Whatever happened to 10 weeks of Zone?

So, back in September, I started this blog to record my full 10 weeks of zoning ( i.e. weighing and measuring...). Did I do it? Obviously I let some of you down by not continuing to blog about it. But here is what really happened:

August 31, started the Zone and went strict for almost two weeks. I was at my cousins wedding and gave into the wedding cake (thinking I could handle a cheat)! I was off the Zone for a week and a half and then started back on Wednesday the 23rd. At that point, I stayed strong for 4 weeks! Then off 5 days. Guilt kicked in sooner and I was back at it, but only for one day. So, 8 weeks of shocking my body and then I decided that I was developing an eating disorder (but not truly) and quit focusing on food. I wanted to be normal,...but not really. I mean, I want to eat without thinking about it so much, but I don't want to eat like everyone else. The norm these days is not good. I still desire to be "healthy", but I still love foods that are not good for me. So, I am striving for more of a mental balance. I would like to be at a place of total self control, but this may never happen (just being realistic). I don't mean that I want to be in control, but that I consider the food I eat with knowledge of how it will travel through and effect my body and my mind. I am grasping this frame of mind and love learning about the digestive tract, but sometimes i just throw it all to the wind! The heck with "eating right"! But I truly do desire to treat my body well and take care of it for the future years when it will matter more, and I do love to feel good. So, I will continue to give updates on my success and failures only as long as it may be helpful to anyone who reads this blog. I am imperfect, striving for perfection. Two steps forward, one step back. Little by little, I mold myself into better health and work with what I've been given!

Christmas bingeing: It's finally over...almost

Ok, Christmas is finally past. It was great fun to not think about the effects of food on my body. So, I ate and enjoyed! And now, the side effects begin. Hey self, I told you so- I told you that bad mood and bloating would follow. And I am here to say that I was right! Here is the delimma: I want to feel better, so I want to eat better, but I have successfully trained my body to want sugar! So now, I am slave to my desires. I keep giving in and continue to feel worse. Am I complaining? No! Just stating the facts. So, new year here I come! Cold turkey it will have to be, for me, anyway. To all of you who can relate- good luck! We're in this together! To all of you who can't- good for you!

The "Good" Stuff

Being Christmas time and all, I thought I would just address the "good stuff" from my quote at the top of the page from Ratatouille. In my opinion, the good stuff also includes sweets. There are sweets worth the splurge and then there are snickers bars. There is plenty of junk to eat, but there is nothing like homemade "badness". I'm sure we will all have our fair share of sugary sweets over the holidays, (unless you are Matt Hughey and you are tough as nails!) and so I declare that we should enjoy those things that we deem special and say no to the junk that is available every day of the year! Yes, sluggishness will occur and bad moods may arise. But remember! We are all in charge of what we put into our bodies! So eat, drink, and be merry! And just don't complain if you make yourself miserable! Remember- you can always start a new day and a new WOD! Merry Christmas!

P.S. Many thanks to Stacy Beam and wife, Amanda, for the homemade marshmallows! :)

See you at the new box!

Comfort Food the Zone Way

Today I made a recipe that was suggested by Gillian on the "BIggest Looser" (one of my favorite shows, by the way). She says to replace mashed potatoes with cauliflower. It's true! I put about 2 cups of steamed cauliflower in my food processor and added butter, salt and pepper, and 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese- enough to equal 1 block of everything. Sure you have to make a mental change, but I think it is actually good and very similar to a southern favorite!

By the way, our home internet service is not very reliable these days. Until we get it changed, my posts will be very hit or miss as they have been. I apologize, but know that I am still following the plan! It has been 5 1/2 weeks now, and 1 1/2 of those I got off track. All in all, I have lost 5 pounds so far! For two weeks, kids were sick and I only went to Crossfit twice during that time, so I am here to say that even if you cannot work out, keeping up with the diet will still give you results. In my experience, working out speeds up the rate of weightloss, if this is one of your goals. :)

Inspiration

I love aprons! They are practical and fun! I am always cooking something on the stove that splatters oil, so when I saw this apron, I just had to have it! It is my newest inspiration to have fun in the kitchen! Add some great music, and Wa-La! You're cookin'!

Check out this fun apron website!

8-29-09 Chicken Piccata with Prosciutto

I got creative tonight and cooked a first for me- chicken piccata- so that I could use capers that I bought on a whim. I used to work at Marina's on the Square while in college at MTSU. That is where I became introduced to capers. Interesting little things! They add a bit of bite, kind of like an olive, but not as strong. I happened to have prosciutto from a time when I was wrapping it around mozzarella cheese sticks for 1 block snacks. So, here it is:

Thinly coat chicken tenders or breasts in whole wheat flour/salt and pepper. Cook in skillet in a couple of tablespoons of EVOO (Extra Virgin Olive Oil) for about 4-5 minutes on each side. Put in preheated oven of 200 degrees to keep warm while making sauce.





Sauce: Use remains of skillet and add:
It called for 1 cup chicken broth, but I used leftover Pinot Grigio.
It called for minced garlic and shallots, but I used garlic powder and freezed dried chives,
Dried parsley, and lemon juice.
Add capers and prosciutto and simmer for a few minutes.
My measurements were not exact.
Pour over chicken! So good! So easy! So Yummy! Really! I think that the wine was a great substitute.



Sides: I served this with sauteed spinach with added bacon bits (real ones) and applesauce (no added sugars).

I made the kids eat one bite of the spinach and then they had carrots and dip. They also dipped their chicken in ranch instead of having my sauce.

Today's breakfast:
Leftover ground turkey with melted cheese in a pita. Coffee with H&H.

Today's lunch: fish taco!!!!!! YUM! My pleasure to eat lunch at the Beam household with Amanda and Stacey! They hooked my little can of tuna UP! Instead of eating it out of the can, they gave me a wheat tortilla, slaw, cilantra, red pepper, salt and pepper, and lime juice! Soooooo good! Probably very close to a 3 block meal.

Today's snack: yogurt and coffee with H&H

9-22-09 Pork Loin Roast Dinner

This is one of my new favorites, and so easy!
If you're tired of chicken or a regular roast, then try pork!

Brown the pork loin roast in your iron skillet :) (or whatever kind of skillet you have and then transfer to a baking dish)
Add salt and pepper, and tonight I smoothed on some Hoisin sauce, which is good for pork and poultry. Two tablespoons has 13 carbs, so it will be minimal when sliced. Put it in the oven for 1 hour and WA-LA! or however you spell that!

I found a pork rub at World Market that looked worth trying out, but I knew I had Hoisin sauce to use up. I am not familiar with rubs, but intend to experiment at some point.

I will serve it with green beans from the freezer, steamed cauliflower, and cantaloupe. This is what I have, but I'm sure the side options are endless.