Things in school are ok -- it's a challenge but I am not going to give up! I really want to stay in this accelerated program, so I just need to keep plugging away at it each day and keep trying to catch up.

Weight-wise, I am doing great. I've lost about 2 lbs in the past week and a half despite being crazy busy with school. I am now at 345, which I haven't been for a long time :) All of the walking on campus was rough for the first two weeks, but it's getting easier now. . . the trickiest part is not ordering delivery when I am dead tired and need to study. To get around that temptation, I've been using my slow cooker much more frequently (I've started filling up the bowl in the evening with the ingredients, then keeping it covered in the fridge overnight and taking it out and setting it to low the next morning before I leave). It's sooo convenient!

I've also re-evaluated some of my snacking options, replacing the empty calories with wholesome ones. I've been smarter about my carbs, eating oats, potatoes, and beans instead of rice flour, sugar, and gluten-free bread, and making sure I hit my protein(150g) and fiber(40g) goals each day. All of the sugar I eat now comes from fruit, honey, or almond milk (in sensible portions!). Finally, I've been really focusing on meeting my potassium goals and keeping sodium down as close to 2,300 mg as possible.


Some things that I've been eating!:
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Breakfast things:
-Green tea latte made with low-sugar almond milk, honey, and matcha powder (every morning instead of coffee -- it's a gentler boost and full of antioxidants).
-Breakfasts are usually steel-cut or rolled oats with cinnamon, honey, berries, bananas, walnuts, and some form of protein (greek yogurt, protein powder,or Chef Meg's breakfast "sausage.")
-On weekends I usually eat southwest eggs with salsa and veggies and pan-fried potatoes, frittatas with seasonal veggies, or protein pancakes (made of oats, flaxseed, butter, and yogurt) topped with berries and a bit of sorghum.
-Sometimes I indulge in a BLT with fresh summer tomatoes and avocado mayo (no nitrites in my natural bacon!)

Lunch/Snack things:
-turkey breasts in the slowcooker (for sandwiches), or low-sodium nitrite-free lunch meats in a pinch. I like to serve with avocado mayo and sliced cucumbers and spinach.
-curried tuna or chicken salads with cilantro, grapes, and almonds
-different kinds of hummus created in the bullet blender (because I'm too lazy to clean the food processor--lol) with cucumbers, bell peppers, and flax seed crackers for dipping
-nut butters mixed with crushed flax/chia seeds with apples, celery, and carrots for dipping
-Kale Chips (sprinkled with curry or mexican spices and baked)
-fruit and veg smoothies
-Roasted squash (butternut or acorn) with cinnamon and brown sugar or baked apples (delicious desserts)

Dinner Things:
-boiled potatoes, green beans, and eggs -- I keep these on hand for snacking, side dishes, or eating altogether as a quick dinner with tuna, olives, tomato wedges, and vinaigrette.
-different kinds of salad dressings on mixed greens-- experimenting with champagne vinegars and walnut and roasted hazlenut oils.. also recently became fond of a blood orange vinaigrette served over asian veggies and avocado -- delicious with my favorite, miso-glazed salmon.
-pan-seared steaks with roasted potatoes, bell peppers, and snap peas -- yummy and quick to cook.. sometimes I will serve the steak over greens with a chimichurri sauce made in the bullet blender.
-burgers (lean beef, bison, or turkey) with avocado, tomato, greens, etc. I like to eat corn on the cob and baked beans with these.
-slow cooker taco meat/beans, served with avocado slices and cilantro lime vinaigrette on salad greens.
-sauteed napa cabbage in chicken stock with onion, zucchini, carrot, and bell pepper. I love cabbage, and I really wanted to get more of it in my diet since it's so high in fiber and sulphur. This also forms the basis for an easy thai curry (I just sautee the curry paste and oil for a minute, add coconut milk, cook whatever meat in it, then add the pre-cooked veggies and it's dinner in 10 min!).
-Slow-cooker vegetable/lentil curries (I just steam fish in the microwave for 5 min and it's dinner!)
-Homemade soups (lately it's been leek and potato, cabbage veggie, zucchini spinach, and butternut squash apple. I make them on the weekend and enjoy all week).
-Mashed cauliflower -- tastes like mashed potatoes!


Basically, things are good, and I am forming some great habits and learning to incorporate them in a busy life. I'm learning how to cook GOOD food even on days when I have no time, and that is what is keeping me on track (because I would never stick to it if I did not enjoy what I was eating!). We are still eating out 1-2 times per week (mostly at Japanese, Thai, Indian, or Korean restaurants), but because we do it less often, we are choosing quality restaurants and really enjoying the experience.

I really appreciate the support you have shown me! I have not forgotten about this site or any of you -- and I will be back... once I catch up in school. Take care!