Slightly burned. Ugh... I was doing so well today too! Messing around with photos was what did it, I completely lost track of time. It tasted great though and the smell drew my flatmate out of his room. Which left me with a dilemma: you often hear of CRON people being tempted by the food from the plates of others (I am as guilty as anyone in that respect) but what does one do when a non-cron wants to partake of carefully weighed and measured deliciousness? I was planning on eating the whole thing. Do you encourage nutritious eating or refuse, prioritising your own optimal nutrition?
I chose to encourage and spread the word of CRON. The zen was short lived however, when an hour later I was starving.
I decided to make the tofu chocolate pudding since I had enough calories left over.
I hated it!
What a waste of chocolate! I'm off tofu for life. YUCK! Bleurgh! Horrid. Never again.
I consoled myself with some low-fat custard and (unfortunately) some nutter butters my flatmate offered in compensation for the squash. Not a fair trade, I feel. I was at about 900 calories after dinner but these few yucky sugary trans-fatty snacks pushed me up to 1500. Great.
Moral: sometimes it's best not to share.
Tuesday, 31 July 2007
Sunday, 29 July 2007
Grilled oatmeal herring with rainbow chard
Today was a bit of a one-huge-meal day as befits a Sunday in this country. My dinner was not the usual grease-laden roast though, it was a mini farewell to the bad old days. I used up the last 15g of the oatmeal which has tempted me too many times from the virtuous path of CRON. The oatmeal was laid to rest scottish-style on two lovely herring with a little smear of a low-fat spread and lemon juice mixture to keep it in place and seasoned with fresh thyme, dried parsley, salt and pepper. Grilled on a medium heat. Only one herring is pictured; I ate two.
Yesterday I made my second trip to the organic farmer's market, before noon this time, which yielded much better results than last week. Even though tasty cakes, breads, cheeses and pies attacked from all sides, I managed to abstain and instead obtain 20p's worth of some lovely rainbow chard (pictured) which is sweet, delicious and extremely pretty. Also purchased a summer squash, knobbly cucumber, cos lettuce, rhubarb tomatoes, eggs and some lamb's liver which has since been made into a pate. The rhubarb, likewise has been prepared, stewed with splenda and cinnamon and eaten with low-fat custard (see flickr). The leftover rhubarb will likely be part of breakfast tomorrow.
I feel like I've eaten a feast though I'm only at 909 calories for the day. I think I'll stay low since I ate out at a Turkish restaurant yesterday (cue bread and hummus) and had a vegan, sugarfree brownie at the cinema as well as reminding myself earlier in the day, via a friend's plate, why I loathe fried chicken.
Yesterday I made my second trip to the organic farmer's market, before noon this time, which yielded much better results than last week. Even though tasty cakes, breads, cheeses and pies attacked from all sides, I managed to abstain and instead obtain 20p's worth of some lovely rainbow chard (pictured) which is sweet, delicious and extremely pretty. Also purchased a summer squash, knobbly cucumber, cos lettuce, rhubarb tomatoes, eggs and some lamb's liver which has since been made into a pate. The rhubarb, likewise has been prepared, stewed with splenda and cinnamon and eaten with low-fat custard (see flickr). The leftover rhubarb will likely be part of breakfast tomorrow.
I feel like I've eaten a feast though I'm only at 909 calories for the day. I think I'll stay low since I ate out at a Turkish restaurant yesterday (cue bread and hummus) and had a vegan, sugarfree brownie at the cinema as well as reminding myself earlier in the day, via a friend's plate, why I loathe fried chicken.
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Kale creations
This is a cauliflower cheese I made for my dinner last night. The cheese sauce is made from a mixture of soft silken tofu, cream cheese and a splash of soymilk. I used weight watchers low-fat onion and chive flavoured cream cheese at about a 2:3 ratio of cheese to tofu. You could use whatever ratio you perfer. It was a bit dry so next time I'd probably add more liquid. Topped with 2g parmesan and ground nutmeg.
