Day 21: December 2

Lunch today at work with my clients and coworkers. Same recipe as day 19: November 30, except heated up in microwave. 

Day 21: December 1

Homemade rhubarb pie for lunch...yes lunch. I need to make more time for myself in the morning or evening before to prep a lunch. This pie was leftover from thanksgiving. The whole thing made from scratch by my sister and the rhubarb homegrown from my parents. I usually prefer it with strawberries but I can't complain. :) 

Day 20: November 30

 

Tonight I decided to make use of the rest of my vegetables. This was the result:

• 1 can Campbells Chunky soup "Beef with country vegetables"
• no water added
• 1 cup brown rice
• 1 cup cut green beans
• 1 russet potato

Day 19: November 29

Thanksgiving leftovers during my lunch break at work. I mixed together turkey, stuffing with celery, and green bean casserole. The only thing missing missing is the company I've enjoyed the last couple of days during mealtime.

Day 18: November 28

Thanksgiving Round 2!

Today I traveled back to my hometown to celebrate Thanksgiving with my family. The main course included baked turkey, ham, buns, stuffing, mashed potatoes, homemade gravy (with bacon & onions), and green bean casserole. For dessert...white wine and homemade apple pie! 

I could tell right away that plate size mattered -- everyone's plate was so much bigger than my 9-inch plate! However, I felt stuffed with the portions I had. Being someone who feels the need to clean their plate, I can't imagine how much more food I would have felt compelled to serve myself simply because if I had room on my plate.

I feel like the theme for portion plates really hit me during this holiday. Using these dishware has brought to my attention the importance of prioritizing and proportioning what I put into my body.

Day 17: November 27

Traveled back to Omaha today for a little Black Friday shopping. Dinner included microwaved leftovers from Tuesday (see Day 14: November 24). 

Day 16: November 26 ~ HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Thankful to be surrounded by friends and family. Today my boyfriend's mom prepared quiche for breakfast. It was delicious. From what I remember she used pre-chopped frozen spinach, egg, ham. and a pre-prepared pie crust (I'm sure there's more ingredients). I would adjust my recipe to using fresh spinach and preparing my own pie crust from scratch.

She saw my plate and fussed because I was using my own dishware (she thought there must not have been enough clean dishes left for me). I assured her that she was fine, and, with that, opened the door to sharing my portion plate experience with her. 

Day 15: November 25

My lunch at work today: 1.5 cups of pretzel crisps with hummus. I felt full, and the calorie intake with this meal is very low. I love the flavor and texture of these pretzels and they are a great combination with hummus. I attached an image of the kind I bought, but they sell many flavors - I've bought mine at Walmart & Hyvee. 

A client commented, "Oh what a beautiful bowl! Where did you get that?" I enjoy telling the story behind the Portion Plates and sharing my experience with them. A meaningful conversation enhanced by a delicious meal adorning a gorgeous bowl by Lauren Karle. 

Day 14: November 24

Sick Day = putting life on pause to rest and take time to take care of me. And finally getting to eat dinner with my roommate!

Tonight I made a recipe I've used in the past (lots of vegetables, cheap overall, tastes great, and I can make a lot in one batch so my lunches are prepared for the week):

• 1 cup Brown Rice
• 3 Russet Potatoes 
• Seasoned with salt/pepper/paprika, cooked in olive oil
• 1.5 green peppers
• 1 red pepper
• 4 slices of onion
• >>I cooked my peppers and onion together on stove
• 1 cup green beans
• Prepared in microwavable bag 
• 2 cups stew beef
• chopped into nickel-size bites, seasoned with salt/pepper/garden seasoning, cooked on stove in olive oil

Day 13: November 23

Today for lunch I had a banana, and to drink I had hot Lemon & Ginger Tea. I have been struggling with a sore throat & cold and I was told that this tea would help. I actually really dislike tea...and ginger. However, I added water to the top of the brown line to make it less strong. This cup actually held heat pretty well!

Leftover slice of pizza for an early dinner (5:30PM) alone in my kitchen before running errands. Added Parmesan Cheese and crushed red pepper. Leftovers are a good way for me to save time and help me avoid having to head to a fastfood place.

Day 12: November 22

Lone breakfast in the morning in my kitchen before work while my roommates sleep in. 1 cup "Total" cereal, 1 cup 2% milk, 2 sugar cubes. Really hard to shake the habit of cereal in the morning...and the addition of sugar cubes. 

Day 11: November 21

Breakfast in the morning: 1 cup of "Total" Flakes cereal with 3/4 cup 2% milk. Two sugar cubes for taste. I love cereal! I also love having these measurements on my bowl! Normally I would eat cereal out of a coffee mug to ensure I was eating approximately 1 cup. 

Supper alone in my kitchen. I worked 9a-4p and then 5p-10p with no supper in between so I was starving! I went to Walmart and bought a "Digiorno" PIZZA: cheese stuffed crust with sausage, pepper, and onion. One of those nights when you have a craving for good food without the restaurant cost, so I compromised and bought this! Cheat night is always worth it.

Day 10: November 20

My lone lunch at work: 1 fried egg, chopped green pepper, and 1 white flour tortilla. I don't know if there's much nutritional value to this dish, but it was a quick fix and that means less time preparing my lunch for the day and extra sleep in the morning. 

Days 10,11,12,13

What a slippery slope to slide away from new habits. We get busy, and lazy and fall back into old habits as they are more comfortable than what we are trying to change. 

I am proud that it wasn't all areas, but frustrated how easy it was to lose track.

I am going to choose to celebrate my successes.

I continued to go to the gym, I continued to reach my step goal each day. Even though I've been missing my pics of meals on my portion plate, I've found myself thinking about what my food would look like on it, what would my portion be and stopping when I'm full. I've slowed down my meals and finding myself focusing on fueling my body. 

Oddly my favorite moment this week was when I attempted a cheat meal. One of my favorite things is a beef chalupa from Taco Bell. Out running around and in a hurry I splurged on one. Two bites in and I was just disgusted, it was greasy and heavy. I couldn't even finish it. Win!!!

I included the one pic I remembered to take on our traditions pre-thanksgiving "thanksgiving" dinner.

Tomorrow is a new day.