Saturday, August 1, 2009

Wisdom of a Foodie

Psst. If you're looking for the "Deceptively Delicious" Cookbook giveaway, click here to enter. Don't forget to enter by Aug. 7!

Over the last couple of days I've been sharing my thoughts with a fellow foodie on FoodBuzz. Rachel of Laptops and Stovetops told me she is also on a similar self improvement journey. She is living by the motto, "trying to be the best me I can be." And of course I am attempting to "love myself as I am."

I told her my biggest frustration with being a perfectionist is that I want to be all, achieve all, and have all -- perfectly. In other words, I want everything done now, and mastered to perfection! When it doesn't happen the way I think it should, I get frustrated, overwhelmed and give up.

She replied: "When I am getting frustrated with progress, I try to liken myself to a master work of a marbled sculpture. Even if it's just a few minor chips I make each day, I am still working towards my masterpiece."

Thinking back to when started this blog (three months ago or so), I could barely force myself to exercise for 30 minutes a day on a regular basis. Before Rachel made that comment, I thought my silly little "21 Day New Habit Challenge" was a failure. I may not have completed all my goals, but look at me now. I've been exercising regularly since the start of it!

Rachel inspired and reminded me to take one day at a time. To view every step of progress, no matter how small, as a leap on my path towards my final destination. Thanks for the inspiration!

And now my progress of yesterday...

So after going to the bank, and leaving my debit card there, I went grocery shopping. I was on the hunt to find a VitaTop muffin, but Fred Meyer doesn't carry them. They did, however, have Oikos Greek Yogurt!

I've been craving yogurt the last few days, but I won't buy the sugary stuff and I despise plain yogurt. I remember having some Greek Yogurt with fruit and honey at a B&B, and I liked it.

Oikos' flavor is by far less offensive than that of plain yogurt. For a snack, I had 1/2 a cup of Oikos, 1/2 cup blueberries, a little natural applesauce and some honey. Hit the spot.

Doggy Days...


Below is a picture of Maddie with her baby after going for a run. See the way she's lying? She actually sleeps like that. Weirdo.
Maddie loves her baby.

"Deceptively Delicious" Mac & Cheese: Deceptively OK

I wanted to give the Mac & Cheese recipe from "Deceptively Delicious" a try, since many of you said it was your childhood comfort food. Hey don't forget to enter the "Deceptively Delicious" cookbook giveaway. Jessica Seinfeld's recipe called for cauliflower puree (or butternut squash puree), skim milk, lowfat cheddar, lowfat cream cheese, paprika, salt, and pepper. Since I use organic dairy, I did use full fat. I really have to be careful with her recipes, because she uses a lot of "lowfat" variaties. Variaties that are usually not organic. Anyway...
It was ok. I happened to like it anyway. I'm sure had my husband eaten it, and I told him it was mac & cheese, he would have objected. :) But, if I were to use the basis of that recipe and add some turkey burger or something and give it a different name, he would have eaten it and told me it was ok.
The recipe definitely didn't taste like the boxed stuff. It was closer to homemade mac & cheese. Though, I can tell you nobody would know cauliflower hides among the elbow macaroni and the cheese.
For a healthy all natural version of mac & cheese, it hit the spot.
I served mine with leftover steamed cauliflower and chicken breast. To make the mac & cheese more grown up, I crumbled some blue cheese over the top. hehehe
I had to share that the mac & cheese definitely filled me up (due to using whole wheat pasta), and I left 1/2 of the chicken breast. :) I usually clean my plate.Today I'm going to try the Brownies with Spinach. I'll let you know how those go!

Here is everything else I ate...
With some changes though. I did have the banana soft serve, but I ate it with a spoonful of blueberry jam, rather than chocolate syrup and nuts.
I also exercised for 55 minutes. I did 20 minutes on the treadmill -- 5 minute warm up and 15 minute run. I also did 35 minutes of tae bo.
The rest of my day today:
So much to do so little time. I'm off to clean the house now. YAY *sarcasm*
Remember, ever little bit of progress you make is still progress.
--Shawnee

2 comments:

  1. Hi There,

    I just found your blog. You are so right. It's all about taking one step at a time to get closer to where you want to be. In fact, I think we all are a work in progress...

    The more I eat Oikos yogurt, the more I love it. The Mac & Cheese sounds interesting...

    Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

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  2. I am totally touched, not only by the quote but also by the macaroni and cheese-I just love it with a puree! It makes the dish more hearty and less unhealthy. Love to know how those brownies go to-good luck!!

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