A Sensible Dinner - Pearlieq's Journal

[pearlieq]

11/16/05

9:00am

--1 pad thai bowl
--1 piece sourdough baguette w/butter & nsa jam

Back to work. There's just so much to do and I know I'm going to spend the weekend working on it! I'm partially to blame--it wouldnt' have been so bad if I'd spent a few hours a day working on it, but the client also dumped a lot of time-consuming stuff on us at the last minute. I'm just trying to stay comforted by the fact that the worst will be over by the time we go to WDW!

11:00am

--1 piece sourdough bread

Leftovers from dinner last night

2:00pm

--5 soy nuggets
--12 veggie meatballs in barbecue glaze.

The soy nuggets aren't so great. Oh well, at least I got to try something new! I'm trying to drink a ton of water in order to flush out all of the junk I've been eating over the last few days. I'm not going to get to the gym much this week, and probably not much next week with the holidays, so I'm going to have to be a lot more careful about what I eat if I don't want to balloon up!

4:30pm

--1 bowl Panda Puffs w/1% milk.
--2 nsa ice cream sandwiches

Stress snacking. I stopped.

6:30pm

--2 sm lc cheese quesadillas
--spinach lasagna
--1/2 cup raisins

Wow, there really isn't much to eat in the house. I was trying to hold off on shopping until this weekend, but now I don't know. At least I've got lunch covered tomorrow--I have a hot date w/DH!

***
I actually managed to resist eating more. DH offered to stop and pick me up something on his way home and it would have been so easy to have him pick up 1500 calories worth of Taco Bell, but I managed to pass. Yay!

 

[Lesli54]

Good evening, Pearlieq!

Sorry, I couldn't wave to you. We went from Freeport over to Arlington Heights, which is where we stayed, via 20 & 90. Of course for me, by the time I drove up to Freeport, I could have been at least 1/2 way to Arlington Heights had I gone straight from here, but that is where everyone was leaving from and car pooling and since I wasn't paying for the room, I kind of needed to be with those who were. Oh well. But next time, I am going up towards Chicago, I will let you know.

Sorry the last few days have been a bit of a roller coaster, but the valleys are not near as dangerous as they once used to be. You did great with throwing out the taboo foods. Sure the damage for that moment was done, but you got over it and prevented it from getting much worse. Good for you!

Hope your evening out with DH was good.

 

[pearlieq]

11/17/05 - Hello from snowy Chicago!

I haven't gotten my breakfast yet, but I'm working on another big glass of water. I seem to be retaining a lot of water so I'm trying to encourage it out. I'm thinking about Panda Puffs and string cheese for breakfast. I'm meeting DH for lunch, where I'm having the Indonesian Peanut Saute with whole grain pasta, tofu, and extra broccoli. I'm really looking forward to it! Tonight we're going to Bakers Square becuase I'm really craving their grilled cheese. I'm having it with fruit (and this time I WILL send back the fries if they screw up!) and splitting a 1/2 slice of pie with DH.

Other than that my day will be spend on my work project. It feels good to be productive, but this thing really is a beast!

9:00am

--1 med bowl Panda Puffs w/1% milk
--1 light string cheese

Feeling good, but I'm having a hard time getting myself motivated to work! I have to though, I've only got the next 4 days to get the bulk of this done!

12:00pm

--9 barbecue veggie meatballs
--1 orange
--100 cal pack of popcorn

Well, my lunch date fell trough. DH got stuck at work. So, instead of going out, I'm going to finish my lunch while watching junky TV (Unsolved Mysteries today) and then get back to work. We're still on for dinner, though, so I'm looking forward to that.

1:30pm

--15 triscuits
--1 1/2 oz cream cheese
--1/3 cup raisins
--1 spinach lasagna entree
--1 nsa ice cream sandwich

This was way more than I needed to eat, but at least I'm happy with the fact that I haven't gone out to get more junk.

6:00pm

--1 grilled cheese w/fries
--1/2 slice caramel pecan silk supreme

I really am in love with this grilled cheese! It's on oat bread and so yummy! I did eat more than I intended, but at least I didn't snack when I got home, so I'll take it.

We saw a stray cat in our neighborhood on the way home. I didn't see a collar, so we stopped the car and went out to look for it. It ran on someone's deck and meowed, and then I lost track of it. It didn't feel right to go prowling under someone's deck, and DH swears he saw it take off in another direction. We drove around the block looking for it and then I went back out after we got home but I saw no trace of it. I felt so awful--it was bitterly cold last night. I really hope the kitty is OK...

 

[Cruise04]

Just popping in to see how you are doing. Way to go on getting down more than the other people in yoga!!!!!! WHOOHOOO. That would have made me feel good too! Hang in there and keep working at it.

