A Sensible Dinner - Pearlieq's Journal

Good afternoon, Pearlieq! :flower:

I do agree, you need to let this friend plan her own vacation. We have tried giving advice here and there, but it's best to just step aside.

Well, I guess you are a rollercoaster of emotional thoughts. Just try to relax, don't go in with a preconceived notion of any kind and just see what happens. Chances are you will be able to size up the fiance fairly quickly and go from there. I really hope for your mom (and you) that this is a positive thing.

Good luck this evening. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo
 
Pearlie -- Thinking of you tonight and hoping all goes well with you meeting your DM's fiance. I hope you really like him and find him to be trustworthy and worthy of your DM.
Have a great evening!
 
11/10/05

--8:45am

--1 cup low carb Special K
--1/4 cup raisins
--3/4 cup 2% milk

So far it's been a nice morning. I have a meeting for work, I have to do the bills, then I'm meeting DH for lunch. My mom got me a Noodles & Co. gift card for my birthday so we're finally going to use it. I'm thinking of the pad Thai or the pan noodles. Either way, I'm going to order whatever strikes my fancy and enjoy the hell out of half of it. The rest comes home for lunch tomorrow! After lunch I have to stop by Trader Joe's, then back home to relax a little. Bunco is tonight, but I also promised DH I'd make him chicken casserole with our 2nd to last portion of chicken. Maybe in there somewhere I'll take a walk around the neighborhood. It would be very nice to get out.

11:40pm

--1 Indonesian Peanut Saute with whole wheat noodles & organic tofu

This was so good!!! I was really impressed with the flavor of the peanut sauce, and the tofu was some of the best I've ever had. It was supposed to come with broccoli, but I counted exactly 3 florets, so next time I'll have to order extra.

The portions weren't as big as I thought they were going to be. It was a hearty portion, but not really 2 meals. I feel bad because I had them pack it all up to go and everything and then realized I was going to finish it all. I was comfortable afterwards, and by no means stuffed. It was really nice to see DH during the day. I think it gives him a boost as well so I'm glad we were able to do it.

For the afternoon I might do a little reading then I have to head back out to the grocery stores and get the last of my shopping done so I don't have to worry about it tomorrow as I prepare for our dinner guests on Saturday.

3:00pm

--1 Boca lasagna
--1 orange

5:00pm

--3/4 cup croutons
--1/2 cup raisins

Yeah, I got a little snacky. Luckily I was able to shake myself out of it pretty quickly.

Now I'm just catching up on some reading and waiting for my strudel to be done. There's bunco tonight, though I think there's only a few of us coming. I was supposed to make something and I didn't feel like doing anything from scratch--there'll be enough cooking this weekend! So, I just picked up a frozen strudel from Trader Joe's. Pop it in the oven and we're good to go!

7:30pm

--cheese sticks (maybe 8 or so?) w/ranch dressing
--3 brownies
--1 sm piece strudel
--2 T spinach dip
--2 sm slices Hawaiian bread

This could have been better, but I'm not all that worried about it. I'm done eating for the night.
 
Good afternoon, Pearlieq!

I am so glad that your a little more relaxed about the fiance. Hopefully, it is will work out for your mom.

You did really good on food yesterday. Keep busy, don't get bored, and keep thinking healthy! ;)

Hope your day is a good one. ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo
 

Hi, keep up the good work.

Hope things work out for you Mom, and that you get more relaxed about it.

Have a good weekend! :sunny:
 
11/11/05

8:30am

--1 light string cheese

Rushing out the door to the gym. It's been a busy morning. I had to get some freecycle packages together and I also had to call in and start making reservations for my friend's DVC trip. Luckily we were able to get what we wanted, but I'm going to have to keep calling in day by day.

