I read today that over the last 30 years squirrels have become fatter due to global warming. Seriously. Because it’s not staying cold as long they are waking up from hibernation sooner which means they eat more months out of the year.

End result: chubby squirrels.  Maybe that’s a wake up call for us all, we just need to sleep more, like through August.

B:
Bagelful   200 / 5 / 31
1/4 cantaloupe   50 / 0 / 12

S:
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1
4 oz. tOmato juice   25 / 0 / 5

L:
Weight Watchers Rigatoni w/broccoli and chicken   280 / 5 / 39
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
French bread   130 /  0 / 28

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12

D:
8 oz. grilled chicken   220 / 2 / 0
Green Giant barley, carrots & snap peas   140 / 3 / 28
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

TOTAL:

With the invention of a S.C.R.A.M. bracelet like the one Lindsey Lohan wore on her ankle to alert authorities if she consumed alcohol, why can’t they come up with one that blows whistles and sirens if we consume too much fat or carbs??  I would buy one.

B:
Bagelful   200 / 5 / 31
1/2 banana   50 / 0 / 15

S:
1 c. blueberries   80 / 0 / 20
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
Weight Watchers 4 mini cheese pizzas   270 / 7 / 38
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
mini tootsie roll   23 / .5 / 4.5

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12
1/4 c. cantaloupe   50 / 0 / 12

D:
Subway Philly Cheese   311 / 18 / 53
20 Lays fat free chips   75 / 0 / 17

S:
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1195 / 43 / 204.5

I miss having big salads more often, but the reason I don’t is because I haven’t found a low-fat dressing I like.  At lunch I dip pieces of lettuce in regular ranch dressing using just a small amount, but once I reach my goal weight I will be able to enjoy a big salad now and then with thick creamy dressing.  Instead of making my Mediterranean Pasta last night as planned I ended up going to Zaxby’s for one of their wonderful salads with fried chicken on it.  When I got home and pulled up the nutritional value I almost fainted.  This salad contained 618 calories, 29 grams of fat and 35 carbs!!  (No, I did not take my Alli last night.)  You could eat at McDonald’s for that much damage.  So don’t be fooled into thinking that having “just a salad” necessarily means you are eating healthy.  Salad dressing, croutons and fried onions can sabotage any good you’re getting from those pieces of lettuce!

B:
Weight Watchers English Muffin Sandwich   180 / 7 / 18

S:
1/4 cantaloupe   50 / 0 / 12
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
1/2 c. cottage cheese   95 / 2.5 / 6
leftover grilled top sirloin   250 / 10 / 0
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12

D:
Mediterranean Chicken and Pasta   330 / 9 / 36
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1131 / 41 / 90

I’ve realized two things – I eat too much red meat and I would really like to eat more Mediterranean, so I was pleased to come across this recipe first thing this morning.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKEN AND PASTA
1 6-oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts
1 T. olive oil
4 chicken breasts, cut into 3/4-inch pieces
3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/4 c. chicken broth
1/4 c. dry white wine
1 T. oregano leaves or 1 t. dried oregano
1 7-oz. jar roasted red sweet peppers, drained and cut into strips
1/4 c. pitted kalamata olives
3 c. hot cooked whole wheat penne or rotini pasta
1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese (optional)

1. Drain artichokes, reserving marinade.  Set aside.  In large skillet heat oil over medium-high heat.  Add chicken and garlic, cook and stir until chicken is light brown.  Add reserved artichoke marinade, broth, wine and oregano.

2. Bring to a boil, reduce heat.  Cover and simmer for 10 minutes.  Stir in artichokes, roasted peppers, olives.  Heat through.

3. Spoon chicken mixture over pasta.  If desired, sprinkle with feta cheese.  Makes 4 servings.  Each serving = 330 / 9 / 36

Sounds yummy, and since I don’t have white wine I’ll just make it up with chicken broth instead.

B:
Hot Pockets Ham & Cheese   310 / 13 / 36

S:
1 c. blueberries   80 / 0 / 20
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
1/2 c. cottage cheese   95 / 2.5 / 6
7 Tyson chicken nuggets   180 / 9 / 11
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0

S:
3 tootsie rolls   69 / 1.5 / 13.5
banana   100 / 0 / 30

D:
Zaxby’s Salad w/Chicken & Garlic Toast   618 / 29 / 35

S:
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1542 / 67.5 / 153.5

I’ve been going through a tough time at home lately and my first thought was to go for the comfort food, but this time I’m not overdoing it.  I’m not sticking to a diet right now but I refuse to cross that 150 pound mark either, which I’m thankful for.  Hopefully I’ll be back in the right frame of mind soon and not done too much damage until then.

