Flavor of the Week: Strawberries

Hello Beautifuls,

I'm feeling very inspired today. I wonder if you all realize how much your blogs motivate me. It's a constant source of joy to see other people who do what I do and succeed at it each and every day. It's positivity breeding positivity breeding positivity. Today I was lucky to get to talk to a couple different people about weight loss and it always touches my heart that I can do even the smallest thing to help them on their journeys. I'm often approached about my story. I've had emails from desperate, anguished people, in some cases heavier than I ever was. And, it's a humbling, honest experience to remember I was once that person. I get questions about my food intake, my exercise regimen, loose skin from large weight loss, etc. People are always so surprised at how willing I am to share, which in turn surprises me. To me, it's simply "paying it forward." I am so grateful, so grateful.

January 2005


June 2009

Losing 200 pounds was the culmination of so many things and people in my life. There were the doctors, nurses and nutritionists, who encouraged me and reminded me gently (and sometimes not so gently) that weight loss surgery is a tool, and nothing more. And, a tool is only useful when you use it. There were those who stood by me in the worst of my rages against my eating demons, my lifelong disease. There were those who literally helped me re-learn how to eat, how to walk, how to live life in a way I'd never had the opportunity to live it. There are those today who motivate me, encourage me, remind me that who I was and who I am are two interdependent beasts that I must constantly reconcile in order to become who I want to be. Again, grateful doesn't cut it and words can barely say it, but I'm a writer, so I try (and that, my bloggy friends is where "the book" comes in).

I won't carry on any further, because, really, you're here to read about my food, but I'll say again, thank you for being my daily motivators by simply sharing of yourselves for all of us to read. It's a beautiful thing. :)

So, as you know, today was a busy day for me. I worked at the office until about noon. I came home and made a delish spinach-feta scrambled egg lunch with a side of maters and hummus toast. It was eggcellent if I do say so myself. ;)

When I went grocery shopping this time, I was shopping the sales. I ended up with this cute little loaf of miniature bread (very small pieces). It's really very tasty. I love that each slice is 50 calories and 5 grams of fiber. Perfect for a small snack.

After lunch, I had a boatload of work to do. I knocked it out and went straight through to about 3:30, when I realized I'd better have a snack before class. I wasn't that hungry, so I had a kashi bar. I love the pumpkin flax! Yum-o!

Class was good. I figured out how to turn the bikes up to a higher resistance last week and now I work up a pretty good sweat. Fun stuff. When I got home, I got straight to work on dinner. Hubby was starving after the gym, and I was ready to make a yummy dish with the flavor of the week. Yes, that's right. I'm like Souplantation, and this week is Strawberry Week.

On tonight's menu... Strawberry Fish Tacos

Holy Strawberry Poptarts, these were good! I used tilapia for the fish, which I browned with olive oil and some random spices from my cabinet. I made a sort of relish out of fresh tomatoes, frozen corn, chopped spinach and broccoli slaw.

I piled everything on whole-wheat tortillas and topped with strawberries, a tad of greek yogurt and a bite of salsa. Awesome! This was the best meal I've made in a while (well, since Yam Pancakes, right?!).

I even made enough fish for hubby's lunch tomorrow. Yes, I pack his lunch every day (I love doing that kind of stuff.) Am I a good wifey or what?! :p

Right now, the hubby is watching a Spanish horror film (with subtitles). Actually looks interesting, so I may go watch it (or should I say read it?). he he...

Much love to you all. See ya tomorrow.

xoxo
-j