food, and a gratuitous Stuart picture!

I have been making a concerted effort, over the last four days, to change the way I eat. I typically eat a diet high in starch and sugar,  and don't really care for fruit and vegetables unless they are wrapped in pastry! However, I have not been feeling well for some time now, and need to lose weight. I have read about a lot of diet plans, from the really cooky to the sane and sensible. However, I have realized that no diet will help me long term unless I change my habits. So,  am cutting out most sugar, not eating after dinner, and eating more fruits and veggies and less starch. I am eating sugar once a day, in the form of a scone for breakfast. My husband likes me to come down to the store and join him each morning for a scone and coffee, and I am happy to oblige him. Yesterday was a hard day. I had a headache (from sugar withdrawal?) and just felt hungry all day. But, I mustered up every ounce of self control and stuck  to my plan. One of my favorite cook books has made this process easier by giving me lots of recipes for truly delicious yet healthy food. Super Natural  Every Day by Heidi Swanson has become my go to lunch source. Pictured above are quinoa  patties (with fresh cilantro and loads of garlic) and black bean salad with roasted tomatoes and feta cheese. So delicious, and I ate a moderate amount and felt satisfied. Wish me luck, as I really want to eat more healthfully and lose those pesky forty pounds I need to lose, but I am such a huge sweet/starch eater. These changes will be hard, but I know I will like the result!

And, finally, just because I am his mother and I think he is the cutest thing ever, here is Stuart at the end of a long day of play. Grubby cheeks and sword made for him by his big brother,  and wearing the new Thomas the Tank Engine outfit his Aunt Sally bought him. I am smitten!