Greetings from the Dreary Lands of Charlotte! The good news is next week’s weather looks great, but today makes me want to crawl under the covers and watch a movie!
I’ve got to get crankin’ on Physiology, but here’s a quick recap of a fabulous lunch on a gross day:
Spinach and Lima Bean Salad with Cucumber, Green Pepper, Kalamata Olives, Avocado and Capers, all in a Balsamic-Lime-Mustard dressing.
MY OTHER RECIPES
A colorful fruit salad –
Yogurt + Almonds
All –
This lunch was roughly 485 kcal, 21 grams fiber and 22 grams protein.
Better Late Than Never
So my VERY favorite Easter candy are those marshmallow eggs – the kind with hard shell and a sugary inside? Well I could only find them by the super-size bag and never got around to buying them because I didn’t need a bag of 50 sitting in my house. Well there was a bowl of leftover Easter candy in the hallway today and I found an egg!!! It was SO GOOD!
I had to take a bite before I took the photo 
STUDY TIME!
I’ve never even seen these eggs before! (Probably a good thing…lol)
Your fruit salad looks delicious, I’m craving fruit now. Good luck studying!!
me neither…..and i thought myself candy connoisseur. hmph.
im craving the cadbury hard shell mini chocolate eggs, which i resisted all easter and now im regretting now buying a bag! can you get those off-season?
not even kidding, my mouth is watering from that fresh fruit…oh summertime come soon
Caitlin,
AMEN to that. Those are the greatest. I resisted too but had a couple Cadburys. The ones you are talking about are the best though. By far. I have also never seen this type Kath has here, perhaps they are regional?
I’ve never heard of those candies either but by the looks of it, I’m glad- they look great!
I think I need to check out your FAQ Kath because i’m sure you’ve answered what type of water bottle you use. My lost the cap to my bottle a couple of weeks ago so I’m looking around for a good one.
I’m curious what website you would recommend to determine the number of calories needed to maintain current weight? I googled it and found a couple different sites but I’m getting a range of numbers so I’m not sure what’s reliable. Thanks!
Easter candy is the hardest for me to resist. Not sure why!
caitlin
those are the BEST-by far my favorite easter candy. i tried to avoid them but a woman in my office had a bag and kept leaving little piles on my desk.
kath
i also don’t know these candies…although it kinda looks like a jelly bean. and your description sounds like a jelly bean. are you sure that’s not just a white jelly bean?? hehe
your salad looks uber-yummy. anything with avocado though is perfect.
Jennifer, that ipod site was GENIUS!!!!!!!!!!!
Guys,
This is them:
http://www.candywarehouse.com/marshmallowegg.html
By Brach’s?
http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/brachs_basket_eggs/
They are the ultimate Easter egg hunt filler!
K
here is a picture of the easter candy kath is talking about….and I completely agree with her…THEY ROCK!!!!!
http://www.typetive.com/blogimages/brachsbunnyeggs-lg.jpg
http://www.typetive.com/candyblog/item/brachs_basket_eggs/
Hopefully either one of the 2 links will work š
Ha – looks like we did the same google search Kath š
OK.. So I’m seeing your bag in like all your posts, and I know what it LOOKS like.
Someone said you got it from reusablebags.com, so I went on there to look, but I can’t find it!
Do you mind telling me what brand it is? Hahaa not trying to copy you and get the exact same one or anything, but it looks like a good size for what I’m looking for!
haha-thanks!
Oh no! Your Easter candy egg just reminded me of the Easter candy from my mom that I hid from myself in the pantry…which includes a Cadbury creme egg…my favorite! I may just have to find it for dessert tonight š
erika,
you have to hunt for it!:) its under “gifts for her” bags! and look for the brand..reisenthal.
http://www.reusablebags.com/store/reisenthel-mini-maxi-shopper-eden-long-handle-p-706.html
the picture of your fruit looks so beautiful. I want your camera… and your skill š
I agree with Cara, do you mind telling us what kind of a camera you have?
its a Sony Cybershot, i already asked š
Thats great JennS!
I have learned that whenever I have a problem with anything, someone on the internets probably already had been there and written about it.
One thing I’m curious about– do you ever just order in? Pizza? Chinese?
Kath I’m curious what your take is on adolescent girls and counting calories. I was reading an article the other day that said that almost 80% of 16-19 yr old females were counting calories as a weight control methos, most of which had bodies that were very much still developing!
