It has been an eventful (read busy) two weeks since we returned from Greece. As I wrote this I shook my head and thought, “Two weeks? It feels like two months…” I came home to our book club meeting that week, Fourth of July prep, which turned into fifth of July courtesy of Hurricane Arthur (who caused Steve to spend five hours in the basement of our rental property pumping water out before it overran the water heaters and furnaces), visits with family from Florida, follow up doctor’s appointments, and getting ourselves un-jetlagged. That last part took longer than usual. And through all this there were barbeques, clam boils, breakfasts out, beach picnics, a Boston outing and all manner of opportunities to overeat. So, how did I do?
Better than I thought, mostly due to an abundance of walking. One of the outings was at our house, and I was able to again provide not only the stuff everybody loves (Bubba Burgers, Hot Dogs, Linguica) but also low-fat chicken sausage in many flavors, low-fat all beef hot dogs, my low fat dill dip with veggies, and watermelon. People brought other appetizers, salads and dessert. I was very careful during the day and saved my points for dinner and a glass of wine, avoided the salads with mayonnaise-based dressings and ate watermelon for dessert.
This is the first summer in my memory that I haven’t made my version of my mom’s potato salad. The recipe is no big deal: unpeeled red skinned potatoes diced (my mom’s version used any old potato – peeled), red onion chopped, and Cain’s mayonnaise. The key is the Cain’s mayo and mixing it into the cooked potatoes and raw onion while the potatoes are still hot. It doesn’t taste the same with low-fat mayo (or any other kind of mayo for that matter), so I just don’t make it. And I know if I did I would eat most of the bowl myself, so avoidance is my best option. I so totally lack discipline with my potato salad. Irish roots, you know.
In Boston we walked probably 5 or 6 miles while I played tour guide to my cousin’s family. We parked at the Boston Common garage and walked an hourglass route through the Public Gardens to the Prudential Center, back by Commonwealth Avenue to the common, past the State House to Faneuil Hall (with a stop at 60 State Street to see the tree Pioneer Investments planted in memory of my late sister-in-law Susan Bullock), a trip to the Aquarium, and then back to the common garage through downtown. Whew. We lunched in Quincy Market at a pub called Ned Devine’s where I opted for a veggie sandwich – hummus and fresh vegetables on a hearty wheat bread. I did eat a few fries and drink a couple of Michelob Ultras, but figured the walk would burn those off. Dessert was another story. We perused the food hall for goodies, and I spotted a coconut macaroon with my name on it. I couldn’t finish it, and think I was in a bit of a sugar shock after the fact. I won’t do that again.
When I weighed in last week I had lost 3.8 lbs. So a net loss of 1.8 lbs after my Greek trip gain of 2. And a total weight loss of 13.6 lbs. But another few days of temptations awaited.
Like the clam boil! I love the whole process of the clam boil. The clams came to us already soaked with black pepper to clean them, but even that is a joy to me. Cutting and wrapping the fish in parchment, bagging all the meats in cheesecloth, divvying up the clams, fish, meat and vegetables between the pots with a potato on top to test for doneness is all part of the process we’ve been enjoying in our family since before I can remember. And the smell of the pots as they start to cook is divine. We dished out the food in large platters and let everyone help themselves.
You should have seen me with my spray bottle of Olivio, the olive oil version of I Can’t Believe It’s Not Butter. Butter taste, no calories. Well, everything has calories if you use enough of it, but used reasonably this stuff helps me cut way back on the fat grams. So instead of melted butter on my steamers, sweet potato, and fish I spritzed them with my Olivio. But the sausage and linguica called out to me. I snatched one while walking past the buffet table and ate it on my way to my chair. That doesn’t count, right?
I did a pretty good job of portion control and made good food choices the rest of the time. Veggie omelets with Eggbeaters instead of whole eggs when out at breakfast, with no toast or homefries, or a poached egg with a side of fruit. Grilled fish and salad. I did splurge on some Israeli cous cous with snap peas and bacon, but had been extra careful the rest of the day knowing we’d be out for dinner. But I hadn’t gotten a lot of exercise during the week, so I was a bit apprehensive at this week’s weigh in. Lo and behold, down another 1.2 lbs, for a total of 14.8. But while I was weighing in I noticed our group leader, Maggie, was not around. “Is she on vacation?” I asked. I was told she would no longer be our Wednesday meeting facilitator as she had an opportunity she couldn’t refuse. No details. I understand she may still lead Sunday morning classes. So Maggie has gone the way of Irving. Our leader today was very good, but she’s only filling in for the summer, as she is a kindergarten teacher. As another class attendee stated, “We’ve been through multiple leaders and when they’ve left we’ve all thought that it’s the end of the world. Then we come to love the next one.” And so on, and so on. I’ll stay until I need to find another, better class, as I’m really there for the accountability as well as the information. Who knows, maybe someday I’ll become a leader myself. But for now, off to the treadmill if I want a martini his weekend!
