tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32587485719800180062024-03-04T23:55:41.720-08:00The Year of Living HealthfullyDonna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-49952407134302190372011-08-18T11:49:00.000-07:002011-08-18T12:33:23.857-07:00I can't remember what we were discussing in line at Aldi's.
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<br />But I do know that I said, "Well, you know this has been The Year of Living Healthfully."
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<br />And then Katie started to laugh.
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<br />and laugh and laugh and laugh.
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<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGc0XIXdqPWbmIY3vOQVcavtHnKA3-B-LO7ZhyphenhyphenawmgmFSJ8LVpi-I_9LmoYGA-Iy-diguSS7__LZ62wU1dZG6FQDgNnsvmZ8T7oC6G0UPqypLeox1HWwZejEfzLpGU1B1Wt3JGA9t_VlD/s1600/katielaughing.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHGc0XIXdqPWbmIY3vOQVcavtHnKA3-B-LO7ZhyphenhyphenawmgmFSJ8LVpi-I_9LmoYGA-Iy-diguSS7__LZ62wU1dZG6FQDgNnsvmZ8T7oC6G0UPqypLeox1HWwZejEfzLpGU1B1Wt3JGA9t_VlD/s400/katielaughing.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5642270184884907970" /></a>
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<br />I have continued to eat healthier.
<br />I have not gone back to Diet Dr. Pepper.
<br />I am still eating whole, natural foods.
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<br />It was too bad that I did not spot rule #53 until Monday. (Michael Pollan Food Rules)
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<br />"Serve a proper portion and don't go back for seconds."
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<br />Herein lies my problem as far as weight loss. With all the cooking for fresh delicious food. All those new recipes that I tried and only I wanted to eat...well...I ate and I ate and I ate.
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<br />Too much food.
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<br />Rule #45
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<br />Eat less.
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<br />Ah so now you tell me.
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<br />That homemade Chicken and dumplings was just too good. It took so long to make.
<br />It cost so much to make.
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<br />It was too much for me. I was not able to eat less.
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<br />I was focusing on food and cooking a lot and spending more money at the store...
<br />and I didn't see any results.
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<br />I lost interest.
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<br />I feel a little like an alcoholic who has to work in the brewery.
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<br />Yes, I remember the 'choose your hard' quote. I think I must have chosen denial.
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<br />So that is where I am at today, a few weeks before The Year of Living Healthfully ends.
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<br />Apparently, it's hilarious to some.
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<br />Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-38234216832845985352011-03-16T11:05:00.000-07:002011-03-16T11:11:27.755-07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kevmIOA7L._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kevmIOA7L._SL500_AA300_PIbundle-6,TopRight,0,0_AA300_SH20_.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I love this salad dressing because it makes me want to eat a salad.<br /><br />Actually I love salads, but not usually at home when I make them myself.<br />It's just not the same for some weird reason.<br /><br />Now. When I try to make my own dressing, I never like my salad.<br />I can make a mean Greek Salad with tomatoes and feta and olives and cucumbers...<br />but add lettuce to equation and I stink at salad making.<br /><br />But if I have this dressing on hand. I can do it.<br /><br />So even if I do not make it myself and even if it is filled with lots of stuff....<br />I like it because it makes it possible for me to enjoy a big salad of greens and tomatoes and green onions <br />and roasted chicken. <br /><br />This dressing is good with spinach and fruit and nuts too.<br /><br />It may not be the best choice but it is my favorite choice.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-66488228808907560732011-03-12T14:14:00.001-08:002011-03-12T14:24:49.640-08:00Walking and cooking.<br /><br />I have continued to walk every day. Some days a little bit. <br />Once around the Target. And some days more...up to 60 minutes.<br /><br />I have walked over 800 minutes and my goal is 1049 by the end of the month. I am on target...ha...walking around Target.<br />The weather is still very cold here in Wisconsin and I don't like to walk outside in the cold cloudy weather.<br />I never imagined I would walk around Target. But I am and it adds up.<br /><br />Then I get my Chai.<br /><br />I continue to drink one Chai a day. It is the culinary highlight of most days.<br /><br />I continue to cook and cook and cook.