Hello all,
Since Candace is the consummate blogger in regards to our quest eating better I feel like I should pitch in as well. So today I am going to talk about a movie that I feel everyone should watch and discuss with their loved ones.
How many of our followers have seen Food Inc.? And for those who haven't seen it, why haven't you seen it? I have been hearing for years how our farming practices and food quality have been heading downhill for years now but I guess I couldn't or didn't want to believe how BAD things have gotten, even in my life span.
There are so many differences, most of them I would consider bad that it boggles the mind on how modern America is still alive, not healthy since most of us aren't. The first thing that comes to mind is the differences between the price of meat that is grown organic or from the supermarket. How much do you pay when you by Chicken? The last time we got chicken it was $1.99 a lb and it is normally $2.99 lb. We were able to get $20.00 of chicken that will last us a while. 2 days later we went to the Great Basin Community Food Co-Op and saw organic chicken that was $7.99 a lb. Why is there such a huge difference in price? The chicken that routinely sells for $1.99 a lb. is raised in crowded pens were there are thousands of birds getting fed corn to make them fat and profitable. They grow from a chick to harvest size in 49 days when a normal chicken takes around 120 days to get to that size. The cheap (no pun intended) bird is pumped up with antibiotics since they are covered with feces all day. Many of the birds have severe health problems due to fact that they grow so quickly that the body is unable to keep up with the rapid growth. Oh yeah, the farmers are forever in debt to the sellers of the chickens so they are essentially like slaves. I won't go into details on how they are processed to go to market, watch the movie.
The $7.99 a lb. chicken is fed grain and grass seeds, they are allowed to be outside they grow in a appropriate amount of time. When it is time to process them, they are processed in a way that might seem unsanitary (at least in the example in the movie) but the amount of feces in the meat is on around 200 FCS (Fecal Colony Standard I believe.) This admittedly sounds pretty disgusting until you compare it with the $1.99 a lb chicken at 2200 FCS.
This prices difference is the same across the board for all the meats (yes including farm raised fish as well). This is due solely to introduction of corn as feed. Corn is subsidized by the US Government which keeps the prices way way down. This allows animals that fed this way to be sold much cheaper, but at what cost? Ever notice the amount of contaminated food stories you see on the news. For all of us over the age of 30, look back and see how often that happened when we were really young. Now compare the frequency of the outbreaks. E. Coli is now no longer just a problem with meat, it is entering the vegetable as well. In the movie, one of the interviewees states that if cattle are fed grass for just 5 days, the amount of E. Coli reduces by 80% percent. Corn and the products that produced from Corn (which are incredibly numerous) is causing serious health problems for every creature that comes into it. I am not saying that Corn on the cob is a problem or Fresh Popped Popcorn is horrible. I am simply saying that corn produced into sugar then poured into our foods or fed to food supply is just wrong! Some 30% of our farm land is dedicated to corn production, land that could be used to grow grass or other crops is being wasted on the very product that is making our nation obese.
Last figure, in 1980 the average waist size for the average man was a 32. In 2010 the average waist size is 40. What is appears to be the culprit in the 25% increase in waist size in 30 years? About 1981 High Fructose Corn Syrup was introduced as a low cost alternative to sugar. I know there are other factors as well, but it rather interesting.
I find it strange that throughout the human race's history us humans have always struggled to get enough food. Starvation and disease were our constant foe claiming untold lives. Now we are eating our selves to any early grave and the years we are alive we aren't as healthy as we should be.
My post is going to end on kind of a downer this time, I promise my next post will be more uplifting. I promise to offer some solutions that we have tried and have researched. It is easy to complain about a problem. It is harder but far more productive to come up with some possible solutions instead.
Until next time...
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Tuesday, May 1, 2012
4 Weeks In!!
Last night marked 4 weeks since we decided that we didn't want to change the way we ate and lived (again, and hopefully for the last time). In these last 4 weeks, we've struggled a lot but have also have had many successes as well.
For example, we had a bit of a cheat night for dinner on Friday (pizza) and I think we've decided that our cheats have to be further apart. We had decided that before, but always Friday comes around and we get tempted into something else. This last Friday, though, we were so overly full and bloated with sodium that we decided that, at the very least, when it cheats, pizza is not an option anymore and that we have to do better with not cheating (even if it is once a week for only one meal - we need to try to extended it to once every two weeks for only one meal). Of course, that may or may not happen this week as we do have visitors for the weekend...but we'll try.
