Things That Taste Better Than Skinny Feels

Hiii- As I said in my first post, I am pretty sure that the title of this blog is false. There are a multitude of things that taste better than skinny feels. One of these things are cupcakes. I looooove cupcakes. No news there, but I should reiterate the fact that I went from eating at least one cupcake almost daily, to an occasional cupcake every once in awhile. This is probably the hardest thing I've had to face, especially when I always have cupcakes in front of me. I am not sure how it happens, but somehow people at work ALWAYS have cupcakes. It's killer. I also know myself well enough to know that once I take that first bite, I will eat like 2 cupcakes in 5 minutes. So, I have resisted, this weekend I decided I could resist no more.

I was in the Lower East Side to have brunch and go to the Tenement Museum with Katie and Adina. (Which by the way, is essentially taking a tour of my own apartment. The Rogarshevsky family had a bathtub in their kitchen, with essentially the same layout as my apartment. As the tourists looked around in shock that people lived that way, I looked around trying to find an innovative way to deal with my no dresser situation...) The Lower East Side is also home to Sugar Sweet Sunshine, an absolutely delightful cupcake place on Rivington. And after stepping in puddles the size of small pools all day, I needed a little Sugar Sweet Sunshine in my life. The cupcakes a great, moist, with just enough frosting. They are also cheap- $1.50 for a cupcake. Perfect. Not like Magnolia which is $2.50 for a cupcake with frosting that tastes eerily like mashed potatoes. I should say as a self proclaimed cupcake aficionado, Magnolia is not so good. I don't care if Carrie Bradshaw likes it, I want nothing to do with it and its crummy frosting. Sugar Sweet Sunshine on the other hand, I would marry I like it so much. I got chocolate with vanilla pink frosting and ate in on the street while walking Adina to her apartment. The perfect way to end a fun New York day.

Maybe TMI...if you are male feel free to skip this one

Where my ladies at? (I have secretly always wanted to say that in a half serious way). Well, its that time of the month, and I have been absolutely ravenous... per usual during my period. I literally cannot stop eating. Yesterday, I had to eat my usual 4:00 snack at 2:30. I finished my lunch at like 2:00 and during that half an hour between the end of my salad and the beginning of my yogurt I thought I would die of starvation. Seriously. I felt like I hadn't eaten anything in like 2 days, which believe me I have. I just keep on eating!

So, I thought to myself, I wonder the science between all of this...I should find out and blog about it. I googled a little and found a lot of those weird forums with 14 year old girls asking the exact same question. I am glad I am on the same page as 14 year old girls in both biology questions and musical tastes. Not one of the other 14 year old girls had an answer! Surprising! Then I realized I need to search "menstruation hunger" and not "period hunger"...gotta get scientific if you want scientific answers!

Well according Weight Watchers, even if you eat a little more during your period, your weight loss will not be dramatically effected because, get this, your metabolism goes up a little too. Who knew? Still not the reason why I get so ridiculously hungry, but good to know. Also, they said that if you don't give in to the cravings (I don't know anyone who has THAT much will power...) then your weight loss will slightly increase. Nice!

Then I googled more. No reasons why, although apparently if you take one Prozac before your period you will not get this hunger. Wait, what? I guess this makes sense? I'll just keep on eating the Thin Mints next to my desk anyway, thanks. Then, I kept googling...and there were theories that woman crave chocolate because it makes them feel happy. Also, we crave chocolate because chocolate has iron in it, and we need iron. But, I found NOTHING, zilch, zip on why we get so hungry or why our metabolism goes up. I WANT BIOLOGICAL ANSWERS! So, if you know the actual reason why, I'd like to know. My theory is that our bodies are working a little extra, and want a little something to nosh on while they work over time. Maybe thats also why we are so tired. Who knows, and quite frankly I am too hungry right now to keep looking for answers.

Philly, PA

Hi- Oh my goodness. Two posts in one night. I just had to tell you about my trip to Philly. As I said earlier, this has nothing to do with the Skinny Mission, its just a fun trip I took! Nikhil and Brian gave me their pictures of the trip so, we will have some nice visuals too. So, Nikhil was supposed to go to Philadelphia with a his class, but couldn't the weekend the class went. (Ultimately the class didn't go... but we went anyway) And my uncles live right outside of Philly and I hadn't seen them in awhile, so I thought "this is perfect I can go with Nikhil, and see the sights and see my uncles. What a nice weekend!" That really is what I thought too...sometimes I think in cheesy sit-comy ways.

