Everyday Systems

Elspeth

Thursday, 3/11/10: Success ESE fasting day. Drank water and unsweetened white tea until dinner. Tonight was "Clean out the Fridge Night," time to get rid of some leftovers. I enjoyed some homemade cream of mushroom soup, a couple slices of challah bread from yesterday, and some of the pasta Milano ...

Elspeth

Wednesday, 3/10/10: Success I am fortunate to have a job in which I can work at home one or two days a week. Today was one of my work at home days, which allowed me a little extra time to play in the kitchen. I put it to good use by making challah. I've finally learned how to braid a 6-strand chall...

Elspeth

I second wosnes . Also, YMMV, but since starting No S I have come to prefer not eating anything within three hours of going to bed. For me that's usually 10 o'clock, so I try to finish dinner before 7. I find I sleep better and feel better the next day if I don't eat anything too close to bedtime. J...

Elspeth

Tuesday, 3/9/10: Success Great day today. For some reason, it was very easy to stick to No S. I didn't crave sweets at all. I was especially looking forward to dinner, which was my own knockoff recipe of "Pasta Milano," a favorite of ours from the restaurant Macaroni Grill. I sautÃ© chicken in oliv...

Elspeth

Monday, 3/8/10: Success This was the first fasting day I've taken in more than a week. After my No S failure a few weeks ago, I wanted to have a full week of plain vanilla No S before adding weekly 24-hour ESE fasts back in. I don't usually have a problem with short fasts, and this one was even eas...

Elspeth

Yay, coffee! Elixir of life! My problem with coffee was that I tended to associate it with "coffee break," in other words, time for a donut or a muffin. Once I got out of the habit I was able to go back to enjoying it for its own sake. I drink one or two 12-ounce cups a day on non-fasting days. Sinc...

Elspeth

Sunday, 3/7/10: S Day Somewhat indulgent S Day due to my husband's birthday. Even on S Days I don't usually eat a big dessert right before dinner, but last night we ended up not having my husband's birthday cake and ice cream until after 9:00 p.m. I went to bed feeling bloated and uncomfortable. It...

Elspeth

First of all, welcome! You have taken an important step just by being here. I understand that you are facing additional challenges because of your job. It really must be hard to be surrounded by food all the time. I don't have similar temptations at work so I'm not sure what to tell you about that, ...

Elspeth

I'm glad his birthday fell on an S Day this year.

I just looked ahead on the calendar and apparently my birthday and my oldest son's birthday are also S Days this year. Seems like a happy omen!

Elspeth

Saturday, 3/6/10: S Day A good S Day, although we were eating our meals at strange times due to family commitments and the high school play my sons were in last night. I really enjoyed having some of the Lindt chocolate treats I had bought earlier in the week and saved for this weekend. Somehow the...

Elspeth

Friday, 3/5/10: Success Success on Day 9 of my second 21 days...but just barely. I especially enjoyed my lunch today, the centerpiece of which was a happy surprise. I had been trying to organize my freezer this morning. If I ever come into an unexpected windfall I would love to get a standalone fre...

Elspeth

Oh, I agree about the food of the times. The lunches themselves looked pretty unappetizing. But overall the kids in the film looked far healthier than many of today's kids, at least in terms of weight. For that we can blame the prevalence of snacking, the increase of portion sizes, and the decrease ...

Elspeth

Interesting film and good point about the normal body weights of the vast majority of children and adults featured in it. I graduated from high school about ten years after you did, and I can only remember a few very overweight kids in my class. I was also struck by how tiny the portion of cake for ...

Elspeth

That's awesome, Shannon! Not that you slipped up but that you didn't allow it to become an excuse to indulge in dessert. That's something I have to learn how to do.

I'm going to keep your phrase "Marking it red and moving on" in mind.

Enjoy your guilt-free dessert tomorrow!

Elspeth

Thursday, 3/4/10: Success Completed Day 8 of my second 21 days successfully. I had my favorite breakfast: Irish (steel-cut) oats, with a banana cut up into it, a little peanut butter mixed in, and a bit of honey drizzled on top. I never liked oatmeal because of the mushy texture until I discovered ...

Elspeth

Congrats on the marathon! I can't even conceive of walking that distance, let alone running.

Elspeth

Best wishes to you and your family! Enjoy the new arrival!

Elspeth

I had some computer problems that kept me from updating since last week. Fortunately, I'm back on track and hoping to get another successful 21 days in a row on No S. I'm currently on Day 8 of my second 21 days. Catching up: Thursday, 2/25/10, and Friday, 2/26/10: Success Saturday, 2/27/10 and Sunda...

Elspeth

Awww...thanks, Shannon! I really appreciate your encouraging words.

Elspeth

Wednesday, 2/24/10: Failure And Wednesday was another failed day, as it turns out. I was proud of myself earlier in the day because I'd found a way to cope with the siren song of free food in the office. That's a real weakness of mine: I would never buy donuts or store-made cookies, but when they a...

