Jersey Fresh, Jersey Fine

[SBD_foodie]

Ahh, the beginning of a journal. When I was a kid I would LOVE to buy pretty blank journals, write in the first few pages, then just ...let them drift off. Now the journals were never about much aside from the typical teenage heartbreak and how much I despised living under my parent's roof, so that is where I'm hoping to deviate from my poor journaling skills in the past as this is actually about SOMETHING. A journey. A fresh start. Really, it's a new life.

Well I've gotten a bit ahead of myself! I'm a 22 year old recent college grad residing in the lovey state of New Jersey (yes, this is suppose to be ironic). Actually, I'm a Pennsylvania transplant who came to Jersey for college and haven't quite left yet. While South Jersey is the source of many of my rants, I realize I'm very lucky to be surrounded by many farms and fresh sources of produce and I want to take full advantage of that while tackling my weight problem. I LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook. My daddy was a chef while I was growing up and he's definitely instilled that in me.

I stand in right now at about 5'5'', 175 lbs. That's the most I've ever weighed in my life, and its beginning to freak me out. I've always been on the bigger side, never considered myself skinny (or fat really), and I have a great self confidence. Normally. But my past year in school as a senior got a bit..out of control. I don't regret any of the good times I've had, though the many alcohol binges with my sorority sisters have made an impact. A impact with the names Saddle Bags and Muffin Top. OUchhh. My work clothes are callin in their two weeks notices and I can't help but be alarmed by this sudden appearance of a fat roll on my back. I didnt even you know COULD GET fat on your back. Ack.

I didn't think at first I was cut out for the diet life. I've tried em all, Weight Watcher, etc etc. and quit every time. But recently coming across South Beach, and after reading many of these threads and journals, I've been inspired. Plus, the principles themselves are very sound and just make sense. So that's a bit about me. I really don't have a specific goal weight in mind, I'd love somewhere in the 155-160 range to happen again. Even less would be fabulous, but I'm not going to have unrealistic expectations.

If you chose to follow, you'll undoubtedly find out more, from my love of all things vintage to the constant saga with my not-offically-my-boyfriend-but-we-act-like-it-anyway (that would make quite an acronym- NOMBBWALIA?! bahaha). Anyway, drop a line and say hi, I love to meet new people. And be sure to check back for recipes! I've building up my store and I love to spend hours in the kitchen concocting crazy new things. I hope to start a food blog soon...but for now, this will have to do!

OH yea. The reason for this. My food journaling. I get so caught up talking about myself..Yeah. So today! Day 1!
Bfast- Scrambles eggs with red&yellow peppers, onion, and turkey sausage. Oh and iced coffee, FF milk
S- some turkey chips and laughing cow cheese
L- Italian veggie soup I made in the crockpot last night mmmm
S- Cocoa ricotta creme ( I LOVE RICOTTA CHEESE. btw.)
D- Grilled chicken shish-kabobs with red, yellow peppers, and onion, with haricot vert

I'm excited to eat today.

[SBD_foodie]

I wasn't going to post twice today, but OMG I just made the BEST chicken veggie shish kabobs I've ever eaten. THEY ARE SOO GOOD. http://kalynskitchen.blogspot.com/2005/ ... cious.html Try them. Marinate both overnight, and let them slightly char on the grill. I've never been satisfied so much with a meal without any carbs. mmmmm These are going to be in rotation for the rest of the summer!

[SBD_foodie]

Menu for today:
Bfast- Turkey sausage and a ton of red and yellow pepper and onions sauteed, folded into a cheddar omlette and attempted a side of radish hash browns. Not quite successful, still tasted too radish-y but I think thats because I grated them too thin. Wont give up on them yet! Oh and LARGEE iced coffee, RF milk. So much cheaper when made at home, than dunkin donuts! And no temptation to cheat with a bagel too
Snack- Spicy roasted chickpeas! Love them with hot sauce, olive oil, paprika, cayenne pepper, and some salt
Lunch- Leftover kabobs with side of haricot vert and some cherry tomatos I could help but grill last night, and a small mixed greens & cucumber ceasar salad
Snack 2- turkey pepperoni chips and laughing cow wedge
Dinner- Marinated flank steak, large side salad (gotta use up these greens before they go bad!). Not sure what to put in it yet.
Desert- PB Cookies!! Thanks to lolar34's recipe on our P1 thread, Slimseekers! http://www.southbeach-diet-plan.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=95034&st=0&sk=t&sd=a So good.

