Year 4, Day 60: I am not price-sensitive at the pump

We ran out of milk today and I needed gas. I went to get both at the gas station. There were no cars at all the usually-packed station.   I saw a sign that said "Super only."  That meant if I wanted gas I was going to have pay $3.83 per gallon.  My immediate feeling was to bolt- but when I did the math, at 10 gallons, it added up to $2.50 more than I would have paid if regular was available, $3.58.   I filled up the tank, and still alone, I realized: I am a spendthrift.

Breakfast

Kashi Go Lean

Heritage Flake

Strawberries

Blueberries

Banana

Soy Milk

Coffee

Lunch: Russo's ($5.31)

Romaine, Mushrooms, Pepper, Balsamic Vinegar, Feta, Chicken, Pepperocini

Snack

Nearly 100 almonds

2 cheese sticks

Dinner

Brisket

Salad of Cabbage, Broccoli

Year 4, Day 59: Comfort in Grains

Right before my pants stopped fitting me in late February (around the end of my third year on SB) I noted that my typical breakfast of Kashi, et al was probably not very good for someone who doesn't exercise, and believe me, this winter, I did not exercise as much.  Last week, I got a walk, a tennis game, and a workout in, but during Dec, Jan, Feb and March it was just barely getting to the gym.  That's when I realized that a six hundred calorie, sugar-laden (bananas, etc.) breakfast had to go.  I went back on phase one and welcomed back eggs and Canadian bacon to my life.    Now, back in the swing, I am feeling the love again of my old breakfast.  Though I realize I shouldn't eat it everyday, I do love cereal, flat out.  I could eat just about any cereal, any time, and in any amount, and for any meal, but mostly I limit to low-sugar cereals and only in the morning. But if I ever get to the place where I can work out three times a week, I'll definitely be reaching for a box of Quisp, or Cinnamon Crunch.

Breakfast

Kashi Go Lean

Heritage Flakes

Banana

Strawberries

Blueberries

Soy Milk

Coffee

Lunch: Chan Shin Yuan

Pea Pod Stems

Shrimp with Lobster Sauce

Pork with Black Bean Sauce

Snack

A little bit of Jerky

3 Cheese Sticks

Dinner

Hamburger

Banana Peppers

Cabbage, lettuce salad

Luckily, I've avoided dessert

Year 4, Day 58

A cold rainy Monday is a tough order on the first day back after a long school vacation. During vacation, I got to sleep late because the kids were in different and later-starting programs. Seems silly but those 15 minutes make all the difference.  Felt like I was lounging around the Wald0rf Astoria, practically.   Did I mention I inherited a Kitchenaid from my mother?  Yes indeedy, and it is a 4.5 quart model and I have not yet put it through its paces, but I believe I'll be making my Grandmother's recipe for sponge cake next weekend.

Breakfast

Kashi Go Lean 

Heritage Flakes

Banana, Strawberries, Blueberries

Soy Milk

Coffee

Lunch: Russo's ($6.41)- a desperate cry for help

Romaine, olive mix (strange, not the usual), peppers, mushrooms, feta, balsamic vinegar, pepperocini, chicken.

Snack

60 Almonds

2 Cheese Sticks

2 cups decaf

1 piece of Green Light Jerky

Dinner

Salmon

Cauliflower

More Salad

Year 4, Day 57: Sunday

When you spill your entire cup of coffee across a counter ruining your bread and newspapers, you know the day may not be off to the best of starts.  However, I taught Ruby tennis and we played for two hours.  Before she went to bed she said "I  Love Tennis" which made my heart leap.

Breakfast

Kashi, Heritage Flakes

Strawberries (old) Blueberries, (Very, Very Old), Banana (in good shape), Soy Milk (right on the edge).  Coffee (spilled).