10:45am

--2 eggs
--1 light ww english muffin w/ 1/2 T butter and 1 T nsa jam
--1 orange

I had a great workout. I woke up today feeling very motivated and wanting to get to the gym. I'm really starting to come around to Duane the trainer's way of thinking about my workouts. Since he's had me on in new plan, I've made some amazing fitness leaps. I would honestly say the last month has been more effective than the 9 months before it, workout-wise. I'm doing 45 minutes of interval training at a clip, with my heartrate up the whole time. I can do the squats easily now, I'm more flexible, and my arms are even getting a little stronger. I decided to re-up with him for another 10 sessions. I'm very pleased with the results I'm getting and the switch to mornings was very helpful.

I've got to hit the showers now then run out and finish my grocery shopping and begin preparing for tomorrow. I'm hoping to get the sugar cookies made and the house picked up a bit. The rest should be pretty easy to handle tomorrow. I'm serving lettuce wedges to start, with tomato, red onion, cheese, bacos, and croutons to chose from. I have this cute dish that has 5 bowls on a lazy susan so you can just put the toppings in there and let everyone choose. For dinner I'm serving veggie meatballs with apricot barbecue glaze (using the low sugar jam and our friend's barbecue sauce), homemade macaroni & cheese (I'm using a blend of mascarpone, queso quesadilla, and sharp white cheddar in a basic white sauce), and broccoli crowns. I have a plain cheese pizza and applesauce cups for the kids. For dessert I'm making a bunch of cutout sugar cookies. I've got all sorts of decorations and I'm tinting frosting in several different colors so eveyone can decorate their own. Hopefully the kids will get a kick out of it.

1:50pm

--2 Boca burgers
--1/4 c 2% cheese
--1 apple
--1 100 cal bag popcorn

I'm really enjoying a quiet afternoon. I put some dishes in to wash, and later I have to get the cookies done. I cheated and got the pre cut refrigerated dough cookies. I've never been a huge fan of rolling and cutting cookies, and today really isn't an exception.

4:00pm

--8 veggie dumplings
--2 T peanut sauce

I'm getting a bit of a case of the boreds, but I think I can work through it. I do feel like getting out and having some fun tonight, though. I'm sure DH and I will go out to dinner. I'm not going all loco-beans and insisting on only steamed veggies, but I don't need any morning after regrets, either. I'm sure we'll come up with something good. California Pizza Kitchen is high on my list, as is Chinese. We'll see...

6:30pm

--1/2 of a half portion of a Thai crunch salad
--1 1/2 slices of bread with 1 1/2 pkts of butter
--1/2 of a tostada pizza

Yummy dinner! However, we were seated next to a group of 5 completely unspervised 11 year olds? Who on earth would just drop off their preteen children, especially in a fairly nice restaurant, and just let them run wild? These kids were everything you'd expect of a group of 6th graders--loud, inconsiderate, and already arguing over the bill. I was glad when we got our check and left!

7:30pm

--1 McD's caramel sundae

This was pretty unnecessary, but DH and I had some time to kill before our show and there wasn't really anything else around.

We went to a small local theater and saw The Good Doctor, which is a Neil Simon adaptation of a bunch of Checkov's short stories. It was a tiny theater and there were all of 15 of us there, but it was fun. The cast was really, really good. The main character, the writer, reminded a lot of Hugh Laurie. All of them were wonderful and we had a great time.

I had a sad, startling revelation during the intermission. I bought a new pair of crocs right before we left for Vegas. My old ones had felt too big, so I tried on both the same size and one size smaller. The smaller size felt better in the store, so that's what I wound up purchasing. However, once I got to wearing them around, the left foot felt very tight. My left foot has always been a little bigger than my right, so I just figured that was the case and that the shoe would eventually stretch a little. It hasn't really gotten much better in the last 3 weeks, but I was still trying to wear them. Last night in the theater they were really bugging me, and I looked down at them.

It was then that I realized that they looked really different. The right one looked decidedly larger than the left. I turned them over to check, and sure enough, I'd bought two different sized shoes!!!! :rotfl2: They must have gotten mixed up while I was trying all of them on. I'm kind of relieved that this means I don't have a hugely disporportionate left food, but I'm bemused at the idea that I actually DID that, and then didn't notice for 3 weeks!

