she's eating the right foods for those meds to work correctly. And I found out Wednesday night that at one short period in my life, my face could have been considered the face of hunger.

When I was about two years old and my parents were still married, we moved to Austin and lived over off of Duval. Mom stayed home with me and Daddy was a plumber's apprentice. He brought home about $75 a week.

"When you're in the construction world and the weather's bad, you just don't work," Mom told me. So we took advantage of the commodities program. "It wasn't called a food pantry or food bank back then," she said, "but it served the same purpose."

Talking more with Mom the next morning about it, she recalled 5 lb. blocks of cheese, 3 lb. blocks of "real" butter and industrial sized cans of Spam. "You really had to be creative!"

I don't remember any of this, and I don't remember a time in my life where I ever truly felt need. Mom made sure of that. And I for one am very glad the she took the initiative to seek out such programs. I also now understand where my love of fried Spam sandwiches comes from.

Wanna honor my mom -- or heck, even your own -- the day before Mother's Day? Look for the Stamp Out Hunger bag in your mailbox soon and simply leave it there on Saturday, May 8, filled with non-perishable foods for your mail carrier to deliver to the food bank. I'll be filling mine to the very top!

Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 2

2010-04-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

I woke up hungry this morning, but not as hungry as some. (And you know as I type that and think about it, with just two days into this project, I'm thinking about the word "hungry" in a different light. But more on that in a later post.)

I'm a grazer. I normally have a mid-morning snack and a mid-afternoon snack. But yesterday, I stuck to three meals, just as many families do every day. If they're not having to get by with even less...

Three square meals a day should be plenty for me. And my guess is that if I could cut out some of that regular snacking, I might also be able to cut out a few pounds. But that's a different story...

All that being said, I woke up immediately thinking about food. What was I going to have? Well, I only really have two options right now: oatmeal and Cheerios. Unless I want to have spaghetti leftovers. That has been the biggest eye-opener for me while participating in this project. I worry about what's next, and I really have no choice about it. What I have is whatever was in the bag of items I "received" from the Pflugerville food pantry.

I had oatmeal for breakfast again. This time with a banana.

For lunch, more black beans and rice, with a bit of salsa. (Do you know about Hell on the Red salsa made in Telephone, Texas? Such good stuff.)

For dinner, Hamburger Helper with canned green beans on the side. I also had some fruit/veggie juice with breakfast and dinner both.

I'll be taking a break from the project Saturday. We have several social obligations and I simply don't want to do the project halfheartedly. So Sunday, I'm back on it at 100 percent to finish out my seven days...

Food Pantry Blog Project: Day 1

2010-04-22T21:06:00.009-05:00

Well, I just completed my first day with the food pantry blog project that many Austin bloggers are participating in starting today. I must say, I need to work on my black-bean skills for the rest of the week. But I will admit: Black beans and rice with a spoonful of salsa made for an awesome lunch.

It was a bit of an emotional morning getting started. I found myself worrying all morning about having enough food to feed me and Cole for the week. (Just imagine making the list last for a whole month.)

Here's how my day actually looked:

Breakfast: Oatmeal with a bit of butter and half a can of sliced pears. I'm not a fan of pears, but it was good to get some good, cool fruit in.

Lunch: Black beans and rice with a spoonful of salsa. It really made a great lunch, but I need to work on my bean skills.

Dinner: Spaghetti and garlic bread.

So I walk away from Day 1 proud of myself for sticking to what I "received" from the food pantry and what I was able to supplement with my food stamp-equivalent purchase. I also realize that I need to get more veggies in, and that's definitely on the menu for tomorrow.

One thing that I didn't expect but that I found myself doing all day: measuring like a mad woman. If I have to make things last a whole week/month, I'm rationing and portioning every step of the way...

The List

2010-04-22T09:01:00.003-05:00

Here's the list we'll be working with as a couple dozen Austin food bloggers dive into the food pantry project. It's pretty close to exactly what recipients walked away with when they visited a food pantry in Pflugerville just last week. They can visit once a month.

(We're each duplicating this bag on our own instead of taking one from the pantry and possibly from someone with a need.)

To supplement their monthly take away from the food pantry, many are lucky enough to also receive help from the SNAP program (food stamps) or WIC. The maximum benefit that we heard about during our meeting Wednesday evening was $200 for a month.

So, since I'm doing this for seven days, I'll use the full list as I plan my menu, cook and eat, and keep my "extras" (like fresh produce and dairy) to under $50.

Here's the complete list of food pantry items some Pflugerville recipients took home last week:

2 cans spaghetti sauce
4 cans veggies
4 fruit cans
1 meat selection (like 1 lb. of ground beef)
3 drink items (choice of large bottle of cranberry apple juice and/or powdered milk and/or apple juice boxes)
1 bag spaghetti or egg noodles
1 bag of beans
1 bag of white rice
1 package of jalapeno slices
1 ready-made dinner (like Hamburger Helper)
1 bag/container of oats
1 bag of cheerios
5 lb. bag of potatoes

Update: I just finished my shopping for this project, and my "extras," those things someone might use their SNAP or WIC benefits for, came to $28.17.

Tonight We Meet; Tomorrow We Blog

2010-04-21T15:09:00.002-05:00

A group of about 30 local food bloggers will get together at the Capital Area Food Bank this evening to talk about a project to raise awareness of hunger, not only around the country but right here in Austin. And I'll be there.

We've each been given a list of food that a family typically receives in a bag of groceries from a local food pantry. We can also supplement that list with the amount that we might get on food stamps. Then we'll eat from it for a week.

There is such an imbalance in our country: A recent CNN article said that 17 percent of children in our country are obese. Not just overweight, but obese. Yet, according to statistics, one in five Texans don't know where their next meal will come from.

I plan to attack this project from two directions: On a personal note, I hope it will give me a greater understanding and appreciation of food so that I can tackle the odd relationship that I have with it. I also hope that I can talk even just one person into donating to their local food bank or pantry to help someone else out.

Follow along with all the bloggers on the food bank's blog. And I'll give you a daily update here.

Wish me luck! And go ahead and donate five bucks while you're thinking about it!

Dark Chocolate and Almond Homemade Granola

2010-04-08T15:32:00.000-05:00

This concoction was a total accident. How could my house -- one normally stocked with vanilla extract by the liter -- be out?! Totally out. I scratched my way through the pantry, trying to find something that would be even close. Needing four teaspoons of vanilla, I found only three of almond. "Close enough," I told myself. And then I found the rum extract and rounded out the four total teaspoons I needed with that. Nervous, I tried it. But I think it worked.

