All in a Pair of Shoes

**Knee and Hamstring Update**

Well I have still been having a lot of problems with my legs.  It started with my right hamstring. Now My quads and especially my knees have really been bothering me.  Even when I'm not exercising.  I decided to take some more time off.  And now I'm just exercising four days a week. We got a gym membership.  I have been doing the bike.  That has felt so good on my knees. I have started out just doing it for 20 min on the lowest level possible.  I have also been icing my knees every day.  A friend of mine suggested building up my leg muscles so they would be stronger and less likely to get injured.  And she also said I really need a pair of good shoes.  So... today I went to Fleet Feet and got a pair of shoes.  They are very comfortable.   I also learned a lot about feet while I was there.  They watch you walk and run.  And also

 measure and size you for shoes.  So far I would definitely recommend going there to get a pair of shoes.  I'll let you know for sure once I try them out. 

New Food Ideas

I made two things recently that I enjoyed.  They add in carbs for dinner, but they are healthy choices. 

Cheesy Quinoa

Cook quinoa according to package instructions.  Then in separate pan saute:  green and red bell peppers, onion, basil, and mushrooms in fat free cooking spray.  Add quinoa and fat free mozzarella cheese to pan.  You can add other vegetables.  I served it with tilapia cooked in the skillet and okra.  (I'm not actually sure where this brand of quinoa came from because it was given to me, but I'm sure any is fine)

  

  

Basil Chicken Pasta

Whole wheat penne pasta. I sautéed bell pepper, diced tomatoes, basil (next time I will add the basil later for more flavor). Then I added the pasta, and already baked chicken breasts (baked in oven 170 while at church with basil and garlic powder), fat free mozzarella, and 1 Tablespoon extra virgin olive oil. 

Addiction

SUGAR... You know the thing you love and hate at the same time.  Sunday was my husband's birthday and let's just say the sugar won that fight. We had a date night Friday night to Cheesecake Factory.  I had planned all week to have a piece of cheesecake Friday night. I ate the entire thing myself. That started the downward spiral. Saturday I was home alone baking this birthday cake. 

Big mistake.  When you are hungry, you already have sugar in your system, and you are by yourself, I don't recommend this at all.  Man was I a weakling.  I ended up eating a servings worth of cake batter. Then on Sunday of Course I had to have a piece of the actual cake.  

So I am now on day 3 of the sugar detox. It sounds like a joke, but seriously.  I have not had this bad of cravings since the beginning.  Once I got over the hump of not having it, it wasn't nearly as bad. Your body craves sugar more when it's in your system.  My sister helped me realize a good goal which also led to a new life reality.  She suggested waiting until my birthday to have desert again.  That will be two weeks of no sweets.  Once I had the goal in mind it made it much easier. Well, easier, we can leave out the much. 

Life Reality:  Sweets are okay, and fun to have.  But having it does effect the cravings for more. So I plan to look ahead at my calendar and pick the next "sugar date."  When it comes, I will enjoy it.  But it will be planned and an end will be in sight.  That way all the other times when it's in front of my face it will simply be, "no it's not scheduled".  Otherwise there are always sweets around and I will be eating more sweets than anything else.   Sounds a little cooky, but this I think this regimen will help me.