<br /><br />Today I made Sherried Tomato Soup.<br />Takes a lot longer than opening a can, but it really is delicious and it is fun to know exactly what goes into it.<br /><br />My favorite thing I have made is that old fashioned Hot Chicken Salad Casserole and Chicken and Dumplings.<br /><br />Neither of the dishes is low cal and I am sure that is why I am not losing weight.<br /><br />Too much fat. Too many calories.<br /><br />All natural and home made. But not low fat. <br />When I make something I like, I tend to eat large portions.<br /><br />I am the only one who will eat the Sherried Tomato Soup and I am sure I will be sick of eating it before it is gone.<br />I do not like to waste. so I suppose I need to learn to make smaller batches.<br />That is a novel idea.<br /><br />Walking and cooking and waiting for spring and the farmer's market.<br />Good things.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-28068318462561092992011-02-08T04:29:00.000-08:002011-02-08T04:48:54.338-08:00And I didn't care.I don't know where my mind was yesterday? I was totally off kilter.<br /><br />I only walked four minutes and I didn't care.<br />I drank a diet dr. pepper with my olive cheese bread for lunch and I didn't care.<br />I had a handful of dutch crunch chips before I ate three pieces of cinnamon toast for breakfast and I didn't care.<br />I ate processed mashed potatoes with processed gravy for dinner and I didn't care.<br /><br />I thought about what I was doing and I didn't feel the slightest nudge in my conscience. <br /><br />I couldn't sleep because I drank a chai at 5:30pm.<br /><br />And I woke up at 5:30 this morning after going to bed at midnight, still buzzed with my mind spinning.<br /><br />I write in my head while I lie in bed. It's annoying. <br />This morning I decided to just get up and write.<br /><br /><br />As I look back on the day, I wonder why I didn't care. I was not hungry, angry lonely or tired.<br /><br />I was excited about the Packer win. I was not depressed. But I <span style="font-style:italic;">was</span> off my routine and that is just about the only thing I can think of that would send me into such a odd mood.<br /><br />The Starbucks is out of Chai. (weird huh?) <br />This changed my routine;<br />my routine of walking and eating.<br /><br /><br />I better pay attention to this and have a plan.<br /><br />You can not eat healthfully and live healthfully without intent, without being conscious.<br /><br />Today is a new day. Time to wake up.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-54470683974878508352011-02-03T06:40:00.001-08:002011-02-03T06:58:41.063-08:00I am a teeny big thrilled to be up off the couch and I am very happy for the friendly push of the Idita-walk.<br /><br />I don't know why this little boy scout fundraiser in Nome Alaska lights a little fire under my lazy bottom, <br />but it does.<br /><br />I am determined and will not fail at this puny challenge.<br /><br />Today is day three and I just finished my walking for the day. For me it is best to do it right away.<br />I am out in the car with Katie at 7:15 and done with the morning drive by 7:30.<br /><br />It works best for me if I just walk right away. So I jump out of the car and look at the clock and walk.<br />I have figured that in order to reach my goal of 1049 minutes in 59 days, I must walk 17.77 minutes a day.<br /><br />That may seem frightfully short to you. But before Feb. 1, I didn't want to nor did I intentionally walk for ten minutes a day/month.<br /><br />On a day like today when the thermostat varies between -4 and -10, I consider myself a champion.<br /><br />So here is a little something I am doing. I don't want to walk at the mall. BUT when I get in the door at Target to buy my morning iced nonfat chai, I walk around the perimeter of the store. It takes seven minutes. So there you go. <br />Seven down.<br /><br />Then this morning, I thought, I will walk around the parking lot for a few minutes. So I set my chai in the car and walked out to the back of the parking lot and back to the car. Going out was super. Coming back was frigid. Burning my face.<br /><br />But. I gained another four minutes.<br /><br />I jumped in the car and drove home. When I got home I went inside to grab a hat and thought I would try to get the rest of the minutes I needed for the day. I walked down to the corner and back. <br /><br />Seven more minutes!<br /><br />Hooray. Eighteen minutes in all.<br /><br />Mission Accomplished.<br />For today.<br /><br />Do I like anything about walking?<br /><br />I like hearing the birds.<br />I like the way the sun shines on the mounds of snow.<br /><br />I like keeping a promise to myself.<br />I like being <span style="font-style:italic;">done</span> walking.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-28520142192708316832011-01-27T06:26:00.000-08:002011-01-27T06:38:22.083-08:00Kicking and screaming...and hanging onto the couch....<br /><br /><br />The idita-walk is coming up and I think I am going to give it a go.<br />The idita-walk is an event sponsored by the people of Nome Alaska. Walkers walk the same minutes as the dogs run in miles for the Iditarod. So the doggies run 1049 miles....we walk for 1049 minutes over a period of two months. (or less)<br />It's all about being healthy. <br /><br /><br />heavy. sigh.