meredish

Downsize your waist by downsizing your plate! Cut from a 12-inch plate to a 9-inch plate and you’ll cut 500 calories without feeling deprived.

(Provided by Rocco DiSpirito)

SEVEN.  That’s how many servings of fruit and vegetables people who feel amazing eat daily. 

I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon.  I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon. I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon.

I am going to keep telling myself that over and over and over again.  I didn’t even bake cookies last night so I really shouldn’t be participating anyway.  And I purposely did not bake (even though I love baking) because if you contribute to the exchange, then you can participate in the exchange.  I just hope people don’t leave their cookies out to share. Today, sharing is NOT caring.

So again, I repeat: I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon.  I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon. I will not participate in the office Christmas Cookie Exchange this afternoon.

We all know there’s a strong correlation between a high fiber diet and weight loss, but here’s even more supporting reasons why a diet in high fiber is good for you:

• Promotes Longevity
• Maintains Colon Health
• Lowers Cholesterol
• Helps Prevent Diabetes
• Aids Digestion
• Prevents Heart Attack

Wonder what this means for her multi-million dollar Weight Watchers deal.  I’ve said it all along, they should never have partnered with her.  Hopefully this means I won’t have to see her pudgy face when I log into my WW account for much longer.  Bring back, J Huds!!

Is it just me or is anyone else fascinated by people at the salad bar?  I think the majority of people completely misconstrue the point of this. If I’m going to have a 2,000 cal lunch, it’s certainly not going to be a salad, yet time and time again, I observe the following: light on the veggies and heavy on the buttermilk ranch, croutons, cheese, etc.  Why is that?  I almost want to yell out “Just because you’re making a ‘salad’ doesn’t make it OK to add on the calorific add-ons!!!”

It reminds of my fave Bud Light Real American Genius commercial - Mr. Giant Taco Salad Inventor — “I don’t see no lettuce!”  Seriously though, isn’t the whole point of a salad to make a healthy choice?  Just because you’re adding fried chicken and blue cheese to your pile of mixed greens doesn’t make it any better than ordering a Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.  Come on people… Make some smarter choices.

{end rant}

I ate like a a true fat kid on Thanksgiving, as if it was my last meal on the planet. My brother’s girlfriend’s family hosted us and I felt the need try everything on the menu, especially all the [southern] casseroles:

• Sweet Potato Casserole
• Green Bean Casserole
• Pineapple Casserole
• Cranberry Apple Casserole
• Squash Casserole
• Veg-All Casserole

That doesn’t include all the other fixin’s I gorged on.  Oh, and let’s not forget the delicious dessert bar that included:

• Pecan Pie with Vanilla Ice Cream
• Lemon Bars
• Strawberry Jam Bars
• Pound Cake
• Regular Cheesecake
• Cookies & Cream Cheesecake
• I think I’m forgetting something else here that I really, really liked

Although I certainly enjoyed myself, I’m sure I’m up at least 5 pounds.  Good thing I don’t have a Weight Watchers meeting until Saturday… (I obvi skipped the Saturday after Thanksgiving).  Seriously, who weighs-in on vacay?

Tonight I’m going to my first Weight Watchers cooking class at The Chopping Block!  I’m beyond excited!!  The chef lost 50 pounds on the program, so this is completely legit and endorsed by Weight Watchers.  Nutritional info and PointsPlus values, along with the recipes, are provided at the end of the class for each person to take home. 

Tonight’s menu is holiday-themed, of course, and will include the following:

• Cranberry Orange Relish
• Roast Turkey Breast with Garlic & Herbs
• Roasted Brussels Sprouts & Shallots
• Mashed Sweet Potatoes
• Pumpkin Souffle

I’m already salivating.  YUMM-O.  The meal in its entirety is supposed to be 17 PointsPlus.  A lot for your typical dinner, but not for a holiday meal — that’s a lot of food, my friends. 

I can’t wait to learn how to prepare these dishes and recreate (some of) them next week for Thanksgiving!  Gobble Gobble…

I just purchased a sweater at Nordstrom in a small.  A SMALL!  Granted the sizes run a little big, but I would have thought a medium would have done the trick.  Nope - too big.  I needed a small.  Even though the scale hasn’t budged - less than half a pound in 3 weeks - my body is definitely changing.

Perfect example - today I’m wearing a skirt I couldn’t fit over my ass this summer, and a top I haven’t worn since starting this job (August 2011).  Things are definitely looking up.  While the scale says one story, my body is saying another, and that is certainly keeping me motivated.