Sometimes you just gotta eat!

In the past when I followed diets, I followed them strictly... maybe too strictly. Then if I slipped and ate a "forbidden" food or a food that was very high in points, I would blow it for that whole day and tell myself "I will start again tomorrow .... or after the weekend." I would then eat whatever I thought I had been depriving myself of... it wasn't pretty.

Guess what? I had pizza on Monday and not just regular pizza - it was greasy square pizza and it was exactly what I needed at that moment. I didn't eat half the pizza or have dessert or feel that I needed to eat foods that I shouldn't - it satisfied my need and I was done. Did I gain all my weight back... no. Will I loose as much weight this week than if I wouldn't have eaten it - probably not. But what I am realizing (finally) is this isn't a race.

Now that this exercise regiment is a big part of my life (running at least 2 miles a run now - and it's not easy...), I can eat what I want in moderation sometimes and go back to eating healthy again right away. And I don't need try to loose 4 to 5 pounds a week - 1 or 2 is just fine!

As discussed in previous posts - one other thing I am doing in my quest to get healthy - is eating more nutritious, wholesome foods. In every issue of Clean Eating magazine - they have a 14-day clean eating meal plan. I was thinking of trying it (from the july/aug issue) making a few subs. along the way (i don't like cod for example). I think it would be great to be a little stricter for a short burst and open my eyes to different foods. I'll let you know next week how it's going! 

SONG THAT KEPT ME RUNNING THIS WEEK: "B.O.B." by OutKast (this song really helped me push through yesterday's 25 minute run- I played it twice!)

RANDOM TIP OF THE WEEK (new weekly segment): Keep produce visible. I try to keep fruit and vegetables that don't require refrigeration out on the counter (see pic) - and those that do in the front of my fridge. You are more likely to eat them when they are top of mind - and they might even inspire a recipe. I made a good flank steak salad with plums and blue cheese the other night - inspired by a plum!                                                           THIS WEEK'S RECIPE: Healthy Version of Sweet and Sour Chicken (adapted from Clean Eating magazine)

This recipe is super low calorie approx. 170 per serving not including rice. It was easy and filling. I had the leftovers on a whole wheat wrap for lunch the next day and that was good too. 

I love cooking in my cast iron skillet!

1/3 cup Low-Sodium Soy Sauce
2 tbsp Raw Honey (find at health food store) 

4 cloves of Garlic

1 tsp fresh Ginger Root, grated

1/4 tsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes

1 1/4 lb Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast

1 medium Red Bell Pepper, coarsely chopped

1 medium Green Bell Pepper, coarsely chopped

3/4 cup Yellow Onion, coarsely chopped

1 3/4 cups FRESH Pineapple, coarsely chopped

12 sprigs Cilantro

1 1/2 cups cooked Brown Rice (optional - it's good with the rice!)

In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, honey, garlic, ginger and pepper flakes. Place chicken in a large shallow dish. Pour soy sauce mixture over chicken, tossing gently. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 min. or up to 8 hours. Heat a large nonstick skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken and marinade and saute for 5 min. or until chiken is cooked through. Add bell peppers and onion and cook for 5 min or until veggies are slightly tender. Add pineapple and cook for 2 more min. Spinkle with cilantro serve immediately over rice for a complete meal.