<br /><br /><br />I have taken this challenge twice in the past and completed it. And well....since a goal is important....<br /><br />I am going to sign up.<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://www.idita-walk.com/idw/Index.asp">Idita-walk</a><br /><br /><br /><IMG src="http://www.idita-walk.com/idw/images/finishsign.gif"><br /><br /><br />Start date is Feb. 1<br /><br />If I walk 17.77 minutes a day I will accomplish my goal. <br /><br />Here we go!!! mush!Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-75770619000935133982011-01-19T12:30:00.001-08:002011-01-19T12:41:35.269-08:00I broke up with the Schwans Man.<br /><br />He keeps coming by and I don't have the heart to tell him that I do not want to eat<br />any of the processed frozen food he has in is truck.<br /><br />When I don't buy anything from him, he nearly cries.<br /><br />I try to think of this or that to get from him.<br /><br />Like Fudgecicles for my husband or Chicken Kiev for Katie.<br /><br />But for me. There is nothing in the truck that I want.<br /><br />I am cooking for myself. I am choosing the ingredients carefully and trying new recipes.<br /><br />Sometimes I look at the packages of Lean Cuisine in the frozen food section of the grocery store...but then I think<br />about all the junk in them. I think. I will try to make that myself.<br /><br />Some days we order pizza. Some days we stop at the village bar for a burger.<br /><br />But most days, I am getting to be a regular Ina Garten; cooking in my pretty blouse, choosing fine ingredients and quietly cooking.<br /><br />I am thankful that I have time to cook and time to shop and time to plan.<br />I am thankful that it gets me off the couch.<br /><br /><br />The Schwans truck used to be very loud and i could hide out in the house and not answer the door. <br />Now he has a quiet stealth like truck and I am fooled by it and I answer the door.<br /><br />And then I have to say. No, I don't want anything today.<br />And her tries hard to sell me on something his little computer reminds him of...<br />and I say no thank you. again.<br /><br />And then I feel badly.<br /><br />But I know it's for the best. <br /><br />Break ups can be hard.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-64521782842754640112011-01-13T12:29:00.000-08:002011-01-13T12:37:22.182-08:00I forgot about the egg for a moment there. It's been over a month since I made myself a hard boiled egg. <br />And I can't remember the last time I had a soft boiled egg. <br /><br />What a perfect little healthy food. <br /><br />Tomorrow I am having a soft boiled egg or two. <br /><br />The hard boiled eggs I had today were fantastic. <br /><br />Oh! little nuggets of flavor and protein...I wont forget you again...Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-43127878960101924822011-01-11T12:47:00.000-08:002011-01-11T12:52:10.782-08:00The first diet food I remember is cottage cheese. My mom would watch her weight and I remember her eating cottage cheese.<br /><br />I think of her when I eat cottage cheese. I eat it with scallions/green onions, salt and pepper.<br />I can't remember if she taught me the scallions trick.<br /><br />But every time I eat it I think of her.<br /><br />Funny thing is, my husband eats cottage cheese almost every night at dinner.<br />He does not eat it for dietary reasons. He just likes it.<br />In fact, he often asks for cottage cheese when we are at a restaurant to replace his salad.<br /><br />My grandma always had peppermints in her drawer in her kitchen.<br /><br />So does my husband.<br /><br /><br />Weird.<br /><br /><br />My mom went to Jack Lalane's exercise studio. She wore a pink leotard.<br /><br />My husband has never worn a leotard.<br /><br />That I know of.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-11662969657019667722011-01-11T07:18:00.000-08:002011-01-11T07:29:33.803-08:001-11-11People tell me all the time that I need to start exercising. They are wise and they are right. <br /><br />But it is so hard to get up out of this chair and go do something. <br />It's like my ankles are chained to this spot. <br /><br />Emma got me outside for a nice long walk (30 min) once over Christmas vacation. It was not unpleasant. I felt good when we got home.<br />But when she asked me to come along the next day, I said no thanks.<br /><br />I wonder if I should join a gym?<br />I wonder if I should sign up for the Idiar-walk this year?<br /><br />I wonder what will get me moving???<br /><br />I wish I knew how to motivate myself in this area.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-14458695881105559992011-01-06T04:41:00.000-08:002011-01-11T07:30:08.751-08:00Jan. 6, 2011If you want to read just about the best thing I have read on taking care of yourself,<br />go read the short essay over at Mental Multivitamin.<br /><br /><a href="http://mentalmultivitamin.blogspot.com/2011/01/but-if-you-dont-have-fun-doing-this.html">but if you don't have fun doing this</a><br /><br />That's all for now.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-42926450752798414912011-01-05T05:41:00.000-08:002011-01-05T06:10:01.249-08:00Jan 5, 2011I inadvertently stepped away from the Living Healthfully writing for longer than I ever thought I would.