I just cannot get over these kabobs, haha I'm eating the rest of them now for lunch...mmm soo good!! Im gonna make a huge batch up for me and my boyy next week.
He's on a business trip for 10 days, i miss him terribly...its giving me plenty of extra time to cook though! Progress- He referred to my as his girlfriend twice on the phone last night! Haha. We have the oddest situation. Started out as hook up buddies months and months ago, spent more time together while denying there was anything real going on...and just one day this summer, we realized how hard we had fallen for each other. I dont even know how it happened. He was suppose to move out of his South Jersey apt at the end of the month, quit the job he hates, and head back to Pittsburgh where hes from (we're both PA transplants!) but now...who knows whats going to happen. He claims that he wants to get the hell out of Jersey and his dead end job, but now I think I'm screwing all that up.

Im wild about him though, hes the perfect guy for me - sarcastic, witty, intelligent, down for anything. We have the best conversations about anything under the sun, from the greek organizations we were in, (yes, a sorority girl here...with a frat guy...how college-esque I know) to the books we love. He just makes me feel so comfortable, and is always reminding me that he thinks I'm beautiful. I couldn't ask for more. Expect, for him to stay within a 30 mile radius of me Oyyy. What a mess I've gotten my heart into this time. Next few weeks should be interesting, to say the least...

[jeoestreich]

I am going to have to try those kabobs; they sound so yummy!

[SBD_foodie]

Oyyy. Yesterday was quite a day. I already explained it on our P1 discussion thread what happened, i'll copy and paste here too in case anyone else has any ideas.

---the day was going great!! totally beachy, and i felt good. i had just fired up my charcoal grill to make a flank steak and a ton of grilled veggies when one of my best friends from college called me. i rarely see her, she just got a new job and lives with her bf so shes busy most of the time. Anyway, she wanted to catch up at our favorite bar in the area. I cooked my grill food and just scarfed down the veggies, wrapped up the steak for lunch today, and met her there thinking i could order something sb-friendly to munch on. No such thing. I end up getting a pint of my favorite beer (blue moon! mmm) and some spin/artichoke dip. nooo good! im disappointed in myself. i suppose it was better than, a huge burger and fries, but still. all that cheese and fat and tortilla chips?? such a setback

i know the food was a bad choice, that was my own fault, but as far as the drinks go- what do you guys suggest?? my girlfriends and i, we were pretty heavy partiers in the past. i mean its not like we can't hang out without drinking, but its more....im left out if i dont. like i know two of them are coming down for the weekend, and they're going to want to "live it up" after working all week. what do i do?!? its almost too much to ask me to stay away from the drinks at the bar. i LOVE a good beer, or some chilled tequila. but i dont want to be a downer and stay at home either! dilemma. any ideas??---

So thats that. A bummer, but a learning experience no doubt.

Today's menu:
Bfast: Flaxseed pancakes with added cinnamon and nutmeg, and SF syrup. on the side NF yogurt with a little splenda and more syrup (ate some on top of the pancakes, yummyyy. reminds me of a dish at my fav diner at home)
Snack: Spicy roasted chickpeas
Lunch: Romaine/mixed green salad with cherry tomatos, cucumber, feta, grilled flank steak and a balsamic italian vin
Snack 2: Mocha ricotta creme
Dinner: was going to do a chicken with feta and basil dish, side cucumber salad...but now have a hair apt after work so im thinking of picking up chili and a salad at wendys instead. we'll see.

...still missing my boy, so much, its starting to bother me. cant wait for him to come home.

[badhorse]

It's been a while since you updated. I just registered (I'd been meaning to, your journal got me to do it.) I like the way you write, and I noticed you haven't updated again. Hoping you'll decide to come back. I am a major foodie, too.

[yellobeuty]

I am a major foodie, too.

aren't we all

Welcome to the beach looking forward to seeing some of those recipes.