February 08, 2012

Real Foods Challenge: Day 8

Today was, by far, the hardest day I've had on this challenge yet. There weren't temptations in front of me, I didn't go to a party or anything; I just could NOT stop thinking about a Mrs. Fields Cookie with loads of butter cream frosting. But in my determination to see this challenge through to the end, I didn't cave.

I blame Jessica, for talking about cookie cake during our run this morning. If we were still overweight, I think we'd be best food buddies. (I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but Jessica lost about 80 pounds many years ago, and has kept it off). We both adore sugar.

Anyway, we met at the State Park at 8:00 this morning for our interval run. She wasn't feeling too great, so we took it easier than last week. The pace for our fast interval splits were: 8:58, 8:50, 8:57, 8:53, 9:09, 9:08. You can tell that she really started to feel crappy after our fourth interval. She kept apologizing, but I told her that everyone has bad running days!

I've decided not to run the Ragnar Tennessee that I wrote about recently. I just don't feel like that group was the right "fit" for me--it didn't seem very organized, and when I'm spending a lot of money for a race like that, I'd like to know exactly what is going on. I'm kind of bummed, because I'd love to do another Ragnar (the sooner the better). I do have plans for next January, though, that I'll write about once the details are final.


Anyway, since I was really craving something sweet today, I found this recipe for whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread (a "real food" recipe), and I threw together a loaf of that in the bread machine. It turned out really good, and while it wasn't a Mrs. Fields cookie with butter cream frosting, it helped tame my sweet tooth a little ;)  The texture of it was very light and soft, and at first I was disappointed, but once I tasted the bread, the taste made up for the texture.

My food log for today:
Breakfast--usual oats cooked in milk with dates, walnuts and pure maple syrup
Lunch--salad with chicken, feta cheese, almonds, and balsamic vinaigrette
Dinner--pork roast, unsweetened apple sauce, sauteed Brussels sprouts, homemade cinnamon raisin bread with butter
Snacks--2 (or was it 3?) spoonfuls of peanut butter, cashews, popcorn with oil and salt

My dinner was so good and and the whole family enjoyed the "real food" dinner today...

I love to dip my pork in applesauce... does anyone else do that?


After dinner, I noticed that the cats didn't have any food in their bowl. We normally have a big bowl of food for them that we keep out all the time for them to graze as they want. Well, Chandler doesn't really understand the definition of the word "graze"--he things it means "gorge":
Chandler definitely fits the phrase "fat and happy", but the vet isn't so happy about his weight. So on the spur of the moment today, I decided that he's going on a diet.

Putting ONE cat on a diet in a house of FOUR cats is not easy. This means I'll have to feed all four cats on a schedule, twice a day.

Paolo, the "temporary" cat (we STILL have not found a home for him, and it's been almost a year) has some quirks, and one of them is that he was completely spoiled by his previous owner. I think he must have been fed only canned food, because he wolfs it down when I give it to him, but he would rather starve for days than eat dry food. I can't open a can of anything without him right at my ankles.

So after dinner today, I portioned out four small bowls of dry food. The cats were really hungry because they hadn't had food probably since this morning. Phoebe, Chandler, and Estelle all went to town as soon as I set the food down. Paolo, who was meowing and right at my ankles waiting for food, looked at me like I was an idiot when I set the food in front of him. If cats could talk, he would have said to me, "What the eff is that?! That's not food!"

So while the other cats ate, Paolo sat next to his bowl and scowled.
The other cats all finished and Paolo just sat there, pissed off. Then I took his food away and cleaned up the kitchen. He kept sitting there, so I decided to try again. I put a little more food in the bowl, and after giving me another scowl, he ate about half of it.

Cats crack me up with their personalities. I usually talk about Estelle on the blog, because she's the most entertaining. But all four of my cats have funny quirks, and this happens to be Paolo's. He's spoiled rotten. And he LOVES to be groomed. If I even go near where we keep the cat brush, he's rubbing all over my legs until I brush him.


This next picture is completely disgusting, but I must show someone. This morning, I was packing lunches for the boys, and I couldn't find Eli's lunchbox. I got out an older one that we had in the pantry to let him use instead. When I opened it up, I found this:

I have no clue what it is!! My best guess is that it was a banana (or banana peel). I have no idea how long it sat in there. I didn't even want to clean this out, so I just threw it away.

I don't know why I feel the need to share with everyone all the disgusting things I find in my house or on my body... a mouse, a moldy sweet potato, fish flies, blisters on my feet, bug guts on my arm... the list goes on. Enjoy!

37 comments:

  1. The recipe looks yum!

    And omg. Nasty lunchbox... thanks?

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  2. As I've stated before...we have so much in common. Just about everyday, when I read your blog I think, "Oh my goodness...I do that/love that too!" lol. I almost HAVE to eat my pork with applesauce. I guess I'll eat it without it, but only if we don't have any applesauce in the house. My husband thinks I'm weird...so it's good to know I'm not the only one.

