Monday, August 20, 2018

Healthy choices and Book List!

I mentioned that I had gained 5 pounds over the past few months without realizing it. I quit ‘weighing in’.

I’m happy to report that I’ve lost 7 pounds. (it took about a month to lose it)

And I’m back to weighing every day to keep my weight under control and in the range I’m happy with.  Oh….and where it needs to be to wear ALL my clothes! I love clothes and have a big wardrobe and I would rather keep my weight under control and have my clothes fit well.

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So what did I change? I quit eating so many nuts for starters. I can’t eat sugar so nuts are like candy to me.  And I was snacking way too much. I also cut out chips altogether. And worked on lowering my carbs.

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(extra grilled chicken for lunches)

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(avocado, tomato and a half slice of Havarti cheese added)

I need protein to feel good….to be strong and have lots of energy and I did not cut back on protein. And I ate lots of fresh veggies at lunch and dinner.

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(LOTS of fresh lettuce, a mixture!)

The salad photos are an example of one of my favorite lunches.

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And my favorite dressing now is a tablespoon of Mayo, thinned with lemon juice with just a sprinkle of Truvia to boost the flavor.

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So my biggest change was cutting back on snacks.

08AugMM

I eat cottage cheese with fruit and a tablespoon of yogurt to make it creamier or a cheese stick in the afternoons.

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I’ve never been overweight. I was always a skinny minnie! lol But the older you get, the harder it is to maintain your weight. I exercise regularly and drink lots of water and that helps me feel better.

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Do you have any healthy choices for SNACKS that you would like to share with me?

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(waiting in the fridge until snack time!)

I still eat a few nuts every day!

08Aug

I have to eat….and I have to eat well to feel good!

“Food is Fuel”

quote by Stephanie Plum in the book One for the Money by Janet Evanovich

Here’s our ‘End of Summer’ Reading list compiled from last week’s comments.

Books that bloggers enjoyed:

Thirteen Moons by Charles Frazier

Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier

Artemis by Weir

Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan

Cold Mountain by Charles Frazier

The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton

The Lake House by Kate Morton

The Oregon Trail : A New American Journey by Rinker Buck

Missing, Presumed by Susie Steiner

Nightingale by Kristen Hanna

Summer Harvest by Madge Swindells

Dreams of Falling by Karen White

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

Series I LOVE:

Rhys Bowen, Molly Murphy AND Royal Spyness

Amy Stewart, Kopp Sisters

David Rosenfelt, Andy Carpenter

Thomas Perry, Jane Whitefield

Laurie King, Mary Russell

Charles Finch, Charles Lenox

Authors we all like:

Louise Penny

Charles Frazier

Kate Morton

James Patterson

Mary Kay Andrews

Lee Childs

Michael Connelly

Susie Steiner

Kent Haruf

Jane Austen

Karen Witemeyer

R. Mac Wheeler…our favorite Florida blogger

I’m joining Mosaic Monday HERE 

and Cooking and Crafting with J & J.

And please share any healthy snacks in the comments this week!

I’ll make another list! heehee! Sun

46 comments:

Maggie said...

I was recently told that my BP was way too high and of course that I should lose some weight so I started the DASH diet 2 weeks ago and am very pleased with the results, both weight & BP have come down a lot! Your revised way of eating mirrors the DASH diet, which is less of a diet more a new way of eating, quite a bit.
Thanks for sharing your meal ideas and your great sounding book list @ MM this week.

Author R. Mac Wheeler said...


You mentioned me. You mentioned me. I feel so special.

Dina and I are trying to blend into a locarb diet. It isn't easy. For one thing, Dina is a serious meat and potato gal. Not a veggie eater. And like to bake....bread...cookies...oh my.

(Am I REALLY your fav Florida blogger? I feel so special)

Julie's Creative Lifestyle said...

Hi Diane, I am so happy that you lost that weight and you must look and feel so good. I know it's hard not to snack which I love to do too, but you seem to be very active with your husband. Good luck with it. I love that book list and thanks I will look up some of these books.
Julie

DUTA said...

Things are very individual. No way I could keep my weight down with nuts, avocado, mayo. Hummus had to go too as it is calorie rich. I've replaced it with yoghourt 0% fat.
Fruit are my weakness, but unfortunately we have to limit ourselves because of the high sugar content.Fish and eggs are the best source of protein and, no doubt, help losing weight.

MadSnapper said...