<br /><br />I have not quit. I have only taken a break. <br /><br />In the last few weeks, I has slipped and failed and broken a healthy living rule every day.<br />I have not broken every rule every day. But I have not been perfect.<br /><br />And like Lizzy's father says in Pride and Prejudice.<br /><br /><blockquote>I am heartily ashamed of myself, Lizzy.<br /> But don't despair, it will pass...<br /> ...and no doubt more quickly than it should.</blockquote><br /><br /><br /><br />Truly, with a house full of company and entertaining and going here and there and out to eat I could not live the spartan, disciplined, healthy life. <br /><br />I did not start drinking soda again. I had perhaps one Diet Dr. Pepper and I did not like it. I tried a little Sierra Mist and found it too sweet. That was a happy note. My taste buds may have changed and I like that.<br /><br />I ate many too many candies. We are given delicious candies over the holidays and I ate them little by little. <br />The whole box of toffee took a week to eat instead of 24 hours. That's an improvement.<br /><br />But I think eating the candies has awakened my desire for sugar so I will be watching that carefully.<br /><br />I did not eat only when I was hungry and I will try to establish those wise and healthy eating patterns again.<br /><br />I am not hungry when I wake up and find it is easy to wait for hunger.<br />Now I just need to start making better choices again.<br /><br />My head feels clear and most of my heavy thoughts have lifted.<br />This may be because I have not gotten on the scale. <br /><br />That DAN scale.<br /><br />So it is back in the saddle I go.<br /><br />Cooking and choosing healthy foods and eating small, appropriate portions.<br /><br />It can be done. It shall be done.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-28866840058207067652010-12-17T10:00:00.000-08:002010-12-17T10:03:07.325-08:00Dec. 17, 2010There is a package of salami sitting out on the counter because I didn't put it away after making<br />Katie her sandwich for school this morning. I am oh so tempted to take a little piece of salami and eat it right up.<br />But I said to myself. 'That is definitely not healthy.'<br /><br />And then I walked away.<br /><br />I will venture into the kitchen in one minute and put it away in it's little drawer.<br /><br />I am just happy to say. That for this moment.<br /><br />Disaster has been averted.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-63171639494073319042010-12-13T04:36:00.000-08:002010-12-13T04:48:14.940-08:00Dec. 13, 2010Rule One.<br /><br />Mostly I share rules from Michael Pollen's book, <span style="font-style:italic;">Food Rules</span>, but today<br />I will share my own rule I made up while I way lying in bed this morning. Not sleeping.<br /><br />Rule One.<br /><br />Never, never, never take seconds.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I guarantee that you did not take too little the first time.<br />Last weekend I made myself a plate of food for lunch. Leftovers.<br />I finished my plate and without thinking went right back to take another piece of chicken pie.<br /><br />And then I stopped.<br /><br />I was not hungry.<br />I wasn't stuffed.<br /><br />I talked myself out of seconds.<br /><br />A remarkable achievement for a Sunday afternoon.<br /><br />A rule was born.<br /><br />Never, never take seconds.<br /><br /><br /><br />***<br /><br /><br />Never eat more than you can lift.<br />~Miss PiggyDonna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-3254139290167756692010-12-12T04:53:00.000-08:002010-12-12T05:15:11.730-08:00Dec. 12, 2010It's been a rough week. It's incredible how much my mood and self worth is tied to my weight.<br />I know this is so wrong. <br /><br />I am not defined by how much I weigh. Or at least that's what I tell myself.<br /><br /><br />But even setting small goals and failing to achieve those small goals sends me down into, I dare say a depression. <br /><br />Now what do I usually do when I am depressed? I eat. I stuff those feeling down with food and I forget what I am sad about.<br /><br />I caught myself doing this many many years ago.<br /><br />My husband was home for lunch, he was cranky and I felt awful when he left.<br />I will never forget that moment as I saw him drive away and I was standing in the kitchen opening the cupboard as I watched his car zoom off. <br /><br />I caught myself in the act. Mid chew. Mid stuff. I realized.<br />I really am trying to numb the pain with food.<br /><br /><br />So when life gets painful, even pain brought about by dieting, (which is really ironic)<br />I want to eat but do not eat so the sadness stays.<br /><br />It is a daily battle to fight to get out of the dark thinking. Negative greet me first thing I wake up. <br /><br />I am trying to replace those dark thought with truthful, positive thoughts first thing.<br />I am thanking God for the day. For being alive. <br /><br />I am mostly trying to live this day with a grateful heart. This one day.<br /><br />I can do this...today. Doesn't matter about yesterday or tomorrow.<br />I can do this with my attitude, my spirit and my eating.<br /><br />My friend Di sent me a quote that spoke right to my heart.