NaBloPoMo Month - "Simply Irresistible"

NaBloPoMo Month - "Simply Irresistible"
Entry #26 - 11/26/2013

I've decided to go with today's writing prompt that came in my email this morning as I have been super busy today...taking Cabot to his groomer's appointment and picking up the house in anticipation and preparation for "The Diva's" arrival tomorrow. For those of you who aren't aware...I often times refer to my grandmother Betty as "The Diva" she doesn't know why, but I think it's because she's pretty fabulously wonderful!

 

The prompt: Tell us about the favorite dish or food that you simply cannot turn down.

 

 

As I usually do with these prompts, I'm going to put my own unique spin on it, because for me it's never been about my favorite dish or food that I simply could not turn down...it was turning down any food.

 

I have a friend in Las Vegas who told me a few years ago that he had never been to a funeral. Never been to a funeral home and never had to experience death. That concept baffled me...literally I was confused on how someone who was at the time nearly 30 had never, not once in his life had to experience death and the loss of someone he loved. I write about this story, because for me death is where my addiction to food came from.

 

In April 1995, I was ten years old...just a few months shy of my 11th birthday when my great-grandmother Bertha died. She was Southern Baptist and what Southern Baptists in my community did was either send flowers or send food - in some instances they did both. I quickly sought refuge and comfort in a piece of chocolate cake...a slice of apple pie...a cookie here and there. My addiction to food only continue to grow worse as time would go by...in 1996 my step-grandfather died of lung cancer...in 1998 my father died...that was the hardest moment of my life...or so I thought...in 2005 my mother died. I lived in a world that had shown me that everyone leaves me and that the only true constant in my life was food and that was because I could control the very nature of it. I made the decision of when it came into my life...I made the decision of when I wanted to stop eating and I made the decision of what I wanted to eat.

 

For me it has never been turning down that one piece of chocolate cake because I indulged every great once in a while...up until earlier this year I was never going to turn down the one piece of chocolate cake...because I wanted that one piece and the whole damn cake too!

 

This year has been hard...because there have been times I have wanted to turn to food to give me comfort and peace of mind but I haven't been able to, because I want my willpower to be stronger than my need for the food. There have been times I've failed, but I have just picked myself up from the kitchen floor and progressed forward as best as I know how...and that's not very well.

 

Until Next Time...Ciao Bella!

NaBloPoMo Month - "Un-Happy Meal on the Upper East Side"

NaBloPoMo Month - "Un-Happy Meal on the Upper East Side"
Entry #8 - 11/08/2013

In my twenty-nine years on this Earth I have probably heard every fat joke imaginable...from the "You're so Fat..." to "Fatty, Fatty, 2x4..." so it will probably come as a shock to many of those assholes who would sling those insults at me during recess in elementary school that once or twice in my life I was sent to bed without dinner. Now before you get up in arms about this, let me clarify...it was my Mamma's fault - no, no I joke! But it was my Mamma's rule. Growing up there was always a strict rule when it came time for dinner - you either ate what was on the plate...or you didn't eat at all! Nine times out of ten, clearly, I ate what was on the plate because, well, it was fucking delicious! But there was always that once in a blue moon moment when sauerkraut was put before me that I snarled my nose...said I wasn't going to eat that and went to bed hungry and dreaming of Lucky Charms marshmallows for breakfast!

Additionally, there were times in my childhood when there was nothing more I wanted than a Happy Meal from the Golden Arches. I wanted for whatever reason the crappy plastic toy or the golden crisp, salted to the heaven fries! But alas, I would often times have my dreams shot to hell with a quick reminder, "We'll eat at home!"

Come to find out...all these years later that my parents and my grandmother were mean, mean people who deprived me, much like a little boy's father in Manhattan deprived him recently by saying "No!" to a trip to see Ronald McDonald himself.

Attorney David Schorr is embroiled in a bitter custody battle for his 4 year old son with his soon-to-be (hopefully) ex-wife Bari Yunins Schorr. And to make matters worse, I mean seriously the dude is already going through a divorce and custody battle, he's now adding a defamation lawsuit to his already full un-happy meal!

