This weekend, I was invited to a Chinese New Year’s luncheon. And while I usually stick to bringing my staple of baked goods for dessert, now that I’m no longer eating processed white sugar it’s hard to justify making a dessert when I’m not going to be able to eat it! So, while searching through my cookbooks for an Asian dish, I came across a Hungry Girl recipe that included my new fave food find for the month: Shirataki Noodles. These are essentially tofu noodles, low-fat and gluten free, and function much like any regular pasta or noodle. I was so excited about this recipe, that I woke up early Saturday morning, unable to sleep, just so I could get out and find these noodles. I had to go to Whole Foods to get them, and I hate Whole Foods just as much for the locations (which are hard to get in and out of) as for the prices. However I was pleasantly surprised to find that the noodles are only $1.99 a package. So I bought four :-).
I think the dish turned out great. It includes Shirataki noodles, zucchini, scallions, mushrooms, egg whites and pancake mix (I bought mix with a whole wheat base). I think it tastes great, but the next time I make it I will add some bell peppers and a little more eggs and pancake mix. This iteration was a little noodle heavy so the pancakes fell apart easily. But the noodles tasted good. And although they are a little unconventional, I am very excited to try them with pasta sauce as a substitute to pasta noodles and see how they go. My Hungry Girl cookbook has a lot of recipes with these little noodles, and I look forward to trying them soon.
Noodlicious Zucchini Pancakes (courtesy of Hungry Girl):
(50 Calories, <0.5g Fat, 8 Carbs, 1.2g Fiber, 4g protein - 1 WW point)
Ingredients:
2 x 8 oz. pkgs. House Tofu Shirataki Noodles
4 egg whites
1 cup pancake mix
1 Tbsp. salt
3/4 cup green onions (scallions), chopped
4.5 cups zucchini, shredded (unless you can find them pre-shredded, this takes about 45 mins and equals about 4 zucchinis)
1 cup finely sliced fresh mushrooms
Directions:
Rinse noodles well. Microwave for 1 minute, drain and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 2-3 inch pieces. Next, combine egg whites, pancake mix and salt in a bowl. Stir in noodles, green onions, mushrooms and zucchini. Place skillet over medium heat, and coat with non- stick cooking spray. When hot, scoop a little less than 1/3 cup of the mixture (per pancake) onto the skillet. Cook until underside is golden, then flip and cook the other side. Continue until all the batter is gone. Makes 15, 4-inch pancakes.
Serve with a dollop of fat free sour cream or even some salsa. Yum!
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Snow, More Snow and, oh yeah, Snow
Well, this is day 6 of the snow event of the century. For 6 days, I have enjoyed the comfort of my institution-white apartment walls and limited television and video options. I have successfully rationed my food and have maintained power. And you know when the federal government is too scared to go outside, there is no way I'm gonna do it! Just kidding, here is a sampling of last Saturday's snow fun:
(At this point, the snow was just above my knees. Since then, we have had 10 more inches.)
In all seriousness, by the end of the third major storm of this winter, the DC-area will have broke all snow accumulation records, ever. That's no small feat for an area that doesn't get snow. It gets cold and windy, but not snow. And while I applaud the snow removal efforts, you gotta wonder how those guys could possibly dig everyone else out before the end of next week? I'll be lucky if our offices are open at all this week. Maybe Friday, but it's highly doubtful. Today we're in the midst of snow storm 3.0. There are 40 mph winds and whiteout conditions, causing the power companies to cease efforts to restore power. Let's hope ours stays on! There are cars completely buried under the snow, and this kind of things blows my mind! Yes, I'm from Canada. And I do have vague memories of this kind of weather. But it doesn't cripple a city like it does here. This is truly crazy.
Of course, the good news is that my workload is light so I've been hitting the gym everyday. The bad news is it hasn't done a lick of good! I am still at the same weight! It's getting frustrating. I know I am probably building muscle mass and I am really sticking to the diet, but I need to see results soon. I'll be tested over the next few days as my next shipment of meal replacements are stuck somewhere in Pennsylvania, thanks to the weather. So over the next few days I'm on my own for all my meals. I should be ok, I stocked up before the first storm last week. But given the results I've achieved so far, I'm not hopeful that I won't gain everything back. Today I plan to break into our pool (which is closed bc the lifeguard can't make it in) and do some swimming. Maybe that will help? Until then, I am in my P.J.'s, drinking coffee and doing what work I can. I think I can wait awhile to move to Canada :)
(At this point, the snow was just above my knees. Since then, we have had 10 more inches.)