Lunch

Salad, romaine, cabbage, feta, red peppers, chicken, balsamic vinegar

Dinner

Dove Sole with scallions with ginger

Broccoli

Dessert

a little bit of last night's uncooked brownie

Year 4, Day 56: AM Workouts

For a long time, the only time I could get to go workout was in the later morning on Sunday.  Now I have come up with an alternative that is working for me-8:30AM.  Since I'm up anyway (can't sleep), I usually eat breakfast at 7, and this morning it was just me (all girls in the house asleep) as I watched the end of Roger & Me (I had never seen it), suited up and got to it.   This is good because it gets me back to the house around 10, where I can have another snack, and get on with the day with the girls.   Also, it was especially good because I knew at tonight's dinner I would be driven to eat off the hook (plus to drink) which I took full advantage of.  

I did 7.2 miles in 65 minutes, plus lots of reps on the squat thrust, ab cruncher and gravitron

Breakfast

3 Cakes of Matzoh

Cream Cheese 

Postworkout snack

6 oz Stonyfield Farm Yogurt

3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Lunch

Some Barbecue at Blue Ribbon BBQ

A few ribs (undercooked), some burnt ends,

some beans, a bite of cornbread and one accidental sip of lemonade (it was good tho').

Dinner at Friends

1 slice bread with butter  (my own homemade bread, wheat, rye and sugar)

shrimp with cocktail sauce

samosas (fried trader Joe's but still yummy, though fried)

steak tips

chicken masala

okra

eggplant

salad a la lisa

dessert in two course

a cake from 'icing on the cake' in Newton

my brownies, baked from Katherine Hepburn

Year 4, Day 55: Another Walk

It continues to be passover, which is highly problemetized since it means you cannot eat anything leavened or with yeast in it.   Many of my friends have expressed confusion at this particular rule.  They wonder, why is Pita not allowed? (It has yeast in it).  Why aren't tortillas or tacos allowed, since they aren't risen (they're made of corn, and grains are a no-no).  That doesn't explain if grains are a no-no why you can have matzoh, which is made of wheat, or things made of matzoh, which are made of wheat. Whatever, it's over on Sunday.  Today the gang formerly known as the Domania walking gang went for a fast walk around the river and we were super glad the office was like a meat-locker because it really got hot.

Breakfast

3 Eggs (one broke yolk)

3.5 strips of bacon

a little bit of matzah with cream cheese

coffee

lunch: russo's (5.45)

romaine, mushrooms, chicken, peppers, mushrooms, feta, balsamic vinegar, pepperocini

Snacks:

two cheese sticks

probably 50 unsalted almonds

50 pistachios

1 piece of Green Beef Jerky (not as good as Buffalo Bills)

dinner:

salmon

green beans

Year 4, Day 54: Big Chinese Meal

Today we went to lunch late at Shangri-La, which is, hands down, the best Chinese restaurant in the Boston area.  Say what you want, but I've eaten at four or five dozen different Chinese restaurants, from Boston to Wellesley to Dedham to Framingham and nothing comes close.   Maybe I ate too much there, but I couldn't help it.  

Breakfast

3 Matzah boards

Cream cheese

Coffee

a little bit of tuna salad

Snack

1 Extra Smokey

2 Cheese Sticks

1 Beef Jerky

Lunch: Shangri La

Diced Chicken with Cabbage

Pork Meatballs with Bok Choy

Watercress

Dinner

Salad (Romaine, Bacon Bits, Carrots, Asiago Cheese, Sunflower Seeds, Cauliflower)

Year 4, Day 53: Return to Demo's

You know, my company HQ is in NYC but we work in a suburb of Boston, which is pretty nice because you can park and it's manageable, but you certainly run out of new places to eat after a short period of time. We've solved that somewhat by exploring outside of the five minute drive range, but excellent places are few and far between, and unlike NYC, new ones aren't popping every few minutes. Today we went to Demo's which is a serviceable little Greek place that has nice shish kabob but I wouldn't put up against a push-cart vendor in the city.

