Vita-Mix Juicer and Hibachi Dinner

After a many hours in front of the computer, taking an online real estate course, I didn’t get a chance to eat. Then before I knew it I was running late for my 3pm appointment, and literally ran out the door. Luckily, Mike came with me and after the meeting I took a quick detour to Wendy’s while Mike went into Staples to get some office supplies.

I ate the Southwest Salad and asked for the Chili on the side and tried to pick off all the cheese I could. Once I went through all that effort, I realized the dressing was a creamy Southwestern Spicy Dressing. At that point I was so hungry, all I could do was mentally through my hands up in the air and eat my food.

That was around 4pm, because afterwards Mike headed to the interstate north. He had a piece of property up in Jacksonville that he wanted to see. So up north is where we headed to see some property, meet with his son, stop by Costco for the Vita-Mix Juicer and have dinner.

I had my eye on the Vita-Mix Juicer for some time, and it just so happened that Mike was thinking about getting the Juicer as well. So, luckily the gentleman at Costco was doing a demonstration of the Juicer and we were sold!!! I can’t wait to juice in it tomorrow.

Then we headed to Wasabi-Japanese Steakhouse for dinner and invited Mike’s son to join us. While we were waiting 45 minutes for our Grill side seats, I sat at the bar and ordered small Cold Sake. Then at the table, I ordered another one.

Something I thought was great! When the chef started to make the Fried Rice, I asked him to make a little with no egg in it. And he complied. I was thinking about asking him to use no butter on a handful of vegetables, but I thought I might be pushing my luck. So, I took what I got and was very happy (Inside I was jumping up and down!).

Then it was time for the hour-long ride home 😦

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New Found Hope….

I got on the scale this morning, as I have been ever since we came back to Florida and I’ve noticed a change in numbers. The scale is reading 172lbs. from 174lbs. when we returned on Tuesday. I know it’s not much, but it’s hope for me to continue eating and drinking the way I am.

Something else to help inspire me…. I was reading an article yesterday from a pile I’ve been saving to eventually get to and I ran across an article with Alicia Silverstone becoming a Vegan. The article was great; it talked about this book the actress wrote “The Kind Diet”. It’s Alicia Silverstone’s own journey to becoming a vegan and how she views meat, religion, society, and saving the planet as she continues to live a vegan lifestyle.

I read this article and it’s inspired me to read the book, and continue to better myself as a vegan.  When I first started my raw eating lifestyle, I was bound and determined to not label or categorize it. I’m not one of those people who like to be categorized with anything in my life. But as I continue on this journey, I’m noticing the walls of apprehension are coming down. I am more comfortable referring to myself as a vegan before. It’s a becoming a familiar lifestyle to me, one which I want to continue with for the foreseeable future.

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I Promise…

I made a promise to myself, that I would eat only good raw foods. It’s been like a roller coaster ride since September 1st, 2009 when I initially made the decision. And looking at the calendar, it’s nearing my June 2nd goal date and I’m not losing anymore weight, in fact I’ve gained.

So, now it’s down to the wire to curb my spontaneous and bad eating style. Being back in Florida, I’ve been monitoring what and how much I’m eating.  My juicing is a staple two times a day and I’ve been taking my Barley Max once a day. I’m actually thinking of beefing that up to two times a day.

Since Tuesday, I’ve eaten Minestrone Soup and Salad at Olive Garden for lunch and then I made a Layered Vegetable Salad for dinner.  Wednesday I had lunch with Mike and his daughter at a pizza shop and of course I had Pizza with a twist. I asked for two slices of pizza with Onion, Broccoli, Mushrooms and NO CHEESE with a Greek Salad with NO CHEESE. s at Carrabba’s Restaurant where I had an Insalata Furilluci Salad with Grilled Eggplant, Roasted Red Bell Peppers, Olives with an Oil and Vinegar Dressing. I also ordered Rigatoni Martino with no meat and cheese (Mike and I shared that!).

