She Says: How Do You See Yourself?
Tonight for dinner I had grilled peppers (green one’s from mom’s garden) and onions. I love onions! I also had a Morningstar Farms Southwestern Style Veggie Cake.
I like the flavor of these, and the the Ginger & Teryaki Flavor, and appreciate that they have whole pieces of rice, beans and veggies in there … but they’re pretty small, so they are not mentally as satisfying as the Dr. Prager Veggie Burger I had last night.
Oh, I also had some delicious bread. Not as good as Erin’s bread because this is not homemade, but really this is fantastic. It is grainy, crusty on the outside, very soft on the inside and it has little carrot bits in it! I’ve spoken of it before and I’ll speak about it more in the future, I’m sure. It’s from a local market called Dave’s.
Now the cookies.
In times of stress, I like to bake. The people I live with benefit. Tonight I tried Tina’s Zucchini Chocolate Chip Cookies. I lacked some ingredients so I made the following changes:
Out of eggs, so I subbed 1 T flax + 3 T water.
Out of honey, so I did 2/3 cups brown sugar and that’s it.
Low on butter, added 1/4 cup butter.
Flour experimentation desire, used 2 cups White Whole Wheat Flour.
Can’t read, so I used 1/2 t baking powder.
Kinda dry, so I added 2 T water and 1/2 Cup Unsweetened Applesauce.
No Chocolate Chips, so I subbed 1/2 cup Carob Morsels.
Side Note About Carob Morsels. I am in love! I can’t say I’ve ever eaten chocolate chips out of the bag, but I had a handful (or two) of these. Also, I liked how they are small, like little tiny disks of “chocolate.” They are a little drier than chocolate chips, but sweet and good. I noticed they didn’t seem to melt. Is that true? Because of this, I preferred them from the bag than in the cookies.
Anyway, the cookies are really good! I liked getting veggies with my dessert. Because of my substitutions, mine came out a little puffier than Tina’s but I enjoyed them v. much.
National Love Your Body Day
I read about this on some other blogs and wanted to mention it, too. Loving one’s body is hard for many women, and I’m sure lots of men. We’re bombarded by images every day. The images can be on T.V., in magazines or when we see someone walking down the street. Often, we compare ourselves to these images and convince ourselves that we are not good enough. I am terribly guilty of these comparisons and am trying to be more positive about my own body. So, I am celebrating National Love Your Body Day for the rest of the week. This means I will try hard not to compare my self to others and think of at least one positive thing about myself each day.
I am very curious about this topic, so here are my questions. Do you compare? Why? What is your honest opinion about your body?
Tags: body image, bread, carob morsels, cookies, onions, peppers, veggie burger, zucchini
October 15th, 2008 at 10:57 pm
Um, hi. That bread looks amazing.
Does carob taste funny?
October 15th, 2008 at 11:03 pm
Jordan: My dad said: “This kind of tastes like chocolate.” It doesn’t taste bad and tastes like less sweet, drier chocolate. I think.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
Nah, Joe the Plumber was one of the first things McCain was talking about… Which was this story about a plumber who has worked for this company for exactly one billion years and now wants to buy the company. Only when he looked at Obama’s proposed tax plan, he was scared of his future, because he’d be taxed to hell & back. Last time I checked, plumbers [even the one who own the company] don’t make $250k+ a year.
FAIL.
October 15th, 2008 at 11:37 pm
I saw those cookies and wanted to try them too! I just didn’t want to grate the zhucchini….:) I did try to make some cookies and sub with flax this weekend and they came out really hard…hmm.
Anyway, I also am trying hard to appreciate my body and see it as beautiful. I think sometimes it’s hard to get away from that cookie-cutter way that society seems to view body image…so days like this are so important to keep us in check!
October 15th, 2008 at 11:48 pm
Jordan, did you see this: http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/10/15/222332/63/782/631810
October 16th, 2008 at 12:01 am
i’ve thought about trying those burgers…they def looked good, but $$$$$ none the less.
and honestly, i have had seriously major issues with my body for over 5 years and still have yet to come to terms with it. there are days when i just want to stay in bed because i hate the way my pants might fit, but really, should that keep me from doing things i love? NO! it’s a journey…and i’m working hard to get to the top! but, with all the help of you fellow bloggers and my family and friends i have been able to work towards a better mindset. so of course, thank YOU for your blog and all it’s wonderful entries. you inspire me in more ways than you can imagine!
October 16th, 2008 at 1:50 am
I have got to try those Dr. Praeger veggie burgers! I’ve never had carob either, so I might have to give it a whirl.
I feel pretty fortunate that I’ve never had body issues other than normal teenage girl insecurities. I would say though, that in the past year I’ve stopped comparing myself to women in the media because I’m finally accepting that I’ll never be 5′7″ and long and lean. I’m also appreciating how my Filipino heritage is reflected in how my body is built. Now I just compare myself to how I looked 10 years ago – overcoming that will be a whole other challenge!
October 16th, 2008 at 2:10 am
I don’t know any woman who doesn’t struggle with body image. I take after my Hispanic mom with my body type–regardless of my weight, I always have a full face and a fleshy body. This used to drive me crazy!
But over the last year, I have fought tooth and nail to learn how to accept my body. I looked at myself in the mirror every day. I bought clothes that fit. And I gave up the idea that the shape and size of my body represents achievement or failure. My body is just a facet of me. I am healthy, I am happy, my husband thinks I am beautiful, and if my body doesn’t meet other people’s standards, that is their problem and not mine.