In the past 4 weeks, I am down 17 lbs (12 from my official weigh in 5 weeks ago for our competition - but I put on 5 in the week between) and Kurt is down we think 15 lbs (because he didn't weigh himself when we started - but 11 from the official weigh in 5 weeks ago).
We're starting to have more energy (he gets it a bit more than I do), clothes are starting to loosen up a bit (some that I had that were feeling a little tight fit well now) and we aren't so tired after a long day of work as much as we were before. Plus being on our feet for a long day is getting easier.
So SUCCESS!!
Cravings are slowly going away...and randomly one comes up and you think...REALLY, that's what I want. And we've been trying hard to quell those cravings with other things. We made some blackberry sorbet a couple days ago, and the tartness is kind of a nice change from the sweetness (I think I need to look at something that is a little less seedier though).
Yesterday we stopped by the Great Basin Community Food Co-Op which reminded me a lot of being in Santa Cruz again. Some things were pretty pricy - raw unpasteurized almonds for $12.99/lb but other things weren't as bad - 32oz of local raw honey for $10 and some change. We picked up some honey mustard salad dressing (which does have some cane sugar in it - but I tried to make a honey mustard vinaigrette and it was awful and I need a salad dressing).
My favorite thing that I TOTALLY want to go back for when I'm ready...refrigerated ladybugs!! They were so cute - and depending if I actually get the garden in shape this year (because my seedlings desperately need to be transplanted), I might have to get some.
Last thing before I go (since I have to get ready for work) - our budget. We went grocery shopping last Thursday, and we though there was no way we were going to get out of there under our budget because we bought a ton more meat than usual for this week (ground beef, pork chops and chicken breasts - more chicken than we needed but we figured we could use it the next week) and it still came out to about $142. We were stunned. Of course now that we went to the Food Co-Op and seeing the prices of meat there I'm starting to really thing about the meat we've been buying at the grocery store...but more on that later.
Ok...I lied...two things
1. Celery has become to salty to us...especially after reading how much sodium is in celery...we can taste it now!! Suggestions for other vegi snacks to take out with us (to go with our carrots)
2. Dry-Rub Burgers...mmmm...check it out
For example, we had a bit of a cheat night for dinner on Friday (pizza) and I think we've decided that our cheats have to be further apart. We had decided that before, but always Friday comes around and we get tempted into something else. This last Friday, though, we were so overly full and bloated with sodium that we decided that, at the very least, when it cheats, pizza is not an option anymore and that we have to do better with not cheating (even if it is once a week for only one meal - we need to try to extended it to once every two weeks for only one meal). Of course, that may or may not happen this week as we do have visitors for the weekend...but we'll try.
In the past 4 weeks, I am down 17 lbs (12 from my official weigh in 5 weeks ago for our competition - but I put on 5 in the week between) and Kurt is down we think 15 lbs (because he didn't weigh himself when we started - but 11 from the official weigh in 5 weeks ago).
We're starting to have more energy (he gets it a bit more than I do), clothes are starting to loosen up a bit (some that I had that were feeling a little tight fit well now) and we aren't so tired after a long day of work as much as we were before. Plus being on our feet for a long day is getting easier.
So SUCCESS!!
Cravings are slowly going away...and randomly one comes up and you think...REALLY, that's what I want. And we've been trying hard to quell those cravings with other things. We made some blackberry sorbet a couple days ago, and the tartness is kind of a nice change from the sweetness (I think I need to look at something that is a little less seedier though).
Yesterday we stopped by the Great Basin Community Food Co-Op which reminded me a lot of being in Santa Cruz again. Some things were pretty pricy - raw unpasteurized almonds for $12.99/lb but other things weren't as bad - 32oz of local raw honey for $10 and some change. We picked up some honey mustard salad dressing (which does have some cane sugar in it - but I tried to make a honey mustard vinaigrette and it was awful and I need a salad dressing).
My favorite thing that I TOTALLY want to go back for when I'm ready...refrigerated ladybugs!! They were so cute - and depending if I actually get the garden in shape this year (because my seedlings desperately need to be transplanted), I might have to get some.
Last thing before I go (since I have to get ready for work) - our budget. We went grocery shopping last Thursday, and we though there was no way we were going to get out of there under our budget because we bought a ton more meat than usual for this week (ground beef, pork chops and chicken breasts - more chicken than we needed but we figured we could use it the next week) and it still came out to about $142. We were stunned. Of course now that we went to the Food Co-Op and seeing the prices of meat there I'm starting to really thing about the meat we've been buying at the grocery store...but more on that later.