If you have a daughter of your own some day, would you support her counting calories and weighing her food? And will you continue to count calories and weigh food when you have kids?
LOVE those marshmellowey, fluffy, sugary eggs. Haven’t had one in so long! Cadbury cream eggs are my weakness.
Okay, this falls under one of those “Not a food question, but a “for the girls” question.” For those of you who are engaged or married (or who just want to weigh in!), did you give your fiance/husband explicit directions on what kind of ring you wanted? I’ve even heard of girls going to the jeweler with their guy to pick out the specific ring they want. What do people think about this? Thanks!
anna – i tore out ring advertisments that i liked and “happened” to leave them on the countertop. i also would talk about my girlfriends rings and say things like “oh its pretty, but i dont like gold” or “id rather have three stones than 1 big one.” your man will get the message…. if he’s paying attention, of course!
are you getting engaged soon???
Are those the eggs that are hard on the outside but chewy on the inside? If so, keep those away from me! They’re way too addicting. I wish penny candy stores were still around so you could buy just 5 random pieces of candy and not have it cost $7.99 per 1/4 pound.
– The Peanut Butter Boy
I don’t even have a real wedding ring. Because I’m a heathen. In case you haven’t heard.
lol kiala!
Caitlin– We’ve been talking about it a lot!! It’s just kind of hard for me because I’m a *bit* of a control freak š and it’s such a BIG purchase…I want to really love the ring, you know? And…I feel bad saying this, but I don’t completely trust my guy to make the right choice. He’s a sweetie, but picking out jewelry is far from his strongest talent…I feel like there could easily be a Carrie/Aiden moment of ring-hating going on…but those are good “hint-dropping” tips…thanks!!!
Ive never heard of those eggs before, haha!
Your fruit salad looks so pretty š
Sorry your day is sucky. Its about 70 here in Cali š
Blah!
I think it’s important to share with whomever may be proposing to you, things that you don’t want in a ring. IE, pear shaped diamond, yellow gold..etc.
If you don’t tell them anything, and they have no idea..what if they buy you this great ring, and you hate it?
Anna – I picked out my own ring with my husband, but that’s because he didn’t want to pick it out (not because he’s insensitive, but because he had no idea what I’d like). He’s 100% guy and has NO clue about rings….it’s cute, I don’t even think he’d notice the difference between diamond shape, gold vs. silver, etc. I think nowadays pretty much anything goes – some guys still do it by themselves but there are a lot of couples that do it together.
Anna-I think it is perfectly acceptable to go ring browsing together. My friend was there when her now-husband bought the engagement ring. The only that was a surprise was when he would propose. For me personally though, I loved the surprise! I had no idea what my fiance would pick out or when he would propose. The only thing I told him was to not get a ring with a big rock because it would poke through my gloves (I’m a glove wearing scientist!!). But if you want to know that you are going to love the ring, then just go with him. He would probably rather have some of the guess work taken out of the decision…and you will get the right size (I had to get mine resized)! Good luck and early congratulations! Planning a wedding is so much fun.
Melissa, I’ve heard of a lot of people doing this, but let me ask: did he propose still after that? Or was that kind of like the proposal? I worry that it will ruin the surprise, etc.
Thanks Katy…that makes sense! š
I also designed my own ring. We went to a jeweler who is a friend of my parents. Best idea for saving money since they get the diamonds whole sale and don’t have to mark it up to display the brand name. My best friend also just picked out her diamond from a jeweler and together with her boyfriend designed the setting. Very personal, and it’s something you will have forever so you definitly want to love it! Anna – early congrats to you!!! š
I’ve got a great hubby in every single way…except jewelery selection. Fortunately, because he’s so great, he wanted the proposal to be a surprise, but he also wanted me to pick my own setting. So when he bought the diamond, his jeweler gave him a loaner ring to propose with. Then we got to pick out the setting later. I thought that was a really nice idea.
i think picking out the ring totally ruins the proposal!! i didnt know it was coming at all and it was so exciting. if you pick out a ring together, its going to be virtually impossible for him to suprise you. if you dont know its coming and he’s behaving oddly, you just think he’s being weird, but if you picked out a ring together the month before, you’re going to know its coming!
its still magical no matter what though, of course. i guess it just depends on how much importance you put on your man doing it on his own. some men are really into planning the proposal suprise, and just as much as we WANT to get proposed to, they look forward to doing an incredible proposal… ya know?
aww laura thats the best compromise i’ve ever heard! i like that idea! anna should print out your comment and leave it on his desk! LOL!
