I Want To Eat ALL The Things

I am starving this morning.  Starving, I tell ya! Ok, obviously not literally (first world problems much?)  But I did wake up feeling oh-so-very hungry today.  I could eat all the things.

What I really want is a chicken biscuit from Chickfila, complete with potato rounds and a big lemonade.  Or a giant bowl of sugary cereal.

It's all about choices. Sugar cereal and fast food are not part of my healthier eating program.  So, I'll skip them.

What I am going to eat is an egg sandwich with a side of light Greek yogurt and berries.  Which I know will satisfy my hunger just as well as the other.  Or better.

It's worth it.  I am making some 5 point flat bread pizza for dinner.  And I am looking forward to that.  Because... pizza.

When It's Just Not Worth It

So, the other day I had to make a grocery store run to pick up a few items.  Which doesn't sound very exciting, I know...  stick with me.

On this particular day, I was also tired.  And grumpy. And by the time I got out of the house, finished up at Hobby Lobby, and made it to groceries, it had been several hours since I had eaten.  This is the perfect storm to create a major weakness in those of us trying to eat healthier.  Mo matter how determined we might pretend to be most of the time. 

By the time I had every item on my list loaded into the cart, my grumpy/tired/hungry side had me convinced that I deserved a treat.  Definitely something chocolate.  And preferably something involving pastry.  Because my grumpy/tired/hungry self knows I love a chocolate donut.  (This is also common knowledge to all my other selves)

As I was already away from the bakery section and up near the registers, I thought maybe I would grab one of those little packages of mini donuts.  Yes, the prepackaged ones with the fake, waxy chocolate frosting.  Don't judge me, please. 

Fortunately, there was some tiny, rational part of my brain which managed to briefly seize control long enough to read the label.  And almost passed out when I saw the calorie count was over 400!! Yikes! 

A choice had to be made. On one hand - I really wanted that chocolate donut.  On the other hand - over 400 calories??

Maybe a simple little Twix would be a better option...  A peek at the front of that label informed me I was still looking at over 200 calories.  *sigh*  Better.  But not great.

I'll have you know that I left the store that day with out a chocolate treat.  Because when faced with the numbers, I just couldn't. The sugar war rages on.  But this particular battle is going down as a win.

(I now realize that the story never really did get much more interesting following that first sentence.)

Apple Pizza Snacks

The grand kid eats like a hobbit:  breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, lunch, afternoon tea, dinner, supper.  I'm on the lookout for healthy - but still yummy - snack ideas for when I have the little guy for the day.  So when I saw a posting on Pinterest for apple cookies I knew I was going to have to try a version of these! 

These treats are full of protein, a little sweetness, and plenty of kid (and adult) pleasing deliciousness.

Ingredients:

1 apple

All natural peanut butter

Sunflower seeds

Slivered almonds

Craisins

Dark chocolate chips

Slice the apple, making rounds and cut out the core center.

Spread the apple rounds with the peanut butter. 

Top with the dark chocolate chips, craisins, sunflower seeds and almonds.

Enjoy!

Oma tested... grand kid approved!!

What's your favorite healthy snack food?

The Day We Almost Ate Fake Food

The other day I was making a quinoa taco bake for dinner.  I thought a little sprinkle of cheese could make it extra yummy, so when I went out to pick up the male offspring from his driver's ed class. (yes, he's taking driver's ed - yikes! But that's a story for another time) I stopped at the dollar store to grab some shredded cheese.

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There was a bag with "Mexican Cheese Blend" in big letters on the front.  "That works!", I thought to myself and grabbing a bag, headed to the register.

While waiting in line, I took a second look at the package.  There in smaller (much much smaller) letters I see the words "cheese food".  Uh oh.  Flipping it over to look at the ingredient list - the first thing I see is "This product is not processed to melt" (in even smaller letters)

What???

A quick read through of the ingredients confirmed there was little to no dairy in this product.  It wasn't cheese at all.  Rather some fake cheese item disguised as food.  As the male offspring put it: "I think that means it's plastic".  Ick.

So, another trip back to the refrigerated case to switch the "cheese food" for a bag of Sargento's real cheese.  And a lesson learned... always - ALWAYS read the labels! Otherwise you have no clue what you're consuming!

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You Are A Temple

No one builds a temple only to fill it with junk and leaving it neglected - lacking maintenance and upkeep.

They fill it with beautiful, carefully chosen pieces.  Things which will enhance it and add value to it. They keep the inside and outside clean, maintained and looking beautiful.

 A healthy body. Well nourished.  Lean. Well taken care of.  That is a temple fit for the Holy Spirit of God.

Good Behaviour

What I wanted to eat for breakfast:

chocolate cupcake with butter cream frosting and white chocolate curls

What I actually ate for breakfast:

Greek yogurt with frozen mixed berries

Yes, I am giving myself extra credit points for making that smart and healthy choice this morning.  But don't think for a second I'm not eating that cupcake at some point today.  It's calling my name.

Jumping Into July

July is here.  And baby, it's HOT outside!  Which leaves plenty of time for inside activities and making lists of things I want to get accomplished.  Along that line of thought, let me share with you my

Goals for July:

1. Get out on to the back deck in the mornings to enjoy some coffee, reading, and fresh air - before the day gets too hot.
2. Take at least one hour of time for myself each week.  Give myself a pedi, take a bubble bath, etc.
3. Continue feeding the family healthier, less processed foods.
4. Start creating a list of back to school/autumn type items for Queen B's Busy Work
5. Complete "About" page for Queen B's Busy Work
6. Do some writing. Not blog stuff - fiction or poetry.
7. Make time for a Date Night with the man of the house.  (or even better - an entire date day!)
8. Start some canning and/or freezing!
9. Take at least one photograph per day.
10. Get back on track with household chores.