Tonight’s Theme = BEER!

Happy Hump-day everyone! The week is officially more than half way over, and I’m already ready for the weekend! πŸ˜†

I have some scary, frightening, what-did-I-get-myself-into but mostly exciting, exhilarating, and happy things in the works now. I can’t wait to share more details with you guys!

Workday Eats

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We had some bread on its last legs, so I decided to go ahead and have Power Toast instead of the blueberry oatmeal I was craving.

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I had a mini Vega shake (vanilla chai health optimizer + water) for nutrition.

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As soon as I got to work today, I was freezing! Instead of using my blankie I put on my teddy bear polar fleece. I think this thing makes me look like a stuffed animal! πŸ˜†

I had a lunch date at 12:30 with a co-worker, but I was feeling pretty hungry by 11am. I tried to ignore my hunger, but it wasn’t working! Sometimes, I avoid snacks because I don’t want to take on the calories (though I’m not counting any more, I can easily estimate in my head and I’m such a numbers person!), but lately I’m leaning more towards the thought that…if I’m hungry…I should EAT! It seems so obvious, but when I was employing less-than-healthy methods to “get skinny”, I used to think being hungry was good. I know now that while a little hunger is good, the way I was approaching it was not so good.

Luckily, my new approach to eating is much more intuitive! I mean, your body is smart, right? It tells you what it wants. If it’s saying it’s hungry, then you should probably give it something, right? So while logic told me that the numbers weren’t adding up the way I wanted, my body said…FEED ME!

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So feed myself I did – with a half KIND Fruit + Nut bar in Almond & Apricot. I saved the other half for later. I only went with half so I wouldn’t spoil my appetite for lunch. πŸ˜‰ It was just the right size to tide me over.

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For lunch, my co-worker and I got something I’ve been wanting to eat for MONTHS and haven’t been able to talk hubby into getting – Thai.

We started with soup.

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I also got a Thai tea – delicious!

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My co-worker gave me a bite of her green curry. It was freakin delicious! I tasted coconut, cream, and lemongrass…yum yum yum!

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I got the pud wun sen but only managed to down about half this plate. There were so many noodles on that plate!

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I picked up some of those yummy donut holes on my way home so I could give some friends a sample later…details further down post.

Project Yard Beautification

Hubby and I don’t know what most of the plants in our yard are. Our neighbor and my mom pointed out some, but we’re still, for the most part, completely clueless!

There are a couple things I’d like to do with our yard:

  • Learn what we already have
  • Beautify our yard with more fabulous plants and flowers
  • Take care and nurture our yard and plants

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Today I swung by a local nursery on my way home and picked up just a couple little things. While I’d like to do one big project and have a giant, fantastic post about it, the truth is that biting off small pieces of projects will probably be the easiest.

When I got home, I quickly planted our new goodies. There are two large, white, plastic planters that contained existing plants, but I wanted to add some other colors and textures to them. Well, honesty, I don’t care much for plastic planters and would prefer to replace them with ceramic, but have you seen how much large ceramic planters are?! They’re like $100-300 depending on how nice they are. Yowsa! So, I just stuck with what we had and added my cheap-o little plants. πŸ™‚

Reader Question: Anyone know where I can get nice, cheap planters? I’m thinking maybe Lowers or Target? Ideas?

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To each pot, I added petunias and sweet potato vines. I love the pink of the flowers and the chartreuse of the vines. I can’t wait till these grow out some more.

I picked the petunias because they are a good companion plant for both deterring bad pests and attracting good ones. Granted, I didn’t plant them in my garden, this pot is right near my herbs, so hopefully that helps. I figure, the more good plants the merrier, right?

I have many more spots in the yard where I’d like to add flowers and other plant-life. I think I have more spots than money unfortunately! 😳

Edible Garden Update

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Something is eating my purple basil!!! It’s putting tons of little holes in the leaves and it’s really pissing me off. I even tried companion planting a marigold with the basil to deter pests, but I guess it’s not deterring the right ones! πŸ™

Does anyone know what might be eating my plant?