So on Saturday morning we got on the Chinatown bus and for a mere $10 had the chance to smell a smell that is completely indescribable. (Horrendous, and vomit-inducing are two words that come close) and arrive in Philadelphia two hours later! I have to say it was great... other than the smell. I honestly don't know why I don't go more often- so cheap and so fast. We got off had a delish meal at Reading Terminal Market. We topped it off with a little mint fudge that we carried around all day- we even took the mini spoon they gave us to taste. Let's just say fudge eaten with a mini spoon tastes even better! Then we saw the sites. We went to the Liberty Bell....
And Independence Hall... (Unfortunately, I didn't find the special glasses for the treasure map on the back of the Declaration of Independence that I stole).
Then we met my uncles Dom and Brian at Gay Bingo. Gay Bingo a monthly event in Philadelphia to raise money for people living with HIV/AIDS and my uncles volunteer at it. I had so much fun. I can't even tell you. First of all, we didn't win anything- even though we came SO close to winning the $1,000 prize. And by so close, I mean we were still like 5 squares away, but I could taste it. We also got to go on stage and play charades with the Bingo Verifying Divas. Very very fun! Then we went out to drinks with my uncles and their friends. We went to a bar that was part dance club, part chill sitting bar, and part piano bar. MY DREAM! I requested that we sang "Good Morning Baltimore" at the piano...and I was in heaven.
The next morning we went to brunch and saw all the sites we missed.
And we went to LOVE Park. (This is Nikhil in the picture with me).
(Uncle Dom, Me, Nikhil and Brian at LOVE Park)

This is the highly summarized version of the trip but, I wanted to share the pics and give you an overview before my computer dies for good. Also, did you know that the Declaration wasn't actually signed on July 4th? The things you learn...

Have a great night guys! xoxo

Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte

Heyyy! Quick status update on my computer situation: still don't have one. On my dresser situation: just came back from my first Craigslist experience. I am still alive. The woman really was pregnant and it was not some clever ruse to get poor unsuspecting 22 year old girls in an apartment to kill them. The dresser was great...but how do I get in my door? I don't know and don't have a measuring tape to find out. Oh, what a life! :)

Anyway...I started drinking Tall Skinny Vanilla Lattes from Starbucks. And honestly, I love them. I was a little skeptical with the whole "skinny" lowcal thing. Why? I don't know...I guess I just come from the breed of people who assume the higher the calories the more I will love whatever is. And for the most part that is true. But, honestly I like Skinny Vanilla Lattes MORE than a regular Vanilla Lattes, and even more than my beloved Caramel Macchiatos. I stopped drinking those a while ago anyway because of the amount of calories (200 in a tall) and also, I could no longer afford my daily habit. They always say on Oprah and other talk shows that the first place to save money is by making your own coffee and stop buying it every morning. I clearly stopped listening to this since I've been getting Skinny Vanilla Lattes every other day. But, they are only 90 calories! And I work right across from a Starbucks...and the guy always tells me what a pleasure it is to see me. What can I say? I like that.

Back to the drink. The Skinny Vanilla Latte is the perfect pickmeup in the middle of the day. It's sweet, but not so sweet that it gives you a stomachache. Which is a very important distinction in my opinion and the 90 calories is not going to break your daily calorie bank either. I think that by drinking those I will surely be cute in a bikini by July. Oh, I should tell you, I want to be in a polka dot bikini by my birthday (July 3rd). I think that is definitely do able. It doesn't need to be yellow...just adorable and I need to be equally... if not more...adorable in it.

So, that's about it...I just wanted to let you all know that the Skinny Vanilla Latte has my seal of approval.

(By the way, the dash things on this computer don't work. So thats why I am writing things like pickmeup without them...feel free to imagine them).

Over and Out,

Marisa

PS: Nikhil just sent me the Philly photos! Above is a picture of me in Philadelphia drinking a Tall Skinny Vanilla Latte.

