Year 2, Day 62: April Come She Will

WEIGHTY ISSUE—Obesity-suburbs link debated
Any way you study it, commute takes away time for healthy activity
By RAD SALLEE - Copyright 2006 Houston Chronicle

Does suburban living make you fat? Probably a little bit, studies say. At least for some people.

It's common sense that a person who spends an hour or more of every workday commuting to and from the job will have that much less time left over for healthful pursuits.

A city dweller who can walk or bike to work, as well as to the cleaners, the grocery and so on, obviously would have the edge on fitness, other things being equal.

But they seldom are equal, and there's abundant evidence that obesity is strongly related to other factors, including income, education and race.

A small academic tempest followed news reports in February of a study from the University of Illinois at Chicago that seemed to refute a link between urban sprawl and personal spread.

One story about the report was headlined "Study finds suburbanites fitter.

Breakfast
2 Eggs, Over Easy
2.5 Strips Turkey Bacon
2.5 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
Coffee with USM
1 crust of bread
1 quarter-square of matzoh
~4 oz almonds/cashews
1 or 2 bites of Magnolia's Cheese Stick (Ruby saved me by throwing it away)
1 chicken nugget
3 slices salami

Lunch
Breast of Chicken
Salad with Spinach, Cabbage, Feta

Dinner
Flank Steak with Ginger and Scallions
Salad with Japanese Ginger Dressing
Broccoli

Typical differences

Ewing's 2003 study examined 448 counties in 83 metro areas and concluded that sprawl had a small but significant connection with minutes walked, obesity, high blood pressure and body mass index (BMI), a calculation based on height and weight.

At the extremes, the study estimated, New Yorkers would weigh 6.3 pounds less than residents of Geauga County, Ohio, a distant suburb of Cleveland, after correction for height and other factors. Typical differences were much smaller.

On a smaller but far more detailed scale, Frank polled 11,000 Atlanta-area residents in 2004 and concluded that those living in mixed-use neighborhoods with walkable destinations within a kilometer of their homes were likely to be thinner. Among white men, where the linkage was strongest, Frank concluded that extreme differences in land use, population density and street connectivity correlated with weight differences of up to 10 pounds.

The recent Chicago study fell between those two geographically, but the data source was voluminous — records of 7 million drivers' licenses in the 10-county Chicago area. Body mass index was calculated from licensees' height and weight. Researchers also noted the subjects' gender and place of residence among 375 ZIP codes.
Maps were generated that show residents of the inner city and outer suburbs carrying more excess weight than those in the inner ring of suburbs

Year 2, Day 61: Trying to Get the Feeling Again

Stunned by the news that I was up 3 lbs (we'll double-check this on Monday) and laid low by the notification of having to give up exercise for two weekends, I am somewhat apprehensive about the weekend. I am repeatedly writing a note in my head to stay within the confines of the program, much like a soon-to-be married bride of the 50s might continually write her new married name on paper, just to see how it looks. I found it challenging to say the least. As is my wont during these times, I have to relook at the way I am eating— I realize that plain yogurt may be low in carbs (14g per serving) but I notice that it is high in sugars (12g). I probably should not have it once a day for a snack.

Breakfast
1 Cup Ancient Heritage Grains
1/4 cup Kashi Go Lean
1 small banana
1 cup USM
Tea

Snack
Coffee with USM
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
Less than 2 tablespoons of Super Chunky Peanut Butter
A few slices of salami

Lunch
Big Salad—Romaine, Cabbage, Feta, Tuna, Carrots

Dinner
Chicken Chorizo Sausage
Emily's Kickin' Bok Choy

According to http://www.junkfoodblog.com/ Nestle of Russia has introduced a new product called "Nestle Classic For Men." The site goes on to say that the company's product literature says they're positioning this as a "new, special form of tenderness created just for men."

Year 2, Day 60: Traumatizing Visit to the Doctor.

Or, "Do You Have a copy of Orgasm Magazine?" One of the greatest illustrations of embarrassment is in the Woody Allen film Bananas, were he is depicted as trying to buy the above mentioned magazine. He slips it in between ten other serious magazines, but when he gets to the cashier, she silently rings up each one until she has to call for a price on Orgasm Magazine. That's pretty much what happened to me at the doctor's today. There was a lot of trauma to go around:

1. Weighed 3lbs more than last visit (189)
2. Was advised to stop exercising for two weeks.
3. Nurse checking me out did not know how to file paperwork for embarrassing procedure that was recommended for me; causing her to yell out to the other nurses assembled about same procedure. I tried to keep my sense of humor, but it was no avail; the day was lost.

Breakfast
2 small slices of Balthazar rye
4 slices Ham
2.5 oz 50% jalapeno cheddar
Tea

Snack
1 medium dunkin donuts coffee (half decaf)
~2.5 oz peanuts

Lunch: Russo's ($5.69)
Red leaf, red onion, red peppers
chick peas, chickens, feta cheese
broccoli, olives

Dinner:
Chicken Paprikash
Emily's Stir-Fry Cabbage
Broccoli

Of course, in the back of my head I thought "Oh I'm going to the doctor, I'm going to get weighed" which isn't so bad, but I hadn't really thought through the fact that it would be at 2:15, an hour after lunch, which I suppose is the stupidest time to get weighed ever. I'm not listing it as a Detecto weigh-in, since it's not first thing in the morning as I always do. Detecto said 189, which was quite shocking, and I was certainly bummed out for the rest of the day. I resolved to go back on Monday and get weighed in (as I would have without the Dr. visit). My sister in law says she can weigh as much as five pounds more at the end of the day than at the beginning. But I say that begs the question "how much do you weigh?" Additionally, Dr. Parent, who has as saved my life twice now, recommended that I take two weeks off from exercising. I said "even brisk walks?" she said "yes." I said "what about slow ones?" At this point, I am acting more like her weird uncle Moey than a patient. Patients just do what she recommends, they don't negotiate. I am a problem.

Year 2, Day 59: The Girl Can't Help It

Emily used to have a poster of the movie "The Girl Can't Help It" in her apartment. I think it was from the Coop, or Mostly Posters, or some such store that sold that kind of poster-y bric-a-brac. I think of that sometimes when I'm with Magnolia and end up eating whatever she's eating. Tonight it was Elmo's Yummy Oatmeal. Of course it's yummy, because despite its organic quality, many of its ingredients are sugar. I'm not blaming her at all, it's all me. But the girl can't help it. That's the truth.

