A Sensible Dinner - Pearlieq's Journal

[Jane E.]

Congrats on the weightloss! You really stayed on target this past week. How are your kitties doing? Ours is getting spayed on Tuesday and I'm really nervous. We drop her of on Tuesday and don't get her back until Wednesday. Dh & I will miss her but the dog will be ecstatic!

 

[honeymo78]

Way to go on the 4lbs - you are just a weight losing machine

I think you will definitely see some results from your new food choices since they will be a lot healthier than other foods. It's great to see your commitment to your new vegetarian way of life. That lifestyle is not for me (please don't be upset that I eat cows ), but it is wonderful that you a blending your beliefs with your eating habits.

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi Pearlieq!

COngrats on your 4lb loss this week! Go you!!!
Looks like you have developed a pretty thorough personal philosophy for yourself and your eating, I respect you so much for that.

I wanted to come by today to let you know that I think your baking inspired my dreams last night! hehe! I kept dreaming that I was cheating on my diet by eating spoonfuls of sugar cookie dough from a big bowl in my fridge! heheeh! How funny is that?! LOL

I can definitely empathize with you about Magellan's unique tastes, my cat Logan goes wild for two things... ketchup and extra virgin olive oil. If I open the olive oil bottle he comes running screaming until I give him a taste and then he will roll around on the floor (usually with one of my shoes) for a few minutes after! LOL

Hope that you have a happy & healthy day!
Mike

 

[Lesli54]

CONGRATS! YOU ARE AWESOME! YOU ARE DEDICATED!

I know you have been waiting along time for that clippie. It looks so good! You must be on cloud nine to know that you are back on the losing streak (lbs that is ).

I think it is great that you are starting to come to terms with all the social responsiblities that come with your new eating plan. You are being very realistic in what is out there and how stressful it may be to be 100% vegan, due to many factors. Something that you feel most comfortable with is really key and will go along way in helping you to feel at your best all the way around.

I hear you on sitting in front of the computer too much, something that I hope my new routine will help me get away from a little more.

Keep up the great work!

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

I definitely hear you on buying alcohol for guests. We quit doing that along time ago. I think it drives my BIL nuts to know that he can't just grab a beer anytime from our fridge. Oh well. You just never know who will actually drink what. So unless we are planning to drink, we don't buy it. When we do, it is usually special occassions and wine that we like.

I think part of your problem with waking up hungry from your naps is the fact that you don't eat anything for quite awhile before you take them. That and maybe your naps are too long. I know that when I was napping more, I was actually sleeping 2-3 hours. Much too long for a nap that should really be just a short rest period where you can revitalize. Many times, I would wake up feeling worse, or groggy, or very hungry. Now my naps are no longer than 1/2 hour when I do take them. When I wake, I feel like I have energy to finish the day and if I eat something afterwards, it is very minimal. There is definitely something triggering your hunger after your nap. When you figure out what that is, you will be able to conquer it.

Hope you have a good day and can get the cookies out of the house.

 

[pearlieq]

9/4/05

8:30am

--1 1/2 cups baked pasta
--2 pieces cheese pizza

9:30 am!!!

--1/2 cup vanilla ice cream
--1 T raspberry sauce

I didn't really want to record this--as if not recording it would make it un-happen. The best I can do is move on and try to make the rest of today good. There's only one serving of pasta left, which I saved for DH, the pizza is gone, the cookies are packed up for mom, so all I have left to deal with is the ice cream. I guess I'm just going to have to dig down, be strong, and finish it 1/2 a cup at a time. And next time I need to learn my lesson about overbuying for parties. It's so hard to tell what people will eat!

I'm feeling very negative this morning--irritated at people and concerned about the state of the world in general. It's really bringing me down, plus Magellan has insisted on spending his entire morning jumping up on the counters every 5 minutes. It was mildly annoying the first couple of times, but by the 10th time, I wanted to trottle him!!! I wound up practically screaming at him, so he's now taken off for parts unknown while I sit here feeling guilty and frustrated.

So, not a great day so far. We're working the beer tent at a local festival tonight to raise money for the animal shelter. I'm hoping they put us in the main tent, because that's where the band will be playing. It's Collective Soul tonight, who I really enjoy. I'm not sure what we're doing until then, but I don't expect DH to be up for at least another 2 hours. I think I'll work on our upcoming trips and maybe listen to a little Disney radio. That usually cheers me up and helps me keep my eyes on the prize, so to speak.