Food Rut

Hi! I am writing from Gabrielle's computer today, since mine is still not functional. When I have more access to my own computer, I swear that I will blog more. For the time being we are just going to have to take every stolen opportunity we can to spend time together. :)

I went away this weekend to Philadelphia...so much fun! I will write about it in a later post but, moral of the Skinny Mission story is, I ate a cheeseburger, fudge and pizza. I know, I know, what happened to me not getting distracted? I'm a liar. I still fully believe vacation calories don't count. And...I may be right. I lost 2lbs when I got on the scale this morning. Strange. I guess I walked a lot? I am not really sure how that happened. I am sure it was a fluke in the scale or something, and tomorrow I will have gained the 2lbs plus some back. But, for now I am sitting pretty.

I will tell you all more about Philly when I get the pics from Nikhil. It will obviously have nothing to do with the Skinny Mission, but the pics are fun, and I know we all love some American History.

What I really want to talk about is this stupid food rut I've been having. I am starving at lunch and dinner and I literally can't think of one thing I want to eat. I am over salads. I am so over soups. (I never was really into soups to begin with...I kind of can't stand soups to be honest. Unless its corn chowder. I like that). I can't eat another stir~fried chicken thing if my life depended on it. It's killing me! I don't even want pasta. I would say screw the Skinny Mission...I'll just eat what I want. But, I want nothing!!!! I am sure you have been in a food rut before, and can completely agree on how absolutely miserable it is, which is why I'm telling you about it. I'm hoping that in the next couple days I'll be done with it and craving apple sauce or filet mignon or something. Until then I will suffer through every food decision I need to make and end up eating my failsafe... California Rolls. You can never go wrong with a California Roll.

xoxo until next time...which I hope will be sooner rather than later.

Marisa

Breaking Up is Hard to Do

Hey- Sorry I haven't written in awhile. My computer in New York is having issues. The kind where it shuts down after approximately 15 minutes. Ugh! And I just went home for the weekend where my house computer wouldn't turn on. Ugh to the max! Needless to say my family is having major computer issues currently. Hopefully they will all be solved someday. Until then, I will just have to blog on the days where my computer is a little less temperamental.

Anyway, I went home this weekend, which was very fun and didn't adhere to any of my rules. I basically was Carrie when she was having the affair with Big while dating Aidan this whole weekend. I just did whatever I wanted to do and not even Miranda could stop me. I binged on bread, mashed potatoes, chocolates, more bread, and cheese. I had extra cheese on my omelettes my dad made me in the morning. I kept "tasting" the two different types of chocolates my aunt brought over- I just had to decide which one I liked better. I ate the crappy white bread and followed it up with a few slices of delish homemade garlic bread. Oh, I should also mention that I ate a slice of red velvet cake which quite possibly was the size of three cupcakes. And in that moment- I knew I was tasting something that was as good as skinny feels.

However, all wonderful things have to come to the end. And my weekend away from reality ended the moment I drove over the Manhattan Bridge and realized even though you are vacation- those calories count. And I felt just as sleezy as Carrie did when she realized she was meeting Big for hour long rendez-vous in shitty hotels. I think it was that woman from My Big Fat Greek Wedding who said she lost a bunch of weight by breaking up with cheese. I thought she was ridiculous- no one breaks up with food. Now, as I am I getting back from my weekend of binge eating, I feel like a girl who went to lunch with her ex-boyfriend because "she could handle it" and ends up crying because she realizes she still loves him even though he was emotionally abusive. (Note: I have never been in that situation but imagine this is what it would feel like). I can't handle it. I am definitely breaking up with my waist-line abusive foods. I am not a girl who can have one cookie and not go back for seconds. I am a girl who needs just not to have a cookie to begin with or eat one cookie and then put poison on the rest. Since I don't have poison readily accessible at all times (or any time I guess), and it seems a bit of a waste I am going to remain on my train of just not having it to begin with. I am going to have a clean break from my "danger foods" until maybe a few months from now when I can be friends with white bread, chocolate, and cheese. Until then I will just have to start my new LTR with yoga, salads and non-fat yogurt with no distractions from the exes.