Breakfast
1 cup Heritage Flakes
1/4 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1 small banana
Tea

Snack
Medium Dunkin Donuts Coffee (half decaf)
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 tablespoons super chunky peanut butter

Lunch: Sushi 21 Bento Box
1 Unagi Nigiri
Chicken Teriyaki
Mescalun Greens/Seaweed Salad
2 Fried Shumai
Green Tea

Dinner
Hamburger
Asparagus
Peppadews

Afterwards
1 Bite of a Chocolate Kids Cliff Bar
2 Bites of Elmo Yummy Oatmeal

Went for a VERY brisk walk today with just one other from the gang. Second one this week—very encouraging. Glad that the weather supports this activity, because I have still not found my way to a second trip to the gym. During today's walk, I found it almost hard to keep up (did have to take a call about half way through). Definitely broke a sweat, which is good, because I ate a big lunch right afterwards, and I will probably see Detecto tomorrow.

Year 2, Day 58: Jill's Birthday

I didn't do anything for Jill's Birthday today, but she is right up there with my inspirations. One of the most sensible and healthy people I know, Jill was my cohort and coconspirator at old Domania. We went on many lunch runs for the staff, and it almost always caused us a great deal of aggravation as we sweated out forgetting the ketchup, getting the wrong kind of bread for a sandwich or getting plain diet dr. pepper instead of vanilla cherry diet dr. pepper with splenda. She was really the first friend I ever had that ran; went to the gym; ate properly; engaged in sports. Aside from all the other reasons I described in this blogosphere about my weight gain, I realize now that I had very few friends that ever cared about getting me moving. It's true that both my old bosses were constantly trying to get me to walk, and they even got me a book of "walking tours in Boston" as a gift. When I opened it, we all laughed. Such was my known state at the time. And Jill never made it an issue. She accepted me for who I was. For some reason, she was always picking me up at the hospital. She has been a great supporter of this diet, and blog. So happy birthday Jillz!

Breakfast
2 small slices Balthazar bread
5 (small) slices ham
2.5 oz. 50% jalapeno cheddar
tea

Snack
1 medium dunkin donuts coffee (half decaf)
~3 oz. Peanuts
1 Apple

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Greek Salad with Feta and Grilled Chicken

Dinner
1 Ground Pork Burger
Emily's Stir-fry cabbage
Peppadews
1 oz. Cracker barrel cheese

I am starting to feel heavy again. Not sure why that is, but it could be that I need to scale back the eating. Could be a psychological disorder. Can't tell— I will know more when I face my nemesis-cum-friend Detecto next week. Have I stayed the same or have the pounds started to creep back on? How long can I sustain weight loss without adding exercise? What about Naomi? These and more questions will be answered next week.

Year 2, Day 57: Tuesdays with Morrie and Heritage Flakes

Having run out of Kashi Go Lean! cereal, I sashay over to Whole Foods to get another box. As always, I am trying to 1) try every cereal in the known world and 2) vary my diet, as I know it is a cornerstone of successful staying on a diet. It is very easy for me to fall into a rut; I could easily wear the same outfit every day and eat the same thing every day. I hope people don't think that means I lack imagination; it's just that I'd rather devote my creative senses to the day's pursuits, not the requirements of clothing myself and feeding myself. I realize many people can do both, but I'm not one of them. I have to work hard to vary my routine and make it work. I spied a bag of "Heritage Ancient Grains." Despite the lousy name, I am taken with their 'eco packs' which is a fancy word for 'no box.' I noted a few years ago that General Mills started selling boxless-bags of breakfast cereals that were copies of more well-known cereals like cocoa puffs, only theirs would be called 'chocolate puffs.'

Breakfast
1 cup Heritage Flakes
1 small banana
grape nuts
Tea

Snack
1 Medium Dunkin Donuts (half decaf)
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 tablespoons Peanut Butter

Lunch: Russo's ($5.41)
Red leaf, red onion, red peppers
chick peas, chickens, feta cheese
broccoli, olives

Dinner
Cheeseburgers
Emily's Stir-Fry Cabbage
Peppadews
Bok Choy

Anyway, the label on these massive bags of multi-grain flakes claim that they are made from "heritage grains such as spelt, quinoa and kamut." Since I couldn't recognize any of those things as food sources, I was immediately convinced that I had to buy the bag, though I had call one of the Whole Foods employees to help me load it into the cart. I've got to tell you, they are FANTASTIC. They have less sugar (4g vs. 6g) then Kashi Go Lean and less carbs (23g vs 30g) too. They had a sweet taste and even Emily liked it. Ruby liked it when Emily was eating it dry, but later when I offered it to her she demurred. So I'm giving a big recommendation to these flakes, though if you have a small car, you might want to start with the box.

Year 2, Day 56: Rainy Days and Mondays

I always liked rainy Mondays. Because of their appalling quality, it's so much easier to pity them to hate them. Barring the occasional snow catastrophe, you really can't start the week any worse than with a rain-filled Monday.

Breakfast

1 slice Balthazar Rye
4 Slices Ham
2.5 oz. Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
12 oz coffee (half decaf)
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 oz. super chunky peanut butter

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken

Dinner:
Venison Sausage
Pork Quesadilla
Caesar Salad
Sirloin Steak
Asparagus
Red Cole Slaw
Collard Greens
Bite of Coffee Ice Cream

I went to dinner with my brother and a friend in our effort to launch a new magazine. It's hard to have dinner meetings because it's nearly impossible to discuss business when you want to relax but you can't relax because then you're not doing what you came there for. I tried to keep it very sobe friendly, as I have felt slightly off the wagon lately. There was a lot to eat, but the portions were fairly small. It was eating later for me, more, and more stuff that I don't usually have. What the hell, I thought, you only live once.