Ok...I lied...two things
1. Celery has become to salty to us...especially after reading how much sodium is in celery...we can taste it now!! Suggestions for other vegi snacks to take out with us (to go with our carrots)
2. Dry-Rub Burgers...mmmm...check it out
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Mmeeehhhhhhh!
This week started off a little more entertaining than it has become...so we had to try to liven it up a bit.
Monday was our 2 week weigh in for our family competition...and while I knew I wasn't going to win because my husband beat me by 0.27% lost...I was disappointed (excited for her, though) that our cousin, Courtney, beat us. (BTW - I rescind my "suck it"...I know you did a lot of walking this last week and it looks like it paid off).
But what it comes down to is that we each lost about 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks...which is GREAT but it was also a little disappointing - because my instant gratification turned on. I just want it gone!! I know its not going to happen quickly, but I do have a hard time accepting that sometimes because it came on SO easily.
Anyway, Monday night I decided it was about time to "create" my own recipe. We made burritos with ground beef, black and kidney beans, whole wheat tortillas, lettuce, a little cheese and some cauliflower "rice". It was pretty good, but I have to tweak it a bit before I put it up in the recipe section. I'm excited that many are enjoying/looking forward to the baked banana oatmeal...you are, if you have not yet experience it, in for a real treat.
Tuesday, we decided that we were a little curious about how many calories and grams of fat are in some of our meals. We started putting in some recipes...and were actually a little disappointed. Its not that the food was bad...it was that we're probably now eating anywhere between 1800-2100 calories a day and yet we are losing weight just through eating better. I was disappointed with how awful we were treating our bodies before. I know I should be happy about how much better we are doing...but it's hard not to be upset about the damage we were doing for so long.
Food-wise...we got a little bored with our roasted tomato and basil leftovers this week...so leftovers I think are going to have to be frozen for a different week...which kinda made our week of meals a little bland. BBQ Chicken Pizza Pockets were good...you should check them out!!
With all of the mmeeehhhh this week, we decided to step it up a little bit. We've been trying to get out on walks everyday...but between going out to shoot and editing photos...we get a little lost for time. By the time we think about getting out to walk, it's starts to get dark. And between that and the back and forth weather, we decided to get The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout the Xbox 360 kinect.
We started it last night and I liked it a lot...I was sweating up a storm...and while I'm not feeling too beaten up today, I was feeling it during - tried to push through the pain, but it was getting the better of me. Kurt is having a little more trouble with it, because they give you a very quick here's how to do it, but he has a little more trouble following along, but I think if he does it more...it should get better.
So I'm trying to get out of my funk, so it doesn't start to get the better of me.
On a more positive note, our seeds are growing like gangbusters in their little greenhouse...and of course we aren't ready to plant them outside yet...but I'm hoping so soon because I really am excited for them to grow. We've planted thyme, cucumbers, carrots, jack-o-lanterns, cilantro, snow peas, basil and sugar pumpkins. I am SO excited!!
Monday was our 2 week weigh in for our family competition...and while I knew I wasn't going to win because my husband beat me by 0.27% lost...I was disappointed (excited for her, though) that our cousin, Courtney, beat us. (BTW - I rescind my "suck it"...I know you did a lot of walking this last week and it looks like it paid off).
But what it comes down to is that we each lost about 5 lbs in the last 2 weeks...which is GREAT but it was also a little disappointing - because my instant gratification turned on. I just want it gone!! I know its not going to happen quickly, but I do have a hard time accepting that sometimes because it came on SO easily.
Anyway, Monday night I decided it was about time to "create" my own recipe. We made burritos with ground beef, black and kidney beans, whole wheat tortillas, lettuce, a little cheese and some cauliflower "rice". It was pretty good, but I have to tweak it a bit before I put it up in the recipe section. I'm excited that many are enjoying/looking forward to the baked banana oatmeal...you are, if you have not yet experience it, in for a real treat.
Tuesday, we decided that we were a little curious about how many calories and grams of fat are in some of our meals. We started putting in some recipes...and were actually a little disappointed. Its not that the food was bad...it was that we're probably now eating anywhere between 1800-2100 calories a day and yet we are losing weight just through eating better. I was disappointed with how awful we were treating our bodies before. I know I should be happy about how much better we are doing...but it's hard not to be upset about the damage we were doing for so long.
Food-wise...we got a little bored with our roasted tomato and basil leftovers this week...so leftovers I think are going to have to be frozen for a different week...which kinda made our week of meals a little bland. BBQ Chicken Pizza Pockets were good...you should check them out!!
