who says you can't eat healthy at a taqueria

I have been craving Ensalada de Nopales for the longest.  I usually buy my nopales (cactus) from the farmers market and cook them and then make my salad with pico de gallo.  Today was one of those days where all i could think of was NOPALES.  So I visited a taqueria near my office.  I knew this La Favorita on Franklin Blvd. served nopales in their salsa bar. You don't find these at many mexican restaurants.

 It's noon.  I'm in line at La Favorita waiting to give the gal at the counter my order.  She looks at me odd when I ask for nopales as it's not on the menu.

I then ask for a Vampira (juice of beets, carrots, oranges, celery, cucumber and apples).  It was then that the girl "winked" at me.  She smiled.  Went to the salad bar and plated the nopales and gave me a number.

I sat at a table  near the window, listening to mexican music.  I was alone but content.  I'm not a big fan of going to a restauant solo.  As I ate my nopalitos, the waitress brings me my vampira. Isn't it gorgeous? I was one happy chica.  I could not finish my vampira, so I asked for a cup and will have it later today.

After my most satisfying lonchesito, I went in search of lottery picks for tonight's drawing. After the 3rd location, I purchased $10 of quick pick numbers.

I know the odds are against me. But hey, it's just fun thinking about what I would do with that kind of money. Like they say, you gotta play to win...

Who says you can't eat healthy at a taqueria?

Lotto Frenzy

Happy Friday all.  Do you have any cool plans for the weekend?  Since the weather in Sacramento looks like rain, I thought I'd invite friends over for a game of cards. Doesn't that sound fun?

I do not know how to play poker but with all the Mega Lotto frenzy taking place, maybe I'd try my hand at lady luck.  Speaking of the Lotto, have you bought your ticket?  It feels like I'm the only one on the planet who hasn't. I've had some interesting convos today with friends on what they would do if they won? One said she would buy a compound for her family.  It's a fun just talking about the "what ifs"...

I feel left out so at  noon, I'll head out and spent $10 and pick my kids birthdays. Everyone does that right? 

So tell me, what would you do if you won the lottery?

i hate the scale even though it was nice to me

today,  The scale is so fickle.  I find that there is no ryme nor reason to the reading.  For the last month, I've been in a funk. My eating has been okay but not great and I've exerted minimal effort in the workout departments.  Zumba 3 times a week hardly feels like a real workout these days. I can't believe I'm saying that but it's true.  This morning, I got on the scale and it read 171 lbs.  How the hell did I go from 175 to 171 in a week?

I'm in a GREY AREA right now.  I call it GREY because it's attitude related. For the last year, my exercise would include yoga, zumba, jogging and walking--6 times a week.  What was my reward? Nada... the scale would not move.  I find myself looking at pizza and bread and thing "eat it. it's not like the scale is moving." Bad place to be mentally.  Then today, the scale loves me.  I don't deserve scale love. Not really...

Instead of walking or exercising at  noon. I'm at the computer... my "good habits" are shifting. This morning, I asked Daniel to take a full body picture. Nothing has changed. Stomache still protrudes. Arms hideous. I know.I know. I shouldn't be hard on myself....

All I know is my attitude means more to me than the scale.  I'd much rather be in the place where I was last year instead of where I am right now. I can't quite put this feeling into words but I'm sure if you're reading this and struggle with weight loss or non weigh loss,  you might be able to relate.  It's sort of what I was talking about last week when I said "I miss me."

It's a struggle to fight that inner voice that says "read blogs vs. lift weights at lunch."  I'm looking forward to finding my way back... Do any of you feel me?

orange

Orange skies

(taken outside my office 3/20/12)

cell phone using Lightbox filter

This tree is behind my office. There is something "spooky" about this tree, Especially during this time of year.   I have little words these days for blogging but do find the need to express myself.  If not by words, by images.

where has she been?

Okay, I'll stop immitating "gossip girl."  I used to love that show.  The gloomy Sacramento weather and stressful work has dominated my spirit.  Do you find that rainy weather affects your mood? It certainly does for me. All I can manage is zumba 3 days a week.

My creativitiy in the kitchen is also missing. I've been roasting veggies, making smoothies and eating lots of greens but "my fire" is somewhat diminished. Oh, I'm not giving up. Just acknowledging that I need to light a match under my ass.  Hey, you were thinkin it, right?
Today, i ate an entire banana nut muffin and found myself throwing up in the restroom for 15 minutes. Why do I torture myself? With my GERD and Hernia, I find I cannot eat bread.  I have no idea why i punish myself with food.  Eating something you know will make you sick is just CRAZY.  Acknowledging the behavior is the first step, right? 

The sun is out today and I find there is more bounce in my step.  The scale is at 175 and 179 where it has been for years. I'm treading dangerous territory mentally--saying to self "fudge it... eat it paula. it's not like you're losing or gaining..." That's stinkin thinkin and something I've tried to stay clear of...

I promise paulawannacracker will see some healthy cookin and lots of activity in the coming weeks.  I miss me...  YES, I MISS ME.  Off to find myself.  How about you?  Do you find that you need to reel yourself in from time to time?

breathe.paula.breathe

that's what I keep telling myself.  Gosh, I am such an emotional eater. Okay. I'm going to be honest here. I am spoiled.  I am used to having my way. Ever since I was a kid, I usually got what I wanted.  I am not saying that I was this princess.type.who.got.everything.she.wanted. Far from it. I could tell you stories...

