Black November

When I was a young turkey, new to the coop, my big brother Mike took me out to the stoop.

Then he sat me down and he spoke real slow.  And he told me there was something I just had to know.

His look and his tone I will always remember, when he told me of the horrors of Black November.

Come about August, now listen to me, each day you’ll get six meals instead of just three

And soon you’ll be thick, where once you were thin, and you’ll grow a big rubbery thing under your chin.

And then one morning, when you’re warm in your bed, in will burst the farmers wife, and hack of your head.

Then she’ll pluck out your feathers till you’re bald and pink, and then scoop out your insides leavin ya lyin in the sink.  And then comes the worst part he said not bluffing, she’ll come in

and pack your rear end with stuffing.

Well, the rest of his words were too grim to repeat, I sat on the stoop like a winged piece of meat, and decided on the spot to avoid being cooked, I’d have to lay low and remain overlooked.

I began a new diet of nuts and granola, high roughage salads, juice and diet cola.  And as others ate pastires, chocolate and crepes, I stayed in my room doing Jane Fonda tapes, I

maintained my weight of two pounds and a half and tried not to notice when the bigger birds laughed.

But twas I who was laughing, under my breath, as they chomped and chewed ever closer to death.  And sure enough when Black November rolled around, I was the last turkey left in the entire compound.

So now I’m a pet in the farmer’s wife’s lap, I haven’t a worry, so I eat and I nap.  She held me today, while sewing and humming.  And smiled at me saying…CHRISTMAS IS COMING!

Interesting

I heard something very interesting on The Biggest Loser yesterday.  They had a Doctor visiting that specializes on the brain.


He was saying when an overweight person sees a big juicy hamburger, their mind registers great want for it.  When a thin person sees that hamburger, they don't desire it as much as the overweight person.  Well that doesn't seem like much of a surprise does it?  But what was interesting was when that thin person eats that hamburger, they experience great satisfaction in eating that one hamburger.  The over weight person doesn't.  Therefore they will need to eat two or three for the same amount of satisfaction as the thin person.


It's all about reprograming our minds.  And, it can take weeks or even months for that reprograming to happen by eating healthy and changing your habits.
However, you can slide right back into the bad reprograming within a week!  Makes me realize how much I need to be very mindful of what I'm putting into my mouth and body.

Dining Out

Tonight I'm headed out with my Mom and Sister and some of my Sisters friends to celebrate my Sister's birthday.  I'm excited for a girls night out.  Haven't had one in awhile.  Sometimes eating out can be a real struggle for those of us who are trying to live a healthy lifestyle.  Dishes can be deceptively full of calories and sometimes we can think we are making wise decisions, when really we aren't.  But never eating out is not an option for most of us and frankly wouldn't be very much fun.  So, we just have to make sure to have a plan. 

I've been working really hard on tracking everything I eat the last few weeks and really being prepared for what will be going on during all these holidays. Tonight we are going to The Olive Garden.  It's really nice when you know where you're going because you can get online and look at the restaurants nutrition information ahead of time and make your decision about what you're going to eat before you get to the restaurant.

I have already looked at the menu and I know exactly what I'm going to get.  When I go to the restaurant, I wont even look at the menu.  I may get caught up in the temptation of all those other delicious menu items and give into the temptation of choosing something full of cheese and pasta. I know this will only take me further from my goal leaving me feeling frustrated and discouraged. 

I have chosen a bowl of their Zuppa Toscana.  I know this is something that will leave me feeling satisfied and yet it will not go overboard on my calaries and will allow me to enjoy a nice glass of wine and a little popcorn at the movies after dinner.  Lucky for me I'm someone that LOVES soup.  Especially at this time of year as the weather cools and the nights come a little quicker.  I'll make sure I have one bread stick because they're so yummy and then make sure the bread stays at the other end of the table always passing it on to someone else.

This has been a great way for me to be successful when tackling that tricky obstacle of eating out. 

I also wanted to mention, if you get something that has more calories than what I'm looking at with this soup one other thing to do that will help is to ask for a box as soon as your food arrives and put half of your dinner in it and close it up.  Put it in a bag under your chair and forget about it.  :)  But don't forget to take it with you at the end of your meal.  Then you'll get to enjoy it again the next day for lunch or dinner.


Good Luck!