What I ate today: March 6, 2023

Woke up late (after the alarm went off, I set it for another hour).

First up, warm water and 1/2 lemon. Then sardines with Solomon Gundy, little mayo, avocado and low carb bread I bake myself. Here is the recipe for the darker one and here is the one for the lighter one. I will gradually reduce the portion. Coffee of course, with a splash of unsweetened coconut milk and heavy cream, plus unsweetened Jouvay cocoa powder. This was about 8:40 a.m.

Had a second cup of coffee around 1 p.m., then at about 3:15 p.m. I had 1 baked chicken thigh, a smattering (about 1/8 cup) of some steamed veg (okra and pumpkin) and 1 boiled egg. I had carried avocado but as I was eating so late, and I intended to exercise at about 5:30 p.m., I didn’t want to be full. Well….didn’t reach home until 6:30 p.m.! Here’s why.

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Weighty matters: Battling inner conflicts

As I barrel to the official retirement age of 60, I find myself still not having a handle on maintaining weight loss. I have had a few good weight loss years – 1983, 1992, 2010, 2016 and 2021 are ones which come to mind. But they are always followed by me slacking off….taking my foot off the gas, and then of course, the weights creeps back on.

Since about November last year, I have been unable to fit into my company-issued uniforms. Truth be told, it was a few months before that…..I was squeezing myself into the ones I had made the seamstress take in. At the time the uniforms were delivered in late 2021, I had been on a really good eating pattern which had led to steady weight loss. I had reached to 199 lbs. So I had asked her to take in 2 of the 3 sets of uniform that were noticeably baggy. “Leave 1 set….just in case.” I guess I know myself.

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Gym episode 15/02: Just keep pushing

Boy, did I need this today! No entry yesterday meant it was a rest day of sorts. I did a few swim strokes in the ocean but nothing much.

We had determined that Monday was going to be a cardio day and I would be working on my own. I knew I wouldn’t have felt like exercising afer work so decided to go in the morning when the gym was empty. Without any confirmation from the Trainer, I had determined that 30 minutes was enough. I was to later learn otherwise.

It was not working for me. I just did not feel like working out. And it wasn’t like it was early. I got there minutes to 8. I am SO NOT A MORNING PERSON! But, I am on a mission, ent? Hopped on the bike for 20 minutes. Evidence….

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#Gym episode 12/02: Why stop?

I was late for my session today because of work meetings which ran late. It meant that the trainer had less time to spend with me. The routine today was:-

10 mins elliptical (I increased the resistance every minute)
Ab exercises (3 on the machines and 3 on the floor)
In between the ab exercises, there was sprinting on the bike for about 3 mins)

The trainer had to leave me during the last set on the last machine and gave instructions that I should finish up with 15 mins on the elliptical. I thought “why stop there?” So this is what I decided to do.

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After all, this is a challenge, isn’t it! If my leg muscles were not in need of repair, I would have done more.

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How many #before #weightloss photos am I going to take????

It starts on February 10, 2016…..check back for updates.

12 reasons to tempt you to drop everything and move to Grenada

I agree with everything Michelle Peterson had to say in this article. Having lived here mostly for the better part of 17 years though, there are somethings she mentions which I have not yet experienced. Better get a move on it!

Paradise Beach, Carriacou (one of the 3 islands which make up the state of Grenada)

Paradise Beach, Carriacou (one of the 3 islands which make up the state of Grenada)

Happy Independence Grenada!

Bleh that the holiday fell on a weekend, but anyway, Happy 41st Independence Grenada!

Went to the Stadium to see the crafts and food on display in the Made In Grenada expo. Some good quality products….if only they had a larger market, or the capacity to export.  But what I REALLY went for, was to find some Oil Down.

First, some photos of the products being sold.

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Not only does it smell delicious…it also has healing properties

 

Pieces for the Kitchen, very neatly made

Pieces for the Kitchen, very neatly made

Hand painted coral is at the bottom of this jewellery piece.

Hand painted coral is at the bottom of this jewellery piece.

Now on to the more important topic. You recall that I have been experimenting with meat since Christmas, after being on a vegetarian diet since 2005. The return to meat was timely. Pig tail is one of the most delicious things in the Oil Down. What exactly is Oil Down? A non-Grenadian did a detailed explanation with picture. Take a look here.

Went to the food stall immediately on arrival. It done! This was 1:30!!!!! Had a bake with smoked herring instead. Then a friend with whom I had shared my disappointment, came and told me there was a lady selling Oil Down. Happy like  a pig in swill. So prepared was I that I had carried a food container and a food bag. Oil Down is carb loaded and I knew I wouldn’t have been able to eat off all of the EC$12 version. Dug in, had half, then packaged the rest.

Then, to top off today, another friend called to ask if I wanted Oil Down. Yessssssssssssssssssssssssssss! That’s going to be the Sunday Dinner. Had to take a taste though. It’s THAT good.

Grenada's National Dish - Oil Down

Grenada’s National Dish – Oil Down

Chicken….little

I’ve been off meat, including chicken, since 2005. I ate only fish and other seafood. That decision was fueled by concerns over what the flesh of the pig, goat, cow and chicken might be doing to my health. Later, it was because I felt sorry for the animals. Mind you, when we were kids, we used to go to a pig farm and inevitably, pigs would be killed while we were there. Their throat would be cut, all the blood would come rushing out, then they’d pour hot water on the dying animals so the hair would come off easily. And before 2005, pork was my favourite meat. Go figure.

Whether it’s coincidental or not, I’ve had muscular issues from around 2005. Could there be a connection, I wondered? I’d read a few stories about vegetarians who returned to meat, because of the negative effects on their health. B-12 deficiency was usually one of the issues. It made me contemplate whether these injuries to my muscles were as a result of not enough animal protein. The pro-vegetarians would say “hog wash!” 🙂 Continue reading

27 Diagrams That Make Cooking So Much Easier

Too good. Had to share.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/christinebyrne/cooking-charts?bftw&utm_term=4ldqpg4&s=mobile#4ldqpg4

Weight Off My Shoulders?

Weight has been an issue with me ever since I knew myself as a kid. I enjoyed food, so much so that once my sister started to say she didn’t want the rest of her food, in one fell swoop, I was there. Maybe I shouldn’t have been assigned the seat right next to her. Easy access.

Later on I learnt that we get the number of fat cells we are to have for life, by our teenage years. Yes, I got the lot….lots, lots and lots. Depending on what happens with our metabolism, the fat cells fill up or empty out. I’ve not been on ‘E’ ever. The one period in my life that I felt slim, I was still not in a size 12 or less (my mental image of what is slim).

Being fiercely independent, I have resisted getting any ‘help’ over the past 3 or so decades this has been a weight on my shoulders. I felt that persons who could not do it on their own were weak. Cowards. Unable to sacrifice for a goal. Well, despite all my good intentions (“I swear, this Kiss cake will be the last, then I’m going on a no sugar diet”), I have turned into the weak coward, unable to sacrifice for a goal type of person.

What’s that goal? To be able to wear all the clothes I folded up and put away in the suitcase under the bed – what my sister has dubbed “the future clothes.” They are probably all moldy by now.

In comes a friend who tried a 10 day cleanse, and voila, the possibility of a 5 – 20 lbs weight loss seems bright. I had to time it right. Not too far from when I would be going home for Christmas. Not too close either. Continue reading