Miscellanous stuff from Jen

Being that it is my lunch hour I want to throw out a couple of things that are on my mind right now.

Almost daily I wait for my turn to use one of the two microwaves that exist on our floor occupying over 100 people. Fortunately, Sales and Marketing make up half and they are usually out schmoozing our customers so that makes less people in the kitchen areas, but I still have to wait in line to heat my food. Anyway, EVERY DAY I hear people talking about trying to eat healthier, fad diets they are trying, looking at salads people think are healthy, etc, Most salads are smothered in eggs, cheese, BACON, pepperoni, and whatever else is hiding under their dressing ocean.

I'm not trying to be critical here. (seriously) People just don't know how to eat healthy. After I finished college (the first time) and got married I had a difficult time filling the time void that studying used to take up and Tanner had put on almost 50 lbs from the time we met to our honeymoon so I decided to learn to cook healthy. It took ALOT of recipe books, websites, testing, etc. but I've established a great collection of good tasty food that won't leave you feeling guilty after you eat it. After I had Turner, I was back to the drawing board to find recipes that were quick and easy and I'm still working on some things, but I've got a decent collection. I'm going to try to share one with you every week.

Here are a few things I learned that help me stay on track.

1. Never diet. Period. Diets are a temporary fix and don't give your body what it needs to be healthy. I hate the word "diet" and every time I hear it I want to eat a box of candy bars in rebellion. Good health is a lifestyle. Once you commit to that and learn what is good it won't be hard to make the changes in food choices.

2. I try not to eat big after 6:00. I always have a snack around 7:30 just to keep my tank full. If it's after 7:30 and I ABSOLUTELY have to have something I make a tall glass of chocolate milk using Nesquik and 1% milk. The chocolate satisfies my sweet tooth and the milk makes me feel full. I try to avoid buying premixed or premade chocolate milk or using Hershey's syrup for the mix. That stuff is loaded with things that will make your belly swallow your bellybutton.

3. Eat often, like every 2 hours. It's what you eat, not how often you eat. Have you ever heard the saying "you need to eat to lose weight", it's true. Eating every couple of hours kicks your metabolism into gear, gives you more energy, and helps you poo. I don't know about you, but when I'm not eating right my body holds my poo hostage for days at a time or dismembers it and I'm stuck crapping little rabbit turds for 3 days. Not good. My fave's are Special K bars. They come in a big variety, are inexpensive and are only 90 calories. I'd compare the taste to rice crispy treats, yum!

4. Good appetite suppressants are caffeine, sugar free gum, and brushing your teeth. Just watch the sugar and calorie content of the caffeinated beverage. Tea with Splenda or honey is my choice. Usually if I brush my teeth after my 7:30 p.m. snack it'll keep my hunger under control for the rest of the night.

5. Don't deprive yourself! If you watch the serving size of what special treat you want you'll be fine. Set limits, but enjoy your chocolate, your ice cream, or whatever it is you fancy. I'd be a crazy bitch without my chocolate fix and that's fo sho! =)

Welp, that's my two cents. I'll post a recipe tomorrow if you'd like to try it.