eureka!

I don’t need chocolate chip cookies in order to be happy. This is a huge revelation, people. For five weeks I’ve worked hard at eating healthy, watching every morsel that goes into this mouth. The whole experiment has been rather eye-opening. Because I haven’t suffered. And I fully expected to suffer. A lot.

So when I finally relented to make rainy day cookies for my deprived little family last week, and I tasted them and realized they fulfilled no need (emotional or physical), I was relieved.  And shocked.

Some *treats* I’ve come to savor over the past few weeks:

• Apple slices paired with thin, thin slices of Parmigiano Reggiano (I dream of a world where every fridge has a block of this stuff).
• 15 grapes & 10 pecans (yes, I’m counting). Put these in a snack-size Ziploc and they’re the perfect on-the-road companion.  Popping the two flavors & textures in your mouth at the same time is so good.
  
• Whole wheat pita with hummus and cucumber slices. Creamy & crunchy & so, so fulfilling.
• Celery stalk with ½ Tbsp. peanut butter. I vividly remember loving this as a kindergarten snack. But have never thought of trying it since. Now I think I’ve really been missing out because it seriously makes me smile.
  
• Yellow or orange bell peppers (so sweet & inexpensive right now). 
  

Please share some of your healthy snack/food ideas with me.  I’d love any help!  Because I still dream of giant loaves of white, crusty bread.  And cake.  Not ready to test that one yet, though.  I am making a graduation cake for my sister-in-law next week so the real test will be keeping my hands out of the frosting bowl!

Comments

[Nina]

Amy I am very proud of you I am sure you have lost as well... The boys are so darn cute and growing up so fast... Miss you love you tons...

[April]

Can't wait to try the hummus and cucumber/pita combo. That sounds delish!

Still don't think I could do without the chocolate chip cookies...

[Melissa M.]

You are awesome!
Have you ever watched "You are what you eat" on BBC? They have tons of food and snack ideas.
I think you will laugh in the face of frosting after passing the cookie test so well.

[Kelly]

I don't love frosting, so that would not be my temptation, but cookies ....

I love your idea for the hummus and pita, too. Half of us are huge hummus fans. I love edamame in the pods, but I know we've talked about how you don't like the smell of them. I'll let you know if I think of anything. I'm drawing a blank right now.

I'm impressed with your will power! Keep going!

[mandy]

I am SO not the one to give you healthy ideas. After reading this I am so hungry for a cookie right now... I'm blaming hormones instead of lack of willpower.

I love, love, love Parmigiano Reggiano! It should really be it's own food group.

[mandy]

I meant "its" not it's.

[Tammy]

You are doing so good!!! In my years of having tried every diet in the world, I learned that when you are craving something you really only need three bites. After the first three bites you have satified your craving and now your just stuffing your face. I also have found that the satisfaction of not giving in to temptation is much more satisfying than cheating. Now if I could only take my own advice.

[Emily]

Way to go, keep up the great work!

[Megan]

I'm so super impressed with your will power over these past five weeks, and the results you've gotten! I just wish I could jump on the band wagon with you! I have too many excuses to not, I need to start focusing on the reasons why now!

[Marie]

I am a fruit junkie in the summer. There is no reason for me to eat any thing else when the fruit stands are all over the place. That is really the only truly healthy snack I just love.

Rainy day chocolate chip cookies taste a little better than the regular ones, don't you think?

[Jill]

Congrats on your pain free successes! The baggie of 15 grapes and 10 pecans doesn't sound like much, but whatever works! Way to go!

[Barb]

I am stuffing my face with baking as I read this post, and I think I might need to go walk off my guilt.
My healthy snack suggestion:
I like air popped popcorn (no butter) and almonds together in a ziploc. Somehow the combination tricks my senses into thinking I'm eating poppycock.

[Tiffany]

Aha! So that is why all the Cooking Light posts on breakfast, lunch and dinner. It sure sounds like you are busy working hard at eating healthy!

My emotional-food connection is interesting and difficult for me to understand sometimes. Hum. Why do I eat the things I do? And why do I eat when I eat? Hum. Hum.

I love fruit and nuts. Great combo!

[jenny c.]

I bow down to you Amy! That is really great. Thank goodness it is fruit season. I love the summer watermelons, etc. How about baked chips or 100 calorie packs? Those are always delic to me.

[michelle]

Holy crap! I can't imagine EVER getting to the point where I could 1. go without chocolate chip cookies for 5 weeks, or 2. finally relent and then decide it wasn't that great after all! I think you're my hero.

For snacks, how about frozen grapes, cottage cheese with tomato slices, or turkey-wrapped apple slices?

Email me if you want a WW recipe for high-fiber brownie muffins! Low points, but also kind of addictive.

[Annalisa]

Sugar is so addictive and it makes you feel so gross. Last spring I add very clean for a few weeks (nothing but oatmeal for breakfast and chicken or fish with rice and string beans the rest of the day) and I felt wonderful. I think it's time to clean out my system again. Yogurt mixed with a little dry oatmeal and cut up grapes and strawberries are great too.