With all of the mmeeehhhh this week, we decided to step it up a little bit. We've been trying to get out on walks everyday...but between going out to shoot and editing photos...we get a little lost for time. By the time we think about getting out to walk, it's starts to get dark. And between that and the back and forth weather, we decided to get The Biggest Loser Ultimate Workout the Xbox 360 kinect.
We started it last night and I liked it a lot...I was sweating up a storm...and while I'm not feeling too beaten up today, I was feeling it during - tried to push through the pain, but it was getting the better of me. Kurt is having a little more trouble with it, because they give you a very quick here's how to do it, but he has a little more trouble following along, but I think if he does it more...it should get better.
So I'm trying to get out of my funk, so it doesn't start to get the better of me.
On a more positive note, our seeds are growing like gangbusters in their little greenhouse...and of course we aren't ready to plant them outside yet...but I'm hoping so soon because I really am excited for them to grow. We've planted thyme, cucumbers, carrots, jack-o-lanterns, cilantro, snow peas, basil and sugar pumpkins. I am SO excited!!
Monday, April 23, 2012
What is wrong with us?!
Hello all,
I know that we haven't been the bastion of good health for many years but now that I know what "real food" is and tastes like I don't want to go back to my old way eating garbage. As many of you know or don't know I like to see what is going on in the world, much to Candace's dismay sometimes... but I felt it necessary to post this story.
I came across this article and nearly gagged on many many levels. I read this story on msnbc.com http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/23/11357034-did-heart-attack-burger-claim-a-second-victim-at-vegas-diner?lite&preview=true and was horrified by this restaurant. The "Heart Attack Grill" are you freaking (I want to use much harsher language ) kidding me? It figures that a city that would benefit from a meteor hitting it would allow this affront to humanity to be built. The burger buns are covered in lard and the largest item on the menu has over 8,000 calories in it. That is over 4 days of food in one burger.
I understand obesity and the causes of it but to reward something that WILL kill you is insane. One of the advertisements is if you weigh over 350 pounds you eat free. I expect a old time carnival barker yelling out front "That's right folks, if you have given up on ever improving yourself and want to die young and sick eat yourself to an early grave on us." They have a ambulance parked out front for Christ sake!?!
I realize this anger might be surprising from me, but after losing 5 pounds in 2 weeks by eating the correct portions of unprocessed foods it makes me so angry to see businesses pray on the anguish that obese people feel about themselves is immoral. The idea old idea of a jolly old fat person is patently ridiculous. At the beginning of this, I was 265, about 75 pounds overweight with a BMI of 34 which put me in the obese category. I know that my weight isn't that severe but I now realize how bad I felt before even with a 5% decrease in weight. Imagine if you are 200 pounds overweight, and imagine how horrible you feel physically. Then triple it then you have an idea what it does to you emotionally. Have you ever watch "Horders" and do you notice how many of them are obese?
This wretched place helps perpetrate the myth eating bad food is cheap and good food is for those with money. Our food bill has decreased by half by eating good. It rewards activity that requires help from loved ones and those in the health profession. This type of restaurant and its promo's are like a bar saying "If you drink till you pass out, then you drink for free" or "Have a DUI, then drink for free". I hope the turd that opened the restaurant gets sued to bankruptcy. And to any would be patrons... Seriously? Do you play Russian Roulette when you are bored, do you drink rubbing alcohol when your run out of Rum? Why eat something that brags about "This Establishment is Bad For Your Health". My father brought this to my attention, 2 million US children go to bed hungry every night. How many children could be fed a well rounded meal rather than helping obese people kill themselves. 8,000 calories divided by 12 is about 670 calories, a large dinner for a child. 12 child for each of those meals that one person stuffs down there mouth.
Sorry for the rant, but this just made me very annoyed. My next post will be much happier I promise
Bye for now!
I know that we haven't been the bastion of good health for many years but now that I know what "real food" is and tastes like I don't want to go back to my old way eating garbage. As many of you know or don't know I like to see what is going on in the world, much to Candace's dismay sometimes... but I felt it necessary to post this story.
I came across this article and nearly gagged on many many levels. I read this story on msnbc.com http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/23/11357034-did-heart-attack-burger-claim-a-second-victim-at-vegas-diner?lite&preview=true and was horrified by this restaurant. The "Heart Attack Grill" are you freaking (I want to use much harsher language ) kidding me? It figures that a city that would benefit from a meteor hitting it would allow this affront to humanity to be built. The burger buns are covered in lard and the largest item on the menu has over 8,000 calories in it. That is over 4 days of food in one burger.
