One week down, nine to go!
Week In Review…
After the first week of the Ten in 2010 Challenge, I am feeling pretty good. Overall, I feel like I did well this week. First, let’s talk about my goals…
- Healthy Relationship with Food – This is the area I struggled with the most this week (which is exactly what I expected). I didn’t do terribly, but I think I could have done better. That’s what next week is for!
- What worked… I cooked some pretty healthy meals for my hubby and I this week. We both enjoyed eating a few vegetarian meals and adding lots of whole grains.
- What I’m working on… The area that I still struggle with is limiting portion sizes and not overindulging in carbohydrates (specifically sweets). Next week my plan is to incorporate some healthy snacks into my day so that I’m not tempted to raid the pantry in the afternoon!
- Regular Workouts – I feel good about my workouts this week… I stuck to the schedule that I planned and didn’t skip any workouts!
- What worked… I go for a walk every morning with the doggy, and then my hubby and I try to walk the dog together over lunch (we both work from home, which makes that possible). I also have been using Your Shape for the Wii, which has helped me to get in both cardio and strength training workouts!
- What I’m working on… I’m working on increasing the intensity of my workouts. My goal this week is to do one 45 minute workout (usually, I do 30 minute workouts).
- Positive Outlook – Surprisingly, I think I did OK with this. I was expecting this to be a big struggle for me, but I have managed not to beat myself up for my food slip-ups this week.
- What worked… Spending lots of time with my hubby helped to distract me from my weight. Instead, I just focused on enjoying our time together – going out to eat (and eating well, I might add), running errands, and playing Wii!
- What I’m working on… I have a habit of getting on the scale every day. My long-term goal is to only get on the scale once a week, so I’m going to try to cut back this week.
Inspiration From the Archives…
Looking for a few healthy ideas for week two of the challenge? Look no further!
Here are a few of my favorite healthy recipes…
- Last week I made these Spicy Black Beans… They are loaded with protein and fiber, and they taste great too! Oh, and did I mention they are vegetarian?
- If you’re trying to bump up the protein in your diet, consider making some fish! Tilapia is relatively easy to find and fairly inexpensive (especially if you find flash-frozen tilapia). Even if you’re pressed for time, you can pull together this Simple Tilapia with Zucchini and Tomato Saute.
- If you love to bake, consider making some Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls. They won’t blow your diet, and kneading the bread by hand will burn a few extra calories!
Gadget Giveaway…
One gadget that I think can be really helpful when you are focused on making healthy recipes is a kitchen scale. It’s a great tool to help you get a good sense of reasonable portion sizes. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not suggesting that you weigh every thing and record every ounce and calorie that goes into your mouth. That’s just crazy (and frankly, a lot of work!). It can be helpful, though, to measure out ingredients like cheese or meat when you are following a recipe. If you’re like me, you’ll be surprised to see what one ounce of cheese actually looks like. Turns out I was being heavy handed with the cheese for a while!
I was provided with the EatSmart Precision Pro (in a pretty candy apple red color that matches my kitchen!) to review. The scale allows you to measure in ounces, pounds, grams, or kilograms, giving you the flexibility to follow any recipe, regardless of what measurements are used. It’s pretty simple to use and work into your kitchen routine.
I already have the Oxo Good Grips Food Scale with Pull-Out Display, which I use regularly. In comparison, I thought the EatSmart Precision Pro didn’t seem quite as durable. The Oxo scale is stainless, which just seems a bit sturdier than the plastic EatSmart scale. I also like how the Oxo scale measures pounds/ounces (for example 1 pound 8 oz) instead of having to choose between pounds or ounces on the EatSmart scale (1.5 pounds or 24 ounces). There is a pretty significant difference in price, though, so I think that the EatSmart scale is a good option and definitely worth the price!
Don’t just take my word for it, though…
EatSmart has been kind enough to provide a second scale for me to give away to you! To be eligible for the giveaway, you must live in the US. To be entered in the giveaway, leave a comment on this post telling me how you would use the EatSmart scale to make healthy dishes. I will announce the winner in next week’s Ten in 10 post, so all entries must be in by Friday, January 15th at 5:00pm EST!
Good luck!
My Kitchen Addiction Product Review Policy and Disclosure– I received this product at no cost from the manufacturer (or a representative PR firm) for the purpose of testing and reviewing the product. Unless specified otherwise, I do not accept monetary compensation for reviewing or writing about products. I only review products that I have personally tested and used in my kitchen/home, and all opinions expressed are my own.
Great ideas in your post! I have been trying to stick with the exercise every day and not eat *quite* so many cookies! ;)
What a cute scale! I would use it to measure out bread dough…you know, when you have a big blog of dough that needs to be divided. Mine are never even!
Very insightful, I think I am going to try the WII for an addition to my exercise program. Keep up the good work.
Not bad for your first week. Keep at it!! I’m getting myself a wii fit this week. Change up the workout routine a little. As much as I love my stationary bike and same ol’ strength workout i think it’s time for a fresh workout start.
What I’d do with that weight. It would actually help me in terms of measuring a lot of ingredients in the kitchen without having to figure out conversions. Plus I know a lot of the my “measurements” can be off.
Good job on the first week. I love that scale, such fun colors! Keep up the good work!
Proud of you for getting through the first week! You are beautiful Jen.
I’d love the scale to help with portion size & better measuring for baking.