Carrabba's Green Salad

Dinner wa

Layered Vegetable Salad

Thursday I ate the left over Layered Vegetable Salad for lunch and then it was back to another Carrabba’s Restaurant where I had the Insalata Furilluci for dinner and we ordered Bruchetta for appetizers. 

Bruchetta

I have to admit, I did indulge with four pieces of bread and both evenings I had a small carafe of wine.:(

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Now Back in FLA.

I haven’t been to pilates since Friday… and waking up this morning at 4:30am to hit the road to Florida seemed like a big enough work out. I actually was able to juice my Spinach, Celery and Carrots Juice for the road, but the Carrots didn’t juice so it was a Spinach and Celery Juice. Tastes Weird!!!

I have to admit, this weekend and Monday was filled with sugar. In addition to all the cupcakes, and wedding cakes I had, I had some Ice Cream Monday afternoon.:(

That’s why, after we made it into Palm Coast I made sure to stop off at Wal-Mart to pick up some fresh fruit so I can make dinner. I put some Sweet Potatoes in the oven to bake while I chopped up some Vegetables to make my Layered Vegetable Salad.Layered Vegetable Salad

Ingredients:

1 Yellow Bell Pepper

4 Green Onions

1 Small Bunch Broccoli

1 Tomato

1/2 Can of White Beans

1 Avocado

2tbls. Olive Oil

2tbls. White Balsamic Vinegar

1tsp. Cumin, Paprika, Chopped Onion, Celtic Salt

Directions:

Rinse and Chop up Vegetables. Mix with seasonings, Olive Oil and Vinegar and serve.

Layered Vegetable Salad

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Wicked Wedding Weekend

I juiced and filled my two mugs for the road… and I also packed a quick leftover meal from Moby Dicks’ to eat while we drive to Philadelphia.  I’m glad I did, because my Veggie Wrap was the most I ate… next to all the Bombay Sapphire and Tonics I inhaled.

I actually had 3 cocktails throughout the pre-wedding night. And I felt I should indulge, because I looked good in my new dress.

I especially looked good walking through the Buffet Line and taking little to nothing. I kept real close to my raw eating plan. There were some fried foods on the line and cheeses, but I didn’t indulge. I ate the fresh Veggies on the line, I had some Tortilla Chips, and some stuffed crab stuffed mushrooms.

In addition to the alcohol I drank during the night, at the hotel, I ate two cupcakes. I didn’t eat enough good food, so I got really hungry and indulged.:(

Sunday, we got up to attend the mid morning wedding and brunch that followed. This was the day I got a whole bunch of good raw foods inside of me. After the lovely wedding we snacked on a buffet of fresh carrots, celery, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli and salsas. I had a plate full of some of the different salsas with crackers and the veggies. I thought that was going to be the brunch, but the staff had us eating that while they prepared the brunch buffet.

It was a typical breakfast brunch with grapes, and pineapples. I made myself a bagel and locks with butter, onions, capers and tomatoes. It was delicious!!!! And of course I had a piece of wedding cake, which was, Carrot Cake.

For dinner that night, I made some crab cakes with carrots, celery and seasonings for Mike and his sun. And for me I roasted some Asparagus in Olive Oil with chopped Onions, Cumin, and Paprika. I scooped out a little Hummus and dipped it with some Whole Wheat Bread. Then I ate the remaining pieces of Carrot Cake Wedding Cake I snuck out of Philadelphia.

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Snack Favorites

Last night we went to the movies and saw “Percy Jackson and the Olympian Lightening Theif”. It was a cute movie… but more importantly I didn’t get anything from the snack bar at the theatre. Usually, during an outting I’ve been getting M&M Peanut Chocolate, Popcorn, or White Cherry Slushy. But this time, NOTHING!!!!

In fact, the only thing I ate was what we had at P.F. Changs… and then I snacked on some Stacy’s Pita Chips before hitting the hay!. Not such a good idea, but it satisfied the munchies.

I’ve been adding Hummus to the Pita Chips and having that as a snack along with some mixed fruits and a bunch of Almonds mixed with raisins.

Going to the wedding in Philadelphia… I just hope I can make smart and healthy food choices this weekend.!