I am so glad you showed the salads, I am looking for ideas and the dressing will be perfect... I love mayo on my salads and cant eat the fat free or low fat, this will take one fatty spoon and make it cover a whole salad... I will copy your first salad and use cubes of pork roast since I have one cooking in the slow cooker now... to have for left overs all week.
the fattest nuts there are, are the two you have here, pecans and cashews, my favorite of all nuts. I don't eat them now, changed to walnuts and almonds per the nutritionist I asked about it. if you can eat them and lose weight yay... I do what you are doing, same foods and I weigh every day, to stay the same. I am still overweight and struggling with the last 12 pounds .. thanks for the info... I don't eat sugar, my favorite dessert is greek yougurt sweetened with sweet n low or your favorite sweetner. 1 cup is of fat free greek is 90 calories full of protein that I need and for my sweet tooth. I buy two of them per week, one I add sweetner, the other I use for toppings. when sweet cravings come I put 1/2 cup sweet greek out and dip strawberries in it, of any kind of fruit I have..

Silver in AZ said...

good job!

And thanks for the book list! I love Patterson, but lately his books are getting a little too sordid for my taste.

Sandy said...

Age does affect that weight. I have to watch those nuts as well. They really do become your candy and while they are good for you they add up. Better stick to the carrots and apples.
I am excited about the book list. I am reading a book now and when I finish I need to make a library run, so I am jotting some down to look for.

Linda @ A La Carte said...

I'm out of control with my eating habits but haven't given up on myself yet. Health is important to me so I should eat better, cutting out the snacks would help a lot. Love the book list! Hugs!

eileeninmd said...

Hello, I will have to see if my library has some of these book. I have read a few of them. Th list of authors are some of my favorites too. You salads look yummy, I am going to look for the real lemon juice. I like cottage cheese with pineapple chunks. I think almonds are supposed to be a healthy snack too.
Enjoy your day!

Gillena Cox said...

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Susie said...

Diane, The heart doctor told TEd to eat almonds for snacks cashews are high in fat. But Ted still eats plenty of peanuts. :( I am over weight for my likings... sugars. Bummer. I did the low carb diet once and it really worked. But at my age now I would cut back on fatty meats, along with the carbs. Can't eat as many greens as I would like. You have done well to lose 7 pounds in a month. Blessings, xoxo, Susie

podso said...

Congrats on your weight loss. Your snacks look a lot like mine. I do sometimes eat some moon cheese bits from Costco because I like the crunch. And just almonds for nuts. Thanks for the book list.

Out on the prairie said...

A friend adds heavy cream to her cottge cheese. I eat lots of it and will try the yogurt. I like pinneapple with it best.

Angie said...

Quite impressive that you lost the weight in less time than it took to put on - it's usually the other way 'round. Our healthy snack of choice is fresh veggies dipped in hummus. Thanks for compiling the book list - now that our travel for the summer is about to conclude (writing this from the airport) I hope I can dig into some new books.

Arlene G said...

Good for you on cutting back Diane. I need to take a page out of your book. I am a snacker as well. I am trying to cut back on the carbs but it sure is hard. Thanks for the book suggestions.

Debby Ray said...

Your food choices looks so good and healthy...I would have no trouble eating that! I do like my sweets and breads and that is probably the biggest culprit. My husband and I both love the unsweetened grapefruit sections in the jar...I like them with cottage cheese. Instead of cutting back on any certain thing or things, I am finding that portion control is what works for me. I started putting this into practice a few months ago and cannot even think about eating the portions I used to. That, along with my daily rebounding on my mini-tramp has enabled me to lose over 10 lbs over the past few months!

Ann Thompson said...

Good job taking the weight back off. I can't get motivated to work on losing the weight I need to lose. Sweets are my downfall and I need to stay away from them.

Connie said...

It's always fun to see what others are reading :) Thanks for all the healthy tips. I hate getting into an eating rut. I think having lots of different ideas for health meals is a great way to stay on track. I wish that I could have said that I only gained 5 pounds. Last March I started Weight Watchers and have taken off 37 pounds. I feel so good and my energy level is wonderful. I need to develop your habit of weighting each day . . . the last thing that I want to do is gain this back.
Have a sweet week.
Connie :)

Inger said...

I will print your reading list. I know by now that we have some favorites in common, Frazier and Haruf among them. Oh, I forgot to read the top part of this post, so I'm off to do that now.

