ommm….That’s BS.

There’s nothing better on a Monday than spilling your most random or ridiculous thoughts on the internet.  (I lie. LOTs of things are better.)

Hence I commence (rhyme!).

 OMMM- On My Mind Monday  BS edition.

Today’s Prompt for NHBPM is:

“Call BS on something. What’s something that is just ridiculous?”

That’s an easy one. Health-related BS abounds.

I could write about the absurdity and potential danger of food labels.

I could write about the hidden names of sugar and the truth about “sugar free” products.

 

And that’s not nearly all. For the list that I refer to (just for reference) click here.

I don’t think there is anything in the world with a sugar free LABEL that is truly sugar free. And that’s fine. My beloved “sugar free” preserves? Polydextrose, maltodextrin…  Both of which are why this item was forbidden on my sugar free meal plan.

Glad I got over that one(!), but it was hard work after an Eating Disorder treatment center tells you to avoid it.

Which brings me to…

I’m calling BS on people who claim there is ONE right way to eat for every body. (Or even the claim that there is a right way to eat PERIOD.)

 

Or how people chase “healthy diet” models the same way other people chase the latest diet fix (pills, powders, cabbage soup..etc)  rather than settling down and figuring out what suits THEM best. Veganism was the trend for a while…now it’s Paleo…what’s next?

I could write about how “Fitspiration” in many instances (not all) is a thinly veiled version of “Thinspiration” and a bit problematic and flawed to begin with.

 

Here is something I know for SURE is Fitspiration but you aren’t going to see much like this on Tumbler or Pinterest. See what I mean?

Just sayin.

But…..

As I was thinking about all of this….it occurs to me that I REALLY need to call BS on myself.

What?

Yup. I’m calling myself out. You see….I obviously think about food, food marketing and nutrition a great deal. I’m not even interested in losing that. I’m also fully aware that I deserve a GREAT deal of side-eye when I start talking about ANY of it because….well.

 

I really need to be focused on thinking LESS about Food & Co. I need to take a break from the Food Network and the nutrition books and the recipes and grocery lists…..because – although it’s a genuine interest of mine….. it’ll be there waiting while I gain some sanity.

Because it’s JUST FOOD and my brain apparently thinks differently.

I want to love my food … but I don’t want to LOVE love my food.

I should NOT enjoy grocery shopping as much as I do. Lol.

There is too much more to live for.

God. Love. Peace. Glitter.

The perfect peanut butter and jelly sandwich.

OoPs! I just did it again!!!!

*sigh*

Previous posts for NHBPM can be found here.

• Your turn! Call BS on something or…somebody.

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Caterpillar Eats & Deets

Here are some things I’ve ate, thinks I’ve thunk, happenings that happened and random details about me. (Why? Answer here.)

Can I tell you about the smoosh? It’s like a PBJ sandwich except one thing: it’s totally not like a PBJ sandwich. Still awesome, though.

Apples, Peanut Butter and “Jelly.” I have yet to find a truly sugar-free jelly so I just heat up berries and smash ‘em like it’s hot.

I also tried a new drink:

Which comes complete with an inspiring bottle cap:

“I am Grateful”

You know what? I am grateful for warm comments on –>this post<– where I lamented the well-meaning comments on my weight gain that can really hurt the insane part of me. Thank you!

I am also grateful for some new-to-me shorts in a new-to-me larger size. I am grateful for friends who think I need to show off my enhanced Boot-tay and have plenty of hand-me-downs to assist with that.

 

Speaking of bigger things…. You know the saying everything’s bigger in Texas? I think everything is bigger in Korea.

Like this “Asian Pear”  (aka apple pear) the size of my face. I got it at the Korean mart for half the price you’d pay for one a quarter of it’s size.

It was Huge. (My head is really big!)

I love big shrimp, too. These are not the biggest I’ve had but they’ll do.

Shrimp with roasted kale, asparagus, onion and awful lighting. You are welcome.

Another “dinner par usuelle.” I should call it the Missy special.

Steamed asparagus, peppers, mushrooms, onion, kale and Morningstar Farm’s Grillers Chik’n.

But really? The real-deal “Missy specials” are more unique.

Like Pickles and PeaBee. Of course. Anyone try it yet? <—

And I’d like to introduce:

“Ants on a Log, Missy Style”

I’ll let the picture speak for itself.

