Less is More...Right?

So during our kitchen outage (replacing the floors in our upstairs), I haven't eaten the best things.  However, despite this act, I have reduced the amount of toxins (both liquid and solid) that I have put into my body.  That's a step in the right direction, right?  I hope so, because not much else is happening.  I haven't gone to play ball again due to a bruised heel.  And just this week, I've hurt my ribs somehow.  I'm not sure, but it might have had something to do with moving large appliances (with and without help).  It's so hard to be active when you are injured.  At least I can eat less.

P.S.  It's easier not to eat any ice cream if there isn't any in the house.

Basketball Joe

So it's been a long time since I've blogged about being active.  Well, it's been a while since I've been active.

I'd like to turn over a new leaf.  I'd also like to get rid of this spare tire around my middle while eating a bacon sundae.  Yeah, that'll happen.  But I did make a stride, or at least a shuffle forward.  Yesterday, I wrestled with the kids and exercised with them--jumping jacks and sit-ups and push-ups.

Tonight I went and played two-on-two basketball for an hour.  I actually did pretty well for a fat, old white guy who can't jump.  Here goes some weight loss.  Oh, yeah...my friend ran into a brick wall playing basketball tonight and lost his balance, his glasses, and the ball.  Oh, I guess that was me.

Neglect

It doesn't seem like the blog has suffered too badly from the neglect imposed somewhat by the tangential divergence of Joe Average Writer to delve into food issues.  Just so you know, I did not eat everything I posted about.  I have no real idea how much weight I gained from my holiday binge.  However, it wasn't as bad as I predicted.

After not getting on Wii Fit for 77 days, my weight as of December 31st was 290.6 pounds.The new fitness goal through work is to lose five pounds during the month of January.  I think the best way for me to accomplish this is three-fold: 1) Don't stress as much.  We all know that when I am stressed, I eat way too much of what's not good for me.  When I'm not stressed, I can keep the hunger monster at bay.  2) I need my sleep.  I feel better and I exercise more when I'm not trying to catch up on sleep.  So, I've got to find more creative times to read and finish all the house projects (painting, furnace stuff, floors both wood and carpet).  Don't worry; I'm not doing them all myself. Finally, 3) Play more.  'Nuff said.

Kobiyashi should not be my role model.

I still need people to cheer me on, though.

What Happened?

So is this blog jealous that Joe Average Writer, my other blog, is getting all the attention?  Especially since it's all about food?  Not really.  Blubber is patient.  It keeps warm warm while the rest of the blogging world freezes.  No need to worry.  Make that double Hakuna Matata since I'm trying to control the portions of what I've been posting on the other channel.

Sickness and Health (and a Preview)

I’m not sure exactly how this post will flow (ignore supposed transitions) since I’m going to double post it—both on Joe Average Writer and here on Fatty’s Blubber Blog. The rare few who frequent both sites don’t need to bother with reading it twice. But I guess those of you who are anal enough to do it…can…I guess. I’d just recommend another hobby…or therapy.

Back from the tangent now: yesterday I came back from being on the sick wagon. No, I didn’t stuff myself with too much turkey or stuffing or pie (mmm…pie) or any birthday treats. Believe me, or not, I’ve held my eating in check at the start of this birthday/holiday season. More on that in a moment.

Last Friday night, Sariah got sick in the bathtub. Gross, I know. Then around one in the freakin’ a.m. Zac wakes me up, and says, “Dad, I barfed. Could you help me clean it up?” Give him credit—he wasn’t covered in puke. He even made sure he made it to the bathroom. However, he didn’t quite make it to the porcelain. An explosion of not-so-well-chewed bean with bacon soup covered the entire bathroom floor. The backsplash made it halfway up the tub and cabinets, behind the toilet and up the far wall at least six inches. How he escaped the blast zone without any on him, I’ll never know. And he was too asleep to register anything.

Two nights later Amy and Brooklyn both tossed their cookies (on Amy’s b-day, even), and my stomach started having issues. I must point out here that I never bowed to the porcelain god, but I still offered tribute, if you know what I mean. Needless to say, I am tired of cleaning up chunks of chicken and pineapple and cheese (and bile). And I am tired of not getting much done.