Breakfast
3 Eggs (one yolk broke)
three slices of Canadian Bacon (from Whole Foods)
Coffee

Lunch: Demo's
Chicken Kebab and Salad
(No Pita)

Snack
5 Beef Jerky
3 Cheese Sticks
45 Almonds

Dinner
Salad (romaine, pepper, feta)
Steak tips

Year 4, Day 52: Sponge Cake Queries

It's still passover, and I'm still eating matzoh. I'm not convinced it's good or helpful.  But it brings up the age-old question, 'what's less kosher?'  And by that I mean, what's worse, eating bread or bacon?  For the time being I'm skipping bread.  However, I continue to seek out a sponge cake recipe that reminds me of the Passovers of old.

Breakfast

Gravlax

Matzoh & Cream Cheese

Coffee

Snack

2 Cheese Sticks

6 sticks Beef Jerky

Lunch: Russo's ($5.13)

Romaine, Mushrooms, Red Pepper, Feta, Chicken, Broccoli, Olives, Pepperocini, Balsamic Vinegar

Dinner: Papparazia

Green Salad

Breast of Chicken

A few bites of steak

Spinach & Broccoli

Dessert

2 Nips

Year 4, Day 51: Monday Cometh

My pants are still tight. And did I mention my 25th hs reunion is coming up?  I am trying to decide whether or not I need my teeth whitened or to just go and ignore those who ignored me all those years ago.  It's now full-on Passover which means I must avoid bread (not a problem) and whole grains (slightly more problematic) and eat matzoh (which causes constipation).  I love matzoh and so I have been having a whole wheat board (100 calories) with cream cheese in the mornings.  I really shouldn't be having it, but I feel like it's a way to celebrate the holiday.  Got my salad cost down today at Russo's.

Breakfast

Matzoh, Lox and Lemon

Coffee

Snack

50 Almonds

2 Cheese Sticks

2 Beef Jerky

Lunch: Russo's ($5.15)

Romaine, feta, olives, chicken (x2), mushrooms, red peppers, pepperoncini, balsamic vinegar.

Dinner

2 pieces of gefilte fish with horseradish (I Like Dick's from Russo's).

left over broccoli

Dessert

healthy choice pop

Year 4, Day 50: M & I Bachelors

Ruby and Emily still in New York, Magnolia and I on our own. She woke up and wanted to go to the 'big park,' so naturally I obliged. It was a nice day.  We hung out and had a great time, though sometimes I am overwhelmed by the humanity on display in the form other annoying parents.  I have to keep asking myself, "Am I that?"  Today I can still answer "no," but not sure for how long.  

Breakfast

Two Eggs

3 Strips Bacon

Whole Wheat Matzah and Cream Cheese

Coffee

Snacking with Magnolia on the Playground

Grapes

Cashews

Lunch

Matzoh with Cream Cheese

Romaine, Cabbage, Feta & Balsamic

Gefilte Fish with Horseradish

Snacking at the Soccer Game

1 Joy Stick (Whole Foods Jerky Treat)

25 Almonds

Dinner

Tilapia en pappilote

Broccoli

Dessert

Robert's First Sponge Cake

Year 4, Day 49: Pesach and Pants

Ruby & Emily were going to NY for Passover and Mag and I staying home.  In order to accomodate their travel schedule, I was at the gym by 8:30AMish.  Unfortunately, the JCC was closed to do something having to do with some kind of rank smell coming out of their pool?  So how was I going to work out? My pants are tight and my twenty-fifth high school reunion is just one month away....I decide to go to the Boston SPorts Club where Emily is a member; I always meet her there for tennis so I figure no one will care either way. I'm right.  I did 7.25 miles in 65 minutes.  Plus the usual assortment of leg crunches, squat thrusts and gravitron pullups.  Sheesh.

The day in food was not great-- hanging out with Magnolia is like walking along the cliff behind the road runner, where he nevers fall off and you do.