Year 2, Day 55: "Step Away from the Muffins, Sir"

Today was the grand reopening of the JCC fitness center. As a remorseful baked goods-consuming sinner, I entered expecting to see every available machine covered by some elderly semite person wearing a flannel oxford and carrying a record player. Fortunately, I got there early and this was not the case. I suppose Jews are afraid of gym grand openings? Since I thought all the elliptical machines were taken, I signed up for mine and went down to the fitness center and got a tour of all the brand spanking new machines they had. I explained that I wanted six-pack abs (though not in those terms) and a nice lady named Rachel (who had a cold) took me through some of the devices that could help me tone my 'core.' I must say that after trying a few 'reps' on these machines that I realized that my 'core' is not very strong. It's very disempowering to know that you have weak core. She suggested I come two to three times a week. I surmised she was a fitness zealot. She filled out a form with my name on it, and either as a provocative measure or simply out of an understanding of who I am she said she would 'file it in the back.' I did four miles on the elliptical in about 40 minutes, then a half mile on the track. During my 'run' I realized that they had added three more elliptical machines. When I was finished, I went home to bake more blueberry muffins.

Breakfast
2 Eggs
4 Strips Turkey Bacon
3 oz. Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Lunch
Chicken Cutlets a la Robert
Big Salad (Celery, Lettuce, Carrots, Parmesan)
1. oz Cracker Barrel Cheese
1/4 cup Almonds/Cashews

Etc.
1.5 Blueberry Muffins
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Dinner
Rainbow Trout/ Pork Cutlets
Broccoli

After having the blueberry muffins of yesterday, I realized two things were wrong: there wasn't enough butter and there wasn't enough sugar. I got a new recipe which called for more of both, and substituted yogurt for milk and added lemon zest. I could tell from the batter that it was going to work out much better. After they came out Ruby and I sampled them. Ruby liked them 'except for the blueberry part.' I brought the rest of them into work. Next weekend I'm going to try chocolate chips, unless I can get some therapy.

Year 2, Day 54: Gym Come Quickly

Today was sort of rainy and therefore my plan to be outside and be fit was somewhat ruined. In addition, I went totally off the rails with my insane and inexplicable desire to bake blueberry muffins. When you have kids, sometimes you just get that kind of crazy idea. Ruby did have a good time making them with me, though they tasted terrible. I had to eat a few of them to make sure I understood what they tasted like. It wasn't bad, just not sweet and muffin-y, more dry and biscuit-y. Size-wize, they were really mini-muffins, and they were made with whole wheat flour, but a muffin's a muffin, and I must confess, I had three of them. Not great.

Breakfast
1.5 Cups Heritage Cereal
1 Small Banana
1 cup soy milk
Tea

Snack
1 Cup Coffee with USM
3 blueberry muffins
~45 goldfish
1 joy stick
2 oz. 50% jalapeno cheddar

lunch
tuna
romaine, boston lettuce
celery, carrots, feta

dinner
sirloin tips
emily's vegetable wok medley: broccoli, celery, peppers and sprouts

etc.
1 organic kids hunka chunka chocolate chip cookie

Then, on our way back from a trip to Toys 'R' Us, I realized I hadn't eaten and I was alone in the car with only a bag of cheddar goldfish. Surprisingly, they are very low in carbs and have no High Fructose Corn Syrup or Partially Hydrogenated Oils in them, which is good, because they are staple food for a majority of the United States population in the 1.5-3.5 year old range. Counting out 55 of them (1 serving) I sadly consumed them in my never-ending quest to keep my blood sugar leveled out. After a reasonable dinner, the baby began her practice of opening the cabinet, grabbing something that makes a crinkle-noise and brining it to me. This time it was a bag of organic (frookie) double chocolate chip cookies. I thought baby might like one—no, she spit it out. I offered it to Ruby—she didn't like it either. Fate decreed I had to try this double-chocolate chip cookie that neither of my daughters (who love sugar AND chocolate) would not eat. I liked it. But all I could think is "I must get to the gym tomorrow—and stay there all day."

Year 2, Day 53: The Bread is Back

Today I returned to Balthazar bread for breakfast. It was good to be back, as it becomes tiresome to eat matzoh everday, not to mention how it plays havoc with your digestive system. On a positive note, Ruby has totally fallen in love with matzoh with butter, which is good, since we seem to have an enormous volume of it left. Passover can be cruel that way.

Breakfast
2 small slices of Balthazar bread
4 slices of not very good ham
3 oz 50% jalapeno cheddar
tea

Snack
Medium Dunkin Donuts (half decaf)
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 tablespoons super chunky peanut butter

Lunch: Not Your Average Joe's
House salad
Breast of Chicken with Pumpkin sauce (and pumpkin seeds)
Red Peppers and Spinach
a few bites of hamburger
five french fries

Dinner
More hamburger
Broccoli
Peppadews

Afterwards
One Nip

I wanted to write a song parody called "Balthazar" to the tune of "Zanzibar" by Billy Joel, but after a few hours, I realized the words just weren't coming, and this blog was already several days late in being published. You'll just have to content yourself with the knowledge that it could have been a very funny song, if I had done it right. I wanted to include a link to "Zanzibar" on iTunes, but I couldn't do that either.

Year 2, Day 52: Concern, As Always

The past few days at work have seen me adding a snack to my morning routine. This is a bad sign. For the first few days it was accidental pistachios. Today it was a banana—I wanted to counteract the sodium of the lox (smoked salmon) with some potassium from the banana. But for the longest time I was able to go without one. I know part of it is stress, but it's self-fulfilling stress because I'm stressed out that I'm hungry. I've also been super hungry after dinner, and that is a concern to me. I don't know if it's just spring, and I'm more active and therefore more hungry, or it's just I'm more hungry. Also, I have it in the back of my head that eating matzoh is not that great a staple on ANY diet. Fortunately, today, Passover is over, and I can return to my beloved Balthazar bread.

Breakfast
1.5 Matzoh Boards
Cream Cheese
Smoked Salmon (700mg of Sodium)

Snack
Medium Dunkin Donuts Coffee (half Decaf)
1 small banana

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Greek Salad with Feta
Pita Bread

Dinner
1 Piece Arctic Char, 1 Piece Pork Cutlet
Salad with Feta
Asparagus

Etc.
A bite of Ruby's Sugar Cookie
2 bites sesame chocolate bar (WILD)

I meant to call people's attention to an editorial written by Nicholas D. Kristof in the New York Times last week. It was a funny and frightening article warning us about the dangers of high fructose corn syrup, and how it's worse than anything a terrorist could throw at us. To wit: "Americans over the age of 2 get an average of 132 calories a day from high-fructose corn syrup, which is the major sweetener in pop and also found in everything from ketchup to hot dog buns."