Hey JennS, do you have a sony cybershot as well? I am looking to buy a digital camera and I’d love to get a good one.
I didn’t want to go ring shopping with my (now) fiance…it just isn’t our style. I wanted it to be a total and complete surprise and I wanted him to do it all on his own. I am not the type to try and push someone into an engagement. We were together 7 years before he proposed and it was so worth the wait than having to feel like someone was rushed before the time was right. He did get input from my sister and brother in law about the rings I liked though, so he was smart to find out what I liked, but he did it without having to ask me and ruin the surprise. There are ways of going about it without having to go ring shopping. I know lots of people who do go ring shopping, so it obviously works for many! I think it is actually the norm to go ring shopping beforehand now. Its just personal preference and either way is fine, you just have to decide what you prefer.
Oh and he proposed under the stars at the beach in Mexico…and I had NO idea!!
Whats this ipod website? I think Jenn wrote about it? i think I missed this conversation, can someone fill me in, or tell me when it was discussed?
Thanks!
Your food is so colorful today! =)
does almond butter have to be kept in the fridge???!!! someone help me it doesnt say to refrigerate or anything! its the kind they grind at the store.
Anna, I went ring shopping with my fiance. His sister really hates her engagement ring and since it’s such a big purchase, he wanted to make sure I really loved mine. I’m a bit of a control freak too, he knows that š We went to a jeweler and he showed us some cuts, colors, etc. and I told him what I liked. I also showed him a setting I liked. He proposed months later! I was waiting for it for awhile, but he was taking his time. Then one day I got home from work and he completely surprised me! I had NO IDEA! It was soooo cute! He ordered it from bluenile.com and I guess it arrived that afternoon and he couldn’t wait to propose. I wouldn’t have liked it in public anyway… Congrats! I know you’re not engaged yet, but it’s coming at some point š
Anna-My husband and I (he was a boyfriend at the time) looked at rings together on The Knot kinda jokingly. Little did I know that he remembered the one I liked the best and got it made for me when the time came. I was COMPLETELY surprised when he proposed but I got just what I wanted š
Please, no one be offended by this, but I am really against picking out your own ring – or even shopping together. I feel it is a nice little surprise and your man can do research with your friends, family, etc. to hone in on your tastes. My ring is not the EXACT one I would pick for myself, but I cannot imagine hinting at or directing my hubby on what to pick…it’s all part of the fun and surprise!
OMIGOSH! Those eggs are my favorite thing ever at Easter, but no one ever has them! Are you still doing a blog dinner?
I let my husband pick my ring. I did clip out some pics of things I liked and passed them on to my now mom-in-law. That worked out great and still let him feel good about surprising me.
Ange – my hub proposed under the stars on the beach in mexico too! weird.
i think it is A-OK to bring up the ring discussion when you are talking about the idea of getting married… i would say things kinda joking like “now if you propose you know i want a white gold band with a simple square cut diamond, right?” hahaha… he got the picture cuz thats EXACTLY what i got!
Apologizing in advance for this lengthy post.
KIM (re: PCOS),
I too was diagnosed w/PCOS a little over 2 years ago. I initially met with a dietitian, as well as an endocrinologist (working together in a practice) to discuss what I needed to be doing. As for diet, I was initially placed on a 1400 calorie diet to lose some weight. (at that time I was 27, 5?5?, 152 lbs.). I was not trying to get pregnant at the time, so I did not feel a ārushā. The doctor suggested just adjusting the diet/exercise, no meds since I wasnāt trying to get pregnant. I didnāt lose much initially.
Went I went back (probably 6 weeks later), the doc asked how much exercise I was doing. Told him: 45-60 min cardio + approx. 1/2 hour strength, 3-4 days/week. He told me to cut back on the exercise, reduce the cardio to 20 min. He said all of that exercise was likely causing stress on my body, therefore aggrevating the PCOS, cortisol/stress and preventing weight loss.
