She Says: It’s Not Emotional
NYC Area Bloggers: Melissa at Fitness NYC is planning a blogger meet-up for March. If you’re interested please check out this post with possible dates and times and email her at thelittlerunnerthatcould at gmail dot com.
Last Loaf
Well, last loaf with the Kitchen Aid. I’ve made three loaves this week that I’ve sliced and frozen for future use. Today was another Bob’s Red Mill recipe, but this time it was Oatmeal Yeast Bread with Molasses.
Have you ever had brown bread in a can? When I was little we used to have it with baked beans and hot dogs. It was my least favorite meal ever. Now, I love the brown bread. This reminds me of that bread (sans can lines) in that it has a molasses taste. I just love molasses in bread.
For dinner, I used up some potatoes I had in my cupboard to make roasted potatoes (olive oil, garlic powder, salt, pepper and rosemary). I haven’t had roasted potatoes (or any potato other than the “sweet variety”) in forever and I love how they crispy on the outside. My heart belongs to sweet potatoes, however.
Inspired by a hodge-podge of things I’ve seen around blog land lately, and most recently, Jamie’s Frozen Banana Cream and Heather’s mention of Banana Pudding, I made Banana Frozen Yogurt today. I followed Jamie’s instruction of freezing a sliced banana. Then I blended it with 1 container of plain Oikos Greek Yogurt. I added ground flaxseed and a scoop of Almond Butter. I put it back in the freezer for about 10 minutes. I could have kept it in longer, but I couldn’t wait! I topped it with a mini Jocalat Chocolate bar and it was delicious. Next time I will try to exhibit patience and freeze it for longer to make it even thicker.
Party People
I am heading to Rhode Island today for various food centered events. I know we’ve all read the countless tips for preventing party overeating (eat a snack before, be social, have something in each hand, etc.). I think these tips probably work well for some people. Me? I generally try to eat special things and enjoy them, but of course there has been many a time when I over did it. It makes my belly hurt, so I don’t know why I do that.
Anyway, the other night I brought up the subject with Mark. I posed this question to him, “Mark, do you have a plan at a party for not overeating?” He began to explain that at parties he likes to eat meats and cheeses. I have no idea how that was relevant, but what I really want to share is that he said, “If it’s lunch time, eat lunch and move on. Later, eat dinner. Don’t make it emotional.” I think if you remember that, the other tips won’t be necessary. What do you think about the topic of emotions and eating. I don’t mean emotional eating, which I’ve decided is 100% normal on occasion, but rather, I mean the idea that you need to eat the party/restaurant/ holiday goodies? It’s just another day, another meal, so why make such a big deal about it?
Two Notes
(1) Enter Ryan’s contest for something that you might need when running outdoors.
(2) The Raw Foods debate continues. Please read Melanie’s response to Gena’s guest post.
February 20th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Thanks for promoting the meet up, it should be fun! I agree with your tips. I generally just make sure to stop when I am satisfied, the first few bites always taste the best, no need to take 30 just to make sure!
February 20th, 2009 at 10:57 am
Heather – thanks for the shout-out. That banana frozen yogurt sounds perfect. I have all these ice-cream experiments lined up, but it’s still a bit too cold outside. Can’t wait for Spring, and I’m going to crazy with all things frozen & my Vita-Mix!
“If it’s lunch time, eat lunch and move on. Later, eat dinner. Don’t make it emotional.” – great advice Mark! Why is it so easy and simple for guys? We girls tend to over think things…especially when it comes to our food and diet. For instance, Chris and I are attending a big Mardi Gras party tomorrow night, and I’m already anxious about it trying to think about healthy and light things I can eat all day tomorrow in case I overeat at the party. So silly! Mark, I’m really going to try and take your advice to heart. I WILL eat like I normally do tomorrow and then enjoy my dinner at the party! Perfect – thanks!
PS – Bread from a can? I’ve never heard of that. My dad ALWAYS has a bowl of molasses on the side of dinner for bread dipping.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:00 am
Sometimes guys can very helpful because they are just so darn uncomplicated when it comes to food! I’ve never thought about party eating that way, but it makes sense. Thank you Mark!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:05 am
I think we should all heed Mark’s advice. Ha, I don’t know why I over complicate things, but I know I sure do. I seem to either have to eat like zero sweets or too many sweets. I haven’t seemed to figure how to just have a little bit without feeling like I need more.