Sugary drinks now account for one-sixth of the calories we ingest. They are particularly problematic because there's evidence that calories in beverages don't give us feelings of fullness that we get from the same number of calories in food. "When kids snack on Cheetos, that at least spoils their appetites so that they eat less at meals. But when they chug Coke, they absorb as many calories -- and it doesn't spoil their appetites. What's the bottom line on these drinks? An extra 100 calories a day, all things being equal, adds about five pounds a year to one's weight."

For years I drank Coke or Snapple Peach Iced tea for lunch, and they both were a staple at the card game. There was always water or diet versions of these drinks, but I went from thinking "it's no big deal' to "I'm out of control." It's very hard to take that first step, say switching to diet coke, or diet Snapple—mostly because they don't taste as good—but it leads to so many other good things (when you exclude cancer from untested sweeteners).

Year 2, Day 51: More Salad

Cream cheese? Why have I been avoiding cream cheese? Sure, it's high in fat, but VERY low in carbs. If you buy Zausner's (which I highly recommend- better even then TempTee) there's no junk in it. Just cream and cheese. Well you know what I mean. I made the mistake of buying low-fat cream cheese when I was home. It was AWFUL. Don't ever do that. If you're going to have cream cheese, just have it. Save the fat somewhere else, or skip something else (if you can).

Breakfast
75% of 1 Matzoh Board with Cream Cheese and a little Smoked Salmon
50% of 1 Matzoh Board with Cream Cheese and Rhubarb Raspberry Jam
Tea

Snack
Medium Black Dunkin Donuts Coffee (half decaf)
25 Pistachios
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 tablespoons peanut butter

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($5.41)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Olives, Chicken
Feta, Celery, Broccoli

Dinner
Emily's Ground Chicken Crumble (with sprouts & peppers)
Boston Leaf Lettuce
Leeks

After
a few bites of cantaloupe

I was discussing with a coworker today about my feelings about Russo's and salad. That is the feeling that I must 'de-fetishize' my lunch. Any one who worked with me during the past decade (and you know who you are) knows that I took lunch VERY SERIOUSLY. Really, I was aghast when I joined a company who had only ventured out to one (and not very good) sub shop. I insisted we visit EVERY SINGLE PLACE in walking and driving distance, collect menus and determine what our rotation would be. I did that at pretty much every place I ever worked. When I joined Domania in 1999, I met someone who was just like me, and together we became the unofficial food service directors of the company. Then we moved from Cambridge to Brighton and we had to start all over again. It got to a point where the discussion of lunch and where it should be from was a central operating point of my day, and that continued for years until I started the South Beach diet, came to my senses and lost 40 lbs. So now, I try to take my father in law's tact, that lunch is simply "a biological requirement." Of course I'll never quite be that unattached to lunch, but it's a good goal to have.

Year 2, Day 50: Return to Work; No Scooter Pies

Today was my return to work after four days away, and naturally, there was a lot to do. It always a mixed blessing to return— it's good to know you're needed, but sometimes it can be daunting when you realize how much there is to do. Not to mention the same struggle everyone has in balancing their life dreams, home responsibilites and work duties. On top of it all, you have to keep eating matzoh until Thursday.

Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana

Snack:
Medium Dunkin Donuts (half decaf)
25 Pistachios
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($5.13)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Chicken
Feta, Broccoli

Dinner:
Pork Cutlets
Brocolli, Celery

Etc.
2 small bites of Ruby's Frosted-Sprinkle Cookies
2 small bite of Magnolia's Yummy Oatmeal

Amazingly, I was going to write about my obsession with Scooter Pies—which were sort of like giant malamars that were always available on the lowest shelf in the cookie aisle of the supermarket. I now realize, rather cynically, that they put them there so kids, who are naturally low to the ground, can both see them AND reach them to put them in the cart. I could not find an image of the Scooter Pie, so I may have to go out to the store and get a box (for demonstration only). They may be called something else now, or may have changed manufacturers, it's hard to tell now.
Amazingly, all I could find online was some reference to "Salerno Scooter Pies", which RESEMBLE the original. Salerno is apparently a company that was part of the Sunshine Cookie company that they sold. Scooter Pies were originally created by Burry, then taken over by Quaker Oats. No matter who makes them, you can still go out and get them I bet.

Year 2, Day 49: Patriots Day

People outside Massachusetts know that we have the Boston Marathon, but many people don't know that it is an official (see "State-level") day off. That is, the Government doesn't come to work, and lots of people who live on the marathon route either call in sick or take the day off. This is bad because it means no mail and you can't go to the RMV, but the good side is that taxes aren't due until tomorrow, making Massachusetts just that more liberal. I used to regularly take the day off not only because the marathon made the commute more difficult, but it was really fun when you live on the route (as I did for 11 years) to just walk out, take in the marathon for a little while, then return home. I always wondered why people from far away came to watch, when they have no discernible connection with the marathon. I guess it's just a desire to be part of the action, drink publicly, or urinate in an alley. I watched two of my neighbors get their kids packed up in the car and motor off to find a good 'spot' to watch the marathon. Yecch.

Breakfast
Two Eggs, Over Easy (but one broken)
3 Strips jennieo
2.5 Oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
Coffee with USM
1 Matzoh Board with Cream Cheese and Rhubarb Jelly
Pistachios

Lunch
Cabbage-Romaine Salad with Feta
Whole Wheat Bread Crumb Chicken

Dinner
Turkey a la Emily
with Emily's Leeks
Peppadews

In celebration of Patriots Day, I would have liked to go the gym, or at the very least, to have eaten my own weight in pasta the night before. With the JCC closed, and me watching everything, I had to just content myself with the thought that next Sunday I'd be back on the elliptical, and who knows? Maybe eating a bowl of whole-wheat pasta with pesto. It's not very patriotic, but it will have to do.

Year 2, Day 48: Easter Egg Hunt

The day began as it always does, with Ruby and I galumphing down the steps to greet the day. I made French Toast for the girls and I continued to look for a Easter Egg hunt locally. Note to churches: you are not optimizing your sites for search marketing; I could only find one church Web site that even listed the Egg Hunt as an activity. I can't describe what else I found, but I promise, it wasn't about Easter. On a tip from Emily, I called my neighbor, who was planning to go to a secular Egg Hunt at Wilson Farms in Lexington, MA. With unusual expediency, we put on our pastel outfits and lit out. It took all of about 15 minutes but I must say it was a nice affair.

Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana

Snack-Eez
1 Joy Stick
1/2 a Movie Popcorn
1 bite of a Easter Chocolate

Lunch
Romaine and Cabbage Salad with Feta
Emily's Whole-Wheat Breadcrumb Chicken

Dinner
93% Sirloin Burger
Emily's Stir-Fry Cabbage
Peppadews
String Beans

Dessert
1/2 of Ruby's Sugar Cookie

The greatest disappointment today was the fact that the JCC was closed "for renovations." To add insult to injury, they are closed for 10 Days! God made the world in seven days, but his people cannot renovate one room in that time. After getting fully dressed for the workout, iPod and towel in hand, I pulled up to the JCC with that feeling you get when you know something's wrong— no cars AT ALL in the lot. I couldn't believe they would be closed because I was just thinking to myself "I'm glad I'm a member of the JCC (gym)— I bet all the other gyms are closed for Easter." Zoinks! Since I'm already in my workout duds, I decide to walk around the neighborhood for as long as I can. I made it just about 55 minutes. Even with the iPod (I had typed walkman...) I find walking alone to be wildly boring. However, I did sus out, just a hop from my house is a walking path around the Cutler reservation that has a pond. I wasn't up to THAT walk today, but maybe by the end of the summer...

Year 2, Day 47: Return Home

Another day in New York and another 20 minute loss of life's magic time as we sit in yet another parking lot of highway. We remember why we don't live in New York, though proximity to the world's best fill in anything you want is tempting, and of course Broadway. Eager to hot-foot it back to Boston we pack the car and I make a brief stop to see a friend who's recently lost his father, and coincidentally lives on the way to the Englewood home for Balthazar Bread. Now, it's Passover, but I think it's OK to buy bread if I promise not to eat it till Passover is over. I know that's actually contrary to the laws, but I was never very observant about that one. I think ridding yourself of awful high-carb, high fructose corn syrupy white bread or fake wheat bread is great, but ridding yourself of Balthazar bread just because of a holiday is just flat out wrong.

Breakfast
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter
1 Banana
Coffee with Milk

Car Ride
Chicken Breast
1/2 of a Cheese Stick
1/2 Matzoh Board

Arrival Snack
Salad with Red Cabbage and Romaine
Feta Cheese
12-14 Jalapeno Chips (Whole Foods)

Dinner
Emily's Tilapia
Emily's Stir-Fry Cabbage
Some of Magnolia's Hot Dog

Now in retrospect, I think corn chips are not "Kosher for Passover" because they are made of corn which is one of the things, also called kitnios that we are forbidden to eat. Interestingly, not all Jews are forbidden to eat corn; Sephardim can eat them all day, but not Ashkenazim. However, I challenge anyone to sit in a car for a long period of time with a bag of chips and have them resist. Come on, I dare you!

Apparently, there is a wave coming where new and interesting foods will be available during passover, even those that are leavened (this is because they can be made with baking soda or baking powder, which does not ferment). According to one rabbi, the laws say if one of the five grains – wheat, barley, rye, oats and spelt – sits in water for more than 18 minutes it becomes chametz, and one may not eat, derive benefit from or own it on Pesach. Sure makes it hard to find something yummy to eat.

Year 2, Day 46: Good Friday

Today, in our third day of non-stop traveling, we meant to go see my Mom. As Passover prohibits the eating of bread and things risen, we would eschew talk of Balthazar in favor of Bruce's macaroons, which are the world's best, hands down. As is typical in New York, we ran into a lot of traffic getting there, and waited in line with several loud, rude, pushy people. While it takes a little while to get reacquainted, I do feel at home in New York. Why isn't every one this way? On the train going to Manhattan I sat next to an Irish Dad and his son. They were going to a Mets game. This surprised me, since it was Good Friday AND it was raining. But nothing was going to deter them.

Breakfast
2 Eggs Over Easy
3 Strips Jennie O Turkey Bacon
3 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
1/2 Matzoh board
Tea

Lunch
Greek Salad with Grilled Chicken
1 Chocolate Macaroon
1 Matzoh Board with Butter

Snack
3 oz. Cracker Barrel Sharp Cheese
1 Matzoh board

Dinner: Yasuda, NYC
Flash-Fried Striped Bass (Appetizer)
Assorted Sashimi (Including, but not limited to: Artic Char, Mackerel, Yellow Tail, Toro)
Assorted Sushi (Anogo, Unagi, Oyster, Sea Scallop)
Anogo Maki
Sake
Pear, Papaya and Honeydew

In perhaps a curious bad bit of planning, my closest friend and I agreed to have dinner at a Sushi restaurant for his birthday (he had taken me to the same restaurant for my birthday). We had had to reschedule a few times, and it's so rare that I am in NYC with a free night, so we decided to do it. For him it was good Friday (so it was good that there was no steak sushi) but for me, the rice and rice wine were strictly off limits. However, I decided that since I had avoided white rice all year it was OK just this once. We ate a small child's weight in fish, and it was heavenly. I can neither identify all the fish we ate, or tell you the amount of the bill. But you only turn 40 once (I hope).

Year 2, Day 45 Second Night of Passover: A Disaster

It's a cliche that people talk about the 'perfect storm.' For starters, it was an abysmal film. Aside from that, it refers to when a number of elements come together to create a situation that was otherwise unthinkable. A combination of stress, the holiday, and availability of chocolate sought to break me today and came perilously close; I may not have been broken, but I was bowed.

Breakfast
2 Eggs Over Easy
Three Strips Jennie O
3 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Tennis Snack
Apricot & Yogurt Bar

Lunch
Brisket
Salad with Feta, Almonds & Cashews
Pineapple
Chocolate Bunny

Dinner
Cheese, Matzoh and Chopped Liver
Gefilte Fish
Soup
1 Hard Boiled Egg
Chicken Breast
Brisket
Cole Slaw
Broccoli

Dessert
1 Chocolate Coconut Macaroon
1 bite sponge cake
6 bites of chocolate matzoh (some had toffee and carmel)

As I write this I feel absolutely terrible. Both psychologically and physically. There's a feeling of helplessness you have and a feeling of falling. Today, we played about two hours of tennis, which helped make up for last night's tawdry shameful eat-fest. I thought maybe I could keep it together, but my brother-in-law got Ruby a chocolate Winnie-the-Pooh and we all sat around eating it. That was the top of the ski-hill. Then we went to the next seder, and it was a bit stressful. There was stress about the food and who was doing what; there was bad traffic; there was some unprocessed feelings about the last-minute absence of the Seder Leader, and plus there were six kids 12 to 1.6 months and they were like herding cats. My cousin's wife brought a sinful array of her homemade desserts in addition to the desserts my brother brought (including the Bruce's Macaroon that leaves me weak and knocks me off my feet). Though I've said it before I'll say it again, I never crave sweets (though I enjoy wistfully strolling down memory lane when writing) but if I eat something sugary, it is hard to limit it to just one bite. I think that's why I don't generally seek out some kind of low-fat dessert; I don't need it; I'd rather do without it. Let me focus on my salty side and not my sweet side. At the bottom of the ski-hill, my skis are broken and I have to call the paramedics.