The recipe I ended up using on the fly:

8 cups rolled oats
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup water
3 teaspoons almond extract
1 teaspoon rum extract
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups slivered almonds, toasted
2 cups golden raisins
2 cups dark chocolate M&Ms

Preheat oven to 275 and line two cookie sheets with parchment paper.

Combine brown sugar and water in a 4-cup microwave-proof glass measuring cup. Place in microwave on high for five minutes -- stirring about halfway through -- and cook until sugar is completely dissolved. Remove from microwave, add extract and salt. Stir.

In a large mixing bowl, combine oats and brown sugar syrup mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed. Spread the granola onto cookie sheets and bake 45 minutes to 1 hour or until golden and crunchy.

Toast slivered almonds over medium heat for about five minutes or until they just start to brown.

When the oats mixture comes out of the oven, add toasted almonds and raisins. When granola has cooled completely, add M&Ms. Store in an airtight container or enjoy right from the bowl!

So Simple

2010-04-05T20:30:00.005-05:00

Cole and I enjoyed Easter brunch at Fleming's yesterday. Everything was great, as usual, and we walked away with a recipe to try. It only has two ingredients, but it's so good and so simple.

Sour cream and honey dipping sauce for fresh fruit. And you guessed it: It has only sour cream and honey in it. Well, at least until you dip your fruit in. One part sour cream and one part honey, and you're good to go!

We paired it this evening with oven-roasted turkey breast, with bananas, strawberries and cantaloupe for dipping. It's also great with honeydew and pineapple. Enjoy!

It's the Content, Stupid

2010-03-23T19:14:00.002-05:00

This blog is a little about food and a little about my weight-loss frustrations, with a touch of everyday life and some food photography thrown in when I take a decent shot.

I have a couple of regular readers -- Hi Mom! -- but most of my visitors come through search. And 90 percent of the time they're searching for one thing: Ina Garten's mustard-roasted potatoes recipe.

If you Google that phrase, or one of several others that are close to it, my blog and my entry on trying that recipe for the first time comes up first. First result on Google. First one.

Readers could go to foodnetwork.com and find the recipe I'm sure. They could even go to barefootcontess.com and find it. But instead of going to either of those sites -- or any one of hundreds of others were it is undoubtedly published -- they search for the recipe itself and they find me.

It has me thinking as I prepare to start my new job: Are customers/readers/visitors searching for great content and finding you? Or are they reading you and finding great content?

Does it matter?

Learning

2010-02-18T15:54:00.003-06:00

Did I tell you that Mom and I took a cupcake-decorating class a couple of weeks ago? We sure had a good time. I'm itching to bake and decorate and make deliveries. Do I have your address?

Lessons From a Dog

2010-01-29T13:20:00.006-06:00

We almost lost Bugsy between Christmas and the new year. I don't mean that he wanted to run away and live with a nicer, more hip family down the street. I mean that his health gave us a terrible scare.

This scare kept him in and out of the hospital for two weeks and a day. It also included two ultrasounds, a plasma transfusion, IV fluids, about five different medicines and his own internist. We think it was something he ate -- too fatty for a dog -- and it turned into severe pancreatitis, liver disease and a gall bladder that tried to shut down on him. I'm happy to say that at this very moment he is curled up beside me on the couch, snoring and dreaming of chasing rabbits, no doubt.

He's on just two medicines right now, and he may be on both of those for the rest of his life, and we've totally revamped his diet. And I think there are lessons in there for all of us:

Small, frequent meals. When he was in the hospital, they fed him tiny meals several times a day to keep him going. That is when he could eat. His fat intake is minimal, and will be forever.
Snack smart. All the dogs are having low-fat and low-calorie treats when they get them now. The internist even suggested letting them snack on carrots and apples. Fresh fruits and vegetables, not "cookies."
Stay hydrated. The fluids were important to flush his system. It's easy to forget to drink enough water when there is so much Diet Dr Pepper around. But we need to. I need to.
Have fun. When Bugsy wasn't feeling well, which started on Christmas Eve, he didn't want to walk the neighborhood or chase cats or play tug-o-war. When we feel good and healthy, we should have fun. Dance in the living room. Walk the neighborhood looking for flowers. Take up a new sport.

I had started preparing myself for the worst. But I'm happy to say, with a few small changes, he's as happy and healthy as he was 10 years ago.

Beer and Cheese

2009-12-20T20:07:00.003-06:00

I'm not a beer drinker. Never have liked the stuff. But Saturday Cole and I had the opportunity to support a local brewing company and Austin's soon-to-open only cheese shop when our friend Jodi over at Tasty Touring brought the two together for a beer and cheese pairing.

Amy and Rob over at Independence Brewing Co. paired four of their bubbly beverages with four offerings from Kendell and John of Antonelli's Cheese Shop. I would have never thought about it, but a swig of beer on top of a bite of cheese can completely change the way the tastes dance across your palate. Throw a grape or an almond on top of it all, and the flavors -- and even the aromas -- can change again. All resulting in some delicious surprises.

I can't wait for Antonelli's to open so that I can play with more flavors. I'll leave the beer-drinkin' to Cole...

Fresh French Fries

2009-11-18T10:58:00.003-06:00

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.

2009-10-25T16:24:00.007-05:00

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

2009-10-14T20:49:00.000-05:00

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

2009-10-13T19:11:00.001-05:00

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

2009-09-30T15:56:00.000-05:00

Jenny Craig Update: Week 5

2009-09-03T14:19:00.003-05:00

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

2009-08-24T09:24:00.003-05:00

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.

Jenny Craig Update: Week 1

2009-08-06T16:56:00.005-05:00

In the middle of what has been a crazy day (including an x-ray for a shoulder injury playing golf last night and getting my car towed to the dealership because it had absolutely no power at all), I weighed in at Jenny Craig to see how my first week had gone. A nice 3.4 pounds down!

I like the structure of Jenny Craig. I like that the routine and the planned menu allow me to let go of my tendency to obsess about what I'll be eating next. I know exactly what I'll be having for my next meal.

I know the weight-loss numbers after the first week or two are never as big and impressive as they are when first getting started with a program, but this 3.4 sure gives me some encouragement and motivation to have another great week!

(X-ray showed no problems with my shoulder bones. I'm waiting for a call to schedule an MRI to check for tissue damage. I hope to be back on the driving range very soon!)

