Live Life To The Fullest » Food

Lunchtime Language

Julie The Wanderer — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 17:55:12 +0000

I’m on my lunch break and thought I’d do a post since lunch is about food and food is a big part of my blog! I am trying harder to bring my lunch to work these days to stay healthier and save money. I will sometimes take the easy road for lunch and go get a salad at chick-fil-a or go out to eat with some co-workers (shout out to Metrofresh & Urban Pl8, two of my fave lunch spots that focus on healthy eating!)

I can’t really bring sandwiches for lunch because bread is too bulky for my lap band, so I will have a hard time planning ahead with my busy schedule. Right now, I am setting goal to bring my lunch 3 days-a-week and leave the other 2 for spontaneous lunch dates with colleagues and friends.

Last night my friend Erika came over for dinner and I made enchiladas, which is what I am having as leftovers today for lunch! The best kind of enchiladas to make is with Velveeta cheese. That plastic-y, modified, block of cheese is so disgusting, EXCEPT when you make it for enchiladas! I don’t know what the hell it is about Velveeta and enchiladas…I think the way it melts is perfect. On the other hand, (I have only made enchiladas with Velveeta twice), with every bite I take, I feel my heart clogging. So, I decided last night to make my famous enchiladas with low fat shredded store bought cheese from Trader Joe’s. I was worried the cheese would cook and become too firm (I like it cheesy!) but to my excitement, the enchiladas came out really well! I don’t measure (my excuse is that I am creative) but this is how I cooked my enchiladas:

1. Simmer low fat beef (I have substituted ground turkey) in pan with pinch of sea salt, EVOO, lots of pepper, splash of red wine, dash of cinnamon, lots of garlic, nice sprinkle of red pepper flakes, taco seasoning (optional)

2. Heat up corn tortillas (healthier than flour) so they get bendable. The challenge with corn tortillas is they are very dry can can easily fall apart, so I have found it’s important to toss them in the microwave for 1 minute just to heat them up.

3. Open up can of Trader Joe’s cuban style black beans. Drain out liquid stuff

4. Take 2 corn tortillas per each enchilada (the tortillas are small and having two of them helps keep it all together) and place 1 to 1/2 spoon fulls of beef in each one. Roll up and place in non stick pan.

5. After the enchiladas are laid out, pour black beans over enchiladas, Trader Joe’s peach salsa (my fave!!), and about 1/2 bag of low fat shredded cheddar cheese.

6. Bake in oven at 400 degrees for about 30-40 minutes.

Evil, Evil Stairs

Julie The Wanderer — Sun, 04 Mar 2012 15:15:12 +0000

I’ve lost 5 pounds! Whoo! Yesterday Paul and I went to go play basketball in Piedmont Park but for some reason the courts were all locked up So instead he had me run up and down very evil stairs 10 times. Paul is in his 50s and made it look easy. I am 30 and had to stop for a water and breather! I completed the task and I didn’t even have my music to help me fight the evil stairs (my iPod shuffle ran out of juice right before). It was such a pretty day outside!

We had the most beautiful blue skies after a night of storms. Definitely a symbol that some of the most beautiful weather is born out of some of the darkest.

I also shared a cinnamon roll with Alfredo yesterday @ Radial Cafe. I just had to admit to that. It was worth the calories. A homemade cinnamon roll. Mmmmmmmm. Now back to a low carb work week!

Happy 2-Year “Bandiversary”!

Julie The Wanderer — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 02:18:08 +0000

I have passed the 2-year mark since getting my lap band. Time is going by so fast, it seems. I am sometimes not sure time really reflects change or change reflects time. Perhaps they are like odds and ends, ups and downs – you really can’t have one without the other.

I have started fitness bootcamp and this is a brand new endeavor that I never-in-a-million-years thought I would take on. When I look back on my life, I dreaded any type of physical activity that involved me being around other people. I loved playing basketball – but I was always the slowest person on the team. Those damn suicide drills literally felt like emotional & physical suicide. I despised P.E. class. I cringed at the fitness competition my elementary school had to do each year. Recently, my best friend and I visited our Elementary school and I laughed at how I would cheat on the number of straws I had to represent how many laps I took around the field. What a nightmare! I didn’t as much mind the gym – everyone kind of keeps to themselves. But to workout with people was a total non-desire. It always made me so anxious that other people would see what poor shape I was in!