I understand obesity and the causes of it but to reward something that WILL kill you is insane. One of the advertisements is if you weigh over 350 pounds you eat free. I expect a old time carnival barker yelling out front "That's right folks, if you have given up on ever improving yourself and want to die young and sick eat yourself to an early grave on us." They have a ambulance parked out front for Christ sake!?!
I realize this anger might be surprising from me, but after losing 5 pounds in 2 weeks by eating the correct portions of unprocessed foods it makes me so angry to see businesses pray on the anguish that obese people feel about themselves is immoral. The idea old idea of a jolly old fat person is patently ridiculous. At the beginning of this, I was 265, about 75 pounds overweight with a BMI of 34 which put me in the obese category. I know that my weight isn't that severe but I now realize how bad I felt before even with a 5% decrease in weight. Imagine if you are 200 pounds overweight, and imagine how horrible you feel physically. Then triple it then you have an idea what it does to you emotionally. Have you ever watch "Horders" and do you notice how many of them are obese?
This wretched place helps perpetrate the myth eating bad food is cheap and good food is for those with money. Our food bill has decreased by half by eating good. It rewards activity that requires help from loved ones and those in the health profession. This type of restaurant and its promo's are like a bar saying "If you drink till you pass out, then you drink for free" or "Have a DUI, then drink for free". I hope the turd that opened the restaurant gets sued to bankruptcy. And to any would be patrons... Seriously? Do you play Russian Roulette when you are bored, do you drink rubbing alcohol when your run out of Rum? Why eat something that brags about "This Establishment is Bad For Your Health". My father brought this to my attention, 2 million US children go to bed hungry every night. How many children could be fed a well rounded meal rather than helping obese people kill themselves. 8,000 calories divided by 12 is about 670 calories, a large dinner for a child. 12 child for each of those meals that one person stuffs down there mouth.
Sorry for the rant, but this just made me very annoyed. My next post will be much happier I promise
Bye for now!
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Fingernails Don't Belong Here
This whole eating better and getting off our butts thing has been working out pretty well...much better than I would have thought originally. We are still trying to get used to some things. For me that includes still having energy at the end of a more active day and eating things that I know are better, but that I'm not a huge fan of.
Yesterday and today have been filled with trying to fix the exterior of our new house. We've finally have the front yard sprinklers working...only had to dig up half of them. Luckily none of the pipes underground have broken. But I've been pretty drained of energy by the end of it all. I know that with time that will lessen, but it's a pretty big hurdle to overcome - because some days I'm still just looking for an excuse to stop.
Last night for dinner we had Roasted Tomato and Basil Casserole and I am anything but a tomato person...it's mostly a texture thing, but I also have a bit of an issue with the flavor. I wanted to try it because I am extremely fascinated by the spaghetti squash, but I had to talk myself into it because of the tomatoes. It was a bit of a struggle, but I figured the worst thing was that I didn't like it (Kurt, of course, will eat most things) and I just make something else. It was a good thing though - I very much enjoyed it. I still had a little difficulty getting past the skins and the sliminess but it's something that I would eat again.
With healthy eating comes new experiences.
If I had to complain about one thing though...it would be fingernails. After 30 years on this planet and the conscious ones of biting my fingernails, I had finally given it it. They were growing out and actually looking great. Between mixing and kneading dough, continuous chopping of vegetables, grating garlic and cheese and working in the yard, I decided that fingernails don't belong here. See...and you thought I was going to complain about all the food I'm "missing". :)
If you haven't seen it already, check out our breakfast this morning...Baked Banana Oatmeal. It was super yummy!!
Excited for dinner tonight...making BBQ chicken pizza pockets with homemade barbecue sauce. Will keep you updated!!
Yesterday and today have been filled with trying to fix the exterior of our new house. We've finally have the front yard sprinklers working...only had to dig up half of them. Luckily none of the pipes underground have broken. But I've been pretty drained of energy by the end of it all. I know that with time that will lessen, but it's a pretty big hurdle to overcome - because some days I'm still just looking for an excuse to stop.
Last night for dinner we had Roasted Tomato and Basil Casserole and I am anything but a tomato person...it's mostly a texture thing, but I also have a bit of an issue with the flavor. I wanted to try it because I am extremely fascinated by the spaghetti squash, but I had to talk myself into it because of the tomatoes. It was a bit of a struggle, but I figured the worst thing was that I didn't like it (Kurt, of course, will eat most things) and I just make something else. It was a good thing though - I very much enjoyed it. I still had a little difficulty getting past the skins and the sliminess but it's something that I would eat again.
