Lunch

I hate eating fast food. If I am going to eat with someone for lunch at like a sit-down place that is ok cuz it's like a special occasion. Otherwise lunch is something I bring or when I don't bring anything I go to the grocery store. Why not, right? Grocery store is just as convenient as McD and you can get whatever you want. Plus I like to know what is in my food. I don't eat certain things and I try to limit my salt intake. Also, I am really trying to limit my fat intake. All that low-carbing has got me hooked to high-fat, protein food sources. I used to think if it wasn't a carb i could just eat as much as i wanted. Not good. Diet is about balance. Eerrrr I guess life is too. So I definitely recommend the grocery store lunch. Easy, good for you, and delicious.

They mean it with the no salt added. On the right that is fruit and walnut chicken salad from the deli. So good!

Thanks, Tabitha!

My friend, Tabitha (who for some reason will NOT let me call her tabby cat), gave me two lovely bracelets which she made.

Why do I get on the scale?

Why do I get on the scale? Or really why do I it every day? I should really only get on there once a week or every 8 days. They (by they I mean all the crazy experts on weight loss I have read... I might even be an expert on weight loss seeing as how much I have studied the subject) say during weight loss you will see decreases in 8 day increments. So to all my weight conscious friends, I know the desire is there to see what changes have happened but give your mind a break. Seeing small increases may interfere with you motivation. And let's be real, motivation is what it's all about in weight loss.

On another note, since I started losing weight in the fall of 2009, my boyfriend has lost over 30lbs! Poor guy has been subjected to all kinds of crazy restrictions at home over these past 2 years. We still have a strict no snacks-in-the-apartment rule. But really the big thing for both of us has been increased activity and mindfulness of what we eat. Also, he is really good about not caring if he hits a plateau. To him, maintaining his current weight is a success. We should all try to have a positive attitude about our weight. Negativity leads to apathy and then we'll just stuff our faces cuz we don't care. Blah!

Here's some thinspiration for everyone.
                                                                       

What size am I???

Hate to complain but what is with sizes at stores??? I am any where from a 2 to an 8 or in Juniors a 3 to a 9.  I thought the concept behind sizes was that you would go anywhere and know it. Not so. Oh well! It was great to have a size 4 be too big at New York & Co. (Although I didn't even try on the 2 because what if it was too small??? hahaha)

Biscotti

I found this easily customizable recipe for biscotti. I like to eat two pieces for breakfast. Holds me over til lunch plus they are great dipped in coffee. Yum! I modified this by using whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of this fancy unrefined sugar with 1/2 cup white sugar,  vanilla instead of anise, and adding 1/4tsp of nutmeg and 1/2tsp of cinnamon. Next time i am going to add chopped up almonds.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 cup white sugar
• 3 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon anise extract, or 3 drops anise oil

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease cookie sheets or line with parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, beat together the oil, eggs, sugar and anise flavoring until well blended. Combine the flour and baking powder, stir into the egg mixture to form a heavy dough. Divide dough into two pieces. Form each piece into a roll as long as your cookie sheet. Place roll onto the prepared cookie sheet, and press down to 1/2 inch thickness.
3. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Remove from the baking sheet to cool on a wire rack. When The cookies are cool enough to handle, slice each one crosswise into 1/2 inch slices. Place the slices cut side up back onto the baking sheet. Bake for an additional 6 to 10 minutes on each side. Slices should be lightly toasted.

Amount Per Serving  Calories: 83 | Total Fat: 3.1g | Cholesterol: 15mg

Breakfast, the most important... yeah, yeah, yeah, we know!

Unfortunately I am one of those people always touting breakfast. But I swear it makes a difference. I have more energy when I eat breakfast and it kick starts my metabolism for the day. By eating breakfast I am basically telling my body, "Hey! You're not starving so go ahead and burn up this food and maybe even some fat."

Well, my boyfriend is not a breakfast eater. He is like so many others. But! I have finally converted him. Thanks to Bolthouse Farms Mango Protein drink.This drink is delicious and nutritious (ugh so stupid that it rhymes). It has a ridiculous amount of protein but its got enough carbs to make it balanced. And the best part is that my boyfriend actually wants to drink it.

In general, I believe that breakfast should be your "cheat" meal for the day. You have 8 to 16 hours to burn it off before bedtime. My dancer friend follows this concept and she is like my weight loss guru. I hate to quote my mother but her saying is "eat like a king for breakfast, a prince for lunch and a pauper for dinner" (ulgh have heard this a million times).

Circle Lenses

I have worn contact lenses... well for a very long time. And in the last year I have discovered colored lenses, specifically "circle lenses". These are very popular in Asia. Pretty much the colored part of the lens is bigger than your iris giving you a "big eye" or "dolly eye" effect. I love them. Of the four pairs I've purchased only one pair was uncomfortable. Here are the three in my repertoire right now.

These are the pink flower lenses. Here is a link to buy them. http://www.contactlenshouse.com/flower-pink.asp I really love these because they are so comfortable. And they really work for day or night makeup/outfit.

Here are the black circle lenses. I love these too but they are a little dramatic for day so I really only wear them at night or in low-light situations. Here is a link to buy these. (I think. I bought these quite a while ago.) http://www.contactlenshouse.com/tutti-circle-black-contact-lens.asp

These are the blue pair. I really like these too. The diameter isn't as wide so they are little less dramatic in that aspect but the color really pops. Again I really love these too. I don't know why but I feel like a different person in these. (haha silly) Here is the link.  http://www.contactlenshouse.com/tutti-circle-contact-lens.asp

Here is a picture of my full makeup with the black lenses. It is just an OK pic but it shows how well the whole face goes together when you add the contacts.

As you can tell by the links, I buy all my colored lenses from www.contactlenshouse.com . They are great. They are based in Malaysia. It takes a little while for my shipment to arrive, about two weeks, but their service is great and their selection is varied and easy to navigate.

I hope this opened up your eyes (pun intended haha *imadork*) to the beauty of circle lenses.