Am…musings

In an effort to stick with the healthy eating plan, I searched for healthy appetizers in preparation for the big game. I landed here and decided on spinach squares (there are lots of other yummy looking recipes on the site).

They weren’t too difficult to prepare, but when I took them out of the oven they looked a little like Astroturf … at least I was in theme. Honestly, I thought they were pretty tasty. Maybe just make them for yourself or for folks that you know are spinach fans (only two other people at my – albeit small – party partook).

Spinach Squares
1 egg
1/2 cup egg substitute
3/4 cup low-fat milk
1 ½ cup unbleached or all-purpose flour (whole wheat can be substituted for half of the flour)
1 ½ tsp. salt
1 ½ tsp. baking powder
3 Tbsp. butter or canola margarine, melted
½ cup fat-free or light sour cream
3 10-ounce boxes frozen chopped spinach, thawed and drained (gently squeeze with hands)
8 ounce reduced-fat Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2-inch cubes (I think shredded would work. I actually found reduced-fat cheddar/Monterey Jack crumbles)

Preheat oven to 325°F. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
Beat egg, egg substitute, milk, flour, salt, baking powder, melted butter, and sour cream in mixing bowl on medium-low speed until smooth batter has formed.
Stir in cheese cubes and spinach.
Pour into prepared pan, spread evenly with spatula, and bake about 35 to 40 minutes.
Test center to make sure it’s set/firm enough for the squares to hold their shape.
Let sit about 10 minutes before cutting into squares.
Keep refrigerated. Eat hot or cold.

My lovely mother Shar …

… and I are doing the diet I’ve mentioned together. This week we’re supposed to jump start it by sticking to a vegetarian menu as directed by our doctor. I called Shar earlier to whine a little because the diet is also lots of fruits and salads plus protein shakes, and I’m so darn cold today I just wanted something nice and warm for lunch. Here’s the conversation:

Shar: I know what you mean. We’re having tuna for lunch.
Me: Um … we can’t have that.
Shar: Why not? She said no meat. I’m not having meat.
Me: Yeah … this isn’t the Catholic version of vegetarianism. Fish is meat.

Sheesh!

It was a breakfast showdown this morning between oatmeal and cinnamon rolls … ah, just kidding QT! No, between oatmeal and an egg white sandwich (it is miserably damp, windy and cold here … perfect for oatmeal, but the egg protein was calling me). Then I remembered an egg white oatmeal recipe I’d read some where. At the time, it had sounded disgusting, but I thought what the heck.

I made oatmeal with milk according to the directions. When the oatmeal was done, I left the heat on medium-low and slowly added two egg whites, stirring constantly (I didn’t use a whisk, but will try that next time) and let it cook until I could see the whites turning … well, white.

It was yummy … rich and creamy (I was worried the egg might make it rubbery). I didn’t try it plain, but imagine it does require some toppings. I added brown sugar and walnuts (I normally add some sort of “butter” spread, but forgot and didn’t even miss it with the richness of the egg). Also, I may not need to eat again today. Take that QT!

P.S. I recommend eating this quickly while it’s still hot. I wrote this post while noshing and near the bottom, it became much less appealing.

I stopped to get gas on my way back from a meeting this morning. $33.82!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Yipee!!!!!!! I bought my gas-guzzler in early, early 2005 … before gas went completely haywire. Until recently my damage at the pump was around $65. Today was the first time I’ve filled up since prices plummeted. Fabulous!

I celebrated with a trip through Mickey D’s for … an iced tea. Yes, it still has caffeine, but it was not a Diet Coke. I can’t remember the last time I went to McDonald’s and didn’t get a Diet Coke. And I switched to water when I got to the office … Mission Diet Coke-Free: Accomplished (at least for today).

I’m ashamed to admit I’m not quite the A student when it comes to cutting caffeine. I did sort of hastily jump into the endeavor without thinking it through properly in terms of withdrawal symptoms. It’s a little hectic at work … not a time for headaches, forgetfulness or difficulty concentrating. I also have a personal thing that’s making me sufficiently pissy. And with the shorter days of fall, I’m tired and a little depressed enough already. I realize these are excuses, but even if they are psychosomatic … they are still impeding my success.

In my defense … my priority for cutting caffeine was eliminating the Diet Coke and I have gotten down to one a day instead of two to three (with the exception of Saturday when I needed the energy for cheering for my Missouri Tigers … plus my drink of choice IS rum and Diet Coke and I had to drink with the college friends in Columbia!).

I’m shooting for only coffee (noooooo Diet Cokes by the end of the week – Sunday counts on that, right?). I’ll keep you posted.

On my way home tonight I passed a Quick Trip billboard sporting two large cinnamon rolls and the slogan … “Life’s Too Short for Oatmeal.”

Seriously QT?

According to this Wikipedia article on obesity in America, 64 percent of American adults are overweight or obese. More than 20 million people over the age of 20 have diabetes and more than 200,000 people die from it each year. Plus, nearly one million people die of heart attacks or other cardiovascular illness, including stroke, every year.

I, not surprisingly, can’t find any nutritional facts for the delights at QT online, but on the billboard the pastries appeared to be about the size of a large Pillsbury rolls. Counting both of them, here is the considerable damage:
* 640 calories
* 20 grams fat (6 grams saturated fat)
* 44 grams of sugars

Life will definitely be too short with regular breakfasts like that. I say bring on the oatmeal (and fire the advertising genius that came up with that ridiculous billboard).

I’m not a morning person. I like to sleep and don’t like to stop sleeping until about 10 a.m. I am not, however, crabby in the morning. We all know those people … stay far, far away from them until they’ve woken up entirely.

Today I encountered a crabby morning person and this time it impacted my experience at a place that typically does a good job with customer experience … Panera. So my tip for morning establishments … don’t hire or schedule someone for the morning shift if they aren’t a morning person.

P.S. As I was snacking on part of a bagel left over from my morning meeting, I remembered a little nutritional tidbit that just killed me:
Twix candy bar – 286 calories; 14 grams fat; 37 grams carbohydrate
Panera Cinnamon Crunch bagel – 430 calories; 8 grams fat; 81 grams carbohydrate

I knew it wasn’t healthy, but never imagined it was THAT bad.

Inspired by a friend’s post on Facebook that she’s kicked her caffeine habit, I’m on a mission. I’ve decided to write about it here so I don’t wimp out.

As with most things, I’ve read conflicting reports on the pros and cons of caffeine intake. But my biggest motivation isn’t necessarily the caffeine. I’ve long been concerned about my main source of caffeine consumption … what I’ve considered a nectar from the Gods since college … Diet Coke. And I KNOW the chemicals and whatever other crack they put in there are NOT good for me. Also, I do drink coffee and even though I typically make it at home (I think Starbuck’s smells and tastes like skunk), I figure I’ll save some money on the beans … not to mention the cream and Splenda (even more chemicals) that I can’t live without in my java.

The fun withdrawal symptoms … including headaches, constipation, irritability and forgetfulness … have convinced me cold turkey isn’t the way to go. Plus I was on coffee number two when I read her post so my goal today is to cut one of my two mid-morning Diet Cokes.

I’ll share updates on my progress (and I’ll have to keep an eye on whether my “rants” increase as a result of my reduced-intake irritability!).