Eat the Rainbow

2009-08-05T09:02:00.004-05:00

From a new Twitter follower, I found this blog post about the importance of the colors in the foods we eat. I'm doing better, but I can still improve on the rainbow of good, local foods that I eat. In a nutshell, the blog post from guest blogger Mary Ward breaks it down like this:

Red foods are good for your heart.
Green is good for overall health.
Blue foods are good for your memory.
Orange helps lower your cholesterol.

And we're not talking about M&Ms (unfortunately).

I always fill a little guilty when Cole and I fix a plate for dinner, and our cream-colored plates end up filled with cream-colored grilled chicken, tan rice and a white dinner roll. I'm learning and doing better. And that's what it's all about!

Food City

2009-08-02T14:41:00.004-05:00

Austin is an awesome city. You don't need to look very far to find the great live music, outdoor fun and weirdness to prove it. Oh, and did I mention the food?

Saturday's Cupcake Smackdown 1.0 was a perfect meshing together of all of the above.

Organized by fellow Austin food-lover Jennie Chen, there was no other place I wanted to be, and I think about 1,000 other Austinites felt the same way. There were cupcakes, cupcake-eating contests (for dogs and humans), live music, silent auction (which I somehow missed) and cupcakes. By the time Cole and I were heading out the doors, the crowd was spilling out onto the sidewalks. I think the Convention Center might be a great venue to consider for the next one.

And if you can believe it, I showed some restraint and only had one cupcake. And a small one at that!

Sick of "Dieting"

2009-07-31T08:55:00.003-05:00

One of these days, I'll get to a healthy and happy weight and I'll learn to maintain it. All of this yo-yo dieting over the years has taught me that that is the weakest link in my dieting chain. I'm good at losing weight. I'm also good at gaining it back.

So yesterday -- I just felt like the time was right this week -- I had a consultation with a sweet lady named Tish at Jenny Craig. The thought of having to "diet" again makes my head hurt, but walking in those doors yesterday and walking out with a plan feels great!

I did Jenny Craig years ago and was very successful with it. The structure and plan are good for me. Today will be my first full day back on the plan (I did have a Jenny dinner last night) and I'm feeling motivated and ready. Now let's see how long that actually lasts!

Giving Back

2009-07-11T16:17:00.006-05:00

For several years now, Cole and I have been supporting the Capital Area Food Bank as our local charity of choice in a few small ways. I don't think I've missed an Empty Bowl Project in the last five years, we donate cash to them during City of Austin Shred Days, and I always buy at least one pre-priced bag of groceries when HEB is involved in a food drive.

Well this morning, we took that support one step further: We volunteered our time sorting donations at the food bank itself. I'm hoping we can make it a regular part of our schedule, volunteering a couple of Saturdays each month.

For three hours today, we sorted, inspected and cleaned 4,500 pounds of food that was donated through the recent Stamp Out Hunger drive. (One of the leaders we were working with gave us that number. We were curious, so we asked.)

As we were placing food on the conveyor belt that would take it to be sorted, weighed and soon distributed, I was imagining the family that might get the food at the end of the line. For some reason, I had a single mom with three kids in my mind all morning. And I'm proud to know that they'll be eating well when they get this food.

In my mind, they were having meals like pancakes with blueberry syrup and applesauce on the side for breakfast. For lunch, peanut butter and apple jelly sandwiches with some chicken and stars soup. For dinner, baked beans and freshly baked cornbread. Maybe after dinner the mom would make sugar cookies with the sugar and flour we saw.

If you've been considering supporting the CAFB with a couple of dollars or a few hours each month, I definitely encourage you to do so. It's a great feeling to have such a direct part in something that is going to make a huge difference to a local family's day.

Afternoon Snack

2009-07-08T10:19:00.005-05:00

I had my very first vegan cupcake yesterday, and it came from Sugar Mama's Bakeshop in Austin. The only cupcake shop in Austin as far as I'm concerned.

I was a little skeptical. I usually like my cupcakes with full-blown eggs, butter, fat, calories and guilt. Would it be sweet? What would it feel like in my mouth? Would the icing even compare to the *real* thing?

Yes, it was sweet, actually a little sweeter than I was prepared for. The texture was no different at all, if anything, just a bit denser. And I could definitely eat this icing with a spoon and be just as happy as I would be eating her vanilla buttercream straight from the bowl. (Which if yet to get the chance to do.)

My conclusion: I'm ready to try her other vegan flavors (I thought this one was lemon-strawberry, but her menu says lemon-raspberry). Who wants to meet me there?

Inspired

2009-07-06T20:44:00.001-05:00

So, last week we saw Food Inc. the day after receiving our first Food-to-Work basket of local fruits and veggies. And today, Cole and I signed up to start volunteering at the Capital Area Food Bank. I think I feel a shift happening.

No doubt, I won't be perfect, but my plan is to simply try to eat better and more locally. Too bad I can't grow chocolate chip cookies in the backyard.

Breakfast:
Small sugar-free vanilla latte
Low-fat yogurt
Two hard-boiled eggs
(organic, brown, cage-free)

Lunch:
Leftover brisket from Saturday
Leftover mustard-roasted potatoes
(made from locally grown potatoes and yellow onions)
Baked zucchini slices
(locally grown)

Dinner:
Goat cheese and asparagus pasta (photo above, recipe)
(Texas goat cheese)
Fresh watermelon and cantaloupe
(both grown locally)
100-calorie snack cakes

Food Inc.

2009-07-03T21:40:00.004-05:00

We saw a movie today. Not just any movie, but Food Inc. If you've considered -- even for a moment -- going to see it, you should.

It wasn't sensational or scary or preachy, just matter-of-fact. It's a very close look at what we're putting into our bodies and what certain big businesses are doing to make sure we do.

I won't say too much, other than give you my recommendation if you have any interest at all. But I will say this: It gives us options and actions to take.

So many times, Cole and I will be watching the news and hear story about the way something is, but they give us no tips or tools and steps for making a difference or fixing a problem. At the end of Food Inc., they spell out exactly what you can do if you choose to make a change in your own eating habits.

If you haven't seen a trailer or heard anything about it yet, here you go:

How Did This Happen?

2009-06-10T10:18:00.004-05:00

I'm disgusted with myself. I've officially becoming a yo-yo dieter and a woman who struggles with her weight. I know that. I know what I've done wrong, and I know what I need to do to fix it. It's just the doing that is getting me stuck...

When I look in the mirror, I don't see an overweight woman, but even when I was at my lowest weight, I didn't see a thin person. I see it in pictures, and the way my clothes fit, and the way my body feels. I'm disgusted.

