Happy Jewish New Year!
Yesterday was such a happy, productive day. I slept in a little (5:45) which felt great. For too long I’ve been subsisting on around 5 hours a sleep per night, and since I could function that way, I decided I would. Then last week (or the week before) I accidentally got a full seven hours and now I’m a convert. It’s totally worth it. Anyways, my stomach was roaring so I heeded the call and made a bowl of pumpkin cottage cheese oatmeal.
Three hours later, I’d cleaned the entire house (except the bedroom, because Rob was sleeping, and the floors, because that’s Rob’s chore) and I decided to rock a hefty AM snack.
Andrea hated the vanilla Chobani while in SD so I actually was nervous to try it, but it was good! I can’t lie, though, I added a packet of stevia to sweeten it even more! And I stirred in 3/4 cup All-Bran as I ate it. I needed a big snack because I worked out a few hours later.
At the gym, I did intervals on the stairmill (oy) for 30 minutes plus back and biceps. I love getting all sweaty and stanky. My legs are really sore from Saturday so the stairmill was even more torturous than usual. Watching Tabatha’s Salon Takeover helped, though.
I made a yummy Flat-Out pizza inspired by both Em and Gina. I smeared a Laughing Cow light cheese wedge on the bottom, then topped it with a couple spoonfuls of Newman’s Own Marinara Sauce (RIP Paul Newman!!). That was the Gina inspiration. Then I topped it with spinach, basil, yellow bell pep, and Em’s tofu. I burnt it a little around the edges, but it was still yummy! And I had a plum for lunch dessert.
I spent the afternoon reading and taking my little naps that I take when I’m doing anything school related. 
Rob was feeling kinda nappy too. Our kitties were being very lovey and making it hard to stay awake! Warm purring kitty cuddle…
That’s Annie, my little princess, looking like a cinnamon roll for Mommy.
I was surprisingly hungry after my lunch. It was filling at the time but didn’t really last long. So I had a snackers:
A slightly overflowing T of PB, celery, and a T of raisins. Kind of a deconstructed ants on a log. I dipped each celery stick in the PB first and then in the raisin pile. Try it, you’ll like it!
And I took a picture of my kitchen for you guys. Andrea and Jordan both did this and I think it’s kinda fun! I’d love to see yours!
See that cardboard box on top of the cupboards on the right? Mr. Henry sleeps up there. So I can’t get rid of that box. Rob wants me to because he thinks Henry would choose to cuddle with him more if he didn’t have the option of sleeping up there. This is one area in which we’ve agreed to disagree.
Rob made a HUUUGE batch of curry for dinner (he likes to freeze a few servings and take the rest for lunch throughout the week). Normally I’d be all over it, but it seemed kinda heavy for me and I wasn’t in the mood. Of course, I had a bite of HIS. But then I made a salad for dinner.
That’s just a mix of the usual:
- broc slaw
- spinach
- lemon pepper turkey
- jalapenos
- 1/4 cup edamame
- apple cider vinegar
I had a piece of Healthy Hemp toast with sf apricot jam on the side.
Last night I fretted around for awhile, doing the last few chores and packing up all my stuff for today, before having dessert. I wasn’t hungry at all but I felt like eating. So I went with frozen grapes and mango.
Here’s a question for you guys. Do you count calories? I did for way too long and it ended up being too obsessive and strict for me, so I don’t – consciously.
Gorgeous Monday!
Posted by Rose on September 29, 2008 at 7:13 am
your kitty really does look like a cinnamon roll!
Loooooove your kitchen – I knew I would after Andrea said that, and yes I am totally jealous. You should see the box that I cook in.
Counting cals – I don’t do it anymore. I technically counted Weight Watcher points, which in essence is calories, and I always found it severely limiting. Sure, I did lose weight – but I never ate things like peanut butter, ice cream, Larabars – lots of things I thought were bad for me. I had a bizillion 100 calorie packs and junk like that. Now I just stick to the portions, and I mentally feel a lot better. I will say though – I am noticing my weight is at a standstill (I still have some weight to lose) and I have considered the calorie counting option. There has to be something mentally easier than the stress of that, like extra exercise?