Elspeth

Tuesday, 2/23/10: Failure Ugh. My first failure in more than a month on No-S. Breakfast and lunch were fine. But about 6 p.m. I started snacking. I finished off a half-empty can of butter toffee nuts, gobbled down four Dove dark chocolate "Promises," and sliced about an ounce of cheddar cheese. And...

Elspeth

Monday, 2/22/10: Success Another fast day. Drank unsweetened white tea and water. One thing I notice on 24-hour fasts is that I get cold much easier. Nice in the summer but not so fun now in the winter. Dinner was a slice of homemade pizza, a banana w/some peanut butter on it, and hot chocolate. So...

Elspeth

Monday, 2/22/10: Success Another fast day. Drank unsweetened tea and water. One thing I notice on 24-hour fasts is that I get cold much easier. Nice in the summer but not so fun now in the winter. Dinner was a slice of homemade pizza, a banana w/some peanut butter on it, and hot chocolate. Someone ...

Elspeth

Sunday, 2/22/10 Pretty good S-day. I had a late breakfast (the same 2-egg omelet as Saturday) plus 2 small sausage links, so I ended up skipping lunch as I didn't feel hungry. Enjoyed my special homemade chocolate pecan torte for dessert after dinner, but didn't have seconds and didn't really snack...

Elspeth

Saturday, 2/20/10 So far a good S-day even though I spent most of the day in the kitchen. I really enjoy making breakfasts on weekends. I don't even mind making different things for each member of my family, unlike weekday dinners when I do not take special requests. ("I am not a short order cook!"...

Elspeth

Friday, 2/19/10: Success Fasted until dinner. Drank water and white tea. D: Homemade shells and cheese; salad w/ranch dressing; hot chocolate Looking forward to a few S days. I'm planning to make one of my favorite desserts: a rich, almost flour-less chocolate pecan torte. My goal for my S days is ...

Elspeth

Hi, Lori. I enjoy checking in on your page as well. Your fitness goals are inspirational. Once I'm feeling comfortable w/ my No-S/Eat Stop Eat way of life, I want to start adding exercise goals. I agree with you about the 24 hour vs. longer fasts. I really enjoy eating dinner with my family, so ther...

Elspeth

Thursday, 2/18/10: Success

B: Irish oatmeal w/craisins and sunflower seeds; grapes; coffee
L: 2 slices homemade veggie pizza; grapes
D: spaghetti w/meatballs; salad s/ranch dressing; 2 slices homemade bread w/ butter

Fasting tomorrow.

Elspeth

Wednesday, 2/17/10: Success I ended up doing a 24 hour fast instead of 36 hours. I was very hungry by late afternoon, but I probably could have gone on; however, we had an opportunity for a family dinner for the first time in a few days, and I didn't want to sit there with an empty plate. With thre...

Elspeth

Tuesday, 2/16/10: Success B: Irish oatmeal w/peanut butter, banana, and drizzle of honey; coffee L: Frozen pizza for one, deluxe; grapes; coffee D: Shrove Tuesday pancakes w/butter apricot syrup; 4 smalls sausage links; banana; hot cocoa As tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, I am planning to fast. Since I ...

Elspeth

KCCC, that makes sense to me. In our church's tradition, the three practices of Lent are fasting, almsgiving, and prayer. They are connected in that fasting from something (food, alcohol, TV, internet, or whatever) frees up either time that can then be spent in prayer and/or money that can be donate...

Elspeth

Monday, 2/15/10: Success B: Irish oatmeal w/peanut butter, banana, and drizzle of honey L: Trader Joe's roasted red pepper and tomato soup; homemade whole wheat bread w/Irish butter; pear D: Scrambled egg w/sauteed onion and cheese on a tortilla; salad w/ranch dressing; glass of red wine; pear

Elspeth

Thanks, Jan. I was thinking of doing something like that with them. Of course, when I went to prepare lunch today I discovered one of my teenagers had already eaten the leftover chili from last night. Boys that age are like bottomless pits.

Elspeth

Saturday, 2/13/10, and Sunday, 2/14/10 S days. Although I was not as much of an idiot as last weekend, I still feel unhappy about the overindulgence, especially in snacking. My goal for next weekend is to try to stick to the 3-meal a day plan, while still allowing myself a little latitude by having...

Elspeth

Thanks for posting the recipes, Jan. I might try the Corn Cakes today.

Elspeth

Friday, 2/12/10: Success

Fasted until dinner. Drank unsweetened white tea and water all day.

Dinner: Irish oatmeal w/nut butters, banana, and drizzle of honey; hot cocoa

Elspeth

Most of us are doing great. Keep going!!! I saw a bunch of us wrote down "lent starts" on the 17th. I think we should all encourage eachother especially during lent. I like this idea of encouraging those who are observing Lent. In my tradition (Episcopalian), Ash Wednesday and Good Friday are fast ...