Year 2, Day 44: First Night of Passover

As always, the travel day is difficult because it represents a break with routine. It almost always also foreshadows more breaks with your routine, as you wake up somewhere else with a new set of diet-difficulties. Of course holidays are the very hardest, as you are exposed to more food, often under stressful or exciting situations which can either drive you to the food or distract you from your discipline. In addition, the whole 'hanging with the family' can be wildly tempting and misleading if you're staying at a house where people need to revisit the kitchen, fridge or pantry at around 10:30pm because they're feeling peckish.

Breakfast
1 Cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 small banana
Tea

Snack
Starbucks Half & Half Dry Soy Cappuccino
1 Slice Balthazar Bread with Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Car Ride
2 oz. Cracker Barrel Cheese
1/3 Broasted Breast of Chicken
.5 oz. Peanuts

PreSeder
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Seder
3 Whole Wheat Matzoh Boards
1 Piece, Gefilte Fish with Horseradish
Brisket
Turkey
Asparagus
Salad

Dessert
A bite of one of three desserts:
chocolate ice cream cake, brownie, chocolate cake


I realize looking back on this day that I doubled-up on the peanut butter, which is not very good, but in eating both bread and matzoh, I probably doubled up on the bread-carbs too. At the end of this night I felt a little disgusting, have fed like a hungry heifer at the first seder. It's quite a meal, and always a marathon of eating: egg, potato, fish, soup, entree, dessert. Even if I could get past that, the dessert offerings killed me. But it was nothing compared to what happened the following night.

Year 2, Day 43: "Bring Something Home"

Tonight Emily went out to dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday and I stayed with the kids. I thought of how I used to say "Bring something home" whenever she would go out, or she to me when I would go out. And yet, with our new lifestyle, that's just not what we say. We don't eat after 8:00pm (most of the time). It's just one more example of a lifestyle gone away.

Breakfast
3 Slices of Ham
1 Slice Balthazar Bread
3.5 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack:
1 Medium Dunkin Donuts Coffee (half decaf)
12 peanuts

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Greek Salad
Chicken, Feta, Carrots, Cucumbers
1 Slice Whole Wheat Pita Bread

Dinner
Steak Tips
Broccoli
Peppadews

Etc.
25 Pistachios
1 Bite of 50% Lite Dutch Chocolate Haagen-Dazs

Went for a VERY brisk walk with the Domania gang today. In fact, one of us could not even keep up. Felt good,though. Tomorrow night is the beginning of Passover, which last year was the easiest Passover ever, owing to the fact that you are not supposed eat any bread, and that Matzoh is especially bad, from a carbs-perspective. I am toting my own whole wheat matzoh this time, so we'll see what happens.

Year 2, Day 42: "Enjoy Your Dinner"

The other day at Blockbuster (which I would avoid if I could—woe is the independent video store) I was checking out the offerings for those, like me, unfortunate enough to be online. I must say, I was shocked, shocked at what was going on there. There was candy in two categories: the more known candies, such as Reeses, KitKat and Hershey's bars in a little cubby, and candies shaped like rockets, shooting devices and the like, on a display rack. The chocolates were thrown together as misshapen and disheveled and uncared for as any display for the public I'd ever witnessed. Once-crisp wrappers were wrinkled liked balled up wrapping paper after Christmas. Strangely, the candies were all 'unusual.' There was a white chocolate Hershey's Bar, a Mango-Lime Almond Joy and a special Double-Dark Hershey Bar. The rocket candies really floored me. My parents worried about artificial flavors and colors, in respect to how they were unnecessarily added to foods and things made for kids. But these things at Blockbuster literally contained no food or nutritional value whatsoever. Who would let their kids have this (please do not print this for me to re-read in three years). Those candies had neither the antioxidants of chocolate or the white grape juice of a frookwich. Even the popcorn they sold had partially hydrogenated oil in it, and more than half of its calories from fat. That place, nutritionally, and others, is bad news.


Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana

Snack
12 oz coffee (half decaf)
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 tablespoons super chunky peanut butter

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($4.78)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Chicken
Feta, Broccoli

Dinner:
Omelet with Ham, Onion and Swiss
4 Slices Turkey Bacon
Peppadews
1 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
1 Slice Balthazar Multi-Grain Bread
1 Pizza Crust

Emily did not feel like cooking tonight so I agreed to pick up a pizza for the kids. As I picked up the pizza from Pappa Gino's and began to leave the young lady said "Enjoy your dinner." I realize that it's not very funny in print, but I thought it was kind of ridiculous that she thought that I ordered a small kids' cheese pizza for dinner. Amazingly, Ruby did not want to eat the pizza-bread, only the cheese (like father, like daughter). Faced with a pile of discarded pizza crusts, I had one. And it was GREAT.

Year 2, Day 41: Golf

I know that people love golf. I know that like classical music, it takes years to fully appreciate. I know that the top golfers are skilled athletes. But it's not really what I want to watch when I'm working out. It's quite boring, and I certainly can't tell what's happening without sound, unless I look at the elliptical-izer next to me, who is oohing ahhing and grimacing with every play on the Masters live tournament. Unfortunately for me, the only machine open was "F", which does not have a view of any other TV in the gym. So I did the only I could think of: picked shuffle "Queen" on my iPod and started to think about the next American Idol and who would sing what. I did five miles on the elliptical in 48 minutes, and then about a half mile on the track. And I wasn't even out of breath.