    I had a good laugh about the lunchbox! I'm glad you share those gross things you find in your house because I'm always finding gross stuff around my house (with two boys 3 and 4 I think its mandatory) especially sippy cups filled with rotten milk or moldy juice. Every time I find something like that I think that I must be the only mom who "allows" this to happen! I'm so glad to know I'm not the only one!

    Wanted to tell you that I made some coconut butter...YUM! Question though...is it normal that it hardened after sitting overnight? I also bought some coconut milk to try and LOVE that as well. So this morning I had oatmeal cooked with coconut milk, with coconut butter mixed in, with (microwave) toasted pecans and a few shavings of sweetened coconut! It was DELICIOUS! Tomorrow I think I'm going to do the same, but stir in some dried tropical fruit!

    Check out my blog...I hit my first 'mini' weight loss goal! : )
    www.willbeskinnyernie.blogspot.com

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    Replies
    1. Yes, it's totally normal for the coconut butter to harden--you can just throw it in the microwave for 30 seconds or so to get it liquidy again.

      Congrats on reaching your first mini goal!!

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  3. WAY TO GO on not caving in! Sometimes the most tempting times aren't when we are at a party or with others, but instead, when we are alone to do/eat whatever we want without the judgement of others! SO, good job on being strong and getting through another day of your challenge!

    P.S. Your cats crack me up, too!

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  4. Hey Katie, I just wanted to give you a heads' up to talk to your vet about putting the cats on a diet (if you didn't already). It can be really dangerous for them if you restrict their food too much too quickly. (I have fat cats too, so I can totally relate!)

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  5. Oh man... That dinner is exactly what I want right now!

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  6. ok, that raisin bread looks YUMMMM-O!! Now i am totally craving it!!

    and as for the lunchbox - EWWW yuck! and my first thought was banana too!

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  7. I love pork chops with applesauce. We have a 22 pound orange tabby who is always on a diet. He begs for food all day :( it is quite sad.

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  8. Katie, I'm a vegetarian now, but when I was growing up my mom made pork almost every week, and there was ALWAYS applesauce on the side! It was a good combo.

    Dede

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  9. Love to eat applesauce with pork. I especially love to eat applesauce with my ham!

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  10. my cat henry is just like paolo. we adopted him when he was four, and he fit into our house perfectly- except for the food issue. we finally figured out he wanted wet food and he clamors for it now. around 5:30 every night he starts begging even though he gets fed around 7:30pm. every morning as soon as one of us opens our eyes, he's on top of us begging for breakfast!! our other cat prefers her dry food and will take a few bites of the wet, then go back to bed. cats are hilarious, right?

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  11. Paolo is such a gorgeous cat, do you know what breed he is? He looks like he may be a siberian seal point. I cannot believe you want to get rid of him, but I understand having too many cats. If I was closer, I would jump at the opportunity to adopt him, I'm really finding it hard to believe nobody has wisked him away, yet. Anyway, good luck on your real foods challenge. I know how hard it is hard to only eat natural things.

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  12. Katie, I found your blog just over a week ago. Honestly, it gave me just the push I needed to make another attempt to lose weight. I am on day 7 - taking it one day at a time. I have 265 lbs. to lose (it seems completely impossible) and I have failed MANY times. But I'm not giving up...thanks for the inspiration, the recipes AND the introduction to oats in the morning!

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    1. YES you can! I lost 180 lbs. and it changed my life! My suggestion--Sparkpeople.com. That's where I met Katie, and it's free and there's so many resources on their website, it kept me motivated and still does!

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    2. Connie, I wouldn't even be able to COUNT the number of times I failed at losing weight. It's just important to keep trying, because one of these times will be IT.

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    3. You can do it! I am working to lose 100 pounds, I am down 16 pounds so far. Just remember you can do this and ALL of us are cheering you on!!!

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  13. LOL that banana creature has seen better days!!!! I love sharing that kind of stuff! :)

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  14. The gross stuff made me lolz. Thanks! I needed a good laugh tonight, been a loooong day.

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  15. Paolo is so gorgeous. I can't believe no one wants him! When I lived in a house with stairs in Seattle my little tabby Penny got plenty of exercise, but now that we're in a tiny apartment in Tokyo we have to watch her food because she gets a little chunky! As for the lunch box, I sat and stared at the picture for like a minute haha. It's baffling and interesting! Don't get me started on the accidental nasties I have come across. I'm usually just really bad with fruits and veggies, but today for example, I forgot to put a bandaid on a sore spot on my toe before I went running (the nail on the next toe rubbed it), and I came home to a bloody sock in my shoe! I swear that's not normal and I take care of myself, haha!

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  16. The real foods dinner looks delicious!! You are such a good inspiration.

    Thanks and hope you have a wonderful week

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  17. That "thing" in the lunchbox looks like the seaweed pods that wash ashore at the beach! WTH? Send it off to the lab for analysis!