We have a little trip coming up soon, and I'm in a total panic that there will be about nine cameras within reach of the six people we'll be hanging out with. I really need to use that time away to resolve to getting back on track -- not dieting -- but back on track to being healthier. Let's face it: I'm not getting any younger!

They Shall Be Grilled

2009-05-03T08:42:00.001-05:00

I went to the Sunset Valley Farmers Market Saturday morning for a quick few minutes. I got these peaches to grill for dinner last night, but that didn't happen. I'll be shooting for tonight now while they're so fresh.

Breville Juicer: A Review

2009-04-22T21:00:00.003-05:00

I've been meaning to blog for a week now about our new juicer. But I guess the good thing about my procrastination is that I've been able to try it several times now before actually writing.

I ordered the Breville Juicer last week on Amazon. When it arrived Thursday, I could hardly wait to clean it up and throw fruit into it. My first concoction: Granny Smith apples and carrots. So sweet, tart and hardy at the same time.

Second try: Granny Smiths and white seedless grapes. A very good combination.

Third cocktail: Granny Smiths and strawberries. (Can you tell that I found a huge bag of Granny Smith apples on sale?) I think I'll have to pass on the strawberries for juicing. They were just too darn sweet. Or maybe it was combining them with the Granny Smiths that made for too sweet a drink. As much as I love strawberries, this just wasn't the juice for me.

My favorite so far has been the apple-carrot combo. And not a bit is going to waste: We're drinking the juice and the dogs are getting the dry pulp mixed in with their dinners. We all love the juicer!

The Heart of a Runner

2009-04-08T19:30:00.004-05:00

I wish I had one. I really do.

I wish I had the gumption and drive to get up at 5:30 and get in a four-miler before work several days a week, like Jim.

I wish I didn't think of 14, 721 other things I could be doing while I'm running.

Cole and I are in our second week of the Couch-to-5K running program. Again. I'm hoping we can make it all the way through the nine weeks this time. Maybe by then, I'll be a runner at heart and can keep it going. For fun!

Come on, Summer, FOCUS!

2009-03-18T09:17:00.004-05:00

Yesterday was the last day of SXSW Interactive here in Austin. Lots of people, information and tweeting in the hallways. I attended panels and core conversations on such topics as company culture, managing online communities and politics. And yesterday, I was very happy to end my time at SXSW sitting in on a panel about food blogging!

The five folks on the panel had a wide range of backgrounds: a journalist, two homecooks, a fellow cupcake lover and a guy just looking for a place to eat lunch. They talked -- and invited the attendees to ask questions -- about such issues as placing ads on a food blog, getting book deals, how often they post and how much time they spend on each post.

One resounding piece of advice came when the conversation turned to what the panelists might say to someone starting a food blog. "Focus!" said Zach Brooks. Your readers come to expect certain things from you. He encouraged new food bloggers not to throw curve balls at their visitors and readers.

The panel also agreed that any food blog should be entertaining, useful or timely. Are you writing to break food-related news or introduce new restaurants? Do you want to share time-saving tips with readers? Do you just want to make readers laugh at your kitchen disasters? Do you want to let readers know that they're not alone in their struggles?

Focus!

Green Chile Mac 'n Cheese With Grilled Chicken

2009-03-17T08:44:00.001-05:00

From Moonshire Patio Bar & Grill in Austin, Texas.

Cute Little Thai Eggplants

2009-03-11T13:43:00.002-05:00

I'm still trying to decide what to do with them. And I better do it quickly!

My Group Therapy

2009-03-06T16:49:00.004-06:00

A group of bloggers and food lovers got together last night for our second "let's read a good book, have some great food and get together to talk about it all" meeting last night. We had a blast!

For me, these get-togethers are sorta like therapy for me. From time to time, I worry that I've got such a scary love/hate relationship with food. (It's evil. It's necessity. It's delicious. It's fattening. It's fun. It's fuel. I want it all. I'll never eat again.) But getting to visit with people who love and respect food in a healthy way makes me feel good.

Good Afternoon

2009-02-10T16:42:00.003-06:00

I've learned something about myself while counting calories these last few days: I could easily eat 1,000 calories from 2-5 p.m. every day. Okay, well, maybe not 1,000. But a bite of this, a handful of that and one of those will add up VERY quickly.

It's good for me. As crazed as I've been about my weight these last few years, I've never counted calories, and doing so has been so eye-opening. I hope I can keep it going!

Day Two

2009-02-06T19:44:00.004-06:00

For two days, I've been counting calories. And so far, I love it!

I've never counted calories before. I've eaten what certain programs told me to eat, and I've counted points. But never calories.

My iPhone is helping. I'm using an app called Lose It! that we heard about from a friend on Twitter. And can I just say this: The psychology of the numbers is amazing to me. My mind is doing much better midday when I realize I can eat 800 more calories instead of just 6 more points. For some reason, just the difference in those numbers has let me relax my brain. For the last two days, I haven't been obsessing, worrying or guilting myself about food. And I've lost two pounds!

(Note: I don't expect to lose a pound a day going forward; no one should. It just goes to show how badly I was eating before I started tracking again.)

I Need to Blog

2009-01-28T15:38:00.003-06:00

How long has it been?!

I'll be back soon. I'm just trying to figure out where to go from here with my food, my blogging.

I did blog (for work) recently about a food-related topic, so maybe that will hold you three sweet readers over for a little while longer while I try to find some direction for this thing.

Cupcakes and Customer Service

2008-12-19T16:40:00.007-06:00

I love supporting small businesses. And when one goes above and beyond, I just have to let someone else know!

I work from home. It's been a fairly busy day. So when the doorbell rang around 1 p.m., the dogs went crazy and I just about jumped out of my skin.

A sweet face surrounded by beautiful wavy brown hair was on the other side of the door. She stretched her hands out to me, holding a big brown box. "Hi Summer," she said. "This is from Megan."

I was confused for a split second, until I saw the Sugar Mama's logo on the top of the box. This was a box of cupcakes. Just for me. Delivered to my door! If you've seen my flickr page, you know I'm a little obsessed.

Come to find out, this cupcake delivery angel was Olivia herself, owner and master cupcake queen at Sugar Mama's. My dear friend Megan from Nashville had been talking for a while with her about getting some cupcakes to me. Knowing what a fan I am, and knowing how much trouble Megan was going to, Olivia took it upon herself to make the special gift delivery.

