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,
Great post mara! That is a really good “little thing”
that really is a BIG thing!
carolinebee´s last blog post..Butternut Squash Fries For Dummies!
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Good luck finishing the baby blanket!!
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..So, How About Those Trader Joe’s Peanut Butter Pretzels??
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Broccoli and tofu… that’s yummy and healthy
Selba´s last blog post..Mie Ayam (Chicken Noodle)
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GREAT victory tonight!! I am trying to work on the same thing…
ttfn300´s last blog post..Quinoa w/Gruyere & Veggies
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yes,, little things make big changes! glad that you’re achieving it!
coco´s last blog post..Crazy day~~ work overload and cake overload! And award!
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“Maybe this year?” … Nope, not yet. I was watching this movie starring Michael J. Fox and apparently the Cubs don’t win until 2015.
Charlie Hills´s last blog post..Scary Stuff
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Mara @ What's For Dinner? Reply:
February 26th, 2009 at 12:05 pm
@Charlie: Oh, thats right… 2015… and we’ll get hoverboards, right?
@Biz: I suppose we can still be friends!
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I have the same trouble with stopping, it’s getting easier when I pay attention to the meal, the hardest for me are things like wraps, I feel like I have to eat the whole thing.
Danielle´s last blog post..40 Days and 40 Nights
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Love the post today, Mara! I think so many people struggle with this…myself included!!!
The plates are gorgeous and so is your dinner!
Krista´s last blog post..Coffee Time
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Hi Mara, glad to have found your blog! I too struggle with portion control — little steps are a big start and it sounds like you’re on your way!
Spiceaholic´s last blog post..On a sandwich roll!
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Congrats, girl! That is such an awesome place to be. I have had struggles with finishing my plate too – thanks for posting this!
Rose´s last blog post..Horned Melon Oatmeal
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Love the header!!!!
AlliJag´s last blog post..Mexican Pizza
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great job Mara! That’s awesome
I am *hopefully* trying my luck at the baked tofu soon – it looks great!
brandi´s last blog post..Chips off the Old…
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What awesome little things!! It sounds like a great day.
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Good job and pushing your plate to the side when you felt you were done! I always plate my dishes in the kitchen so the temptation to reach for just another bite is removed – seems to work for me!
Um, sadly, I am a Sox fan, but we’ll still be friends!
Biz´s last blog post..Zucchini Souffle Sammie
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oooh your new layout is super cool. I’m still figuring out the high-tech stuff, but so far I’m getting it! hahaa
I totally see where you’re coming from with the eating food you WANT rather than NEED. I still have a hard time thinking I should ONLY eat the foods I need cuz wouldn’t life not be fun?? But you’re totally right, that mentality could be dangerous!!
Michelle´s last blog post..Heart Throb Barney & Heart Breaker Clif
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all of your little things are really very exciting big things! awesome job on the portion control — i start to scarf everything in sight sometimes when the ability to think or care flies right out of my head, so i know what you’re talking about. being able to follow your intuition for dinner was a big accomplishment! andi LOVE those dishes — they definitely provide perfect color contrast for your meal
Sarah (Tales of Expansion)´s last blog post..Restaurant Review: Kiku
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Hey sweet Mara. Loving the new blog design! What a day of happiness. I struggle with food portions in a major way. Growing up, there was no end…my mom served decadent foods out of pure love…and I ate them…and then went back for 2nd and 3rds. It’s a difficult habit to break, and I still have a hard time, but it looks like you’re getting there. I’m really happy for you.
How nice of Adam to clean – maybe he could have a little talk with my husband?
Love the new dishes and Hooray for the Cubbies. My husband grew up on Chicago and is a huge fan.
Have a good night – hope you get the baby blanket finished.
Heather McD (Heather Eats Almond Butter)´s last blog post..I’ve Got A Secret
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Your posts are so incredibly inspirational!! I totally know what you mean when it comes to eating something that someone has made for you and/or feeling like you need to eat everything and not have leftovers. That’s why I never make enough for leftovers – I really don’t like them! But actually, I made pizza yesterday and managed to save half of it for the next day. That is HUGE for me. Thanks for sharing! Go Cubs
eatingbender´s last blog post..Eyes Wide Shut
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I think I’m late to say it, but I really like the blog makeover!
The next time you make that dinner, can I come over?!
Lara (Thinspired)´s last blog post..Not Computer-Free, but Computer-Less (02/26/09)
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Great post!
Love the new header!
Foodie (Fab and Delicious Food)´s last blog post..Too much chicken, too many clementines
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Portion control is definitely the bane of my existence as well. When I find something I like, I tend to want to eat a lot of it. Once a WW leader said that a healthy sized meal is basically the size of one of those frozen entrees, or what used to be an “airplane meal.” (ha – remember those? the bad old days?) And then when I think about the size of restaurant meals — I think that somehow became internally my idea of “normal.” So I really applaud you for pushing that plate away. That is excellent.
Foodie McBody´s last blog post..Bad Day/Good Day
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