Here’s a great article about how people are using their cell phones in the kitchen for a lot of different things including keeping grocery lists, texting friends for cooking help, and looking for recipes. . .
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/dining/21tele.html?_r=1&ref=style
Determining portion size, particularly when eating out, is a challenge. As tempted as I am sometimes to carry my scale and meauring cups and spoons with me, I don’t. Here is a good article on determining portion sizes: http://www.ajc.com/services/content/printedition/2009/01/14/eatingout.html
I’ve started doing an Out Season plan from Endurance Nation. The theory is to get faster in the off-season. The workouts are shorter in duration but, typically, intense. This is quite different from most plans that focus on long, slow distance in the off-season.
Well, this morning I got up and really didn’t want to do the workouts. Today was a two workout day – both a bike and run. The bike was an hour with two 15 minute efforts at my functional threshold (this means that it hurts). Then, an easy 40 minute run.
I was tired. Just wanted to sleep. But, I knew it was easier to get the workout done in the morning. I didn’t want to have to think about it all day. So, I got on the bike and did the workout. It hurt. These workouts always hurt. But, I can deal with it because I know I’m getting faster.
Got off the bike and headed to change into running clothes. Its raining. Its chilly (in the 40s). Maybe I should wait until the afternoon to do the run. No, get it out of the way. It was just a sprinkle or light rain. I’ve always kind of liked running in the rain. Rain is OK. Rain and cold are a lot harder. Anyway, I went ahead and changed clothes and went out for my run. Ended up being a great run and loosened up my legs after the bike. Got home and had a great, hot shower. Then, this left the rest of my day open to get lots of work (and a nap) done.
My lesson from today – often you don’t want to do what you need to. At these times, you have to Just Do It! You have to turn off that little voice telling you all the reasons not to do it and Just Do It! Once you do it, the next time you don’t want to, you can remember the day you did it and do it again.
The next time that litte voice says “you don’t need to do it,” tell yourself “I need to Just Do It!” Then, go do it!
I’ve been thinking about some of my favorite products from 2008. Some are new, some are just new to me. So, here are a few in no particular order.
Eggland’s Best Hard-Cooked Peeled Eggs.
Hard boiled eggs can be a great snack and an easy way to add some protein to a meal. If you want to cut down on the fat and cholesterol, just remove the yolk. These got me using hard boiled eggs as extra protein. However, I got a new steamer that can cook hard boiled eggs, so that is now how I’m getting hard boiled eggs. Six of these hard boiled and peeled eggs are about the same as a full dozen of eggs, so you have to decide if the extra $$ is worth it for you. But, if you don’t have the time or desire to cook your own, these are a great option. They are good in the fridge for about 5 days (as are ones you cook yourself).
Amy’s Kitchen Breakfast Bowls.
Some mornings I want a good bowl of hot cereal but don’t want to spend the time it takes to cook a multi-grain cereal or steel-cut oats. Amy’s Kitchen has solved that problem with breakfast bowls which you can have ready in under five minutes. The multi-grain is my personal favorite. These run between $2.50 and $3.00 depending on where you get them.
These have been out for a while, but I re-discovered them this year. YUM! It is a nice change from regular fries and gives you the benefits of extra anti-oxidants. For example, one serving has 100% of your daily Vitamin A.
This book is a must have when you hit the produce section. It gives information on how to pick good veggies and preparation tips. And, it is small enough to easily carry with you. Beware: with this book, your time in the produce section may increase exponentially. I know I can spend a lot of time looking up all those new fruits and veggies in this book.
Dr. Jo’s Dining Lean book and Dr. Jo’s Dine Out and Lose Weight Plan
If you eat out, these are a must have. Often the things we think are most “healthy” at restaurants really are not. These can help you figure out which is which. The Dining Lean book has lots of tips for navigating the minefield of eating out as well as nutrition information for a ton of restaurants. The Eat Out and Lose Weight Plan is a packet of cards with tips for eating out and choices for various calorie levels. I’ve got the book in my car and the cards with me most of the time because I do eat out a lot.
