
My whole life December was a month I dreaded. I know that sounds odd…parties, friends, presents!!! But when you are a compulsive over-eater, and you medicate with food, December means unlimited access to all kinds of foods you would otherwise not eat, or have to work really hard to get your hands on. (Oh, Look, Peppermint ice-cream, limited edition, I better get that!!! Egg nog, hot-buttered rum…you get the point!)
It also is a good cover because no one really thinks twice when you are noshing on cookies, candy, leftover casseroles and dips, or over-indulging at a Holiday party because even those who don’t struggle with food tend to dive-in come December! December was the worst month of the year for me. I would enjoy the high of food and friends, and then have the lowest of lows as I would gain weight, and feel disgusted with myself and food I had stuffed myself with. Only to repeat, within a day or two.
December now marks a new beginning for me each year. This December 6th was 3 years since my last diet coke (or diet soda of any kind). I have had a few sprites/ginger ales when my tummy has felt off, but otherwise no soda. As those of you who have followed TheGoodStuff411 know, that was where my journey began. It started with cutting out just one thing. When I was successful at that I added the next thing. The power I felt in making these lifestyle changes was immense. It still is. To have control over the one thing that previously controlled me is empowering.
Today I weigh 45 pounds less than the year I got married -10 years ago. I weigh 35 pounds less than the day I quit diet coke. So basically it took me 7 years to lose 10 pounds doing what I had always done, and 3 years to lose 35 pounds by doing nothing more than cleaning up my eating. Amazing. Now for many of you 35lbs in three years may not sound that impressive. I have lost 30lbs before….in 3 or 4 months…and I gained it right back because the minute I went back to eating the way I had always eaten I got fat again. This weight will never come back, and has come off while I have traveled, gone to parties, and lived my life the way I want to live it. Food is no longer a reward for me, it is simply energy/fuel.
I have been so busy with work, and travel that this blog has taken a back-seat, but don’t think for one minute my clean-eating has, or my constant scouting for new products, and recipes. I still want my energy sources to taste good, and be good for me!
So in the spirit of giving here are some of my current “Favorite Things”:

1) Galeos Salad Dressings

I have ABSOLUTELY no idea how they make these taste so good, and so decadent! I find myself time and time again reading the ingredients trying to figure it out. Low calorie, low fat, and low sodium. My kids love it as much as I do and ask for salad so they can have this dressing. Our favorite is the Galeos Caesar!!!
2) Harvest Sensations Kale Salad

I posted a recipe using this salad a few posts ago. When my friends left that weekend I took the leftover salad and put some Galeos on it…HEAVEN! When you are on the run (and trust me I live in my car this year) this is a life-saver. I just make it in the morning, throw it in some glade ware, and then add tuna (see number 3).
3) Tuna Creation Sweet & Spicy

Listen, you could eat this (and I have) right out of the pouch. Just add a plastic fork. But throwing it into the kale salad with the Galeos Dressing…you will think you are eating lunch in a restaurant! YUMMERS!
4) So Delicious Ice Cream

One of the things I took out of our home is/was ice cream. Listen, I have no control over this one. If you leave a pint of ice cream in my freezer I will pick at it until it vanishes, usually within 24 hours. Sad, but my one true TRUE downfall. But a few months ago a girlfriend and I decided to treat ourselves to ice cream when we got dinner at Whole Foods. We saw this and were shocked to see half the fat and half the calories so we got a few different flavors to try. If you want to indudlge without over-induldging try this. You will be AMAZED. The sugar free ones are ok, and I have some in my fridge…if that tells ya anything there is still some in my fridge. But the regular ones, I promise, taste just like ice cream! Try the Cherry Amaretto. ***It sure isn’t health food, but it is darn better than the alternative!
5) Seaweed. No kidding.

Trader Joes sells this for .99c. I am not at Trader Joes often so I buy Annie Chuns at the PCC or Whole Foods. If you eat a whole bag you are at 60 calories, and yes there are 5g of fat, but if you eat a diet low in fat this is not much. I promise there is no better way to cure a salt craving. Both my kids love these and they are high in vitamin A and Vitamin C.
6) Ground Smart Mexican Style

So I am kind of off meat. I eat it when we go out, and I will cook it occassionally because my Husband likes meat, and has made it clear that is a train he does not intend to get on! But he is gone a lot with work these days and I cook no meat when he is not home. (We do eat a lot of fish)
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this product. Anywhere you would use ground beef you can use this. Added bonus it does not go bad in two days so you can always have it on hand. I have added it to vegetarian chili, mac n cheese, and made soft tacos and tostadas with it. The kids love it and I love having another meat free meal! ***If you want this to be successful just serve it, do not give the family a big spiel about how it is not meat, it won’t stand a chance.
7) Shirataki Noodles

These have been marketed as miracle noodles. I think they are. Like the Galeos I read and reread the ingredients because I just don’t understand how they are made and have no sugar. That is the problem with pasta, not the calories…pasta is low-cal, not the fat, most have none…it is the white flour and sugar that make it so often times it would be more beneficial to just have a Snickers Bar. Really.
These babies let me have my pasta FIX while consuming almost no calories, no sugar….not much of anything. They do have an odd odor when you open the bag, but once you rinse them you are all good! I sauté them in a skillet with a little EVOO and garlic, then add c rushed tomatoes or tomato sauce! So good!
So these are the products I have wanted to tell you about for the last few months! I really do not know what I would do without any of them!