Thursday Thoughts # 73
I don't have any book quotes today, there just hasn't been any quotable lines in the stuff I've been reading, so instead here is the blurb on the back cover of the book I'm currently reading.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This is a world divided by blood - red or silver
Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is, until a twist of fate brings her before the Silver court. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly ability of her own.
Fearful of Mare's potential, the king hides her in plain view: betrothed to his youngest son. Trapped, Mare decides to use her new position to bring down the regime - from the inside.
But this is a game of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart....
Sounds fascinating, right? I'm only up to Chapter Three and already I can't wait to get back into it.
Today's Thoughts:
Dieting sucks.
I'm making a genuine effort this time, I need to fit back into my jeans next winter. A couple of months ago, I bought a new pair in a larger size. They fit around the waist and hips quite comfortably, but they are too long from waist to crotch. It seems they're made for women with bigger bums than mine.
When I wear them walking is quite uncomfortable, I keep wanting to hitch them up, but that would put the waist band up around my ribs and I imagine that would be equally uncomfortable. I did try them on in the shop and thought I could get used to a little sagginess around the bum and thighs. I was wrong.
So...the dieting.
I'm eating a heck of a lot more salad than I'm used to and I know it's only been a couple of weeks, but I haven't lost even a single ounce :(
On top of that, I'm so sick of lettuce, tomato, cucumber etc, I didn't even open my fridge tonight until I actually felt hungry. Then I ate an apple.
I wasn't raised eating salad, so this is right out of my comfort zone and I've tried to make it interesting. On separate days I've added apples and raisins to the lettuce etc mix; I made a single serving of potato salad to pair the greens with; I've put a sausage baked in honey-barbecue sauce on the plate. The rest of the sausages are in the freezer.
Last night I had left-over salad from the night before, it was unsatisfying, so after I'd done the dishes I rebelled and ate a small chocolate bar followed by a half dozen biscuits. That won't happen again, the biscuits and chocolate are all gone and no more will be bought. I need to be tough with myself.
I decided that tomorrow I'll make coleslaw for a change, even though I want spaghetti with a bucket load of parmesan grated over it.
I've even changed my breakfasts. Instead of weetbix loaded with sugar, I'm eating yoghurt with fruit and in smaller portions too. I don't mind that at all, it's the dinners that are getting to me.
No matter how much I try, I simply can't eat lettuce and pretend it's mashed potato and gravy.
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
This is a world divided by blood - red or silver
Reds are commoners, ruled by a Silver elite in possession of god-like superpowers. And to Mare Barrow, a seventeen-year-old girl from the poverty-stricken Stilts, it seems like nothing will ever change.
That is, until a twist of fate brings her before the Silver court. Here, surrounded by the people she hates the most, Mare discovers that despite her red blood, she possesses a deadly ability of her own.
Fearful of Mare's potential, the king hides her in plain view: betrothed to his youngest son. Trapped, Mare decides to use her new position to bring down the regime - from the inside.
But this is a game of betrayal and lies, and Mare has entered a dangerous dance - Reds against Silvers, prince against prince, and Mare against her own heart....
Sounds fascinating, right? I'm only up to Chapter Three and already I can't wait to get back into it.
Today's Thoughts:
Dieting sucks.
I'm making a genuine effort this time, I need to fit back into my jeans next winter. A couple of months ago, I bought a new pair in a larger size. They fit around the waist and hips quite comfortably, but they are too long from waist to crotch. It seems they're made for women with bigger bums than mine.
When I wear them walking is quite uncomfortable, I keep wanting to hitch them up, but that would put the waist band up around my ribs and I imagine that would be equally uncomfortable. I did try them on in the shop and thought I could get used to a little sagginess around the bum and thighs. I was wrong.
So...the dieting.
I'm eating a heck of a lot more salad than I'm used to and I know it's only been a couple of weeks, but I haven't lost even a single ounce :(
On top of that, I'm so sick of lettuce, tomato, cucumber etc, I didn't even open my fridge tonight until I actually felt hungry. Then I ate an apple.
I wasn't raised eating salad, so this is right out of my comfort zone and I've tried to make it interesting. On separate days I've added apples and raisins to the lettuce etc mix; I made a single serving of potato salad to pair the greens with; I've put a sausage baked in honey-barbecue sauce on the plate. The rest of the sausages are in the freezer.
Last night I had left-over salad from the night before, it was unsatisfying, so after I'd done the dishes I rebelled and ate a small chocolate bar followed by a half dozen biscuits. That won't happen again, the biscuits and chocolate are all gone and no more will be bought. I need to be tough with myself.
I decided that tomorrow I'll make coleslaw for a change, even though I want spaghetti with a bucket load of parmesan grated over it.
I've even changed my breakfasts. Instead of weetbix loaded with sugar, I'm eating yoghurt with fruit and in smaller portions too. I don't mind that at all, it's the dinners that are getting to me.
No matter how much I try, I simply can't eat lettuce and pretend it's mashed potato and gravy.
