Day 142: Bathroom Demolition, Day 1

What a great way to spend Memorial Day. Oh, the joy that came from ripping that nasty tub out. I can hardly wait to start on the sink.

• Honey Bunches in 1% milk (breakfast)
• 3 pancakes w/ PB, syrup & strawberries, skim milk (pancake 2nd breakfast at the chapel)
• some pretzels and cheese
• taco salad, 2 tortillas, limeade, a piece of Ami's apple pie w/ vanilla bean ice cream (dinner)

Day 141: The Day We Ate Dessert for Dinner.

At the kids' request. Or maybe was it mine? Either way, I was too hot to argue. And really, who wouldn't want dessert for dinner?

• 1.5 bowls Life cereal in 1% milk (breakfast)
• those kind of nasty but embarrassingly tasty Keebler club crackers with fake cheese in a cellophane packet (you know the ones?) from Nursery, which had been in my church bag for at least a week.
• leftover BBQed veggies, San Pellegrino limonata, pretzels, water, chocolate chips (lunch)
• berry shortcake w/ almond cream, banana-peanut butter smoothie, water (dinner)
  

Day 140: Yard Sale at Mom and Dad's.

Sad but necessary.

• scrambled eggs, home fries, toast, OJ (breakfast mom made for me)
• 2 slices Sayville Pizza (lunch)
• 2 slices chocolate chip banana bread (which I made but the kids were selling at their lemonade stand)
• 2 ears corn on the cob, 1 hot dog, a pear (dinner)
• chocolate chips and raisins
  

Day 139: The BBQ with the Harts and Dyers Where I Ate Until I Nearly Puked

Tooooooo much good food.

• 2 slices of toast, a small glass of OJ (breakfast at Mom's)
• 1/2 PB&J, Greek yogurt w/ wheat germ (lunch)
• a hamburger w/ pesto, fresh mozz, & tomato, a hot dog, a shrimp and sausage skewer, a vegetable skewer, watermelon, Ami's frog-eyed salad, Alex's jello salad, corn on the cob, San Pellegrino aranciata (too much dinner)
  
• DOTW: 1.5 pieces dark chocolate ganache and raspberry cake
  

Day 138: The Day I Typed my Food Log Without My Glasses or Contacts

My face is literally inches from the screen. I apologize in advance for any typos.

• Corn Flakes in 1% milk (breakfast)
• chocolate graham crackers, water
• Life & Oatmeal Squares in milk (lunch)
• Spicy Mexican salad, few mini mozzarella sticks, a few onion rings, 2 of Abby's leftover chicken fingers, Diet Coke (dinner @ Friendly's w/ Mel & the kids)
  

Day 137: The Hottest Day in May

I could hardly stand it. Why does the earth think it's July? It was almost too hot to eat.

• cornflakes in 1% milk (breakfast)
• grilled cheese & half an apple (lunch)
• lots of water and also some diluted apple juice
• a hamburger w/ cheddar and lettuce, chocolate milk (dinner)
  

Day 136: Abby's Fieldtrip to Benner's Farm

Which further solidified my desire to own a small family farm. The one we visited has been in operation since 1760. Totally awesome.

• 2 slices cinnamon toast, water (breakfast)
• a PB&J and a granola bar (which my mom made for me for an elementary school fieldtrip -- I felt like I was 6 again)
• Greek yogurt, iced animal crackers
• curried chicken, spicy chickpeas, white rice, water (dinner)
• too many indoor s'mores (with the YW)
  

Dat 135: The Day I Was So Cranky

So, so cranky, in spite of the fact that for the first time in my life my doctor warned me not to let my weight get too low. I assured her this would never be a problem.

• Oatmeal Squares in 1% milk (breakfast)
• leftover German pancake w/ banana, water (lunch)
• a slice of bread w/ PB & banana, milk
• 2 slices Arnold toast (at mom's)
• too much cereal (dinner)

It's like it was breakfast all day long.

