Food.

So, I am doing this thing called Sparkpeople.com.  I did it a few years ago and the hard work gave me some great results.  But, like Oprah, I got tired of trying so damn hard and the weight came back. I am just glad I don't have upper arms like her.  After my brother died, I put on even more weight.  Finally, I got sick of my exercise clothes being too tight and not feeling good any more so I have thrown myself back into the Sparkpeople system and again, am loving the results.  But it's hard.  I wake up thinking of food and run to my computer to see what I am allowed to eat.  I eat it and can't wait till the next thing!  Fortunately I love what they suggest for food and they offer a zillion recipes - so I am satisfied....almost...they don't suggest chocolate and donuts so it's lacking somewhat.  After an hour at the gym today I had to pick up my friends dog, Pepper, for a few days sleepover.  Pepper was alone and as I was getting her I saw, out of the corner of my eye, some cookies in a container.  I was hungry from my big workout and justified my need for a cookie saying I just burned off tonnes of calories so I could have one. So, I stole from the cookie jar.  And then...well, one wasn't enough...so I stole another.  Thank goodness they are away on holiday and hopefully aren't looking forward to a full container when they return!  I enjoy making my kids food - they enjoy eating it.  They are used to burned things and creative stuff.  It's all good.  I just introduced the girls to Presidents Choice curry veggie patties.  Surprisingly they love them - so for lunch I George Forman'd them and they had their lunch on the front steps as it was a balmy 4 degrees out!!!  Luci is the picky one and stuck to her peas and corn with brown rice and a bowl of pineapple.  Speaking of Luci - she is a terrible dinner eater.  She will eat her breakfast and lunch happily - as it is more basic fare.  However, when dinner comes around she turns into a royal snob and sticks her nose up at what I serve...unless it's pizza or noodles.  Tonights dinner was some ham sliced and cooked up with some red pepper in a skillet,  baked sweet potatoes with marshmallows, steamed broccoli and some black beans with brown rice and tomatoes.  Everyone ate it up and asked for seconds...Luci wouldn't touch a thing.  So, being the "good" mom, I said, "if you don't eat it now you'll have to eat it later before any thing else".  She said "ok".  Again, I was frustrated by her ability to manipulate me.  She is the 3rd child...so she gets away with lots more.  If she was Kamrin (my firstborn) she'd have been tied to the chair until it was eaten.  Oh how we change as we have more kids and become just too darn tired and preoccupied to care too much.  I had dishes to do and walks to feed ducks to go on.  I didn't want to deal with her absurd aversion to dinner.  So this evening she is watching Dora with her sisters and says she'll eat her food then. I bring it to the living room...set the food on the coffee table and we forget about it as I yell at them to turn off the tube and come clean the play room (she still hadn't touched it).  An hour later we go down for our night time snack, all ready to finish the "dinner " that was skipped and lo and behold IT'S GONE.  PEPPER!!!!!!!  Stupid dog...she ate Luci's meal.  Luci was non-plussed by the situation and now considers Pepper to be a true pal.  I, on the other hand, was not impressed but had to laugh all the same as the saying "man's best friend" came to life in reference to Luci and Pepper.  On top of this our neighbours asked if we wanted their Fruit Loops and Apple Jack cereal as her sugar is too high (she is a large woman).  We graciously accepted the gift of sugar cereal. (I only buy Fruit Loops for Christmas)  So tonight, as i feed my kids their cereal, toast, cheese, salami, bananas and kiwi - I had to fight the overwhelming urge to eat Fruit Loops.  I adore that cereal.  I even pulled out a bowl and the milk and was all ready to indulge...but was able to "Spark" myself out of it and say NO and grab some tea instead.  However, the green tea just wasn't the same.  So, today was like any other day - full of choices and surprises.  I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings...and I sure do hope I have a good menu organized for me to keep me on track!!!