I’m a sweet potatoe girl myself but those roasted potatoes sound pretty good!
Hope you have a great Friday!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:09 am
oh man, mark is right on!! hit the nail on the head
now the key is to make it work!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:10 am
I like his answer – it makes everything sound so simple!
Sometimes I’m able to do that, and sometimes I’m not.But that depends on my state of mind/what’s going on, not so much with the food itself.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:20 am
I think the dessert table is always the hardest to resist, especially since it contains treats we don’t always get to eat! Maybe mentally making another food your dessert, like fruit and dip, would be better.
Kind of weird..but a co-worker and I were seriously craving roasted potatoes the other day. Your pictures just reminded me of that!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:25 am
Love what Mark said, I try to treat parties this way, but it’s easy to go overboard.
Have a safe trip to Rhode Island.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:26 am
emotions and eating – I think its just all the hype of special occasions like bday parties, new years, thanksgivings, Christmas…etc, that makes people thing that they deserve to eat whatever on those days because it is a “special” day… I am guilty of this too, its just a hard habit to break!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:26 am
Mark said it best!!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:33 am
at events i like trying things if i feel like they are special treats – things i couldn’t get elsewhere. otherwise, if im not hungry, i’m not too tempted. also, being (mostly) vegan, it’s sometimes hard to find food that doesn’t contain meat/dairy. fortunately, mostly everyone in my life already knows this, so i don’t have to launch into an explanation for my eating habits.
im sooo excited for an nyc blogger meet up, i reallllly hope we can all find a time that works!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:42 am
Wow. I like that concept a lot.
I really think that the “it’s a holiday/party/special event” mindset stems from the idea that we consider the foods we eat that day to be “bad” or at least foods that we normally don’t “let” ourselves have. At least I think that’s where my need to rationalize comes from… and as much as I try I wouldn’t say I’ve gotten to that point where I can boast a healthy relationship with food and eat everything in complete moderation. Maybe one day!
Go Mark.
P.S. I AM SO JEALOUS of the blogger meet up! Ha, hopefully there can be one when I get back too and I can finally meet some of you wonderful people
.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:48 am
I always feel pressure at parties to eat and eat or the food will go to waste! It’s silly, but I hate the thought of it ggetting bad sitting on a table and having to be thrown out.
Mark’s advice is so simple, yet so hard to do for some people (like me). I over think when it comes to food, fo’ real.
February 20th, 2009 at 11:54 am
I think Mark’s advice is totally practical for a man
My husband tends to overeat at buffets, but he doesn’t have an emotional attachment to food the way I do.
Last night at a party I was at, a friend said, “I can’t have sweets. My wedding is in 90 days.” I wanted to bop her over the head on the one hand, and admired her “willpower” on the other. Knowing myself, if banned something, I’d end up ODing on some other variety of food so … moderation.
My MO at parties is have an apple beforehand, munch on veggies, sip Diet Coke and then if something is really worth it, eat. But I don’t eat just to please someone — or politely find a way to something home. “I’m not in the mood right now, but I’d love a piece for later!”
Parties are fun and great for socializing … but food IS usually a big part of them, even when we don’t want them to be.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
i love that comment!!! i have a problem where i “extend” a meal… by continuing to eat. i need to just eat lunch,… and later eat dinner… hahaha. sounds pretty simple! that’s the best advice tho.
February 20th, 2009 at 12:14 pm
You bake and cook so much, it’s awesome. I love rosemary in potatoes.
I like Mark’s opinion on it. Seeing it as just food takes away the allure! Good way to do it.
Have lots of fun at the parties!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
The meet-up sounds like fun. I’ll soon only be about 90 minutes from the city so hopefully there will be another one…
February 20th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
Your breads are so pretty. I love molasses in bread too. This is probably a dumb question, but do you have any secret to slicing it so evenly? I’m always a mess without a pre-sliced loaf, but that’s probably just my inability!
