i love food

Let's be honest for a second, I love food. I always have. Mostly because my mom is an amazing cook. She can throw things together and they always turn out. She loves to try new recipes (even hard ones) and cooks like a gourmet chef. So naturally, I have enjoyed eating her food, and eating, and eating and eating. Did I bother to learn to cook? No. I was too busy flirting with boys and going to local concerts dancing in mosh pits. (true story)

Fast Forward to present day: I have a family. Money is tight. Food prices are going up--even fast food/restaurants! I have to learn to cook.

I have tried different recipes here and there and some were great, some not so great. I did not inherit an ounce of cooking skills from my Mom. I am my Father's Daughter. (at least I admit it!)

What is my point you ask? My point is I love food and I'm not skinny. I try to cook healthy foods most of the time (yes I even like Soy/Veggie hot dogs and Boca Burgers/Crumbles and even my kids enjoy Morningstar "Chicken" Nuggets) but sometimes I just can't get over my sweet cravings and cravings for beef and noodles, beef stew, hamburgers (see where I'm going with this?) and butter!

So, moving right along to the actual point, I have joined a 12 week weight loss plan sponsored by Kachmann Mind Body, we've had this at work before but never really thought anything of it. I hate the word diet and I hate being restricted from ANYTHING. (seriously, that just makes me want it that much more..unless we're talking about Onions). This program doesn't do that and it just teaches you how to eat healthy, make healthy foods choices but still enjoy the things you love. A lot of co-workers have seen much success with this plan. I figure I will try it out and see if I can get the hang of cooking healthy (but still tasty!) eating healthy and craving healthy food (I think the most important thing that needs to change for me) I just have to figure this whole thing out, food and weight and exercise. (at least I am somewhat exercising!) I don't want my daughter to struggle with food issues or body issues like I have my entire life! I want her to crave the healthy stuff and be active, my son too, but let's be honest it's the girls that struggle with this stuff the most. I want to be a good example to my family and myself. (or..be happy in my skin no matter what size?)

(off point) One of these days I'll have my own garden, can homemade salsas, spaghetti sauces, fruits, veggies and not have to rely on overpriced food at the grocery store..but I have to get to the point of learning to cook the healthy stuff, then learn to garden, then quit my day job so I actually have time for all of this!

I also have a challenge from my husband: Cook food for a week that doesn't include, tacos, spaghetti, turkey chili dogs, and grilled cheese. (hey they are easy meals for a working mom!)

I'm going to go through my White Binder (overflowing with recipes thanks to Tasty Kitchen and my cousin Bethany) and see what I can come up with that is not in the category of the above mentioned dinners. I'm excited to take on the challenge!


If you know a good recipe--let me know it!

(this might be on my list to make this week or next weekend) (drooling)