Elspeth

Thursday, 2/11/10 (Non-weekend S Day) I'm glad I decided to make yesterday an S-day because it would have been a failure for sure! I ended up baking not only chocolate chip cookies but shortbread hearts and a pound cake. I was not a complete idiot, but I did over indulge a bit on the sweets. Fastin...

Elspeth

Wednesday, 2/10/10: Success Breakfast 2 fried eggs Homemade biscuit (American, not British!) Banana Coffee Lunch Julia's Potage Parmentier (potato and leek soup) 2 small slices homemade bread w/Irish butter Pear Dinner Chicken w/gravy on a biscuit Carrots Small baked potato w/Irish butter Hot cocoa...

Elspeth

Thanks, Lori. When I first started thinking about combining No S and ESE, I found your posts, which influenced my decision. You're right, they are a good fit.

Elspeth

Tuesday, 2/10/10: Success Breakfast Steel cut oats with 2 tb peanut butter, 1 banana, and a drizzle of honey Coffee Lunch The other half of the steak sandwich from last night Banana Dinner Spaghetti w/meatballs Salad with ranch dressing 2 small slices homemade bread w/Irish butter Hot cocoa

Elspeth

Thanks, nlb ! I have been weighing myself once a week, but I'm considering switching to daily and keeping a spreadsheet to determine a moving average over a period of several days. In the 22 days since I began my combination of No S and Eat Stop Eat I have lost 5 pounds. For me, the combination appr...

Elspeth

I just bought "Mastering the Art of French Cooking," and in reading through Julia's introduction to the anniversary edition, I ran across something that looked very familiar :) I searched to see if anyone had mentioned it here before and found Harpista beat me to it, some three and a half years ago....

Elspeth

Monday, 2/8/10: Success

Fasted until dinner. Drank water and unsweetened white tea all day.

Dinner
Half a cheese steak sandwich with onions, peppers, and mushrooms
A few french fries
1 slice pizza
Banana

Elspeth

Thanks, Oolala! I hope to be right there with you.

And thank you, Ragdoll. Mad Men is my favorite series!

Elspeth

I'm a new member of the 21 Club! Yesterday I completed 21 days on habit. I've also lost 5 pounds, which I'm happy about, but I'm even more happy to have been able to get through 21 days without a slip up. I love that it's starting to feel natural to me to confine my eating to 3 meals a day during N ...

Elspeth

Sunday, 2/7/10 Well, I was not quite an idiot today, but I still feel uncomfortably stuffed after a big chicken dinner with all the trimmings and a slice of pecan pie for dessert. Tomorrow is a fast day, which means a 24 hour fast from today at 7:30 p.m. (when I finished eating) to tomorrow at the ...

Elspeth

Saturday, 2/6/10 Ugh. This was the first S-Day I've had since beginning almost three weeks ago where I felt out of control. Usually I stick pretty close to No S during my S days with the exception of one or two sweet treats. Yesterday I snacked all day long and as a result feel bloated and yucky. I...

Elspeth

Friday, 2/5/10 Breakfast Steel cut oats with 1 tb almond butter, 1 banana, and a drizzle of maple syrup Coffee Lunch 1 slice homemade pizza salad w/ranch dressing grapes Dinner homemade shells and cheese salad w/ranch dressing grapes We're expecting heavy snow throughout the night and most of tomor...

Elspeth

I don't eat a lot of beef, but I have recently become a convert to Irish butter, specifically Kerrygold, which is carried by Whole Foods, Trader Joe's (I think), as well as some U.S. supermarket chains. The cows spend their days outdoors grazing on grass, and as a result the butter is a beautiful ye...

Elspeth

Good for Michael Pollan! It would have been nice if he had done a little more checking into it earlier on, but I'm glad he's going to make it right.

Elspeth

Thursday, 2/4/10 Breakfast Steel cut oats with 1 tb peanut butter, 1 banana, and a drizzle of honey Coffee Lunch Homemade French onion soup Slice of homemade whole wheat bread with Irish butter Grapes Dinner Cheese tortellini w/Irish butter and a sprinkling of grated parmesan Salad w/ranch dressing...

Elspeth

Wednesday, 2/3/10

Fasted until dinner. Drank unsweetened white tea and water all day.

Dinner
Homemade French onion soup
Slice of homemade whole wheat bread with Irish butter (mmmm, Kerrygold butter!)
Grapes
Hot cocoa

Elspeth

I've been faithfully keeping my Habitcal, but I decided it might be helpful to keep a more detailed record here. I thought I'd start off with a little bit about me. Today is Day 18 of my first 21 days. So far I feel that the habit-building has been going well. I've had all green days thus far. I sho...

Elspeth

I'm a newbie (just started on Jan. 18th) but I highly recommend using the Habitcal daily. There's something so encouraging about seeing those green squares increasing day by day.

Elspeth

I'm in! Hi everyone. I'm new here. I've been No-Sing since last Monday, Jan. 18 and have had all green N days (plus two yellow S days) on my Habitcal. My immediate goal is to make the 21 club, which I hope to do on Feb. 7. My goal for February is to continue to follow the plan with hopefully no red ...

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