I hugged Olivia's neck (she probably thinks I'm crazy), and I teared up a little. First at Megan's thoughtfulness, then for Olivia's generosity of customer service, then at the thought of having a box of buttercream goodness all to myself.

That picture up there? Their seasonal Candy Cane cupcake. I highly suggest you try one! And support a local small business this weekend!

Yikes

2008-12-16T10:44:00.003-06:00

Well, so, Denise reminded me yesterday that I hadn't blogged in almost a month. Which means I haven't been journaling and tracking my food for much longer than that.

I'm trying to get going again. I'm trying to find the motivation. I know about being healthy and feeling good and looking better, but I'm at a brick wall right now. I hoping that once we get through Christmas, I can really get myself on track again.

So, I leave you today with a food/weight loss haiku:

Living on cupcakes
And a few cheeseburgers, too
There is tomorrow

Thanksgiving Menu

2008-11-18T13:43:00.005-06:00

Well, I found out today that a total of nine people will be celebrating Thanksgiving at our house this year. We want things to be nice and easy and relaxing for everyone, so we're splitting up the menu and getting a pre-cooked cheater turkey.

Here's how the menu is looking:

pumpkin dip with graham crackers
turkey
bundt bread
stuffing
cranberry sauce
sweet potatoes
mac-n-cheese
fruit salad
green bean casserole
evil gooey cake
pumpkin pie
beer
tea

After we eat and the men chill out in front of the football game, I plan on getting all of the ladies visiting and feeling crafty while building some gingerbread houses. Here's to a nice and relaxed day...

Holy Cow!

2008-11-03T19:31:00.000-06:00

I stepped on the scale this morning. I don't remember the last time I did. It was time.

I'm disgusted.

So, here we go...

I've been making horrible choices and lots of them lately. We haven't been running since before our trip to NYC, so it's time to start that up again too.

Breakfast: chocolate bran muffin: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Lunch: chicken flautas: 8 points
apple: 1 point

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points

Dinner: soup: 4 points
half grilled cheese: 4 points
chips: 1 point

TOTAL: 23 points. I'll take it!

It's a New Day

2008-10-20T19:21:00.000-05:00

The fun is over. Time to get serious (and healthy).

Breakfast: 3/4 cup Honey Bunches of Oats With Chocolate: 3 points
1/2 cup soymilk: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Lunch: ham/cheese sandwich on whole grain: 6 points
pretzels: 2 points
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: Halloween candy: 4 points

Dinner: pork chops: 4 points
mac-n-cheese: 5 points
apple: 1 point

TOTAL: 29 points. Not good, but at least I was paying attention.

Back From NYC

2008-10-16T19:50:00.000-05:00

Cole and I just returned (well, a week ago) from five days in New York City. Why, oh why, do I love cupcakes and pizza so much? The good news is, even though I had more pizza and cupcakes than a girl should have in an entire year, I lost half a pound because we walked so much while we were there.

I've lost track of my total weight loss the last two or three weeks. It's up, it's down, I'm not paying much attention. What I am trying to do is pay more attention to simply living healthy. And I hope these little things I do to challenge myself will start adding up.

Today's challenge: Walk the dogs. Again. The weather has been beautiful and fall may actually arrive soon. I don't think we ever got higher than 71 degrees today, so after lunch today, I snuck away from my computer and took all the dogs out again for another walk. They loved it and napped all afternoon, and I felt better about at least one of those NYC cupcakes.

Nature Challenge

2008-10-10T14:05:00.003-05:00

Well, we're back from New York City, and after lots of yummy pizza and cupcakes, I'm ready to get myself back on track. So here's a little challenge for today: Take a nature walk.

If you have a camera, grab it and stroll your neighborhood or your favorite park and take pictures of the fun things you see. Leaves changing, fuzzy caterpillars, sun flares reflecting from the slide.

If you don't have a camera, how about a pencil and some tissue paper. Make fun rubs of fallen leaves or rocks or even the bark on the trees.

It may sound silly, but walking just to take in the nature around us may distract our minds from the fact that we're getting in a little bit of physical activity.

Half Is Plenty

2008-09-29T11:22:00.002-05:00

Well, I've decided these little daily challenges are fun, so here's another one for us to try.

At dinner this evening, just eat half. Fill you plate as you normally would, but slow down and savor every single bite you take, and leave half of it on your plate. If you're dining out this evening, you'll be making a huge difference in the calories, fat and sodium you take in.

Slowing Down

2008-09-28T09:39:00.006-05:00

So, here's my challenge today: To put my fork down between bites.

I eat too fast. Cole tells me all the time that I do. I think it all stems from growing up and eating meals across the table from my Navy-lieutenant grandad. He ate fast, I mean fast. And if you wanted to spend any time with him in the backyard, at the farm or in front of the TV for the Cowboys' game, you had to eat fast to join him.

And don't studies show that the slower you eat the faster your brain will tell your stomach that you're full? We'll see...

Trying Something New

2008-09-27T11:25:00.005-05:00

I'm getting ready to head to the grocery store to pick up a few things for the weekend, and another challenge hit me. (I wonder how many days in a row I can do this?) I'm going to pick up a fruit or veggie that I've never tried before, and try it today.

With fall in the air around parts of the country (we'll hit 90ish today), the produce departments are starting to fill with a beautiful autumn bounty. So maybe I'll roast an acorn squash, or chop up some jicama for a salad. I'm sure something will grab me.

Are you in?

Update: I bought nectarines at the store. I'll give you my review later.

Drink up!

2008-09-26T17:02:00.000-05:00

Yesterday I issued myself a little denim challenge. It didn't have anything to do with counting calories or the number on the scale. I was pleased with the results, and maybe one of my five readers out there decided to do the same. (Let me know if you did.)

So for some reason this morning I woke up thinking about other little challenges I could give myself on this journey to better health. So my challenge today: 10 cups of water.

I'm normally pretty good about getting six in, and on a good day when I run, eight is no problem. But I decided today to try to get 10 full services down the hatch. Whadya say? Wanna join me?

An Experiment in Denim

2008-09-25T16:56:00.003-05:00

I don't think I've put on a pair of jeans all summer. My daily wardrobe consists of t-shirts and draw-string shorts. Sometimes I even pair up a tank top and a simple skirt.

So with fall in the air and an upcoming trip to the northeast, where it will surely be a bit cooler, I've started planning what to pack in my mind. It will require long pants and sleeves, so I decided today to slip on a pair of jeans my butt hasn't seen since March.

