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Category Archives: Weight Loss


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Honey Roasted Chipotle Almonds

shoppingI tried a brand new snack, and I’m pleased to report that I loved it! Honey roasted chipotle almonds are so incredibly delicious that I’m a little miffed that nobody told me about them. I, my friends, will not do you the same disservice. I’m here to announce their fabulousness. You’re welcome .

There we were, walking up and down the aisles of the grocery store when we happened upon the nut section. As part of my recommitment to trying to improve my health through better eating habits, I’ve been snacking on nuts from time to time. The other day I ran out, so there I was, faced with about 4,000 varieties from which to choose.

Now personally, I love cashews. In fact, the last can I bought was a can of cashews. That made me think that maybe it was time for something different. A friend at work shared some Wasabi almonds with me not too long ago, and those were pretty good. Still, I wasn’t quite sure I wanted to commit to a whole can of them.

Then my eye rested on the honey roasted chipotle variety.

“Hmmm,” I thought, “I like honey roasted. I also like the smoky taste and subtle bite of chipotle. Maybe these will be good.”

I took a chance and bought them, and am I glad I did. The sweetness isn’t overpowering, and the smoky flavor enhances it perfectly. The little bit of bite from the chipotle comes at the end, just before you pop another sweet morsel in your mouth. They’re heavenly.

Long story short, get these nuts, they’re fabulous. Now that that’s settled, what other healthy snacks do you enjoy? Please share your ideas in the comments, and enjoy your delicious almonds.


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The Nightly Struggle with Dinner

01742_nothingI breeze through breakfast, sail through lunch, and even manage a couple of healthy snacks each day, but dinner? It’s my downfall.

First of all, it comes at the  most inconvenient time. By the time dinner rolls around I’m worn out from the day, and in no mood to cook. Add to that the fact that I don’t particularly like to grocery shop, and we have a real issue. Each day I face the fridge and wonder, “What’s for dinner?”

There have been times in my life when I’ve made menus and followed them, but that hasn’t happened for a long time. It just seems like whenever I make a plan, life gets in the way. Twice a month I’m in a writing group, once a week I take a writing class, and I regularly spend the “dinner hour” in my car waiting for my son to return from some sporting event or other. How can I plan dinner?

I know, I know… sounds like a lot of excuses to me too. So what do I do? Frozen dinners? Crock pot meals? Sandwiches? I’m trying to eat well, so I really want to incorporate fresh vegetables and lean meats and fish, unfortunately those ingredients just don’t last. I hate to buy food then throw it out, and shopping each day is out of the question.

Last night I had a wonderful fish dinner (out) and the night before I had delicious beef and vegetables (out). This can’t go on. I need a solution, and I need it soon. My budget and my waistline are both in danger. Maybe this will be the topic for my next visit with the nutritionist. In the meantime, I’m open to your suggestions. Bring on the dinner ideas, I’m hungry!


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Ten Pounds Down

Imagine walking around with this strapped to you all the time.

Imagine walking around with this strapped to you all the time.

I’m thrilled to report that my last meeting with the nutritionist yielded this wonderful news. I’m delighted that I’ve been able to lose ten pounds, and so far at least, it’s been relatively easy. The best part about it? I can once again easily reach around my back to unhook my bra at the end of the day. Sounds silly, I know, but those last ten pounds made that task extremely difficult.

A second small success is the relative ease with which I’ve been getting in and out of the car. I hadn’t noticed how much of a struggle that task had become. Again, ten pounds might not seem like much, especially when I have many multiples of ten to lose, but those small victories are victories all the same.

I’m looking forward to each of the ten pound milestones and the small successes that go with them. I’m actually pretty sure that when I get on a plane again in October I won’t need the seatbelt extender. If I do, so be it, but again, it’s just one of those situations where life is a little easier if I don’t.

I’m trying to celebrate each little success along the way in this long road that I have to travel. One small one yesterday was a noticeable shift in my brain. I was at a training for several hours with my colleagues and on the table was an assortment of candy. Normally I’m the girl who eats all of the chocolate and stashes the wrappers somewhere inconspicuous so nobody gives me that look (although I’m sure they all know anyway). Well, yesterday something wonderful happened. There was one small bag of Hot Tamales (six candies) and I took that. Nothing else. Ok, so I mooched two yellow Skittles from my friend too, but really, that’s it. Not bad, huh? The best part? I didn’t even want those other candies. I didn’t give them a second thought. Yay, brain! You’re evolving!

I’m rewiring my brain in terms of its perception of food, and my taste buds are going along for the ride. By cutting out a lot of junky foods and eating more real foods (you know, like fruits and vegetables) I’m relearning what tastes good. It’s a process, for sure, but I’m committed, so I might as well enjoy it.

On a final note, if you ever want every Facebook friend you’ve ever had to respond to a post of yours, tell the world you’ve lost ten pounds. The outpouring of encouragement was overwhelming. I’m glad I wear my heart on my sleeve, it allows me to share in life’s big (and small) moments with wonderful people around the world.