I was extremely hesitant to cut back at first (if the weight wasnāt coming off with all of that exercise, then how would it come off if I exercised less?!?). Well, one day, Iām at the gym and something inside of me said, ājust try what the doctor saysā. I couldnāt (and still canāt), cut down to 20 min cardio, but I cut down to 25 min + 5 min cool down. Donāt you know itā¦the pounds came offā¦quickly!! (Iām talking 2 monthsā¦3 months max!). I now weigh 135 (at 5?5?, 29 years) and have maintained this for close to 2 years. I did this by REDUCING my exercise, as well as listening very closely to the dietitian. Each time I go back, my blood work is VERY NORMALā¦they practically donāt even want to see me anymore (just every 6 months to āmake sureā Iām still okay).
Of courseā¦I would still like to lose 5 – 10 more pounds, but feel I am at my healthy weight. People comment on how good I look and continually ask me if Iām losing more weight (noā¦although I wish!!!).
Bottom lineā¦seems as though doc was right, too much exercise was stressing my body, causing it to cling on to the extra weight. It was amazing how quickly it all came off (wish these other 5 – 10 lbs would come off so quickly!)
Good Luck!
Apologizing in advance for this lengthy post.
KIM (re: PCOS),
I too was diagnosed w/PCOS a little over 2 years ago. I initially met with a dietitian, as well as an endocrinologist (working together in a practice) to discuss what I needed to be doing. As for diet, I was initially placed on a 1400 calorie diet to lose some weight. (at that time I was 27, 5?5?, 152 lbs.). I was not trying to get pregnant at the time, so I did not feel a ārushā. The doctor suggested just adjusting the diet/exercise, no meds since I wasnāt trying to get pregnant. I didnāt lose much initially.
Went I went back (probably 6 weeks later), the doc asked how much exercise I was doing. Told him: 45-60 min cardio + approx. 1/2 hour strength, 3-4 days/week. He told me to cut back on the exercise, reduce the cardio to 20 min. He said all of that exercise was likely causing stress on my body, therefore aggrevating the PCOS, cortisol/stress and preventing weight loss.
I was extremely hesitant to cut back at first (if the weight wasnāt coming off with all of that exercise, then how would it come off if I exercised less?!?). Well, one day, Iām at the gym and something inside of me said, ājust try what the doctor saysā. I couldnāt (and still canāt), cut down to 20 min cardio, but I cut down to 25 min + 5 min cool down. Donāt you know itā¦the pounds came offā¦quickly!! (Iām talking 2 monthsā¦3 months max!). I now weigh 135 (at 5?5?, 29 years) and have maintained this for close to 2 years. I did this by REDUCING my exercise, as well as listening very closely to the dietitian. Each time I go back, my blood work is VERY NORMALā¦they practically donāt even want to see me anymore (just every 6 months to āmake sureā Iām still okay).
Of courseā¦I would still like to lose 5 – 10 more pounds, but feel I am at my healthy weight. People comment on how good I look and continually ask me if Iām losing more weight (noā¦although I wish!!!).
Bottom lineā¦seems as though doc was right, too much exercise was stressing my body, causing it to cling on to the extra weight. It was amazing how quickly it all came off (wish these other 5 – 10 lbs would come off so quickly!)
Good Luck!
..Apologizing in advance for this lengthy post.
KIM (re: PCOS),
I too was diagnosed w/PCOS a little over 2 years ago. I initially met with a dietitian, as well as an endocrinologist (working together in a practice) to discuss what I needed to be doing. As for diet, I was initially placed on a 1400 calorie diet to lose some weight. (at that time I was 27, 5?5?, 152 lbs.). I was not trying to get pregnant at the time, so I did not feel a ārushā. The doctor suggested just adjusting the diet/exercise, no meds since I wasnāt trying to get pregnant. I didnāt lose much initially.
Went I went back (probably 6 weeks later), the doc asked how much exercise I was doing. Told him: 45-60 min cardio + approx. 1/2 hour strength, 3-4 days/week. He told me to cut back on the exercise, reduce the cardio to 20 min. He said all of that exercise was likely causing stress on my body, therefore aggrevating the PCOS, cortisol/stress and preventing weight loss.
