I’m very excited, after the meeting I went to last week. The meeting was an initial information session for people who felt they might be interested in becoming ‘Community Foodies’. The program is run by the Health department of South Australian Government, and they have a website with information about it here.
At the session, we were told about the overall ‘Foodie’ project in South Australia, and were asked to indicate whether we were interested. There were about seven or so wannabe ‘Foodies’ and a few others had expressed their interest in being involved in the project in our district.
Community Foodie groups are quite strong in Adelaide, doing a range of things from planting and caring for community gardens to providing information on budgeting and preparing healthy food.
Trainee ‘Foodies’ receive 24 hours of training, over a six week period, and learn about nutrition, health, food safety, and well as group work, presentation skills and planning and evaluation skills.
At the initial meeting, we received information handouts, showing us the kind of things we will have to help us as ‘Foodies’ in our own communities. My head is buzzing with the range of activities I could put on and be involved in, and certainly I will have completely up to date information to put on this website.
I am very excited. The only downer is that it’s not able to start until early May. I want it to start now!
Keep your eye out for further information on this site.
This is me in 2009
Happy, healthy, size ten jeans!
Monday, March 30, 2009
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Save Money with What You Eat
In our household, no-one buys lunch during the week. Husband and son both take their lunch from home and save quite a bit by doing it. My son has a sandwich, an apple and something nibbly - minimal cost, maximum health. Husband has a similar lunch and we all benefit in financial ways and health as well.
For dinner we will usually have home cooked meals, and we only have take-away and dine out as an occasional treat, maybe once a fortnight. I can do wonderful things with mince meat, and we all love the versatile mushroom. Baked mushrooms with garlic and spices, topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. Very nice!
Fruit and vegetables are cheaper than buying ready made meals, and baked wedges made and cooked at home are cheaper and much healthier than fries bought at McDonalds or bought frozen at the supermarket. My home made burgers are nicer than Macca’s too!
Healthy food is usually not really expensive. We all need to be careful health-wise and with our money as well, so it's a no-brainer - eat well, eat cheap.
I make muffins and freeze them for a quick snack – Once they’re in the freezer, get one out, thirty seconds in the microwave - yummy! I feel like one now - walnut and blueberry muffin with coffee. Got to go now!
For dinner we will usually have home cooked meals, and we only have take-away and dine out as an occasional treat, maybe once a fortnight. I can do wonderful things with mince meat, and we all love the versatile mushroom. Baked mushrooms with garlic and spices, topped with cheese and breadcrumbs. Very nice!
Fruit and vegetables are cheaper than buying ready made meals, and baked wedges made and cooked at home are cheaper and much healthier than fries bought at McDonalds or bought frozen at the supermarket. My home made burgers are nicer than Macca’s too!
Healthy food is usually not really expensive. We all need to be careful health-wise and with our money as well, so it's a no-brainer - eat well, eat cheap.
I make muffins and freeze them for a quick snack – Once they’re in the freezer, get one out, thirty seconds in the microwave - yummy! I feel like one now - walnut and blueberry muffin with coffee. Got to go now!
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Wonder of Wonders!
I had the most wonderful experience last week, something that has never happened to me before. I tried on a lovely fancy dress, and the size ten was too big!
The shop assistant brought me a size eight, and wow, it fitted me beautifully well. I couldn't believe it. I only wish I had been able to buy that dress so I could get a photo of me wearing it and then you could see it too.
The dress cost $229.00, and there was no way in the world I could ever afford it, but it was lovely to pretend, and to see myself in such a lovely dress. I don't usually bother trying on dresses like this one, my usual mode of dress is in between daggy, and neat casual, certainly not formal, strapless frocks. But for a few precious minutes I could be a princess.
I strongly recommend you try on clothes once you have made some progress in your weight loss journey. The feeling you get when you can slip into something smaller and still feel comfortable is a fantastic feeling. And being able to tell those who love and care for you about it is a lovely experience too.
I have to admit, I've been shamelessly bragging about my size eight experience. It hasn't made me new friends, but boy, it feels good!
Perhaps the next time I go near an op shop I'll slip in and find myself something gorgeous to take home. Opportunity shops are far more in my price range, and those sort of ritzy dresses tend to get grown out of rather than worn out, so I should be able to find myself something on the off chance I'll have an occasion to wear it too.
Now that's really something to look forward to!
The shop assistant brought me a size eight, and wow, it fitted me beautifully well. I couldn't believe it. I only wish I had been able to buy that dress so I could get a photo of me wearing it and then you could see it too.
