Going Out To Eat Your Feelings
Well friends, the inevitable has happened... I was REALLY bad this week.
We were ridiculously busy this week so I had subway Wednesday and Thursday night. Subway is a better choice than McDs or BK but it is still full of carbs and Im NOT going to eat a salad at Subway, thats almost unAmerican. You can find all Subway nutritional information on their website, it really comes in handy but it doesn't make it any better for you! I've got to learn to eat right when going out.
Friday night Josh and I went out for a much needed date to TGI Fridays. Going out for our date night was a scary deal because I didn't know what/how to eat. There were SO many greasy, yummy, bad for me choices that I knew I had to stay away from but since there aren't calorie counts on the menu it was hard to pick from some "healthier" things. I mean a salad sounds like the best choice but once you throw breaded chicken, or croutons, or bacon, or a bunch of dressing on it you might as well eat a cheese burger and fries. I know I can get things removed and my dressings on the side but its such a pain! With all these things in mind, I went with the grilled salmon and langoustine lobster with grilled squash because I used my myfitnesspal app and both were GREAT choices. I didn't check on my 2nd side however, the parmesan steak fries... horrible idea. The steak fries had just as many calories as my salmon, lobster, and veggies combined. One little slip up and I doubled my calories. Ugh! I will forever check my myfitnesspal app before ordering now, these are mistakes I can't afford to make.
Saturday I had to work so I got a chicken pita for lunch thinking that it would be a fairly healthy choice because its not fried or greasy. I was wrong again, the pita bread was FULL of calories. The rest of it was ok but the pita really killed my calorie count for the day. Plus they put twice as much food in the container as I need so I ended up wasting half of it because saving it makes it soggy and gross.
Sunday we went out for lunch before we went to visit Josh's ailing grandma. I was tired, moody, and I didn't really care what I ate so I ordered a grilled cheese and fries because I wanted some comfort food. Totally a bad idea, that grilled cheese had tons of carbs, calories, and fat. I felt disgusting after I ate it and Im still regretting putting that much grease in my body.
I've said it before and I'll sat it again, I eat my feelings. I've come to terms with this fact, and for the last month I've been incredibly good about it. This week was bad, but thankfully, no one is perfect and Im not alone. Luckily between what Id lost during the first part of the week and what I gained back from the later part, Im still down 10lbs so Im not overly downhearted. I just know I've gotta stay on the wagon and keep my eyes open to what is going into my body. Eating my feelings is a super diet killer and Im slowly learning how to cope. Unfortunately, one bad day and Im digging for homestyle feel good, comfort foods like mac and cheese, fried foods, breads, and/or pasta. Because I had a yucky week I was really craving foods like these. I knew I couldn't keep losing weight if I gave in so I tried to find healthier alternatives. That is how I ran across the recipe for noodleless lasagna. Now I know what you might be thinking, but it was super delicious! I also made mine meatless because Im not a huge fan of meat and we've cut out red meat entirely from our diet. The lasagna really hit the spot, it was warm, flavorful, and cheesy...everything my feelings needed. Even Josh really liked it, he just wanted meat in it. (Typical man!) For only around 250 calories a slice, its really a win win recipe. Here it is if you'd like to try it:
Zucchini “Lasagna”
Ingredients
2 large zucchini (I used about 5 smaller ones)
1 tablespoon salt (I used a lot less)
1 pound ground beef/turkey (optional)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 green bell pepper, diced
1 onion, diced
1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
1/4 cup red wine or white wine (I used white because red is gross)
2 tablespoons basil
1 tablespoon oregano
1 egg
1.5 C low-fat ricotta cheese (I used low fat cottage cheese because ricotta is gross)
2 tablespoons parsley
2-3 large handfuls fresh spinach
1 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 C shredded mozzarella cheese
Parmesan cheese (as much or as little as you want)
Directions
1. Slice zucchini into thin slices to represent lasagna noodle
2. Salt zucchini slices and set aside to drain
3. Cook and drain meat if you are using it, set aside
4. Sautee diced onion, green pepper, mushrooms, salt, pepper, basil, oregano, and garlic in a pan
5. Deglaze veggie mixture with wine and set aside (I didn't use the entire 1/4 C)
6. In a separate bowl mix ricotta cheese with one egg, and parsley
7. Spray 13X9 pan with cooking spray
8. Cover bottom of the pan with a few zucchini “noodles” and sprinkle with a little parmesan cheese then layer as follows:
a. A handful and a half Spinach
b. ½ mushroom mix
c. ½ meat
d. ½ cheese and egg mixture
e. pasta sauce (as much or little as you like)
f. zucchini with a little more parmesan
g. a handful and a half spinach
h. ½ mushroom mix
i . ½ meat
j. ½ cheese and egg mixture
k. zucchini
l. pasta sauce (as much or little as you like)
m. sprinkle on some parmesan cheese
9. Bake at 325 uncovered for 15-20 minutes or until parmesan starts to get darker (you may have to use a turkey baster and suck out some of the “juice” from the veggies from time to time, I did it 3 or 4 times so there wasn’t a lot of “juice”)
10. Remove from oven and add mozzarella cheese on top
11. Turn oven to broil and cook until cheese is as melty as you like
Im really greatful to everyone that has helped me stay on the right path the last few weeks. Im going strong again and intend to keep it that way, even if I have another yucky week. If you have any tips, wishes, or ideas for me please make sure you comment below or email me at littleboo84@yahoo.com
Im down: 10lbs
Weekly weigh ins brought to you by:
Sach and I also had a bad eating out week. We did Chick fil a last Wednesday, out with my parents for Mexican on Thursday, TGI Fridays on Friday night (bacon cheddar burger and fries), Starbucks Sunday morning after worship with my mom, and then we all had lunch at Arbys that afternoon. I've been bad for the past two weeks. Really bad!
ReplyDeleteOh man are yoy speaking to my soul Jess!!! Emotional eater right here. Love the blog idea and I might have to copy cat ya. Way to go and keep up the work!!! We also ditched all red meat. Mondays is meatless Mondays for us but I do usually add Boca. Its delish :)
ReplyDeleteOnly 250 calories a serving and it looks delicious. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeletecongrats on the 10lb loss...im also trying to get healthy so i think ill try this recipe. it sounds yummy
ReplyDeleteWe try to only eat out 2 or 3 times a month and I make heart-healthy meals at home.
ReplyDelete