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I am not on a diet, I have simply stopped worrying about what the experts have said for years and listened to the new studies that say a calorie is not a calorie, and fat is not bad. I eat eggs and meat and have cut out or at least way back on sugar and carbs which turn into sugar. Sugar just fools your body and makes you feel hungry, fat satiates. No sugar, less bread and pasta and as much protein as I want (which is just what makes me not hungry) and I am down 1 1/2 pounds a month 22 so far and I never intend to change the new eating pattern. Google "A calorie is not a calorie" if nothing else it is interesting reading. Happy Thanksgiving!
ReplyDeleteTry adding beans and brown rice to your meals. The fiber in them helps you stay full longer.
ReplyDeleteDrink lots of water if staying home all day not if going out, and a trick I learnt after going to the dentist I often crave potato chips but if I rinse with salt water I think I've eaten chips, haven't chips for a while now.
ReplyDeleteMerle...........
Wow you are good. I only eat copper kettle ones , plain.
DeleteMerle.........
My main meal of the day is lunch, and it has been for a few years now. I've not cooked dinner in a long time. Often I roast some small pieces of pumpkin, red onion, potato and sweet potato (kumara); towards the ending of the cooking time, I toss in some raw mixed nuts and then add the cooked ingredients to a mixed salad - and sprinkle over balsamic vinegar.
ReplyDeleteI have grilled salmon (skin on) a couple of times a week with a tossed salad. I never use mayonnaise...I've never liked it.
Every day we get inundated with new diets...being told what we should and should not eat...and then following week (or day) they contradict themselves. What was good for us yesterday is bad for us today...and the day after it'll be good for us again...and on it goes!
Moderation is the key, I reckon...and if you want to give yourself a treat or two...do so, and to hell with all the so-called "experts"! What makes me cranky is they all sound and appear so damn self-righteous! :)
I do not love lettuce. There are so many reasons why, everything from germophobia to not liking the texture of it. I usually use rocket or baby spinach. Though I do like the little baby cos lettuces from Aldi which come in a pack of 2, and we have been using those for our dinner wraps.
ReplyDeleteI often like a simple salad with avocado, tomato, mushrooms, olives, sometimes I will add baby spinach. I also love a strawberry, baby spinach, feta and chicken salad with balsamic dressing. Watermelon and feta can be awesome as well. :)
joeh; I know it's the sugars that are bad and I need more protein, so I'll be increasing the meat component whenever I can afford to. I already eat enough eggs. I'll have a read of that link you suggested.
ReplyDeleteKathy G; I eat plenty of beans, but don't like brown rice. I haven't had sweet and sour bean salad for a while though.
Merle; I drink a litre of water a day in the summer and I'm not a chips person. I think I might eat one small packet of crisps a year and not every year either.
Lee; ugh, Balsamic vinegar. (don't be offended) i like apple cider vinegar.
I never take notice of what the media says is good or bad for you, all those different diets etc. i know that moderation is the key.
What really surprised me is how quickly I got sick and tired of leafy salad. I'll vary it tonight, I'll make a pasta salad, but the recipe makes enough to feed an army, even half the amount is three meals worth for me. I'll toss in some baby spinach and rocket for the green component.
Saturdays will be my treat day, something sweet while I surf the real estate online.
Snoskred; I only buy the baby cos twin packs, never iceberg lettuce, that stuff gives me the runs (*~*). I get small packets of baby spinach and baby rocket too, sometimes a packet of mixed leaves, variety is good, but it's all green and all leaves. I shopped this morning and bought a pack of baby capsicums in three colours that should liven things up a bit.
I use a lot of apple cider vinegar, too, River. I only use the balsamic on the roast vegetable salad as it goes so well with it. I have a variety of vinegars here...I love vinegar and have done so since I was kid. I'm not offended. :)
DeleteIt sounds too extreme and if you are still hungry afterwards and resort to a bar of chocolate, it is too extreme. Keep to your normal eating within reason but eat less. Vegetable soup is good too.
ReplyDeleteSigh.
ReplyDeleteI am eating a LOT of fruit at the moment. Which is a pleasure. The Michelin woman needs to shrink though.
Oh dear me, you are in a dilemma it seems.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with your diet.
You know, I have never ever been on a diet, could do with one now, but no, not me :)
Andrew; not extreme and I'm not hungry after meals, just sick of green leaves already. I am eating smaller portions at all meals.
ReplyDeleteElephant's Child; I'm not eating much fruit yet, the summer fruits are in the stores, but first picks of the season are usually a bit on the green side and not yet sweet. A couple of weeks from now, the fruit will be better. I'm impatient for grapes right now, all the ones available are from the USA.
Margaret-whiteangel; I never used to bother with diets, I didn't start putting on weight until I took the checkout job. Unhappy job+unhappy eating=unhappy weight, it seems.
I know I can lose it, I'm just in a hurry, expecting the weight to drop off faster.