11:15

--1/4 piece grilled bread

I made DH lunch and tried grilling up some bread with the flavored oil fromlast night. I had a taste and it turned out really good.

12:45pm

--1 1/3 soy brat in bun
--1/2 pkg macaroni and cheese
--the rest of the cookies
--3/4 cup milk

The cookies didn't make it to my mom's. I'm very irritated and disappointed with myself about this. I didn't really need this meal either, but DH was pushing for more food, and I wound up fixing this. The nice thing is that he really liked the soy brats. I thought they were OK, but a bit too peppery.

2:00pm

--1 1/2 cups Ben & Jerrys
--3 T raspberry sauce

This was not my finest hour, and this is not a good day. The only good thing I did was dump the rest of the full-fat Ben and Jerry's down the drain once I came back to my senses. I did kept the reduced-sugar version because I can share it with DH.


8:00pm

--1 chocolate chip cookie
--1 small piece sheet cake (very, very good!)
--2 hard taco shells
--1/2 cup beans
--lettuce, tomato, onion
--2 T shredded cheese
--2 T sour cream
--2 cheez-its

I ate this without really thinking, so I wound up eating dairy that I really didn't mean to and wouldn't have eaten if I had been thinking. I caught this on a break during our work at the beer tent. One of the local catering companies provided dinner for all the volunteers, which I thought was really nice. The cake, which looked like plain, institutional sheet cake, was very moist and flavorful. I was impressed!

The work at the tent was OK. We went through training with the world's most blase cop, then reported to our tent. DH poured Sam Adams and I was put in charge of wine. There was another guy over there, so he was in charge of red and I was in charge of white. I poured maybe 20 cups total, so it was super-duper exciting... At least I got to work taking orders after we got back from dinner. That was a lot more fun, but I have a new respect for bartenders. It was really hard to try to decide who we could serve and who should be cut off. I didn't try to cut anyone off, but I can imagine how awkward it must be. I did have to enforce the 2 drink per person rule, but most folks were nice about it. By and large the people we served were fun and friendly. Collective Soul did a really nice show and we had great weather as well. All of that and money for homeless kitties--not a bad night!

10:45pm

--a few pieces watermelon
--16 oz light juice/sf lemonade blend

DH wanted to stop at Taco Bell on the way home. I was proud of myself for resisting. There was nothing I really wanted and I would have been eating just for the sake of eating. So I skipped it.

I'm really hoping tomorrow is better! Today is not one for the highlight reel...

 

[goldcupmom]

Congrats on the loss, Pearlie!

I hear you about the state of the world getting you down. It's hard NOT to watch the tv, or listen to the reports, but hard to do it as well. I just have to keep trusting that God is in Control even tho it seems everything is out of control.

Getting the ice cream gone is a good plan. Yummy, but is it worth it? Sometimes!

Hope your day gets better. If you could only develop a way to keep a cat off the counter, you'd be a billionaire in no time!

 

[Mykelogan]

Hi pearlieq,

Sorry to hear that you were having a stressful start to your morning! I am proud of you for keeping your committments to yourself and journaling your food even if you are not happy with the choices you made. It would have been very easy to just not write it down. But you did, so be proud.
I hope that the Disney music is helping, I find that the Disney Pic of The Day thread helps me too when I need to get mind somewhere else.
Have fun at the festival tonight!!!

Mike

 

[toystoryduo]

Good morning pearlieq~

I am sending you some for a wonderful day today. I'm glad to hear that the Festival went well yesterday.

Take care!

 

[pearlieq]

9/5/05

8:30am

--1 1/2 cups Panda Puffs
--2/3 cup 1% milk
--1 small banana

Well, I've got most of the day to myself as DH has to go in to the office. Not sure what I'll get up to...

**************************************************
Suffice it to say today was a train wreck. Near constant eating--anything I could get my hands on. DH was at work until after 1am. Turns out he may not get to go to Houston to set everything up as his work is actually hosting several hundred refugees itself and he'll be working on that. I can't imagine how tired and strained he must be.