The dress cost $229.00, and there was no way in the world I could ever afford it, but it was lovely to pretend, and to see myself in such a lovely dress. I don't usually bother trying on dresses like this one, my usual mode of dress is in between daggy, and neat casual, certainly not formal, strapless frocks. But for a few precious minutes I could be a princess.
I strongly recommend you try on clothes once you have made some progress in your weight loss journey. The feeling you get when you can slip into something smaller and still feel comfortable is a fantastic feeling. And being able to tell those who love and care for you about it is a lovely experience too.
I have to admit, I've been shamelessly bragging about my size eight experience. It hasn't made me new friends, but boy, it feels good!
Perhaps the next time I go near an op shop I'll slip in and find myself something gorgeous to take home. Opportunity shops are far more in my price range, and those sort of ritzy dresses tend to get grown out of rather than worn out, so I should be able to find myself something on the off chance I'll have an occasion to wear it too.
Now that's really something to look forward to!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Really Wanting to Lose Weight
If you really want to lose weight, you have to be prepared to commit to it. There's not a lot of point to saying, 'Gee I'd like to lose weight', and then not making any changes in the way you behave.
The most important thing you need to work on isn't your exercise program, or the food you eat. The most important thing you need to work on is your head, your mind. People gain excess weight in a variety of ways, and for a variety of reasons.
I'm not a psychologist, I can't get inside your head. I'm just a person, and ordinary person, who has lost weight and kept it off. I didn't join a gym, or go on a restrictive diet. I just used the information that is sitting in my head.
I know a bit about nutrition, and I've read lots and lots of diet books. I've read about fruit diets, vegetable diets, carbs, low fat, all of that stuff. The thing that struck me most was that a lot of these diets were not made for real live people, living in a family, with all of the hustle and bustle that involves. I needed to do something different, something I could do for the rest of my life without making myself feel like I was missing out.
I started listening to my body, and realised that I don't get hungry very often. I always used to eat at the designated meal times, and have snacks sometimes, without ever having my tummy tell me 'Hey, I'm hungry!'
That realisation was the most amazing thing. Once I learnt to listen to my stomach, not my head, I was on my path to reaching my ideal weight. It means I wait until I'm hungry before I eat. It means I can eat whatever I want, as long as my tummy is hungry for it.
Of course, I still need to be aware of eating what is healthy for me, fruit, grains and seed, vegetables, small amounts of meat. But it also means I can have chocolate too sometimes, if I really feel like it. And that is great!
Because I know I can eat things like chocolate, I don't have cravings, and I only eat enough to savour it. I don't eat cheap chocolate, I only eat good quality chocolate. And I enjoy it, guilt free.
The most important thing you need to work on isn't your exercise program, or the food you eat. The most important thing you need to work on is your head, your mind. People gain excess weight in a variety of ways, and for a variety of reasons.
I'm not a psychologist, I can't get inside your head. I'm just a person, and ordinary person, who has lost weight and kept it off. I didn't join a gym, or go on a restrictive diet. I just used the information that is sitting in my head.
I know a bit about nutrition, and I've read lots and lots of diet books. I've read about fruit diets, vegetable diets, carbs, low fat, all of that stuff. The thing that struck me most was that a lot of these diets were not made for real live people, living in a family, with all of the hustle and bustle that involves. I needed to do something different, something I could do for the rest of my life without making myself feel like I was missing out.
I started listening to my body, and realised that I don't get hungry very often. I always used to eat at the designated meal times, and have snacks sometimes, without ever having my tummy tell me 'Hey, I'm hungry!'
That realisation was the most amazing thing. Once I learnt to listen to my stomach, not my head, I was on my path to reaching my ideal weight. It means I wait until I'm hungry before I eat. It means I can eat whatever I want, as long as my tummy is hungry for it.
Of course, I still need to be aware of eating what is healthy for me, fruit, grains and seed, vegetables, small amounts of meat. But it also means I can have chocolate too sometimes, if I really feel like it. And that is great!
Because I know I can eat things like chocolate, I don't have cravings, and I only eat enough to savour it. I don't eat cheap chocolate, I only eat good quality chocolate. And I enjoy it, guilt free.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Are you really hungry?
Here's one easy tip to try next time you think you're hungry. Have a glass of water, then wait fifteen minutes and think about it again. Are you still feeling hungry?
You may have been thirsty, rather than hungry. And learning to wait, rather than eating straight away is a good habit to get into if you're trying to lose weight.
