Car Trouble, Potential Man Trouble

I had a bit of an awful day today. My car was at the mechanic's for some break work. So, I walked a mile to the bus stop, went to work, had a very busy day at work, then walked about 1.75 miles to the mechanic's place, picked up my car, drove to WeightWatchers, found out I had gained 0.2lbs (which is trivial and does not bother me). Okay day so far!

When I got out of the WW meeting, and went to start my car, it would not start. I called my mechanic. I have talked on this blog before about how much I love my local mechanic's place - four fantastic guys who are wonderful mechanics, and will do much more than most places to help. I have one of them I usually talk to about my car, and we get along pretty well. However, it was the tail end of the day, and I got another guy instead. I know him only slightly.

He tried to help over the phone. It did not work. It was the end of his work day, so he said he would drive to where I was and would help me. He came, and after a bit of tinkering, got my car started. However, I apparently need to replace my car's spark plug. So, the car went right back to the garage. He dropped me off at home after that. I was profoundly grateful to him for going out of his way to help me after his working day had ended. I offered to pay him extra for working overtime. He declined. I asked him if I could buy him dinner to thank him. He said he would like that, but perhaps another day since he had another commitment.

And then the conversation started to get a bit more personal. He talked about his daughters, his ex-girlfriend, his goals for the future etc. All harmless enough, but I had the distinct impression that this was inching towards something I don't want it to. Anyhow, I do want to thank him for all his help and will take him to dinner when he takes me up on the offer. However, this might be tricky.

Breakfast
Kashi Heart to Heart w. Milk, Cherries

Snack
Caraway Rice Crackers

Lunch
Tofu Fried Rice
I had photographed cherries, but eventually decided to eat some papaya instead.

Snack
Reese's Pieces

Dinner
Two Garlic Naan, Aloo-Mutter Curry
Unphotographed Cherries

A Moderately Good Day

Pretty run of the mill day. Went to work, came home, went to a friend's home for a half hour, watched some telly etc. I also pitted about five ponds of cherries and froze them in half-cup bags for use later in the year. Nothing particularly exciting happened. I did not exercise at all today. Sad. However, for the first time in a couple of days, I did not binge on anything. I am very happy about that.

Breakfast
Oatmeal w. Almond Milk, Cherries and Brown Sugar

Lunch
Brown Basmati Rice, Chole, Cherries
(I am making good use of my picked produce)

Snack
Sesame Rice Crackers

Tea
I had proper Indian tea for the first time in months. I have been drinking green and herbal teas for a long while. It was high time for some proper chai - the Indian way, and with a savory veggie cutlet to go with it.
Tea, TJ Masala Burger masquerading as a Veggie Cutlet
Unphotographed Semolina Rusk

Dinner
Tofu Fried Rice, Tomato-Cucumber Raita
Unphotographed Cherries

Cherry Picking

When I moved to Oregon, one of the things I was told repeatedly was to go and pick my own fruit at any one of the plethora of farms located around Eugene. I had also heard that the Oregon cherries are far more delicious than the California ones that are sold in Supermarkets in the Midwest. Since I love cherries, I decided I was going to go and pluck them. One of the farms that had been highly recommended, started it's cherry plucking season on Saturday.

I went yesterday - there were perhaps five others on the entire farm. I picked lovely, delicious Lambert cherries. We were allowed to eat as we picked, and I took ample advantage of this allowance. I ate about a pound of the cherries, sampling each tree to find the sweetest yield. Since they were so sweet, I almost made myself sick. I am much more of a savory food person, and my sweet-tooth is somewhat underdeveloped. When I had my bucket half-full, I started to yearn for something salty. But, I stuck it through, and picked the entire bucket - 12 lbs of cherries. It cost me only $15.47. And I got loads of exercise. Well, that is an exaggeration, maybe. But I did get to walk a lot, and jump to reach boughs that were higher up, and had to raise my arms and pull at branches and so on. Anyway, it was too enjoyable to actually be called "exercise".

Breakfast
Toast w. Apricot Jam, Sour Cherries from my friend's yard, Iced Tea
I am looking for a new store-bought jam. Any recommendations? I hate this Apricot Jam. A different fruit, perhaps?

Lunch
A pound of cherries while plucking these

A naan and a half; Baingan Bharta

Dinner
Mushroom and Olive Pizza, Garlic Sauce
After this, I had some more pizza, I am ashamed to say. However - that is the point of this blog - to be honest about what I eat!

