Well, my first healthy lifestyle week ended down 8 1/2 pounds!   Of course, now on Day 9, I am feeling a little overwhelmed because let’s face it—I have a long way to go.  But then, don’t we all?!?  That’s how I’m trying to think about this whole healthy life quest.  It’s just something that is to make the rest of my life better.   We can’t constantly put down our current selves and think about how everything would be better if only……..    For me it’s about accepting who I am now but also looking forward to future me.   It’s hard for me to think about the future much, but I have enough sense to know that healthy is better.  It’s a hard fact of life to learn that health is pretty darn important.  There really isn’t anything much to life without it.  Unfortunately, I’ve learned that lesson.

On to the recipes!  Hear me out on this, but you need to try this Creamy Roasted Cauliflower Soup even if you think you don’t like cauliflower.  I don’t like cauliflower, but this soup is creamy and delicious.  Perfect for a cold night!  I’ve had it for two meals now along with a pan-fried hamburger patty with some sauteed mushrooms (was too cold to grill) because I was craving it.   I’m not a big meat eater; I choose vegetables just about every time, but every once in a while there’s a craving for a burger or steak.   The burger was grass fed organic 92% lean with some Chile Lime seasoning (another Trader Joe’s obsession).  I added sliced portobello mushroom to the pan with some pepper and a sprinkle of Worcestershire sauce.

I did eat out with my family Saturday night.  Recently someone told me that when they eat out, they plan ahead.  It’s so easy to look up menus online these days.  It’s a simple idea, but it really helped me to stick to healthy eating.  We ate at a fried catfish place (a buffet).  I decided in advance to have a huge salad, boiled shrimp, some pinto beans, and  1 or 2 pieces of fish (it’s my favorite).  Here’s the thing.  Because of the advance planning, it didn’t even bother me, and I only had 1 of my 2 allotted pieces of fish because I was full.

By the way, another one of the best “diet” tips  I ever received was many years ago.  Salad dressing is good, but it is chock full of calories.  The salad itself is unbelievable on it’s own if you give it a chance and use fresh ingredients with a lot of flavor.  Sometimes I don’t eat dressing at all but add a sprinkle of vinegar, a squeeze of lemon juice, or some salsa.  I have a weakness for homemade dressings especially really good blue cheese.  Order it, but ON THE SIDE!  Just use tiny amounts and toss it really well or dip your fork into it as you eat.  It’s really crazy how many calories you can save this way.

Another recipe that’s as an easy “just need a little something” snack are these Frozen Yogurt Cherries.  Instead of pistachios, I substituted some unsweetened coconut flakes and toasted almonds and used Siggi’s Vanilla yogurt  (check out the ingredient list!) instead of the yogurt and honey.  Just use what you have and what you like.  Mine turned out just tart and sweet enough for me.  One or maybe two is all that I want to eat at a time too which is perfect for a snack since they are about 35 calories each.

Here’s to a great Week 2!