Speaking of snacks…leftover Sushi should always be consumed on the same night. Mainly because I cannot sleep with sushi in the house.

This is called Naruto sushi – no rice or seaweed, just the veggies wrapped in cucumber. I am always grateful for leftover sushi.

I’m also grateful for my first sun “reminder” of the season.

Nature’s way of saying “Don’t mess with me, next time I’ll burn ya good!”

And just in case you missed any of these recipes:

Sweet Potato Fiesta Salad (Vegan)

Oodles of Shroom-oodles (Vegan, Gluten-free)

Spreadippity Sunflower Artichoke (Vegan)

Lazy White Vegetarian Girl Bibimbap

That is all.

Peace, blessings and for those of you not in rainy-paradey parts?

Wear sunscreen, okay?

Look! There’s my bra again.

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Caterpillar Eats and Deets

 

Psst…Hey you. Yes You! Are you there? I asked for your questions in my last post and I’ve answered them all in the comments (there wasn’t enough for a separate post). Thanks so much you guys,  that was quite a growth experience for me. (clicky) To anyone else, feel free to ask me anything you want, anytime.

Moving on …Sorry to bore you but duty calls. I’m on a mission, remember?)

Here are some things I’ve ate, thinks I’ve thunk, happenings that happened and random details about me.

I had this miso soup on a particularly stressful day. Miso really is a wonder food and soup in a cup warms the soul. 

 

Miso Soup with Brussels and Scallions

“I like to eat, eat, eat…apples and bananas.” Ever sing that song as a kid?

Warmed, sweetened apples and bananas with cinnamon and plain yogurt.

  

After I ate this I thought, “I need more banana in my life.”

Then I giggled cause, that’s what she said.

 Steamed Brussels and Radish topped with my signature Scallion Hummus

(cause it leaves a signature on my breath).

I am really trying to mix up my diet but some things haven’t changed.

 

Cod Fillet, Asparagus, Zucchini, Onion and Thyme. Again.

Egg Whites and Mustard Greens, packed up for work. Again.  

Egg Whites and Spinach for brekkie at home. Again.

Kale, Radish, Gomasio and Aminos.

Gomasio is sesame seeds and sea salt, Liquid Aminos taste like a mapley soy sauce. Both are HUGE nutrition boosts.

I cut into my Persimmon only to realize that I accidently picked up a Hachiya rather than a Fuyu. FYI – you have to wait until a Hachiya is superdy-duper squish squash ripe or you’ll gag and have pucker face. You can eat Fuyu straight up (and you should.) This went in the trash after I captured its beautiful butterfly likeness.

You know what else is bitter? Mustard greens…unless you cook them just right.Mustard Greens sautéed in vegetable broth with scallions and nooch, natch.

(nooch, natch. nooch, natch.  Cheap thrills.)

I have NO idea how to get a perfect nut-butter drizzle. I’m not bitter, though. Not with this consolation prize.

Anjou Pear and crunchy almond butter glop-izzle.

Who needs a drizzle when you can glop-izzle?   

“Shoo…Sumthin’ bout thems pears and almond butter… Law, that be for my good. Ah’ll tale ya wha. Yess’um.”

I’m reading the book, The Help. Can you tell? I love authors who can capture dialect or invent their own (Burgess’s Clockwork Orange, Roald Dahl).

(Why the heck am I taking pictures of food and posting them on the internet? Click here <—- for the answer)

 

• Can you drizzle nut butter? Have you read “The Help?” Ever had the wrong kind of persimmon?
• Lastly, Do you need more banana in your life? *pillsburydoughboygiggle*

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Caterpillar Eats and Deets

Here are some things I’ve ate, thinks I’ve thunk, happenings that happened and random details about me.

(Why the heck am I taking pictures of food and posting them on the internet? Click here <—- for the answer)

Wanna hear a story?

Saturday I went to see Cats…so spectacular! (Thanks Mom).

Whilst getting ready I had

—>a little moment<—

I’ve let the pictures speak the thousand words, and now I’ll let my fingers do the talking. 

I pulled out my “Black Pants” (we all have them) and discovered they didn’t fit. I don’t squeeze into stuff. I just can’t. I didn’t want to spend my night in ‘Uncomfortable Pantsland.’

I felt hot, messy and bothered. 

