My dirty little secret....

I cook when I want to, when I get a yen for something or I spy something in the store that just looks great. Tonight I am roasting an eggplant to feast on-i LOVE eggplant.  Last week sometime (I forget exactly when) i nuked lean pockets two days in a row and I had a TV dinner that I really don't remember what it was, but it was something nice and good....LOL.  I remember I enjoyed it.

But, the rest of the time, I'm really content eating/drinking shakes, protein bars, peanut butter , quickly mixed up tuna salad, boiled eggs or a chunk of cheese.  Every few days I begin to miss a "real" meal, so I fix myself one or go out and order one, but for me, the veggie, meat and yadda yadda on a plate has always been a burden-no, a real pain in the arse to cope with.   Since WLS, I'd rather have a packet of almonds or cheese crackers than a fast food fix.

I don't like leftovers, never have, so eating out if there is no social aspect seems pretty much a waste.  I can refuel and save the dollars for something I really want.  I want the feeling that someone is serving me, the Starbucks folks do a really good job of making me feel pampered.

I do follow the band rules-protein first, then carbs, even in convenience foods. I also stop what I'm doing and focus on my peanut butter or tuna-I probably pay more attention to tuna than most people ever pay to their Quarterpounder because I've never been able to mindlessly eat without getting into trouble since I've been banded.

Don't get me wrong.  I still enjoy food and I always will-but it just doesn't consume me like it used to.

I'm about the same way Deb.  I don't enjoy cooking anymore but I do feel that I have to for Mr. Fleemore now and then but leftovers last a while.  I can however take them for my lunch the next day when I go to work.  Isn't it nice though to be content with Almonds, protein bars or tuna salad?  I wish I could know how much money I've saved by not eating out so much, not buying drinks at the Sonic (I still buy water with extra ice for my mix ins occasionally).  Alan is planing some spagetti squash in our garden this year.  It is great for that "need for pasta" feeling.  I've baked it with chicken breasts and sauce with veggies and it will certainly make one think that you are getting that pasta and it's just veggies!!!

I have changed too since WLS. I have not cooked since having the surgery. My mom has done all the cooking. I may start again once I feel a bit better. I can honestly say I don't enjoy eating any more. Eating is more like a chore for me now. I don't get hungry. I eat 3 times a day 2 ounces of food. I never thought I would be able to live on 6 ounces of food a day, but that is what I am doing........protein, protein, protein.
didn't really realize how much my life revolved around food before. Now, I really want no part of it.
Emily

OK... so I don't like to cook now so I guess thats a good thing my husband dont have to get use to after surgery...lol

I love to cook BUT I am just now at almost 5 months out getting to the point where I want to bother cooking again. I to am content to grab something quick as I swear even ordering off a kids menu I bring home nibble once on anything I order if I take the kids out because I feel quilty about not wanting to make a real meal. KI have thrown away more left overs in the past two weeks since I have started cooking again that I find it shameful. It was always ingrained in me there are starving kids that would kill for your leftovers. Oh teh things that stick with you. Luckily since I am eating healthier I eat lots of stuff that is safe to give the animals as treats.

Cooking for one is a pain in the rump! I am with Deb though, sometimes I just have to have real food and then break down and cook.  Never in wildest dreams believed I could be happy with a protein bar as a meal but I am.

I need to do better and really fix nutritious meals.  Any one have any magic words to motivate me to cook more often??

No, but I can make you feel better about not cooking.  Honestly, I just try to make the best choices.  I wound up NOT cooking tonight-my dinner (and I'm stuffed) was a handful of chopped vegetables, raw.  I didn't chop them, walmart sells them as salad toppings, since I don't eat lettuce, they ARE the salad.  From the same section I bought a little tub of blackbeans and corn (another salad) topping.  I tossed some leftover pimentos from tuna salad and some cheese, a shot of salad dressing,  It filled the center of a small dessert plate, and I probably ate a little too much cause it was soooooo good.

Oh, the cheese was preshedded 2 percent.  I think that was a pretty righteous dinner and it reminded me of the salads they make at baker brothers.  I bought some low fat feta to top tomorrow's creation for a greek thing.

One thing I've noticed is there are several degrees of "full"  I can put in a little more fresh veggies-if I had eaten that much meat, I would be puking right now and miserable for hours.  So, when I want to CHEW and EAT-I go for the raw veg cause I can enjoy more of it.

I have had to be honorable to myself and make veggies the last part of the day-otherwise the protein never seems to make it in. 

 I'm just going to embrace this new way of being-it's what I always wanted anyway-to be content without a lot of food and quit trying to prove I'm "normal", which will never happen...LOL.

My cousin pointed out that the portions I eat now are probably really what portions were intended to be.  Food for thought, eh? 

 

 

See, I'm worried that I'll love my love for cooking.  I'm a foodie and it's a release for me to be able to create something that people will enjoy eating.  I've finally gotten it into my head that I don't have to eat it just because I cook it, but then again, why cook it if I don't get to enjoy it, too? 

My kids just need to refine their palates, that's all. 

Topless,

My problem is I just don't have anyone else to cook for....I enjoy cooking for other people, but it's just not worth it to cook just for me.  Two, three bites I'm done....no sense spending time in the kitchen when I am not going to eat that much.

You'll still love to cook.....I'm sure of it.

Hugs,
Marsha

I agree with Denise and Deb...cooking for one is a pain in the backside!  I just don't do it, and have started to rely on frozen dinners etc.  I never have liked to cook for just me.  Although last Tuesday while I was out for Spring Break I went to my mother's house and cooked lunch for my nephew and brother, and I really enjoyed cooking for them.  I just don't see the point in cooking for me no more than I can eat.  I don't think Jess appreciated that when I told her that last week at WW.  She got on to me pretty good for eating some of the things I'd been eating, however I told her I have to eat what I can keep down.  That problem seems to be better though, so hopefully I will start to be able to eat whatever soon.

I do have the no shell manicotti in the oven right now though.  That was quick and easy to make.  I hope it tastes as good as it smells!

Marsha