Take care
Keep on
Chris

 

[pearlieq]

11/18/05

Should be an average day today. I'm going to be working all day and then most of the weekend too. We're going over to my mom's tonight--she's making spaghetti and salad. I'm supposed to bring bread and dessert, so I think I'm going to make an apple crisp since I've got a bunch of galas that need to be used. Her fiance has gone back overseas--something about a visa and healthcare. My mom seems disappointed and I feel bad for her, but I'm trying not to get too involved one way or the other.

9:30am

--BK veggie burger
--medium onion rings

I just wasn't in the mood for breakfast food this morning, and we really don't have all that much in the house.

Work is just spiraling out of control. I really want to just walk away, but of course that isn't an option. Sometimes I envy people who work with their hands or in practical jobs like child care or nursing. You come in, do your work, which is hard and you work hard, but then you're done and can go on with your life. This project is just dragging along and consuming all of my time and attention--even when I'm not working I can feel it hanging over me, and it's going to be like this for another 8 weeks or so. Ugh!

1:00pm

--1 cup 1% milk

Well, our work system crashed so I took the time to make the apple crisps for tonight. I had some leftover blueberries frozen from this summer, so I threw them in too. They actually look pretty good, if I do say so myself. The system came back up, so now it's back to work...

3:30pm

--8 veggie dumplings w/peanut sauce
--3 soy nuggets w/ranch
--1 nsa ice cream sandwich

Work, work, work, work, work...

7:00pm

--sm green salad w/light ranch
--good size portion of spaghetti w/veggie sauce & parmesan
--3 slices sourdough bread, 1 w/butter
--several crackers
--2 glasses sparkling grape juice
--1 1/2 cups milk
--1 medium serving low sugar apple blueberry crisp

Not bad for a night at my mom's... It was so nice to get out and just to have a little fun. We had dinner, played some cards, and watched the movie Saved! which is a hoot. I had a great time.

While I was over there, my mom asked if she could keep the Thanksgiving turkey in my fridge. It seemed silly to say no, but I'm not thrilled about it. I already conceded the point that we could serve turkey at thanksgiving, but now I have to help store it. I don't eat meat because I find it morally wrong. I feel like I'm aiding and abetting--I mean, what's the point of stopping doing something because you think it's wrong but making it as easy as possible for others to do the same thing?

 

[Cruise04]

Ohhhhh, I love apple crisp. Hope you have a good dinner tonight and hopefully your weekend won't be too packed with work so you can enjoy some relaxation and time with your dh.

Have a good weekend
Keep on
Chris

 

[eeyore25]

Hi there. Just wanted to pop in and say hi! Hope you are having a great Friday!

Keep up the good work!

 

[Lesli54]

Good evening, Pearlieq!

Sorry work is such a pain right now. At least it will keep you busy and out of the pantry though. Gotta look at the bright side.

I hope you have a good dinner with your mom.

 

[pearlieq]

11/19/05

11:30am

--1 orange
--1 light string cheese

work, work, work, work, work...

2:30pm

--1 7 layer burrito, no guac
--1 Mexican pizza, no meat
--1 order fried potatoes

Not exactly a stellar meal, but DH was nice enough to go out and pick it up for us after I chased him out of bed at 1:00pm!!! I'm taking a little break here, then back to--you guessed it--work!

4:00pm

--1/4 cup vanilla ice cream

Stress eating mostly. I feel like I'm making progress, but there's just so much to do. I've stopped for the day now--we're going out to dinner with friends and then heading back to our house for dessert and cards or something.

Tomorrow will be a lot like today. I'm going to yoga tomorrow morning. I've been looking forward to it all week and it's the closest I've gotten to a workout in over a week. After that is back home for more work!

6:30pm

--green salad w/ranch on the side
--1/2 order fettucine alfredo w/broccoli
--3 pieces italian bread, w/1 T butter

Dinner was nice and I enjoyed seeing our friends. We made the mistake of riding with them all night, though. Never again! The guy drives like a maniac--he guns the car through turns so badly that your seatbelt locks, he weaves through cars, tailgates, etc. I felt like I was on Test Track!

9:00pm

--1 box Milk Duds
--1 kids pack popcorn w/mini M&Ms
--1 med icee

The kids pack didn't exactly need to happen, but we had a long wait at the theater and I think I bought it more as entertainment. Plus, I think I was keeping up with our friend--that girl can eat! Of course, she's all of a size 6 or so... We first tried to go see Walk The Line, but the theater was super crowded and the only seats left were right under the screen. Our friend had her contacts and they make her very nauseated when she watches things jump around up close.

