Firsts

This year has been one of many firsts; starting nursing school and ALL the firsts that entails, participating in a triathlon (at the end with my sis --->), getting a trainer, dating (it's been a LONG time, so we're counting it as a 'first'), trip with my mom and sis, and finally: roasting my first chicken.

This was a whole, young chicken complete with 'pieces' still inside. Yum :( I'm not afraid of the jiggly bits, but it did take some time and in the end, I left some pieces and didn't wash it out. Oh well. Moving on. It was a terrific Rosemary Chicken WW recipe from a book Debcat bought. I added some potatoes, carrots and onions as well as some red wine to the roaster and it was divine! I was channeling Fall into this meal. So Cal has been hotter than blazes with actual blazes all around us lately. I'm over summer and smoke and ready for fall and crispness. This roasted chicken was just the ticket!

While I goofed a bit on the chicken by not removing all the pieces and washing thoroughly (no salmonella though!), I learned a lot! Debcat also showed me how to carve it! Who knew carving was so simple? Granted, a chicken is a lot different than a Thanksgiving turkey, but we're making baby steps here! I was a bit apprehensive as I removed it from the oven but once we carved into it, the juicy, flavorful meat was all my mind and body needed to be at ease. I can now say that I've successfully roasted my first chicken and am now not afraid to a) do it again, b) roast another member of the fowl family and c) which may include a turkey at some point.

The finished product!

Change

"I will change...gradually" is the monthly mantra from September's issue of Shape magazine (thank you for the subscription, btw, mystery gift giver!). I agree with this statement, for the most part.

When I first embarked on this journey for the ump-teenth time in 2007, I had to make small changes. My personal mantra was "Do more today than yesterday". I would park farther away at the shopping center, bring my lunch to work or take the stairs. I would do more today than I did yesterday and eventually, it worked it's way into a normal part of my lifestyle. With that said, I also believe once you've made substantial changes and you fall off the wagon, you don't need to start with baby steps again. You've proven to yourself that you're capable of change and therefore, you should jump right back in and get on with it!

When it comes to food, the same holds true. I didn't' start off buying fat free (FF) cheese (which I still refuse to purchase), FF ice cream, high fiber bread, etc. There were small changes; low fat (LF) cheese, WW chocolate snacks, WW yogurt and my new favorite Better N' Peanut ButterThere is NO WAY I could have sustained weight loss and lifestyle changes if I made these dietary changes at the same time. They had to evolve. My friend, Debcat, and I were discussing how over time your taste buds change. Don't get me wrong, I still love high fat foods and the occasional In-N-Out, but they are too rich for me now. I had In-N-Out last week with my mom and sis and boy, was I paying for it! The overall message here is that it takes time for your body to change too and accept the different tastes of the new foods you're introducing. I would take chocolate cake made with yogurt or applesauce over one with eggs and oil now. I can't believe I just said that either!

Do more today than yesterday and start filling your fridge and cupboards with LF, high fiber items. Slowly. . . but steadily and consistently!

Running Start

Hello! Well, this is a first! I NEVER thought I would have a blog! I suppose most people say that though. This isn't so much a blog for others as a reminder for me of how much I love food, how wonderful food can be and most importantly, how delicious it can taste even when you're losing weight or watching what you eat. I'm also interested in seasonal, colorful cooking as well as nutritional balance.

I'm a firm believer in moderation: wine, cheese, pasta, ice cream! As a member of Weight Watchers (WW), I've learned a lot about food, nutrition and health. WW prides themselves on not having any foods that are 'off limits'. Rather, they assign a value to each food and you make the choice. I like choices. I'm a bit of a Type A control freak, so I like to be in charge and you better believe that if I'm going to eat a rice crispy bar, then it better be ooey-gooey delicious. Not hard as a rock like the one I took a bite of and threw away the other day.

If you're anything like me, you like to cook for other people. I'm not talking about catering here, but let's face it, I'm more apt to prepare an entire meal for my family or friends than if it's just me. I don't cook for the praise, "OMG! This is AMAZING"! Don't get me wrong, the compliments are nice, but it's a nurturing issue. I like to take care of the people around me (hence, nursing school) and if I prepare a meal for them that leaves them satisfied, comforted and nourished, then I've done my job!

I'm sending this off into the blogging world, not sure who's out there, but again, I'm doing this for me and if you want to join the journey, let it begin!