Breakfast
2 Strips Jennie O
3 Scrambled Eggs
3.5 oz 50% jalapeno cheddar
Tea

Etc.
Starbucks half decaf coffee
small slice of french toast
Bite of Banana
1/4 cup almonds/cashews
4 slices ham
2 cracker barrel cheese slices (2 oz)
1 teaspoon peanut butter

Lunch
Romaine Lettuce, Cabbage
Feta, Tuna, Carrot, Celery

Dinner
Emily's Brown Rice and Chicken
Guacamole
Tomato Slices
2 Bites of Ruby's Hamburger

Today just felt like a day way out of control. I felt like I had no idea what I was eating (but of course I always know). I realize that I am always much, much hungrier after a workout, but I try to plan meals so that I can eat after, and not be super hungry and eat lots of calories when I shouldn't be eating them. The weekends in general have been difficult–keeping them 'tight' on calories.

Year 2, Day 40: Un Dia Afterwards

Hung over from going to bed at 3AM (when will I break that habit), but up with Ruby at about 8AM. It's hard to think about fitness and proper living when your head feels like a concrete block. Lots of strong Emily coffee and I start think I am going to make it. Emily graciously allows me to nap later in the day. I dream that a giant chicken is chasing me and I attempt to throw my cat, hooper, to safety. Unfortunately, my throw is bad and the cat lands in the jaws of the giant chicken, who swallows him. I come back into the house and say "He ate him" and start crying hysterically. Then I woke up.

Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana
Coffee with USM
1 small piece french toast

Lunch
Salad with Tuna, Feta, Red Cabbage
2 bites challah with cream cheese


Snacks
Ugli Fruit
1/4 Cashew and Almonds
4 Long Sips of a Smoothie

Dinner
93% Sirloin Burger
Pickles
Peppadews
Broccoli with Cheese

Emily said to me last week "You've really changed the way you make food decisions." And she was right. It was an important and thoughtful comment which I appreciated and continue to ruminate on. I do think differently about what I eat. It's like being fiscally responsible (OK, I'm not there yet). You've got a budget, and you can spend it however you like. But in my old life, I just saw what I wanted and got it. I didn't think about the budget; there was no budget. I was simply racking up the credit card debt; enjoying it now, even boasting about enjoying it now, and knowing that I would have to pay for it later. Well just like on the fiscal side, you have kids or you just get older, and you realize that you can't risk it, you're not that young anymore. Not everyone gets a chance to live through the life-changing heart attack.

Year 2, Day 39: Poker and the Return of Gary

Poker day is here. As always, I am trying to strategize how to eat since I know that I will be consuming extra calories this evening, and most of them from nuts. As a precaution, I plan to eschew the peanut butter and yogurt as snack. I start thinking popcorn, but realize I'll have it tonight— that won't work. Finally, I settle on an apple. As I plan this I realize I have been fairly light in the entire fruit range lately. So that's good. Salad for lunch, and a meat-astic dinner. We have deli, which I think is better than the Chinese alternative.

Breakfast
3 Slices of Ham
1 Slice Balthazar Bread
3.5 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
12 oz coffee (half decaf)
1 Granny Smith Apple

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($4.78)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Chicken
Feta, Broccoli

Prepoker/Appetizers
Bites of Emily's Crispy Chicken (before the game)
Pepperoni & Cheese
Boston Lite Popcorn
Cashew & Almond Mix
Pistachios
TAB Energy Drink

Dinner
Roast Beef, Turkey and Corned Beef
Cole Slaw
Pickles & Sour Tomatoes
Peppadews

Dessert (Forced on me)
1/8th of a Homemade Brownie

After close to one year, Gary returned to the game (the last time he played was June of 2005). It was good to have him back. He did not lose all his money, though two other players did.

"But You Must Try It". Tonight a players wife made us some chocolate brownies. As it was a homemade gift to the poker game, I had no luck refusing it, as I was met with the kind of menacing glares that met anti-war folks shortly after the US began military operations in the M.E. Withering under the strain, I reluctantly accepted as a small a piece as could be recognized as 'having some.' An hour later, the game broke out the blueberry pie. Naturally I abstained, enjoying my pie-celebacy as four grown men ate pie, ice cream and whipped cream at 11:30pm on a Friday. I may not be joining them in the act, but I was totally with them in the spirit. But I didn't need the Rolaids at 3AM...

Year 2, Day 38: Oh, Those Brisk Walks and Mini Eggs

A sunny but crisp day greeted me and though I fretted that I had sent Ruby in appropriate dress (I didn't, it was 50 degrees in the sun by lunch time) it sure felt good to be alive. I realized it would be one of our only good walking days this week and in fact, we got out there and did a good walk. Sometimes, I can't believe how fast it goes by. Today we were near the end before I knew it and I was glad because I was super hungry, and almost had to eat a cookie just so I didn't pass out on line.


Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana

Snack
12 oz coffee (half decaf)
15 Cashews

Lunch: Peter's Kitchen
Greek Salad
Chicken, Feta, Carrots, Cucumbers
1 Slice Pita Bread

Dinner:
Emily's Veal Patty
Leeks & Onions
Peppadews
2 of Magnolia's Bugles (Don't Ask)

One of the things we spoke about today on the walk was Cadbury Mini Eggs. These are milk chocolate shaped eggs in a crisp sugar shell. A co-worker suggested them, and I thought she was talking about the Cadbury Creme Egg. No, this is totally different. These are, as someone wrote in the candy blog "pure can’t-stop-eating-them evil." Passing them in the CVS the other day made my legs buckle with longing. You really can't believe it. They are like candy crack. Sure, you think it's a cliche. Go eat a bag and tell me what you think then. If you don't want to get hooked, you can get lost for hours on the candy blog http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/cadbury_mini_eggs/

Year 2, Day 37: Lost My Sense of Humor

Last night for no known reason, I completely lost my sense of humor, causing me to have to 'take to bed.' I could barely write anything. It was brought on by a confluence of things, including, but not limited to, enormous amounts of non-justifiable self-pity and feelings of woe about the world. Fortunately, a night's sleep and a freak April snowstorm snapped me out of it.

