The Healthy Eating Craze

Life used to be so simple. If I was hungry I'd forage around until I found something acceptable to eat. If it was yucky I'd only eat enough to keep from fainting. If it was yummy I'd eat at much as I could hold, because you never knew when a wolverine would come around and snatch it from you! [husband and children count as would-be wolverines, just so you know. Actually I've been known to tell my kids there's nuts, or spinach, or some other entity I KNOW they won't eat in the scones or biscotti, just so I can eat more. Yes, I am evil, but I now repent.]

A few days ago, after listening to a friend, I began logging every bite I eat into this lovely free site, www.fitday.com. Who knew I was such a pig? Even on days when I think I'm eating well, my little pie showing my caloric distribution indicates half of my calories are from fat. [probably left over from the Atkins craze, when I ate all the butter and cream I wanted - and lost weight.] I'm not doing Atkins now, mostly because I LOVE baked goods - even when made with whole grains! In the last 36 hours I've made whole wheat bread and whole wheat scones, even sneaking some ground flax powder into the mix. Even got my kids to eat them by NOT putting in nuts, fruits, or coconut.

In case you didn't know, whole grains seem to be quite high in calories. I found this out when entering them into my daily food counter - YOWZA! It's hard to be healthy! I've been fighting to keep my total calories between 1500-1800. Emphasis on the fighting. Last night got an email from the girlfriend that got me on this particular bent.

"I hate when this happens. After dinner, all food accounted for, and I am at 839 calories. Obviously, I’m going to have to have another scone and a cup of hot chocolate (with marshmallows) later. I may even have to have a couple of pieces of Dove dark chocolate."

I promptly sent her off a one-word reply. I'll let your imagination figure out the word!

Go forth and eat well!

Paxton, drinking black coffee to save the calories!