My Number One Tip for Resisting Cravings: Don’t!

This tip may seem counter intuitive to everything you’ve read about weight loss or dieting. I should start by saying that I am not dieting. I am simply trying to live a healthy, active life that balances nutritious foods with rich desserts and other delicacies I crave.

Balance

I used to feel like I couldn’t buy certain foods. I would never buy that box of cookies because I thought that cookies were bad. Within the past several months I began to realize I can enjoy any food I want to – but in moderation. I know I have certain trigger foods (these foods I really do try not to buy because I know I lose all control around them) but other “bad” foods are fair game.

One day this summer I was standing in line at Target and saw a pack of Raisinets. I realized I could not remember the last time I actually bought candy from the checkout aisle. While this could make me proud, it actually made me sad. I thought back to my younger years when my mom would let me and my sister pick out a candy bar as a treat and I would feel so happy (I’d always pick a Twix or Caramello bar :)).

Caramello - Chocolate & Caramel Yum!

I bought the pack of Raisinets, determined to incorporate them into my balanced eating. I savored the candy over the course of three days (shocking, I know) and enjoyed a handful whenever a craving hit. I also topped my morning Greek yogurt with the candies, successfully incorporating them into a wholesome meal.

Though I obviously become a victim to cravings regularly (hence this weekend and the gobs of ice cream *my trigger food* I ate), I am slowly trying to take a balanced approach to enjoying the “bad” foods, while realizing they’re not so bad after all.

I now give into my cravings and realize that one cookie really is enough. The rest of the cookies will still be there tomorrow, and I can enjoy another delicious treat when a craving hits.

I do not completely avoid my trigger foods, but when I buy these items, I know I’m really testing my will power:

1. Cheez-its

2. Ice Cream

3. Peanut Butter M&Ms

4. White Cheddar Popcorn

5. Corn Pops Cereal

Question: What are your trigger foods? How do you satisfy your cravings?

No Shrimpy Lunch

Last night I made a delicious pasta for dinner using frozen shrimp and lots of veggies. I had a good portion of the little crustaceans leftover and decided to make shrimp salad for lunch today.

My mom used liberal amounts of Old Bay seasoning when she prepared various seafood dishes when I was growing up and, after a recommendation from my friend Minda, I began using the spice in my shrimp salad to kick the flavor up a notch.

Old Bay Seasoning

I started by adding a large squirt of light Miracle Whip to a large handful of peeled and deveined cold shrimpies.

Shrimp and Miracle Whip - Best Friends

I then added several shakes of Old Bay to the mix for that added pizazz!

Shrimp 'n' Spice

I stirred the mixture until the shrimp was fully coated in the spice and mayo. (Sorry for the oh-so-blurry picture.)

Blurry But Tasty

I spread the shrimp salad on a warmed Joseph’s pita.

Joseph's Pita Bread

I topped the shrimp salad with Eat Smart broccoli slaw and dug in!

Eat Smart Broccoli Slaw

Eating shrimp for lunch makes me feel like I’m enjoying something extra special… I don’t know why! Maybe it’s because I usually reserve the lil’ guys for dinner dishes. Despite the use of shrimp in this lunch, it was no shrimpy meal and I am nice and full.

BananaRama

This morning I woke up in the mood for something super sweet for breakfast. My workouts also serve as brainstorming time for my breakfast and since I was running intervals this morning, I thought the traditional runner’s fuel would be a great breakfast: bananas! I decided to make a mock bananas flambe as a reward for an intense workout (thank you to Lisa for inspiring this recipe)!

Bananas Topped with Sugar-Free Syrup

After showering, I took a frozen banana out of the freezer and sliced it up, placing the banana slices on a griddle sprayed with cooking spray. After letting the fruit sizzle for a bit, I topped each slice with a small squirt of Smucker’s sugar-free breakfast syrup.

Sizzlin' Bananas

I then flipped the banana slices, allowing the syrup to caramelize into sugary goodness.

Before the bananas were done, I opened a cup of Oikos organic Greek yogurt to serve as a bead for the warm bananas. I placed the banana slices on the yogurt and sprinkled my breakfast bowl with Kashi Go Lean cereal for extra crunch.

Yummy Banana Goodness

This breakfast tasted like a decadent dessert. I would actually serve this for dessert in addition to breakfast for a healthy take on traditional bananas flambe. Tasty, tasty.

This was a great reward after a nice cardio session this morning! My belly is happy.

Grocery Shopping in My Parents’ Pantry

Every time I leave my parents’ house after a weekend at home, I inevitably leave with a department store bag full of food from their pantry. Fortunately they’ve come to expect this and my mom even buys duplicates of items she actually wants to remain after I leave so they’re not completely depleted of all yummy foods.

Here is a picture of my latest conquest:

Thanks Mom and Dad

I stocked up on fruit and nut bars, pasta, tea, cake mix, seasonings, cheese and more. I even made off with a super cute tea pot and some tea cups! Lucky ducky.

As if making off with a bag full of groceries isn’t good enough, my parents both sneak me money for “gas,” just like they did when I was in college despite the fact that I am 24 and have a full time job. They are well aware that they both give me money and this time my mom even said “Here you go, Sweetie. Nothing like some double dipping, huh?”  as she handed me extra money. I love that my parents will always think of me as their little girl… but then again, I always will be their little girl. 🙂

Question: What do you always leave with when you visit your parents?

Rotisserie Revisited

When Ryan picked up a rotisserie chicken at the grocery store for dinner last night, I’m not sure who was more exited, me or Sadie.

Rotisserie Chicken

On second thought, I’m going to have to go with the dog on this one, considering she sat dutifully by the counter where the chicken waited while we unloaded groceries and then followed the chicken to the table where she sat looking from the bird to us and back again. She also does this with her leash (looking from us to the leash and then back again) when she wants a walk. It’s her own way of puppy communication and I’ve cracked the code!

We did share the chicken with Sadie (and got lots of puppy kisses as a thank you) and even managed to have some leftovers.

Shredded Chicken

The leftovers made me think of all the things you can make with a rotisserie chicken (fresh or a day or two old). Here’s a list of ten different ways to use the moist meat:

1. Add on top of lettuce and make your own salad using your favorite toppings

2. Add to canned soups for an easy version of homemade soup

3. Season with taco seasoning for tacos or fajitas

4. Add to marinara sauce and pour on top of whole wheat pasta

5. Use as a topping on your favorite pizza crust

6. Add to a sandwich or a wrap for lunch

7. Top a tortilla with chicken and cheese for an easy quesadilla

8. Toss into a stir fry with lots of veggies

9.  Make your own chicken salad using light mayo

10. Use in a breakfast burrito with eggs and cheese

For those of you wondering about the nutritional information associated with a rotisserie chicken, after researching nutrition facts for various retailer’s chickens, the calories in a single serving of the chicken (approximately 3 oz.) seem to range from 140  – 170. Feed the skin to your dog to save extra fat and calories and make your pup love you even more! 🙂

Question: How do you use leftover rotisserie chicken?