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It took 4 store checks to find a store that was selling brussel sprouts (without bacon). So I'm having baked brussel sprouts, baked brown mushrooms, and baked asparagus with balsamic vinegar. A very simple but tasty meal.

I did a lot of walking on the way home from work, looking in stores and backtracking. I'm debating whether or not to get some extra exercise in or just take it easy. I want to memorize some more French. Since I jogged yesterday I was thinking of starting the Couch to 5K tomorrow. Definitely do not want to over do things and get an injury. Also I have this weird pain in my left foot that hasn't gone away in weeks. I don't know what it is. I can walk, jog, and run, but I have to watch it. I have a feeling when I'm lighter that will help also.

Got my Starch Solution book on my Kindle last night. Eventually I will get a regular copy. SF has quite a few independent bookstores but now that Borders and Barnes and Noble are no longer here, it's harder to find new stuff. The selections are pretty small or eclectic in most of the stores. I'll see if they have it. I could ask I guess. I did get Dr. McDougall's MWL book from a indie book store in the city. This hard copy I'd loan to others. Or leave around my parents' house hoping they'd pick it up.

I wanted to start a yoga class last night at my gym but I walked home and felt like eating potatoes and reading the starch solution. By the time the potatoes were done the yoga class would be starting. I just didn't feel like rushing. Anyway, enjoyed the potatoes which were cut potato wedges then cooked, then mixed with garlic rice vinegar and corn syrup free ketchup and then baked in the oven to crisp them up. Very yummy.

So yesterday I walked both to work and back and today I biked to work. After work I'll bike to rehearsal and then bike/bus home.

So I'm getting a little more exercise these days.

I have a question for you - how do you cook your brussel sprouts? I never really cared for them, but then had them in a risotto a few months ago (before starting this WOE), and I thought they were really good. I just don't know what to do with them. Also, your potatoes sound really good! I am going to have to try that!

CarolynA ~ I got the potato wedge idea from somewhere on this forum. I don't know if I'll be able to find it but when I have some time I'll look. The lady also posted a picture of the potato wedges. I think the woman used a fat free thousand island type of dressing or recipe (I'm sure it was McDougall legal) and baked the wedges in the oven. I hadn't made this potato wedge recipe in quite some time so I forget exactly how I used to make it. But based on memory, it's this:

cut potatoes into wedges and cook in microwave covered until soft
drizzle with garlic rice vinegar and (a healthier version of) ketchup
(dijon mustard and/or BBQ sauce optional)
stir the potatoes to cover with the mixture
lay out on a pan with parchment paper
bake at 425 or 450 20-25 minutes until edges crisp

Since this recipe is still in progress, I'm not sure of the exact times. I remember the smell of the wedges used to remind me of the seasoning of buffalo wings for some reason! At any rate it's very yummy. The wedges never get super crispy, but I like them gushy.

As for the brussel sprouts, my favorite way to cook them is just rinse them, cut them lengthwise, and then lay face up on parchment paper. In the oven at 425~450 for about 20 minutes (never an exact science with me, I just go check until they're browned). Then I eat it by dipping each half into a tiny bowl or balsamic vinegar. Sometimes I put them on a bed of brown rice with a little soy sauce and drizzle the sprouts with balsamic vinegar. I forgot to say I start out with fresh brussel sprouts, not frozen.

I've tried them steamed too but that wasn't my favorite experience. They end up more mushy than I like. No crisp whatsoever. When I bake them they're a little crispy on the outside and softer inside. My boss gets frozen brussel sprouts, microwaves the bag, and eats them in a bowl with soy sauce and garlic salt. But I like them with a little crisp.

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I was too busy to eat this morning so I had my cereal for lunch with a Chinese Noodle Soup McDougall cup.

Going to do some more reading. Happy McDougalling everyone.

Thanks! I can't wait to try those potatoes!!

You can also bake the wedges after you mix them for 40-45 minutes at 425~450 which might be easier.

Busy and fast paced lately so I had a McDougall Chicken soup cup for breakfast, then a McDougall split pea cup. For lunch I avoided the free sandwiches, pasta salad, potato salad, and cookies at work, and had a can of Eden chili, some more greens, and a little apple. Not my favorite (the pasta salad was tempting but full of oil) but I'm on plan.