Posted by Jordan on September 29, 2008 at 7:15 am
Ew, I never count calories. I hate doing that. It makes me feel so obsessive & controlled.
I looooooovelovelove your kitchen. I love mine, too, but I wish it was bigger instead of a hallway-type setup. I love how much room you have! And I love your table! Where did you get it?!
Posted by lauren on September 29, 2008 at 7:19 am
I LOVE your kitchen and envy all your work space – especially the large island in the middle – so nice!
I have never counted calories – just try and maintain a healthy diet and get lots of exercise.
Posted by arielle on September 29, 2008 at 7:22 am
Your kitchen is gorgeous. I am extremely jealous.
Posted by Nicole on September 29, 2008 at 7:25 am
Yum, frozen grapes!
I do count calories. It’s far too obsessive and I’ve fallen into the habit of it, ugh! I’m trying to break free, though. I don’t even have any weight to lose, I just do it out of habit. I don’t try to stay under any number really, I just count. Annoying! It’s the OCD in me.
Posted by VeggieGirl on September 29, 2008 at 7:26 am
Hooray for…
Happy, productive days; delicious food (looove Em & Gina’s pizza idea and the frozen fruit, especially!!); cute Annie cat
; GORGEOUS kitchen.
I only count calories on the days when I do not have an appetite, so that I don’t undereat.
Happy Monday and happy new year!
Posted by HeatherBakes on September 29, 2008 at 7:44 am
I LOVE your kitchen! It’s so bright and open!
That Annie picture is hilarious. I love how she’s holding her legs while she sleeps- too cute
Posted by ttfn300 on September 29, 2008 at 7:51 am
umm, Annie looks like she’s doing a backwards 2 1/2 tuck. minus the pool of course
LOL
lovely kitchin, too!! hmm, i’m trying to get to a happy place where i don’t have to count/worry just live. not there yet… but i don’t count. maybe i should to get back on track, i just think it would make me too obsessive
Posted by Hangry Pants on September 29, 2008 at 7:58 am
Your kitchen is amazing! I don’t count calories, consciously, either.
I have to try the Flat Out Pizza. My mom bought Newman’s popcorn in his honor. She is taking it really hard.
I love getting 7 hours of sleep. I am the same as you – been betting by on 5-6, but I hate it. Boo.
Posted by Christie I on September 29, 2008 at 7:58 am
Aw, Annie is too cute
Your Kitchen is Dreamy!
Posted by Christie I on September 29, 2008 at 7:59 am
Oh, and no, I do not count calories.
Posted by Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food) on September 29, 2008 at 8:18 am
Love your kitchen – it’s so pretty!
Nope, I don’t count calories because I think that I would become obsessed with controlling every single calorie that went in my body. I try to instead just focus on the food groups, like did I eat my fruits and veggies today. It helps me to incorporate healthy foods into my diet and enjoy them, rather than just focusing on and worrying about the numbers.
Posted by maggie on September 29, 2008 at 8:51 am
Wow, your kitchen is amazing. I like to make a pizza like that but with other wraps – the brand is La Tortilla Factory.
And Annie is adorable
I don’t count calories consciously, but I try not to eat too many at one time. So I never really have a total, but I would probably guess that I never eat more than around 500 in a sitting. If I count them I get all obsessive and end up having too many left over at the end of the day and then I feel like I have to eat a lot to make up for it, so I just end up feeling sick.
Posted by rhodeygirltests on September 29, 2008 at 9:12 am
I LOVE your chairs! so super cute!
I count calories right now since I am trying to lose weight. but I am very flexible with it.. I just like to know about how much I am consuming. And be conscious that I am eating bc I am hungry not just bored. some days I eat as little as 1250, and others as much as 1850.
