Amanda's Menu Planning Spectacular!

[lulu201]

Welcome home, Amanda! I hope you had a wonderful trip and can ease back into real life. Will you be able to get yourself grounded today and tomorrow, or will you be back at work on Monday morning? Whatever the case, be good to yourself as you deal with re-entry!

,
Erin (oops, I mean LuLu)

 

[marsh0013]

hi amanda!! welcome back to the real world, hope re-entry wasn't too tough for you. can't wait to read trip reports!!

 

[septbride2002]

Oh today was tough. Alot tougher then I thought it would be. I was certainly not cheat free. Going grocery shopping tomorrow. Hoping it will be a better day.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

for you, dear Amanda! Re-entry can be so tough. Try to cut yourself a little slack, OK? You'll be back on plan in no time but there's so much to do when we get back from vacation that food sometimes is not the top priority. Get settled back into your routine and the food will return to normal after a few days. You have to kick all those nasty carb cravings, after all.

Hang in there!

 

[septbride2002]

Thanks Doe! Your post made me feel a lot better this morning.

Last night I talked to my friend Tiffany for an hour and a half (we had a lot of catching up to do) on the phone. She lives in CA and is doing the carbohydrate addict diet. So we spent a good portion of the night discussing menus, recipies, and how to stay on course. It wwas great to have her remind me of all the foods I love and the simple ways to get back on track. While we were on the phone we were both thumbing through our low carb recipe books and I made my grocery list. I can't wait to go shopping since I am making some fabulous chicken tenders tonight that should satisfy me. I've got several recipies lined up for the week including some with Spaghetti Squash. If they turn up good I will post them. I need to find a recipe for cheesecake muffins or something. I like to have some legal sweet treats in the house.

I posted this is Doe's journal but thought it was pretty profound of me so I am going to post it here as well:

my SIL and I were having a talk last night about diets. She is of course like Brian - skinny. She is probably 5'8" or 5'9" and weighs 128 pounds usually (don't ya just hate her). She can pretty much eat whatever she wants and does. When I was explaining low carb to her (which she didn't know I was doing before) she made the comment but, "If you go off of it the weight all comes back on." And I told her something that has taken me awhile to figure out is that I'm never going to be able to eat everything I want when I want. That with my body type and metabolism I am always going to have to watch what I eat in order to maintain. Eating what I want is what put the weight on in the first place. At least with low carb I don't feel deprived. And yes I'll still have mashed potatoes and pizza (once I hit goal) but not on a regular basis. And I think during maintanence you are doing what we are suppose to do - find our balance, or a magic number if you were going to still count carbs everyday.

Menu for today:

B: Omelet with Cheese and Bacon (hopefully I can find some)
Task: Grocery shopping/finish laundry
L: Tuna Salad with Celery Sticks.
S: 1/2 apple with Peanut Butter
D: Heroin Wings - out of my recipie book my friend Tiffany says that they are amazing.

~Amanda

 

[sharoncity]

Excellent observation Amanda! Good for you! Sounds like re-entry is coming around for you. I'm sure that talk with Tiffany helped a lot too! Thank God we have such dear friends when we need them most!
Sounds like you've got a great plan. Stick to it and you'll see that scale moving down again in no time!!
TTFN-
Sharon

 

[septbride2002]

I hate re-entry. Augh. So far so good today although I feel like I've been hit by a truck. Might have a diet soda after I post this to pep me up a bit. Finished laundry and the grocery shopping. We needed so much stuff that I spent $150 on groceries! I know that doesn't sound like much to some but DH and I usually only spend about $200 a month on groceries. Yikes.

Got lots of veggies, mushrooms, peppers, and spaghetti squash. I picked up some Atkins bake stuff that I am going to try to find desert recipies I can make with it. For lunch I used it to make a Tuna Casserole that I found in my recipe book. It was net 2 carbs per serving and Oh My Goodness it was delicious. Yummy! I had 2 servings. I took a nice long nap this afternoon and I am going to draw a hot bath in a minute. DH is bored and driving me crazy - I wish I had the motivation to scrapbook but I just haven't found it yet. Plus I need some supplies.........

