More day trips & now I've read 3 of Tosca Reno's books

[Erica]

So since my last post we spent a day visiting my husbands grand parents, both sets in 1 day! It was really nice to see them & spend some time at each of their houses. First it was his Dad's side & they fed us lunch. I really wanted to bring my own food in as I had a cooler packed. But I was pretty sure I would have really offended his Italian Grandma. So I ate a snack in the car first & then had a tiny bit of what she served which happened to be white pasta with sauce & white bread. They are selling their house & wanted to give us their treadmill. They had called us a couple months age & Scott said no, because we don't have room for it. But they offered it again when we were there & now that he is running too he thought it was a good idea even if we just use it in the winter time. He also had the opportunity to see it all folded up & figured we could fold it up when we needed to. So I helped him get it out of their house & into our vehicle. It is in our basement with out other equipment that Scott mostly uses. I ran on it once so far & it seemed harder that on the road, I'm still very grateful to have it & look forward to using it when the weather does not cooperate with my schedule. I ate another snack before we headed over to his Mom's side Grandparents house. We lost his Mom a couple years ago & being their really reminds us of her in a good, comforting way. They fed us dinner & it was grilled chicken, mac salad, fruit salad & I noticed no veggies were served at either house but dessert was at both. I did good regardless. I had 2 servings of fruit & drank water the whole time. We took the opportunity to shop at Stew Leonard's when we left, which is just a few minutes down the road from their house. We had never been. It was fun for the kids but most of the prices didn't impress me much, becaue I'm spoiled by Price Rite's amazing prices. We did spend $90 there though! Mostly on stuff that was the same price. We did get some beautiful fresh scallops, cheaper than I've seen them around here! I pan seared them & they were fantastic!!!

We also went to a local lake one day because we wanted the beach but didn't want to spend so much time int he car. That was really nice too. Most of my time on the beach I was reading Tosca Reno's books. I read the Eat Clean Diet, The Eat Clean Diet for Families & Kids, & the Eat Clean Cookbook. I took them all out of the library, 2 are inter-library loans, & 1 is from 1 town over from us. I really liked the information provided in the book for kids & families. I'm already very much up on healthy food but this was a nice book that had a good amount of the info in one place, I really recommend this book even if you don't have kids it offers more background to the original book. I have yet to make any of the recipes but they look really good. I'm more of a throw it together kind of cook that rarely uses recipes, but I'd like to make some of these. I'm doing better at having more smaller meals most days I get 5-6, 2 or 3 of those are snacks. I did peak on the scale this morning & I'm pleased. Tomorrow is my official WI so I'll wait to post anything official.

I'm really loving this whole clean eating philosophy, it has given my a new motivation. I have been continuing to count points & noticed that I am going over my points most days, but it looks like the scale is moving in the right direction. So I'm torn. Should I continue to count points, or should I keep counting & then I'll get an idea of how many points I need to still lose. Maren, I'm looking to you for ideas here! I'm nervous to give them up but I also don't want to stress about going over if it is working for me. Also I didn't work out much this week, I only earned 8 AP's this week. One of the local honey guys from the Farmer's Market is going to remember to bring some bee pollen to market this week for me. I remember to drink my 2 glasses of water upon waking while I'm making my oatmeal most days. I'm really loving adding coarsely ground flax & wheat germ to my morning oatmeal, & the side egg whites are fantastic. I'm so full after breakfast & it holds me for a while!

We've also eaten out a couple times! Thursday was Scott's birthday, he is 33! We went to see Disney's Up, it was really. really good, touching actually! I brought my snacks in my purse, shh don't tell on me! Then we did a little shopping at Ocean State Job Lots & got a few things & ended up out to eat at a seafood place. I did have a glass of wine but avoided all the other temptations, there were many to speak of!

I worked Friday & we both worked Saturday (wedding) & I did well with not eating the restaurant food for the most part, although I did have some lean protein (filet mignon) yummy! I packed a cooler both days & didn't even eat all of my food both days, but I did so much better with avoiding picking. It is hard to eat that frequently when you are busy working. But I did pretty good!