If you haven't pulled up your favorite jeans all summer. Stop what you're doing now and go into your closet. I'm happy to say mine will be packed for the trip. They fit with no problems. If I wanna look my best in them, continuing on my ever-so-bumpy weight-loss journey will be best, but they do fit.

My point is this: Counting points is one way to measure, so is the number on the scale. But putting those jeans on today and looking in the mirror was just the test I needed to take.

Turning Point

2008-09-23T14:02:00.003-05:00

I did not weigh Saturday. I didn't want to and I knew I wouldn't have posted a loss anyway. So I ate with abandon over the weekend. Cupcakes, wings, hamburgers, the whole bit. And I felt physically horrible because of it.

Monday evening after work we ran, and I continued to feel horrible. Heavy, tired, slow, puffy. I knew it was the terrible eating over the weekend, and I don't want to feel like that. I am coming to realize that the better I eat, the better I run. And the better (more) I run, the better I eat. It's a great cycle to get myself into, and I'm trying.

I am also on day two of no caffeine. My head is finally starting to feel like it's deflating and is a normal size again, and the pounding has slowed to a gentle thump. I didn't set out to cut the caffeine from my day, but it's an indirect result of me finally telling myself the truth about my morning vanilla lattes. I wasn't counting the points. I was having one each morning and somewhere in my mind I was letting myself believe that they didn't count. That if they did count, I was walking them off every day when I was walking dogs. That it took me an hour to drink one, so the points were going into my system so slowly they didn't count.

And even though when I stepped on our home scale this morning I was still up from the weekend, I feel like I've turned a corner. One where I'm more honest with myself. As much as I'd like to be thin by next Monday, I know that ultimately this is a lifelong journey toward health. The shape of my body is just a side effect.

Monday Food Journal

2008-09-22T19:11:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: chocolate-bran muffin: 1 point
WW yogurt: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Lunch: ham/cheese wraps: 5 points
applesauce: 1 point
saltines: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: candy corn: 2 points
pretzels: 2 points

Dinner: BBQ cups: 10 points
salad: 4 points

TOTAL: 30 points. Terrible.

Wednesday Food Journal

2008-09-17T20:13:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: chocolate-bran muffin: 1 point
WW vanilla yogurt: 1 point

Lunch: Lean Cuisine pizza: 6 points
applesauce: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points

Dinner: BBQ brisket cups: 10 points
salad: 3 points

TOTAL: 25 points. A few too many, but I'm okay with that today.

A Tiny Loss

2008-09-16T21:18:00.001-05:00

Well, I had a loss when I weighed on Saturday, but it was a tiny one. I don't feel like I'm doing great this week, but little by little is fine with me...

Breakfast: whole-grain waffles: 3 points
butter, chocolate chips, syrup: 4 points

Lunch: grilled cheese sandwich: 5 points
applesauce: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: peanut butter crackers: 4 points

Dinner: cereal: 3 points
soymilk: 2 point

TOTAL: 23. I'll take it, plus, we ran this evening.

Class Tonight

2008-09-10T22:06:00.000-05:00

... means dinner on the run.

Our first two camera classes have been kind of a bust. The first class that was supposed to last two hours; we were done 40 minutes in. And we spent the next 20 or so minutes helping a sweet older couple figure out their new point-and-shoot so they could simply take pictures of their grandkids.

During the second class, Cole and I were the only two people to show up. Which was great in the end! We had one-on-one time with the manager of the store, and we got to talk to him about all of the little knobs and buttons on our cameras.

Tonight is digital imaging 101. I can't even remember what that means right now...

Breakfast: Fiber One bar: 2 points
banana: 2 points

Lunch: quesadilla: 6 points
chips and salsa: 3 points
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points

Dinner: chicken nuggets: 6 points

TOTAL: 22 points. I'll take it.

Rough Start to the Week

2008-09-09T21:12:00.000-05:00

I didn't count a single point over the weekend, but I really wanted to. I also stopped counting points Monday around noon. The good thing is: I am counting today, good or bad.

Breakfast: WW yogurt: 1 point
cereal: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Lunch: soup: 2 points
pretzels: 2 points
snack cakes: 2 points

Afternoon snack: beef jerky: 1 point
cheese toast: 3 points

Dinner: cereal: 2 point
soymilk: 1 point

TOTAL: 17 points. How did that happen?!

Lose for Good

2008-09-06T21:39:00.004-05:00

I did not want to step on the scale this morning. (It's a girl thing. I'll leave it at that.) But I did anyway because for the next six weeks Weight Watchers is turning each pound lost into a pound of food for the hungry around the world. Their Lose for Good program will donate up to $1,000,000 to world hunger organizations.

Pam, our meeting leader, this morning said that this campaign was started to help try to right an imbalance. She said 1.6 billion people around the world are overweight, but something like 8.2 million people are starving. (I hope I got those numbers right.)

So, even feeling bloated and icky this morning, I got on the scale to get a starting weight for the program. That just means that my loss next Saturday will be that much greater! Even if I only lose five pounds over the six weeks of this program, Share Our Strength would be able to feed a family of four for almost two full days, on my five pounds alone.

Thursday Food Journal

2008-09-04T20:34:00.001-05:00

Breakfast: Fiber One bar: 2 points
banana: 2 points

Lunch: soup: 3 points
honeydew melon: 1 point
English muffin: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: beef jerky: 2 points
banana: 2 points

Dinner: Green chile stew: 5 points
homemade tortilla chips: 2 points

TOTAL: 21 points!

Weekend Worries

2008-09-03T20:32:00.000-05:00

I need to get a grip on the weekends. I'm only two weeks in to Weight Watchers again, and I'm doing great Monday through Friday. But the weekends I'm letting myself off the hook when it comes to counting points. I really hate to get into the cycle of losing two pounds in a week just to put them back on over the weekend.

I'm trying to make good decisions, but I know the scale would really show it if I made more of an effort on the weekends. Maybe that should be my goal for the week: Actually count points Saturday and Sunday. Yes. I'll do that.

Breakfast: breakfast burrito: 5 points
(scrambled egg, 6" tortilla, 1-point WW cheese)

Lunch: SouthBeach sandwich: 7 points
chips: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: peanut butter toast: 5 points

Dinner: cereal: 3 points
soymilk: 1 point

TOTAL: 23. Two more than I should be having starting this week, but we did run this evening... And how pitiful is it that I didn't get a single fresh fruit or veggie in today?!

On the Scale

2008-08-30T14:03:00.002-05:00

Well, another 2.6 down when I stepped on the scale today. That's four pounds total since starting Weight Watchers and running again two weeks ago. That makes me feel like I can definitely reach my goal of 10 pounds by Thanksgiving.

