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Spreading more link love

Welcome to the all-tips edition of Link Love! This post is full of tips that I find helpful.

— If you’re prone to going overboard, like I am, check out Tina’s tips for indulging without completely losing focus. I really like the idea of having a 90/10 ratio of healthy choices vs. more indulgent ones (which I’ve read about before). I’d have to say I’m about 60/40 (worse when I’m straying from my plan), but I’d like to strive for an 80/20 or 90/10 split.

In case you couldn’t guess, I absolutely love Tina’s blog, Faith, Fitness, Fun. She’s the one with the 30 Days of Self Love project, which is how I found her blog to begin with. (I clicked a link in someone else’s blog.) I waffled about joining in at first, mainly because I’m not big on faith — at least not the organized kind. But I’m glad I stayed open-minded. Reading her posts is like sitting down to chat with a friend — one with a slightly different perspective than my own. Always good to have some of those to keep you on your toes.

— As long as I’m sharing tips, here are some good ones from Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point. They’re the kind of things we should all be doing, especially that positive-thinking thing. And, in case you missed it, here’s Part 1 of Caitlin’s healthy swaps and additions.

— Why are you eating? These tips from The Daily Item may help you get a handle on emotional eating. My favorite tip: “Give yourself time. Don’t grab food as soon as you get an urge.  Wait 20 minutes.  If you still feel hungry, eat something, but choose wisely.” This one is something I definitely have trouble with, but it bears repeating.

— Julie from Peanut Butter Fingers seems to have a handle on the ins and outs of moderation. The Moderation Nation website she refers to in the post also looks great. I find it slightly ironic that it’s sponsored by Hershey’s, maker of all things chocolate and tempting … but I guess that’s kind of the point.

— Speaking of moderation, HungryGirl recently put out a newsletter featuring tips on making your own 100 calorie packs.  Save money and get healthier, less-processed 100-calorie snack packs. Sounds like a win-win to me!

Semi-successful day

I went to a movie and DID NOT get popcorn. (I did enjoy a single-serve bag of pretzel M&Ms that I snuck into the theatre in my purse, but they’re just 3 Points.)

After the movie, I went back home and ate lunch there (instead of getting something while I was out).

Middle Eastern Rice Salad

I had a serving of the Middle Eastern Rice Salad I made earlier in the week. Made with brown rice, dates, chickpeas, mint and parsley, it’s pretty tasty. My main complaint is that it’s not very colorful … I tend to avoid beige food. I made a batch Tuesday before heading to the Boyfriend’s for my “weekend” and ended up eating the first bowl full for breakfast Thursday.

Tonight’s dinner was eaten at my desk again. (I usually work through on Sundays because it’s a short day.) Tried Amy’s Country Cheddar Bowl — delicious, but I’m not sure it’s $5+ of deliciousness. That’s one expensive frozen dinner.

Of course, it’s cheaper than hitting the drive-thru (unless you get the $2.99 deluxe value meal at Wendy’s)! But as Drew said, “Eating crappy food is not a reward.”

When I got home from work, I fixed one Black Bean & Zucchini Quesadilla as a late-night snack.

Pumpkin Spice Kisses: A mouthful of yum!

The only not-great thing I ate (besides the M&Ms) was a few too many Pumpkin Spice Kisses. I got a bag of those things yesterday at Target and they’re delicious … sweet, creamy bites of deliciousness with a taste reminiscent of pumpkin pie.

I had a serving and a half (13-ish) while at work Saturday; and another nine kisses tonight.

Well, at least it was just one serving! Nine kisses add up to 210 calories, I can’t remember how much fat and 0 fiber.

Still not sure if I should look forward to getting on the scale. Probably not. I’ve had more bad days than good recently.

Eat this!

Craving something sweet but good for you? This might do the trick.

I just whipped up some Carb Lovers Diet Banana Ice Cream with a twist. Instead of walnuts, I threw in 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and topped it with 1 Tablespoon of sliced almonds and a sprinkle of coconut.

Banana-Almond Joy

Banana-Almond Joy

1 frozen banana, sliced

3 Tablespoons 1% milk (could use unsweetened almond milk)

1 teaspoon cocoa powder

1 Tablespoon sliced almonds

Sprinkle of coconut

Blend banana, ice cream and cocoa until thick and smooth. (I used my Magic Bullet.) Spoon into dessert cup and top with almonds and coconut.

Yum! Better than a DQ Blizzard, because it’s good for you …