April Fools!

Happy Tuesday all!  You all totally had me cracking up all day long ~ I am so glad I was able to fool you all with yesterday’s post.  I also loved reading all the April Fools you played on your friends/family. 

Several people have asked me ~ why Meatless March?  Did we do it for religious reasons, health reasons, blog reasons….why would we do that?!  Honestly, none of the above ~ I just got it into my head when I made up this year’s New Year’s Resolutions that it would be a great idea to give up meat for a month…..March started with an “M” so it only seemed natural to have Meatless March!

THE HUSBAND’S TAKE

Never in a million years did I think The Husband would join me, but, he did!  He managed to go the whole month 99% meatless (for those who eat at Mary’s you will get these – he always eats that slice of salami they put on the salads).  I knew he meant serious business when he passed on bacon and on Corned Beef at the St. Patty’s day fundraiser we went to.  Overall his take is he didn’t mind it once the urge to eat meat passed but he did tell me if I gave him the “fake stuff” like the hot dogs or burgers, he wouldn’t be able to do it.  I loved hearing that because that means I am having a positive influence on him ~ he wants CLEAN EATS BABY!!!

P.S. he also gave up all soda for the month too!

MY TAKE ~ While I did this a few years back when I first started blogging, I found this go round a lot easier to transition to going meatless.  I honestly think it is because I really do try to incorporate several vegetarian and/or vegan meals into our lifestyle now.  I also had fun trying out new recipes and finding ways to make it work when we were dining out.  I know so many of you are curious about how it impacted my weight loss.  I will be the first to admit that I felt if I am giving up a major food group, then, I should have a little “bonus” loss as long as I was aware of what I was eating and working towards making healthy choices.  I am incredibly proud of the fact that I focused on veggies and/or fruits as the main “course” in my meal, then, layered on a protein, then a carb.  All that being said….I maintained the entire month either up .2 or down .2 but never varying more than that.  I am ok with that because I didn’t do it for weight loss reasons ~ I did it to challenge myself to find new ways to be healthy and I feel I succeeded at that no matter what life threw my way.

Would I do it again?  Absolutely ~ there are so many recipes out there I found that I "need to try!  We both agreed that our focus might shift and maybe, just maybe, you will see Meatless March turn into Meatless Mondays for the rest of this year…..Does anyone want to join in on that?

We both had Healthy Egg Rolls to start the day.  The Husband thought his had “hair” on top so he put a face on it and was talking like “Don’t Eat Me…ahhh” and being all kid like – so funny!

SF+1 WPA – 5 points+

Since I knew I was going to have a late lunch, I snacked on a Sargento Reduced Fat Colby stick and a banana. (SF) – 2 points+

My lunch dates (aka 3 of my most favorite people in the world) decided to head out to Napa for the day and take me to lunch at……Tarla for Kabobs!  I did my part by bringing some cool, crisp and refreshing Geyser Peak Sauvignon Blanc and some of our new beers ~ Stone’s Ginger Joe.

We dined outside under the umbrellas and in the sunshine.

We started off with their amazing warm rolls paired with the olive oil that has olives in it.  Then moved onto the warm grilled homemade pita bread and hummus.

Delicious ~ lemony, crunchy with a little smoky kick.  I had two wedges. (SF + 4 WPA) – 4 points+

I did it….I finally decided to officially get my meat on and ordered the Chicken Kabob Plate.

Sumac Salad ~ tangy, crunchy and totally light. (SF) – 2 points+

Grilled Chicken……LOVE! (SF) – 4 points+

1/2 cup of Chickpea Rice…there is something so good about having creamy chickpeas in the rice. (SF) – 3 points+

All together with the soup of the day ~ Butternut Squash. (SF) – 3 points+

Prepare yourselves for even more delicious Turkish Eats ~ Here is what my friends ordered.  I am so ordering both of these dishes next time and the time after!

Beef Doner on Pita (Gyro) ~  Spicy Aioli / Sumac Salad / Greek Fries / Tzatziki Sauce

The beef was so incredibly tender, spicy and juicy.  The fresh lemon and sweet paprika made those Greek fries amazing!

The Vegetarian Option I could’ve had all this time ~ this literally melts in your mouth with goodness.

Stuffed Eggplant (Imam Bayildi) ~ Caramelized Onions-Red Pepper Stuffed Japanese Eggplant
Parsley / Calrose Rice with Chickpeas  / Fresh Tomato Garlic Sauce

After work I decided to try out a new spin class.  Hands down the hardest class I’ve ever taken in my life, but, the most motivational class too!  I would definitely go back just to take the class from this instructor.  I lasted 60 minutes……but not the full 75.

I still was not hungry when I walked in the door (eating meat again definitely makes me feel fuller and not as “light”).  I decided to change up my dinner from leftover lasagna to watermelon with a light string cheese and 2 Tbsp pistachios. (SF + 2 WPA) – 4 points+

Tomorrow I head back to the dentist to get my cavities filled   I added two new resolutions to April after my appointment on Monday.

– No Candy except up to 1 oz of Dark Chocolate if I want something sweet or just have a real dessert.

– Up my water intake as that helps your teeth too.

STATS:

• Active Link ~ 5 Activity Points, 137% of my goal
• 36 daily points+
• SF + 11 WPA, 33 WPA remaining

Night all!