Day 134: Ward Conference

• a mini muffin (at ward council)
  
• Honey Bunches in 1% milk (breakfast)
• some tasty but strange pasta salad, a chocolate muffin (at the baptism)
• the leftover half of my gyro, fingerfulls of various icings
• Moroccan braised chicken, couscous, saffron rolls, lemon and honey glazed carrots, garlicky beets, pineapple sparkling Jell-O w/ cheddar cheese, Cherry Coke Zero (dinner w/ the Harts)
• DOTW: chocolate and raspberry trifle
  

Day 133: The Day We Went Puppy Shopping for the Very First Time

I guess the weekend has been all about firsts...

• Cinnamon Life in 1% milk (breakfast)
• a Boston cream doughnut, pineapple, melon, water (at Mom's)
  
• a slice of Sayville pizza (lunch)
• a banana
• Greek salad, 1/2 a gyro (dinner at the Aegean Cafe)
  

Day 132: The Day I Karaoked for the Very First Time

And, much to my astonishment, I enjoyed it -- enough to stay out until 3.30 am because of it. And enough to want to do it again. But next time with Adam.

• HOney Bunches in 1% milk (breakfast)
• a sandwich thin w/ a bit of PB&J
  
• chocolate grahams w/ Cool Whip lite
• apple slices, a ciabatta roll w/ pesto and fresh mozz, small bowl of tomato soup (lunch)
  
• Hanger Steak (colorado brandt beef, garlic zaatar and pistachio oil marinade, charcoal grilled over roasted pepper and sumac chutney) with potato pureeat, a deliciously sugary full-cal Coke, (dinner at Taboon )
  
• cashews from Nuts 4 Nuts
  

Day 131: The Day I Declared Miles Officially Potty-Trained

Because he did so well this week that I felt okay venturing out and about without diapers ... for the first time in almost seven years.

And I also didn't do too badly with my eating.

• Honey Bunches w/ 1% milk (breakfast)
• the last (and nearly stale) cheddar muffin, piece of dark chocolate
  
• Greek yogurt w/ wheat germ, 2 mini celebratory cupcakes (the ones Miles picked out as a reward for a successful ... well, you know), water (lunch)
• leftover pasta w/ meatballs, green beans, herbal iced tea (dinner)
  

Day 130: The Day I Started to Regret the End of Calorie Counting

Because I felt so liberated I fear I overate. I may have to start counting again tomorrow. I didn't even last one day! Ugh.

• Raisin Bran in 1% milk, leftover cheddar muffin (breakfast)
• another cheddar muffin, piece of dark chocolate
  
• deli ham rolled in Swiss, Greek yogurt, water (lunch)
• TJs white cheddar (was I on a cheese-kick or what?!?) pirate's booty
  
• spaghetti & meatballs, 2 breadsticks, a mountain of green beans, water (dinner)
• clafoutis w/ whipped cream (shameful dessert w/ the missionaries, who were over for dinner)
  

Day 129: The Day I Decided to Stop Counting Calories

I've gotten to the point where I can fairly accurately gauge my caloric intake, so there is no need to tally it up each day. Oh, the time I'll save! It's amazing to me how little I knew about the calorie value of different foods before I started. Who knew how calorie dense things like milk and peanut butter and bread were!

• Honey Bunches in 1% milk (breakfast)
• graham crackers, water
  
• 2 slices of cinnamon toast, water (lunch)
• 1/3 of a yogurt, a granola bar, some chocolate chips
  
• vegetarian lentil soup w/ a cheddar muffin, herbal peppermint iced tea (dinner)
  

Day 128: The Monday I Felt Like I Was Drowning

• Cinnamon Life in 1% milk, a plain leftover roll (breakfast)
• turkey & Swiss on a roll, water, a banana w/ 1 T PB, a lemonade ice pop (lunch)
• Greek yogurt, chocolate chips
• 2 pancakes w/ bananas, 2 eggs scrambled w/ ham, iced herbal tea, bananas in yogurt, water (breakfast for dinner)
  

calorie total: I'm too tired to count.