I turned a corner 2 weeks ago when a friend of mine convinced me to join Fit Wit. She told me how nice everyone was – said there are some people who are super hardcore fit – and others who are average – and some that are beginners – but that everyone is very supportive. I really hated the idea of doing something that put me in a situation where I had to exercise with other people in a confined space – do drills and stuff. Well, long story short I decided to do Fit With b/c I was awarded 1 free session (6-weeks) b/c I wrote a blog entry for a competition they were having on why I deserved a free session.

Today was the first day of my 3rd week doing bootcamp … and I can’t believe these words are about to come out of my mouth … but I LOVE IT! Everybody is so nice and supportive! The trainers definitely push you, but they aren’t like those psycho trainers you see on TV (I am thinking of the Military sergeant in the movie Full Metal Jacket). And on top of this, I am really enjoying all the different activities we do each night. It spices it up. I am not dreading saying to myself, “Ugh, I have to go to the gym and get on the treadmill for 30 minutes). Instead, there are little activities you do in short but difficult increments of time. Everything is thought out for me too, so I just have to literally show up and do it! I am still learning how to do the correct form for some of the stuff – like squats. And I get a full 1-hour workout 4 days a week. I haven’t lost any weight yet, I think my body is like, “Whoa! What the hell are you doing?” But I am staying confident that I am building muscle and the weight will come off. I don’t think I have ever pushed myself this hard before in such a short amount of time too. If I can do it, I know you could, too.

Last Friday was my 2-year Lap “Bandiversary” and I was awarded, serendipitously, camper of the week! I won 20-free dance classes! There are so many moments during the camp when I think to myself, “I f***ing can’t believe I am actually doing this!” I picture how scared I was 2 years ago going into the hospital and now knowing what kind of person I would become when I walked out of there. It’s fun to push myself. Even though I have lost 90 lbs, I want to push my body and mind even further. I want to be in tip top shape. I want to keep changing over time into being a better, healthier “me.” It takes time, and I know I am not perfect, and don’t always eat perfectly or have the perfect thoughts or attitude or energy – but at least I am making baby steps!

Life: The Battle of Calories & Control

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:24:10 +0000

Things are going pretty well in my life. I mean, I can always find something to complain about, “I need more money” … “Oprah is leaving me next year. WHY!!!!!” Last week really put a lot in perspective for me. I know 2 people who lost their lives. One was a sorority sister of mine, only 26-years-old, who died after a 2-year battle with cancer. The other person was friend of a friend who tragically died on Tuesday in an auto accident on her way to work. This really puts things in perspective, especially as we inch toward Thanksgiving.

I will never forget when my sister pulled me aside during our “you need to lose weight” talk. We were in the Bahamas during Christmas of ’06 – when I fell off that jet ski – and was the moment I realized I needed to lose weight. (Read my blog entry about it here.)

Although I didn’t have major medical issues, I knew I was on my way to having something like diabetes if I didn’t lose weight. I was still in denial. I remember saying to my sister, “What if I try really hard to lose weight and I end up dying from something else, like a coconut falling on my head, or a car crash?” And she said, “Well, at least you know you tried everything you could.” So it was kinda like one of those thoughts, “What if I tried really hard to not die from a bad heart or diabetes but something else ends up killing me anyways.” I guess that’s a normal reaction. But I knew I needed to do everything I COULD to be healthy. We are out of control in so many ways in our lives. So if I end up dying from a coconut falling on my head, I guess so be it. At least loved ones, and my own Spirit, won’t be able to say, “If only she had done something about that weight. She could have lived longer.”

This brings me some sort of peace. Also a little anxiety when we realize how out of control we are. Elizabeth didn’t ask for cancer. Errin didn’t ask for that fateful Tuesday morning. But perhaps there is some peace in something happening to you that’s outside of your control. It brings up Spiritual/Religious/Existential questions. But nobody can ever say, “If only they had done something different” It was what it was. So for me, I am trying to live a healthy life so that I can have as many years on this planet as possible … to travel the world … make a difference … have a family. And if something, by fate’s chance, happens. Then it is to be. At least I can say that I am taking my own health in my hands.

I am proud to say that I have officially lost 93 pounds!!! I can’t believe it! I had a huge drop this week – I lost like 6 pounds. I am not really sure why…I haven’t been overly trying, nor have I not been trying. Plus, it’s the holidays, and even the healthiest of people are overcome with food temptations! I am only 6 pounds away from losing 100 pounds! I honestly can’t believe it! The Lap Band has honestly saved me. It’s been hard, lots of acid reflux, vomiting, saying “no” to cookies, waking up at 7am to train for my first 10K, etc. It has not been easy. But it’s surely been worthwhile.

