if it were mine, it would be yours to take

Well, my weekend of splurges continued. We met my dear Idaho friend for brunch today. Nathan and I went downtown early to do some widow shopping, but nothing was open. So we ended up at Starbucks, and I ended up with the usual bottled Starbucks drink over ice. I didn't bring my camera, so I didn't get a picture of my brunch. I ordered a 3-egg omelet with spinach, tomatoes, onions, and American cheese. It came with hash browns and 2 slices of toast. I ate about half of the omelet, a little less than half of the hash browns, and one slice of toast. I drank water. It felt good to be able to leave most of the food on the plate.

After lunch, our friend headed to the UK game, and Nate and I headed to Whole Foods. They were doing there 100 Best Foods taste-test. It was really crowded though, and all I tried was grapefruit and turkey. We bought dinner for tonight, apple and rice stuffed chicken and asparagus. It was incredibly yummy. I'll recreate it and post a recipe soon.

We went to Meijer to buy stuff for dinner tomorrow. We're going to have beef stew. I've been craving stew, and I'm making it tomorrow! We put away groceries and went to the gym. It was really hard today. I did 30 minutes each on the treadmill and the bike. I wasn't tired or achy or anything, I just didn't want to be there. I even had Rachel Ray and America's Next Top Model to watch. I'm hoping tomorrow holds a little more motivation for me.

After the gym, I was munchy and gave in. But a bowl of Cheerios can't be totally bad!

I've been really proud of myself for managing eating out. It's been a busy weekend, and we're having lunch out again tomorrow, but I feel I've handled myself well eating and financially.

I am so proud of all my blog friends. We are totally rocking 2008! I am really trying to stop by and see you all every day, but there are so many! Just because I'm not commenting doesn't mean I don't care!

And, a teaser for tomorrow...My husband decided to shave his beard, and now has a very entertaining look. He will accompany food pictures tomorrow. Be sure to tune in!

we can dance if we want to

Quick question!

I have been using fitday.com, but I am frustrated with the different calorie counts for activity. Fitday is drastically different than what the treadmill says.

I've heard that others use other trackers: dailyplate, sparkpeople, etc.

Which do you use? What do you like about it?

Thanks in advance!

don't wanna forget come daylight

I'll get back to the pictures soon...I promise.

Let me tell you about today's victories.

First, I had a bottled Starbucks drink for breakfast. I packed a salad and an apple for lunch, but my co-workers insisted on taking me out for my last day. Actually, they decided to eat Mexican and then pretty much bullied me into going with them. First victory: I ordered water, not Pepsi. And I love Pepsi with Mexican food. Anyway, I had 8 chips with salsa. That's it. I ordered a single beef soft taco with rice and beans. Well, the taco was covered with cheese. I ate half of it, and less than half of the beans and rice, and I was full. So you know what? I stopped. I just stopped. I left more than half on my plate. It was huge for moderation.

We had planned dinner out. It was the first meal out (other than lunch today) so far this year. We went to this great pizza place. Nathan and I split a single-serving Margherita pizza and a huge chopped salad with vinaigrette. I was full, and it was a great splurge.

Then we went to Kent's, where I drank about 1/2 cup of a mixed drink. I just wasn't feeling it. We watched tons of The Office, and I really wanted a milkshake or something when we left. But Nathan kept me strong and didn't give me the option to stop. I would have ran through Sonic if left to my own devices.

Tomorrow we're having lunch with with our friend from Idaho! I am so excited!

in fancy or in poverty

Today has been a hard day food wise. I have been absolutely ravenous all day. I think it's nerves. Tomorrow is my last day. I have a back-up job (at Cosi), and a really good lead for a "real job." But I am totally over the wallet thing.

But I've been really hungry. I took pictures, but nothing is interesting.

Breakfast: Starbucks drink
Lunch: Turkey, Gouda, Cranberry Chutney sandwich and an orange
Dinner: Tomato soup and 8 crackers
Snack: Bowl of Wheat Chex

Total of 993 calories.

I know that's puny. I know I need to eat more. But there is nothing I want to eat. I WANT CHOCOLATE or a hearty stew or something substantial. And I have nothing substantial in the house. I haven't cooked much this week, partially due to my fear of having no money and partially due to my inability to access the money we have (due to lost wallet). And I've been busy in my evenings, applying for jobs and such.

It's a good thing that I didn't have any money today. I wouldn't have trusted myself. Most days at work, we all eat lunch together around a big table. Today, it was my sandwich, several Taco Bell bags, a few Wendy's bag, and leftover Hamburger Helper. For the first time since I started my healthy habits, I felt genuinely cheated. And angry. I really REALLY wanted grease! And I've carried that with me all day. And what did I do with it? I ate tomato soup. And now I'm going to the gym. And watching the one remaining Grey's Anatomy while I'm there!