So, we wound up switching movies and seeing The Weatherman. It was different, but I enjoyed it. It was very much a mood piece--a little along the lines of Lost In Translation, but while it was good, I wouldn't consider it anywhere the same calibur of Lost In Translation. It was very meditative, introspective, and not strongly plot-driven. Still, I enjoyed it quite a bit and found parts very witty. It was filmed mostly in the Chicago area and I loved all of the beautiful shots of the city and the North Shore.

12:30am

--1 med serving apple blueberry crisp, w/a little vanilla ice cream

Like I said, this girl can eat! She and her DH went through 1 1/2 large bags of popcorn at the theater, and then she was ready for dessert when we got home! Where is she putting it?!? If I do say so myself, the crisps turned out darn fine.

 

[rcyannacci]

Hey you! Just stopped in to say hi. Sorry about the turkey in the fridge- bummer. But, moms will be moms, ya'know

I hear you on the work, work, work. What doesn't kill us makes us stronger.

Have a great Sunday.

 

[pearlieq]

11/20/05 - Two weeks to WDW!!!!

9:00am

--my leftover fettucine alfredo
--my leftover reduced sugar apple blueberry crisp
--1 cup real coke

Not a perfect breakfast. Sue me. We had real coke left over from seeing our neighbors last night and I took advantage.

I need to work today, which I'm not thrilled about, but it's got to be done.

3:30pm

--3 pieces stuffed spinach pizza.

I put off work for a while today to enjoy the Bears game. It was such a good time! I had a few friends who were at Soldier Field and I'm so envious. It must have been such a great time--it was a heck of a rout! The Bears only allowed 3 points, and they sacked the quarterback 8 times!!! The crowd looked really pumped up and the players were all on the sidelines whipping up the crowd. I bet they had fun!

9:00pm

--1 1/2 pieces stuffed spinach pizza

I finallly buckled down and got to work. It was actually pretty productive. I set myself up well for Monday. If I buckle down I should be able to get it all done on time and be able to enjoy my Thanksgiving weekend without worrying about any of this.

I got rid of the last of the real Coke. It was fun while it lasted.

I decided to have a cookie exchange and white elephant swap on Dec 16th. It's a Friday night so I think it might work out in people's schedule OK. I figure a little girls-only retreat will be fun.

Of course, entertaining makes me very anxious. All these issues about rejection come flying to the surface and I spend weeks worried that no one's going to come to my party because I'm not really a priority to anyone and they don't like me all that much anyway. I've actually chickened out of giving several parties because of this. I realize I'm blowing it way out of proportion and that some people will need to decline and the reasons are nothing personal. Still, it's very scary for me to do this, so I hope it turns out well.

 

[Lesli54]

Good evening, Pearlieq!

Sounds like you had a fun weekend. As for the party, it sounds like fun. I have often wondered if I was a good hostess and have often thought that no one would show. But, if you want to do it then go for it. Face your fears. From what I have learned about you, I bet you are an excellent hostess, you seem so attentive to the people around you. Why let your mind stop you from having fun?

BTW what is a white elephant swap?

Hope you have a productive work day tomorrow!

 

[pearlieq]

Sounds like you had a fun weekend. As for the party, it sounds like fun. I have often wondered if I was a good hostess and have often thought that no one would show. But, if you want to do it then go for it. Face your fears. From what I have learned about you, I bet you are an excellent hostess, you seem so attentive to the people around you. Why let your mind stop you from having fun?

BTW what is a white elephant swap?

Thanks for the kind words and reassurance. I invitied my mom, who always makes me feel more at ease. It's nice to have someone in the room who's always in your corner, know what I mean? I just heard that my best friend from high school and the lady we had dinner with on Saturday are coming, so at least there will be 4 of us, right?

It's silly. I KNOW this is irrational, and frankly I'm surprised at how much anxiety it brings up in me. You're right, though, there's nothing else to do than face the fear!

A white elephant swap is such a hoot! Everyone gets the ugliest, tackiest, most awful thing they have, (That plastic chicken Aunt Erma gave you? Perfect.) wraps it up beautifully for the holidays, and brings it to the party. At the party we do that game where everyone draws a number. The person with #1 gets first choice of the gifts. They select what they want and unwrap it. Then #2 picks. Once #2 picks, they have the option of keeping the gift they picked, or stealing from #1. And so it goes. There's usually lots of stealing of presents and it's always funny to see the awful things people come up with.

 

[pearlieq]

11/21/05 - 13 days to WDW, 6 days to TTNW!

8:45am

--1 med bowl raisin bran w/1% milk

Back to work, work, work, work, work. I'm really hoping to get ahead today so I'm not scrambling on Wednesday!

1:00pm

--2 veggie burgers, no cheese

A little fuel, then back to work, work, work, work, work. I guess I'm making some progress, but it's slow going...

