Show, then aid - Sabine

First, my honey told me I looked good. Compliments from him are few and far between, so that felt great. And when I put on my pants, purchased new(well, thrift store new) in February, they were charmingly loose. I have four days of good eating under my belt after being sick, and I am feeling in fine fettle.

This was yesterday:

Up at 6:15
Vitamins

10:30 8oz porkchop
2T green salsa
2 eggs fried in
butter

1:30 4 sausages
7 strawberries
1 1/2C romaine
caesar dressing

4:15 1 1/2 meatballs (had to test!)

6:20 13 meatballs in
low-carb french bbq sauce
2C Siobhan's zuccini thing

9:00 1C chocolate whipped cream

Water: 9 glasses
Walking: 75"

Bed at 11:00

I was not hungry at 9:00 - I just wanted something sweet. But I took the time to make a low-sugar treat, and sat down to eat it, and didn't just shovel a handful of chocolate chips into my mouth. So, I'll count that as a win.

And, a nice long walk with my honey. Longer than he wanted (I forgot his knee was bothering him) but we got trapped in the land of cul-de-sacs, so it was a good hour before we got back. And it is nice to just have time on our own, with nothing to do but talk.

I love it when the hunger and meals just flow together. I am not feeling like I am thinking about it, working at it. I'm just doing it. Eating when I am hungry or have a desire for a treat, and not thinking about it in between. And not going crazy for more and MORE after a treat. Instead, feeling satisfied, and thinking how delicious it was.

I was very hungry before dinner yesterday, while I was out running around with Littlest, but it was an "I'm looking forward to dinner, let's hurry to get home" hunger, not "I can't stand it, let me buy a bag of chips and shovel them in" hunger.

Life is good.

:)

You're doing great Sabine :)

Not on purpose. The dogs got me up, and while I was in the bathroom I woke up the rest of the way, to the point where lying back down again is futile. Given the choice between journals, or dishes...well, here I am.

Here's what went down yesterday:

Up at 6:00
Vitamins

9:15 7 meatballs in
french barbeque sauce(?gC-forgot to figure it)
2C Siobhan's zuccini thing

3:30 jicama slices
spinach-cream cheese dip
1/2C cinnamon-splenda pecans

6:00 1 1/2 ground lamb patties
1C cucumber-yogurt raita
2 falafel (12gC)
1 square dark chocolate (7gC)

Water: 10 glasses
Walking: 20"

Bed at 10:00

About 11:00 I had some extreme frustration due to the sink backing up and futile attempts to get the outflow cover off so I could snake the pipe. Mindless eating was calling. But I resisted. I made a huge pan of cinnamon-splenda pecans for my retreat this weekend, and did paperwork.

In the evening, I had some abdominal pressure from gas, which I am certain came from the falafel. But it was worth it. Very yummy, and just right with the lamb and raita. Definitely a 20% moment.

I've been putting aside a serving of our meals in the freezer for the last couple of days, so that I'll be ready with a selection of good food for my retreat this weekend. I meant to put away some of the zuccini, but it got gobbled up too quickly. The dogs looked very sad to see the lamb be boxed up. I've got some curry in there, and meatballs, and tomorrow I'm mixing up chicken salad. I'll also be bringing crudites and a cheese plate, so I think I will be set up to eat well. I know there will be chocolate galore, but as long as I can balance it with plenty of protein, I'm not going to stress about that.

I'm planning my monthly fast for just after the retreat, and I am actually looking forward to it. I never expected that. But it feels like it will be a rest. This interests me, that my attitude toward fasting is evolving this way, and so quickly. Two times, and I am not thinking, 'can I do it,' 'this will be hard', but rather, 'this will be a nice break'. I know that after retreat I will really be in a sewing mood, so I am planning to use my non-eating time to get a lot done on various quilt projects. I'm thinking that my goal will be for three days after I hit the point of being hungry.

But right now, I am enjoying planning the meals for today. I'm coming for you, sweet potatoes!

I'm going on retreat next week and am a bit uneasy about the food - when I signed up there was a space for dietary restrictions and I noted that I am gluten intolerant and eat all meat, fruit, veg, and eggs. Hopefully at least one of those things will be available at each meal!

Ours is an informal retreat, as in, we are the ones in charge! :) Everyone is bringing something to share, plus their own food items, plus we will eat two meals out.

I am bringing vegetables and dip, plus a cheese plate. No problems there. The other 'sharing' dishes will be: soup(maybe) and bread(NO!); granola and croissants (double NO!); King Ranch Chicken casserole(maybe a spoonful); fruit salad(yes, a little).

For myself I am bringing different proteins, cooked vegetables, and sugar-free desserts. I know I WILL get tempted by the unnamed treats people will bring (read: chocolate) and when I give in, I want to have my own yummy things to eat. I'm planning cinnamon-splenda pecans, chocolate cream/blueberries parfaits, and intense custard with strawberries. And some dark chocolate.

For the meals out: I have been to both restaurants, and know exactly what to order. Even the ladies' tea room has a suitable option. I just have to turn down the side of rice and biscuit that comes with the grilled fish. And the honky-tonk makes a fabulous rib-eye. Yum!

I would definitely suggest bringing some emergency food of your own, Siobhan, both if you need more protein or veg, and to substitute for any treats. It is easier for me to pass up on 'bad' treats if I know I have a 'good' one of my own. Don't know if it would work the same for you, but better to be prepared and not need it, than...well, you know!

And then there's always the concern of the additives that seem to be in everything. I'm thinking I might have to give up rotisserie chicken, even, because my body can now tell there is something, no matter how little, that is just not natural in there. :( And I love rotisserie chicken.

[QUOTE=Sabine;863172] intense custard with strawberries[/QUOTE]
I'm on a good custard quest so I have to ask, what is [B]intense[/B] custard??

Ooooh. I use a recipe from Dana Carpender's '500 Low-Carb Recipes'. The intense part is extra egg yolks: 2 more yolks to 5 whole eggs. I also use ALL cream, instead of a mixture of cream and milk. It is lovely, and even better when slightly underdone. I love a jiggly center! (On custard.) Top with some macerated strawberries, and you are a happy camper.

I should probably bring some almond butter, and maybe something precooked in a small cooler, like bacon. Luckily fruit is really portable. Coconut milk, possibly.

I go to a lot of potlucks, etc. at church, must start bringing a dish all of the time.

Do you have any idea how we can check on Pam? She hasn't posted in a really long time. On one hand, it is none of my business and on the other hand I am worried.