Visit my blog at Live Life To The Fullest

With My Friend, The Spatula

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 03:04:01 +0000

I have gotten back into my passion for cooking. Maybe it’s just the fact I’ve been more committed to cutting back my carbs, or the new season of Top Chef Las Vegas, or my Sunday matinee of Julie & Julia. Either way, I am glad to be back with my friend, the spatula. She’s a good friend by the way.

I really enjoyed Julie & Julia. I actually liked the part about Julia Child better than the Julie part (despite my favor in name ) I think the “Julie” part – being about a blog writer definitely relates to a younger audience. If they made a feature autobiographical movie about Julia, I don’t think it would have gotten the same audience and warm response from people of all ages. Of course, perhaps I am just jealous that a blog writer got her blog made into a movie!

Tonight I made some spicy thai shrimp. I steamed the shrimp in a pot. I always find it a funny science that in order to thaw something, you let running COLD water onto it. One would think you would do hot water. This little tid bit makes me smile for some reason.

I mixed the shrimp in with some fresh mushrooms and spicy green curry sauce from Trader Joe’s. Then I mixed it together with some peanut sauce. Peanut sauce makes everything taste good! This would have been really good with rice, but I am keeping my commitment to only eat carbs 2 times per week. I had a pretty “carby” weekend (I’ll just make that a word), so I served it on top of spinach. It looks a little messy in the photo but it was very tasty!

Spicy thai shrimp

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

Tower of Terror: A View of the Past

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:16:15 +0000

I am sitting on my couch, cat is to my left and I’m watching Dateline and talking to my friend David on Gchat who is in Prague! And my friend Sean just got back from Ethiopia. I definitely have traveling on my mind since my friends are galavanting around right now, although I can’t complain too much – I traveled to Paris in January and am traveling to NYC in November!

My weight was at a standstill but now it seems to be heading South again – which I am really grateful for! I think it’s a mixture of a bunch of reasons, but I think I have hopefully gotten over my plateau. I weighed myself yesterday and lost 3 more pounds. This puts me at being down 84 pounds!

I went running today with the Atlanta Track Club – my friend Ben works for the ATC and organizes a running group for Monday nights. I sometimes feel intimidated because I’m not a “runner” – I am happy to run for a long period of time – I have run up to 2-3 miles, but that was after consistent running. After I got sick this year with that month-long sinus infection, it really took me back a few steps in my training – so I feel like now I have some catching up to do. I met Ben in the park with the other runners. There was this older man who wanted to run 7-miles. I was like, “Okay crazy man! Why don’t you start and I won’t follow!” Anyway, I did 2 miles of a nice walk/run combo. It was sooo hot today in Atlanta! And I wasn’t wearing my good socks and I should have worn my good socks. Socks really made a big difference!! I was so sweaty and gross, but still decided to go to my gym and lift weights. It felt great!

I am just really trying to focus on getting off my 100 pounds (short term goal). As Ben said, “just think about where I was this time last year.” I know! Two years ago I was traveling in California with my ex and visiting my sister and brother-in-law. Now 2 years later, I am in SUCH a difference place. Two years goes by quickly but it also goes by slowly, ya’ know? Like, I just can’t believe what 2 years means. It means changes and transition and ups and downs and strengths and faith and friendships and continuing to know I will reach my goals! Just gotta keep on persisting and truckin’ along! I really have to remind myself how far I have come! And know if I have made it here, I can make it there.

I actually am still not 100% comfortable looking at old pictures of myself. Maybe it’s because I am still trying to reach my goal weight? Or maybe a part of me is embarrassed at how much I let myself go? That time in my life was really important for many reasons – both where I was and where I was going. This is a pic my ex took of my sister and me at the Tower of Terror – this pic is kind of symbolic of what a crappy place I was at in my life at the time!

My sister and me in CA. Tower of Terror has multiple meanings here - so much was going on in my life when this picture was taken!!

Most recent photo taken of me this past Sunday

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

Spoilers & Positivity

Julie The Wanderer — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 01:54:21 +0000

I will start this blog off with some positive news! Yesterday I went dress shopping with my mom because I need 2 new dresses for some weddings – and I got the dresses at Nordstrom’s and Bloomingdale’s in record time! One if fancier for the wedding and the other is for a rehearsal dinner. It really was record time to find 2 dresses! I know my weight loss was a huge reason for this. The dresses are much cuter than I would have been able to get 80 pounds ago, too! My mom was really proud of me and I was too, even though I am stuck on my plateau, I have to think about how far I have come (and the journey isn’t over!)