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight:bold;">"Surely we can do for one day that which seems impossible for a lifetime. "</span><br /><br /><br />At this point in my life, I can't make goals and I really shouldn't weigh myself.<br />If that is weird, that's okay with me.<br /><br />My mental health is at stake.<br /><br /><br />Working on today is the best I can do.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-71291524199599153122010-12-06T06:07:00.000-08:002010-12-06T06:25:58.823-08:00Dec. 6, 2010I don't know why it happened, but over the last three days, I have lost focus.<br />Saturday I ate when I wasn't hungry. More than once.<br /> I am not eating large amounts of food, but just eating when I am not truly hungry. And it's like I had forgotten completely that I was trying to eat fresh, healthy foods.<br /><br />For dinner on Saturday night , I ate a Schwans prepared frozen dinner with the family.<br />Roast beef and mashed potatoes with gravy. <br />I did not follow any Food Rules and ate it without thinking.<br /><br />Then on Sunday I made Chex Mix. It's as if I was on auto pilot.<br />Why would I make a snack?<br /><br />I don't snack any more.<br /><br />So I ate it for meals.<br /><br />A cup with my chai at lunch and a cup with three slices of ham at dinner.<br /><br />Yes. I said ham.<br />I bought a little ham to try it out to see if it would be tasty to serve for Christmas Eve.<br />I tried it and it was delicious. Salty and yummy ham.<br /><br />What on earth? Chex Mix and ham is not the way to health.<br />And it is not the way to weight loss.<br /><br />I apparently know how to eat so I can maintain. It's a gift I have. I can stay the same better than anyone I know.<br /><br />This is a depressing fact, especially this week when I wanted to have a nice weight loss to greet the Three Month mark of my<br />new way of eating and living. So instead of losing those three pounds (small goal that it was) I am sure when I get on that scale tomorrow morning, the number will be the same as it was two weeks ago.<br /><br /><br />You know that 21 day rule. It's bunk.<br />I am well over 21 days and eating healthy is NOT a habit. In fact, it seems extremely easy to forget I am even doing it.<br /><br />Perhaps I was just tired of thinking about it.<br /><br />Who knows.<br /><br />I can wait for hunger today. I can make good choices today.<br />What more can a girl do?<br /><br />I'll save the depression for tomorrow. Once I weigh myself I know I will be battling that all day.<br /><br />Goody gumdrops.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-44019019809732518212010-12-01T11:41:00.000-08:002010-12-01T11:52:30.369-08:00Dec. 1, 2010I could be very happy eating a bagel with butter and cream cheese every day. Twice a day.<br />I have done it. I don't get sick of it.<br /><br />Even when my brother in law was religiously following Atkins and told me that bagels were the worst food in the whole wide world.....I kept eating them.<br /><br />So, I really do try to eat something other than bagels, and the twice a day thing is very rare.<br /><br />What helps me is to have meals prepared ahead of time.<br /><br />This morning I made a hearty chili with lots of wonderful ingredients. I will eat this for lunch for days and days.<br />I suppose I could freeze it so I don't get tired of it. (That's a pretty good idea.)<br /><br />I'm going to freeze half of it and next week I will have it again! <br />Many times I end of throwing some out because I have gotten tired of it. <br /><br />This is genius! <br /><br />Donna's rule #1<br /><br />Freeze and save soups, chili's and stews.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Mexican Chicken & Barley Chili<br />This recipe is on the box of Quaker Barley <br /><br />1 cup chopped onion <br />1 clove garlic, minced <br />1 tablespoon olive oil <br />2 cups water <br />3/4 cup Quick Quaker Barley <br />One 16-ounce can tomatoes, undrained, chopped <br />One 16-ounce can tomato sauce <br />One 14 1/2 ounce can chicken broth (organic)<br />One 4-ounce can chopped greed chilies, drained <br />1 tablespoon chili powder <br />1/2 teaspoon ground cumin <br />3 cups, cooked chicken (organic)<br /><br />Cook onion and garlic. <br />Add remaining ingredients except chicken. <br />Bring to a boil, lower heat, simmer 10 minutes. <br />Add chicken, simmer 10 more minutes or until chicken is warm and barley is tender.<br /><br />Grated cheese and/or sour cream on top is lovely.<br />Green onions might be nice too.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-78132863914820362042010-11-29T15:42:00.000-08:002010-11-29T15:55:53.165-08:00Nov. 29, 2010Rule#25 in Michael Pollan's Food Rules is <span style="font-weight:bold;">Eat Your Colors.</span><br /><br />I'm afraid the Thanksgiving meal falls very short of this rule unless Michael is big into the neutral palette.<br /><br />Mashed potatoes, turkey, stuffing, gravy: off white, linen, ecru and beige.<br />Even the celery in the stuffing had lost it's green color due to cooking.<br />I tried a small spoonful of my sister's sweet potatoes and they were delicious, and they were orange.<br /><br />Besides failing Michael Pollan, I failed home ec. <br />Yes, I learned this rule in 8th grade. Thank you very much....