Linda said...

I'm here and I am taking notes!

Inger said...

I finished reading about your food. Congrats on losing the weight you wanted to lose. I have type 1 diabetes so I have to eat well. I have to confess to a fondness for chocolate, but just a little. I only eat snacks when my blood sugar crashes. But I eat my meals at set hours, 5 am, 11 am, and 5 pm and a Boost or Glucerna at bedtime to keep my sugars even during the night. Sticking to those hours, I am never hungry, but you wouldn't want to meet up with me when I am late for a meal. Grrr! Never had a weight problem, except maybe being too thin from time to time when I was young.

The Joy of Home with Martha Ellen said...

Congratulations on your weight loss, Diane. I've always envied "skinny minnies". I've never been there! I have to watch my weight as I think most of us do! Your plan looks very healthy and not crazy. Thanks for your reading list and your tips. Having spinal stenosis is really affecting one of my most favorite things to do and that's taking our morning walks. I'm thinking positive and hopefully soon I'll be able to resume my favorite form of exercise. ♥

Gina said...

Diane, I've never tasted Havarti cheese before. I will have to look for it. All your food choices look tempting. I have lost 12 lbs since last year and have kept them off. I'd like to lose a few more. I am still snacking but having less and nothing after 7 pm.

I posted all about bone broth today. I make my own. :-)

Terri D said...

Good for you, Sandie! I am moving toward a Keto/Low Carb way of eating. I can't call it a diet or I'll blow it for sure. Just need to eat healthier! You are doing it!! Nuts are good for you in moderation so keep snacking!! I found 6 numbers before I watched the video. I always enjoy your posts, my friend!

acorn hollow said...

I love kate Morton! I have read Patterson, I loved his old stuff his new stuff not so much. I am reading Karen White "The Time Between" I have read most of hers and like her very much.
I have been doing low carb and have lost 18 lbs since May. My husband's cardiologist said nothing low fat as they add sugar to it and sugar is worse than fat. He would rather see olive oil mayo than low fat mayo. This is a very old Atkins idea but ricotta cheese mixed with powdered chocolate and some stevia makes you feel like a bit of a chocolate cheese cake.
Cathy

Red Rose Alley said...

That salad looks Yummy, and so does the grilled chicken. That's great that you lost weight. It's never easy to do. I should try the Kraft mayonnaise. I've never had anything but Best Foods. And I've always wanted to try the Sargento cheese sticks. They look good. It's good that you drink lots of water and exercise, Diane. : )

~Sheri

Lorrie said...

You did work hard on this post! Thank you for compiling the reading list. I'll be taking notes.

I find that reducing carbs (oh, so hard because I love bread and chips), and eating lots of fresh vegetables and protein keep my weight down. I'm up a few pounds just now and am focusing on eating intentionally - slowly, chewing my food well, and not taking any second helpings (of even the healthy stuff), and eating very little between meals. If I'm hungry before dinner, I'll have a wedge or two of Laughing Cow cheese plus some cucumber slices or red pepper strips. For crunch I make little piles of grated Parmesan on a piece of parchment paper on a plate and microwave them until crisp and slightly browned - about 45 seconds for 4 of them in my microwave.

Of course, I did have a piece of the lemon cheesecake I made for my mom's birthday! But I know you can't have any sugar at all - do you miss it?

orchid0324 said...

Dearest Diane; Oh My; How wonderful you could lose weight so that you can wear ALL Your Clothes♡♡♡ I am happy we share love for clothes p;-) I remember my mother took me together to her favorite privately owned clothes store; It sure was marvelous experience seeing varieties of fancy ones with Mom more than 50 years ago(*^.^*)
My husband is gaining a lot of weight lately. Your Healthy choices of food is good example for me♧♧♧
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

aspiritofsimplicity said...

This sounds like a very healthy way to eat. I eat much the same way...except I have rather a sweet tooth and that's what gets me into trouble.

Net - "It's a Wonderful Movie" said...

Thank you for the healthy eating tips! I always start my day with live raw food... lots of fruits! And water! Hydration is so important, but it's hard to always get it all in - in one day! Good for you, to sticking to a routine and knowing what works for your body!

Also, awesome reading/book list! Thank you for sharing!

Blessings, Net

carol l mckenna said...

Congrats on your weight loss ~ healthy! ~ Great post ~ photo and book list!