Last weekend was a bit of a free for all, and I want to try not to do that again this weekend.

Thursday Food

2008-08-28T22:07:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: cheese toast: 3 points
breakfast cookie: 3 points

Lunch: SouthBeach wraps: 5 points
applesauce: 1 point
pretzels: 2 points
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: chips: 2 points

Dinner: taco: 4 points
cheese quesadilla: 5 points
two cookies: 3 points

TOTAL: 29 points. Terrible

Tuesday Food Journal

2008-08-26T19:56:00.000-05:00

It's going to be a busy week. Two camera classes, haircut, running, work.

I'm sorry I haven't had more to say on the weight-loss front. I'm sure more will come to me when I get a little further into it. Maybe this is my way of keeping myself from obsessing. I eat. I count points. I go on about my day. No obsessing here.

Breakfast: breakfast cookie: 3 points
banana: 2 points

Lunch: grilled cheese sandwich: 5 points
applesauce: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: peanut butter toast: 4 points
Tootsie Roll Pop: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Dinner: cereal: 2 points
soymilk: 1 point

TOTAL: 22 points. I think I'll have to drop to 21 points next week.

Catching up

2008-08-25T20:30:00.001-05:00

Just some randomness...

I lost 1.4 pounds at my weigh in Saturday. I was pleased enough with that. Then I had a cupcake.

There is a lady in my meeting that drives me nuts. She was there when I was going to meetings before, and she's still there. She tries so hard to be the teacher's pet and just talks the whole time. Pam was out Saturday, so we had a sub, and this lady was seriously trying to run the meeting. I may have to switch my meeting time because she rubs me so the wrong way.

I'd like to lose 10 pounds by Thanksgiving.

Breakfast: donut: 5 points
banana: 2 points

Lunch: SouthBeach wraps: 5 points
applesauce: 1 point
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: beef jerky: 1 point
bread: 2 points

Dinner: pork chops: 5 points
apple: 1 point
parm slices: 2 points

TOTAL: 25 points. Darn donut.

Friday Food Journal

2008-08-22T22:06:00.001-05:00

Well, these last five days have gone well.

I've stayed at my points target or just barely over it. I've had plenty of water. We've run twice. Done two evenings of push ups. Eaten at home more this week than we have in ages. I hope there will be a nice move on the scale in the morning for my first weigh in back on track.

Breakfast: toast/cheese/scrambled egg stacker: 4 points

Lunch: soup: 2 points
half quesadilla: 4 points
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points

Dinner: grilled chicken: 4 points
zucchini fries: 3 points
Hatch risotto cake: 2 points
Hatch bread: 2 points

TOTAL: 24 points. I should have passed on the risotto cake. But it's Hatch Chile Fest time!

Thursday Food Journal

2008-08-21T20:37:00.000-05:00

Breakfast: breakfast cookie: 3 points
banana: 2 points

Lunch: sausage wrap: 8 points
cantaloupe: 1 point
Nutter Butter ball: 2 points (I'm guessing)

Afternoon snack: Tootsie roll pop: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Dinner: cereal: 2 points
soymilk: 1 point

TOTAL: 22 points. Awesome.

Note to Self

2008-08-20T22:02:00.000-05:00

Calculate the points on something before eating it.

Breakfast: cereal: 2 points
soymilk: 1 point
banana: 2 points

Lunch: apple and peanut butter sandwich: 7 points
pretzels: 2 points

Afternoon snack: beef jerky: 1 point
yogurt: 1 point

Dinner: chicken salad sandwich: 11 points
fruit salad: 1 point

TOTAL: 28 points. Not great, but Chick-Fil-A's "new" chicken salad sandwich really threw me off. Their old version was only 7.

Tuesday Food Journal

2008-08-19T20:05:00.000-05:00

Nothing fun to see here today. Just some simple math...

Breakfast: oatmeal: 3 points
with cinnamon, splenda and a splash of soymilk
yogurt: 1 point

Lunch: sandwich: 5 points
chips: 3 points
snack cakes: 1 point

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points
Tootsie roll pop: 1 point

Dinner: cereal: 2 points
soymilk: 1 point

TOTAL: 19. Which means I'll wake up starving in the morning.

22 Points

2008-08-18T20:31:00.000-05:00

This Weight Watchers thing is more fun if you think of the points as a numbers game. I have 22 points a day to chew on and 35 weekly points to use (or not) scattered throughout the week. I'm looking forward to trying again. I'm ready to eat healthier again and take better care of myself. I can do it.

Breakfast: cheese toast: 2 points
scrambled egg: 2 points

Lunch: Lean Cuisine sandwich: 7 points
applesauce: 1 point

Afternoon snack: snack cakes: 1 point

Dinner: pork chop: 6 points
apple: 1 point
sweet potato fries: 2 points

TOTAL: 22 points!

Again

2008-08-14T13:26:00.002-05:00

Well, I just went online and purchased my Monthly Pass to get started with Weight Watchers again. I will eat my weight in chocolate and pizza for the next couple of days, and then get myself back into decent shape at a decent weight starting with Saturday's 9:30 a.m. meeting.

How soon we forget. I hope we relearn and remember just as quickly.

Diet News

2008-07-17T14:51:00.002-05:00

The Atkins diet wins!!! That's the latest news from a study of three popular diets.

I love the thought of losing the 12 pounds the study speaks of, but I just don't know if I can do it without bread and potatoes. Sigh...

Get It in Writing

2008-07-08T08:18:00.003-05:00

Many thanks to Goaled Girl for the link to this morning's MSNBC article: Writing down every morsel doubles weight loss.

I totally agree that keeping track -- either with pen and paper or online -- is a great way to stay accountable. But I also agree with Goaled Girl: It can lead to obsession. At least it has for me in the past.

There have been times lately that I feel like the obsession is getting unhealthy. Like seeing a therapist before I fall head-first into an eating disorder would be a good idea. (I'm sure my mother's heart just skipped a beat as she read that.) It's hard. If you've ever struggled -- with 10 pounds or 100 pounds -- you know that. There are times I feel out of control, powerless, defeated.

I was keeping track here. Until I started thinking about it for what felt like 23 hours a day. So I just stopped everything. Stopped tracking, stopped blogging, stopped thinking, stopped losing. In fact gaining pounds back that I was so proud and happy to lose.