 

On October 30th, the Upper East Side father (see you're already thinking his son is a spoiler brat and you're clearly right) said his son, whose name is unknown and we'll call Timmy Joe for purposes of this blog post, threw a temper tantrum when he said no to dinner at Mickie Ds. Couple of things to consider here...1) I'm sorry, but if I was a four year old child who had a father who lived on the Upper East Side, I would have thrown a temper tantrum from hell if you tried to take me to McDonalds! 2) Anytime "Four Year Old Josh" threw a temper tantrum, I'm pretty sure I was told..."If you don't stop that crying, I'm going to give you something to cry about." But I digress, because this article isn't about this father's parenting style...It's about this woman...

The Happy Meal Fairy!

Her name is Marilyn Schiller and she's a psychologist who Bari Yunis Schorr ratted out her soon-to-be ex-husband to for not taking their son to McDonald's for a Happy Meal. And what Schiller done next would have sent my own mother...my own grandmother into a tailspin of anger...Schiller reported Daddy Schorr to the courts. She cited the "No Happy Meal for you Timmy Joe" as an incident and recommended that Schorr's visitation time be reduced after questioning him. Schorr has recently told the "Daily News" that he regrets not taking his spoiled son to their usual dinner spot - Corner Café and Bakery on 3rd and 92nd Street - which according to their website has one of the best bakeries in all of New York City.

You see it's important to note that Daddy Schorr didn't just say no McDonald's to his rotten little kid, he said "No McDonalds. But we can go to this fancy-pancy New York City restaurant and if you don't want that Timmy Joe...you don't get to eat!" So Timmy Joe did what most four year children do when they throw a temper tantrum he said, "Then me no eat dinner you meanie poo-poo head!" And of course...I'm paraphrasing here!

I'll admit that I lost interest in the story after learning that the mother immediately after telling Schiller of her husband's dastardly (rolls eyes) doings took her son to McDonald's and caved to his temper tantrum! I just think if denying your child a trip to see Ronald McDonald and the Hamburglar then my grandmother has some explaining to do when I bring her up on charges, some twenty-five plus years later and I'm going to be sending her my therapy bill because I'm one damaged reformed fast food slut!

Until Next Time...Ciao Bella
 

NaBloPoMo Month - "Weight Loss Update"

NaBloPoMo Month - "Weight Loss Update"
Entry #6 - 11/06/2013

So by this point in time everyone is aware that I had Gastric Sleeve Surgery earlier this year. As everyone else is aware we are quickly approaching the Thanksgiving season it means that Black Friday shopping and eating like we've never seen food before is well upon us.

This year however and inspired by a blog post I found at "The World According to Eggface" I have decided to make a contribution in honor of my weight loss journey and the holiday season! So tonight I stepped on the scale to determine my current YTD (Year-to-Date) weight loss and it's holding steady at 175...I wish it would keep getting higher, the weight loss number, not the weight...but I'm proud to have lost the 175lbs. that I have managed to shed away. With just a little over nine months from my surgery date that is almost 19.5lbs. a month that I have been able to kick to the curb!

As I celebrate the life changing decision I made this year, I thought why not share that with others and I decided that I will be donating one non-perishable food item for every pound I've lost to a local food bank here in Stillwater, up to 150 items. The remaining 25 items...I've decided to donate to a pet rescue organization. I'll donate items such a dog and cat food and any other items that might be on their wish list. I'll update the blog often throughout the month on how the collection process is going and on which organizations I select for the donation! Let's celebrate this season and give back!

Until Next Time...Ciao Bella...

Diary of a Pre-Reformed Fast Food Slut - Entry #3

08/29/2013 - Entry #3

Diary of a Pre-Reformed Fast Food Slut 

Hey Everyone! I haven't written an update in a very long time and I figured that it was time, because I have reached a post-weight loss surgery goal tonight!

First, I want to say thank you to the 75 people who "Liked" my Facebook picture earlier this month and for those who commented. It's great to have a virtual support system of people that support me!

Six Months - Before & After - August 2013
 

So clearly I had goals in mind when I had my surgery beyond the basic obvious - losing weight! One of those goals was to be called a "Reformed Skinny Bitch" and then promptly have a cocktail thrown in my face, a'la Dallas. While I am still waiting for that day and let's be real...it's still a few days off...I did reach one of my other goals tonight!