Fat Bridesmaid let me know that this is National De-Lurking Week. In honor, I commented on each blog that I read today. There are a lot of you out there that I don't know, and I'm inviting you to delurk today. But I have a very selfish reason for this. I am motivated to work out by television. We don't have cable (and haven't for 4 years), so I watch tv on the treadmill. My current favorites are Alton Brown on the Food Network and What Not to Wear on Friday nights. But I don't know what else is out there, or when it is on.

So I'm asking for your help. I usually work out between 7 and 10 pm. What is your favorite show? What night and what network? What should I be watching? De-Lurkers Unite!

it's got central heating and I'm alright

Happy Wednesday! 2 more days at job I hate! I have a few leads on real actual professional jobs, and that has me very excited!

As for the wallet fiasco, I have done everything I am supposed to do. I got a new license, cancelled my cards, filed a police report, called the credit companies...I think we're gonna be okay.

Food for today is as follows:

Breakfast was a Clif bar and water.

Lunch: 35 calorie bread, turkey, smoked gouda, spinach, and cranberry chutney. And an orange.
Dinner: the spiciest effing chili ever. And a big glass of milk. (I actually only ate part of it and then had a bowl of cereal. I figured out the calories and it was about the same and I didn't want to change the pictures, so I'm leaving it.)


I have decided not to go to the gym today. I have a little chaffing, and I'm just really tired. I've been busting my rump, so I think it's okay.

For those of you reading from the Healthy You Challenge, I am not following protocol. I know Tuesday is check-in, but I weigh Mondays, so those will probably be the posts that I put into Mr. Linky.

I cannot thank you all enough for your encouragement and support. I love seeing comments from you all! I'll try to be a better commenter too!

when you think that all is lost

Sorry guys. There will be no food pictures today. I'm just not feeling it.

Why?

My wallet got stolen.

Have I mentioned that I work in foster care and there are constantly a stream of kids in and out of our office? Yeah. And now one of those kids has $50 and my identity. Great.

I feel like this is all my fault. I quit my job, finishing on Friday. I quit my nice, professional, well-paying job for a job working catering at a restaurant that probably pays peanuts. Not a lot of financial prep, not a lot of planning, just a lot of unhappiness and going with my gut. I've been really wrestling with my decision. Trying to figure out how we'll make this work. Doubting that I'm doing the right thing. I tried really hard to pray about it last night, but God kept shutting me down. I would honestly lose the words and feel scolded when I prayed about work or money. I had a knot in my stomach most of the day today too. Am I doing the right thing? Can we really make this work? Will I have to work 2 full-time jobs?

And then what? My wallet gets stolen at work. At the job that I hate, I lose what is now a significant amount of money and any security I had with my well-guarded identity. (Yes, I am still one of those goobers who carries my Social Security Card was in my wallet somewhere.)

So can the fact that I need to be as far away from there as possible be any clearer? As much as I hate that it happened, it now removes (almost) any doubt that I'm not supposed to be there.

But, as is the purpose of this blog, my day in food. Breakfast: Starbucks drink. Lunch: Leftover couscous and veggies, with an orange. Dinner: either cereal or eggs and toast. It was going to be chili, but Meijer was where I realized I had no money.

Exercise: We're going to go to the gym for Biggest Loser. That's 2 hours. Work out some of my anger and frustration.

Any of you been through this?

UPDATE: So I've had several hours to sit with things. And by "sit" I mean 70 minutes on the treadmill and 30 on the bike (yes, I rock). And I have discovered that the wallet theft is the best thing that could have happened today. It totally solidified my decision to leave that job. I have done the right thing. Leaving is what I was supposed to do. This is the least anxious I've felt in the last week. Yay!

Dinner was a turkey sandwich with gouda, spinach, and cranberry chutney. After the gym, I had a bowl of wheat chex. And now, after a very disappointing Biggest Loser, it's time for me to shower!

a simple prop to occupy my time

I am so excited for my weight loss this week! I love reading about the success of my blog friends too!

I got what I wished for! I took a new job today. I don't know the pay yet, but I'm expecting minimal. It's the morning shift at a local restaurant. It's early mornings, so I'll be able to do something else in the evening as well. My last day at my current job is Friday. I'm kinda worried about how the money is going to work out, but I know it will. We'll make it work. My dinners and lunches may become less dramatic, but it will work.

I have felt good after workouts all week. But today at work, I was resting the phone on my shoulder, and got a siginficant pain in my left shoulder. It's still there. So I'm taking today off from the gym.

Today's Eats!

Refrigerated Starbucks drink and apple for breakfast:


Leftover shrimp pasta for lunch. Couscous Salad with Roasted Veggies for dinner.

Then I got really munchy. I had a bowl of Wheat Chex...
And a little cup of marshmallows, peanuts, and chocolate chips.
You know what? I am not doing this. My shoulder hurts. That has nothing to do with the exercise bike. After Wheel of Fortune, I am going to the gym. Amen.

(P.S. I love you, Nathan! I do not deserve someone as supportive, as self-less, and as giving as you are. Thank you so much for the career understanding, the gym encouragement, and being such a good food guinea pig! You are my honey!)