Day 127: Yet Another Jell-O Sunday

I think we might officially have a tradition here.

• cornflakes w/ banana $ 1% milk (breakfast)
• turkey rolled with Swiss, tortilla chips w/ 2 eggs scrambled w/ taco meat, lots water (lunch)
• scraps equivalent to one Rice Krispies treat
• chicken Cordon Bleu, roast veggies, a roll, broccoli, Jell-O pretzel salad, water (dinner)
• DOTW: Alex's fantasmagoric oatmeal cake w/ vanilla ice cream

calorie total: 1,829

Yikes. That was close.

Day 126: The Day I Ran My First Ever 10K

In Central Park. With Adam. In about 62 minutes. Such an accomplishment for me.

• Kashi PB & Chocolate power bar, water (breakfast)
• 1/2 PB&J post-race, 1/2 apple
  
• hummus w/ sauted onions & mushrooms, 1 pita, 2 falafel balls, super yummy mint lemonade (lunch)
• chocolate grahams & cool whip on the counter w/ Miles
• 1/2 turkey burger w/ cheddar, 1 bun-less hot dog, bananas & strawberries in vanilla yogurt w/ sprinkle of wheat germ (dinner)
• celebratory soft-serve ice cream at Tina's

calorie total: 1,613

Day 125: The Night We Spent with the Nelsons in Manhattan

They kindly hosted our family. Em and I had a fun child-free shopping expedition and then she and Boyd introduced us to a great new game. All in all, a great evening.

• 3 pieces of Brenna's granny's bread, toaste w/ SB, water (breakfast)
• turkey and swiss rolled up and dipped in mustard, chocolate graham crackers w/ Cool Whip light, water (lunch)
• chocolate chips
• 1/2 PB&J in the car
  
• Em's pizza, salad, water, frozen yogurt (dinner)
• salted popcorn

calorie total: 1,751

Day 124: The Day I Planted Our Annuals

I can hardly wait to see them blossom and grow.

• Life in 1% milk (breakfast)
• cinnamon raisin granola bar
• leftover pizza, water (lunch)
• chocolate chips, another granola bar
• taco salad, water, a banana w/ 1 T PB (dinner)
• Nutella on a spoon

calorie total: 1,695

Day 123: The Day I Had A Gazillion Kids for the Day

And we had so much fun.

• pancakes w/ caramelized bananas, Nutella & syrup, water (decadent breakfast)
• tuna and Romaine on sandwich thin, water (lunch)
• piece of cake mom brought over
• pizza, salad, and Jell-O goodness (dinner)

calorie total: 1,768

Day 122: The Day My Dad Was Admitted to the Hospital ... Again

I hate our healthcare system. That's all I have to say.

• overdose of sugary chocolate cereal: Chocolate Cheerios and Cocoa Pebbles in 1% milk. (breakfast -- boy, was it good)
  
• 3 slices deli turkey, 2 of deli swiss, pretzels and white bean dip, 1/2 low-fat yogurt, water, Diet Rite (lunch)
• chocolate chips, pineapple
• slice of Brenna's bread w/ SB
• pasta w/ grape tomatoes, chicken sausage & pesto, sprinkle of parm, water, (dinner)
• strawberries & watermelon

calorie total: 1,881

Day 121: The Day I Wondered How Long I Have to Keep Logging My Food

Days like today, this goal of logging every crumb I ate is a total drag. I just want to go curl up in bed with one of the three books I'm trying to read but find I never have the time.

Ugh.

• Oatmeal Squares in 1%milk (breakfast)
• foccacia w/ leftover rosemary-white bean dip, water (lunch)
• piece of dark chocolate, pretzels
• 100 calorie Hostess pack and then another 100 calorie pack at Mom's
• mozzarella & basil on Brenna's granny's bread, TJs tomato soup, water, pineapple (dinner)
  

calorie total: 1,816

Day 120: The Mother's Day I Slept in the Car During Sunday School

Thankfully I had vacuumed it this week. I was able to move car seats and curl up in the sun on one of the benches without risking death by Teddy Graham crumbs. Adam had to come wake me up so I could teach during the third hour. That's what happens when you stay up cooking until 3am the night before. Being Mother's Day, I didn't feel guilty one bit.