I kinda collapsed in my closet. “What am I gonna wear?” I realized these pants don’t fit now and accepting weight gain means accepting they will never fit again.

I needed to get rid of them but… why is that so EFFING hard?

I got angry. I got determined.

I grabbed my camera and prepared to do something I’ve been avoiding for too long.

I quickly snapped ridiculous photos of myself in the mirror, threw on some leggings and headed across the street to the Goodwill drop-off. I couldn’t bring myself to trash them (they’re really nice pants!).

I admit thinking perhaps NO woman should fit into those tiny things, but every body is different…and there are some very tall 12-year olds out there. (0:

Pause: I’m NOT pregnant by the way.

I drove like a mad hatter with just my pants to donate. (The woman in the picture was also holding bags from someone else). I literally squealed up, jumped out of my car and said “please take these.”

Then I asked if I could take her picture because I was having a moment and I like to take ridiculous pictures and post them on the internet. 

Driving away…I felt SO good. Gee.Oh.Oh. Gee. You can see it in my face! I got goosebumps. It was pretty awesome, and by awesome I MEAN awesome.

For the record, I wore jeans.

And heels! (I’m not always in flip-flops)

The end.

• Thank you all for the comments left on that post and all of them. They mean …ah…so much to me. I wish I had a cool blog where I can respond and be sure you got it via email but alas…
• Throw out any “skinny clothes” lately? I have a whole lot more work to do, myself. I should probably throw out many things that still fit but that are sizes not meant for a 32 year old woman.
• Any tips/feedback on my culinary swagger or lack thereof?

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Why I’m not the Next Food Blog Star

A few months back, I wasn’t sure what a blog was – much less a healthy living blog or a food blog. Then I started Beautiful Struggle (which is really about me, myself and I ..and recovery), then I read some blogs, and then I read a lot more. (Now I am hooked.) I started reading healthy living and food blogs. 

At first, I was confoozled. 

 “Why pictures of what people eat every day? What is the deal with all the oatmeal? What is OIAJ? Who’s a Nooch?” 

Confusion quickly gave way to intrigue and appreciation.   

Here were all these beautiful, healthy women taking pride and pleasure in their food. Food that was healthy and nutritious and looked amazing. And they looked Amazing! 

I saw what it might be like to eat without the restraints of an eating disorder. I saw what it may be like to say “what do I feel like eating today?” 

I saw all this and said it was good. 

And in comparison my disordered eating habits were completely exposed. 

My basic days of eating tend to be a variation on a  theme. I assemble, really, rather then “cook.” 

 

Breakfast of egg whites. 

 

Sometimes with hummus and hot sauce. 

Oh, and dinner… 

Dinners tend to be…um…repetitious (understatement of the year). 

 

Veggie Chik’n burger with asparagus, carrots, zucch and onion. 

 

And again… 

 

And repeat… 

 

(Sometimes I switch it up a bit.) 

I DO enjoy my food. But after reading these blogs I was able to see my diet is sorely lacking and um…boring! 

 

Snack of Apples, Yogurt and Cinn-uvia *Truvia and cinnamon. 

 

And…repeat. 

Not only boring…my eats are often…borderline bizarre. 

 

Pickles and Pea-Bee! 

 

Sweet onions and Pea-Bee! 

And let’s face it….pretty unappealing. 

My Nay-Nay and I are bringing Sexy Back.  

I am no stranger to healthy eating and nutritious foods. Trust me. I have all the goods in my cupboards….but that’s where they tend to stay while I play it Safe. 

These healthful living Blogs inspired me to get EXCITED about food. It’s OK to eat! Food is fuel! And I am happy to say I am slowly coming out of my shell! 

 

Roasted Veg and Hum-Cheese sauce (made with…nooch!) 

 

A “Yogurt Mess” with Bloobs, Nay-Nays and some yogurt and “Green Monster” leftovers. (You see?) 

  

Un-pretty but delicious oatmeal creation (carrot juice and almond milk in background) 

 

I even busted out an old sugar-free, flour-free muffin recipe from my nutri. (A fail, but delish) 

My point is…and I DO Have one…. 

With all the buzz around the Next Foodblog Star Challange 

I just wanted to express my gratitude for all these beautiful women who –in such a short time- have given me hope for a better and healthier life.  

Call me a wanna-be. After all, Imitation is the best form of flattery.

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