~163 calories
Also on my flickr is a 2 egg omelette with prawns and kale for 231 calories which turned out a little too salty because I added some soy sauce.
Tonight I made a pate with the organic liver I bought at the farmer's market over the weekend for iron and B vitamins. It's setting in the fridge overnight!
No dinner tonight for reasons to be explained when I'm less tired.
~163 calories
Also on my flickr is a 2 egg omelette with prawns and kale for 231 calories which turned out a little too salty because I added some soy sauce.
Tonight I made a pate with the organic liver I bought at the farmer's market over the weekend for iron and B vitamins. It's setting in the fridge overnight!
No dinner tonight for reasons to be explained when I'm less tired.
Sunday, 22 July 2007
My weekend of CRON restauranting
Friday, Indian: Ordered a tandoori grill with red lentil dal. The dal was nice but probably contained too much ghee. The tandoori meats were mostly ok except two pieces of chicken which were served coated in a sweet sauce. I tried to ask how they were cooked before ordering but the waiter didn't speak much english and didn't really understand. I also tried a few bites of my boyfriend's hot lamb curry. No rice but unfortunately I did have a poppadom with chutney and 4(!) chunks of peshwari naan bread because I was still hungry. This was mostly due to urging from my boyfriend to 'try some' (I HATE THIS!) and not wanting it to go to waste (food waste is a big bugbear of mine). No dessert as the naan bread was sweet enough! After the restaurant we went to a bar where I had a glass of tomato juice and a non-alcoholic cocktail made with strawberry syrup and milk... bad!
Saturday, Japanese: Shabu Shabu is a dish which consists of thinly sliced beef you boil yourself at the table. It's served with vegetables and udon (I was going to ask for the udon to be switched to salad). I'd never had it before but was looking forward to trying it. The restaurant however, had other ideas and required a minimum of two people to prepare the dish. Instead I had mixed sashimi with a steamed octopus salad. Both were very small dishes and I was still hungry afterwards. No dessert and I decided not to go to the bar given the excess of the previous night. For breakfast that morning I ate a 230 calorie two-egg omelette with kale and prawns. Kale is lovely in an omelette! I also went to the farmer's market and bought some organic veggies, liver, eggs... and a delicious chocolate cupcake with dried cranberries. In fresh and wild I also had a chip with guacamole. Not the best nutrition but within my calorie limit for the day.
Sunday, Spanish Tapas: Again this morning I had the kale and prawn omelette to use up those ingredients and a little yogurt with sliced mango for 372 calories. This afternoon my friend and I went for all-you-can-eat tapas which was dire. I chose olives, spanish tomato salad, mixed salad, mussels in a tomato sauce, chicken in a white wine sauce and a baked aubergine dish for the table. I shared these with my friend who had half the chicken and mixed salad. I tried a piece of his spanish omlette, two fried squid and about 4 pieces of chorizo. I had a fruit beer with this too but no dessert. This was definitely too much food and unfortunately the mussels must not have been cooked properly as they caused me to be ill shortly afterwards. This evening I just had a banana as my appetite is not really with me. Not a great CR day.
Saturday, Japanese: Shabu Shabu is a dish which consists of thinly sliced beef you boil yourself at the table. It's served with vegetables and udon (I was going to ask for the udon to be switched to salad). I'd never had it before but was looking forward to trying it. The restaurant however, had other ideas and required a minimum of two people to prepare the dish. Instead I had mixed sashimi with a steamed octopus salad. Both were very small dishes and I was still hungry afterwards. No dessert and I decided not to go to the bar given the excess of the previous night. For breakfast that morning I ate a 230 calorie two-egg omelette with kale and prawns. Kale is lovely in an omelette! I also went to the farmer's market and bought some organic veggies, liver, eggs... and a delicious chocolate cupcake with dried cranberries. In fresh and wild I also had a chip with guacamole. Not the best nutrition but within my calorie limit for the day.