So, to remedy that period of barfiness, and to celebrate my (relative) health, Amy and I have finished the initial version of our independent study course revision, I have turned in the last of my (also pukey) stats homework, and I have been able to do some planning for when my student teacher jumps ship next week. One thing I have not done is work on my NaNoWriMo novel. Yes, say it. I’m bad.

Now, back to Thanksgiving and birthdays and food and such. This year, for the month of December, I am going to post a picture and recipe of “Food That Makes Me Happy.” Yes, you smart-aleck, that could include most, if not all foods. Yes, the title also sounds a little childish, but do you know what? I don’t care. This time of year is one for reliving those cherished childhood memories of Christmas, those indelible moments that will never vanish no matter how hard we try to erase them…oh, I mean, those moments that will bring us joy throughout our whole lives. Now that I’ve cheesed it up enough for you (more, fresh Parmesan or cracked pepper, sir?), here’s a taste of what is to come, because Thanksgiving makes me happy. In fact, it’s my favorite holiday, I think, but I’ll write about that another time. For now, enjoy the picture. I’m not going to give a recipe today. That’s for December.  Just don't lick the screen.  That's gross.

This delectable plate, by the way, includes turkey of both the light and dark variety, real mashed potatoes, yams, sausage and apple stuffing, homemade bread, cranberry sauce, pond scum, gravy, carrots, sweet pickles, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet bell peppers, and black olives. Pie was later.

P.S. I lost six pounds, too.

Squash!

We received quite a few squashes the other week, and so Amy has decided that we need more squash in our lives.  Personally, I don't mind squash.  I think it can be quite delicious depending on how it's cooked.  One of my favorite was to consume the gourd is by marinading it, grilling it, and rolling it in Parmesan cheese.

So, needless to say, we have been eating lots of squash lately.  I'm going on three days in a row.  That's a lot for me.  We never ate it growing up.  I remember the first time I ever ate squash (knowingly). We were on vacation, and my Uncle Brian cooked up a bunch of green and yellow.  My brothers and I had never had it before.  (I think I was about seven.)  They tried it and immediately decided it was the most disgusting vegetable on the planet.  That doesn't say mush as the only vegetables they really ate were corn and cucumbers.

I, on the other hand, was tipped of by my cousins Pete and Jed that tons of butter made them palatable.  They were right.  And that's still the way I eat squash most of the time.  Since then I don't recall having squash at home until the past few years.  The kids ate it out of baby food jars, but we didn't.  It smelled too awful.  Plus, I didn't know how to cook it.  The only time I seemed to eat it was when we (occasionally) went out and it was served with the entree or when we went to a buffet.  Now (Amy and) I can serve it up many ways.

So today, I'm coming out to say publicly that I like squash. And if anyone has any awesome recipes for squash, I'm game.

P.S.  Lunch is a beef and squash (with peppers, onions, and tomatoes) casserole.  Mmmmmmmm!

I Can Do Portions!

Today, I'm bragging about my portion control over the weekend.  Despite multiple opportunities to pig out, I was able to reign in the cravings and fend off the frontal attack on my taste buds.  Saturday I had a bowl of cereal for breakfast, one sandwich for lunch and a bag of popcorn for dinner (with not very much snacking in-between.  Amy asked if I was sick.  No, just Sam.  It's probnably a goo dhting I didn't go to the Halloween party.

Sunday found me salivating over a new recipe: honey sesame pork loin.  Whoa!  I limited myself to one plate, which also included roasted potatoes, a beautiful green salad (rabbit food), fruit, and a slab of Amy's homemade bread.

Perhaps the most difficult challenge came when Dad pulled his asphalt pie from the freezer.  Yes, I know, or at least I can guess how bad it is for me--and no, I don't count calories--yet I resisted the urge to consume more than one piece.  I challenge anyone else to try that.

For those who know me better than others, my portions were not my standard portions (three times as large as a "normal" person).  The descriptions here would be approved by any health board or restaurant oversight commission. (Chuckle.)