Happy Day to you,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Debbie said...

i'm happy to see that everyone scrolled down to see the reading list. i have put a lot of time into a couple of posts and then lost them, it is so frustrating...i'm glad you didn't loose it!!

you are a good eater, i am not. i was always a skinny minnie until i hit 50, now, i am so overweight. i enjoy food and a good meal, i don't eat a lot of food but i do eat all the wrong stuff!! not junk, probably, too many carbs, too much salad dressing....that kind of stuff!!

Snap said...

I blew my diet today ... went across the street and had eggs benedict ... it was the potatoes they serve with it that did me in! Ha! Back on the "diet" tomorrow (much like yours). Have a great week.

Carla from The River said...

Hi,
A good list!
Did The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society get made into a movie?

Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti said...

Good for you, Diane! I never had a weight problem until I lost my thyroid gland to cancer in my 40's. I take replacement hormones nut it is not the same. I gained a lot of weight post surgery and of course, menopause did not help. I don't obsess over my weight but I do try to eat healthy, limit sweets, exercise and get 8 hrs sleep.

I love your lists of books and tv series--I will have to look into some of the boos that are new to me.

EricaSta said...

Nice to meet you on MAGIC MONDAY... Great captures.

By the way: I ˋm a great fan of James Patterson.

Jeanie said...

That chicken salad looks delicious! Yum! And I love your book list. That's a lengthy one and a good one and I see many of my favorite authors here, too!

happyone said...

I usually weigh myself every day to keep in check too but haven't since we moved the scale in the basement at the new house. My clothes still fit the same so I guess I'm okay yet!!
I try to eat healthy but I'm not that good at doing it. I eat pretty much what I want to eat just not a lot of it. As you know my favorite snack is ice cream and I eat a cup of it most evenings. Don't eat in between meals much.

Jeannie said...

Congratulations on losing the weight. It is so hard to do.

I liked the list of books. I have been thinking about buying a Kindel or something to save on storage space. This weekend I spent cleaning out the basement going through bookshelf after bookshelf....so many books! It was impossible to give them away without wanting to read them again. I could lock myself in a library and never come out. My basement is that way...except it is junk down there and I fear getting lost.

Jeannie@GetMeToTheCountry

Cranberry Morning said...

Hi Diane. Glad you shed those sneaky pounds. Since I stopped eating dairy and all high carb foods, I dropped probably seven pounds. I have a huge salad at noon with half an avocado and lots of veggies, my only salad dressing now is EVOO and lemon juice, and my go-to snack is pistachio nuts (in the shell). I recommended this to a friend and she said she gained weight on the pistachio nuts. I reminded her that they couldn't be in addition to everything else, but needed to be a substitute for whatever she typically snacks on. LOL. Thanks for the book list. I loved the book Guernsey Literary... And saw that they've made it into a movie. We liked it!

Cranberry Morning said...

Hi Diane. Glad you shed those sneaky pounds. Since I stopped eating dairy and all high carb foods, I dropped probably seven pounds. I have a huge salad at noon with half an avocado and lots of veggies, my only salad dressing now is EVOO and lemon juice, and my go-to snack is pistachio nuts (in the shell). I recommended this to a friend and she said she gained weight on the pistachio nuts. I reminded her that they couldn't be in addition to everything else, but needed to be a substitute for whatever she typically snacks on. LOL. Thanks for the book list. I loved the book Guernsey Literary... And saw that they've made it into a movie. We liked it!

Cranberry Morning said...

And I just thought of one more change that I made in my diet about a year ago. I drink only coffee (only at breakfast), water, or sparkling water, no sugar or sugar substitutes. I think they're both hazardous to our health.

Jacqueline said...

I do love a book list! Thank you for this and for the sensible eating tips. I have gained a few pounds and this is a good reminder to get back on track! Jackie

Aunt Helen said...

Hello Diane, Your salads look wonderful and I bet they are tasty! Congrats on losing ########! It is not an easy job to do.
I went to Choir practice today, so I will be singing on Sunday.
It was very nice to be back. I loved your pictures of the Sun Dog!
Love, Aunt Helen

Lowcarb team member said...

Your food looks great …

There are some hints and tips about low carb snacks on this link here
https://www.dietdoctor.com/low-carb/snacks

You may find some within the low carb diabetic blog too :)

All the best Jan

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Oh yes, thank you again for all the suggestions. I first read about the Kopp Sisters novels here on your blog; I really love those.