Sometimes, It’s the Little Things

image courtesy of gnurf.com

I’ve mentioned before that I have some portion control issues. Usually, these issues rear their heads when faced with a “special” food situation, such as, say, Sushi Friday, family function, or a holiday. Sometimes though, especially in times of stress, the issues come up all over the place. I’ll be able to avoid the muffins in the teacher’s lounge for weeks and weeks…then one day, I just can’t anymore. I’ll find myself munching away at one, small bit by small bit while chit-chatting with a coworker, and before I know it, I’m stuffed.

Sometimes, I’ll make a fantastic dinner, and even though I consciously know that the food will still be there the next day, I help myself to 2 or sometimes even 3 portions because it “just tastes so good”. I convince myself that I need it.

In restaurant situations, or where someone else serves me, I will eat whatever is in front of me, even if I’m not hungry. I almost feel guilty if I don’t finish because the person “made it for me” or “bought it for me” and I don’t want to insult them. Again, rational, logical brain knows that I can bring leftovers home, and I won’t hurt anyone’s feelings by not eating it… Compulsive Overeater Brain says “eat it. It won’t be as good tomorrow. She’ll hate you if you don’t eat it. There are starving children in Ethiopia.”

Why do I bring this up today? For the first time in a very long time, I served myself some of what I made for dinner (details below), ate what I wanted… and stopped with some left on my plate! I gave the leftovers to Adam, and proceeded to get my camera and start this post. Am I still hungry? NO! Do I want more food? OF COURSE! I always WANT more food. But I know that I don’t need it, and I also know that I’m bound and determined to get myself down to a healthy weight, and I will NOT do that by eating whatever is on my plate, however much it is.

So…pushing my plate away was Little Thing #1 for today.

When I walked in the door this afternoon, I was greeted by Little Thing #2, a perfectly cleaned kitchen! Adam had cleaned and done the dishes, and it was so very nice to not have to work around a mess. (We’re not exactly “neat” people.)

I made a beautiful dinner of pan-roasted broccoli and baked tofu and brown rice, and while it was cooking, Adam and I made a decision to use our AMAZING new dishes that we got for our engagement/wedding. Serving food on our first brand new, non-IKEA set of dishes is definitely Little Thing #3! The color of the dishes contrasts just enough with the colors of the food, and looks absolutely beautiful! Just look!

I'm so happy with these dishes!

In other news, Little Thing #4, My beloved Chicago Cubs WON their first Spring Training game today! Maybe this year?

Don’t forget to enter my chocolate giveaway! You won’t be sorry! You’ll get the SweetRiot cacao nibs along with some other Chicago chocolate surprises!!

I’m on a mission to get as much of a baby blanket finished as possible, so I’m off the computer for the night!

xoxo,

Tagged as: accomplishments, giveaway, tofu, vegetables, vegetarian