Mele Kalikimaka

I just love the way those gals sing the chorus in Mele Kalikimaka.  Sometimes, probably more frequently than normal, I imagine myself as a backup singer in the 1950s... ahh doo wop girls.  Where would the world be without them ;)  Would it scare you to know that I have funky and fun Xmas songs constantly running through my head?  It kind of freaked me out, but to be honest, I love Xmas music.  Ever since the wee man was born, I love Xmas!  There's something very strange going on with me right now.  My mood.  It's, dare I say it?  Really good.  Now those of you who know me and I mean really know me, are aware of the fact that I suffer from some serious mood swings.  When I look back, I realize my mood improved greatly at the time I set out on this journey to a happier and better self.  Scary.  I wonder if it's the lack of crap going into my body?  I also think my approach is a bit different this time in that I am not depriving myself.

I read an article that talks about depriving and then consequent bingeing.  This quote in particular hit home for me:  "A cycle of deprivation and excessive sugar intake reinforces bingeing."  Sounds obvious, right?  Maybe reading it in "Psychology Today" will help reinforce the concept in my thick skull?!  There was one more thing that made me curious:  "The rats exhibited behavioural changes even when sugar was replaced with the artificial sweetener saccharin.  "It appears to be the sweetness, more than the calories, that fuels sugar dependence," say Hoebel."  Again, scary.

If you've been paying mind to my food diaries, you'll see that I consume quite a significant amount of Splenda.  It has been an ongoing concern, maybe curiousity, whether or not artificial sweeteners are helping me, or aiding in my failure.  I must read more on this.

Consumption of less quantity:

Breakfast

One deliciously lovely homemade pancake (1/4 cup batter)

1 tbsp equally delicious and lovely Quebec maple syrup

Cuppa with milk and one Splenda

Lunch

Garden veggie sandwich on whole wheat with light cream cheese from Tim Horton's

Medium steeped tea with milk and one Splenda

1 litre water

Supper

1.5 cups veggie & kidney bean stew (no salt or fat added)

1/2 cup 'Jade' blend

1 litre water flavoured with 1/4 strength Crystal Light

1 tbsp light sour cream

Apres supper

Smallish Fuji apple

Cup of light hot chocolate (45 cal.)

Bag of Chips Ahoy! (100 cal.)

Today's GOISF:

I used to live in Burnaby.  The next city over from Burnaby is Coquitlam.  I would drive to Coquitlam to go to Burger King.  That's like almost a half hour drive just to go visit the King.  I adore their veggie burgers... with cheese... and mayonnaise.  Then I'd get fries, onion rings, and a milkshake, along with my Diet Coke... just so I could say something was calorie-free.  Idiot.  Then in the same plaza was (you know...) Tim Horton's.  Away I'd go and order tons of crap from there too.  The cherry on top?  I never even had to get out of the car.  I'd feel so sick by the time I was done this feast for four that I'd put the wee man down for his nap when we'd get home.  I'd then have a nap too and wake up an hour or so later, wondering if there was anything good to eat in the house.  Shocking.

Cupcake

xo