What's Going On

Well, it has been a pretty crazy few weeks. After my dietary psychotic self left that incredibly desperate post, I had a change of heart and decided to stay with eating whole foods from all groups. Then, a week into November, I got bronchitis and laryngitis and am still suffering today though admittedly not like I was in the beginning. I survived the Thanksgiving holiday without gaining weight and feel like that is an acheivement of which to be proud. Now, it's on to Christmas. The extended holiday period that is laden with sweets, rich foods, and all kinds of wonderful temptations. I do feel prepared though to meet the challenge of eating well. Can't explain how that happened but a new sense of determination has settled over me and I feel good about things again. If you are currently or have ever battled with your weight, maybe you can identify with the schizophrenic feelings associated with trying to get a grip on the best course of action. At any rate, it feels like things are going well on that front.

Today, I sat down with my kids and we had a really long discussion about how we have been eating and what we need to do in order to make healthier decisions about the food we put into our bodies. They seem to live on the following:

• nitrate-free hot dogs
• chicken nuggets
• spaghetti (whole wheat)
• broccoli
• peanut butter and honey sandwiches on whole wheat
• homemade cheeseburgers
• grapes
• apples
• corn

It's not the worst list in the world but it could use a little variety. I told them that, with the state our economy is in, I cannot afford to keep running the kitchen like a restaurant and they are going to have to start eating what we eat. I just can't fix three meals every night, it's exhausting and expensive. So we sat together and came up with a bunch of different things that they will eat and they agreed to try some new things, too. We all agreed if someone doesn't like the meal being offered then they have the option of eating a PB and honey sandwich instead but, they have to try the dinner I cooked first. It felt good to include them and get their input on what they are willing to do in order to make our meals more affordable and healthy for us all.

I still need to find my own inspiration in the kitchen. It hasn't hit me yet and I've been yearning for it to do so. I've already planned our Christmas Day dinner that we eat with our extended family and I feel pretty underwhelmed by that but it is what it is. Sean and I decided that next year, we're switching things up and, instead of doing dinner with everyone, we're going to do a brunch on Christmas Day. So far, the only people struggling with that idea are my sister and her husband and they have said they may not make it next year. I will be seriously disappointed if that happens but, they have their own family and their own feelings about what is important for them and I can only respect the choice they make. It's not up to me to decide for anyone else. I think it's going to be fun though. Surprisingly, my mom is really excited about it. She was actually encouraging me to go ahead and make the change this year but I knew my sister would feel like that was too much of a curve ball so we've decided to hold off until next year. I don't want to cause any bad feelings right at the holiday, ya know?

I don't know if anyone still reads here, as slack as I have been about updating but, if you're out there, I would love to know the answer to this question. What is your favorite cookbook or website related to cooking? I have a gazillion cookbooks sitting on the shelf and yet I cannot find anything in any of them that is inspiring me to get in the kitchen and create something delicious. What is the best book on your shelf? What is your favorite recipe? I have several books by the barefoot Contessa and find things I like in all of them but I want to try something new. Any suggestions made will be greatly appreciated!!

Here is a picture of the last meal I ate before I got bronchitis and wished I would fall off the face of the earth:


It was a petite sirloin, bacon and onion potato gratin and sauteed green beans. The steak was awful. Of course, I bought it at walmart so I don't know why I expected it to be any different. Everything else was delicious though. Especially the potato gratin. It was my first time making one and it was sooooo good!! And easy, too.

Anyway, I've rambled on long enough but I am really looking forward to seeing some cookbook suggestions. And hopeful that someone still reads here enough to make said suggestions. LOL