I’m down another pound. And considering the large amount of food I consumed last weekend, I’m thrilled. Ain’t that great?
This is great! And I’ve got 12 pounds to go till I reach my goal–and I feel this is going to be the most difficult part of the journey!
Now that the cooler weather is here (which is an absolute joke because it was hot as balls from Monday on…) and the days are getting shorter, we are returning to our ritual of Saturday evening French Meals. I made Chicken with Grapes, or Chicken Veronique, or Chicken Supremes de Volaille Veronique—however you say it, it is pure deliciousness.
The recipe I use is from the book “French, The Secrets of Classic Cooking Made Easy” by Carole Clements & Elizabeth Wolf-Cohen. As you can see from the photo, the page is a mess. I use this recipe all the time. But I’ve tweaked it a bit. I make the sauce separately and make it in advance because I think the sauce achieves a better consistency and the flavors blend much better. I also throw fresh tarragon into the sauce!
I also pound the chicken really flat and dredge it in rice flour before cooking. The rice flour keeps the breasts moist without giving a heavy coating.
You can tell by the mess of this recipe that I’ve made this a lot! It is an incredibly tasty dish–especially when you make the sauce separately and add tarragon!
Anyway, I’m rather proud of myself. It’s October 20th—11 days before Halloween and I haven’t had any candy. Under normal circumstances, I have at least four bags of chocolate candy by now and “sneak” a ton of it. Last year I finished off an entire bag of Butterfinger Cups a week before Halloween.
My strategy? I’m not buying the candy until a couple of days before the Hallowed Eve!
In addition, if I really get the urge for something sweet, I’ll have one of these little rose flavored covered anise candies I got in France. Along with my chai tea, one of these little gems really hits the spot.
These little drops of candy smell just like roses. The flavor isn’t for everyone, but it sure satisfies the craving for something sweet. I’ll be stocking up on these next month when we are in Paris!
Do you have any strategies to beat those mid-afternoon craves—or do you crave something in the evening? Share your tips! Please!
Let me tell you something—I am soooo tired today.
Oh..I wasn’t the only one who was walking around in a sleep-deprived stupor today. The majority of my co-workers were in the same state. We all watched the debate!
It was bad enough when whiney boy Trump said the election is rigged against him but the last straw was when he stood up on the podium and called Hillary Clinton a nasty woman! He’s no real man–he is a cowardly bully who abuses women in every way!
We stayed up to see the aftermath of the Presidential debate last night and I’m exhausted. That debate left me emotionally spent!
That’s right Donald Trump. You know nothing about being a decent and kind person. It is beyond sad!
Look—if any of my reader friends are voting for Trump. I don’t hate nor do I despise you. Let’s get that out in the open. It is Donald Trump who I despise. He is just an awful man in every sense of the word.
I should have stayed true to my promise of watching Amelie. For about the 100th time!
I SHOULD have watched Amelie. It is THE most “feel-good” film of all time. I highly recommend this beautiful love story. You will fall in love and will cry like a baby from happiness!
On to more pleasant subject matter.
Remember the other day I wrote about winterizing skin and cosmetics? Well, I realized that I left a great little blush out of the post. It’s this NYC Color liquid stain. It looks like nail polish but it isn’t! It goes on very bright and you have to blend quickly, but the payoff is great. This lasts all day and isn’t drying to your skin at all. It is also great on the budget. It was less than $4.00 and is worth more.
NYC New York Color Lovatics Cheek Tint is really wonderful. This color is Cheeky Pink and even though it looks red in this out-of-focus photo, it goes on nice and pink…
I have it on my cheeks. I’ve been using it all week and a little goes a long way!
Another eye shadow palette I have been using often is this one by Makeup Revolution. I found out about this brand and this palette from another blogger. $7.00 at Ulta, it is the Redemption Iconic palette. The shadows are matte but don’t go on ashy. They glide on like silk—which is an amazing trait for a matte shadow. The colors, even though neutral are very pigmented and don’t fade at all throughout the day. Surprisingly, the double-sponged tip applicator is of excellent quality too! I’m blown away by this one!