It can be as simple as that.
Drinking can be a problem with weight gain too. Try low fat milk with your tea and coffee. And low fat iced coffee is available too, just the thing on a hot day when you need a caffeine lift. Lemonade made at home with real lemons can be a refreshing drink in summer, and lime juice is even better, refreshing, no fat, and so good for you.
Good snacks with satisfying crunch are carrot and celery sticks, with a little salt if you like. They sure beat chips if weight is an issue for you.
It's heading toward cooler weather here in Australia, which can be a danger time for many trying to lose weight. One tip is to use a little water instead of oil to saute food. Try it when making a tomato sauce for spaghetti bolognaise next time. There's still a lot of flavour, with a lot less fat.
You may have been thirsty, rather than hungry. And learning to wait, rather than eating straight away is a good habit to get into if you're trying to lose weight.
It can be as simple as that.
Drinking can be a problem with weight gain too. Try low fat milk with your tea and coffee. And low fat iced coffee is available too, just the thing on a hot day when you need a caffeine lift. Lemonade made at home with real lemons can be a refreshing drink in summer, and lime juice is even better, refreshing, no fat, and so good for you.
Good snacks with satisfying crunch are carrot and celery sticks, with a little salt if you like. They sure beat chips if weight is an issue for you.
It's heading toward cooler weather here in Australia, which can be a danger time for many trying to lose weight. One tip is to use a little water instead of oil to saute food. Try it when making a tomato sauce for spaghetti bolognaise next time. There's still a lot of flavour, with a lot less fat.
Monday, March 2, 2009
Dining out
Dining out, you ask, you mean I can dine out when I'm trying to lose weight?!
Well, sure, why not. I'm not talking about fast food, but sit down dining in a restaurant. It takes a bit of planning to do it at the optimal level, but, with that planning done, you can relax and enjoy yourself.
The first thing is to eat earlier in the day, realising that you will be dining well later on. This means eating lower fat things, and eating less. If you feel like you're being starved, just remind yourself of the good things that are coming later on.
Some good lower fat options might be cereal, with low fat milk for breakfast, or perhaps without the milk for a snack later in the day. Fruit is always a good option, just be aware of the 'All things in moderation' rule. Bananas are harder to go overboard with than fruits like grapes may be - a banana will never be a bad food choice.
Once you arrive at the restaurant, look carefully at the menu. This is what to look for in your meal choice:
If you've seen the dessert of your dreams on the menu, radically rethink your main course - if you opt for a salad, with no high fat dressing, and don't eat any bread extras, well, go for the dessert. Just make sure you take your time and savour the yummy sweetness. Luxuriate in it, and it will be there in your memory for a long time to come.
Of course, dining out like this will become boring and might lead to weight gain, not weight loss if you do it too often. Keep it as a special treat, enjoy your food, and think about the best choices. You can dine well and still lose weight, as long as you follow these few rules.
Well, sure, why not. I'm not talking about fast food, but sit down dining in a restaurant. It takes a bit of planning to do it at the optimal level, but, with that planning done, you can relax and enjoy yourself.
The first thing is to eat earlier in the day, realising that you will be dining well later on. This means eating lower fat things, and eating less. If you feel like you're being starved, just remind yourself of the good things that are coming later on.
Some good lower fat options might be cereal, with low fat milk for breakfast, or perhaps without the milk for a snack later in the day. Fruit is always a good option, just be aware of the 'All things in moderation' rule. Bananas are harder to go overboard with than fruits like grapes may be - a banana will never be a bad food choice.
Once you arrive at the restaurant, look carefully at the menu. This is what to look for in your meal choice:
- Items grilled rather than fried
- No cream sauces
- Vegetarian over steak
- Chicken over beef
- Fish, if you like it, grilled is a good choice
- Don't get fries, or if your plate does arrive piled up with fries, well, just leave them!
- Ask for a children's sized meal if available - it never hurts to ask
- Or go for an entree sized main course if you can, again, never hurts to ask
If you've seen the dessert of your dreams on the menu, radically rethink your main course - if you opt for a salad, with no high fat dressing, and don't eat any bread extras, well, go for the dessert. Just make sure you take your time and savour the yummy sweetness. Luxuriate in it, and it will be there in your memory for a long time to come.
Of course, dining out like this will become boring and might lead to weight gain, not weight loss if you do it too often. Keep it as a special treat, enjoy your food, and think about the best choices. You can dine well and still lose weight, as long as you follow these few rules.
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