With healthy eating comes new experiences.
If I had to complain about one thing though...it would be fingernails. After 30 years on this planet and the conscious ones of biting my fingernails, I had finally given it it. They were growing out and actually looking great. Between mixing and kneading dough, continuous chopping of vegetables, grating garlic and cheese and working in the yard, I decided that fingernails don't belong here. See...and you thought I was going to complain about all the food I'm "missing". :)
If you haven't seen it already, check out our breakfast this morning...Baked Banana Oatmeal. It was super yummy!!
Excited for dinner tonight...making BBQ chicken pizza pockets with homemade barbecue sauce. Will keep you updated!!
Saturday, April 21, 2012
We Need A Little Magic
We need a little magic spell that give us the will power not to long for certain food items we have given up on. We had a few temptations this week, and I'd like to say we didn't give it, but we did a little yesterday.
Thursday we stopped by a 7-Eleven and although I was really wanting a Slurpee (not the intention for the stop - we can drive past one without longing to stop), we just grabbed some mozzarella cheese sticks instead. However, yesterday, Kurt had to pull off the street to make a phone call and of course we ended up in the Jimmy Johns parking lot. I have an obsession with Jimmy Johns that has been lessened since moving from Las Vegas by the fact that they are all on the other side of town. It had been a long time since we had eating had a sandwich from there, so we gave in to the desire. We also gave in to a little non-authorized chocolate for dessert. :)
They are still as awesome as I remember...but still I can live without them regularly (considering we have been anyway).
The reason we need a little magic to keep up my will-power is really because we feel like crap after eating that way. For the rest of the evening, I couldn't get comfortable - it was as if all my limbs were restless...which Kurt pointed out that he hasn't felt that way since we've been eating better, and I can say the same thing. And it's too aggravating of a feeling to suffer from just so I can have something I really shouldn't be eating.
Another reason to be good!!
We haven't posted very much this week. Not a lot has been really going on. I've been trying to find new meals to make so we don't get tired of the same stuff. Most are good (Taco Salad and Frittata)...some just don't make it (Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes - the texture is just off). I'll try to get a few more recipes up this weekend.
Today we're going to spend some time working on the house and going for a walk...or a bike ride. I've got to look through some of the stuff I have so we can also start working on building muscle until we decide that its time for us to get a gym membership (I don't trust myself with gym memberships anymore, because at some point I always stop going and then it's just a waste of money...so I have to build up to going to the gym).
I did say that I would keep an update of budgeting for the grocery store. This week was AWESOME - partly because I found a lot of meals for this week that serve 8...so we have 2 dinners and 2 lunches from one meal. This week we spent about $135 and it included stocking up on a few things that we didn't need immediately (coconut oil - we still have half a container, but it was on sale this week; toilet paper; whole wheat flour - I was getting low but I need to make more bread and tortillas) and a couple of more pricy things that were needed but will last a while, like vanilla (which I really just need to order some beans to make my own).
This week was definitely easy on the budget. If I was to factor in our dinner last night, it would take it up to $150 which is another reason why we don't want to do that anymore - considering that is 1.3 days worth of what we bought in groceries!!
Thursday we stopped by a 7-Eleven and although I was really wanting a Slurpee (not the intention for the stop - we can drive past one without longing to stop), we just grabbed some mozzarella cheese sticks instead. However, yesterday, Kurt had to pull off the street to make a phone call and of course we ended up in the Jimmy Johns parking lot. I have an obsession with Jimmy Johns that has been lessened since moving from Las Vegas by the fact that they are all on the other side of town. It had been a long time since we had eating had a sandwich from there, so we gave in to the desire. We also gave in to a little non-authorized chocolate for dessert. :)
They are still as awesome as I remember...but still I can live without them regularly (considering we have been anyway).
The reason we need a little magic to keep up my will-power is really because we feel like crap after eating that way. For the rest of the evening, I couldn't get comfortable - it was as if all my limbs were restless...which Kurt pointed out that he hasn't felt that way since we've been eating better, and I can say the same thing. And it's too aggravating of a feeling to suffer from just so I can have something I really shouldn't be eating.
Another reason to be good!!