Look how matte these shadows are! And they glide on so silky. I’m telling you for the price of seven bucks, this palette is a steal! There isn’t a bad shadow in the bunch!
And I need to give a shout out to reader Nancy W. She reminded me that I needed to order more of the collagen serum from Skin Actives by sending me an email asking me which serum I recommended a while ago. Thank you Nancy—my order is in! I hope you ordered too!
Oh..this serum is so much better than pricier department store brands–and I USED to be a huge Lancome Genifique fan. At $14.00, this is a hellalot better and far less expensive!
I’m also annoyed with Mother Nature. This Global Warming is getting out of hand because there is a great fall/winter wardrobe in my closet that is itching (not literally!) to get out and be worn and seen.
And the temperature just rises and rises. Yesterday it hit 84 and earlier this evening when I left the office, the temperature in my car was 78. Come on. I’m done with this heat.
My clothing is fitting much better—and I know that I’m going against all expert advice about keeping clothes and what to get rid of but—I am glad that I’ve saved all my old work clothes. Because now I do not have to go out and purchase another wardrobe.
I purchased two items over the weekend and was so excited to wear them and couldn’t due to the heat—so I’m hoping that next week’s weather is cool, cold freezing!!
Alright. The moment I “spotted” (pun intended) this leopard print skirt on J. Crew Factory’s site I HAD to make it mine. I also had to have those thigh-high boots when I saw them at DSW. Bonaparte was kind enough to buy them for me! I wanted to wear this outfit so badly. I even had the heels set aside to wear with tights if it was too warm for boots. Unfortunately it was too warm for the entire outfit!
Here’s what I wore this week!
Saturday’s weather was still a bit on the cool side so I was comfortable in a blazer and scarf. I wasn’t able to fit into these ankle jeans for a while but now they fit fine! And YES. I DID wear shoes. I wore loafers!
On Monday I wore a black t-shirt dress
This $15.00 Tee shirt dress from Old Navy is one that’ll be worn three seasons. I stopped fake tanning the legs because I thought I would be wearing tights. It stinks because I have to shave my legs every day during the warm weather.
This is where I’m glad that I hold onto clothing. I purchased the black tunic shirt maybe a little over a year ago and never wore it. It is incredibly light and was perfect for this fall heat! I prefer the “half tuck” that is shown in the photo on the left but it isn’t office appropriate. The untucked shirt on the right looks a bit more polished for a casual office look. And YES you CAN wear white after labor day! I said so. It’s ok!
By Wednesday I was beginning to go crazy with the summer’s return. I went with this years old skirt from J. Crew Factory. I actually THREW this skirt in the trash but had second thoughts so I took it back out. I like it now. But I don’t want to wear it till the Spring!!
About this tunic. I purchased it last year online. It was 70% off on the Tory Burch sale. I ordered a size 10–ok? Well, when it arrived, the 10 was snug and looked awful–but I kept it. I wore it before Labor Day weekend and it fit a bit better but I was still “meh” about the fit. I decided to wear it today and was almost jumping for joy because it FINALLY fit so nicely. Tory Burch clothing DOES run small though–I think her blondeness designs for skinny-ass Philly Mainline ladies and not for real women with curves! I’m wearing pants from J. Crew. I swear these pants are from the year of the flood because I don’t even know what pants they are but they are nice and soft and stretch nicely! Sam Edelman flats are on my feet!
This weight loss journey is now becoming routine—and I don’t mean that in a bad or boring way. It’s just that I’m thinking more about what I’m eating and thinking less of getting snacky and just shoving anything into my mouth. I’m finding out that I can enjoy those Saturday evening full-course French meals and still lose weight by really focusing on the diet during the week.
And that was my week! I hope you had a wonderful and successful week. Don’t forget to comment on your strategies for craving sweets while dieting!!
That damn debate is still on my mind. As is the word “Nasty” that Donald Trump used in calling My President Hillary. I would rather think of the Janet Jackson song “Nasty”—it’s much better! And my good thoughts are with Ms. Jackson—at 50 years old, she is pregnant. That is an empowered woman!