Finally got home just before 6pm and dinner is cooking. Another McDougall soup cup (pad Thai), a potato in the microwave. I have very little time to eat because I have my first free session with the gym trainer soon. I should've made it later than 7pm to give me more time to eat and get there.

Thank goodness for the McDougall cups I have stocked up. I'm also out of chickpeas but didn't feel like having them anyways.

Looking forward to making a gourmet McDougall meal maybe tomorrow night.

Everything's a little too hot to eat now but very yummy! I'm eating the potato with ketchup mixed with a little garlic rice vinegar. Delicious!

Have you seen the McDougall soups that are ready-to-eat? They are in small asceptic boxes that you just open and heat the soup. We really like the chana masala over rice or a baked potato. It'd give you a little variation from the cup of soups and be just as fast.

How did the free session with the trainer go? Hopefully he/she worked you hard but not into absolute misery where you can't walk the next day.

Chile ~ No, I didn't even know about ready-to-go McDougall packages. Thanks for telling me. I'm going to ask the Whole Foods in SF to stock them. Rainbow might have them but Rainbow is rather out of my way. Chana masala is right up my alley! I know I'll love it.

My trainer Mark did not show up last night. So instead I went on the treadmill and some of the climby things and then went home. I wasn't into it anyways. I rescheduled for this Saturday at 4pm.

For breakfast I had a miso McDougall cup. For lunch I'm having a banana, a Russet potato, and a Split Pea McDougall cup. The potato is surprisingly good with the split pea soup. Today is another free food day at work and I'm doing pretty good avoiding the freshly baked cookies and pasta and potato salad (not to mention veggie ~ with cheese ~ sandwiches).

I forgot my Kindle at home. I wanted to finish The Starch Solution so I can get to the recipes in the back. There are supposed to be a lot of good ones.

I found them in a couple of regular grocery stores. Really surprised me. There's half a dozen kinds (black bean, veggie, chana masala, lentil, etc.) plus some of them in reduced sodium versions. Ah, here's the website with the specifics.

How rude of the trainer to not show up.

Indeed, although I missed my first one because I completely forgot about it! As for Mark, another person made the appointment for me with him so maybe that's the reason he either didn't know or forgot. I forget the name of the trainer for this Saturday at 4pm but it's not Mark.

I had another McDougall soup cup at work, the Chicken soup. I was just a little hungry.

Hm.. there is a Safeway near my gym so maybe I'll check if they have the McDougall stuff..

Tonight I didn't have anything really gourmet, I just felt like having potatoes. So I just finished a bunch of them, with the garlic rice vinegar and ketchup of course. This time I also added mustard. Delish and very filling.

I walked home and walked a little bit at work also but no real exercise. I'm really not in the mood. This is why I was so much better when I did my exercise first thing when I got up. Got it taken care of. Lately I've felt so tired in the mornings. I really had to struggle to get out of bed this morning.

Gonna prowl around and enjoy the start of my weekend.

Had a banana for breakfast. At rehearsal we learned a lot of dance moves but it wasn't a heavy workout. After rehearsal I had lunch at Whole Foods, so I had some kale, quinoa, and bean mixes (all no oil). It was OK. Then I had my gym appointment at 4pm with Pete and guess what? No Pete! Stood up twice by two different trainers. Although this time they had the decency to call ahead and try to reschedule (it went to my voicemail because I was in rehearsal and hadn't checked my phone.) So the assessment is going to be Friday the 25th at 8pm with Mark.

Since I was there I very productively read my Kindle until 4:30 when Ashtasomething Yoga started. The teacher, a beautiful piece of lithe muscle, told us he was going to slow it down and do less poses but more intense because every body needs that once in a while. He said all this in flowery yoga-y language, of course. The first thing we had to do was lie on our backs and relax, I'm sorry, "find stillness" and I was thinking "this is going to be an hour and a half and I'm already bored." But from there I don't know how he did it but I got one very intense, tiring workout, yes, not doing many poses and the hour and a half flew by. The last thing Mr. Yoga Teacher had us do before a prayer like thank you type pose was lie on our backs and I didn't even have to try to find stillness, I was ready to fall asleep and totally enjoyed the feeling of utter tiredness in me bones and muscles. So I guess I'm the type that hates yoga while I'm doing it but likes it all afterwards. Which makes actually getting to a yoga class a little difficult. I'm still feeling tired but also more statuesque and strong inside. All good.