4:30pm

--8 veggie dumplings w/peanut sauce
--the last of the cobbler w/ 1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Half hunger, half stress.

7:30pm

--1 footlong veggie patty sub
--1 bag sour cream & onion chips

I'm starting to see just the faintest glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel here. Lots more work to do, but I feel pretty OK with the pace I've got set. I might need a 1/2 day on Wednesday, but I think it's all going to work out. It's just no fun getting there!

10:00pm

--1 bag Doritos
--1/2 cup vanilla ice cream

Well, it wasn't low-fat popcorn, but it wasn't half a pizza either. I'll take it!

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

The swap sounds like fun. You know the more parties or gatherings I have the easier it is to have them and the more fun it starts to become.

Here's to a good work day so that you can get on with the holidays and WDW packing.

 

[toystoryduo]

Hi pearlieq!

It sounds like work has been super busy for you. I'm sending some your way to help you get it done! Just think... you'll be in WDW soon and work will be just a faded memory.

Have a great day and a Happy Thanksgiving!

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

Looks like your day was.......busy. On the plus side, this shows that if you stay busy, you aren't thinking about your pantry. I always keep trying to remind myself of that.

You did great yesterday! Keep it up and I hope that your light shines brighter by the end of the day.

 

[pearlieq]

11/22/05

8:30am

--1 med bowl raisin bran w/ 1% milk
--1 light string cheese

So the work part is nuts, but the being ultra busy is definitely good for my waistline. I'll have to figure out how to work with this on a daily basis.

I was doing some thinking about willpower the other day, and I came to an interesting conclusion. I usually think that I have no (or very little) control of myself when it comes to food and I'm always down on myself because of that. But then I realized that, with a few exceptions, I hadn't had sugar soda in 10 months or meat in over 2 months. It's not that I don't like sugar soda anymore, but I decided to stop drinking it and for the most part I've stuck to it. Same thing as meat. Sometimes I miss it desperately, but I've chosen to stop and I have.

So it's not that I don't have any kind of control over how I eat. I've proven that I can control it. So why don't I control it more broadly? Something else to think about.

I've gotten through the 2nd and worst part of the 3 parts of my project that need to be done by EOB tomorrow. The system has been really slow this morning, which is maddening. DH thinks the problem might actallly be on our end. So, I'm going to take a break and go get the shopping done, and revisit the work later this afternoon when he gets home and can fix the problem.

12:30pm

--1 veggie burger w/cheese
--most of a medium order of onion rings

Some fuel to get the shopping going!

5:00pm

--100 cal pack popcorn.

Well, after 6 trips to 5 different stores, I can officially say I'm exhausted. If I don't have it at this point, people can do without! I actually bought groceries at one store and didn't realize until I got all the way home that I had left them at the store!

It should be a nice meal. My mom is bringing the turkey w/stuffing & gravy and sweet potatoes. My one aunt is bringing a spinach salad, and my other aunt is bringing these awesome raspberry bars that she makes. My uncle (and by that I mean my uncle's girlfriend) is making breads.

I am making:

Appetizers:

--Cha cha cheeseball igloo with cream cheese penguins
--Hummus & pita chips
--Veggies & ranch dressing

Main Meal:

--Mascarpone macaroni & cheese
--Green bean casserole
--Mashed potatoes

Dessert:

--Pumpkin pie
--No sugar added pumpkin custard.

Should be a heck of a spread!!!

 

[Cruise04]

Very interesting thought about your self-control. I may have to examine that with myself as well.

Sounds like you are going to have a nice meal there. Enjoy!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Keep on
Chris

 

[pearlieq]

11/23/05 - Happy pre-Thanksgiving!

8:45pm

--1 med bowl raisin bran w/1% milk

I didn't sleep that well last night--I just couldn't relax and settle down. I woke up a little groggy. Time to get downstairs and put the rest of this project to bed!

12:00pm

--1 light string cheese
--1 few tastes pumpkin pie batter

All done!!! (For this week, at least. It starts up again next week). It felt so good to send the final email off telling them I'm done. I don't have to think about it again until Monday!

I set out to get the pies in the oven, only there was a bit on an incident. I overfilled the pie shells, and part of the crust broke off of one of them, so the whole thing flooded over. Thank goodness I'd had a cookie sheet under them!!! I pulled them out, bailed out the extra filling and transferred them to a new cookie sheet. They look a little rough, but they'll still taste good, right?

The regular pies are about to come out, and DH's no sugar pumpkin custard is about to go in. I need to get the house set up, cut veggies, grate cheese, crush croutons, make the ranch dip, make the cheeseball, make the pita chips, and get started vacuuming and swiffing. I'm trying to do as much as I can today so tomorrow is less stressful.