Day 10 - for November 19

When you haven't been feeling good about yourself for a long time, it catches you off guard when you receive a compliment.

As I've said before, I'm committing to a transformational change. Living al aspects of my life authentically and to the best of my abilities.

I've been committed to getting my strength back at the gym and watching what I fuel my body with. 

I had just picked Logan up from school and we were walking back to the car when one of the admins stopped me, " I just wanted to tell you that you're looking great!" 

I was blown away and so grateful. Committing to my health is starting to show.

I remind myself that even though I might not see changes on the scale, I am improving the quality of my life.

This morning was my power shake, always in my portion cup, lunch was la chicken sandwich and last night cashew chicken from our favorite spot,

I've included before and after shots showing the portions that I'm learning to eat.

#portionplates, #transformationalchanges

Day 9 favorites

My renewed favorite breakfast is my breakfast smoothies. Low cal, high energy and I enjoy having it in my portion cup

Day 8 - November 18

Highs and lows

So I'm getting better at eating better, eating less. Some days I still fall back into my old eating habits. I'm grateful for the ability to recognize my patterns and being willing to start new each day.

The portion plates are helping so much to keep me on track with controlling my portions.

Today was toast and eggs for breakfast, beef taco salad for dinner

Day 7 - starting the day off right

Starting the day with a healthy fruit and almond milk smoothie. Great energy for my workout.

Snack after workout was a handful of frosted mini wheats cereal.

Lunch was the perfect time for leftovers. I used a whole grain pita, heated up the honey beer chicken, then filled the pita up with chicken, lettuce and fresh red pepper.

Dinner wasn't as successful as we were celebrating our nephews birthday at Valentino's buffet. What I noticed is that I paid attention to what I was eating. It wasn't just mindless shoveling like sometimes happens at a buffet. 

Day 6 - Sunday

Today was a great day! I'm utilizing this project to make transformational changes in my life. Gym, food choices, budgeting, I'm working on making positive changes in all of these areas. I'm also thankful that I have the support of my amazing wife and family as well.

Tonight I made chicken in honey beer sauce and steamed broccoli with a glass of Pinot Noir. It was a quick and simple dinner and delicious.

Our honey is locally sourced fresh from a friend so it just seems to taste better :-)

Recipe:

- mix 1 T honey, 2 T low sodium soy sauce, 1/2 cup beer, 1 T mustard of your choice in a bowl and set aside

- use 1 lb chicken breasts or tenders -season lightly with salt and pepper and brown in 2 T of olive oil.

- Once it's done, set it off to the side

- Using the same pan add 2 T of thinly chopped shallots, sautée until translucent.

- add the honey beer sauce you set aside

- simmer for 3-4 minutes to reduce

- add chicken back in for 5 minutes

- serve while hot with veggies, rice or pasta of your choice

Delicious! And I have leftovers for my lunch tomorrow😊

Day 5 - Game day

Good evening all!

Disclaimer, I'm still working in mastering the photo add, therefore "not in any particular order."

In Omaha for a mini staycation. Slept in and headed to the Old Market for people watching, window shopping and brunch.

I wear a Garmin vivosmart and so my new goal is to get my steps in before 5pm, walking the Old Market is a perfect place to get a good start. 

We started breakfast at Wheatfields.

Polish Kielbasa and eggs, brûlée potatoes and ciabatta toast with bumbleberry jam.

It was a weekend remembering my Grandmother so it was the perfect dish. What's more local and Nebraska than that?

Using my portion plate and glass was fantastic and my orange blossom mimosa tasted extra sweet drinking from my new favorite glass :-)

I split the eggs and potatoes with my wife and still had leftovers, I added before and after pics. 

I'm laughing at myself a little. We aren't a family that eats out much and just due to timing it seems like that's all we are doing.

Dinner at Granite City and again, before and after I successfully only ate until my body was full.

Normally I clear my plate, it was the way I was raised, never to waste food. I'm reminding myself that it is fuel, flooding the tank won't make it go faster, only make it stall. 

Shrimp tacos with black bean salsa and a glass of Pinot noir.

Day 4 - challenges abound

This morning I had my usual fall breakfast. I love the fiber one multigrain toast, a little challenge butter and homemade organic apple butter with hot tea.

Logan and I had breakfast together. Lunch was on the run in Omaha, subway turkey on flatbread with lots of veggies it is.

Dinner was a challenge but it was fun bringing the dishes. 

The waitress loved them and I know I ate less using the portion plate and dessert bowl.

Day 3: November 12

November 12, 2015.
Last post for the day - and it's for today. I'd call that a success!
Meeting, meeting, interview, meeting, pick up, drop off, today was tough.... In fact I forgot them at home in my last run of the day and go figure - it was my biggest challenge of the day as far as meals go.
Breakfast - simple - Fiber One Multi-grain toast, challenge butter and homemade organic apple butter.
Oh yeah, and I ate it as I was getting ready this morning.

Lunch - needed something comforting and warm. Quick low cal chicken pot pie. Semi-homemade.

Dinner should just be disregarded.

The boys had a fundraiser at a pizza buffet restaurant.

I need to remind myself again, this is a journey. I did not eat like I used to, but still maybe a little more than I should have.

I will get there! #morethanportions

Oh, and the family wants to know when they get their dishes!

Day 2: November 11

November 11, 2015.

Day 1 on my own, I successfully had 2 of 3 dinners on my new dishes. Lunch was a bust as I was on the road for work and just haven't mastered the travelling meal yet.
For breakfast, scrambled egg with salsa and a browned tortilla.
Dinner was BBQ chicken breast, corn and fresh sweet peas.
Progress, I slowed down for the two meals I had on the plates and am thinking about what I have, and will be eating. I'm also rocking the water intake.
Still motivated!

Day 1: November 10 - First Dinner

You know you are excited about a project when you go to sleep thinking about it, and wake up excited because it's starting!
November 10, 2015 - project Portion Plates. The start of a new journey.
I get up to Omaha and get to meet Lauren in her creative environment - the Bemis in Omaha, NE.
It is a phenomenal space and the table setting is stunning.
We are finally able to see the unique, beautiful pottery dishes that Lauren and her interns have created and dinner smells amazing!

It was so good to be able to share, to laugh, and enjoy such fantastic food on our new dishes.
Learning about the locally sourced food, new ways to prepare it and discuss ways we can do the same on our own.

 Green beans with candied walnuts

Brisket with vegetables over mashed root veggies with edible flowers

 Kale Caesar - blown away by her transition of the Kale here

 My meal dished up on my set of dishes

Such an incredibly decadent finish - homemade thyme ice cream and rhubarb pie.

The meal fellowship of the evening left me feeling not only full physically, but my bucket was brimming. We are starting something here. It will be life changing.

This project is so much more than portions. It's slowing down, enjoying the ritual of our meals again and eating to nourish ourselves. No more eating to satisfy emotional needs, not taking family dinners for granted, and creating routine and traditions to continue on our life journeys.

For me - this is #morethanportions

Before Portion Plates

I would consider myself in the very infancy of my health journey. This is not the first time I've have needed to start over, but I'm hoping with transitional changes, it will be the last and I will be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Over the last few months our family has committed to healthy living. We are learning about meal prep, I am reminding myself that there are no magic wands or instant fixes and since we are doing this as a family, enjoying the growing we have experienced so far.
When I heard about this project, I couldn't wait to be part of Portion Plates. To build a community, a support group and reflection to assist in my journey for healthy living.
I included some shots of what I've been doing over my last week before starting. Simple, healthy meals, meal prep so we can still eat well when we are in a hurry and still enjoy a healthy dinner together.
Every day is a new start, here we go!