We haven't posted very much this week. Not a lot has been really going on. I've been trying to find new meals to make so we don't get tired of the same stuff. Most are good (Taco Salad and Frittata)...some just don't make it (Pumpkin Oatmeal Pancakes - the texture is just off). I'll try to get a few more recipes up this weekend.
Today we're going to spend some time working on the house and going for a walk...or a bike ride. I've got to look through some of the stuff I have so we can also start working on building muscle until we decide that its time for us to get a gym membership (I don't trust myself with gym memberships anymore, because at some point I always stop going and then it's just a waste of money...so I have to build up to going to the gym).
I did say that I would keep an update of budgeting for the grocery store. This week was AWESOME - partly because I found a lot of meals for this week that serve 8...so we have 2 dinners and 2 lunches from one meal. This week we spent about $135 and it included stocking up on a few things that we didn't need immediately (coconut oil - we still have half a container, but it was on sale this week; toilet paper; whole wheat flour - I was getting low but I need to make more bread and tortillas) and a couple of more pricy things that were needed but will last a while, like vanilla (which I really just need to order some beans to make my own).
This week was definitely easy on the budget. If I was to factor in our dinner last night, it would take it up to $150 which is another reason why we don't want to do that anymore - considering that is 1.3 days worth of what we bought in groceries!!
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Whales vs. Dolphins
I thought it best to go dark for the weekend and catch up on life...only to find out that life isn't that exciting. Tried to do a little yard work...found out the sprinklers are broken somewhere. Want to get some rooms painted, but people are being asses about paying us on time. Had a bit of work to finish up on (busy weeks are coming - Cassie I may actually have work for you soon if you wants it).
We started falling into a little bit of a rut this weekend. We allowed ourselves a cheat dinner - pepperoni pizza...I was longing for the pepperoni...but ehhhh. Old stuff just doesn't taste good anymore...which is good overall, but it makes me a little sad. Who wants to have a cheat meal if things aren't going to be as good as they used to? Kurt joked with me that cheating is now going to entail having homemade french fries or potatoes with homemade gravy...but in a way, it wasn't a joke. I would rather eat non processed "bad" foods that eat the crap that you can pick up quick (this doesn't include going out for a nice dinner which we are trying to save for once a month).
I am still floored by all the crap that's out there. I hadn't been paying attention to everything. For example, I had imitation vanilla in the pantry...didn't think twice about it before using it in a couple recipes. One day I decide to pay attention...propylene glycol. REALLY!??! An FDA approved food additive that when slightly tweaked is also used as an industrial additive for aircraft de-icer & anti-freeze, paint, liquid detergents and in the production of polyester resin. I understand that they see it as low in toxicity (they say alcohol as a higher toxicity - http://www.propylene-glycol.com/index.php/faq) but I've decided that is something I do not want to put into my system anymore. It's really the same problem I had with Splenda when it came out - chemically altering something that is intended to be ingested is risky because some may have no reactions while others could have fatal ones.
I do have to point out though, that while I still haven't hit that energy heightening that is supposedly suppose to come with eating better (maybe its a byproduct of integrating the exercising - which we still need to do), we've been sleeping better, not so congested although things are in bloom and overall just don't ache as much. All in all - it's a good thing!! :)
I have deviated from my thought process though...we've been in a little bit of a rut. We're plateauing a bit, which has been starting to get us down a little...but which just means we really need to get in gear with incorporating exercise. I'm hoping that we shake it by the end of this week. I've been trying to come up with new meals, but I feel, while some are less processed, they are still meals that we should try to limit ourselves on. Two nights ago, we made slow cooker fajitas, which were good but I felt the meat was a little too fatty. Last night, we made a version of salisbury steak (I read it wrong and bought steak instead of ground beef) and it was good - had a beef stock and red wine reduction sauce - but the whole thing called for 6 Tbsp of butter. So it gets me down a bit when I am trying to be better, but it just doesn't seem to be coming out that way. It'll get better though.
So you might be thinking...ok Whales vs. Dolphins...what does any of this have to do with Whales vs. Dolphins. Well...here it goes!
When we were in Maui for our anniversary, we were there at the height of whale season - mamas and their calves, some with a male escort. We got to go whale watching for the first time...and it was awesome!!
Here's some knowledge from my days of working at a marine lab - all dolphins are whales but not all whales are dolphins. Kurt and I agreed that the next time we go to Maui, we want to be dolphins and not whales (smaller whales - hehe).