I was extremely hesitant to cut back at first (if the weight wasnāt coming off with all of that exercise, then how would it come off if I exercised less?!?). Well, one day, Iām at the gym and something inside of me said, ājust try what the doctor saysā. I couldnāt (and still canāt), cut down to 20 min cardio, but I cut down to 25 min + 5 min cool down. Donāt you know itā¦the pounds came offā¦quickly!! (Iām talking 2 monthsā¦3 months max!). I now weigh 135 (at 5?5?, 29 years) and have maintained this for close to 2 years. I did this by REDUCING my exercise, as well as listening very closely to the dietitian. Each time I go back, my blood work is VERY NORMALā¦they practically donāt even want to see me anymore (just every 6 months to āmake sureā Iām still okay).
Of courseā¦I would still like to lose 5 – 10 more pounds, but feel I am at my healthy weight. People comment on how good I look and continually ask me if Iām losing more weight (noā¦although I wish!!!).
Bottom lineā¦seems as though doc was right, too much exercise was stressing my body, causing it to cling on to the extra weight. It was amazing how quickly it all came off (wish these other 5 – 10 lbs would come off so quickly!)
Good Luck!
SORRY FOR THE TRIPLE POST!!! I have no idea how that happened š
I am 17 years old and i count calories..i know i should be more focused on just getting in the nutrients, but after losing weight i just don’t want to gain it back after all my hard work! i usually eat 1700 cals a day though so its not a really low number. (i’m 5’3 and weigh 120lbs.) is counting them really that bad?
April-
I think it depends on the person as to whether counting calories is bad or not. Personally, I do right now because I am trying to lose weight, and I have been for about two months now. I would like to try not to though soon now that I am getting the hang of the amounts I need to eat and how my body feels because I can get obsessive with it, and I was anorexic several years ago…it got out of control. Some people can count calories and not be obsessive though, so I definitely don’t think that is bad.
anna –
I went ring shopping with my husband and we looked at settings and stones that I liked together. So he knew what I liked ahead of time. Then he went to the jeweler with a sketch and some verbal ideas, and I was proposed to with the ring of my dreams. I didn’t pick out my exact ring – just pointed things out.
So basically, I gave my husband a little help and he went with it. He was definitely in favor of ring-shopping together beforehand. It’s one of the biggest purchases in a man’s life, and he wanted to be sure to get it right. After all, it’s supposed to last forever.
I understand the surprise element is not completely there, but both my husband and I were in agreement that the surprise is less important than getting the right ring that we’re both happy with.
Everyone has their own perogative – that’s just mine! š
Are you getting engaged soon? If so, congrats in advance!
Anna – Yeah, the purposal was still a complete surprise even though we picked out the ring together! So that way you do still have an element of surprise…even though you know he WILL purpose. But I think nowadays you know anyway to a point…
Thank you very much Amandamoo and DL. I can try some of those tips. Truly, I also have to do alot of walking/weight bearing exercise re: back health/scoliosis rods/surgery when I was a teen (yuck). If I can drop 20 (not even for vanity purposes), it would be a gift for my health. DL, I’ve never met anyone who had the same medical issue (though I’m sure it’s likely quite common) and appreciate the support. Congrats on your weightloss! š
Ally ,
My drinking water bottle is a Sigg and my gym one is a hand-me-down squeeze plastic no-name brand one.
Julie ,
I like http://www.caloriesperhour.com the best.
Lisa ,
If I’m going to skip cooking, I don’t want to eat at home, so we’re much more likely to eat out than order in. We have so many quick meals that we can throw together that I couldn’t justify the cost. I like to pay for atmosphere and someone else to do the dishes!
Julie ,
I think it varies per girl, family, situation etc. Right now, I’d say I would not encourage my daughter to count calories unless she had a weight problem and even then I’m not sure what I’d do – cross that bridge when I get there!? I hope that I can lead by example of eating healthy food in moderate portions without calorie counting. I’m getting to the point where I don’t have to count…I can feel it…but I”m not quite there yet. Too many years of improper eating are still knocking on my door.
eliza ,
We keep our AB in the fridge. If there are no trans-fats or preservatiives, I think you have to to prevent separation.
Re. Proposals,
We picked out my ring together, but the proposal was a HUGE surprise. He bought it in secret too. I don’t think he would have picked out an “ugly” ring (is there such a thing!?) but I’m glad I was able to pick the perfect one for me. Everyone is different!
Michelle ,
Blog cookout NEXT Saturday, the 12th. I’ll email you!! Hope you’ll be around (we postponed due to weather)
Kath