I really should not be let out in public unsupervised.
 
Hi pearlieq!!

My you have had a lot going on!! Sorry I have not been here for it all but I am catching up! :)

Glad that meeting your mom's fiancee seemed to go well. I definitely understand what you mean by reserving judgement. I am wishing them and you the best!

The meal you are making today sounds yummy! I would love to see the mac n cheese recipe, mmm Marscapone!!! :)

I am soo proud and excited for you that you are seeing real results from your working out! How awesome is that?? You must feel soooo great about it!!

I hope that your weekend is not too stressful! And I still have not forgotten about sending you the lanyard! I finally packed it up yesterday and I am hoping to get it in the mail by monday! hehehe :)

Bye for now!
Mike :goodvibes
 
Pearlique, I'm glad that things are working out so well with your trainer. When you first started posting about him I was worried. Sometimes those trainers can really overdo their weight programs. I hate squats and lunges too. The new program sounds like its working much better - or else you're higher level of conditioning is kicking in - Anyway, congrats on increasing your level of fitness! :cheer2: :cheer2:
 
Wow, that seems to be really working well for you! I've been thinking of getting a personal trainer myself. Keep up the good work!
 
Hi there,

wow you sure are a busy one!!!! Sounds like you are doing a great job!!! Keep up the good work.

Have a wonderful weekend
 
11/12/05 - Weigh In

315.4

Almost back to my ticker! I'm finally settled on my new scale and have an eye for its patterns now.

Goal for the week:

1.) Get consumption down to normal. My main focus is to get through the afternoon and evening binge times without losing it. To do that I need to stay busy, find alternate ways of coping with my frustrations, and never allow myself to get too hungry. I think loosening the reigns might help a little--evening snack, sure, evening pizza, no!
 
11/12/05

8:30am

--2 pieces tostada pizza
--1 orange

Well, it's beat the snot out of your sibling morning for the cats :rolleyes: They've been at it for hours. I, of course, was wide awake at 7:30 this morning, which is fine in my book, but I don't expect to see DH for another several hours. It's OK, though. It's kind of peaceful.

11:00am

--1/2 2" sugar cookie
--few tastes frosting

The cookies and frosting are done, most of the picking up is done. I'm about to start vacuuming and DH is cleaning the powder room. So, we're in good shape for this evening.

1:00pm

--1 gardenburger on a wholewheat bun with cheddar and onion straws
--2/3 order fries
--1 taste chocolate ice cream cake

Yummy! I really like having a Red Robin close to home. It's so cool to have a CHOICE of veggie burger! After lunch I took DH to Cold Stone since he's been craving a peanut butter malt. Not much really appealed to me, so I was going to take a pass, but it was cake tasting weekend. I got a little portion (not more than 1" square) of the chocolate cake and it was just right.

3:45pm

--1 piece tostada pizza

I was a little hungry, and this was just right to hit the spot. The house is clean, the table is set, and all there is left is a little cooking and we're in business!

6:00pm - 8:00pm

--sm lettuce wedge w/croutons, grape tomatoes, cheese, and light ranch
--1 c. macaroni & cheese
--1 broccoli crown
--6 meatballs in barbecue glaze
--4 sm sugar cookies w/icing
--2 sm pieces angel food cake

12:00am

--3/4 cup macaroni & cheese

We had a very nice time with our neighbors. They were a lot of fun and their kids are great too. Luckily everything turned out and even the kids were willing to eat the macaroni. When it came around to bedtime for the kids we just picked up and went back to their house. The kids went to bed easily and we spent a few hours playing poker--it was lots of fun. No one was paying much attention to the rules, so we played "socialist poker" where we were all passing chips around the table to keep each other in. It was a very nice night.

Here's the mac and cheese recipe. It's not by any means light, but it's darn good for a special occasion.

