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I’ll Move On Tomorrow
I promise I’m not crazy. There is no need to send me to Cookie Rehab yet. I know denial is the first sign of addiction, but I swear I do not have a problem.
And they’re not mine. They belong to a friend.
Yes, I said that yesterday, but this time I mean it too.
I wasn’t even going to share this for fear that you would all think I was nuts or really boring, but I learned a lesson in the baking process. I think sometimes people shy away from Super Charge Me Cookies because maple syrup is expensive, and the recipe requires 1/2 cup. Well today I ran out of maple sugar, but wanted to make them for a friend. I just subbed 1/2 C sugar + 1/3 C water and everything turned out fine. They are still a delicious cookie, but I still recommend the maple syrup – it gives them a richer, more complex flavor.
I will move on tomorrow.
Gluten Free Super Charge Me
I had to make some gluten free, dairy free cookies for a gluten free, dairy free friend. Said friend assured me oats were okay, so I made my favorite cookie with a small modification.
If you’re ever out of flour and have oats lying around, grind ‘em up and make your own oat flour. When done in the food processor, they are a little course, but perfect for a hearty cookie like this.
And yes, I did sample that front cookie. But don’t worry, friend, I won’t send that one to you.
Happy CookieDay.
Can You Wrap That Up?
If you’ve ever read any kind of magazine article about eating out and losing weight you have probably heard some of these things:
- Tell the server no bread basket;
- Order two appetizers for your entree;
- Dressing and sauces on the side;
- No butter in your omelet;
I’ve done all of these things … except saying “no” to the bread basket because that hurts my heart.
But there’s one I’ve never done and it’s always seemed socially awkward to me …
- When your food comes, ask your server to take half and package it up so you can take it home.
I’ve always wondered what that would look like. It always seemed like something that no one in real life would actually do.
What would your server say? What if you are still hungry and then you have to dig into your “leftovers?”
Well, last night Mark and I went to our favorite Montclair restaurant, Veggie Heaven.
I don’t really know what came over me. Wait, I do. I really wanted ice cream after this, and I really wanted to save room for that ice cream.
But back to my story. I don’t know what came over me, but when “Beef” with Garlic Sauce came out, I had the urge to test out the “Can you pack this up?” trick.
So how did it go?
I served myself a full plate of food (and then one more scoop of veggies to be safe), and then I asked the server to wrap up the rest. Yes, she looked confused, but she complied and then I had my leftovers. It was a splendid experience.
Well, it was slightly socially awkward, but I think I might try it again because it worked out pretty well. Ordinarily, I would have eaten maybe 10 – 20% more (because it tastes good and is in front of me) and then Mark would eat the rest. Now I have another whole meal, and I had room for ice cream. 
What’s your real-life eating out tip?
Party Shoes
This is my favorite blog picture of the week. It’s from my post, “Who is Martin?”
That’s all.
Happy Friday.
More of Your Questions Answered
A couple of weeks ago I interviewed Dr. Melina is the Post Cereals Nutrition Consultant. She looked at a few of your questions from the comments and answered them. I hope you find the answers informative!
1. I’m lactose intolerant, so I always worry about my calcium intake. Are calcium-fortified foods, like cereals, good options, or should I focus more on naturally occurring sources or supplements? Naturally occurring sources of calcium are your best bet as they are naturally packaged for optimal absorption by your body and come with numerous other healthy nutrients. Of note, many people with lactose intolerance are able to tolerate moderate amounts of cheese and yogurt, which have lower levels of lactose than milk products. While dairy products are the best source of calcium, other good food sources include broccoli, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, turnip greens, bok choy or Chinese cabbage, canned or fresh salmon, sardines, shellfish, and almonds. Supplements are also a good option as they generally include vitamin D which is critical for calcium absorption. Calcium-fortified cereals are probably not the best fortified food option as they can contain substances called phytates which may interfere with calcium absorption. Orange juice and soy milk are better options when it comes to fortified foods.
Note from Heather: I know lots of vegans who swear by their leafy greens for calcium!
2. I’m typically not a breakfast eater. In the past I wasn’t always hungry for breakfast. Now that I’m getting better at making time for breakfast, and am finding now that I tend to be hungry for breakfast, but still have trouble making it my largest meal of the day. What’s the best way to get in the most beneficial calories for a small to medium sized breakfast? The best way to get the most bang for your buck when it comes to breakfast is to focus on naturally nutrient rich foods and limit foods with added sugar, fat, and salt. I encourage people to always try to include a source of whole grains, a source of lean protein, and a source of anti-oxidants or healthy fat if possible. One of my favorite, perfectly balanced breakfasts is Post Shredded Wheat (no sugar added, excellent source of whole grains and fiber), skim milk (lean protein + calcium + vitamin D if fortified), sliced strawberries (anti-oxidants, vitamin C), and 1 tablespoon slivered almonds (healthy fat, vitamin E). Other nutrient dense options include 1 slice of whole grain toast topped with 1 tablespoon peanut butter + 1/2 cup cottage cheese topped with blueberries.
Note from Heather: When I am not super hungry for breakfast I like to have some Greek Yogurt (protein) with little cereal (grains) and a spoon of nut butter (fat).
3. As a vegetarian who incorporates very little dairy into my diet, I’m always concerned about my B12 intake. I have been told to look into B-fortified cereals, but I also hear that this is not a reliable/quality way to get B-12. What are your thoughts regarding this? Meat, fish, poultry, dairy and eggs are the best source of B12 so as a vegetarian, you are at risk of B12 deficiency which can lead to neurologic problems and anemia. B 12 fortified foods, including cereals, are a very good option for vegetarians as they do not contain nutrients that interfere with B 12 absorption. Supplements are also a good option and many multivitamins or B complex vitamins contain the daily recommended dose of B 12 which is 2.4 mcg for adults.
Note from Heather: If you are a vegetarian (not a vegan, maybe a vegan could help out there), you can also get B12 from cow’s milk and eggs. I found this list of the Top 5 sources for veggies.
Lemon Larabar
In the morning Heather packs me a peanut butter sandwich and a Larabar. She’s been giving me Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough. She must have run out of those, or is hoarding them for herself because I just got a Lemon.
Whaaaaah?