You’re doing great with the diet! I admire your determination. I hope it’s the right word. I keep mixing it up with a word that means to kill or blow things up. Oops 🙈😂. But yeah, you’re doing well 😊 I also hope that Hillary wins. The world would be in a really dark place if Trump should win. I imagine it would be as a 4 year old run a country. The idea gives me shivers and I’m not even from US!
Thanks Adryana! I am quite determined to finally lose the weight that has been creeping up upon me! And I’m thrilled that you want Hillary to win. OMG. If Trump wins our civilization is over. OVER! Done! Gone! Let’s be positive about Hillary!! XOXOXOXO!!!
You asked for tips on how to avoid snacking – this might appeal to you. When faced with any food I pretend to be French! I think ‘what would a Parisienne do’. Usually, not eat it, but if she did – say, a slice of cake with her afternoon cup of tea, she would put it on good china and eat it slowly with great enjoyment.
Ruth. The best strategies are right in front of our faces. You are 100% spot on! I am taking your advice. It’s funny because whenever we are in France, I try to eat like a French person and I never gain weight. Duh!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
As for your foody book – OK I officially and properly love you – if I can’t move in then I want to be your neighbour. I LOVE a recipe book – I mean I really love a recipe book, but one thing that makes me suspicious is when people keep ALL their recipe books pristine, surely a pristine recipe book is something that has never been used (I have a few – but really the most prized are splattered and tattered, sometimes by me and sometimes by my kids, they have been written over and annotated – I see them as living documents in the widest sense of the term). I am going to have to investigate the recipe and that book now – I am sure my current food writer crushes can cope with another one added to the collection (Diana Henry, Nigel Slater, Denis Cotter, Yotom Ottolenghi, Giorgio Locatelli…isn’t it funny that food/gardening writers make us feel an instant connection to them) in fact they can sit in the bookshelf/pile of books and make friends with each other (imagine the virtual dinner parties they will be having)… As for beating the after dinner munchies, hmm difficult as once I keep going – I have heard people swear by dark chocolate, other people swear by brushing their teeth etc but I swear by not having it in the house (I can hear the siren call of decent cheese from miles away – cheese beats chocolate every time for me) and I knit or sew to keep my hands busy, fair isle or intarsia is particularly good for a diet as not only are you knitting but you are in such a fankle of different yarns that you are basically enmeshed and can’t get up from the sofa without a great deal of swearing/disentangling, you don’t even need a big project (fingerless mitts will do) – so I vote for some sort of thing to keep your hands busy and mind occupied!
You are doing fantastic on the diet, we came back from a week in Italy (25-30 000 steps every day, which sounds impressive but the amount of food I also ate was sadly also “impressive”) to find the scales have broken and are reading all sorts of random weights. Sighhhh
Also loving the outfits – I need to sort my wardrobe this weekend, and as for “nasty” woman comment – pffft! I’d wear that moniker with pride, would you want the approval of a man like that?
Juliet. OK. It is a great thing that you love me. I wish we WERE neighbors. Oh. Trust me. All the recipes I make on a regular basis are so filthy and splattered to the point where I can literally “pick” food off them! And that is soooooooo important! We are kindred recipe spirits girlfriend! I swear I could write an entire post about sauces (hmmm. maybe I will!). This French cookbook–I picked it up at a now defunct bookstore for six bucks when I started going out with Bonaparte. To this day, it remains his favorite book–he said that it contains the most authentic french family dishes–and that says a lot!
I know–many peeps say that dark chocolate is the answer but I’m not buying it. My appetite is way too hearty! I gotta keep the shit outta the house. That’s the only thing that will do it for me!
Don’t get me started on “Nasty”. Trump is vile. He is awful and he isn’t a man. I can’t even….. Thank God I work in an office where every single person is voting for Hillary!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine-happy Friday and congratulations on your continued weight loss. The chicken recipe looks simple and beautiful-I needed something new and that looks like a winner. I just finished the whole 30 and have continued with it past the 30 days and am loving the results. Like you I am shopping the closet and loving the results.