Superbowl and Exhale H-A

Hiii! Did you watch the Superbowl last night? I caught the last half- I missed The Who, but saw that incredible running across the field thing The Saints did. Very nice. During the first half, I went to candle lit yoga with Nikhil. I've never done yoga before and was expecting it to be one of the hardest things I've ever encountered. When I would watch people do it, I automatically assumed that my body would not be able to bend that way. Turns out it can! I still can't balance to save my life, but the stretching and warrior moves I can do. Ooh and the half pigeon!! I liked that. For those of you who don't know- its a pose where you essentially put one of your legs bent underneath you body as you breathe and enlongate your spine. I am not sure if that makes sense or not but it feels so nice. When I left yoga I felt better than I have after running and other forms of exercise. I felt refreshed and stretched out. I've been saying for like a month now that all I need is someone to put me in a medieval torture device and stretch me out a little. Well, I guess I just needed a little candle lit yoga to put my body back to where it needed to be. I will definitely be doing that again. And, everyone who was there was so nice and in shape. That was inspiring. I think I may have found a form of exercise that works for me!

Post Power Week Update

Sorry guys- I can't believe I have not updated you on how Power Week was going. Well, it ended yesterday- and it was kind of fun. In a weird way. It kind of was like a game. A few things though- I couldn't do the video. I know, I know, I said no excuses, however, in my bedroom it is more or less physically impossible for me to do any form of exercise. Most people living in New York City will know what I am talking about. So, I couldn't do that... but! I did one better. I joined my local rec center. Now, I hadn't joined a gym because quite frankly I didn't have enough money to spend a monthly fee. But, the rec center was only $75 for the year! So...I really had no excuses. It's not a luxury facility in any way, shape or form. But it's fine. And- get this! I ran a mile. Two days in a row. Yes, that's right a whole mile. I know, I know, people run marathons, but it's the little steps and I feel good about this. I don't really do anything particularly special yet and I have not found the runner's "zone" that people supposedly get into. Right now I basically listen to my iPod and wait for "Rock Star" by N.E.R.D to come on...and then... I POWER RUN! I run hard and fast for the length of the song, and let's just say, if N.E.R.D wanted to make a music video with a girl who runs, they would ask me to be in it because I look awesome during those 4 minutes and 20 seconds. Or at least I pretend I do. You gotta see me sometime. Maybe I'll just have to make my own video for you to see. Anyways, I've been doing that... It's been tough going to the rec center after work, but I'll definitely go this weekend and try scheduling it in more next week.

Everything else went pretty well- you all saw the recipe. I've been drinking more water and drink a glass before each meal. Not eating bread was REALLY hard- probably the hardest part. I'm not going to lie- I did eat a slice of toast on Monday when I was pretty sick. But, I had to for my health, and it was whole wheat. So, get over it! ;) I haven't had any pasta though and haven't had a cupcake in over a month! As for the salads at lunch- did it! One day I had fruit and yogurt...a fruit salad if you will. Counts. I went for a little walk on Saturday and Sunday, but it was FREEZING, so I ran at the rec center and then walked an additional half mile or so to "make it count". That's about it. I am probably going to add some brown rice and whole wheat and things to my diet this week- but honestly Power Week was not that crazy. It's something I could more or less try to maintain. I am going to have to spice up lunches though, it's getting a little boring. Got any ideas?

Ok..Grey's will be on in fifteen...yes, I still watch Grey's. Yeah- I know you probably stopped after the Meredith suicide weirdo thing they had going on a few seasons ago. It got a little better since then... Anyways I'm going to go watch it.

Love you all.
Marisa

Lemon Dill Chicken

Hi Guys- I am currently home sick from work. The WORST. Like literally, the worst, because you don't feel good, nothing is on TV, and you just feel like doing something, ANYTHING, but you can't. So, to make my sick day better, I wanted to tell you all about the dinner I made last night.

