Weight

Okay, I have come to a weird conclusion. I have weighed myself almost every day for about three weeks now. The wild swings in my weight are crazy. There's been as much as a 3-pound swing. That strikes me as crazy. I am large. I've got about 90 pounds or so to lose. I decided to weigh myself daily to see how much difference there can be on a daily basis. For about the last two weeks, I've been eating very wisely. I've discovered that if I eat a smaller dinner, that not only do I sleep better, I also seem to have more energy the following day.

Some of you may think that I am crazy. Weight is very simple. Just expend more than you take in. I've heard all about this. My grandmother always talked (read: nagged) me about my weight. She said that she always weighed within 5 pounds of 130. She said, "If I see the scale creeping up, I just cut back until I am back down to around 130." I totally understand this idea. It makes complete sense. But for some reason, I have not been able to implement it. I don't think I'll ever be down around the 130 area, because I'm just more comfortable a little heavier. I was in that range when I was in college. I had the unitard with the little "underwear" that you wore over it. It was hard core. Of course this was when "Home Sweet Home" was number one on the MTV countdown forever, needless to say that was YEARS ago.

Can I just say that if you have a few pounds to lose, take care of it NOW? It was so easy to lose weight when I was young. Your metabolism is your friend. Now, at age 40, it's quite a bit more difficult to shed the pounds.

I am on board with a newish eating plan including the awesome QUINOA, and more veggies. I am training for 5Ks since that season is coming up. I know that if I keep this up, I'll lose some weight, but I'm really good at starting these things, not so good at keeping them up. I'm keeping a journal of things that are good about this way of eating to help me realize how important it is to have good nutrition.

SIDEBAR: Last night I had a tasty bowl of quinoa (cooked in beef broth), black beans (rinsed and heated in beef broth), and two fresh small tomatoes diced up and thrown in. It was SO good. I just added a little cayenne pepper (don't really care for black pepper), onion powder, and salt. The tomatoes really brightened it up.

Well, to keep with the plan, I must go to the gym. I'm enjoying my last week of freedom until school is in. Grrrr.

(Edit at 11:20 a.m. -- I am losing my mind. I have told this stupid post every way that I know how that I'd like it all to appear in the Georgia font. Some paragraphs have acquiesced, others not so much. Sorry for the font change right in the middle. Boo!)

I Might as Well Face It, I'm Addicted to Quinoa

With apologies to Robert Palmer, I am addicted to quinoa. It is DELICIOUS. I've eaten it almost every day since my return from Pennsylvania. I feel GREAT!

My favorite way to prepare:

1/4 cup of quinoa

1 "dab" of butter/Smart Balance buttery spread, etc.

1/2 cup of chicken stock

splash of half-and-half

2 "grabs" of extra-sharp cheddar cheese (shredded)

Melt butter (at a medium heat) in a small sauce pan (a really small one). Add quinoa and cook for about two to three minutes. (If it burns a little, it won't hurt. I did this the other day and it just gave a sweeter, nuttier flavor.) Next, add the chicken stock and let it come to a boil. Once boiling, reduce heat to low. I cook the quinoa for ten minutes then check to see if all liquid is absorbed. If not, I cook a few more minutes. Then remove it from heat, add the half-and-half and cheese and stir.

It's really enough for two or, if you're hungry, it's for one.

I also cooked 1/2 cup in chicken stock, let it cool and added cherry tomatoes, celery, and green onions, chopped really small. Then, I added a balsamic vinaigrette (just a mix of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, and brown mustard, whisked together). It was good right away, but wow, after marinating all night, CRAZY DELICIOUS!

Yum. It's almost lunchtime and that means some more salad!