Breakfast

2 Eggs, 3 strips bacon

Coffee

Postworkout Snack

6oz stonyfield plain yogurt

4 tablespoons peanut butter (cream nut and teddy)

Lunch:

Shrimp and Cocktail sauce

More Snacking:

Boston Lite Popcorn

Grapes

Cashews (given to me one at a time by Magnolia in the back seat)

Dinner

Chicken on the Barbie

Leeks

Matzoh with Cream Cheese

Gefilte Fish with Horseradish

Dessert

Yogurt covered raisins

Year 4, Day 48: Nuts, Again

Though today was marked by too many nuts, it did mark the first day I went for a walk in a few months.  Three other colleagues went with me.   I was on the slow team.   Then, I ate a $6 salad, a desperate cry for help.

Breakfast

Kashi Go lean

Heritage Flakes

Bananas

Strawberries

Blueberries

Soy Milk

Coffee

Lunch: Russo's ($6.21)

Romaine

Feta

Chicken (x2)

Peppers

Broccoli

Red Peppers

Mushrooms

Snack

20 Almonds

60 Pistachios

Dinner

Brisket, Hamburger

Salad

Leeks

Year 4, Day 47: Taxes

Well, tax time is behind us and I must say this was a frustrating year in many senses.  Ruby and Magnolia both had to pay taxes due to some weird transfer of something or other that generated 16 cents.  I actually had to file three income tax statements, and believe me, it wasn't worth it.  I am now just putting everything behind.  For most of my life I filed my taxes in early March--- lately I have been pushing up against the deadline, and having to pay.  Drats.

Breakfast

Kashi Go Lean

Heritage Flakes

Strawberries

Blueberries

Soy Milk

Coffee

Lunch: Chan Shin Yuan

Pork with Black Bean Sauce

Chicken with Asparagus

Snack

6 Sticks Beef Jerky

60 Pistachios (limit is 30)

Dinner

Salad with Tuna, Feta, Sunflower Seeds and Balsamic Vinegar

Dessert

2 Bites of a Healthy Choice Pop

Some fair trade chocolate covered bananas

1/2 square of Ghiradelli Chocolate

I thought I would have some dessert today, but I was fouled by Magnolia, who wanted my healthy choice pop (they usually don't like them because they're sugar free).  I usually don't like them to have it, because it contains chemicals.  So I gave her mine and took another one out.  But then, Ruby wanted the next one.  So I moved on to fair trade bananas. But they wanted those too. So I moved on to plain dark chocolate squares.  Again, I had to give them up.  So I probably ate three times as much dessert and was half as satisfied.  Makes you want to give up dessert.

Year 4, Day 46: Oatmeal

In my constant yearning for the perfect breakfast, this morning I tried some steel cut oats by Arrowhead Mills.  It was as advertised 'toasty and nutty'.  I added strawberries and blueberries for flavor. It was good, but I'm not sure it was this great, super-filling thing it's supposed to be.  I was hungry about two hours later, but as I type this, I'm realizing that perhaps that is unavoidable.

Breakfast

Oatmeal (1/2 cup)

Strawberries and Blueberries

Coffee

Snack

3 Cheese sticks

3 beef jerky sticks

5 Strawberries

Lunch: Russo's ($5.33)

Green leaf (didn't want to cut in line in front of a guy getting romaine); cucumbers, red peppers, mushrooms, feta, two pieces of chicken, olives, hot peppers, balsamic vinegar

Dinner

Two Tacos with Cheese

Salad with Everything

On my lifelong quest to get my girls to like Mexican food, I continue to make tacos and they continue to be refused. While this is heartbreaking, I am in it for the long haul and I will not give up. These girls will learn to eat corn tortillas if it's the last thing I do!  As it was, I ate two of them.  While not very SB friendly, they were yummy.

Year 4, Day 45: The Project Behind My House

This morning began with another meeting with the developers of the massive, War-of-the-Worlds complex going up behind my house. For people who are destroying the quality of my life, they are actually quite nice. Spring is on deck, and planting season is here. We're hoping they'll put in a lot of trees to create a 'screening effect.'