LOVE your obama figurine. so funny.
Posted by jenngirl on September 29, 2008 at 9:13 am
Awww I love kitties
I wish I had a kitchen to show everyone. Yours is beautiful!!
I definitely went overboard on the counting calories before, but my nutritionist has taught me how to count food groups, still a little in terms of calories. For example, a serving of starch is 80 calories, so I know that at a given meal I need to eat enough starch to equal 160 calories, because I get 2 servings. When I know I have a goal of calories to meet, I tend to do a lot better than if I’m just counting to be counting.
Posted by gina (fitnessista) on September 29, 2008 at 9:16 am
thank you for the shout out and link love my friend
the pizza came out beautifully! it’s such a satisfying and easy meal!!!
i don’t count calories consciously either.. but in the back of my mind i totally know how many calories i’m eating but try not to focus on the tally for the entire day. i do try to make sure my meals and snacks are in the right calorie ranges but am no where near as strict or obsessive as i was about a year ago. it’s a hard habit to get out of!!!
hope you have a great day!
Posted by suzanne on September 29, 2008 at 9:16 am
Lovely kitchen!! I know i’m one of the few but i do count calories!! It keeps me accountable and since my husband had a heart attack i’ve been keeping track of his fats, sodum and calories as well.
Now i eat awesome foods and lots of it but i do pick and choose the types of food i eat. That doesn’t mean i don’t have the occasional meal that out of my healthy plan, i will tomorrow night for my birthday dinner but 99% of the time i try to stay on track.
Posted by Christie on September 29, 2008 at 9:29 am
Hahah your TBSP of peanut butter is like mine… I sub conciousy count calories sometimes because I did it for such a long time.. but it is freeing to now be obssessed with it. I think on any given day it is hard ot be so precise with calories cause our needs differ, its worth it to try to listen to your body!
Posted by Sarah on September 29, 2008 at 9:39 am
that pizza looks good!
i’m not much of a cat person (i’m allergic, boo.) but yours is SO PRETTY!! Keep posting them and I might even become a kitty convert.
oh calorie counting. I have such a love/hate relationship with it. I religiously counted while I was losing weight and then once I hit my goal I tried to give it up. When I tried just ‘listening to my body’ I ended up still restricting and lost even more. For now I’m counting again so that I make sure I eat within a healthy range, but hopefully one day I’ll be at a place where I can give it up for good.
Gorgeous kitchen! I’m so jealous. I hate college-living: I WANT MY KITCHEN BAAAAACK!
Posted by ChocolateCoveredVegan on September 29, 2008 at 11:06 am
Wow, so clean! Come clean my house? ;o)
Posted by caitlin (seebriderun) on September 29, 2008 at 11:24 am
heyyy whats going on with this secret ingredient thing? ive been reading about it but i didnt know if it was organized or not. but yes, if the secret ingredient is apple, i guess my sammie qualifies! LOL
love your kitchen! i’m jealous.
i do “ballpark” calorie counting, but i’m not strict.
Posted by caitlin (seebriderun) on September 29, 2008 at 11:37 am
hey – im an idiot, but where did you “add” my sammie to? lol thanks!
Posted by Meghann on September 29, 2008 at 1:04 pm
Great Kitchen! I will have to take a pic of mine tonight, but trust me it’s not as impressive a yours. You can fit two of my kitchens in your kitchen!
I used to count calories when I first started losing weight, but hated it! I actaully think I started losing more weight when I stopped counting because I wasn’t starving myself anymore.
Posted by Julz on September 29, 2008 at 1:11 pm
NOpe. I sometimes ballpark bc I’m bored haha. I am happy not counting calories, but I do tend to measure my servings out just to make sure I don’t eat 5 cups of fruit and nothing else for breakfast. I have to make sure I save room for my protein.