October 16th, 2008 at 5:56 am
I find this question relevant, and if you ask me it may be a biased opinion, but I am extremely passionate when it comes to body image. I am in recovery from an eating disorder and believe my true calling is o spread more knowledge and awareness about 1) what an ED is 2)who has them 3)what they’re like to cope with. I think the media plays a large role and we need to take a stand against them! Who’s with me?
October 16th, 2008 at 7:15 am
Its so trite but so TRUE for me.
The more I age the more I LOVE (freely. Without caveats.) simply what my body can do for me.
MizFit
October 16th, 2008 at 7:48 am
Fresh-from-the-garden peppers = divine!!
CAROB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I’m known around the blogging world for my obsession with carob
I think that we all compare ourselves to others; but it’s important to compare ourselves to our FORMER selves, in order to recognize and praise improvements.
October 16th, 2008 at 8:11 am
I’ve never tried the morningstar cakes! i didn’t know they existed. i love their tomato basil veggie burger. it tastes just like pizza. and i know what you mean about homemade bread. it’s the best!!!!
October 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
those burgers look great- i’ll be on the lookout for those.
and that BREAD!!!! i want a dave’s market
have a wonderful day!
October 16th, 2008 at 8:15 am
1) LOVE CAROB! I mix it with choc chips and PB chips when I bake, for a nice trio of flavors… If anyone has never tried carob, it tastes kinda like malted chocolate, at least to me! Plus you can get unsweetened carob chips at whole foods, which strikes a chord with me!
2) Feeling good about my body has been SIGNIFICANTLY influenced by my best friend, who habitually speaks positively about herself. A stranger might think “wow what an ego!” when she talks, but really she’s just an honest, positive observer of herself. Being around her and our group of friends, I started experimenting with talking positively — even in small ways: “wow this scarf really brings out my eyes!” or something. Total body acceptance is still a challenge, but it has definitely helped me with positively viewing things like fluctuations on the scale. In short, PRACTICE being kind to yourself! Not loving your body is a habit, like anything else
October 16th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Great post – especially the bit about love your body day. I often compare myself to others and am often discouraged by what I see. My body is unique and different than others, and it’s taken me a while to appreciate that. I’m still working on it, so maybe I’ll join you in your quest for the rest of the week.
Thanks for writing about the NLYBD in a way we can relate.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:21 am
funny you should mention that because the past weekend i was walking around my friend’s place in my undies (you know how girls are) and i just didnt give a crap what i looked like! sure, my stomach could be flatter, and of course, those little dimples on the back of my legs are probably always going to be there, and yeaa… i’ve been thinner… but WHO CARES? i’m happy, i’m healthy, i’m in love, i can run half marathons, so SCREW the media who tells me i’m not perfect for some reason.
however, the two body parts i really envy on other woman is perky boobies and nice hair.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:31 am
I love onions, too!!
Those zucchini cookies look great. I love the way you described your substitutions, it made me laugh out loud
I’m with you on celebrating Love Your Body DAY for the rest of the WEEK. Or perhaps even the year. Although I will be honest and say that the entire year would be tough. It’s way too easy to compare ourselves to all the images we see (as you said) and sometimes I feel like if I try to ignore it, it magnifies whatever I’m “subconsciously” thinking later. So sometimes I literally look at pictures and say, “Yeah, I wish I had those legs” and then move on (by the way, legs = my biggest insecurity). And it actually makes it easier for me to see those images day in and day out when I confront them head on and address what I KNOW I’m really feeling. I don’t know if that makes me weird or not, but it actually helps me overcome my insecurities and realize that everyone is unique and should be celebrated for their differences, not criticized.
October 16th, 2008 at 9:54 am
I’d been wondering about those MSF veggie cakes… they do look small. Guess I’ll stick to Dr. Praeger’s.
Oh god, yes I definitely compare myself. Much less than I used to (especially in college), though. Thankfully I’m not really affected by TV/magazine photos, but I do compare myself to other runners, people on the street, etc. I guess it’s an insecurity issue.
October 16th, 2008 at 10:24 am
I love those veggie cakes and the bread looks tasty.
I was thinking about my body image yesterday and realized I still have a lot of work to do in that department!
October 16th, 2008 at 10:30 am
I mostly love my body, but have days like everyone else where I hate it. I know I could be thinner/have shinier hair/skinnier arms/etc etc, but I am just so proud of what my body can DO. it was (and still is) a lonnnnng journey to get there.
I think that when I compare myself to others I am comparing more about how much I have to work to maintain my figure and how LITTLE they seem to have to more than anything else. Some of my friends eat junk all the time and don’t exercise and have nicer looking bodies than I do, but then I remember that I could smoke them in a race and I feel better.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:08 am
I do compare myself to others, unfortunately. I do have to say though, I have come a very long way. I think my body looks best in undies and a bra. I’m still not loving being completely naked but this is a huge accomplishment for me.
October 16th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Right now my honest opinion is I could not be happier with my body. I may not be a stick or ever have a career in modeling but I am healthy and if I wanted to I could get up and run 10 miles right now. I love what my body can do and I have worked so hard to give it that ability. I have been taking care of my body and it has been taken care of me!
October 16th, 2008 at 12:35 pm
I love the cookies, and the bread looks beautiful. I’m pleading the fifth on the q, and I can do that because you’re a lawyer!
October 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
your cookies look delish. About the body question, I think I have mostly stopped comparing myself to others and am embracing who I am. But it has definitely progressed with my age! There are areas where I want to work on and I do look to others for inspiration and to keep me motivated!
October 16th, 2008 at 9:40 pm
Hey! I want to try the carob chips! I have never had them before. Thats sort of a bummer that they don’t melt well though….
October 17th, 2008 at 10:35 am
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