Mascarpone Macaroni & Cheese

1 lb pasta, cooked and drained
2 pkts white sauce mix
3 cups evaporated skim milk
1/2 t. each onion powder and garlic powder
1 t. each black pepper and paprika
2 T butter
8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, shredded & divided
1 1/2 cups queso quesadilla, shredded
8 oz mascarpone cheese
1/2 cup garlic croutons, finely crushed

Preheat oven to 350 and lightly grease a 13" x 9" casserole. Prepare white sauce per package directions, using the evaporated skim milk. When sauce has thickened, reduce heat to low and add butter and seasonings. Stir well, then gradually add in 1 1/2 cups of shredded cheddar, plus the queso quesadilla and mascarpone. Stir until thoroughly melted and blended. Combine the pasta and cheese sauce and turn into casserole. Top with crushed croutons and reserved cheddar cheese. Bake for 25 minutes, let stand 10 minutes after baking. Serves 8.
 
Good morning, Pearlieq! :cool1:

Looks like you are having a fun and busy weekend. Keep up the good work! ::MickeyMo ::MickeyMo
 
11/13/05

8:30am

--3/4 cup macaroni & cheese
--very large piece angel food cake.

Not a great breakfast. At least I caught myself before it got any worse than this, but this isn't good.

12:40pm

--1 veggie patty wrap
--1/2 bag baked lays
--1 orange

Well, after weeks of meaning to get there, I finally made it to yoga. I really enjoyed it and I was actually pretty good at it, which is always a bit of a shock for me. I think it shocked the teacher too. She walked over during a posture to hand out blocks. She tried to give me one then she realized I was fully stretched down--past most of the rest of the people in the class! It was a bit gratifying. All of those squats with Duane the trainer really paid off!

4:45pm

--1 grilled cheese sandwich
--1 sm fruit cup
--1 order fries w/ketchup
--1/2 of a taster slice of chocolate pie.

So this is where the wheels came off of the wagon. I ordered the grilled cheese with fruit, but they screwed up and gave me fries. Instead of insisting they take the fries away, I kept them and ate them. I think that kind of started the rest of the horror of the afternoon...

Earlier we went to see Zathura with some neighbors. We really weren't all that interested in seeing it, but mostly went along just to be social, which was sort of silly since we met at the theater, watched a movie next to each other, and then went our separate ways at the end. We probably didn't talk for more than 5 minutes!

The movie was OK. It had a PG rating, but the language was really out of control. I can deal with the "this sucks", "crap", and other mild bad language, but this one had all sorts of things I wasn't expecting. In the first few minutes one of the boys calls his brother the "d" word for the male anatomy! Then later there were both the "a" words and a modified "b" word! I couldn't believe it! Our neighbor was pretty horrified as well. Normally I'm not really uptight about language, but that was so unnecessary and excessive for a child's film. They could have easily gotten the same points across with other words. The kids in the movie were pretty hostile, weak, and bratty too. It was hard to find a completely likeable character. I wouldn't bother rushing to the theater for this one.

After the movie DH and I went to the mall since I had a 40% off Lane Bryant coupon that expired that day. I tried on a few things, but the only thing I really liked was a black satin charmeuse formal dress. Unfortunately, it was a 20, so it was a bit too small, the length was too long, and I wasn't 100% sold on the bodice. It did have a lot of potential though, and I was very tempted. Ultimately I did walk away, but it was tough.

6:00 - 9:00

--1 full bag cheddar cheese chex mix, including the pretzels which I don't even really like!
--3 brownies
--1/2 a large pizza

Ugh!! I am so mad at myself, not to mention stuffed and uncomfortable. I don't know what came over me, but I found myself planning to buy all these treats at the grocery store on the way home from our meal. I can't believe I ate all of this! I'm so angry at myself for doing this. Now it going to take a couple of days just to make up the damage here before I can move forward again. Ugh!
 
11/14/05

9:30am

--1 cup low carb Special K w/1% milk
--1 banana

I am still so irritated about yesterday, but I'm trying to let go and move on. I actually did do a good thing this morning and threw the rest of the box of brownies out with the trash. It was hard to let go and hard to deal with the idea of wasting food and money, but it's just better if they're gone. I'm going to do the best I can with today.