But honestly, I would H.A.T.E. counting calories, bc often times i’m not hungry between the hours of 8AM and 4PM (SO WIERD I KNOW… some times I def am tho… Always hungry come evening tho hehe) Or like after Breakfast my appetite and mind go away from food until later on in the afternoon… And then it would be like, WELL I HAVE TO EAT NOW… ew. I’d hate that. It seems so controlling to me. Why should my life’s focus be on “calories”… haha, that just doesn’t ring with J-Dub.
Posted by Andrea (Off Her Cork) on September 29, 2008 at 3:11 pm
Your kitchen is fabbo! I would love to have that much room! And I do not count calories, only how much I burned on my HRM.
I eat healthy and I don’t over do it (much 
) so I feel I’m okay.
Posted by graduatemeghann on September 29, 2008 at 4:59 pm
I want you to know that I’m checking your blog every 5 minutes looking for teh secret ingredient results!
Posted by eatingbender on September 29, 2008 at 5:29 pm
I’ve been living on 5 hours of sleep for too long as well – I like your thinking!
Great Gliding Calm and Fitnessista-inspired pizza!! I still need to make me one of those
Gorgeous kitchen!! I’d show off mine if there was anything to show off, promise. Living in an apartment in college is not exactly glamorous – give me a few years and a super great kitchen is where I will be depositing my paychecks
Frozen mango and grapes!!! My fave!!
As for counting calories, I have done it in the past, but like you found it to be too restrictive. But now I have a general idea of what everything is in terms of portion sizes and calories, so even though I’m not physically writing it down, I still subconsciously keep myself on track. I don’t think that’s a bad thing!
Posted by Laura on September 29, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Nice kitchen! I like the large island/table in the center. I would love to have that!
Don’t you love the way cats can look so comfortable all the time?
I count calories, but not obsessively. I’m trying to lose weight and the I know the weight comes off faster when I’m aware of how many calories I’m eating. I don’t plan on counting them for my entire life though. What a chore!
Posted by Eh on September 29, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Er, I don’t mean to suggest advice where it’s not wanted… but you really don’t seem to get enough calories… especially for working out so hard. For your own sake, you’ll probably feel healthier and better if you allow yourself some more energy!
Posted by Erin on September 29, 2008 at 7:59 pm
EVERYONE – Thanks so much for giving my kitchen the blog love! I’ll let you in on a little secret. We were only able to build a house here because the real estate is super cheap. I mean, I’m a grad student on a stipend! Some 40% of students own homes here. It’s truly a product of the environment. We couldn’t have a big kitchen like that anywhere else in the country!
Rose – You’re so sweet! I’m glad you’re able to incorporate Larabars and ice cream into your life. Can you imagine living without them?!
Jordan – Thanks friend! It’s actually an island, so we just picked the color of quartz we wanted. I have no kitchen table. Ha!
Nicole – Good luck on breaking the habit! It’s scary to let go, but I promise after that it feels amazing.
VG – You’re so awesome.
HeatherBakes – I would argue that we have the cutest pets in blogland. Besides Frank, Erica’s dog.
Shannon – YES! I can’t believe you know that move, but you’re so right!
Heather – Love to your mom.
Maggie – I love those tortillas too! THey’re so chewy!
Sabrina – Chairs from Target!
Jenny – That approach works for me, too.
Gina – Con gusto!
Suzanne – That sounds like a totally good idea. Way to take care of yourself and your family.
Sarah – You can count on more pics of my lover poos just for you!
CCV – I’ll clean in exchange for your cupcakes.
Meghann – Can’t wait to see it!
Julz – I’d love to have that problem.
Andrea – That HRM sounds like a nice counting alternative!
Jenn – Herd dat!
Laura – Don’t cats live the life? I’m jealous.
Eh – Thanks for your concern! However, I’m definitely getting enough for my activity level and I feel really great so not to worry.
Posted by eatingbirdfood on September 30, 2008 at 4:31 am
I’m late, but I had to add that like everyone else – I love your kitchen!!!