Day Two - Morning musings

As I enjoy my breakfast of a Smoothie, I am thinking about some issues.

First things first - still had some desire to munch on sweets last night but I resisted.  More importantly, cutting down to 3 cups of coffee resulted in the expected caffeine withdrawal headache last night.   It'll take some time for my body to get used to functioning without so much of it.  After all its been its source of power for many years.

Things I need to overcome...

I am a coffee junkie.  I lived on it in college.  Used to joke that it should be available in IV's as I was convinced that by that time my body was actually made up of 70% coffee rather than water.  I think Danny and I drank our local diner (Toms' Diner) dry the afternoon we first 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.   My normal coffee consumption these days is much less than before.  I have 2 cups in the morning - first thing.   Probably another 2 cups around lunch, again late afternoon and a final cup or 2 after dinner.  This is of course provided that I do not pass a Starbucks during the day.  If so, you can add a Vente Latte with one Sweet-N-Low to the list.  I don't think I can cut out coffee completely.  Not sure I want to.  But I can cut down.  One cup in the morning, one in the evening.  That is eventually do-able.

I am a soda addict.  Used to be full on sugary soda.  I cannot drink 99.9% of diet sodas on the market.  I have a instant adverse reaction to NutraSweet (aka aspartame).  A severe migraine within minutes of consuming it - even a piece of gum with aspartame in it will trigger it.   A few years ago I found Diet Rite (with Splenda).  Of course that isn't much better health wise.  I am a strong believer that diet sodas are the killer of any healthy diet.  At the very least they cause you to crave more carbs so you eat more... at the worst - its a glass of chemicals over ice.   Club soda or naturally flavored seltzer water for my fizzy fixes from now on.

I am a 'meal skipper'. Especially in the morning.  I've been known to go until 1 or 2 pm before eating something - then of course I am extremely hungry and I over indulge for that late 'lunch' - Too many chips with my sandwich - too much stuff on the sandwich itself. Too many crackers and cheese... bread, salt and more crunchy stuff... you know the drill. Then same thing at dinner.  Having something quick and easy and tasty to eat for breakfast - and something small but satisfying for lunch is perfect for me.  One of the reasons I think I am going to like this program.

I crave sweets at night.  After my kids are asleep I just want to unwind with a bowl of ice cream or a stack of cookies and a glass of milk.  Even on nights when Danny and I settle in for movie watching and we crack out the popcorn (Mmmmm popcorn - that's gonna be a tough one) I still crave something sweet after the popcorn is gone.  I am hoping that the snack bars will satisfy this for me.  

Smoothie gone.  My 3 year old really wanted to taste this mornings concoction of Vanilla smoothie with strawberries (I added ice this time).  I thought it was pretty darn good - definitely a go-to mix.  His reaction:  "Yum strawberries!  ... and play dough."   I had to admit he was right.  The aftertaste does tastes a bit like play dough smells.   Outta the mouths of babes as they say.   Fine, its mine anyway - I have had to share most of what I eat with someone (dog, kids, hubby - all beg for "just a little bite")  Now I have finally found something that's MINE ALL MINE  Mwahahaha!!!

Vanilla Smoothie (260) with
1/4 cup of strawberries (12)
2 cups of coffee (30)
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302 calories