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  18. I love that have running buddies! I think that would be such an awesome motivator!!

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  19. I love how Paolo is so unimpressed- part Persian maybe and waiting for his Fancy Feast? Hope you find a home for him. And don't make Chandler diet, just take him on a run! :)
    I want those brussel sprouts, what did you use to saute them?
    Keep up the good work!

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    Replies
    1. I just used safflower oil. Sauteed Brussels sprouts are SO good--even my kids love them, and they don't like ANYTHING green!

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  20. Love cats! Mine are in some serious trouble for sharpening their claws on new ottomans. SERIOUS.

    Gag on the lunch box! We don't pack lunches yet, but I am mentally noting your picture for future reference.

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  21. LOVE your cat stories! I have alwsays LOVED cats, but currently we have none. I just got tired of cleaning out litter boxes, I guess. Plus, five years ago, when I was taking care of my dad in his home while he was in hospice, he had the meanest cat who ever lived, and it really turned me off the idea of trying to get another cat. But at one time....we had SEVEN cats! TOO MANY! For a time, we even raised Himalayans, which Paolo looks like he must be, at least partly. He always was a handsome devil, but a bit of an a$$hole, as I recall. We also had several "other" cats, a few strays we adopted, a cat my Dad could no longer keep, etc. You know how it goes....

    I have heard that dogs will eventually eat any food you put out, when they get hungry enough. But I've also read that cats will not--they will starve rather than eat something they don't like. Talk about finicky! You know the difference between cats and dogs don't you? Dogs come when you call them. Cats take a message and get back to you!

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  22. A suggestion for your kitty, put a little water in the dry food. My older dog is picky too, but once we put water in the food she was 100% into it! Hope it works!

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  23. Hi Katie!!!!
    I haven't commented in awhile because I am in FL on vacation. Have your heard of the North Country Trail Relay? It is in June, it goes from Baldwin to Cadillac, it is for 6 people teams.. I did it once, and I am hoping to do it this year again!!!!
    Thanks for sharing pictures of your kitties!!!!!
    ~Laura

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  24. Love Brussel sprouts......How did you cook those? I didnt see a recipie.......I looked first cuz I know you are a busy girl:)

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    1. Thanks for looking first! ;) But these are so simple you don't need a recipe. I just quartered the Brussels sprouts and sauteed them in about 2 teaspoons of safflower oil (or any oil will do). They're really good when they start to caramelize and get brown on the sides!

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  25. It just occurred to me that all your cats have names from Friends. Coincidental? I hope not! LOVE that show :) Your blog is very inspiring!

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    1. LOL, that would be one heck of a coincidence if it was! No, my husband and I loved Friends. We used to have a cat named Monica and a dog named Joey as well. ;)

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  26. Whoa, that banana looked insane! I think you'd be a good Biology buddy in my college class, we'd be all disgusted but fascinated at the same time :) You're cats are so adorable :)

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  27. Just wondering how you came about acquiring Paolo since you call him your temporary cat? Sorry for all the questions about the cat, but I love, love, love cats!! I've been deprived for the past 10 years because my husband is allergic. Just got a hypoallergenic cat 3 months ago and am loving having a cat again!! There have been studies conducted that shows owning a cat has certain calming effects on people, lowering stress and anxiety and I truly believe it. I was much happier when I had cats, which was pretty much my whole life until I met the guy that is now my husband in 2002. Anyway, I do not want Paolo to be sent to a shelter, aka the gas chamber. It breaks my heart to think that could happen. He is so beautiful, I'm sure someone will take him. I have a network of cat enthusists and there may be someone interested in him. If you don't mind, I will circulate his photo you have here and try to help you find a loving home for him. Just a quick note about his eating habits, my cat is a Siberian blue lynx point and was put on canned food by the breeder and that is all she will eat now. It seems as though the "fancy cats" have a diva like personality and only the best will do! Thank you for your time, sorry to ramble. By the way, you are gorgeous and so inspiring on what you have accomplished. I wish you much continued success!

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    1. We found Paolo living in our shed last spring. I refused to take in another cat, so we just left him outside. But he wouldn't go away, so I found a home for him. The woman who took him in only kept him for a week before she dropped him back off at my house. Every time I opened the door, he would try to get in the house, and one day it was pouring rain, so I ended up letting him come in.

      And he hasn't been out since. LOL

      There are links to the whole story on my "About Me" page, because I wrote about the whole thing in my blog. I really don't want four cats (even three is a lot!) so I'd love to find a *good* home for him.

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    2. Thanks, Katie. I'm checking with a breeder to see if she may be able to identify the breed. He definitely looks like some sort of exotic breed. Anyway, we are thinking he looks a lot like a Siberian or Ragdoll. Looks like he has blue eyes, too which is common with these breeds. Anyway, maybe this could be a good "selling point" for him even though you found him and have no papers. I'll contact you if I find out anything else. - Tammy

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