food

Quitting Diet Coke 3.4

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It’s been a month since I’ve had a Diet Coke.

The past couple weeks have been easier than the first ones but damn, these cravings still hit me like a ton of bricks.

And I almost caved today. Almost.

I had just finished an interview for a writing assignment I have when I decided to stop at my fast food go-to, El Pollo Loco. For me, Diet Coke goes hand-in-hand with my Wing Lovers meal so when the cashier asked if I wanted to add a drink, I debated it in my head and tried to find a way to rationalize just one… But when I noticed she was getting a bit impatient (and also probably wondering what the hell I was doing), I blurted out a ‘no thanks’ and asked for a water cup.

30 days and counting…

#quittingdietcoke

(And a quick plug since it’s the day after Halloween – my latest article on Blasting News is about things to do with your leftover candy!)

Five things restaurant servers wish they could tell you

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I wrote another piece for Blasting News and this one offers a little insider information from a server’s POV to all who dine out :)

I promise I won’t always link to my articles but as a newbie writer for this site, all the views I can get will help me right now.

And come on… aren’t you a little bit curious about what a server would tell you before dining out? And if you are a server, well, this one’s for you!

Five Things Restaurant Servers Wish They Could Tell You

Happy Friday and thanks for reading!

 

 

Writing for Blasting News

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I am now writing for Blasting News, a global social news site, and for my first article I opted for something on the lighter side.

I shared my recipe for Italian Wedding Soup.

This soup has always been a favorite of mine, though in my Sicilian household, we called it “soup with meatballs.” Over the years, I’ve taken what I learned from my mother and grandmother and outside recipes and created my own version of Italian Wedding Soup.

For me, it’s the perfect soup for colder weather, not to mention it goes great with a grilled cheese sandwich.

So without further ado, please visit the link below to check the recipe out. And I’d love to hear thoughts from anyone who tries it. Please share!

My Italian Wedding Soup Recipe on Blasting News :)

11 Things Restaurant Servers Do Better Than Most

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It’s interesting that restaurant servers often get a bad rep.

I once had someone actually say to my face that with all the odd jobs she had to do, she never had to wait tables. And she said this proudly. When I looked at her incredulously and asked, why the hell not, because after all, she lived in Los Angeles where servers pretty much make $30-$50 an hour, she shut her mouth and said no response except for the one her face gave away, which was shock.

I suppose the bad rep comes from the label of “server” because let’s be honest, most people don’t want to serve others. But the reality of it is so different. It’s the hustle bustle of a living organism. It’s a show put on nightly that always has issues and yet manages to go on. It’s performance art, through both food and service. And yes, it varies in degrees.

As I was thinking about all this on my drive home, I started realizing there are some traits servers have that many others don’t. At least, not as skillful in my opinion…

11 Things Restaurant Servers Do Better Than Most

1. Open bottles of wine.

2. Multi-task spontaneously in a loud environment.

3. Pretend you don’t hear someone trying to get your attention.

4. Look cool while wearing an apron.

5. Eat standing up.

6. Play things by ear.

7. Dine out.

8. Talk to people when they are hungry and angry about it.

9. Look at someone without them knowing it.

10. Calculate percentages without a calculator.

11. Bite their tongue and smile.

 

Any other servers out there want to add their own?? Please do!

Quitting Diet Coke Take 2

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Five years ago, I quit drinking my absolute favorite drink in the world.

Diet Coke.

Now, before I get bombarded with stories about how bad it is for my body, allow me to state I KNOW THIS.

I won’t lie. I adore the taste. The kick it gives me. The bubbly satisfaction.

But I am no longer twenty one and able to turn a deaf ear to the truth. I heed it now.

Somehow though, I fell back into my addiction before even realizing it. One sip lead to one can, which led to “why not have another” to drinking three bottles a day.

I have no middle ground with this drink. I am addicted and after allowing myself to drink some a few months ago, I fell off the wagon and found myself back on the sauce within a couple weeks.

It could be worse. It could be tequila.

But when I found myself craving the third one of the day, I knew I had to stop and stop quickly.

So, after just having my last diet coke, I want to officially declare I am back on the wagon.

PLEASE hold me to this.

And come along for the ride with me. I’ll be detailing my struggle of quitting over the next couple weeks. Can’t say I’ll write everyday, or maybe I will, but I have a feeling it’s not gonna be easy (if it’s anything like last time)…

#quittingdietcoke

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twenty-One

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Here it is. The end of my three-week Make Healthy a Habit project. And I am so happy that I’ve done this…

Have I changed any habits?

