After picking up my oldest from school I really wanted a cup of coffee but decided to try the Energizing Tea instead. I got the pomegranate one rather than the green tea flavor and it was quite good and it is actually 'energizing'. Even more so than coffee, especially for this coffee junkie. I lived on it in college. I think Danny and I drank our local diner dry the afternoon we met. We discussed the possibility of using it as our signature drink at our wedding... actually I'm kidding on that last one but believe me no one would have been surprised if we had. But the tea does make you feel more alert and not in that jumpy caffeine kinda way.
Dinner prepped, served and consumed.
Dinner:
-- 4 oz (or so - I don't have a scale so I used the "visual" measurement - deck of cards size) of grilled london broil. (190)
(You have no idea how thrilled my husband is to be able to grill on January 28th in Pittsburgh).
-- Steamed broccoli (54)
-- small baked potato with a tiny bit of real butter (I cut a sliver off of the stick - looked like a pat you would get at a restaurant - you know the square that is on a piece of waxed cardboard with a square of wax paper on top? And maybe 2 teaspoons of sour cream (I have a feeling this was a no-no). (175)
It was delish and more than satisfying. Even with having prepared crispy baked chicken tenders for my boys. No desire to cheat or sneak a taste. Which is impressive, as I really, really like 'fried' chicken dipped in honey mustard sauce... but I was more than happy with my dinner and unlike other times when I was SO hungry come dinner time that I snack through it and finish the kids meals at times. None of that tonight - and not just because I am now OFFICIALLY on a diet program. I really didn't think to do it. I simply was just not my usual hungry, hungry hippo. That was a nice feeling - or lack of feeling as the case may be.
I don't know about you but I am a night time snacker... and I usually want something along the lines of ice cream or cookies and milk after the boys are asleep. I have saved my snack bar for just that moment. Probably a good move on my part. Will let you know tomorrow how that went and if I had to use my will power to keep outta the cookie jar...
Calorie count: 435 - tea and dinner
Total Calorie Count (including snack bar and after dinner coffee - because you know I'll have it) 1202
Hope you ARE able to start to break that night time snack (boredom, not hungry?) habit.
ReplyDeleteHint: ALWAYS have a glass of water (with lemon, if you want some flavor) nearby to drink, instead of eating junky stuff that does nothing to help you rebuild health. That way you're still putting 'something' in your mouth but you're not sabotaging yourself! :-)
Also even though you were right at your calorie goal, you might want to use butter OR sour cream on your potato. Here's why...besides the obvious reason.
Our taste buds have been trained to want strong flavors thanks to the brilliant yet evil marketing/manufacturing of so many processed foods today. So we tend to take that over to our simple foods as well are drowned in 'stuff' salads in dressing, veggies in butter, etc.
We are so used to big tastes that we lose how that simple food is supposed to taste.
Allow your taste buds to 'calm down' and discover how simple foods taste naturally. Believe me, it's a challenge for some people who butter, salt and pepper every darn thing their plate or need to have every veggie or fruit with some kind of dip.
Simple food is so delicious, and you can still add pepper or garlic powder to your potato, if you'd like. (or if you must, butter OR garlic)
"Eating clean' will be a process... so be kind to yourself, but be aware of habits (some you may have grown up with?) that might not be the healthiest you could have.
Wondering how you did with the tea so late...
and by the way, I have some great recipes for cookies that will be healthier for the kids too!
(Habits start when we're young!) :-)
Thank you so much Anne. You are a great cheerleader and I love and appreciate all the support and help you are giving me! :)
DeleteI pretty sure my nighttime snacking isnt out of bordom BUT it may very well be thats its just a way I wind down at the end of the day - more of a habit. Once the kids are asleep I feel I can relax and recharge. Eating comfort foods to relax - not jsut odd but most likely providing the opposite effect in the long run. With the new mindset I will be more aware of it and less likely to just do it. Old habits being hard to break and all that. Hard, but not impossible. :) I always have water to drink - big insulated cup with a straw. Adding lemon may curb the sweet craving though - I will try that tonight. :)
As far as spicing up foods. I don't cook with salt - never have - with the exception of salting the pasta water. And I was never a drowner. I have the "Don't Drown Your Food" song from the Saturday morning cartoons running through my head. Funny what sticks. ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R81T7u9hgnE )
:) I've always used small amounts - just to enhance not to change. I dont like cheese or butter on my broccoli, or even butter on my corn or green beans. I saute with the least amount of oil or butter possible. I despise the 'butter' they put on popcorn at the movie theater. So making tweaks to what I usually do should be simple. I think next baked potato will just have a 1/2 a tablespoon (or less) of sour cream (15 calories) and a little pepper.
I actually had the tea around 3:30 - 4:00 so it was a good time for me. Evenings get pretty busy with dinner, homework, bath and bed time so it was nice to have that extra bit of energy to carry me through it.
I will always take recipes. I love to collect them and although to me cooking is a chore - baking is a sublime pleasure. I know its strange but the smell of baked goods is comforting to me. Homemade bread makes a house smell like home. Especially in the winter. So yes, send on the cookie recipe, please! My youngest son could match cookie monster in a cookie eating contest so I am always on the lookout for healthy cookie options. :)