If I won I’d use it to measure out ingredients to bake gluten free goodies
:)
Just found your blog through the recipe girl’s 10 in 10. So far I love what I have read of it. On top of all the great posts, there are giveaways too!How fun! I would love to win the scale because one of my main struggles is portion control. With the scale I could be more accurate (and concious) of what I am actully eating. Count me in and happy new year!
I just joined ten in 10, thanks to you.
Now, I have to be more aware of how much I am eating, not only what I am eating. This is one good way to do it.
The truth is that I have never had a kitchen scale. I am sure, if I had one, I would come up with dozens of way to use it.
Sounds like you’re on track with your goals! I don’t have any scales in my house right now, but I would love to have a scale for my kitchen! I’d use it to measure out ingredients for bread.
You are moving in the right direction. I started a new session of boot camp this week and part of the program is to keep a food journal and a scale would help me to be more accurate in the process as far as portion sizes and calorie control. Happy New Year
Fab post.
Stick at it!
The results will be definitely worth it!
My husband recently found out he has high cholesterol. We are generally very healthy eaters, but I know I can do more. We have cut out a lot of things from our diet without sacrificing flavor. But I know I could use a hand with portion control. I have a hunch I too am heavy handed with the cheese.
Great update! We got the Wii Fit for Christmas and are using it for our health goals too–SO ADDICTING!
First, I just love your blog. I’ve recommended it to my Mom (she’s pretty tentative about the whole blog thing but she thought yours was “neat”- it’s kind of cute actually to think of my 81 year old Mom reading blogs) and some friends (who are a bit more blog savvy) Now, I’m NOT just saying this in hopes of improving my chances of winning the fabulous EatSmart Precision Pro in apple red (which just HAPPENS to match a dish towel of mine!) My sincerity is matched only by my passion for measuring things. I know that given the chance to own the amazing EatSmart Precision Pro in apple red I would quell my obsession with having to know what food weighs. The fact that I don’t have such a handy tool probably explains why my weight never goes in the right direction (for clarification….that would be down) I’m participating in #10in10 and have been eye-balling my portions in hopes that less will mean more (weight loss) I would put the handy EatSmart Precision Pro to great use weighing the portions of fish or chicken or cheese (yes that is my downfall as well – and I KNOWINGLY have a heavy cheese hand) I dusted off my Wii last week and began working out using EA Sports Personal Trainer (my favorite over Wii Fit) So with better food measurement techniques (thanks in large part to the fabulous EatSmart Precision Pro) and working out 4-5 days a week, I should have some success with #10in10.
And, all kidding aside, I love the effort that you are putting into this “community event” and blogging about it and adding cool incentives. And your blog is informative, easy to read and delightful.
Thanks for your time and passion.
Claudia Anderson (@ParkRidgeDDS)
I find using a scale if VERY beneficial for meat…I’m a horrible estimator (both too high and too low at times). My scale broke last week. I dropped it on the tile floor and the plastic shattered. Unusable. Would totally love a new one at no cost :)
Great job on your goals. You are doing great. The scale looks awesome but I don’t live in the US. :D
i love pasta, but trying to figure out how much angel hair is 1/8 of the package is absurd!
i’ve been looking for a scale, and this would be a nice “welcome back to college, it’s your last semester!” present =)
good luck with your 10 in 10!!
My scale went crazy last month and had to throw it away! Most of my recipes are in grams so I really need a new one :)
I would love to win this! I got a new dessert book and it has the ingredients in grams. Haven’t been able to try the recipes :(
If I win this I would give it to my sister who doesn’t owe one. Good luck with your 10 in 10 goals :)
That scale looks so sleek and handy! I’d like to measure chicken… because who can really tell what 4 ounces looks like?
I fell off my exercising/eating better routine last year and needless to say the 15 lbs I lost some of it has come back and of course still in the wrong places. I would love to win this so I can use it for myself and the rest of our family. I have issues with portion sizes and the Italian in me is “mangiare, mangiare” and always dishing out more. This would help a lot and it will match my KitchenAid Mixer to boot!! Good luck on all who is trying to lose weight or trying to maintain your goaled weight!
really glad so many of my favorite blogs are doing 10 in 10, i really need the inspiration and my love of cooking and baking needs to be channeled into a healthy passion
What great goals!
I could really use a scale. I also have trouble with the portions, more convincing my husband exactly what a proper portion is!
Can’t wait to try out the Whole Wheat Dinner Rolls!
I would use the scale primarily for measuring meats and cheeses when I am cooking to help control portion sizes.
Great idea to weight the cheese — it’s way too easy to just grate it on, isn’t it? You have some good points in this blog. I’d use the scale to weigh cheese…and Alton Brown recipe ingredients and some of my bread recipes.
I’m late to the giveaway but it’s an awesome prize so I totally wanted to participate :) I would use the scale to weight some of meats I’m preparing. I’m a huge red mean fan (which I know is a huge no no) so it would be nice to see how much I’m actually supposed to eat. Gotta cut that extra fat, calories and cholesterol out somewhere. Thanks for such a nice giveaway :)
I’d use the scale to measure ingredients when baking, especially bread — by weight seems to go so much better!
Plus, that red totally goes with my kitchen.
I would use it for bread baking. I would love to make my own, rather than relying on the local grocery brand where I can’t control what goes in. Measuring it out with a cup is decent, but weighing it is so much more acurte! Maybe with a scale, I’ll finally swear off store bought, prepackaged breads!