Compost Update

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The worms seem to be settling into their compost bin. Tonight I fed them their first scraps – some romaine lettuce (that I had put in the freezer a few days ago so it didn’t spoil). Eat up boys!

Tonight’s Theme = BEER!

And now we get to the fun part!

Matt came over after work and took hubby and me to The Olde Mecklenburg Brewery. Here are some photos from our trip:

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We stopped by to drop off the beer Matt and hubby brewed a few weeks ago and to sample the new OMB beer – Mecklenburger.

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To celebrate the new beer, they tapped it out of a wooden keg. Neat-o!

As for the beer – I really liked it. It was nice and smooth. I’m far from an expert beer drinker, so for me – the smoother the better. I like some hoppy (sp?) beers, but my palate isn’t as refined as it could be for beers. Guess I need to drink more! Good thing hubby is getting into home-brewing.

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After our quick trip to OMB, we headed to Dilworth Neighborhood Grill for a home brew meeting.

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Kath and I shared a summer ale.

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Bottoms up!

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We also shared a hummus trio appetizer. It was served with yummy, tender pita bread. I love pita bread with hummus, though I think Ellie’s is still my fave style with her spiced pita chips.

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I also had a side salad with balsamic vinaigrette.

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And, I had a crab cake appetizer as my entree. It looked kind of silly on the mostly empty plate, but it tasted good. I picked it out because I read on the restaurant’s web site that they won a prize for “Best Appetizer” for Taste of Charlotte in 2009!

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We sampled lots of beers, including many flavored ones: mint, coconut, and raspberry (ok, TWO raspberries!)

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After our beer tasting fun was over, Kath and I had a donut tasting!

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I must have eaten a dozen of these today…Oy! So wrong, but so right. πŸ˜†

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After the meeting, Matt dropped us off and stepped inside for a quick minute – just long enough to taste-test the fruit of their labors – to sample their home brew they made a few weeks ago. I got to try a sip, too, and I’m happy to say it was awesome! Go team hubby and Matt!

So much fun hanging out with Kath + Matt – they’re fun friends! πŸ˜€

Break-up Recovery Week

Here are more tips for my friend who is recovering from a recent, and very difficult break-up. If you have some tips to share, I’m sure they’d love to read them and they will really help. Please leave them in a comment and I’ll blog them later this week.

  • Jessica – I always think getting a new hair cut and a new outfit helps. Once when I felt like I was going to be single forever, I went out and bought a gorgeous ring!!! A big blingy ring… it made me smile!!
  • Andrea – i love pedicures, long sweaty runs and trips to whole foods or tjmaxx to cheer me up
  • Cindy – What worked best for me was hitting the gym. Working out was a great distraction and it made me feel and look great. Just concentrate on what empowers you, whatever that may be.
  • Faith – As far as breakup tips, I think it’s so important to focus on your positives. We usually dwell on negatives – how the relationship went downhill, the irritating things about the partner, but it’s much more mood-boosting to remind yourself of why you are an amazing woman definitely make a list of things you love about yourself!
  • RunnerForever – After any hardtime, like a break up, I go run my heart out!
  • Emily – Gosh, I’d love to help your friend but all I can think of is to just revel in all that life offers. Being single and having that independence is just as fantastic as being with someone. Be okay with how you’re feeling now, and truly feel it. And then be glad to have known and loved.
  • Marie – What I would do if it was me going through a breakup is either make an actual list or a mental list of all the things that person did that I didn’t like, approve of, or hated. This makes you realize that you are better off without him and may lessen the hurt. Think about & plan all the things you have wanted to accomplish but could not because of this other person and immerse yourself in them. Whether its taking a class to learn a new language, a hobby, joining a gym, getting a pet, or going back to school to get a degree. The upside of this is while you are doing what you want, you are in a social setting and the potential for meeting a new mate is there. Good luck to your friend – it’s true β€” time heals all wounds and everything happens for a reason!