B:
Weight Watchers Breakfast Sandwich   240 / 7 / 28

S:
4 oz. tomato juice   25 / 0 / 5

L:
Marie Calendars Fettucini Alfredo w/Chicken   650 / 40 / 41
Jello 100-calorie fat-free chocolate pudding   100 / 0 / 23

S:
1/2 c. blueberries   84 / 0 / 21

D:
4 oz. top sirloin   250 / 10 / 0
1/2 c. niblets corn   105 / 1.5 / 19
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1494 / 66 / 142

With the weather stuck near 100 degrees lately I am thankful that I can fit into a pair of shorts again.   I know I could look better but at least I’m past the point of scaring young children when I leave the house.

B:
1-1/2 c. Rice Krispies  130 / 0 / 29
1/2 c. milk 50 / 1.5 / 6
1 t. sugar   15 / 0 / 4
banana   100 / 0 / 30

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
DiGiorno 200-calorie cheese & tomato pizza   200 / 9 / 22
Weight Watchers chocolate cream cake   80 / 3.5 / 16

D:
Chicken Cordon Bleu   250 / 12 / 11
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1051 / 33.5 / 136

My son leaves today on an 8-month deployment with the Navy. 

B:
1/2 c. (dry) oatmeal   150 / 3 / 27
1 c. 1% milk   100 / 2.5 / 12
1 t. sugar   15 / 0 / 4
4 oz. tomato juice   25 / 0 / 5

S:
1 c. blueberries   80 / 0 / 20
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
Weight Watchers 4 mini cheese pizzas   270 / 7 / 38
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
Jello 100-calorie fat free chocolate pudding   100 / 0 / 23

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12
mini tootsie roll   23 / .5 / 4.5

D:
8 oz. grilled chicken   220 / 2 / 0
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
mini tootsie roll   23 / .5 / 4.5
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          1432 / 28 / 156

If I was having a bad day or broke up with my boyfriend or won a lottery or had a birthday to celebrate I would still brush my teeth in the morning.  Whether my mood is great or horrible, it does not determine whether or not I take a shower or clean my teeth or polish my nails.  Why then do I let good or bad events affect my choices as far as my weight and health, as if a sudden mood change were an instant free pass to eat unhealthy food or not exercise – an instant pass to clog my arteries or let my muscles turn soft.   I need to start thinking of my body as a separate unit that I want to perfect and protect and stop taking it for granted.

B:
Weight Watchers blueberry muffin   190 / 2.5 / 42
1/4 cantaloupe   50 / 0 / 12

S:
4 oz. tomato juice   25 / 0 / 5

L:
1/2 c. cottage cheese   95 / 2.5 / 6
7 Tyson chicken nuggets   180 / 9 / 11
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
mini tootsie roll   23 / .5 / 4.5

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12

D:
6 oz. grilled top sirloin   250 / 10 / 0
Creamy Cauliflower   27 / 0 / 5.5
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
Weight Watchers chocolate cream cake   80 / 3.5 / 16

TOTAL:          1056 / 33 / 118

In case I’m ever running errands and not able to make it home for lunch or dinner, I keep the nutritional value print-outs from a dozen or so fast food restaurants in a large plastic envelope in my car with the healthy choices highlighted.  This way if I have to run through a drive-through for lunch I’ll know exactly what I can choose from a variety of different restaurants without ruining my diet.  Quite handy.

B:
Bagelful   200 / 5 / 31

S:
1/2 cantaloupe   100 / 0 / 24
10 peanuts   40 / 3.5 / 1

L:
Weight Watchers Pasta Primavera   250 / 4 / 41
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
Jello 100-calorie fat free chocolate pudding  100 / 0 / 23

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12

D:
grilled shish kabobs w/chicken, onions & bell peppers   220 / 2 / 0
1/2 c. Knorr chicken flavored rice   165 / 1.5 / 23
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
1/2 c. orange sherbet   120 / 1 / 26

TOTAL:          1211 / 21 / 175

A Mediterranean diet consists mostly of whole grains, fruits, veggies, chicken, fish, nuts, low-fat fairy and olive oil.  If you’re squeezing all that into a day’s diet you won’t have much room left for unhealthy food and you’ll also be preventing a wide variety of health problems including diabetes and heart disease.  Not to mention you’ll probably end up looking like Penelope Cruz.

B:
Bagelful   200 / 5 / 31

S:
4 oz. tomato juice   25 / 0 / 5

L:
salad dipped in ranch   0 / 5 / 0
1/2 c. cottage cheese   90 / 2.5 / 6
7 Tyson chicken nuggets   180 / 9 / 11
mini tootsie roll   23 / .5 / 4.5

S:
1 c. watermelon   46 / 0 / 12

D:
6 oz. grilled pork chop   160 / 9 / 0
Creamy Cauliflower   27 / 0 / 5.5
4 oz. red wine   90 / 0 / 4

S:
Weight Watchers chocolate cream cake   80 / 3.5 / 16
sunflower seeds   50 / 4 / 1

TOTAL:          971 / 34 / 96