Yes- you heard right, for the first time in Skinny Mission history, I MADE a healthy dinner. From scratch! The reason that I don't cook, isn't because I can't cook...it's just I don't have the time, and can order delivery or a multitude of other reasons. However, my repertoire of dishes all include: mass amounts of cheese, pasta, maybe some chicken, and then for good measure, I throw some more cheese on top. I can't do this type of cooking anymore though. So, I found a healthy recipe off of eatingwell.com (Thanks, Eszter!) and decided to make Katie, Adina and John, Lemon Dill Chicken with Asparagus and Brown Rice. Now, I obviously doubled the recipe. If you are having people over, you need to make sure they leave full and have plenty for seconds. This mentality may either come from my Italian background, or my father's catering business- either way "Too much is always enough" except for when we are talking calories. :) So, I just chose to eat a little less of the portions of food I made. This takes a little will power, but its kind of fun in a weird way too.

The food came out great! if I do say so myself. (Yes, it came out great with an exclamation point, that's one above great, no exclamation point). It was very flavorful- which I was surprised me, since I rarely think of healthy food as flavorful. My mom says that that's healthy food's shtick though- lots of flavor. And, I am more than okay with that. I think that I am going to try make something new and delicious every Sunday. I think that would just be great. Also, I hope that you all have recognized that this entire post is part of Power Week 2010. So, just check that off my list!!

This is the recipe I used. I put in purple my own notes. It will be like the potions book Harry gets in the 6th book with all of Snape's notes. Consider me your half blood prince princess.

Ingredients

Please note: I made dinner for four people.

• 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, (1-1 1/4 pounds) I got two packs of chicken- the lean, thin kind. I cooked one and half packs and put the other half in the freezer.
• Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 3 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, or canola oil, divided I ended up using enough to cover the pan because this amount would not allow you to really cook. So cover the pan, and then put a little more in step two.
  
• 1/4 cup finely chopped onion I bought one of those big white onions...used half and saving half for another day.
  
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth I put like 1 and a half.
  
• 2 teaspoons flour I put four.
  
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill, divided I just cut up a whole bunch. No real rhyme or reason. I took into full account that dill was in the name of the dish. You probably should too.
  
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice I got one of those lemon juice squeezie things but then I also bought lemon.
  

Ok, as you can see I kind of used arbitrary amounts. Whatever looks good to you. I mean, you can tell what's going to be enough.

Preparation

1. Season chicken breasts on both sides with salt and pepper. I put the salt and pepper in a bowl and then kind of just rubbed it on. Heat 1 1/2 teaspoons oil in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat. Again, I just covered the pan with a layer of oil. Add the chicken and sear until well browned on both sides, about 3 minutes per side. Transfer chicken to a plate and tent with foil. I didn't have foil...it was fine. I also don't really know what "tent with foil" is supposed to mean. Just keep it near the oven...it will keep warm.
   
2. Reduce heat to medium. Add the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to the pan. Add onion and garlic and cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Whisk broth, flour, 1 tablespoon dill and lemon juice in a measuring cup and add to pan. Cook, whisking, until slightly thickened, about 3 minutes. Ok... I don't have a wisk...so I just threw the broth, flour, dill and lemon juice in a bowl and kind of mixed it. And then just put it in the pan, and kind of stirred every once in a while.
   
3. Return the chicken and any accumulated juices to the pan; reduce heat to low and simmer until the chicken is cooked through, about 4 minutes. I really did this. Transfer the chicken to a warmed platter. Just put it on a plate, who is anybody kidding? "Warmed Platter'...ha Season sauce with salt and pepper and spoon over the chicken. I didn't have so much left over sauce...something to think about for next time. I just put what I had left on top. Garnish with the remaining 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill. I also bought a lemon and garnished with that. It just need that extra touch. Plus cut up lemons are so delightfully pretty.
   

Nutrition

This is all probably no longer true- since I messed with the recipe a little. But its a good gauge.
Per serving: 173 calories; 6 g fat (1 g sat, 4 g mono); 64 mg cholesterol; 3 g carbohydrates; 24 g protein; 0 g fiber; 236 mg sodium; 219 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Selenium (30% daily value).

Exchanges: 3 very lean meat, 1 fat

Also, I put some oil, salt and pepper on the asparagus and put it in the oven for a little bit. Then, I made some Success: Brown Rice in a bag. I just followed the directions on the box and asked John when it looked done.

Since it was a dinner party...I also bought some Skinny Cow Mint Icecream Flying Saucer things. VERY GOOD. Highly recommended. Only 140 calories.

That's it. Pics to come soon...