 

[honeymo78]

I'm glad to hear that the festival went well. I used to that server stuff in college for our catering dept - mainly it was faculty or alumni events so lots of wine.

I hear ya with that "maybe if I don't record it, it really didn't happen". I'm glad you posted though. Now you can just move and make a fresh start today. And good job on resisting taco bell

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning Pearlieq!

I think you and I have been on the same cookie train. Time to get off today, as I am hoping my day is better as well.

You did great at resisting the Taco Bell last night. It's all the little things that we do that add up to great success.

Hope you have a great and wonderful day!

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

I hope you had a wonderful day yesterday and managed to stay out of trouble with DH being at work.

Have a healthy day!

 

[pearlieq]

9/6/05

No breakfast yet, but I'm sure I'll get something soon.

8:50am

--1 soy chick'n patty
--1 whole wheat bun
--2 plums

OK, time to climb out of the hole. I've been down here enough times before--I know the way out by now. This morning it started with getting showered and dressed, which I haven't done in the last 2 days (sorry for TMI). There's nothing that brings me down faster than being grungy and dressed in an old ratty T-shirt, and yet I still inisist on doing it from time to time. I've got to work on breaking that habit.

After that, I just need to get a few small things done and I'll start feeling better and in control. I unloaded the dishwasher before breakfast so I'll start by getting a load of those in, then I'll gather up the recycling and maybe clean out the fridge a bit. I need to make a quick grocery store run and a few loads of laundry wouldn't hurt, so hopefully that keeps me busy and focused today. A walk in there would be great, but I'm not getting my hopes up too high. I'm a little bummed that I'm going to be spending the week trying to undo all of the damage I did this weekend, but I suppose it's better than just plowing ahead and doing more damage.

12:30pm

--1 can chicken noodle soup
--3 graham crackers
--1.5 TB peanut butter
--1.5 TB nsa jam

These little PB&J on graham crackers are so yummy! They have the most amazing taste!

I've spent the morning doing little chores (dishes, recycling, a bit of fridge cleaning, making up the weekly menu) and working on our Dec trip. I just realized that I could make my PSs today! I got the Grand Floridian Cafe (best.veggie.burger.ever), Chefs de France, Boma, and Mama Melrose. I'm trying to decide whether or not to do the Candlelight Processional package. We're going on a weekday in early December--I'm not expecting overwhelming crowds, plus I just don't think we'd ordinarily spend $100 on dinner for the two of us. I'm just not sure if the extra money is worth the convenience.

3:00pm

--1 chick'n patty
--1 whole wheat bun
--1 fruit leather
--1 pkt Oreos

6:00pm

--2 Lean Pocket Ultras

8:30pm

--4 oz sourdough bread
--2 T dipping oil
--1 can! Pringles
--1 carton! light Ben & Jerrys

Another banner day. I just can't seem to get motivated to care. Part of the problem is that my schedule is all off because of DH's crazy schedule, the other part is that I'm so bored I could cry! My work project is delayed to I have nothing to do but stare at my Inbox all day, then rattle around the house all night by myself. I know it will get better soon, but this is not one of the best weeks I've had.

 

[keenercam]

Hi, Pearlie! Hope you have a great day! Just think -- a whole new week and new opportunities with every bite to make good choices. I am sorry you and DH have been stressed by world events and his work situation. I hope you can find some ways to relax!

 

[Jane E.]

Pearlique, looks like you're doing great today! Great job working at the Festival to benefit animals. It must've kept you busy.

Our kitten freaked us out this past week. She climbed inside our leather reclining couch and we couldn't get her out! All at once I heard angry meowing & snarling. I went to the back of the couch trying to figure out where she was and all at once he head fell out. I tried to pull her out but her back leg was stuck. I received two bites and several hisses for my trouble. I yelled for dh. He tried & got the same treatment. We let go of her and she finally just dropped out. I was shaking all over. Everytime we see her try to climb inside the couch we spray her but unfortunately we don't always catch her. I'm going to mention it to the vet tomorrow & see what she suggests.

 

[pearlieq]

9/7/05

8:00am

--4 oz sourdough bread
--2 T dipping oil

Breakfast of champions...Let's call it continental-inspired. I have to take Diana in to the vet today, which ought to be a challenge. She's got 2 sores on her skin and I don't know what they are. At first I thought they were leftovers from a scuffle with Magellan, but now she's got one on her arm that doesn't seem like it could have been a wrestling injury.