This is my first blog from my new Macbook Pro! I am really excited about it because I am making some changes to my apartment. I live in a pretty small place (although awesome!) and I usually spend my time in my bedroom on my computer because that’s where my big Mac G5 is. But usually at night I decompress by watching TV or reading. I find that when I try to read in my room, I get distracted b/c my computer is right there. And then I can’t sit at my computer in my bedroom and watch TV because they are…well, in two different rooms! So my plans is that now I’ll have my laptop with me while I am watching TV and I can be productive! I can work on my website or my Photography or watch Family Guy (very important for Productivity) and most importantly, I can write my blogs from right here on my favorite orange reclining seat.

Just so you know, “The Bachelorette” is on TV right now and Jillian is debating whether to end up with Ed or Reid.

My weight has been @ a crossroads. It isn’t in a bad place at all. I am still down 81 pounds, but by God, this plateau is insane. I ran a 10K for crying out loud and still didn’t drop any weight! I have a very stubborn body (and mind!) I am going to my doctor in 2 weeks so I can get a fill – that’s the goal. I have done a food journal and the nurse said my eating is good. So, I’m not really sure the hold up. It’s kinda making me a little down, but I don’t want that to get to me too much.

For dinner tonight I had 1 Trader Joe’s burrito with some peach salsa and low fat sour cream. It wasn’t the best thing I could have eaten but it also wasn’t the worst. I got home at 8:30pm and really didn’t feel like cooking tonight.

I did treat myself to a great massage and this was very wonderful! I had the most tension in my neck and shoulders, and I feel like this “treating myself” is a good thing. I think I care so much about other people, that I sometimes put myself on hold. I’ve been better about that the last 2 years, but still – I am just a naturally nurturing soul. My goal tomorrow is to come home from work and go on a jog around Piedmont Park. Then I am going over to David’s house for dinner. So just as long as I get a good workout in before dinner, I will feel much better.

Update: Jillian is picking Ed.

You see … this is the joy of my new laptop! I can open my soul to you and also keep you posted on “The Bahelorette” – sorry for any spoilers.

Things over all in my life are amazing! I think I just need to keep pushing forward and pushing myself. I’ve been a little lazier than usual the last 3 weeks – ever since my 10K – but now I am gonna get back into being very dedicated again to my workout. I guess 3 weeks off is better than 3 months or 3 years! I am just ready to see results again like FO’ REAL!!!

I’ll Have The Elvis Burger With A Side Of Tots…Or Not

Julie The Wanderer — Sat, 04 Apr 2009 12:51:14 +0000

Went to the Vortex last night for a friend’s B-Day dinner. I’m not the biggest fan of The Vortex because there really aren’t any healthy options there – but at the same time, I’m a big fan of it because of all those awful choices proudly displayed on the menu. What’s your fancy? A “Coronary Bypass Burger” – A burger with some fried eggs on it? Or perhaps the “Elvis Burger” – A burger with peanut butter and fried bananas? As one can see, any semblance of eating healthy is completely taken out of the equation. I am a big fan of the Vortex’s creativity. But something so benign as getting bleu cheese on your burger turns into a deep sea bleu cheese adventure. It’s none of that girly bleu cheese crumbles, but a slathering – a heaping – mound of bleu cheese. I think they literally take an ice cream scoop and dip it in a bucket of bleu cheese and plop it on your burger. Just ask my friend Katie, ’cause it’s what she got.

Well, I was happy to go and celebrate my friend’s B-Day. I ended up getting a turkey burger w/ no bun – cheddar cheese – and a side of cole slaw. It was the best choice I could have made I think. I didn’t want another salad since I had one for lunch. I did steal a few tots from a neighboring plate. Mmmmmmmm. Tots!

I realized today that my running group starts in 3 weeks! I am nervous and excited! I need to get some new workout clothes. I realized that due to vacations and a few weekend get-a-ways I’ve committed to, I’m actually going to miss 4 out of the 10 scheduled running days. I guess I will just have to make up for it o my own – which is fine. I feel bad, but I guess they have to expect folks will miss some since it’s prime time for summer vacay’s!

Oooooh, I’m off to test drive some cars right now! I am really excited. I’ve driven the same car since I was 15, and I love my Volvo, but alas, I think his time is near…

The weather is FINALLY nice today. Talk about seasonal depression!! Although I heard that next week we might have snow flurries. Insane!

