More Is Better

I can't help myself. I am wired for more of everything.  What ever it is, I want more. Right now the object of my affection is weight loss, lots of it. I want more of it and I want it faster. I know better, really I do but that doesn't help the chemistry of my constitution.

Occasionally I go to the gym twice in a day, because more is better.  When I have  a little coffee melt down  before doing my weight lifting routine or on Friday when I swim in the morning I go twice.  I am stymied by the number of people who are at LAF at all times of the day. Generally I am there very early in the morning or right after work. Stopping by in the middle of the day is out of character for me. Still, there are volumes of people there not matter when I go.

I have been at this for 52 days. Yes I am counting the days, just like my first days of being sober.  I have lost 14 pounds. Tina says my body shape looks different. I think she is just being nice. That being said I do feel better. I have more energy. I didn't actually need more energy, god knows I have a plethora of energy but it is true, I feel more energetic. I walk with more enthusiasm, I move more easily. I can get up off the floor more easily. I can do 90 squats without batting an eye, 30 of them holding 20 pounds of weight. When I heard that squatting would help me out in the bee yard, picking up heavy boxes full of honey I started doing them earnestly and with enthusiasm. I can't lunge to save my soul nor can I do a push up, pull up or sit up. But I am stronger and that is good.

I have a constitution for also not feeling deprived, lucky me. Exercise is only one aspect of cleaning up the sabbatical mess. I am eating differently and not cooking elaborate exciting meals. We aren't eating out as much. Dinners usually involve some protein, a vegetable and a salad. I am limiting my carbs, mostly saving them for "good".  Eating pizza on New Years Eve, a little creme brulee last night after a theater fiasco or planning a fun birthday dinner keeps me going. Oh and I have not had a potato chip in 53 days. The key for me is coming up with food that really appeals to me, that is savory and will fool me into thinking I am eating something special.

So a few nights ago I created a side dish to go along with a roasted chicken. A savory kale dish with onions and mushrooms and a scant amount of brown rice not only tasted fabulous but was very attractive and company worthy if you like that kind of thing! I made more today adding the left over scraps from the roasted chicken and packed it up for my weekend work lunches.

Spicy Kale with Onions and Mushrooms

8 ounces of thickly sliced mushrooms

1 large white onion thickly sliced

2 cloves of minced garlic

scant teaspoon of olive oil

1 large bunch of kale, de-veined and chopped

1 /8 cup white wine, more if needed

1 can RoTel, original or mild

salt, pepper and red pepper flakes to taste

1 cup cooked brown rice, or any grain you like (optional)

Heat a large non stick skillet. Once hot add the olive oil to lightly cover the bottom of the pan. Add the onions and garlic and saute on medium heat for about 3 minutes, until slightly soft. Add the mushrooms, continue to saute a few more minutes. Add salt, pepper and red pepper flakes. Add the copped kale, tossing it in the pan to mix with the onions and mushrooms. Add the RoTel and simmer until the wine reduces. About 5 minutes. Add the rice to absorb excess liquid and continue to simmer until heated through.