I thought of this because today I was going through all of our expenses of the last year trying to find places we can save - since this winter was a bit of a struggle for our business - and what did I have to face? We ate SO horribly in the last year...and not only that, but it cost us an arm and a leg (and probably some internal organs weren't too happy either) to do so. There was quite a bit of fast food (not as much as I had thought or remembered) but there were also several trips to the grocery store and all I can remember was picking up junk!!
We are trying to make an effort to not spend more than $150-$175 a week for groceries and household essentials and in the last week we've worked within the budget well. Last summer we were spending upwards of $250-$300 a week...and what did we get from it? Junk (and increased weight).
So I'll let you know as we progress, how we do with our budgeting as time goes on. As we are still getting use to this and picking up things that we don't have now but will last a while, we'll be cutting it close, but I think as we start getting into the habit, it should work out for us.
Anyway, that is what happens when I don't talk to the world for a couple days....I rant and rant. I'll stop now. :)
We started falling into a little bit of a rut this weekend. We allowed ourselves a cheat dinner - pepperoni pizza...I was longing for the pepperoni...but ehhhh. Old stuff just doesn't taste good anymore...which is good overall, but it makes me a little sad. Who wants to have a cheat meal if things aren't going to be as good as they used to? Kurt joked with me that cheating is now going to entail having homemade french fries or potatoes with homemade gravy...but in a way, it wasn't a joke. I would rather eat non processed "bad" foods that eat the crap that you can pick up quick (this doesn't include going out for a nice dinner which we are trying to save for once a month).
I am still floored by all the crap that's out there. I hadn't been paying attention to everything. For example, I had imitation vanilla in the pantry...didn't think twice about it before using it in a couple recipes. One day I decide to pay attention...propylene glycol. REALLY!??! An FDA approved food additive that when slightly tweaked is also used as an industrial additive for aircraft de-icer & anti-freeze, paint, liquid detergents and in the production of polyester resin. I understand that they see it as low in toxicity (they say alcohol as a higher toxicity - http://www.propylene-glycol.com/index.php/faq) but I've decided that is something I do not want to put into my system anymore. It's really the same problem I had with Splenda when it came out - chemically altering something that is intended to be ingested is risky because some may have no reactions while others could have fatal ones.
I do have to point out though, that while I still haven't hit that energy heightening that is supposedly suppose to come with eating better (maybe its a byproduct of integrating the exercising - which we still need to do), we've been sleeping better, not so congested although things are in bloom and overall just don't ache as much. All in all - it's a good thing!! :)
I have deviated from my thought process though...we've been in a little bit of a rut. We're plateauing a bit, which has been starting to get us down a little...but which just means we really need to get in gear with incorporating exercise. I'm hoping that we shake it by the end of this week. I've been trying to come up with new meals, but I feel, while some are less processed, they are still meals that we should try to limit ourselves on. Two nights ago, we made slow cooker fajitas, which were good but I felt the meat was a little too fatty. Last night, we made a version of salisbury steak (I read it wrong and bought steak instead of ground beef) and it was good - had a beef stock and red wine reduction sauce - but the whole thing called for 6 Tbsp of butter. So it gets me down a bit when I am trying to be better, but it just doesn't seem to be coming out that way. It'll get better though.
So you might be thinking...ok Whales vs. Dolphins...what does any of this have to do with Whales vs. Dolphins. Well...here it goes!
When we were in Maui for our anniversary, we were there at the height of whale season - mamas and their calves, some with a male escort. We got to go whale watching for the first time...and it was awesome!!
Here's some knowledge from my days of working at a marine lab - all dolphins are whales but not all whales are dolphins. Kurt and I agreed that the next time we go to Maui, we want to be dolphins and not whales (smaller whales - hehe).
I thought of this because today I was going through all of our expenses of the last year trying to find places we can save - since this winter was a bit of a struggle for our business - and what did I have to face? We ate SO horribly in the last year...and not only that, but it cost us an arm and a leg (and probably some internal organs weren't too happy either) to do so. There was quite a bit of fast food (not as much as I had thought or remembered) but there were also several trips to the grocery store and all I can remember was picking up junk!!
We are trying to make an effort to not spend more than $150-$175 a week for groceries and household essentials and in the last week we've worked within the budget well. Last summer we were spending upwards of $250-$300 a week...and what did we get from it? Junk (and increased weight).
So I'll let you know as we progress, how we do with our budgeting as time goes on. As we are still getting use to this and picking up things that we don't have now but will last a while, we'll be cutting it close, but I think as we start getting into the habit, it should work out for us.
Anyway, that is what happens when I don't talk to the world for a couple days....I rant and rant. I'll stop now. :)
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