Sunday, Spanish Tapas: Again this morning I had the kale and prawn omelette to use up those ingredients and a little yogurt with sliced mango for 372 calories. This afternoon my friend and I went for all-you-can-eat tapas which was dire. I chose olives, spanish tomato salad, mixed salad, mussels in a tomato sauce, chicken in a white wine sauce and a baked aubergine dish for the table. I shared these with my friend who had half the chicken and mixed salad. I tried a piece of his spanish omlette, two fried squid and about 4 pieces of chorizo. I had a fruit beer with this too but no dessert. This was definitely too much food and unfortunately the mussels must not have been cooked properly as they caused me to be ill shortly afterwards. This evening I just had a banana as my appetite is not really with me. Not a great CR day.
Friday, 20 July 2007
CRON eating out success
I had a (minor) CRON success last night! I met up with my sister in one of those despised corporate chain pubs the youth are so fond of these days. Examining the menu for the healthiest item, I concluded it was either the salmon and asparagus or the prawn salad. Since I'd already had prawns in my homemade lunch salad I opted for the salmon. It was the first time I'd ever asked for sauces or dressings 'on the side'. It felt so weird! But good! I also asked for the salmon grilled, not fried. This meant the meal took longer to come out but that was fine. I later learned that this was because the chain pre-fry the salmon and then warm it up for the salad as and when it's needed - urgh! It came out lovely and barbeque-y on a bed of lettuce and grilled asparagus. Dressings were two little pots of garlic mayonnaise and a honey mustard dressing. I tried a knifeful of the mayo - disgusting, but the honey mustard was sweet and I ate about half of the little pot... hmm. I also ordered the green vegetable side which contained green beans, broccoli and two types of asaparagus (Love that stuff). Unfortunately those lovely steamed greens had been topped with a wodge of butter. I drained them as best I could and added them into my salad. Why does everything in this country have to be slathered in butter?
I'm glad I had the chance to do that because tonight and tomorrow I'm eating at restaurants. Tonight's is indian which I'm guessing is going to be pretty lethal in terms of calories. I kept my breakfast high in protein (a 2-egg omlette with mussels and mushrooms plus a vanilla/ginger/cinnamon protein shake) and lunch was a tub of watermelon cubes. I can't quite remember what COM said this morning but I think it came to no more than 700 cals. Tonight I'm going to avoid rice, curry, fried food, popadoms, naan bread etc and stick to tandoori grilled meats and sauceless, vegetarian dishes like aubergine, dal and lentils. I hope that's the CRON thing to do! I don't think an Indian restaurant would appreciate being asked for sauces on the side???
I'm glad I had the chance to do that because tonight and tomorrow I'm eating at restaurants. Tonight's is indian which I'm guessing is going to be pretty lethal in terms of calories. I kept my breakfast high in protein (a 2-egg omlette with mussels and mushrooms plus a vanilla/ginger/cinnamon protein shake) and lunch was a tub of watermelon cubes. I can't quite remember what COM said this morning but I think it came to no more than 700 cals. Tonight I'm going to avoid rice, curry, fried food, popadoms, naan bread etc and stick to tandoori grilled meats and sauceless, vegetarian dishes like aubergine, dal and lentils. I hope that's the CRON thing to do! I don't think an Indian restaurant would appreciate being asked for sauces on the side???
Wednesday, 18 July 2007
Breakfast - coffee/vanilla protein shake and egg
I thought I would do a photo study on my breakfast. I eat a whole(!) boiled egg most mornings plus low-fat yogurt with fruit and seeds as well as a vanilla protein shake with a shot of espresso. Yes, I drink my protein shake from a beer glass. :)
When I have enough time I'd like to compile a table of low calorie dairy sources available in the UK and how they compare nutritionally to their US counterparts.
When I have enough time I'd like to compile a table of low calorie dairy sources available in the UK and how they compare nutritionally to their US counterparts.