With regards to this ridiculous election cycle, I’ll be traveling during that time, so I have cast my absentee ballot for our first women president! Most women know (and men if they could just admit it) that women can get s**t done so it’s about time we have a Ms. President!!!!! I’m also a Wellesley grad and love my school so here’s hoping the rest of the U.S. puts her in the drivers seat. Have a wonderful weekend, and again thank you for sharing your life with all of us! You rock!
Hi Marianne! OMG! Definitely try that recipe. It is simply the most delicious chicken recipe of all time!! And hugs and bigger hugs for voting in advance for Hillary! We cannot allow this vindictive Trump/HItler person to be POTUS! We just cant!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine – Impressive weight loss results and your determination is enlightening. Cool weather?? It’s coming from the West to you…I’m finally wearing long sleeves and leggings…yes! And of course The Election is Coming…Amen to That!
I wore a blazer today and was sweating like a pig. Thank god the office had A/C!!! I lost another pound from yesterday. I think it is because I’ve been working so hard I haven’t had time to eat!! XOXOXO!
Now I want to snack about an hour after dinner – so I have a little yogurt – Activia satisfies. When I was in the office I wanted to snack mid-day & I’d have the 90 calorie Fiber One bar. But weight loss is never easy. Congrats to you!
Thanks Anne! BTW, I LOVE Activia Yogurt. I often have it for breakfast with some berries and almonds. It’s great and that little container hits the spot! I can’t snack mid-day because if I do, it’ll be a trigger for me to just keep eating!!! You have afternoon will power!! And you’re right. Weight loss is never easy (unless you are a mother who is breastfeeding a newborn). And it gets harder with age! Thank you for your congrats–it keeps me going!! XOXOXOXO!!
Catherine congratulations, you look mahvelous:) are you following any particular diet? Just swearing off the sweetscheesewine threesome? You are an inspiration as so many people even some with M.D. after their names claim that weight loss after 60 is difficult if not impossible and here you are looking great! I do like your idea of Chai tea in the afternoon it deals with that sweet tooth screaming out for sustenance at 3pm. Anyway keep up the good work.
Hi Momcat. I am kindasorta following Weight Watchers in a loose way. In reality, I’m not overeating. I’m watching portions and during the week, I’m keeping my dinner simple–protein and veg. I’ll save the bread for the weekend and save the cheese for the weekend. I’m still drinking the weekend aperitif but to tell you the truth, I’m not doing the cheese after dinner nor doing dessert (I’ll be writing about that more today). I am also using a scale twice a week. The scale is my guideline. The chai is really helping! Thanks so much for your encouragement–I really appreciate it!!! XOXOXOXO!!!
Hi Catherine, you got your wish – it’s freezing’ and I reackon I’m gonna have to buy a puffer jacket to get through Autumn and then not leave my bed in winter. ☃️🌨💨
LOL–Yvonne. Its finally looking more like Autumn after the rain and wind that we had. I do think I’ll get to wear boots this week!!!! Get the puffer jacket girlfriend!!!XOXOXOXO
HI Catherine, I like your idea of ” journey ” rather than diet. You have maneuvered through the traps by keeping triggers out of the house. I know some people can buy a bag of dark chocolate and have ONE piece after dinner . That is not possible for me on the journey! Something that helps with evening food ” dreams” is to try on clothes that lost their cuteness before the journey. It is a motivator for the clothes horse ha ha! Your post keeps me laughing and inspired. My Hillary tshirt from before the primary is looking better than ever 🙂
Hi Missy! Yeah. I have been on a countless number of “diets” too many times. This time around it is a journey. Because it is a journey taking me from where I got to down to where I should be. Oh. I can’t keep ANY chocolate in the house–that’s why I have not bought any Halloween candy yet. It’s like Oreo cookies. I cannot have one or two. I will eat the entire box with a quart of milk. Definitely trying on clothing helps. I’m very happy that many of the pants and skirts that I couldn’t fit into are now fitting me. LOL. I’m still scared about the vote–I’m afraid there is a contingent of people who won’t admit to voting for Trump then do. I won’t rest easily until I hear the words “Our next President of These United States–Hillary Clinton”!! XOXOXOXO!!!