Wow – what great tips guys! You’re like our own Dr. Phil! haha

I do have some other emailed, twittered, and commented tips, which I’m saving for the Thursday and Friday. I do need some more, though, so please send your tips in! I know they’ll love them!

Reader Question: Do you let yourself eat when you’re hungry or do you try to stick to a diet, calorie count, etc. that sometimes leaves you hungry?

26 thoughts on “Tonight’s Theme = BEER!”

  1. Wow, what a full day! Your eats look so yummy, especially your breakfast….

    I found your blog through Kath’s and I love the fresh, bright look. You also blog so cheerfully; it makes me smile!

    I have a similar problemo at the moment, but I love “getting hungry” again…I enjoy small snacks in between breakfast/lunch & lunch/dinner. I try and listen to my body and honor it…if it’s hungry, then I have a snack. Our bodies are able to bounce back more and carry us throughout the day if we “re-fuel”. I think you did great – you ate enough to tide you over and not ruin your appitite!

    May I ask (as respectfully as I can) how you eat as much food as you want w/o gaining weight? I know some people say 3 meals and 2 snacks, no more…but you seem to be able to eat things you like/different amounts/kinds w/o being stuffed. Do you just eat small portions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
    • Thanks for your sweet comment!

      I try to eat when I’m hungry and until Im full. As part of SCBR (check out my SCBR Category for details), I gauged my fullness, which was a great exercise in intuitive eating. I try to eat as clean as possible because I think your body is best filled with whole foods – that’s when I think your satiety gauge is really spot on.

      Typically, I eat pretty small portions…not on purpose, but just because that’s the way I end up eating. I eat small amounts in one sitting but can get hungry quickly. I try to fill in the hunger with clean snacks.

      I also allow myself to indulge. If I tell myself I can’t have something, I only want it more. If I just go ahead and have it, I usually end up eating less of it in the long wrong, plus I save myself sanity by not guilting myself or thinking negative things. I enjoy every moment of my indulgent eating. πŸ™‚ But, I also really love my clean eating, too. I think it’s all about balance.

      Reply
  2. Wow, what a full day! Your eats look so yummy, especially your breakfast….

    I found your blog through Kath’s and I love the fresh, bright look. You also blog so cheerfully; it makes me smile!

    I have a similar problemo at the moment, but I love “getting hungry” again…I enjoy small snacks in between breakfast/lunch & lunch/dinner. I try and listen to my body and honor it…if it’s hungry, then I have a snack. Our bodies are able to bounce back more and carry us throughout the day if we “re-fuel”. I think you did great – you ate enough to tide you over and not ruin your appetite!

    May I ask (as respectfully as I can) how you eat as much food as you want w/o gaining weight? I know some people say 3 meals and 2 snacks, no more…but you seem to be able to eat things you like/different amounts/kinds w/o being stuffed. Do you just eat small portions?

    Thanks!

    Reply
  3. I truly wish I had as much self-control when it comes to healthful food as you do!

    Re. your purple basil: my first guess would be slugs or snails, but without actually seeing the critters, you can’t know for sure. It could also be brown beetles. Take a flashlight out at night and hunt for the culprits! Then you’ll know. The good thing is that there are non-chemical ways of dealing with any of those suspects!

    Reply
  4. Ooh, where to get cheap ceramic pots. I would check garage sales for sure. One of the recent martha stewart living’s had a whole article on making artsy ones out of concrete. Take your 50% off coupon to JoAnn’s. And lastly, Old Time Pottery is a great source if there is one near you. Maybe the dollar store?

    Reply
  5. I also have a friend who is dealing with a break up and my BEST advice for healing is to spend quality time with those who love you most…your family. It makes you realize that your family loves you, flaws and all. No guy is worth your time if he doesn’t even treat you like your own family would. When I finally realized this and stopped putting up with all the games…I met the husband I have today.