Tuesday, 17 July 2007
Another Shirataki Dinner
Tin of chopped tomatoes from the back of the cupboard, seasoned with dried basil & oregano and tabasco. Fried (no oil) with shirataki, fresh garlic and a chopped up quorn banger. Fresh basil, 2g grated parmesan and black pepper to serve.
~ 200 calories (163 without the shirataki).
Today marks the end of six days of absolutely atrocious eating triggered by gourmet restaurant food, cheese, oatmeal, museli, bread, pasta and chocolate. Urgh! I'm way too addicted to starchy carbs and sugar and need to go cold turkey on sugar and reduce white carbs for at least a month if not six months. I simply cannot eat them in small portions yet.
My biggest problem is my black and white attitude towards weighing and measuring food. I keep thinking if I can't weigh and measure, I can't do CRON. If I eat a cookie, I've 'failed' for the day and might as well eat half a dozen cookies. This is a really bad habit. I'm going to try to blog more often as it helps keep me focused on good nutrition which really is key to doing CRON and not going wiggy with sugar and carb cravings.
I got 98g protein today! It's amazing how much protein helps with hunger and carb cravings. I'm also experimenting with reducing my portion sizes and drinking lots more during mid morning when i'm craving carbs the most.
~ 200 calories (163 without the shirataki).
Today marks the end of six days of absolutely atrocious eating triggered by gourmet restaurant food, cheese, oatmeal, museli, bread, pasta and chocolate. Urgh! I'm way too addicted to starchy carbs and sugar and need to go cold turkey on sugar and reduce white carbs for at least a month if not six months. I simply cannot eat them in small portions yet.
My biggest problem is my black and white attitude towards weighing and measuring food. I keep thinking if I can't weigh and measure, I can't do CRON. If I eat a cookie, I've 'failed' for the day and might as well eat half a dozen cookies. This is a really bad habit. I'm going to try to blog more often as it helps keep me focused on good nutrition which really is key to doing CRON and not going wiggy with sugar and carb cravings.
I got 98g protein today! It's amazing how much protein helps with hunger and carb cravings. I'm also experimenting with reducing my portion sizes and drinking lots more during mid morning when i'm craving carbs the most.
Wednesday, 4 July 2007
Thinking about meat
This evening my flatmate made a beautiful lamb and aubergine dish for our dinner. However, watching the lamb cook in its own juices, entering it into COM later and seeing the saturated fat bar jump up to over 100% has made me rethink my attitude towards eating meat, particularly in my own home. I've decided I'll put a stop to buying meat and fish but I'll still buy fresh shellfish. I figure since I eat out between 2-3 times per month and generally order a meat dish when I do, this should be sufficient for me to get my meat and fish requirements. I'm going to go as veggie as possible when cooking at home. My main protein sources will be whey protein powder, low-fat dairy, quorn and shellfish.
Tuesday, 3 July 2007
Beans, Beans and Lentils
Today I've had the world's most ridiculous craving for beans which I believe has been caused by a weekend of hideous non-CRON debauchery (why why why can't I resist free food?). I included half a tin of white beans (well rinsed) in my salad this morning to get a little protein and since midday have been craving beans like nobody's business. Came home and had one of my favourite snacks - half a pack of edamame boiled from frozen in their pods with a dolop of wasabi paste. By the way does anyone know what the difference is between the two COM entries for frozen edamame? Does "prepared" mean boiled and in their shells or boiled and out of their shells?
After the beans I was still craving beans or beany type goodness so I boiled half a cup of green lentils (86g dry) in water with some tumeric and a dried chilli until they were falling apart. I've never made lentils for myself before but they appear to be the Ultimate Comfort Food! I didn't realise how much they swelled so half of them are still sitting in the pot for later. Next time I'll make half as much.
After the beans I was still craving beans or beany type goodness so I boiled half a cup of green lentils (86g dry) in water with some tumeric and a dried chilli until they were falling apart. I've never made lentils for myself before but they appear to be the Ultimate Comfort Food! I didn't realise how much they swelled so half of them are still sitting in the pot for later. Next time I'll make half as much.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)