<br /><br />But for me the Thanksgiving meal is about tradition and our tradition is to eat all foods that are white...ish....<br /><br />It's only once a year. The rest of the year I can work on eating the rainbow.<br /><br />Yesterday I made a lovely, colorful bean salad. It had red peppers and yellow peppers, green onions and red tomatoes, black olives and little tan chick peas.<br /><br />A tasty, colorful salad.<br /><br />Michael would be very proud.<br />I even used organic beans.<br /><br />woo.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-80218043653520913122010-11-24T06:58:00.000-08:002010-11-24T07:06:20.321-08:00Nov. 24 2010Tuesdays weigh in brought a small loss of one pound.<br /><br />Total since Sept. 7th minus 11.<br /><br />I would sure like to lose a three pounds by Dec. 7th.<br />Small goal but herculean when you consider Thanksgiving is here.<br /><br />My family will be walking in a 5K on Thanksgiving morning. <br />Wouldn't this be a cool tradition to continue in the years to come.<br /><br />Well. I guess I should say that AFTER the walk :o)<br /><br />My goal as I approach the weekend is to make great choices and eat only when I am hungry.<br /><br />I need to make sure I eat light before the big meal so I am hungry at meal time.<br /><br />This is key for me.<br /><br />Oh! And this means taste testing will have to be minimal. Now that I think of it. That will be the challenge!!<br /><br />I will <span style="font-weight:bold;">not</span> love the food more than the company and God.<br /><br />I will be sensible and eat with thankfulness and joy and control.<br /><br />Lord, help me!Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-76207506968450602922010-11-20T05:17:00.000-08:002010-11-20T05:37:30.958-08:00Nov. 19, 2010In which I quote Lou Holtz and Kelly Ripa<br /><br /><br />Yesterday I was watching Regis and Kelly like I do every morning. Regis' good buddy and hero was <br />sitting in the audience. Lou, when asked, recited his 'four things' one needs in life.<br /><br /><br />* First, you have to have something to do. <br />* The second thing you have to have is someone to love. <br />* Third, you have to have something to believe in. <br />* Finally, you have to have something to look forward to.<br /><br />and as Kelly Ripa so cleverly quipped,<br /><br /><br />"Someone to blame."<br /><br /><br />How funny is that? Someone to blame! <br />Yes. It goes back to the Garden of Eden.<br />When Eve is caught red-handed she starts blaming all of those around her for taking that apple and biting into it.<br />Hey! It was food. Now that IS extra interesting in light of where I am going with this.<br /><br />While I think it is funny and common to blame our flaws on others, I truly do not believe my weight issues are anyone's fault but my own. I sincerely take responsibility for my poundage.<br /><br /> I like to tell my ten year old daughter Katie that it is <span style="font-style:italic;">her</span> fault that I am so chubby because I gained weight with her at the age of 42 and have never been able to lose it. Yes. I said ten year old daughter.<br />We laugh because we know this is absurd.<br /><br />There is a pattern. I can see things in my life that led me to overindulge and enjoy lots of food.<br /><br />When I was born, I as one of my mom's smallest babies. I weighed under seven pounds. I think this worried her, because within months I was round and chubby and beautiful. They called me Booba. I guess the resemblance to a Buddha did not go un-noticed. <br />This was in the 1950's. Being a chubby baby was consider healthy. <br />Healthy=good.<br /><br />No. We were not living on Samoa. <br />This was Chicago.<br /><br />As I grew, I grew skinny. Very skinny. I remember stories about not being able to wear skirts because my hips were too slim.<br />I wore jumpers. Little plaid jumpers. Homemade. <br /><br />On week I decided I wanted to wear my homemade jumper to school every single day for the whole week.<br />It was gold and brown wool plaid.<br />My mother didn't notice and I succeeded.<br /><br />I had lofty goals as a 4th grader.<br /><br />(I still would like to wear the same outfit every day for a whole week)<br /><br />Another goal I had was to eat as much as my father. Now whether this was wise is not up for discussion. <br />I just remember sitting next to my dad and taking as much as he did.<br /><br />I can still see the plate.<br /><br />Roast beef, mashed potatoes and gravy. <br /><br />I proudly took as much as my father did and I ate it all. Gladly. It was my favorite meal.<br />And it still is. <br /><br />My parents thought I was skinny and they thought it was funny that I wanted to eat like my dad.<br /><br />There was no malice. In hindsight, I may have learned some poor eating habits at the dinner table, but I was skinny, how were they to know I would enjoy eating like a lumberjack for the rest of my life.<br /><br />The love of eating for taste and socialization continued throughout high school but my physical activity let me get away with murder. I blame cheerleading. <br />Yes. At 125 pounds I started feeling like a hefty girl. I was a base. Sturdy, muscular, solid enough for the 105 pound girls to climb on. In 1975 if you weighed 130 pounds, you wore a size 11 or even a 13. This was the top of the line. The sizes were <br />5, 7, 9, 11, 13. So I started feeling like the big, girl. The fat one. <br /><br />(I happen to know lots of girls who weigh 125-130 and boy have things changed. They wear sizes 2,4,6.)