If at first you don't succeed...

...you are indeed a human being.

Hello.

Tracking helps me. I hate tracking. But since it helps me I might as well do it.

Before I get into it, I've already started to get crap from people who I don't see everyday (I've already experienced the daily teasing from coworkers who see me with my vegan lunches) about my "Hippie ass eating habits." So Sunday when I started to not hear the end of it, I ordered a burger. Eh, I wanted one anyhow. I mean we were at Red Robin where burgers are their specialty. It's nice to have an express route to iron fulfillment so beef was what was for dinner. I subbed out a "whole grain" bun (highly unlikely that it was 100%) and got a side salad with oil and vinegar. 

I don't let this teasing bother me too much. I'm not at all insecure about eating the way I do especially since I know the direct benefits of doing so. What does get annoying is the persistence and regularity of these remarks. I can understand people who wish they had the willpower to eat healthy meals on a regular basis may feel like poking fun at someone who does. But is it so bad that they need to say something every day?

Moving on, I had a total dry spell this weekend and I mean that literally. I could not stay hydrated! I was thirsty just about all weekend so I sucked down water constantly and for some reason didn't eliminate much of it. It was kind of annoying...feeling like a withered flower all day long but on the upside, it set me up for today very well.

I decided snacking is the devil and I need to stop cold turkey. The French don't snack and they are thin. Mechanical Engineer Boyfriend (let's call him MEB) and I eat the same food for at least 2 meals together pretty much every day. He gorges himself on big portions of ice cream and cake when the occasion presents itself and has a much more relaxed attitude about processed food than I do. He is sexy skinny and I'm...well...not there yet. The difference between us? He has such a busy job he doesn't have time to snack at work. I'm bored all day and work at a company where donuts and bagels are presented once or twice a week and fruit bowls are always sitting out in the kitchen. Snacking has to go.

This morning I had a cup of black coffee followed by a soy milk smoothie with black berries, chia seeds and spinach. I ran the blender until the spinach seemed shredded and incorporated but the result was a REALLY seedy smoothie! It was like...chomping on small beads. Not very pleasant. I moved onto making MEB's smoothie with cow's milk, fewer berries and skipped the chia seeds so his wouldn't be as grainy. Well it was still a little seedy and tasted more like berry flavored milk with a "vegetably" taste as he described it after I told him I snuck some spinach in there. Booooo...Never using black berries in a smoothie ever again :)

I felt hungry about an hour and 20 minutes later at work. SERIOUSLY? But since I'm never snacking again (we'll see how long it lasts, okay?)  I decided to drink some water. Lots of water. At least 5 12oz stemmed beer glasses (I work for a funny company) full of water. Didn't eliminate any until an hour later. Dehydration, yay!

For lunch this week I prepared some pinterest-inspired jar salads with homemade greek dressing on the bottom. Yummeroni! I was surprised how many greens and toppings I could fit into a reused 16oz peanut butter jar!

I was full by the end of the meal but the lingering notes of vinegar and olive on my tongue told me otherwise. I expected this so ate a tangerine to cleanse the palate and tell my taste buds the salad meal was OVER.

I had a real strong chocolate craving hit me HARD upside the head at 3pm. I'm combating it with vegetable broth in a cup. What? I was going to hold out but I figured I should have some sort of nourishment before 5:30pm when I'm attempting to make dinner. Don't want to pass out into my white bean Alfredo with broccoli over organic 100% whole wheat linguine do I? No, no I don't.

I plan on having dessert in some form this evening. I need dessert.