In my adult life, I find that it's necessary for things to occur in a certain fashion. I am methodical. I have a routine. There is order in my world. Anything that veers me off such "certainties" in my life have a tendency to frazzle me.  I can be a lilly in the wind. Don't misunderstand. I want to please.... and so when I am challenged. I take it personal.  How do I react?  I look around "oh, there are peanuts, candy, trail mix." Doesn't matter. I will eat it.  Stuffing my face is way more appealing than say, dealing with NOT GETTING MY WAY.  There. I said it.  Can you relate? Am I alone here? BE HONEST.

I work with intelligent, young adults.  They will test me just like my own kids have done and will do.  These are all natural life courses so Paula... stay away from the freakin candy.  Put your gym clothes and go to STRAIGHT to zumba.  A little cumbia and reggaton will make you smile.  Brush off the issues of the day.  So you were treated with disrespect.  Don't take it personal.  They want it their way as well.  Give a young person some authority and whew... interesting things happen. Stay calm. breathe and don't let crapola ruin your day of healthy eating and the potential to smile. Got it?

Sometimes you just gotta talk yourself down from a tree.

healthy.eater.show.off

Aww, it's Thursday. One more day til Friday...  Doing really good with my  new motto "not drowing in a cup of water."  Helping me keep things in perspective.

I wanted to share one of my favorite food finds from Trader Joe's.  I found this Quinoa medeley in the frozen food section. It's 220 calories for 1 cup.  High in calories if  you're eating "as is" which I do not.  I add this grain to my veggie dishes.

I've been doing this for a while since it adds a layer of flavor to what could be BORING vegetables. Last night, I sauted fresh asparagus and when they were nice and soft, I added 2 cups of quinoa. 

Here's a picture I took with my cell phone.  This picture doesn't do the meal justice.  BTW-- Is there a way to take a picture on android cell phone and upload to blogger? I can't figure it out. 

Back to my quinoa obsession.  I divided this batch of quinoa and asparagus. Half for last night dinner and the other half for my lunch.  This little mixture (heated up of course) was the perfect topping to my massage kale with olive oil.

I felt so healthy heating my lunch up in the break room.  I'm such a healthy.eater.show.off.  After my healthy lunch, I went for a 2 mile walk.  My leg was a little sore from last night's 2 hour jog. It was cold last night and I didn't want to go but after reading Roni's Weigh's blog yesterday where she talks about healthy habits.  She's so right about turning on "auto pilot" and just doing rather than thinking about exercising.

Love you Roni.  Well, gotta run.  I am so looking forward to the weekend. How about you?

how do you handle stress?

Ever take a good look at how you react to stress?  Things are starting to get challenging as I work in two different departments.  Monday was "off the charts" in terms of stress. Just before quitin time, a had a project go wrong and was beside myself.  Instead of heading to zumba, I went home to wallow.   The moment I walked in I was a bear. Went straight to the kitchen and made me a huge omelete.  Gobbled up a banana and almonds right out of the bag. Then went to bed early with an uncomfortably full belly.

I slept until 6:45 a.m., still FULL from last night's dinner. Never eat a banana before going to bed. Just saying... 

Today things are in perspective. I do what I can, where I can, with the amount of time I have.  The end.  My issues are so minor in the grand scheme of things.  Why do I drown myself in a cup of water? I'm evaluating how I manage my stress. Today I was told a co-worker's husband died. Another lost his vision. And what am I doing?  Wallowing over SHIT.

There is always going to be stress in one's life.  I cheated self by not keeping with my routine. Remember, one never feels bad after a work out. I knew that intellectually but chose to hide under a rock.  My day is still stressful but the difference is my attitude.  I Instead of succumbing to the huge bag of M&M's near my desk, I'm chomping on an orange.

Didn't have time for exercise during my lunch hour. Okay... I can always take a walk during my break, take a zumba class this evening or do a workout with the new app I downloaded on the ipad2.

I do not have to let stress gobble me up.

I can acknowledge it.  Look at it.. and choose not to drown in it.  I know this approach is easier after a good nights rest and certainly the challenge is to recognize it in "real time" and then turn things around. You'd think at my age, I'd have that figured out.  But no... If you have any suggestions on how to "turn a frown upside down," and "be happy", I'd sure love to hear it.

Later, gators.

test kitchen sunday

Hi friends, how's your Monday treating you?  I've been so busy that I've not had time to blog. I really wanted to share the pictures from my Sunday. Did I tell you my son purchased a taco truck?  Years of Urban Planning and he wants to make tacos.  Go figure. 

Our afternoon was filled with shopping at the farmers market and then it was time for Daniel to give my son a cooking lesson in making carnitas for the taco truck. Daniel is an excellent cook. He ran a successful restaurant in Mexico for years. He said a restaurant demands the same love and attention as a young child.  My kitchen was filled with aromas of carnitas, frijoles del oja, cilantro/lime rice, salsa picosa, onions, cilantro and guacamole.  I even made an agua de melon (cantelope water).

I took lots of pictures to share and then I decided... no need to torture you with food porn. I logged my calories from yesterday's taste testing and was astonished that 3 tacos were nearly 700 calories.  Yikes. I am in love with my fitness pal app by-the-way. I love that I can scan ingredients...

Today is my first day back to my workout routine.  Walking a noon and zumba in the evening. I've been sidelined almost 2 weeks due to my asthma.  Dontcha just hate missing your workouts when  you're sick?

well, better get back to work. I'm on a short break. Have a great day all.