<br /><br />And so the body-hate and dieting began.<br /><br />I blame the clothing industry and petite girls.<br /><br />Off to college I went. I was a dance major at first so I was extremely active.<br />The food, however, was amazing.<br />Sophomore year I changed majors and was very lonely and bored and didn't fit in.<br />I started gaining weight. <br /><br />Buy the time I left Stephens College for Hillsdale in 1977, I had gained twenty pounds.<br />At 150 pounds I was curvy. I am 5'6" after all, but I was admittedly 20 overweight.<br /><br />I helped the cheerleaders at Hillsdale with their routines and taught them cheers,<br />but I was too self conscious about my weight to try out.<br /><br />I blame....<br />I blame...<br />I blame...<br /><br />Who can I blame for this? <br /><br />The skinny chicks. That's who!<br />Everybody else! That's who!<br /><br />I will blame everyone for thinking I was too fat.<br /><br />Huh? What? <br /><br />For the next thirty years....I gained and lost and gained and lost more times than I can count. I am not exaggerating.<br /><br />Some of the gains were pregnancy induced.<br /><br />I blame my babies.<br />But I was always able to lose the weight.<br /><br />Until I started to homeschool.<br /><br />THAT'S IT! <br /><br />I blame the sedentary life of a homeschool mom.<br /><br />But why aren't all homeschool mom's overweight? Ah yes. It's my parents fault.<br />I always knew that. They force fed me and called me Booba.<br /><br /><br />Can you hear my sarcasm? I hope so, because I am being totally facetious.<br /><br />I believe that food is delicious. I like it. <br />I have pleased myself by feeding myself what I loved and way too much of it.<br />I have been lazy.<br /><br />At some point I needed to acquire self control in the area of eating.<br />At some point I needed to be in charge of my appetite.<br /><br />The self-control has come and gone. It is hard to make changes. It is hard to say no.<br /><br />But as I have mentioned before....<br /><br />It is hard to be fat and it is hard to diet.<br /><br />Choose your hard, Donna dear. <br /><br />Choose wisely. <br /><br />It's about time.<br /><br />There is no one to blame.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-11168980967325572562010-11-18T08:45:00.000-08:002010-11-18T09:00:19.089-08:00Nov. 18, 2010"A final trick of variety: Since the pleasure of most foods is in the first few bites,<br />eat one thing on your plate at a time, at least at the start of the meal when you can concentrate <br />and enjoy the full flavors. The mouthful as melange (blend of foods) defeats the purpose of variety."<br /><br />~Mireille Guiliano<br />(French Women Don't Get Fat)<br /><br /><br />This is really true...and good advice.<br /><br />I have eaten unconsciously.<br />I have ignored my hunger.<br />And I have neglected my taste buds.<br /><br />I think I am ready to slow down and think about each taste. <br />That should not be so hard. <br /><br />I have noticed food losing it's flavor. Especially ice cream.<br /><br />Starting today, I am going to experiment and try to stop eating as soon as the taste vanishes.<br /><br />I can't wait to see what happens.<br /><br /><br />****<br /><br />My weight stayed the same this week.<br /><br />I am not depressed, just determined to see the number go down next Tuesday.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-92171986869141005062010-11-14T08:28:00.001-08:002010-11-14T08:46:12.744-08:00Nov. 14, 2010I have had my first run in with the holiday eating situations.<br /><br />My lovely in-laws came to town and we got together twice to eat.<br /><br />Friday night, I was not hungry when I arrived....but the popcorn had been popped and I did not say NO to my <br />nose. The thing that happens tho when I eat before I am hungry, is that then the hunger doesn't come around by the time the meal is served. So I ate dinner because it was time to eat and not because I was hungry.<br /><br />I made good choices and took small portions of the food that I did eat.<br />I drank water and did not have seconds. <br /><br />So I am not beating myself up about it too much. A slip.<br /><br />Until Saturday night when we met again for dinner.<br /><br />This time I was hungry.<br /><br />And I over ate. <br />A few too many crackers with cheese and salami. (Definitely didn't even consider the contents of the salami)<br />A little bit too much chili. (White chili with beans. Very good. Got the recipe.)<br /><br />But the kicker was I drank some Sierra mist with cranberry. It was made from sugar. I was thirsty.<br />I was weak. I drank about 16 oz. <br /><br />This sugary drink is what made my tummy feel full and icky.<br /><br />Boo.<br /><br />Thanksgiving is coming up. <br />We will be traveling.<br /><br />I have run the first leg of the holiday relay.<br />My results were not impressive. Today and tomorrow I will be extremely careful when I eat...and what I eat.<br />Hopefully I will still have good news on the scale on Tuesday morning.