For dinner I am roasting veggies (carrot, brussel sprouts, asparagus, mushrooms) and a sweet potato. To be eaten with a little salsa (on sweet potato) and balsamic vinegar (everything else). Maybe with some brown rice.

Tomorrow's another BBQ for mother's day and my uncle's bday. I'll bring some stuff to roast or bake in their oven.

Also did a little walking today.

Wow, I'm not impressed with your gym's trainers. If they are not going to make it to the appointments, they shouldn't be making appointments in the first place. Hope Mark shows up the next time.

Do you plan to go back for more of the yoga? Are you more likely to actually do the yoga if you go to a class rather than planning to do it at home?

My hubby decided to get the beginner DVD pack of the more active yoga stuff after we watched that inspirational video someone posted in the journal about the guy that lost over 100 pounds and gained a lot of mobility doing it. Hubby thought the style looked like fun, which makes it more likely he'd stick to it.

Hope your dinner was good. Mine had two similar ingredients: sweet potato and asparagus. I had Thai-flavored sweet potato patties and stir-"fried" asparagus in garlic sauce.

I know which video you mean! I posted it on my own blog.

For visitors, here is one very inspiring story:

Arthur's Inspiring Story: http://youtu.be/qX9FSZJu448

I am thinking of getting DDP yoga some day now also. I haven't though because I'm tight on money and already paying for my gym (which includes some yoga). So I'm going to stick with the gym until my orthodontic stuff is all paid off and then I'll be able to invest in stuff like DDP yoga. Not that DDP yoga is very expensive, but one must draw the line somewhere regarding expenses. But yes, I do plan on taking more yoga classes at the gym. Also want to get more aerobic exercise each week. I"ll try to improve this week from last week.

By the way, I am interested in the "Thai-flavored sweet potato patties and stir-"fried" asparagus in garlic sauce" recipe.

I did find some of Dr. McDougall's heat up soups at one Whole Foods, but not the Roasted Pepper Tomato that I want to try. I bought a couple.

Last night I burned all the veggies, although the sweet potato turned out perfect. My roommate suggested I use the kitchen timer next time. Which I think I will. So instead of veggies I had McDougall Pad Thai soup and a sweet potato. And a small part of one slightly less burnt asparagus. Nothing else survived.

Luckily, today is Mother's Day BBQ at my parents. My dad said he'd cook some veggie skewers for me. These are usually pretty good. I'm going to make sure he doesn't put oil in the marinade he makes. I don't think he does.

I'm also bringing asparagus, brussel sprouts, and a little balsamic vinegar. They also have some sweet potatoes to bake in their oven for me.

Happy Mother's Day

Thai Sweet Potato Patties
1 cup cooked and mashed sweet potato
1 cup cooked short-grain brown rice with 3 tbs seasoned rice vinegar stirred in while still hot
1 tablespoon finely chopped roasted peanuts
1 teaspoon vegetarian “fish” sauce (This is calle Nuoc Mam Chay in Asian food stores; it contains no fish.)
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 tablespoon minced cilantro
1 large basil leaf, minced (or use dried)
2-3 tablespoons whole wheat flour

Mix everything together thoroughly. Form into balls and flatten into patties. Cook on a nonstick skillet until lightly browned on each side, about 7-8 minutes per side. They could probably be baked in the oven (on parchment paper), flipping midway during the cooking. Serve with Sriracha sauce (aka Rooster Sauce).

Garlic Asparagus
Asparagus
2 tsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt to taste
1/3 cup water

Wash asparagus and snap off tough bottoms. Slice into thin rounds.
Heat a nonstick skillet over high heat. (I use a well-seasoned cast iron skillet because technically you are NOT supposed to heat a nonstick skillet over high heat but I do 90% of my stirfries and other skillet cooking over high heat!)
Add the asparagus and stir until tender crisp.
Mix the cornstarch, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. Add the water and stir to mix thoroughly.
Add a little plain water to the skillet to loosen anything stuck to the bottom. Then give the cornstarch water another stir and dump it in all at once. Stir quickly as it will cook and thicken within seconds. Add more water if necessary to form a little bit of coating over all the asparagus.
Serve over cooked brown rice or other grains.