What's For Dinner?

107 Days To Go

107 Days to go...in just one week I will officially be leaving the triple digit countdown and entering the world of double-digits. It's beginning to feel less exciting and a bit scary. Is this normal? The second month of my Hal Higdon training is going well thus far, but I am beginning to shake in my boots at the thought of 13.1 miles in approximately three months. My farthest run to date is still only six miles. However, I am going to stick to the program and remain faithful that I will progress steadily in these remaining weeks. We will soon see...

On the weight loss front, I am happy to report I have 10 pounds left before I may actually be able to slip into a pair of my pre-pregnancy jeans! May I possibly be soon saying good-bye to my legging collection? It will be a bittersweet farewell and I have a fond appreciation for those stretchy little suckers that bring it all in and smooth it on out (or give the illusion of doing so). However, as they have been my staple clothing item for the last year, I think I will be just fine saying adios.

As you may know from earlier blog posts, I have been following the Joy Bauer diet outlined in her book Your Inner Skinny that she kindly sent me back in the beginning of this 200-day challenge. I am human and I have had my slip-ups (Oh, sweet Bohemian conch fritters. If you are wrong, I don't want to be right.) Although, for the most part I have followed the plan accordingly. Honestly, it hasn't been hard. I am not depriving myself of any food groups. Bread and cheese still have a very strong presence in my life. However, I have taught myself the importance of portion control and seeking that "full" feeling from healthier choices like veggies and water. There are tons of dinner choices on the plan, but I seem to be a creature of habit and when I find something I like, I stick with it. Five months ago, this was a slice of thick-crust four cheese pizza from the new Italian bistro just down the street from my house . Now it is my turkey burger dinner happily prepared by the always loyal, George Foreman. This consists of a turkey burger with sauteed mushrooms and onions, a slice of low-fat cheddar cheese and topped with baby spinach leaves (which I put on everything). If I'm in a hurry, I skip the sauteed veggies and use salsa instead. Throw it on Mr. Foreman and in about ten minutes, dinner is served! My other staple that I have mentioned in earlier posts is the vegetable stew that I eat with each dinner. I prepare a week's worth or more and then freeze it in individual two-cup portions. Since playing single-mom usually means my nights consist of catching up on grading and housework after the monkey goes to bed (and trying to squeeze at least five hours of sleep in), these easy go-to meals have been a lifesaver...and waist trimmer.

Do you have any go-to healthy meals you rely on?