rating nutrition

Although I stayed within my calorie goals yesterday, I only rated it a 4.5 instead of 5. I felt I snacked a little too much.

recipes, etc.

I've had a really good couple of days nutritionally. Fitday confirms that my calories are in check. I would estimate about a hundred calories more. I'm sure I'm forgetting a little here and there, like exactly how much sugar is in my iced tea. I put less than a 1/4 cup in the pitcher. I guess I have some measuring to do.

The Walrus and I came up with the yummiest recipe for Jerk Chicken salad yesterday. This is a great recipe to make ahead of time. I gave it a little thought before going to the grocery store but really came up with some of the key ingredients from our cupboard and the Walrus' help. I hope somebody else finds this recipe enticing or at least gets inspired for a recipe of his or her own. I usually get inspired for recipes from Rachael Ray, Robin Miller, Emeril, etc. I hardly ever follow the recipe verbatim. I start with one of their ideas and expound on my own. This is the first I've come up with completely on my own, with my husband's help of course.

Jerk Chicken Salad

-¼ cup chopped parsley
-¼ cup chopped cilantro
-1-2 salad cucumbers quartered
-3-4 chopped green onion
-2 limes zested, limes set aside for later
-3-4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts cut up into bite-size pieces
-1 cup of Jerk marinade of your choice (or recipe to follow)
-1-2 pints grape or cherry tomatoes, roasted (recipe to follow)
-1 can pineapple chunks drained
-½ can drained chick peas (about a cup) or drained black beans
-½ cup shredded cheddar cheese
-1 bag Hearts of romaine

Jerk Marinade

-½ cup Badia jerk seasoning
-¼ cup olive oil
-¼ cup sour orange

Mix ingredients and set aside.

Roasted Grape Tomatoes

-1 pint of grape or cherry tomatoes
-¼ cup good balsamic vinegar
-A drizzle of olive oil
-Salt and pepper to taste
-1 tablespoon Badia cumin
-Optional: chopped up garlic

Cut the tomatoes in half and combine all ingredients making sure the tomatoes are saturated in mixture. Place on cookie sheet and roast for 20 minutes at 350°. Refrigerate.

…salad recipe continued

Marinate chicken in Jerk Marinade for 30-60 minutes. Sauté chicken in skillet with all of marinade, drain the marinade after cooking, cool and refrigerate for 1 hour.

Combine cucumber, parsley, cilantro, lime zest, and green onion. Juice the remaining limes over this veggie mixture, mix, and refrigerate.

Right before serving, combine hearts of romaine, chicken, veggie mixture, pineapple, chick peas, roasted tomatoes, and cheese.

Serve with whole grain garlic toast.

January 20, 2006 © Ferguson

forgotten tools

I started off good yesterday with my eating habits and progressively got worse. On a scale of 1 to 5, I would score yesterday a 2.5. I've done worse but I could definitely do better. I know I need a regimented diet to work but I'm really trying to make this work as a lifestyle and I really don't want to pay for what I already know. I think accountability is the key.

I just reviewed my old diet bookmarks that are very useful. One of them was Fitday. I haven't been on it in a couple of years and was very surprised to find all my old settings there. I will probably update this blog as my journal but my accountability will be detailed here. I think the first 10 pounds will come off relatively quickly because I've been hardly drinking any water.

I've started off pretty good today. I would like to keep my calories less than 1400 for awhile. I'm meeting my mom for lunch today so that will be my first big challenge. I usually "forget" healthy portions and choices when I see her for lunch. I will remain focused today.

On another note, I may need to stop watching The Biggest Loser. I'm getting quite discouraged. With the exception of Seth, the others I have seen from previous shows have gained quite a bit of weight back. I guess when you're competing for a lot of money, you try to lose as much as possible. Probably more than is manageable. My goals are pretty modest. I would like to be at the top of my recommended BMI (159 lbs.). I want to be healthy but I don't want to have to maintain 135 pounds. The amount of brain and physical power would be all-consuming to maintain that weight. 135 would be at the bottom of my recommended BMI. Plus, I maintain and build muscle relatively easily. BUT, I also gain fat very easily. Yeah, yeah, yeah, blah, blah... muscle weighs more than fat. I WILL NOT MAINTAIN THAT AS MY MANTRA. It's a trap to make me feel like I'm doing better than I am.

Here's to today. Cheers!

I'm still here

I've been working overnight for a seasonal job since November. Between that and taking care of the boy, my fitness quest has sadly taken a back seat. It's also sad because I really want to adopt fitness as a lifestyle, which I've been mostly good at, but fitness still takes a break now and again in my life. I thought working overnight would be great. I could work the amount of hours I couldn't work part time before and still not have to put the boy in daycare.

The job didn't work out according to plan. I wanted 3 nights, mostly weekends and I got 4 nights all weekdays. I wanted 20 hours, I got 26 hours. I was hungry around the clock because I was awake around the clock excluding a few naps here and there. At least it was a temporary job. Lesson learned.

I'm trying to get back on track. I only gained 4 pound. While I'm very disappointed with that, I guess I'm thankful it was only 4.

The weather has been very temperate so I have no excuse for not walking again. I have made it a point to bring Westley out every afternoon and pull him in his wagon or push him on his new little trike. Now I just need to bring my good eating habits back and I'll be set.

I'm at a standstill and in aerobic no-man's-land. I haven't taught since August and I can't decide whether to renew my certification again. Emotionally, this tears me apart. I've been teaching since the end of 1999 but I really don't think I miss it that much. I do miss the ladies I used to workout with though.

That's all for now. Will be updating again soon.