Breakfast
4 Slices of Ham
1 Slice Balthazar Bread
3.5 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
12 oz coffee (half decaf)
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 tablespoons super chunky peanut butter

Lunch: Chinese
Shredded Pork & Cabbage
Sliced Chicken with Spinach
Hot & Sour Soup

Dinner:
Char a la Emily
Broccoli and Celery

Wednesdays are my night with the kids, if only for a few hours. I do really enjoy it, though. It can be hair-raising, but when those kids are in the tub together, or I can carry them both at the same time, and I don't run out of energy, I'm really glad I changed my life because the old me would be lying on the floor, exhausted after just five minutes with them. It makes me think (about myself and others) I thought I could do so much before I was freed of my burden. But now I really know what doing a lot is. It makes you want to go help other people with their specific burdens, whatever they may be. But I suppose if I can just help raise two kids right, I'll be doing well.

Year 2, Day 36: But Enough About Me

I realize that one of the things that I said I stopped doing in order to lose weight was finishing my kid's food, but now that Magnolia is eating things besides breast milk and pabulum, I am having to watch out all over again. It's just here and there, but before you know it, you're eating all kinds of stuff that you hadn't planned on at 8:00 at night. That's bad.

Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana
The remains of Ruby's Peanut Butter & Banana Slice-Sandwich
Tea

Snack
10 Cashews
6 oz. Plain Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($6.89)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Chicken
Feta, Broccoli, Pepperocini

Dinner: Blue Ribbon BBQ
Pulled Chicken
Burnt Ends
Rosa-Style Grilled Asparagus

An unprecedented, almost seven-dollar salad today should have kept me going yet I reached for the yogurt as snack anyway. Another (possibly unfounded) fear is that I relax a little too much; let myself have a few too many things. If I can remember back to last summer, the berry season was irresistible.

Year 2, Day 35: How Low Can You Go?

This is a question I get a lot. I'm not sure where I can get, but as always, I live in fear that I will start eating Magnolia's left-over waffles and suddenly become the very heavy man that I was once was. I suppose it's like being an alcoholic— the progress and the fear of recidivism are intertwined so that you must keep doing one to stave off the other. I certainly feel more at ease with the occasional piece of cornbread (as I had tonight) but it does feel like there's not an ENDLESS amount of wiggle room there-- I feel if I eventually can get into the 170s— theoretically my optimal weight according to the chart in Dr. Parent's office that said at 5'9" and 226 I was obese-- I'll definitely be eating some Kaboom for breakfast.

Breakfast
4 slices of Ham
3 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar (170mg of Sodium per 1 oz. serving)
2 small slices Balthazar Multigrain
Tea

Snack
1 Medium Dunkin Donuts Coffee (half decaf)
1 oz. (2 Bags) Boston Lite Popcorn

Lunch: Russo's Salad ($5.89)
Red Leaf, Red Onion, Red Peppers
Chick Peas, Chicken
Feta, Broccoli, Pepperocini

Dinner: Blue Ribbon BBQ
Pulled Chicken
Burnt Ends
Ribs
Emily's Stir Fried Baby Bok Choy
Baked Beans
Corn Bread

Effluvia
A few bites of Magnolia's Blueberry Waffle
A bite of Ruby's Healthy Choice Pop

I was in Dunkin Donuts this morning— and it didn't even smell tempting anymore. Mostly it's because I know how awful their bagels are, but I was glad to feel that I could totally withstand the wall of chocolate frosted, deep-fried items without despair; I no longer crave them at all.

Year 2, Day 34: No Ice Skating

On the plus side, I did my fastest ever elliptical; 3.5 miles in 37 minutes. Usually I'm on about an 11-minute mile or so. I sped it up today because we were on a tight schedule with the Springing Forward and other stuff lined up for today. After all that, I came back and found out that Ruby's swim lessons were today and conflicted with ice skating; so that's it for ice skating for the season. Sad, but true.

Breakfast
2 Eggs over
2 Strips Jennie O
3 oz. 50% Jalapeno Cheddar
Tea

Snack
Coffee with U.S.M.
a little bit of french toast
30 pistachios
6 oz. plain yogurt
3 tablespoons super chunky peanut butter
grape nuts

Lunch
93% sirloin burger
peppadews
Greek Salad: Romaine, Purple Cabbage, Feta

Dinner
Emily's Sweet, Hot and Sour Crispy Chicken
Broccoli

I spent this weekend putting together my new office in the basement. Our house has been busy with painting and all kinds of changes. You don't think of it much, but seeing all your stuff piled up and moved away from the wall can really have an affect on you. I definitely got into a bit of a funk from it, which I didn't really understand until I was through it. But now it's fun to look forward to creating a play space for the kids, which we've never had up until now. I'll be spending my time on the indoor trampoline, but Ruby wants a treadmill. More on that later.

Year 2, Day 33: Soda and Sodium

A frequent reader of the site wrote in to ask about the sodium issues being on my diet, and the truth is that it is something I've worried about in the past. The RDA recommends you keep it under 2400 MG of Sodium a day, which I suppose wouldn't be so hard if you could have all the sugar you want. It seems for some reason that when things have the sugar taken out (like Coke Zero) they still need sodium. To me, it's amazing that calories, the basic component of all food that human beings need to stay alive, can be removed from food products, but they can't get rid of the sodium. Go figure. Let's talk peppadews— a serving size is listed as 1/3 of a cup, which is probably about 6 or 7 peppadews (I probably eat twice that). The Cabs in one serving is 9G and that has 80MG of Sodium, or twice what a can of Coke Zero has in it. ON the plus side, the peppadews contain dietary fiber (very important tradeoff) and vitamins A and C. It could be lower in sugar (8 Gs) but come on, you've got to live a little.

Breakfast
1 cup Kashi Go Lean!
1/4 cup Grape Nuts
1 cup Unsweetened Soy Milk
1 small banana
Tea

Snack:
25 Pistachios
1 banana
2 Tsps Peanut Butter (S.C.)

Lunch:
Breast of Chicken
Emily's Tomato-less Guacamole
6 Tortilla Strips
String Beans
Peppadews
1 oz. Cracker Barrel Cheese

Dinner
93% Sirloin Hamburger
Stir-Fry Cabbage
Peppadews
Salad with Feta

Now that the days are going to be longer, I can tell that it's going to be harder to resist my endless prowling of the kitchen, the preferred headquarters for kid-watching in the park. If I'm smart I'll actually be OUTSIDE with the kids, which then will make it better and easier to consume more pistachios or whatever we keep around the house. Which reminds me of an important rule: if it's not in your house, you won't eat it. Remember that as you spring forward.