Since Diana doesn't like to be picked up I have to devise elaborate schemes to get her to the vet. Right now she and Magellan are shut in the guest bathroom upstairs. It's not terrible for them--it's a pretty large room with a window and I moved food and water in there, but they're not dumb--they know something's up. I had to take advantage of being able to get hold of Diana when I could, so unfortunately they're going to have to stay up there for the next 3 hours. I feel bad, but I just don't see a better way. Alll I have left to do is to get the carrier up there when it's time and get into the room without letting them out. Fingers crossed!!!

1:00pm

--2 chick'n patties (yes, I must break out of this rut but they're so good!)
--2 light buns
--1 sm can tropical fruit salad
--2 graham crackers

Well Diana survived the vet. He thinks the sores might be an allergic reaction to their new food. He wants us to switch it back to the Eukanuba. I'm not crazy about the idea but I'm willing to try it for a few weeks to see if she gets better. We'll go from there I guess. I have to get a sample from her, so I had to barricade her back into the upstairs bathroom until I can get one. I feel so bad doing it to her, but there's really no other way.

I actually have plans for dinner tonight! One of my neighbors is having a casual little get together since a bunch of our husbands will be away for dinner tonight, for various reasons. I had to tell her I was a vegetarian--it was a little awkward, but I'm just going to bring a dish (and the leftover drinks from last weekend). It should be fine.

I'm a little frustrated at DH. I know he's been really busy getting ready for the refugees, but he got home at 11pm again last night. I understand he's busy, but when he's busy everything gets dumped on my shoulders. When we cancelled the cable last week we were told we'd have to bring in the box for them to cancel the account. DH said he'd take the box in, and then didn't day after day last week because he was working late. He still hasn't taken it in and we just got charged $60 for a month of cable we can't use. Now we're out the money and I have to go out tomorrow and turn in the dang box. I know this is a crisis situation, but it seems like everything is a crisis and work is always more important than everything else. The other people he works with don't seem to have a problem going home at the end of the day to be with their families. I appreciate that DH has a stong work ethic but I wonder sometimes how much he absolutely needs to be there and how much is his own construct. In the meantime I'm sitting home alone and all of the household tasks fall on me. He hasn't even mowed the lawn in the last month! I refuse to do it for him because I know once I start that will be another chore I'm expected to do. /end rant

I'm so sleepy now, but I know if I take a nap I won't sleep well tonight. I guess I'd better go find something to do!

5:45pm

--1 serving stuffed rigatoni with spinach and tomatoes
--1 sm salad w/just a bit of raspberry vinagrette
--2 slices watermelon
--1/2 cup rice

Well, it was very fun to get out and see the girls! Very nice to talk and to enjoy someone's company!

9:00pm

--1/2 serving stuffed rigatoni w/spinach and tomatoes
--1.5oz sourdough bread
--1/2 T dipping oil

DH made it home much earlier than expected! It was nice to get a few minutes with him to talk. He managed to take the cable box back (thank goodness!) and was very happy to lay down and crash!

We kept checking on poor Diana all night, but she hadn't done her thing yet so we had to leave her confined for the night. I felt so bad, but she didn't seem to mind all that much.

 

[Lesli54]

Good morning, Pearlieq!

Sorry to hear that you have been a bit down lately. I definitely understand how dressing properly can either make or break your day. But you have come so far and you deserve to feel good about that and about who you are. So, get showered, dressed, and go for a walk. Boredom around the house leads to no good. Trust me, I know. So go to the library. Go buy some supplies for a new hobby, go out and work in that beautiful yard you have been creating.

You'll get past this, you just have to be a little sensible along the way. Even though I know it can be tough at times. Just remember, you deserve the best of everything you can give yourself.

Hope that today is a much better day!

 

[goldcupmom]

Hang in there, Pearlie! You'll get through this slump. I know exactly where you are, and if you dig deep you'll know where you are going. You will get back on track, you've done it before. Just takes time. Get dressed, go to the store and keep moving forward.

Hope you catch Diana easily. Poor baby! and Poor Mom!

 

[Jane E.]

So sorry to hear about your kitten. I hope she gets better after you switch her food. Have fun at your dinner tonight!