Anyone who's Big & Bold & Beautiful will tell you that it's not cheap. For years I have paid $75 for one pair of slacks or jeans or my favorite at JCP buying one pair of slacks for $75 and getting a second pair for half price, while other skinny bitches out there paid $20 for a pair of pants or at JCP a buy one, get one sale! Well one of my goals was to be a $20 pair of slacks that would fit comfortably and be presentable to wear in public from Wal-Mart! I know...Wal-Mart, but hey! I want cheap clothes just like the next person!

Tonight! It! Happened!

I took a leap of faith and figured if the button down dress shirt that was two sizes smaller than what I was wearing seven months ago, that maybe, just maybe, a pair of slacks ten sizes smaller than what I was wearing seven months ago would be too! Needless to say, I was right ya'll! They fit and I couldn't be happier. They were a little snug, but nevertheless they fit and they were presentable. Oh happy day! Oh happy day! Now I'm happy. My checking account is happy and Wal-Mart should be happy to, but let's face it they're just pissed I'm not buying candy bars, chips and soda pop in bulk anymore!

Until Next Time Ya'll....

Recipe: Southwest Turkey Meatloaf

Southwest Turkey Meatloaf

 

 

1 Yellow Onion, Diced

4 Green Onions, Diced

3 Cloves of Garlic, Minced (I used the Minced Garlic in a Jar)

1 1/4lb. Ground Turkey (I used one package)

1/4 cup of Italian Dry Bread Crumbs

1/4 cup of Milk

1 Egg, Beaten

1/2 cup of Corn (Frozen or Canned)

1/2 cup of Black Beans (Rinsed & Drained)

1/2 cup Pico de Gallo

1 Tablespoon Fresh Cilantro

1/2 Teaspoon Kosher Salt

Few Twist of Black Pepper

Butter/Oil for Sauteing

 

Saute onions until golden brown. Add garlic to the onions and cook for one more minute. Set aside to cool. 

 

Soak breadcrumbs in milk for 1 minute. Beat egg. Add egg and soaked breadcrumbs to ground turkey. Add cooled vegetables and all remaining ingredients. Mix in a large bowl until combined.

Divide into equal mounds. You can either use a petite loaf pan or a cupcake pan. I used the cupcake pan because I didn't have a petite loaf pan. 

Bake for 45 minutes at 350 degrees. These are said to freeze well either cooked or uncooked.

Diary of a Reformed Fast Food Slut - Entry #2

03/10/2013 - Entry #2

Diary of a Pre-Reformed Fast Food Slut 

Hey Everyone! So I thought I would take the time tonight to write an update about my journey so far. Originally I had planned to blog a lot more about my weight loss surgery experience - but that damn hospital stay...followed by recouping my energies after the surgery and the aforementioned damn hospital stay seemed to prevent me from being able to do that. 

As of this posting...I am 40 days post-surgery (Gastric Sleeve) and I know that I have lost at least 55 pounds. I won't know how much more I've lost until a week from tomorrow when I go back to the doctor for my second post-surgery check-in. I have friends that are great supporters - they are saying they think I will have lost another 55 pounds - oh dear Oprah & Gayle I wish that would be the case. Me personally, I'm hoping that I'll have lost at least ten more pounds. 

So I thought in lieu of rehashing my horrible hospital drama I would just provide a post-op, 40 days later update. One of the hardest days post-op was on 02/27 when my Mamma went back home. She was here for the good, the bad and the ugly. I don't know what I would have done without her. My Mamma - who I talk about often on Facebook is my hero...hands done! There is no one like her and thank God because I would be SUPER jealous if anyone else had a Mamma like mine! She took care of me when I needed it the most and was a ferocious momma bear when she needed to be! But anyway, the morning that she went home was super difficult. I dropped her off at the airport around 8AM...I was sad and upset and my first instinct was to eat! Stop at the nearest McDonald's, order a Sausage Egg McMuffin with a large Coke and do what had been natural to me for what seems like forever - my entire life. I wanted to fill the sadness with something. In the recent months I have come to realize that I was a food-oholic! Just like an alcoholic needs a drink - I needed food. Proudly I did not cave...I persevered through and have not eaten at a McDonald's since 01/18 - screw off Ronald McDonald! 