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

hey amanda, i'm glad you're getting back into the normal swing of things. sounds like the chat with your friend was definitely what the doctor ordered. sometimes, it takes the help of others to help us get back on track. hope things keep going in the right direction for you

 

[septbride2002]

Ah a successful day! I cannot say what a huge help this cookbook that I have has been. I made 2 recipes out of it today and both were outstanding! Loved them! I can mark today as cheat free and I am so excited about it. Not sure on the carb mark today I am hovering in the 30 range though which is good enough for me. I had 2 sodas today and lots and lots of crystal light - just couldn't do plain water today - will try harder tomorrow.

Got my plan all set for tomorrow when I go back to work. Lord give me the strength that I am going to need to get through the day.

I've posted the 2nd part of my trip report - if you want to hear about my meeting with Doe please go read.

Part 2

I'm off to bed!

~Amanda

 

[famfab5]

Amanda,

Thank you for stopping by my journal! I laughed so hard at the "Holy Will Power Batman" and I thought of that all day today when I went by the freezer knowing there are treats in there I can't have YET! I've made a deal with myself. I have only 12 more weeks before vacation. I am going to let myself eat what I want when I'm there. Is that what you did for the most part?

Your cookbook sounds awesome, what's the name of it? I am going to try and make it to the library tomorrow to look for some low carb cookbooks. Already needing some variety here!

I was really impressed with your conversation with your SIL. You explained it so very well. I have no doubt you will have the strength to get through Tuesday with flying colors!

Warmly,

E.

 

[DoeWDW]

Thanks for the heads-up in my journal about your trip report. I went on over there and had a look. I can't WAIT for the next installments! Forget work - stay home and WRITE!!

I've never been a special guest in a trip report! Thanks for all the kind words!

Now, go out there and have yourself a fabulous Tuesday!

 

[marsh0013]

i'm loving the trip reports amanda! you really are an excellent story teller

and that is wonderful that you have found a cookbook to try out all sorts of new and delicious foods! amazing what a little variety will do for your outlook on food

good luck on your first day back to work. i know it will be tough, now that you're full throttle back into the real world. but you can do it. hope it goes well today, have a great one

 

[septbride2002]

I've got the funeral march in my head today as I sit at my desk at work. Not a good sign. After sorting through the 275 emails I had waiting for me I am finally coming up for a bit of air. Truth is my assistant handle everything fabulously for me - I'm glad I brought her back a box of Ghiradelli's chocolates for all her hard work.

Plan for today:
B: 1/2 apple with peanut butter - 14 carbs.
L: I think I'll make Chicken Waldorf salad
D:???? It might be everyone fends for themselves night at our house, or it might be Kiebasa with cauliflower rice. Not sure what I'm in the modd for yet.

Trying to stay under 55 carbs today.

Doe and Marcia thanks for stopping by and commenting on the trip reports - I've got Day 2 all written just haven't uploaded it yet. Tonight when I get home I'll do that and start working on day 3.

~Amanda
***********************************************
1:58p.m.
I have been so busy at work today - but not with good stuff....oh well. I've stuck to plan. My chicken salad at lunch was 6 carbs or so so I have used 20 carbs so far today. DH and I have agreeded to do an everyone cooks for themselves night. I don't really know what I am in the mood for. Nothing really sounds all that good. Maybe I'll just do something easy like chicken breast and cauliflower rice. Not real sure yet.

~Amanda
***********************************************
6:30p.m.
Went to Dinner at Subway and had an 11 carb wrap and nibbled on 4 pizza rolls of DH's. Don't know officially what my carb count it but it should be under 55. Craving sweet things really really badly now! And had to turn down Ghiradelli's chocolate today and flavored coffee. Augh. I hate sugar withdrawal.