I love Mark’s comment. He makes it seem so simple. I’m going to try to think that way more often. For some reason, that sort of logic is beyond me!
February 20th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
Thanks for the tempeh recipe. Its definitely bookmarked.
Guys can so easily separate emotion from…well, just about everything. Definitely a skill I need to work on.
I DO remember that brown bread, but I have a rule that I don’t eat anything that retains the shape of the container it comes in. Same thing with the canned cranberry sauce. It’s just not right.
February 20th, 2009 at 1:14 pm
I’ve always wanted to try brown bread! It sounds so good!! Your banana frozen yogurt looks great – I need to try that
Have a fabulous weekend!!
February 20th, 2009 at 1:29 pm
Yum! Your bread looks fantastic!
What a creative frozen yogurt…I will have to try that!
February 20th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
I wish i could attend the meetup!
Great tip for eating out/party! you’re so right, it’s just another meal + good chat with friends. Eat whatever you like as much as your usual meal, and no big deal at all!
Enjoy~
February 20th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
I want some of your bread! It looks so good!
February 20th, 2009 at 2:46 pm
i used to totally love brown bread in a can… i’ve never had a vegan version of it, but this recipe looks pretty similar… and the i’d just use silk. thanks!
February 20th, 2009 at 2:49 pm
I thinks its funny that you mentioned the party planning/eating thing. I have been at a party where for example, I will see someone say no to cake, and I will say, “Do you not like cake?” And they will say, “No, I like the cake, but I had more appetizers instead, so I will pass on the cake.” More times than not, I will have the cake AND the appetizers!
I think people without a weight problem don’t even think about the food when they go to a party, they just go, graze a little and that’s it.
One thing I have done which has helped, is stay away from the food table. If I am standing next to it, I’m eating nuts, and chips and crackers and dip etc…
February 20th, 2009 at 3:03 pm
That homemade fro-yo is such a great idea. I might just have to try it because I have a hard time finding frozen yogurt here in England.
Your conversation with Mark made me laugh because it is so typical male/female (well, you know, not to stereotype too much). In general I have found that men just eat when they are hungry, stop when they’re full, and that’s the end of it. For me, and a lot of other women I know, it’s a much more involved process!
February 20th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Love Mark’s advice. I get things like that from Bobby all the time. I wish so badly that I could just eat when I’m hungry, stop when I’m full, and not think about food all the time. I mean, I love food… so I do like making great meals and coming up with new things – but I do feel like I obsess about it unnecessarily.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:34 pm
Brown bread in a can totally makes me think of my Nana. She used to feed it to me and my sissy all the time when we were little. Mark’s advice is funny. When Charlie gets together with his friends he eats until he is ready to bust – my tummy couldn’t handle that. Have fun at the party.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Your banana fro-yo sounds delish! I use frozen bananas for smoothies all the time in the summer – great taste and consistency.
February 20th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
agreed, I’m not sure why we feel some crazy need to eat more at a party. I think it’s more about teh variety of foods for me that’s a problem.. I like to graze.
not a fan of the frozen greek yogurt, i think it wasn’t sweet enough maybe..that’s probably a bad sign
February 20th, 2009 at 4:59 pm
Great topic today. I like how clearly Mark seemed to sum things up – don’t make it emotional.
What and how much I eat at a party is based entirely on the party itself. There are get togethers where I know it won’t matter what I do or don’t eat (I won’t offend), and those are parties I like best.
When I was at my parents’ home for a week over Christmas, I couldn’t say no to the food they served. My stepmother has a way of making you feel so incredibly bad if you don’t eat what she’s making. I gave in and ended up gaining 5 lbs that haven’t left yet (ugh). I started thinking about how 1) I hated how I felt while eating that week 2) I need to be happier next year and either plan better – or stay at my parents’ home less.
Sorry about the big long story. Your post just really hit home for me. I think when you have a random party, you should graze and eat what you want – but not get down on yourself if you go overboard. If this party lasts for a week, maybe you should plan it out
(speaking to myself here)!