Today we went back to the beach. No work for me until Thursday & I'm working straight through Sunday. A little TMI~ Wednesday my husband is going in for his vasectomy. I was back & forth over his decision for a long time because originally we planned on 1 more baby. Back when Scott was ready I wanted to wait until I lost some weight first, & I wanted to have a spring/summer baby. By the time all the stars were in line Scott was having 2nd thoughts. We went back & forth & I was upset, but then I came around. Now I realize that it was my own issues with the kids growing up that made me want another. I was nervous about being home while both kids were in school, which is happening in a couple months. I'm still nervous about it, but don't think having a baby will solve anything. Financially I need to keep working & I can't leave my baby for the amount of hours I'd be away. I'm getting places with my body & don't want to start over after a pregnancy. I don't know what happened because I wanted another baby so badly for a long time, but like they say when you know you just know. Now I'm actually very happy that he is getting the procedure & soon we won't have to worry. So that is happening this Wednesday & he'll be taking it easy for the rest of the week. We both work Sat & Sun. Then he is back to his normal job on Monday.

We still have 2 days left to day trip or do whatever, Howe Caverns is still on the top of the list, other than that I'm not really sure. I'd love to go back to the city but it is exhausting & I feel like we have been running the kids ragged! We will see. I'll try to post my WI tomorrow!

[Carrie]

I just finished Tosca's Familt & Kids book. After you NYC post I went to the library to see what they had of Tosca's. I have a request in for the other two! Thanks so much for recommending her books. After my realization that all of the fake sugar in my diet was causing my headaches, I have become more aware of all of the other additives in our foods. I am just starting to eat clean, and it will take me a while to be 100%, but I can already see a difference in the food choices I am making. It's great to hear how positive you are about it! Thanks!

[Rachel]

You are doing so well with packing and bringing your own food! That works out really well for me too. About the points thing, I think we all need to remember weight watchers isn't God... I think if eating clean is working better in terms of weight loss and you're going over your points, don't worry about it! I'm sure that some people just need more food than others, it's possible you weren't getting enough with points! When I was supposed to go down to 19 points (in the 120's) I just decided to stay at 20 points because I don't think that's enough food- and I think that's okay. And from reading about your weigh in this week, obviously you do ok with going over points! I really want to start adding wheat germ to my oatmeal in the mornings too, I just hate to use the extra point :) But I know it's worth it. I'm definitely learning the value of having protein with every breakfast now! Keep us updated on how eating clean is working out for you!

[Tanie]

Glad to hear that eating clean is working for you. I find that I get fuller and get to eat a lot more than if I ate processed food.

Try steel cut oats. Takes 20 min. to fix, but they keep you fuller than regular oatmeal.

[EmilyRose]

Sounds like the clean eating is going well! I'll have to pick up the book once the big move is done and I've started planning meals. I can always use new ideas! =)
I can't wait to hear the "official" results from the WI, but it sounds like it'll be a good number!

[Arlene]

It sounds like eating clean is really working for you. Keep me posted, because I've thought about trying it myself. I always seem to fall back on quick-fix convenience foods, though, so it might not be my thing.

[Maren]

Im so glad your doing so well! I know its hard to give up points! If it works for you...no need to change. Even though Tosca doesnt believe in counting calories...I do. I still track my food on my Bodybugg. I still think that you can still over eat while eating clean. Maybe keep counting points for a while to see how you do eating clean. Get use to her program and then see how you feel later. Cant wait to see how your WI goes. Dont you feel like you get to eat a lot? I love it! You never feel hungry and your boosting your metabolism. Ive noticed on my Bodybugg that I have been burning more calories lately than before. Also....You have to check out the Clean Eating Magazine. I just got it and love it! The recipes look so yummy! I also love Oxygen Magazine. Tosca writes articles for them.

We definitly have to share recipe ideas. I have a yummy Flax Egg White Pancake that I make (no flour)and also a good Southwestern Egg White Salad. I also add protein to my oatmeal every morning... and thats good. Hey...Ive been trying to find bee pollen. I was going to go to the websites she recommends to buy some. Anyways...have a great week! Keep us posted!