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Pilates, Drinking and Juicing!!!

I think there has been a turning point for me this week….in the way I am approaching food.  In the last couple of months, I’ve been struggling with my eating, how much I’m eating, what I’m eating and how it’s affecting my body and weight. So I think I’ve been able to muster some self-control.

One thing that’s really been a great help… is the Pilates. Regularly, I’m attending classes in the morning and it’s definitely making a difference. I’ve noticed more definition in my arms, legs, and even in my stomach. Which is great, because I have a wedding to go to this weekend and that’s going to make a difference.

Today (Friday), as I’ve been doing since we’ve been here in Potomac, M.D., I juiced some carrot, celery, apple and this time through in some Spinach. I read yesterday, that you get a lot of protein from Spinach and thought I was neglecting the green leafy food, so I threw it in the mix.

I was dropped off at the mall, while Mike had some meetings. While I was there, I got really hungry and Mike didn’t pick me up until after 3pm.

So, my defenses were compromised and I ordered a Starbucks Grande Cinnamon Dolce Frapuccino.   The only saving grace for that miscalculation was Mike drank half of it!!!

 Then since neither one of us had lunch; we stopped into P.F. Changes for a late lunch/early dinner. I had two Spring Rolls, Buddha Rice Bowl with Brown Rice and a Glass of Riesling.

NO ICE CREAM FOR DESSERT ALL WEEK!!!

Infact, I’ve been having some pretty healthy and substantial meals while eating out this week. Last night we went to Olive Garden and I had the Minestrone Soup and Salad.

 I did devour one Bread Stick and drank a Glass of White Wine. Then we went to a place called Moby Dick where I had a great tasting Veggie Wrap with Mushrooms, Alfalfa Sprouts, Onions, and Tomatoes on White Flat Bread.

Then we went to a Restaurant called Wildfire in the Tyson’s Mall for drinks, which turned into dinner. I did order 2 Glasses of White Wine and a Greek Salad after which I had some of Mike’s Cod Fish, Baked Potato and Asparagus.

I HAVE NOTICED I’VE BEEN INDULGING IN WHITE WINE MORE THESE DAYS!!!!

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Nearly 2 Weeks and NO BLOG!!!

It’s been quite crazy up here in the North East. With everything from traveling to New York for a Gift Show, getting pounded by a snow forecasters dubble “The Blizzard of 2010”, losing power and until now internet service it’s been a pretty hectic couple of weeks.

Tyson Corner Shops

Blizzard 2010 Aftermath

Neighborhood Road After Blizzard

Through it all, I’ve managed to indulge, over indulge, come back to my senses and to reality for Team RawToLose40. Today, was my first day back to pilates and boy did it show I hadn’t been in the studio since last week.

In the course of these 13 days I’ve stayed off the blog, I did managed to make some great meals.

A Layered Vegetable Salad which takes nothing but imagination to make. Then I consulted the cook book and made the Vegetable Soup Stock because I saw some recipes in there that I wanted to make which required the Soup Stock.

Layered Vegetable Salad

Layered Vegetable Salad:

Ingredients:

1Red Bell Pepper

1Yellow/Orange Bell Pepper

5Mushrooms

1/2lb of Green Beans

2Stalks of Celery

1Tomato

1/2Can of Kidney Beans

1Cup of Broccoli

2Carrots

4Green Onions

2Tbls Olive Oil

2Tbls White Wine Vinegar

Paprika

Cumin

Garlic Powder

Dried Parsley

Directions:

Wash and Chop up all the Vegetables and place in a bowl. Add the ingredients for Oil & Vinegar Dressing and toss.

On a more serious note…. These last 2 weeks have been particularly difficult for me to bear. I’ve been eating recklessly and with no cares about the foods I’m eating and what they’ll do to my waiste line and health. Speaking of which, I’ve noticed the scale moving in the wrong direction and my waiste not getting any smaller. I keep saying these words, “that I have to buckle down”, “I have to eat right”, but the words have just not meant anything these past days. I know I have to find the will power in me to move it forward. Hopefully with the availability to pilates again, I will have the power back!

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