• scrambled eggs, toast, fruit salad (breakfast in bed)
• brussel sprout pasta, salad, rosemary and white bean dip, foccacia, banana pudding (lunch at Mom's)
  
• another smaller portion of banana pudding
• 1/2 slice of Miles' toast, lots of water (dinner?)
  

calorie total: 1,847

Day 119: The Day I Rejoiced in Hand-Me-Downs

I am the large sister in my family -- the tallest, the largest-boned, the longest feet. My mom still loves to share that I was her biggest* baby. "8lbs 9 oz and not even an aspirin. Can you imagine?" She just told that story again last week. You would think it would lose its luster after nearly thirty-three years, but not for my mom. I have always been given hand-me-downs from the four older sisters. But not the usual I've-outgrown-these-so-you-can-have-them-smaller-sibling hand me downs. These were clothes that were too big for them. As they got slimmer, sleeker, trimmer, their "fat" clothes got passed down to me. One of my sisters in particular likes to give me her old maternity** clothes -- when I'm not pregnant. Not that I mind. They've always been well-dressed and who doesn't love free clothes?

Still, there is part of me that hates being the big little sister.

And then yesterday my neighbor and good, well-dressed friend gave me a pile of clothes -- a bunch of hand-me-downs. But these, these were different. All of them are a full-size smaller than what I currently own. She handed me to them and said, kind of sadly, "I really like them, but frankly, they don't really fit anymore. You're getting smaller and, well, I'm not."

Ha! How do you like that? My first true hand-me-downs! And the best part is this: when I put them on today they fit. Who knew I had dropped a size? I sure didn't.

And this is what I ate today ...

• Honey Graham Crunh in 1% milk (breakfast)
• Greek yogurt w. wheat germ, 1/4 of Abby's sesame bagel w/ cream cheese and turkey , water (lunch)
• Grilled mozz and basil on my bread, TJ's tomato soup, Diet Rite (dinner)

Had this been all, my calorie total would have been 1,109. But I purposely underate so I could have shakes with the Harts while we watched a movie and not feel too horrible about it. That bumped me up to 1,898.

*I must add here that, while I appreciate that my birth was memorable in that it was one of the only ones my mom was conscious for and the only that was completely natural, an 8lb 9oz baby is not that remarkable. Am I delusional in thinking that it is a very average baby weight?

** Just to clarify, said sister is usually a size S or 4/6. Her "maternity" clothes are not actual maternity clothes -- they are just regular clothes sized 8/10/12 or M/L. She's not a total jerk.

Day 118: The Day I Started to Re-Conquer Head Hunger

Adam sent me this article a while ago and I found it so appropriate for me. I constantly have to ask myself, "Are you really hungry? Or do you just want to eat?" As the article points out, the two are very different things. My sister Melanie and I used to say that if raisins or an apple sound really good to you, you are probably legitimately hungry (because who craves raisins anyway?).

Today -- and yesterday, for that matter -- were great head-hunger days for me. I ate to satisfy my bodily needs. Though my calorie intake was significantly lower than my goal, I didn't feel hungry or like I was starving. The entire day I felt satisfied. And that is a great feeling.

• Chocolate cheerios in 1% milk with a chaser of a half-serving of Cocoa Pebbles (breakfast)
• a banana w/ 1/2 T of PB, one mini cinnamon-raisin bagel w/ nothing on it, water (lunch)
• a package of Annie's cheddar bunnies, Diet Rite
  
• 2 slices pizza margherita, 1/3 slice of Abby's just-fresh-mozz pizza, water (dinner)
• a chocolate bran muffin that I found in the recesses of the freezer, 1/2 glass 1% milk

calorie total:1,250

I may have a glass of chocolate milk later, but I'm so not hungry right now it doesn't even sound good.

Day 117: The Day Grace was Allowed Back at School

And she was thrilled to have not missed the plant sale.