This is from my blog Life Life To The Fullest

Beep Beep! Peachtree Road Race!

Julie The Wanderer — Wed, 18 Mar 2009 02:22:14 +0000

I signed up for the Peachtree Road Race!!! I am so excited + nervous. It’s the biggest 10K in the country and it’s held July 4th. I live right on Peachtree Street, and I remember a few years ago I was sitting on my balcony – eating some cereal out of my favorite bowl – watching all of the runners like a sea of little running ants. And I thought, “I definitely want to do that some day!” I think I might have been on Jenny Craig on the time. Nothing against good ole JC (not Jesus) – but it didn’t work for me as I had hoped. So, here I am – 3 years later – down 80 pounds – all signed up. To top it off, I even joined this runners group in Atlanta to start training for it. They said it’s for novice or intermediate runners. I think I might even be more nervous about the runners group than doing the actual Peachtree! I am *very pumped that my first 10K will be right in my hometown – my friends can maybe come cheer me on – and it ends in Piedmont Park! I’ve seen a lot of folks do it over the years. I’m really excited for this challenge!

Been stuck at the 80 pounds mark for 2 months now. Feeling a little frustrated, but keeping my head up. I went to the gym last night, and tonight I went on a jog through the beautiful neighborhoods near Piedmont Park. It’s St. Patties Day. I wore my favorite green converse to work today – but didn’t feel like going out tonight and drinking. Just wanted to take it easy – make dinner – watch American Idol – talk to my sister on the phone – take a shower. It’s about 10:30 pm and I am beat! I actually think I am going to head to bed soon. Goodnight everyone, sweet dreams.

This is from my blog Live Life To The Fullest

Got Band Loosened!

Julie The Wanderer — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 04:29:11 +0000

So, I made an appointment with my doc and went into the office this morning – yeah, my band was definitely too tight! I told them how difficult it had been for me to eat + how uncomfortable it was! They weighed me in and it seems I had lost 6 pounds in 2 weeks. On one hand – that’s awesome, but I also know I lost it because I wasn’t eating, haha. So – I think in this case the con outweighed the pro! Dr. Champion took out 1/2 a cc of fluid and I can tell such a difference. I was able to eat my shrimp curry dinner without any awful uncomfortableness. It’s funny how strong I want to remain, and for some reason I kept telling myself to “fight through” the pain – like, just be tough and eventually it will be fine and won’t bother me. But after these two weeks, eating was making me really, really depressed. I honestly don’t think I ever realized how great it is to be able to eat. I mean, I still feel restriction and everything, but it’s not like it was. I think I started to get really down because I’d be eating with friends and co-workers and instead of just enjoying the convo I was sitting there not feeling well at all. Anyway, I think my learning here was A) Listen to your body B) Eating should = joy! C) It’s okay to ask for help, aka, go back to your doctor and say you can’t handle this tight of a band!

I hope this is encouraging to you in some way! It’s kind of like feeling sick and not wanting to go to the doctor or saying you can fix your car yourself and you keep getting stranded on the side of the road. I’m glad I went in today! I’m a little nervous that I’ll be eating more again (which I am…) and won’t lose weight, or it’ll be slower, but I also know that I was so unhappy these past 2 weeks. Like I said, it’s an amazing realization to understand how enjoyable eating should be, especially when you have to do it 3 times per day

After work today I went to the grocery store and bought some low carb tortillas so that I could make some healthy wraps for lunch. I was starting to get tired of my lunches, and a lot of those frozen meals are SO carb-centric (pasta, chicken with rice). My doctor seemed to suggest that a wrap is a pretty good option if you fill it with high protein. I didn’t make it to the gym today, nor did I walk to work because I had my Dr’s appt this morning, and met a friend for dinner after work. But I did cut up some pineapple, strawberries and mixed them with red grapes and put them in a container in my fridge for the weekend and next week. I figured this is as much an important part to my well being as working out!

I also bought some fat free “No Pudge” brownies from Trader Joe’s to make for work. I am leading a workshop tomorrow and wanted to make something for the folks who are coming to it. I tasted a brownie tonight and it was pretty good seeing that it’s fat free. Well, I did put in some dark chocolate chips in there – but dark chocolate is good for you, right? ;-) I made them a few weeks ago for friends and they were a little dry, so I think the chocolate chips will jazz them up a little.

I hope you had a great day! I’ll be back soon.