My Afflation

I must be doing something right. Last week my massage therapist (who sees me every week) said that I was looking slimmer (woot!) and my daughter said I felt skinnier when she hugged me (let's ignore the fact that she's on a growth spurt and that her arms are probably longer). In reality, I think my rather slow detox from my road trip was finally taking effect. At least the bloat is gone and I am back to my pre-trip weight (only 15lbs to go!). However, getting rid of the carb cravings re-created on that trip are something that I struggle with every day ( as I put down the Mrs. Fields triple-chocolate cookie and practice something resembling self-control instead of emo-eating )... I also have been convenience eating or not eating properly at all since it's just myself and really, why should I just cook for myself? Almost 30 years of cooking for other people, I have a hard time cooking for one. Even if I know I will be eating the leftovers for lunch the next day. This week...

Well, this past week was nice, weather-wise, and I forgot to menu plan, so there was a lot of cleaning out the fridge and using a few recipes from the previous week . The lentil stew and red beans and rice made meals for multiple days. In fact, I'm still eating lentil stew. I think I will freeze the rest for a rainy day.  And then I took a look at the upcoming weather and decided that it will just be too damn hot in my apartment when I get home to cook. It's a pleasant 70-something outside now, but between 4-7PM my apartment heats up into the high 80s. The downside of living on the top floor. I seem to have misplaced the lid to my slow cooker. So .... Monday: Avocado Strawberry Spinach Salad with Poppyseed Dressing  - with chicken for protein Tuesday: Thai Chicken, Mango, and Pineapple Salad Wednesday: Steak and Arugula Salad  - minus the ciabatta and capers Thursday: Salmon Cucumber Salad with whatever greens are left over from the previous ...

Menu Plan Monday hosted by Orgjunkie.com I'm going to try something new this week. I usually plan my menus on the weekend, and have them ready to go in  Pepperplate , but I only seem to get around to blogging (or remember to publish) about once a month. I've been feeling like crap the last few days and realized that I have been carbing out. Emotionally eating. The Hunk went back to Boston and I've been on an emotional roller-coaster the last two weeks. I just kind of mindlessly went through the days, eating whatever and not paying attention to what was going into my mouth and not cooking. So it's time to get back to eating clean. Contrary to popular belief, it is possible to eat healthy on a budget. And to keep me on budget, I'll be walking to the grocery store and sticking to my list because I have to carry home whatever I buy. I have my daughter with me this week, so there will be two cranky ladies in the house going through minor carb withdrawal. Maybe I...

The next few weeks, recipes will be brought to you by Since I know from experience that Fresh and Easy isn't everywhere, I will provide ingredients and/or substitutes where necessary. Bon apetite! Ingredients: If shopping at F&E 1 pack F&E Beef Fajitas 1 pack F&E Whole Wheat Tortillas 1 bottle F&E Ranch Dressing 1 bag avocados 1 count iceberg lettuce If shopping at a regular grocery store: 1 lb. flank or bottom round steak, thinly sliced 1 onion, sliced 1 green and/or red bell pepper, cut into strips 1 pkg. fajita seasoning 1 dozen (whole wheat) flour tortillas 1 bottle ranch dressing 4 avocados (preferably Haas) 1 head iceberg lettuce Directions : Pit and remove avocados from their skin and place in a mixing bowl. Add 1-2 tablespoons of ranch dressing per avocado to the bowl and mash with a fork (or blend in a blender like my mother did). Set aside. Take lettuce and cut head in half, shred thinly. Heat large saute pan on medium high heat. Once warm, add 1-2 table...