Breakfast
2 Fried Eggs
3.5 Slices of Bacon
Coffee

Snack
2 Cheese Sticks
1 Green Apple
1 Beef Jerky

Lunch: Chan Shin Yuan
Double Cooked Pork
Moo Shi Chicken
Spicy String Beans
Hot & Sour Soup

Dinner: Blue Ribbon BBQ
A few ribs
Beans
Burnt Ends
Chinese Broccoli From Next Door

Year 4, Day 44: Tired of Wearing My Winter Coat

There's a lot to be distressed about nowadays but it can be so frustrating when you've put the winter clothes away in the attic only to have to retrieve them when the weather turns. It was a Monday, so I try to keep my chin up and get to work. I was reflecting on a song from Billy Joel(!)'s "Glass Houses" that I was listening to yesterday on the elliptical:

Blackout, heatwave, .44 caliber homicide
The buns drop dead and dogs go mad
In packs on the West Side
Young girl standing on a ledge looks like another suicide
She wants to hit those bricks
'Cause the news at six gotta stick to a deadline
While the millionaires hide in Beekman Place
The bag ladies throw their bones in my face
I get attacked by a kid with stereo sound
I don't want to hear it but he won't turn it down
Life is tough but it's just enough
To hold back the tears until it's closing time
I survived, I'm still alive
But I'm getting close to the borderline
Close to the borderline

A buck three eighty
Won't buy you much lately on the street these days
And when you can get gas
You know you can't drive fast anymore on the parkways
Rich man, poor man, either way American
Shoved into the lost and found
The no nuke yell we're gonna all go to hell
With the next big meltdown
I got remote control and a color T.V.
I don't change channels so they must change me
I got real close friends that will get me high
They don't know how to talk and they ain't gonna try
I shouldn't bitch, I shouldn't cry
I'd start a revolution but I don't have time
I don't know why I'm still a nice guy
But I'm getting close to the borderline
Close to the borderline

I thought I'd sacrifice so many things
I thought I'd throw them all away
I didn't think I needed anything
But you can't afford to squander what you're not prepared to pay

I need a doctor for my pressure pills
I need a lawyer for my medical bills
I need a banker to finance my home
I need security to back my loan
It isn't new what I'm going through
But everybody knows you got to break sometime
Another night I fought the good fight
But I'm getting closer to the borderline
Closer to the borderline.

Breafkast
Kashi Go Lean
Heritage Flakes
Strawberries (5)
Blueberries
Soy Milk

Coffee


Snack
4 sticks beef jerky
1 green apple

Lunch: Russo's ($5.49)
Romaine, Olives, Broccoli, Mushrooms,
Red Peppers, Feta, Pepperocini, Balsamic Vinegar
Chicken (2 Pieces)

Dinner
Butterflied Pork Cutlet
Broccoli
Salad & Feta

Year 4, Day 43

It took me a long time to figure it out. But today on the elliptical, I realized that the project behind my house had literally stymied my ability to speak, to publish, to use my voice. Something about the spring has teased it out and I feel like I can type again, speak again, write again. It was the image of the Little Mermaid-- when she's lost her voice that came to mind. Rather than try to catch up (I have been writing every day, but just not posting) I figured I'd just start, and keep going from there.

Went to the gym today, 7 miles in 65 minutes on the elliptical. 15 Gravitron pullups; 50 Squat Thrusts, 40 Leg lifts.

Breakfast
Kashi Go Lean
Heritage Flakes
1 Banana
3 Strawberries
Soy Milk
Coffee

Post workout snack
6 oz Stonyfield Yogurt
3 Tablespoons Super Chunky Peanut Butter

Lunch
5 Strips of Bacon
2 Fried Eggs

Movie Snack
2 oz. Boston Lite Popcorn

Dinner
Salad (Romaine, Cabbage, Feta)
Shrimp
A few bites of hamburger

Dessert
1 brownie
3 bite of chocolate yogurt