In all seriousness, by the end of the third major storm of this winter, the DC-area will have broke all snow accumulation records, ever. That's no small feat for an area that doesn't get snow. It gets cold and windy, but not snow. And while I applaud the snow removal efforts, you gotta wonder how those guys could possibly dig everyone else out before the end of next week? I'll be lucky if our offices are open at all this week. Maybe Friday, but it's highly doubtful. Today we're in the midst of snow storm 3.0. There are 40 mph winds and whiteout conditions, causing the power companies to cease efforts to restore power. Let's hope ours stays on! There are cars completely buried under the snow, and this kind of things blows my mind! Yes, I'm from Canada. And I do have vague memories of this kind of weather. But it doesn't cripple a city like it does here. This is truly crazy.
Of course, the good news is that my workload is light so I've been hitting the gym everyday. The bad news is it hasn't done a lick of good! I am still at the same weight! It's getting frustrating. I know I am probably building muscle mass and I am really sticking to the diet, but I need to see results soon. I'll be tested over the next few days as my next shipment of meal replacements are stuck somewhere in Pennsylvania, thanks to the weather. So over the next few days I'm on my own for all my meals. I should be ok, I stocked up before the first storm last week. But given the results I've achieved so far, I'm not hopeful that I won't gain everything back. Today I plan to break into our pool (which is closed bc the lifeguard can't make it in) and do some swimming. Maybe that will help? Until then, I am in my P.J.'s, drinking coffee and doing what work I can. I think I can wait awhile to move to Canada :)
Saturday, January 30, 2010
And...Go!
And I'm off! The weight loss is, well, stagnant but the clothes fit a whole lot better! Which is good, because it means I'm building muscle mass, which will increase the level of weight loss. What's more fun is the effect of the diet on my body. Last night, due to bad weather, we held a bridal shower for my friend Sarah (it was supposed to be this afternoon). It ended up being a much smaller affair due to the last minute change, but we still had all the food. So I did my part by having mimosas and cake. Well, I had the worst headache and woke up this morning feeling hungover and gross. For the record, I had only one drink. So it's quite shocking the effect that reintroducing white sugar has on my body. I've decided to stick with this till March and the wedding. Then we'll see where I am. It's so hard to stay away from white sugar, since it's everywhere. I just wish it didn't shock my body so badly.
In other news, I am snowed in! Well, in NC. It's icy and snowy, and while I could get out of here tomorrow, I'm not sure where I would go. DC is getting about 10 inches of snow today, and last time that happened it took a couple days to clear the highways! I may be stuck here a lot longer, which isn't good for my magazine. We're in the final stages of content development and a little behind, so when the editor (me) isn't there to move things along, it just doesn't happen. Good thing this issue is so light! I think the readers will forgive me (I hope!). It's one of those things...If I am not there, nothing happens. So frustrating! Oh well, I know there isn't anything I can do about it so why bother stressing? I'm going to snuggle up with a blanket, tea and a good book and enjoy the break while I have it.
In other news, I am snowed in! Well, in NC. It's icy and snowy, and while I could get out of here tomorrow, I'm not sure where I would go. DC is getting about 10 inches of snow today, and last time that happened it took a couple days to clear the highways! I may be stuck here a lot longer, which isn't good for my magazine. We're in the final stages of content development and a little behind, so when the editor (me) isn't there to move things along, it just doesn't happen. Good thing this issue is so light! I think the readers will forgive me (I hope!). It's one of those things...If I am not there, nothing happens. So frustrating! Oh well, I know there isn't anything I can do about it so why bother stressing? I'm going to snuggle up with a blanket, tea and a good book and enjoy the break while I have it.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
Built Ford Tough
Current Weight: 185
Pounds to Go: 40
One week after I started my RESET, and I have lost 5 pounds! Granted, four were because of RESET, but one since is still something exciting to brag about! I feel really good. Thursday night I went to a dinner party, and while there was plenty I could eat, I felt bad about not being able to sample everything the host made. I did take a lot of leftovers from her, though, and she seemed to appreciate that.
Over the last couple of days, though, I feel myself getting more and more hungry. Not for bad food, just for solid food. I think my body is just telling me to eat. Now, let me set the record straight. I do not think nor feel that I am starving myself. I think I'm just really tired of the mostly-liquids diet. I am going to do my best to go as long as I can, but I am not sure how far I want to go for two reasons. First, the shakes and protein bars are pricey. Now, I know I'm not buying nearly as many groceries as I have in the past, and that certainly helps. But I'm still spending 3 times as much money on food than I typically would. This bothers me because I'm trying to save for my move and whatnot. Second, if I am spending my money on shakes to lose weight, I won't have any money left over to buy new clothes once mine stop fitting. It could only be a matter of a month before my work clothes no longer fit. I've been this size for so long, that I don't have any skinny clothes anymore and with my financial goals for the summer in place, there isn't a lot leftover for wardrobe.