<br /><br /><br />So far today I am listening to my tummy.<br />(That's the thing I love about listening to your hunger. There is always the next meal that you can wait for...and succeed in waiting for hunger.)<br /><br />I CAN do this. <br /><br />I do not want my ankles to swell back up and I really love that my shirts close over my tummy.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-36268439065274261982010-11-11T12:39:00.000-08:002010-11-11T12:44:20.384-08:00Nov. 11, 2010This just in:<br /><br />My feet are getting smaller.<br /><br />I just tried on a pair of shoes that two months ago felt snug. And they slipped on quite easily.<br />This made me very happy. <br /><br />In Sept. my son told me I had cankles. <br />That was the first time I had been told that, even if I had noticed swelling in my ankles in the last year....<br /> no one was sweet enough to point it out. Until Matthew did.<br /><br />So today, my ankles seem to be shrinking.<br /><br />My shoes feel nice and roomy.<br /><br />It's a good day to be my feet.Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-30450631542277411932010-11-09T07:42:00.000-08:002010-11-09T08:04:38.808-08:00Nov. 9, 2010I am really hungry. It is 9:45 in the morning.<br />I had a Iced Grande Nonfat Chai at 8:00.<br /><br />My body is already calling for fuel.<br /><br />Three weeks ago, I wouldn't have thought this was possible. The wait for hunger seemed very long.<br />I wouldn't be hungry at 'dinner time". I would finally get hungry at 9:00 pm.<br />That, to me, is pretty weird. I don't want to eat at nine o'clock at night.<br />But I realized that I was eating way past full at lunch time so my body had plenty of food to last well into the night.<br /><br />The last two weeks I have been pushing food away. I have been eating slower and noticing when I am full.<br />This for me is harder than waiting for hunger. The full feeling feels like it comes very quickly. <br />(My mouth is not ready to stop chewing yet.) <br /><br />Yes. I like to chew for a long time. I like my food to last. <br />This longing to chew is fading and for that I am grateful.<br /><br />I still eat my bagel every morning because it is substantial to me.<br />Two eggs, sunny side up with one piece of toast is gone in a flash with very little chewing necessary.<br />I can be done with eggs and a piece of toast in three minutes.<br /><br />A bagel, now that is more like it. I get to chomp on it for at least five minutes.<br />I feel like I have eaten. It registers in my mind as something solid and satisfying.<br /><br /><br />But, thankfully, as I eat less, I get to eat more often. And that is nice. I am closer to the family schedule.<br />(Except when I am ravenous by 4:00 in the afternoon and eat BEFORE everyone else :o) )<br /><br />It has taken me two months, but I feel good.<br />I feel free.<br /><br />I am less in love with food and eating than I was a month ago.<br />There has been a change. It feels normal. It feels natural. It feels wonderful.<br />It's my favorite way to lose weight.<br /><br /><br /><br />Two month weigh in this morning;<br /><br />Total lost -10Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3258748571980018006.post-79834393636265066292010-11-07T09:59:00.000-08:002010-11-07T10:23:05.563-08:00Nov. 7, 2010Sometimes you just have to go out to eat where you don't really want to go out to eat.<br /><br />Last night I told my husband to choose where he wanted to go out to eat.<br />He chose a place called Five Guys. He has been wanting to go to this hamburger joint for a year and we always forget to<br />about it. Well, yesterday, he remembered.<br /><br />I didn't complain. I would be fine.<br />If I waited for hunger and ate only until I felt full, I would be okay.<br /><br />So I ordered a hamburger and Cajun fries and a glass of water.<br /><br />A glass of water was the best part of the meal.<br /><br />The hamburger came and it was a double. It was so large I really could barely bite into it.<br /><br />The flavor was average. I took off one of the patties and ate the burger. With one sniff of the fries, I was suspect.<br />They smelled very strong and not very good.<br /><br />I ate one fry and did not like it. I tried a second and closed up the bag. <br /><br />While I hate to waste food, there is no way I am putting icky tasting fried food in my mouth.<br />It was a very easy decision.<br /><br />My husband, being the thin eater that he is, didn't care for the double burger either, and he did not like his regular fries.<br />He did not eat his fries. He doesn't have food issues. This was not a big deal to him. He turns down food<br />with ease. It is no wonder that he has never struggled with his weight at all. He does not eat healthy, but he certainly listens to hunger and fullness.<br /><br /><br />We won't go back to Five Guys to eat, ever again.<br /><br />I went to a pub (Jac's) last Wednesday that had grass fed beef in their hamburgers. <br />It was delicious!<br />I hope I can convince Patrick to go with me and try one.<br /><br />Tuesdays are two for the price of one.<br /><br />Doesn't that sound like a good plan?Donna Boucherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06699431983937413613noreply@blogger.com