    As far as intuitive eating…I gave up “calorie counting” a couple years ago and just started focusing on what my body is asking me for. It’s made a WORLD of difference, not only mentally but also physically! I finally put some trust in what my body was telling me and have been able to maintain my weight for about 5 years now! It feels great! So go ahead…listen to your belly! It knows what it wants πŸ™‚
    Cheers!

    Reply
  6. This is my first comment on here! I’ve been an avid reader of Kath’s and Emily’s blogs so it’s about time I head over to yours!

    When I come to work I bring enough food for breakfast, a snack, lunch, and another snack. Just because I plan for it doesn’t mean I eat it. If I feel hungry I do, if I don’t, I don’t. I normally end up bringing one of the snacks home each day, but I’m just happy to know that if my body starts to need it, i’m there with more healthy eats for it!

    This is all while calorie counting. Each snack is factored in. If I don’t eat one of them, then dinner just gets to be a bit bigger : ) , or I’ll have a piece of chocolate after lunch!

    Reply
  7. What a fun night!! I definitely eat when I’m hungry. Restricting leads to nothing but more hunger, crankiness, dizziness, and nothing good for me. If I’m hungry, I figure it’s my body telling me it needs something, so who am I not to listen? πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  8. I counted calories for years and then switched to WW points. Every time, the weight came back, so I just started eating intuitively. I have consciously or subconsciously restricted my food and ignored my hunger.

    I just started, but I must say it is very liberating! I haven’t been overeating because I know that if am hungry again, I will eat.

    Nice work on listening to your body! It knows you better than anyone else. πŸ™‚

    Reply
  9. I found your blog through Kath Eats also – great find!

    I really identify with your words on eating when hungry and listening to your body and really learning to do that again. I too have struggled with really tuning into my body and taking notice of the signals it was giving me, but I’m gradually getting there (although it’s not easy!).

    Keep up the great postings and good luch with the garden, I’m trying to overhaul mine too!

    pamplemousse (all the way from England!)

    Reply
  10. I always eat when I’m hungry and usually try to pack a snack with me everywhere I go, just in case. You don’t want to see me when I get too hungry cause that turns to hangry really quick! If I want to feel good and have energy all day I need to eat! Thanks for sharing your fun, beer filled evening! Looks like fun πŸ˜‰

    Reply
  11. After doing a bunch of fad diets and strict calorie counting I have given up counting and now follow the Eat Clean plan of eating 5-6 meals a day, or when I am hungry. I find that doing so I get hungry more like every 2 hours instead of 3. I used to over eat all of the time and the foods I was eating were terrible! Since eating clean (it’s been a month!)and understanding what I am eating, I have stopped over eating like I used to. I do have my occasional moments (when I buy a bag of Pirates Booty White Cheddar Puffs… amazing). But, I find I am only sucessfull when I plan and have all of my meals and snacks prepared ahead of time. It is so much harder to eat clean when I don’t prepare. I don’t mean to hop on the Tosca Reno Eat Clean bandwagon, but her book really changed my view on eating and has helped me in so many ways!

    Reply
  12. I’ve never ever been much of a beer drinker – actually I’ve always hated it – but lately I’ve been sort of craving it. One day I’ll get brave and try one again πŸ˜‰

    The hunger cues are a really tricky thing. I try not to let myself get too hungry – once I get to a certain point of hungriness, I start eating to stop the hunger but generally don’t stop once I’m adequately full – it’s like I’m overcompensating. Because of that I try not to let myself get past say, a 3 on a 1-10 hunger scale.

    Reply
    • “once I get to a certain point of hungriness, I start eating to stop the hunger but generally don’t stop once I’m adequately full – it’s like I’m overcompensating. Because of that I try not to let myself get past say, a 3 on a 1-10 hunger scale.”

      me too! good for you for recognizing this. πŸ™‚ nice job!

      Reply

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