But on a positive note: I have my health. I'm still well under my highest weight. I know I have the tools and the knowledge to make it all work. My plan at this point is to get back from Vegas next week and get into some sort of activity routine and eat better. Maybe the treadmill can be my therapist...

Bloody Good Time

2008-07-02T11:58:00.005-05:00

If you're in Austin Thursday, July 3, and you'd like to share your health with those in need, join us for the first-ever Austin Tweetup Blood Drive. Michelle Greer, David Neff and some other fine folks are reaching out to fellow Twitterers to have a meetup with a bigger purpose. Of course this one will allow us to meet new folks, share great food and talk shop, but it will also give us the opportunity to help those in our community with life-saving blood.

I've signed up for 1:30 p.m. Join us!!!

Register or log into the Blood Center of Central Texas’s website.
Choose the location at 4300 North Lamar.
Be sure to pick a time slot from 10 am-4 pm on Thursday, July 3.
Show up at the appropriate time.
Give blood. Eat a piece of the sammichometer. Give thanks that you are healthy and can offer health to someone else who needs it.
Make new friends through Twitter!

Be sure to RSVP on Facebook as well.

If the Shorts Fit

2008-06-27T21:05:00.000-05:00

When it's time, you just know it's time. For some people it's a picture. For others it's a whispered comment from a passing stranger. For me, it was a trip to Central Market yesterday evening.

I ran to Central Market to pick up some fresh marinated chicken breasts and a pineapple for Cole to throw on the grill for dinner. We decided earlier in the day that we wanted to do something healthy and fresh. It was the first pineapple I had ever peeled and cut myself, I was so proud, but that's not my point here.

As I dressed to head out, I put on a pair of khaki shorts. And they fit. That might sound fine and good, but just three weeks ago these shorts were loose and baggy and comfortable. And yesterday evening, they fit. I was pretty disgusted.

So today, I'm amping up my attempts to get back into gear. I'm not running back to a Weight Watchers meeting, but I am going to try points again for a while. I know I won't do great this weekend, I never do on the weekends, but my success will be in the trying and making healthy choices for a few days. Then I hope to be able to give it my all with the new week...

Breakfast: yogurt, organic granola, banana: 6 points

Lunch: spinach salad with grilled chicken, apples and vinaigrette: 6 points

Afternoon snack: banana: 2 points
snack cakes: 2 points

Dinner: sandwich: 7 points
cookie: 4 points (I couldn't help it. But I passed up on chips with my sandwich.)

TOTAL: 27. Not good at all, but at least I can say that I paid attention for a whole day!!!

Kahuna's Icehouse: A Review

2008-06-22T20:03:00.006-05:00

Cole and I hit Lake Travis today for a little skiing and relaxation, and when we finished with about three hours on the water, I was starving.

We tried to go to Carlos and Charlie's on the water, but they were slammed. Cole remembered noticing a new place yesterday as we were heading home called Kahuna's Icehouse, so we decided to give them a try. And I'm glad we did.

From the outside, it looked like it would be a very casual place, perched on the end of a strip center on Highway 620 just a couple of miles north of Highway 71, so I didn't feel bad about wearing my wet swimsuit and a tank top inside. Plus, how stuffy could a place with an "open" sign shaped like a surfboard be?!?!

As we walked in, I immediately noticed all the TVs (they were watching soccer), surfboards and hula girls decorating the place. There were only employees in there, so that worried me for a brief second, but we quickly found out they were only in their second day of full service. One of the waiters (managers?) that we spoke to gave us a quick rundown of the highlights of the menu. I decided to go with his recommendation of the grilled mahi mahi tacos. They were excellent!!! The fish was incredibly tender, the tortillas fresh, and the cool cabbage was a great complement to the spicy red pepper sauce.

Cole went with a pizza and liked it enough that he brought the leftovers home to have for lunch tomorrow. He said the crust was "okay" but the sauce was very good. That's a high compliment coming from him...

And because I burned so many calories skiing (HA!!!), I decided to try their peanut butter pie. Oh my. If you are a fan of peanut butter, or pie, or Oreos, or any combination of the above, you must try this pie. It was so rich and served at a perfect cooled (not too cold) temperature. It wasn't overly sweet. Everything I can tell you about it was just right.

So, the next time you're out toward Lake Travis, stop by Kahuna's for a beer and a snack, and support a new local small business. Call us and we'll meet you there!!!

Beautiful Food

2008-06-20T08:11:00.002-05:00

If you're into food porn, you must subscribe to this site: FoodPornDaily.com.

Many thanks to Nicole over at Pinch My Salt for sharing!!!

Vegas Challenge, SWAK

2008-06-16T20:26:00.001-05:00

Cole and I are going to Las Vegas in a few weeks. We're both excited and agreed it would be a good time to challenge ourselves (and each other) to get a few pounds off. So I weighed this morning, wrote the date and the weight on a little piece of paper, and sealed it in an envelope. Cole is going to do the same. Then, on the Friday morning before we fly out, we'll open our envelopes to read our beginning weights and see who did the best!!!

We're still trying to decide on the prize, so if you have any fun Vegas (non-food related) ideas, I'd love to hear them!!!

So, here's to tracking and getting back on track...

Breakfast: yogurt with granola and sliced bananas

Mid-morning snack: 100-calorie chocolate bar

Lunch: grilled cheese sandwich
trail mix

Dinner: grilled stuffed pork chop
sliced apple
parmesan slices
slice of sourdough bread
snack cakes

Not great, but I started out strong.

Do Our Bodies Give Us Credit???

2008-06-13T22:39:00.000-05:00

I had a beautiful breakfast this morning: vanilla yogurt with two fresh strawberries, a sliced banana and a sprinkle of organic granola. My body was treated to calcium, potassium, vitamins and natural sweetness. If I were still counting, I estimate it would have been about eight points.

But had I instead enjoyed a Dr Pepper and two Oreos, I would have only used about five points. So my mind started spinning: Do our bodies care more about the calories and points, or the quality of the food we're putting down our throats??? I don't know the specific scientific answer, but I like to think my body is getting more benefit from the healthier (although higher calorie) breakfast. Plus, I'm hoping the healthy breakfast will hold me through the morning where, after eating cookies and washing them down with a coke, I'd be hungry again in an hour...

*****

Well, I made it through to lunch where we had grilled cheese sandwiches, sliced apples and a small bag of chips. Then for dinner, we met Mom and Dannie for Mexican food, and before we ever got to the restaurant, I looked at the menu and decided on my dinner: grilled chicken salad and a cup of soup.

I don't feel like I did half bad for a day of not counting anything...