Dazzling October Sunshine

The sunlight and crisp temperatures have been tinting the leaves in rich hues and scrubbing the blue sky clean. I haven't had any trouble the past couple of days in getting exercise. I walked for over two hours yesterday with T in the stroller, two hours the day before, and an hour and a half the day before that, I think. Did I mention I like to take walks? Not only do I get exercise while walking, but I don't get bored enough to eat. I figure I better get in as many as I can before the weather turns too cold or -eep- SNOWY? FREEZY?

EGGNOG SEASON looms before us. Eggnogg is one of my big downfalls. I drink it in my coffee from mid-October to mid-February (I stock up right before it's off shelves in January.) I adore it. I saw it in Safeway yesterday and have yet to buy any. But it will happen. I'll crumble with a big smile on my face.

We made a huge pot of chili at the end of last week and a pot of borscht earlier this week, so we've had some really healthy, warm food. Borscht is an acquired taste, but very healthy. It's made primarily of beets (I used canned) seasoned with dill, can be made with or without meat, and contains whatever other vegetables you like. I put potatoes, turnips, beans, carrots, and brown rice in mine.

I'd like to also recommend a pasta. Barilla makes a series of noodles in yellow boxes called "Barilla Plus." The pasta is made with eggs and legumes like chick peas and lentils, and whole grains. It's high in Omega-3's and fiber. A serving of this pasta contains almost as much protein as a serving of hamburger, and only slightly less than a serving of shrimp. The noodles have a denser, springier texture than most other noodles and are more flavorful - really yummy. These noodles ARE almost twice the price of generic white noodles, but they have WAY more nutrition and you don't have to serve them with meat to make them nourishing. I eat a bowl or two of Barilla Plus with my favorite cheese sprinkled on top and call it a meal. It's an easy way to add both protein and fiber into your diet without the hassle of preparing and cooking meat (which to me is a major pain.) I'm a lazy but healthy cook.

Poverty is a good weight-loss plan. No ice cream or pop this week except at a birthday party last Saturday, and hardly any candy. Can't afford it. I baked a batch of chocolate chip and flax-seed cookies (again hitting with the stealth Omega-3-fiber foods) and accidentally left them at my dad's house. I made pancakes (with ground flax and flour) and ate them with a pile of bacon and sausage. That was my big indulgence earlier this week.

Yesterday I weighed myself three times on a scale in a store and it averaged out to about 135-7. Don't know if it's true, but I'll gladly take it. If only my arms would tighten up and get buff. They make my breasts look smaller than they really are. I guess lifting a three-year old repeatedly every day isn't the same as lifting weights in the gym. The workout gods are unfair!