Yes.

Is it getting easier every day to do so?

Absolutely.

Do I feel better?

I feel great (and I’ve lost five pounds!)

Does it take three weeks to make a habit?

I don’t know. BUT here’s what I do know – it’s three weeks later and my desire for wine has greatly subsided, to the point I no longer think about it the same way I had before. And buying junk food has stopped being a part of my routine. I’m serious. Week one I had to focus on it regularly. Week two was a struggle. Week three felt way easier.

Will I continue?

Absolutely. I haven’t conquered all the bad habits I need to break yet…

What does being healthy mean?

I think it means a lot of different things to a lot of different people. To me, to be healthy means I’m making the best decisions for my mind and body and taking steps to prevent future illness while appreciating the moment I live in.

Thank you all who have joined me and showed support through likes, comments and shares.

Stay tuned… I’ll keep you updated :)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Fifteen

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Today marks the end of the second week of my 21-day Make Healthy A Habit project.

And I am already reaping the benefits…

My body is less bloated.

My mind is clearer.

I’ve lost four pounds.

And my husband and I have grown closer as we do this together.

Now, I know making healthy a habit does not happen overnight. It takes day by day. But the starting point is the roughest part, at least for me, and after a couple weeks, I’m feeling better than ever and invigorated to keep it going till it does indeed become a habit and start to happen more automatic.

As I made my lunch of a BLT with avocado and kale chips, I realized that’s definitely already started. I haven’t had a french fry in two weeks and didn’t even notice till now.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Twelve

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For motivation and knowledge, I decided to do a little research today in the name of health.

I’m realizing that common beliefs about health can be very wrong and doing one’s own research is the best way to find out what is in fact healthy for you.

Take for example food products that are modified to be “low fat”. Well… is that a good thing? My husband has made me aware that the “low fat” labeled food items are typically far worse for you because of what is being used to replace the fat. Check the ingredients.

I also now read the labels of the food items I buy. I’m kinda surprised it’s taken me this long to become aware of what I put in my body. And though it’s disappointing to realize how much corn syrup is used in items I like, I’m glad to have learned that all the information I need to know is right there in the ingredient list. Forget the claims on the packages or the myths perpetrated through advertising.

My new rule #1 when buying groceries and personal items – Read The Ingredients.

I also experimented with making my own toothpaste today (see pic above.) I used a little too much salt but dang, my teeth feel clean! As with cooking, I need to perfect the recipe…

“It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Ten

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In the name of health, sometimes you have to make yourself do something even if you don’t want to do it.

As the momentum of the new year wears off, getting into the habit of making daily healthy choices has not been as easy for me as I would have liked.

I have to expect some unhappiness and frustration, though right?  If it was easy, I would have done it years ago. But now it’s time for the tough to get tougher as the struggle hits.

So rather than focus on the difficulty of breaking bad habits, I think I’ll focus on the new healthy habits that have already begun to settle in…

I rode my bike to the store for some things we needed today even though it was cold and the car was right there.

And then for a snack, I made dehydrated apple chips. I haven’t bought a bag of potato chips since I began this project and for me, that’s a big deal. (I friggin’ love kettle chips.)

I suppose that some things will come more naturally for me, like biking instead of driving, while other things, like quitting fast food fries, will be more difficult. That’s just part of the deal.

And discipline and strength have a ton to do with it.

I think if I summon these two things,  I’ll make it past the initial difficulty of breaking the bad habits that have become such a part of my life and replace them with the healthier ones that I want.

It’s a matter of staying strong. Wish me well as I keep moving forward… (and go another weekend without a glass of wine!)

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.

 

Make Healthy A Habit – Day Seven

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Today, I’ve been quite absorbed with something I’m editing and haven’t given much thought toward food.

And it’s these moments that I realize I tend to make unhealthy choices.

I’ll typically grab something that’s easy like fast food or a slice of pizza but those are exactly the type of choices I’m trying to change.

I’m thinking I need a better plan for when I’m in a rush and/or don’t have time to prepare a meal from scratch…

Right now, I’m going to do my best to cobble something together quickly with the few healthy groceries I have in my fridge and pantry so I can get back to work but this realization that I need to better prepare myself by having healthy food available on the go is an important lesson learned. And I’d love any suggestions!

Healthy choices will not always be convenient. But that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t still make them.

Make healthy a habit. #makehealthyahabit

 

**For the original idea, please visit here.