Posted more of my trip report Day 2, part 1

 

[septbride2002]

Well I ended on 53.5 carbs for today. I made some white chocolate mousse that helped my sweet craving.

I'm off to bed!

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

Amanda, I'm happy that you made it through yesterday! It sounds like your white chocolate mousse was just the ticket!

Today's a new day. We'll both get through it and be feeling better by the weekend! Sail through your day - I'll be doing the same! :happy1:

 

[septbride2002]

A new day - and a new attitude. I am hoping that last night is the end of my sugar withdrawal, because it hasn't been fun. Almost makes ya never want another Dole Whip again......I said almost!

I have a much better plan today for myself and am looking forward to all my meals.

B: Blue Bunny Yogurt - 13 carbs
L: Grilled Chicken Breast with mushrooms, possibly some roasted peppers to go with it. Yummy! (5 carbs)
D: Kiebasa with either Cauliflower rice or Broccoli and cheese.
S: White chocolate Mousse

Tonight is a big TV night, lots of stuff on to watch so it is usually my night to veg.

I've decided to purchase The Firm tapes. I need something else in conjuction with the running to help tone and "firm" my legs and arms.

~Amanda

 

[marsh0013]

amanda, that white chocolate mousse sounds divine! and that it fits into your daily plan is wonderful . i hope your sugar cravings are calming down, but don't joke about dole whips . haha, i've never even had one (the horror! i know!), but i've heard wonderful things about them. can't wait to try one whenever i make it to the world again (hoping it's before next january for the half marathon!).

looks like you've got a great plan set out for yourself, and i'm glad that you're looking forward to it! much easier to make it through the day when you know you're going to enjoy your food

i've heard lots of good things about the firm tapes, hopefully they will be good for you as well

 

[septbride2002]

Minor breakdown at lunch today, I sort of lost my temper with myself, and proceeded to kick and scream at my stove. Not a real good thing to do but it made me feel better. Not sure why I really lost my temper, problems with DH's family that frustrate me.

I stuck to my plan at lunch, had an extra 5 carbs for a snack. Note to self - yogurt on it's own is not a filling breakfast. I was hungry by 10 a.m. - thankfully my vending machine has peanuts in them so I am okay. I'm working on another 16 oz of water right. 16 is already down the hatch. Trying to focus on being positive here at work and finding good things in every hour.

~Amanda

 

[DoeWDW]

for you, dear Amanda, but I gotta ask.....

did the stove kick or scream back????

I do hope things are looking brighter and you're doing great sticking to plan! You are right about the yogurt though - NOT filling on its own!

We're almost through the workday - we can make it!!

 

[septbride2002]

No Doe - the stove did not kick or scream back at me. Hehehe.

Well I purchased the Firm2 tapes and bar. No fanny lifter - although I can send away for it if I was to for $30. I'll have to talk to DH about it since I already spent $54 for the tapes and bar. I did VHS considering I'll be working out in the bedroom. Of course the $54 included $20 for shipping and handling. Yikes! But the box weighs almost 12 pounds according to the sales person. On The firm website the listing price is $55 w/o the S/H so I am hoping I saved myself some money by going through Ebay.

~Amanda

********************************************
B: 14 carbs
S: Peantus - 5 carbs
L: 3 carbs
S: Coffee - 3 carbs
D: Polish Sausage w/ BBQ Sauce, and Cauliflower with Cheese - the sausage is 3 carbs per 2 oz.....I'm thinking I probably had 6 oz. so 18 carbs, 3 carbs for side dish, - I am at 46 carbs for the day so I have 9 carbs left over for tonight should I get hungry. It which case I'll munch on some Peanut butter and celery sticks.

~Amanda

Forgot to mention that I actually grilled the sausage tonight on the BBQ Grill. It tasted so wonderful! It was about 45 degrees when I got home and light enough to let me do it. I miss grilling! My DH even said it was delicious.