My BBQ Pizza

Since my surgery I've learned to eat portion controls, eat less and stop when I feel full. Thankfully the "banana-pouch" (what I have decided to call my new stomach) helps me with that. I've cooked a little here and a little there. This afternoon I cooked a chicken breast (not sure how it's going to taste until tomorrow at lunch, but here's hoping) and I embarked on a pizza made from a Mission Brand Carb Balance Whole Wheat 6" Fajita Size Tortilla, BBQ sauce and leftover chicken from a rotisserie chicken I got on Friday! Who knew I could cook!? Pizza has been one of the biggest things I have craved since my surgery! Thank God that my head hunger has finally given up the idea that we're going not going to eat nearly a whole pizza once or twice a week! I've been lucky that not a lot of the foods I've been eating have hurt me or not agreed with me. The new items that were a big no-no were a "fresh" peach and an apple. Those items didn't set well with the "banana-pouch" and haven't been touched since. I'm knocking on wood now in hopes of keeping up my record of food not hurting me! 

One of the big issues I've been having of late is consuming water! I hate water. I find it boring, tasteless and dull! Yet I have to drink it...but after going through several (and I do mean several brands) I've finally concluded that I can tolerate Glaceau Smart Water - of course...why would I be able to tolerate the water that comes 24 to a pack for $3.99?! Nope!? I have to be able to drink the water that's a dollar a bottle - but it beats the alternative I suppose. The other issue I've had is consuming my pills. My diet says I'm supposed to eat breakfast, snack, eat lunch, snack and then eat dinner. But during the morning I take so many pills my "banana-pouch" feels bloated. Here's hoping that the weight continues to melt away like the butter I used to have extra of on my popcorn at the movies melted and I can kick those pills!! 

Until next time...

Diary of a Reformed Fast Food Slut - Entry #1

01/11/2013 - Entry #1

Diary of a Pre-Reformed Fast Food Slut

2010 - Group Activity from Work

So here's the skinny bitches - I'm overweight! Heck if I'm being completely honest on the blog that can be broadcast to the entire universe, I would say that I'm fat - but I hate that word - so we'll just go with overweight because this is my blog. I understand that this admission will come as a shock to many people - because by simply looking at me you would never know! (PS: That's a little humor in case you haven't caught on yet.) 

Being overweight has something that I have battled with for my entire life it seems like. At the end of the day everyone has their demons that they carry around with them - the things that haunt them and we all have ways of dealing with it. Unfortunately for me mine came in the form of fast food, soda pop, chocolate cake, candy bars and cookies - as a result while others maybe able to successfully hide their coping mechanism, I have never been able to do so. 

I've tried every possible diet that every skinny bitch out there has suggested - Atkins Diet, Weight Loss Pills, Weight Watchers, Liquid Diet and Starve Myself Diet to only name a few! The good majority of them never worked and when the weight would return, it did so with a vengeance that would make Emily Thorne (Lead Character on ABC's "Revenge") look like a big ole teddy bear of a woman! 

In my life, because of my weight I've been ridiculed, bullied, laughed at and shamed in public because of the way I look. But instead of those things motivating me to change my lifestyle, to prove those people wrong and make a difference - it only did the opposite. It drove me to the nearest McDonald's drive-thru or Taco Bell to dull the pain with food. Food was to me like alcohol is to an alcoholic - but I've come to realize - - finally that a change needs to occur...something has got to give!

Later this month, I've made the decision to have Gastric Sleeve surgery.

So why right a blog? Why expose what will be one of the most trying times in my life? I don't know...I'm a sucker for social media that way I guess. I guess it's about not hiding anymore. No longer can I hide behind the crumbled upon wrapper from a $1 McDonald's Double Cheeseburger. Plus, I've always been better at expressing things in writing, than in vocal form when it comes to personal issues. 

I'm going on a journey and while no one may care or read this...it doesn't matter! I'm going to write here in my blog about the experiences I'm going through...the good, the bad and the ugly!