RESPONSES AND RECIPES

Hi friends. Thank you for all the messages of encouragement and support. This blog was started to help me with accountability, but I also wanted it to provide inspiration and encouragement for others, and it really helps me to know it has achieved that goal. More importantly, I appreciate  and am reassured of its value, knowing that it continues to be a source of inspiration to some of you. One of the things I have struggled with for some time is how much of my current battle to share; but ultimately, I decided that it's important to show the hard times as well as the good ones. All we see from the weight loss industry are the success stories, and you never see how those people who lost a miraculous amount of weight in a short time are doing two, three, five years later. Maintenance, as it turns out, is a lot harder than the losing phase!

To clarify, although it's true the thought of ending the blog has entered my mind, I have no intention of doing so any time soon. Clearly there's still some work to be done. Plus, I am way too much of a Pollyanna to let it end on less than a successful and happy note.  Thank you to everyone who commented and asked me not to stop writing it, or kindly offered understanding but said you like to read it. We'll keep on slogging for some time to come!

I'd like to address a few of the comments in more depth.

RebeccaNYC, thanks for your comments. I've gained too much weight back, to the point where I am not comfortable and don't feel good about my body. Fitness is my main goal now, but I would like to lose about thirty pounds and call it a day. I think that's realistic and reasonable, and something I could maintain without making myself crazy.

 Beach Bum, thanks as always for your compassionate and well-considered thoughts. I agree with you about framing workouts and food plans as a choice --- that is what enabled me to lose the weight in the first place.  It somehow made it possible for me to take ownership of the process. But now, some of those tools that were SO incredibly helpful have lost their sheen, through familiarity. They just don't have the same power they once did. I still try to use them and am always on the lookout for a way to freshen them up or or a new technique. One thing is clear though --- shame and guilt, while they may come unbidden, don't work. I try not to dwell on them.

HS, dear friend ... the blog does serve me. I was worried it wasn't serving others. That seems not to be the case, so ... yaaaay!

And now, just so this won't be all whiney and navel-gazey ... A RECIPE! I made an amazing vegetarian shepherd's pie that made my darling husband very, very happy tonight. The original recipe is here but you know me, can't leave well enough alone. I did my own version. Do yourself a favor and skip the celery root; you don't need it. Just make your favorite version of mashed potatoes. I used MUCH less butter than the recipe called for, an unsweetened almond milk instead of cream.  Also, my version used a regular old onion (pearl onions were too pricey though they sure would have been cute). I sauteed all the veggies in a little bit of olive oil and a tiny bit of butter (makes them taste richer) and then I just dumped the wine in (didn't use a full bottle either; didn't have one. It was fine). Let that simmer a little, then added No-Chicken Chicken Broth and let that simmer --- I never took the veggies out as the recipe said. Why bother? They'll just pick up more flavor this way. I put in the beurre manie, let it thicken up a little, dumped in the parsley, and voila! A beautiful, tasty stew that would have been amazing all by itself. Also, FYI, I used Upton's Naturals Chorizo Style Seitain, so I skipped the browning step and just crumbled it in with the veggies. Don't skip the fresh herbs; they really make it! And I sprinkled a little finely grated Gruyere over the top of the potatoes before broiling.

Seriously. My man was licking his bowl. It's delicious, it's a great comfort food for a cold night, and it will stick to your ribs. Give it a try!

Comments

[Tina]

Great! You are an inspiration to all :)
Keep moving and updated. Thanks for sharing this. I learned a lot. You made me happy as well :)