Saturday, March 29, 2014

Food as social player

I gave up sugar (and most carbs) for lent as well as for my diet change. Since then, of course I've become a lot more aware about things that are offered when in a group or outside of my normal settings. I cant just "forget" my lunch and go grab 2 slices of pizza for $3. Most fast food is out of the picture. And then there is bday cake at work. That's been my only sweet since March started, but considering 2.5 out of 6 people at the office do not like cake (including b-day man), I couldn't say no. Then there's leftover French fries, or bagels... cookies and bags of M&Ms, jelly beans, etc. All no-nos. I don't miss them very much, but geez, carbs and sugar are everywhere!

On Wednesday, I cooked my very first spaghetti squash, and I think I'm in love. It's so easy to cook in the microwave. 12 minutes and done. Just enough time to make a nice, hearty meat sauce to go with it. Mine ended up a bit watery (not sure if that's normal), but it was still quite the treat. At only $3.25 for a 2.2lb one, it 'only' lasted 2 meals, but I could stretch it out. I had no idea how filling it is, so I was afraid to serve too little with no side of vegetables. I can see this becoming a regular part of my meals. Best of all, they can keep for a LONG time in the fridge (talking about 3-5 weeks), which is a major win for me.

Oh, the joys of challenging yourself to find stuff to eat outside of your comfort zone... did you try to give something up for lent? Or have you had spaghetti squash before?

14 comments:

  1. I need to try those spaghetti squash. I can deal with a vegetable that keeps for 3-5 weeks! And cooks up so easily. Thanks for a good idea.

    Peace <3
    Jay

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    1. I agree Jay I love that they keep forever and there are so many ways to cook it

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  2. How does .5 person not like cake? They kind of like it but not really. Hmm??

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    1. Haha, they will eat it, but they don't like it. 2 refuse to have any altogether.

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  3. I once (30 yrs ago) lost 46 pounds in three months and ate a Hershey bar every day. I did not and still don't believe in dieting or giving up chocolate. I just refuse to give food a role in my social life when I am really serious about losing weight. We will see how successful I am this time around.

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    1. Ooh, never heard of that one! Hahaha. Though it's a bit restrictive... my poor teeth would kill me with nothing else but chocolate for weeks. 46lbs is impressive, though!

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  4. Love,love, love spaghetti squash! Try it like Mac n cheese, or with some grilled shrimp. Mmmmm..

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    1. I'm looking forward to some Alfredo... yum! Have to limit its use, lest it gets old and boring!

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  5. I gave up candy and soda for lent. But then I had a soda this week but I am trying harder. I no longer eat white bread at all in any form I miss it sometimes but not really..since basically its glue. I love spaghetti squash. You are really doing good at all of this. I know once you have your own place you are going to be cooking up a storm...I will get you your crock pot :)

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    1. I've actually planned that my first meal once I move on my own will be out of a crockpot! Haha. No idea what it will be, but I think me and crockpots could become REALLY good friends...

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  6. Feeling your pain, I succumbed to birthday cake this week too which I baked for a student's birthday. Squash is wonderful - filling and very satisfying. I tend to buy pepper squash, cut them in half, scoop out the seeds, add a little butter, salt and pepper and bake in the oven. And they're cheap!!

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    1. Haha, glad I'm not the only one guilt into b-day cake. Never heard of pepper squash, so I'll look that up next!

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  7. And just so you know I should not comment while holding a toddler...my comment made no sense

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    1. Made perfect sense! Normally the only thing I can produce while holding my brother's toddlers is "BBBNNNBBBVVV" as they jam my keys. I'll take key-jamming toddlers over babies that slobber into my phone and disable it for at least 2 hours.

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