Sure, a lot of that is just excuses. If I were serious, it shouldn't matter. The truth is I don't know how long I can avoid other foods beyond bunny food. Plus, since I am being fiscally conservative with my food budget, I'm scared to overeat my veggies because if they run out before my grocery budget is replenished, I'm pulling cash from other budgets to cover food and Dave Ramsey wouldn't be happy about that. Maybe I just need to give it time to find a good balance.
On a funny note, I was talking to my sister the other night about our bodies and she goes, "We're built Ford tough." It's true, our bodies are resilient, meant to be working to fields and popping out babies. Thanks Canadian prairie genes! So I'm sure that I can overcome this temporary lull. After all, I'm built Ford tough. Hopefully one of the many people I've been talking this program up to will bite and I'll have a buddy to commiserate with so you all don't have to read about my whining :)
Pounds to Go: 40
One week after I started my RESET, and I have lost 5 pounds! Granted, four were because of RESET, but one since is still something exciting to brag about! I feel really good. Thursday night I went to a dinner party, and while there was plenty I could eat, I felt bad about not being able to sample everything the host made. I did take a lot of leftovers from her, though, and she seemed to appreciate that.
Over the last couple of days, though, I feel myself getting more and more hungry. Not for bad food, just for solid food. I think my body is just telling me to eat. Now, let me set the record straight. I do not think nor feel that I am starving myself. I think I'm just really tired of the mostly-liquids diet. I am going to do my best to go as long as I can, but I am not sure how far I want to go for two reasons. First, the shakes and protein bars are pricey. Now, I know I'm not buying nearly as many groceries as I have in the past, and that certainly helps. But I'm still spending 3 times as much money on food than I typically would. This bothers me because I'm trying to save for my move and whatnot. Second, if I am spending my money on shakes to lose weight, I won't have any money left over to buy new clothes once mine stop fitting. It could only be a matter of a month before my work clothes no longer fit. I've been this size for so long, that I don't have any skinny clothes anymore and with my financial goals for the summer in place, there isn't a lot leftover for wardrobe.
Sure, a lot of that is just excuses. If I were serious, it shouldn't matter. The truth is I don't know how long I can avoid other foods beyond bunny food. Plus, since I am being fiscally conservative with my food budget, I'm scared to overeat my veggies because if they run out before my grocery budget is replenished, I'm pulling cash from other budgets to cover food and Dave Ramsey wouldn't be happy about that. Maybe I just need to give it time to find a good balance.
On a funny note, I was talking to my sister the other night about our bodies and she goes, "We're built Ford tough." It's true, our bodies are resilient, meant to be working to fields and popping out babies. Thanks Canadian prairie genes! So I'm sure that I can overcome this temporary lull. After all, I'm built Ford tough. Hopefully one of the many people I've been talking this program up to will bite and I'll have a buddy to commiserate with so you all don't have to read about my whining :)
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
RESET Day 5
Hunger meter: 2
Energy meter: 8
I made it, I did it, I'm awesome, oh yeah! I finished the RESET program today and I feel GREAT!
Day 5 was a breeze. All day I felt full of energy, not very hungry and excited about incorporating real food tomorrow! But enough about that, back to today. I was excited to go to my weekly boot camp class and see how much stamina I have right now. Although I've been working out daily, it's been very moderate per the program's instruction. So I really want an aggressive workout. But the instructor never showed! Nuts. I still managed to have a good workout on the treadmill, but still a little too moderate for my liking.
I did have a pleasant surprise this morning when I put on a shirt I seldom wear, only to find it was too big! Yipee! I have not yet taken my final REST weigh-in, but I think that I've dropped a few pounds. I recommend this program to anyone who is like me and struggles with cravings and controlling food intake. It's worth the sacrifice!
UPDATE 1/21/09: I weighed myself this morning, and lost 4 pounds! Only 41 more to go...
Energy meter: 8
I made it, I did it, I'm awesome, oh yeah! I finished the RESET program today and I feel GREAT!
Day 5 was a breeze. All day I felt full of energy, not very hungry and excited about incorporating real food tomorrow! But enough about that, back to today. I was excited to go to my weekly boot camp class and see how much stamina I have right now. Although I've been working out daily, it's been very moderate per the program's instruction. So I really want an aggressive workout. But the instructor never showed! Nuts. I still managed to have a good workout on the treadmill, but still a little too moderate for my liking.
I did have a pleasant surprise this morning when I put on a shirt I seldom wear, only to find it was too big! Yipee! I have not yet taken my final REST weigh-in, but I think that I've dropped a few pounds. I recommend this program to anyone who is like me and struggles with cravings and controlling food intake. It's worth the sacrifice!
UPDATE 1/21/09: I weighed myself this morning, and lost 4 pounds! Only 41 more to go...