February 20th, 2009 at 8:03 pm
thanks so much for the shout out girl!
what a clever mix you made there & hope you enjoyed it 
i think mark is right about the whole emotional eating thing– sometimes guys give great advice on this kind of stuff because — to be honest– how many dudes really worry how they are going to deal with “food situations” at parties? i definitely think its primarily a gal thing. thanks for this great post and have a great time at the party! xoxo
February 20th, 2009 at 9:49 pm
I have been wondering about that Brown Bread in the can. It always looks pretty good to me! Your bread looks delicious!
February 20th, 2009 at 11:23 pm
Erin: I have a horrible knife that is not a bread knife. My only tip is to make sure the bread is absolutely cool before cutting it. I always cut a warm piece to eat asap, but then I wait because it is so much easier to cut that way.
Rose: I think any time we allow others to influence what we eat we get into trouble. No worries about a long comment. I love them.
February 21st, 2009 at 3:36 am
Bread in a can? What exactly is this? I’ve never heard of it!
And I don’t generally get hung up over the food at parties/holidays/social gatherings. I just like to enjoy it. If it’s good food and I’m feeling it, I’ll eat more. If I’m not feeling it, then I don’t. It’s never the end of the world. Even if you do end up overeating and feeling stuffed, still not the end of the world.
February 21st, 2009 at 8:42 am
Love that quote! Don’t get so attached to the meal and all its glory. I could work on that.
February 21st, 2009 at 2:01 pm
I have to remind myself of that a lot. (Not being emotional about eating.)
I had some chocolate at a work meeting the other day and I let myself get so bummed about it! I had to remind myself that it’s just food and I could move on. And it’s not worth dwelling over.
mark is very wise!
February 21st, 2009 at 4:45 pm
Ah, to be able to think like a guy when it comes to food. Alas, I do think that eating and emotions are inextricably linked, especially for chicks. I accept it, and when a case of overeating stresses me out, I usually can make myself feel better by recalling the last time I did it, and how I bounced right back the next day or 2 days later to good eating because that’s what I really love to do. Also recalling that last instance of overeating SOMEtimes helps me avoid doing it again. SOMEtimes. We’re only human. Life is too short to stress about canapes!
February 21st, 2009 at 6:13 pm
i love banana froyo!
i should take mark’s advice about not making party-eating emotional. i just so often forget every word of wisdom i’ve ever heard when faced with limitless delicious food. good luck this weekend! regardless of how much you eat, just make sure you enjoy it
hi to RI!
February 21st, 2009 at 6:37 pm
Molasses in bread is definitely one of my favorites. It adds such an unexpected sweet taste…it’s like the ultimate combination for a sweet toothed bread lover
Wow, delicious banana fro yo!! I’ve never tried making my own before but the blog world is also inspiring me to do so.
I’m actually planning to try Mark’s advice out at dinner tonight. Usually when I go to a restaurant, I feel this need to eat more because it’s “special,” but really, how is it any different from a meal I’d cook at home? We’ll see how it goes…perhaps I won’t leave uncomfortably full for once!
February 22nd, 2009 at 10:19 pm
hmm. interesting how boys sees things so simply sometimes. i must have been starving in a war in my last life or something, bc i have this unconscious need to sample everything at a party, or overindulge. It is like I am afraid there won’t be enough IN CASE I GET HUNGRY LATER? isn’t that so weird? I tried to figure it out once before, but I simply can’t, so now when I go to a party I bring some nuts and a bar in my bag, so that the non conscious feeling goes away. I haven’t overeaten at a social gathering since. Weird huh?
February 23rd, 2009 at 11:46 pm
[...] was actually quite delicious: Zinke Orchard’s Creamy Natural Almond Butter + Apple Slices on my Oatmeal Yeast Bread that I sliced and froze last week. I take out the slices two at a time as I need them and it works [...]
February 25th, 2009 at 9:31 am
[...] is v. close, so I just walked home and had two pieces of bread (Left: Honey Oatmeal Bread, Right: Oatmeal Yeast Bread) with a bunch of Almond Butter. Delicious, but this wasn’t really how I like to have dinner. I [...]
March 14th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
I usually don