After the Hiatus

Long time no see. And in this ensuing long time, I have put some weight back on, have not stuck to my resolutions, and in general have been a mess health-wise. One of my friends was recently diagnosed with Type I diabetes. This was pretty shocking to her, and to me - especially since I am a million times worse when it comes to eating and exercise. I have recommitted to health, but it is slow-go at the moment. I had a binge last night, and woke up feeling ashamed. I need to bring my eating under control. I thought posting pics of what I have eaten would help - it did the last time around. I am going to try again.

Brunch
I bought a new grilling machine - this was the first thing I made on it:
Grilled Tofu, Peppers, Zucchini
Half an old avocado
Watermelon, Sour Cherries
Rose-flavored water

Late Lunch
Garlic Naan, Baingan Bharta
Half a Papaya
(I need to remember to disable flash on my phone)

Then I went to watch Beethoven's Ninth Symphony at the OBF:


Snack
Have you had these? These are fantastic - mostly nuts, seeds and fruit, with a teeny amount of sugar to hold them together. Wonderful. 170 cal.

Dinner
Puff Pastry Pizza - Caramelized Red Onion and Chevre

Second April Recap

I wish something exciting would happen to me... food-wise or fitness-wise.... so I could report it here. But my life is quite boring. I made bean and banana blossom enchiladas. Is that exciting? My sister laughed when I told her - she thought it was an awful combination. I thought it turned out quite tasty.

4.6.11

Breakfast
Same as yesterday - Plum Tea, Toast w. Butter

Lunch
Also same as yesterday - Potato-Broccoli Soup, Sourdough Toast

Blood Orange

Snack
Some kind of cake-thing with icing on a stick x2

Dinner
Lavash Pizza w. Artichokes, long-beans, greens, jalapenos

I made bean/banana-blossom enchiladas for lunch at work, but could not resist a piece.

Walnuts, Orange Juice. (Dinner happened over 4 hours, so I was not too stuffed.)

Exercise
Nada! Too bad!


4.7.11 (reminds me of the famous perfume)

Breakfast
Unphotographed Sourdough Toast w. Butter

Snack
Chocolate Chip Cookie, Grapes (no pic)

Lunch
Bean/Banana-Blossom Enchilada, Avocado, Broccoli, Hummus

Snack
Broccoli/Hummus, Blood Orange (no pic)

Dinner
Bean/Banana-Blossom Enchilada

And overindulged on icecream bars

Exercise
3-hr contra-dance. On a weekday too!


4.8.11

Breakfast
Look familiar? Sourdough Toast w. Butter

Lunch
Bean/Banana-Blossom Enchilada
Apple

Dinner
Veg. Pakoras, Mint Chutney

Walnuts, Orange Juice

Exercise
None!

First April Recap

Not much to report. I did follow through on one goal - a day-trip to Portland. I visited a very serene wooded sanctuary complete with high cliffs, lovely waterfalls and a monastery. I also tried very hard to take pictures of everything I ate, although it was hard to get back into the groove of doing that.

Sun 4.3.11

Breakfast
Jalapeno Cheese Bagel w. Labneh

Kumquats

Lunch
Mediterranean Platter - this looks much nicer than it tasted.
I only ate the falafel and some of the tabbouleh

Cinnamon Almonds while walking down the Portland Waterfront

Snacks
Cashew Cookie Larabar

Mathri - an Indian Snack

Dinner
Spinach/Tomato/Gorgonzola Pizza. The nice guy at the shop gave me two pieces for the price of one. I like cute shop-guys who give me free pizza!

Exercise
Four-mile walk around Portland downtown and by the waterfront


Mon 4.4.11

Breakfast
Cereal w. Milk, Apple

Snack
Mini-Twix that got eaten before it was photographed

Lunch
Salad w. garbanzos, tomatoes, artichokes, cherries, olives, mozzarella
Blood Orange

Tea
Rich Tea, Mathri

Dinner
I went on a Hazelnut binge. I was horribly ashamed after I did. And I did not photograph it either. However, I am committed to documenting everything that I ate.

Exercise
2.8-mile walk at lunchtime when I saw this:


Tue 4.5.11

Breakfast
Sourdough Toast w. half a pat of butter
Plum tea in my fun mug! I felt hopeful!

Lunch
Potato-Broccoli Soup; Sourdough Toast w. the other half pat of butter
Cheese, Apple (no pic)

Snack
Banana-Hazelnut Muffin

Dinner
Brown Rice, Long Bean/Banana Blossom Stir-fry, Yogurt

Walnuts, Dried Cherries

Exercise
Folk-dance class