And Adam and I also did our weekly trial 10K. It took us exactly 66 minutes, which to us is great.

• Honey Bunches w/ 1% milk (breakfast)
• 1/2 tortilla w/ cheddar cheese, 2 slices leftover frittata, water, Diet Rite (lunch)
• 2 squares of dark chocolate, 2 marshmallows
• 1/2 a Greek yogurt (before Miles commandeered it)
  
• 2 of Ami's rolls w/ BBQ chicken, water (dinner)

calorie total: 1,405

Now that's more like it.

Day 116: Cinco de Mayo

We ate a Mexican-themed dinner. And we got haircuts (all but I). Why we went to get haircuts at 8pm, I'm not quite sure. But everyone is now sporting their summer dos.

• raisin bran in 1% milk (breakfast)
• piece of leftover foccacia
• PB&J, water (lunch)
• 100 calorie pack Hostess Lemon cupcakes, some of the kids' graham bunnies
• Diet Rite
  
• 1.5 tortillas, blackbeans, rice, sole w/ lime, salsa frittata, water (dinner)
• DPTW: Maple nut soft-serve ice cream at our new favorite ice cream/Italian ice joint

calorie total: 2,447

I'm getting depressed about this now -- this trend I see of overeating. It's the bread that is killing me. The foccacia, the sandwiches, the tortillas -- all soooo good, but super calorie-dense.

Considering I need about 2300 calories to maintain my weight, this isn't too bad. But maintaining is not exactly where I want to be. Fit is where I want to be.

Day 115: The Day Adam Took (and hopefully passed) CAS Exam 7

I think I ate way too many comfort foods in an attempt to calm my nerves. I hate the long wait until results are posted. July, you can't come soon enough!

• Oatmeal Squares in 1% milk, 2 pieces cinnamon toast (breakfast)
• PB&J on Ami's fresh bread, Minna's super good chocolate covered cracker things (lunch)
• Greek yogurt
  
• Em's Death by crockpot chicken pasta dish (soooo good, soooo full of fat), corn, foccacia, water, Diet Rite (dinner)
• 2 more of Minna's cracker things (because Ami is mean and brought them to YW)

calorie total: 2,469

Minna! You ruined me! Without your treats, I would have been 580 calories lighter. Alas, I recognize that it is me who indulged. Really, though. Thanks for sharing.

Day 114: The Day We Saw Newborn Lambs at the Farm

I don't know what the kids enjoyed more: the lambs (which were just a few hours old) and kids or the abundance of large rain puddles. Since they were all wearing their galoshes, I think the puddles won out.

• Chocolate Cheerios in 1% milk, a banana w/ a bit of peanut butter (breakfast)
• a Nutella-filled low-cal peanut butter muffin and a double chocolate bran muffin (both of which I baked for the PTA), water (lunch)
• 2 slices pizza margherita, 1 slice cheese-less pizza, salad, Cherry Cola Diet Rite (dinner)
• 1/2 a churro at Costco

calorie total: 1,646

Day 113: Fast Sunday at the Harts

• 1/2 a marshmallow and 3/4 of a grilled cheese (which I mindlessly ate at 4pm while cooking, having totally forgotten that I was fasting)
• a banana
• Ami's always yummy meatloaf, mashed potatoes, rolls, salad, my jello monstrosity, water (dinner)

calorie total: 898

Day 112: The Day I De-Loused Grace

So, so unfortunate. But we are in the clear and everything that could be washed or dried in high heat has been. We did take a nice bike ride to the beach, which brightened the day considerably.

• Chocolate Cheerios in 1% milk, a banana (breakfast)
• another banana w/ 1 T peanut butter
• dry Cheerios
• leftover pasta salad w/ bread (lunch)
• yet another banana, chocolate chips and raisins
  
• Hostess 100 calorie pack (I need to be rid of these)
• a bunch of Diet Rite
• slice of pizza (at a birthday party) (dinner)

calorie total: 2,040

Altogether too much snacking and not enough water.