Struggling with Food - A Rant

Lately I have been really struggling with food, I have a list of food that my doctor has told me to avoid, I am trying to maintain a healthy diet and calorie intake, I am now in need of more calories than my body has finally gotten used to and I just don’t have the will power to make the best choices. Excuses, excuses…I know!

Just a little back ground information…

I have been trying to lose weight for what seems like forever, but this year I have gotten serious and have lost almost 25 pounds since April. I changed my diet, controlled my portions and started exercising. I have recently hit plateau. So I decided I was going to do one of those crazy work outs that are on TV. My choice? Insanity. And yes, it is insane. On top of those changes I was also diagnosed with IBD which has restricted my diet. I am supposed to avoid; dairy, red meat, chocolate and spicy foods just to name a few. And if you know me…it is SO hard!

So okay…Since starting Insanity I have become really tired and fatigued. I first just figured, “I’m working really hard, it just is what it is, I will get used to it.” Well, I never changed how I was eating. I have gotten used to a 1200 calorie diet and well I am burning at a minimum 500 calories a workout. So I am pretty sure my body isn’t getting the nourishment it needs. The problem? I am going to try to eat at least 500 more calories a day. This is hard; I sometimes don’t even hit 1200 so adding more is harder than one may think. And yes, I could eat more cookies, ice cream, chips, etc. but that is NOT what I want to do. I have also been giving in to temptations. I have been finding it really hard to say no, and it is most likely that my body is craving something that it just isn’t getting.

So what to do? That is my dilemma. I could add a piece of fruit, dairy-free yogurt or nuts. More carbs? Protein? I need healthy choices, and I am really struggling with it. I don’t want to load up on carbs. I really don’t like left-over meat. Nuts can be a little too fatty (and I can never eat a serving). I just would rather not eat yogurt. Luckily with it being summer, all the summer fruit is out so I should be able to eat that.

I need to start planning my meals. Right now, I am about to run out the door in the morning when I realize I need something for breakfast and lunch, so what happens? I grab something quick. I try to grab the healthy stuff but I usually end up grabbing that left over rice, or pasta. So I am going to make an effort to plan. My husband does dinner, but I can plan lunch and breakfast, and snacks I can’t forget the snacks!

Short-cut Sticky Buns

Half eaten.

These are a play on sticky buns and monkey bread (aka pull-apart bread).  This is prepared and cooked in an oven safe skillet, four ingredients and super super simple.

Ingredients:

1 container of refrigerated biscuits (8-ct)
1 stick of butter
1/2 chopped nuts (optional)
1/2 cup brown sugar

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

In an oven safe skillet, add nuts, toast for just a minute and then add the butter and sugar. Melt the butter and sugar together to make a caramel sauce. While the mixture is melting together, quarter the biscuits.  Add the biscuits to the sauce mixture and lightly toss/stir to coat.  Place the skillet in the oven and cook until the biscuits are fully cooked, about 15 minutes.

Turn out on to a plate and serve warm and gooey.

Simple Sauted Kale

For years my husband and I have been buying Kale, but never for us to eat.  Kale has been a staple in our bearded dragons diet and I have never really thought about making anything with it.  While looking through different vegetarian recipes trying to find 'new' things to try, kale kept coming up.  So the last bunch of kale I bought just looked so crisp and fresh I just had to do something with it...just a simple saute.

Ingredients:

5-6 cups of roughly chopped kale

4 cloves garlic, minced

1 onion, sliced thin

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

1/2 lemon

1/4 cup fresh parmesan cheese

salt and pepper to taste

In a large saute pan, saute the onion in oil until tender, add the garlic.  Place all the kale in the pan and toss to coat, cover for about 10 minutes or until the kale is just al dente and bright green.  Toss the greens once more, add grated parmesan cheese and a squeeze of fresh lemon. Serve hot, season with salt and pepper to taste.