I had to have an ultrasound this morning, and I'm sure the ladies know how pleasant that is. It actually wasn't so bad. I wound up with a male tech, which gave me pause at first, but he turned out to be really, really good and very sensitive to my modesty and comfort. I got to see all my bits on screen, and confirmed, for the thousandth time, that I do have PCOS.

These next few weeks are going to be very busy and somewhat unpleasant, work-wise. I have a 90 minute conference call today to go over my project with the client. I'm not looking forward to it, but it needs to be done.

12:00pm

--1 light string cheese

I'm not ready for a whole meal yet, but I don't need to be getting hungry today either!

The good news is that my meeting went pretty well. The client was actually pretty happy with my work, which was nice. The bad news is that I have a ton more work now. The good and bad news is that is has to be done by next Monday. The timing will be tight, but I like having a deadline, you know?

1:00pm

--1 vegan pad thai bowl
--1 crown broccoli
--2 t. butter
--1 orange

Yummy!

**************************************
Well, the rest of the day didn't go very well. By about mid-afternoon, I got frustrated with work and discouraged about some news about DH's insurance (which really wasn't that big of a deal after all...) and I went nuts. I remember more angel food cake, another pad thai bowl, english muffins, a couple of sugar free cookies and possibly more. Things calmed down a little after all that, and I got rid of the rest of the angel food cake, but the damage was done.

The only upside I can possibly imagine was that at least I had to binge with what I had in the house, meaning at least it was reasonably healhty, even if I ate way too much of it. Dinner was Fazoli's that DH brought home. I had ravioli, breadsticks, and turtle cheesecake, which I suppose was a fitting capper to the day.
 
Hi Pearlieq!!!

:grouphug: Take your anger about yesterday and turn it into a force for good inside of you the rest of the week! I know you can do it!!! Don't forget, we all gotta be good for a few weeks before we get all that great Disney grub! hehe :) Glad to hear the tech was good at your ultrasound today too!

Have the best day you can!!! :)
Mike :goodvibes
 
Hi Pearlieq! I just wanted to stop by and see how you're doing. The yoga sounds great; congrats to you for trying something new.

BTW- I had a nutritionist once tell me that it was better just to throw away food, even if you are worried about wasting money because ultimately you end up spending more money trying to lose the extra weight caused by over eating and correcting any health problems that result. After hearing that, I didn't worry about the expense of throwing food away anymore.

I love having deadlines too- helps set a clear structure to the work. Good luck with your schedule, and hope you and your DH and kitties have a good holiday!

PS- we just had a Red Robin open up nearby...I might just have to go and try the veggie burger.
 
Hi, Pearlie!
Wanted to stop by and wish you a great day! I can't imagine how excited you are about your trip! :Pinkbounc Have fun planning!
 
11/15/05

9:00

--1 vegan pad thai bowl
--6 veggie barbecue meatballs

12:30pm

--2 BK veggie burgers
--1 med order onion rings

These were yummy, but way bigger than I expected. I was expecting them to be the size of the cheeseburgers I eat at home. They were actually Whopper-sized! Of course, that didn't stop me from eating both of them..

4:00

--1 1/2 cups cheese chex mix
--3/4 cup Snickers popables

Snack attack!

6:00pm

--1 PB&J
--1 cup tomato lentil soup
--1 sourdough roll

DH got home earlier than expected and we went to Panera. I know it seems silly to get PB&J at a restaurant, but it was really good!

When we got home I got back to work. I had to cancel my training sessions this week. There's just so much to do! I'm going to be working over the weekend, I'm sure, but I'm just looking forward to this being done!

8:00pm

--the rest of the Chex mix
--another 1/2 cup popables

I jumped on the scale before I went to bed, just to see how bad the situation was. It showed me up 10 lbs from Saturday!!! Now academically I know that's not possible and is mostly due to the extra food in my system and a bunch of retained water, but still! :earseek:
 




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