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
RESET Day 4
Hunger meter: 3
Energy meter: 8
It's day 4 and I'm on a roll! I was a little worried since I had to work today, and that meant being away from my fridge and veggie snacks. Encouraged by the fullness of last night, I woke up full. Yes, full. I drank my shake anyway and off to work I went. And, honestly, did not want food again till 12:30 or so. Before, I would have had a snack and lunch by then. So far I'm very happy with the RESET. I did get hungry towards the afternoon, but was so happy to have lots of cucumbers and an apple on hand to fill the void. And I didn't feel sleepy or lethargic at all as I tend to get around 3 or 4. Maybe that means I'll be more productive now? Meh, we'll see :)
And just as I was feeling so good about myself, I left work. I drove to the store to get a couple of necessary items and the smell of something grilling was almost too much. Then when I got back from the gym tonight, my roommate had made the most amazing smelling pita pizza (which is actually low-glycemic, and I fully intent to make one this weekend). I really really really want to eat food again! It wasn't what was cooking, it's the idea of eating a hot meal and actually chewing something. I'm chewing ice right now and my jaw hurts. And I'm cold. Good thing there is only one more day of this!
Energy meter: 8
It's day 4 and I'm on a roll! I was a little worried since I had to work today, and that meant being away from my fridge and veggie snacks. Encouraged by the fullness of last night, I woke up full. Yes, full. I drank my shake anyway and off to work I went. And, honestly, did not want food again till 12:30 or so. Before, I would have had a snack and lunch by then. So far I'm very happy with the RESET. I did get hungry towards the afternoon, but was so happy to have lots of cucumbers and an apple on hand to fill the void. And I didn't feel sleepy or lethargic at all as I tend to get around 3 or 4. Maybe that means I'll be more productive now? Meh, we'll see :)
And just as I was feeling so good about myself, I left work. I drove to the store to get a couple of necessary items and the smell of something grilling was almost too much. Then when I got back from the gym tonight, my roommate had made the most amazing smelling pita pizza (which is actually low-glycemic, and I fully intent to make one this weekend). I really really really want to eat food again! It wasn't what was cooking, it's the idea of eating a hot meal and actually chewing something. I'm chewing ice right now and my jaw hurts. And I'm cold. Good thing there is only one more day of this!
Monday, January 18, 2010
RESET Day 3
Hunger Meter: 3
Energy Meter: 6
Today has been a much better day. I didn't have to work today, and thought "Yes! Another sleep in day!" Imagine my surprise when I woke up at 7. Huh? Yeah. I had energy to spare and my body did not want nor need more sleep. It was amazing to realize that even though I thought I was eating healthy, the food I've been eating has kept me slow and sluggish. Just, wow.
So with all the spare time I found myself with, I spent the morning looking through my cookbooks and food lists, picking the foods I'll need to get for the next week. See, I had to go grocery shopping today as I ran out of fruit. Plus I need to prepare a dish for a dinner party on Thursday, one which I am sure will be the only dish I can eat. This must be a week of firsts because I made, and stuck!, to my list! I only bought the things I should be eating, not even tempting myself by picking a dish that contains food I can't eat!
But it wasn't all roses. I really wanted to eat the food I bought for later in the week now. I miss chewing food. And even though I've been snacking on veggies and fruit all day, it's not the same when dinner is a shake. I actually half-blended it with ice so I could have something to chew on. I just keep telling myself, two more days!
Lastly, I am full. What? Yes, I am full. It's after "dinner," and I'm not hungry at all. I wonder if I'll even want all that food when I am able to eat it? Let's hope the answer is yes :)
Energy Meter: 6
Today has been a much better day. I didn't have to work today, and thought "Yes! Another sleep in day!" Imagine my surprise when I woke up at 7. Huh? Yeah. I had energy to spare and my body did not want nor need more sleep. It was amazing to realize that even though I thought I was eating healthy, the food I've been eating has kept me slow and sluggish. Just, wow.
So with all the spare time I found myself with, I spent the morning looking through my cookbooks and food lists, picking the foods I'll need to get for the next week. See, I had to go grocery shopping today as I ran out of fruit. Plus I need to prepare a dish for a dinner party on Thursday, one which I am sure will be the only dish I can eat. This must be a week of firsts because I made, and stuck!, to my list! I only bought the things I should be eating, not even tempting myself by picking a dish that contains food I can't eat!
But it wasn't all roses. I really wanted to eat the food I bought for later in the week now. I miss chewing food. And even though I've been snacking on veggies and fruit all day, it's not the same when dinner is a shake. I actually half-blended it with ice so I could have something to chew on. I just keep telling myself, two more days!
Lastly, I am full. What? Yes, I am full. It's after "dinner," and I'm not hungry at all. I wonder if I'll even want all that food when I am able to eat it? Let's hope the answer is yes :)
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