Summer Weight Loss Challenge- Week 4

This week's tip: Show yourself some LOVE

Have you ever noticed how you talk to yourself? That voice in your head? Take a good listen, chances are there all sorts of negative mean spirited bullying going on. We are, often, our worst critics. So this week I want you to take notice of how you talk to yourself... then try and imagine what you best friend would say to you!

I had this revelation when talking to a friend a few years ago. We were talking about weight loss and often how you think in terms of black and white and expect perfection from yourself. We were talking and I realized I always tell myself... "You're not good enough..."

So for a week a consiously listened in on this dialogue to myself..... the very first day I will never forget what I noticed.I was at the gym- I was about 40-50 pounds heavier than I am now and this is what was running through my head.

"What the hell am I doing here, these people probably think I am hopeless and look disgusting... how did I get this heavy? I look like a joke." (that is the basic jist)

I then realized what I was doing and I turned it around on myself- I thought where is the positive in this situation? Okay I could see it, like a best friend would tell me.

"Actually Sophia you are fucking brave and you DESERVE to be here more than anyone, you need this, you want this and you DESERVE to be healthy. You are taking charge of your health, good for you!"

So this week I implore you to listen to your voice and show yourself some much deserved love. You have the power to change and do ANYTHING you set your mind to, if you're on your own side.

Week 3 in review

My lowpoint - Tuesday eating a small hot fudge sundae at Carvel. Yeah I ate that bitch right up. I had a hard day and was feeling pretty crappy about myself from work. An old friend of mine got a promotion and is now giving me orders on a project. It reminded me that I am exactly at the same job that is totally beneath my skill set. I felt like an utter failure. But to see this from the bright side I got the sundae in a SMALL and I got nonfat ice cream. So I am proud of myself for that!

My high point- Thursday Dinner out with a friend- ordered some gourmet meatballs and a side of bacon risotto. I did NOT finish my meal. I knew the risotto was full of fat and calories and I had a weekend ahead of me. I knew I was gonna want to eat something extra or have some beer. So I didn't finish my food and silently did a happy dance. I am damn proud I didn't finish all that food, even though I wanted to!

The bottom line my last weigh day I did not gain or lose, I stayed the same. I'm hoping for a loss of .5 on Tuesday when I weigh in.

Replace Black Friday with Friendsgiving!

Every year the holiday season starts sooner and sooner! Is it because Americans love to do good will toward men? Nope- tis the season that makes corporations some serious cash. A few years ago a woman was trampled to death in Wal*Mart on Black Friday. Seriously. To me it was a complete visual metaphor for what this greed had made the holiday season into. Greed on the part of corporations and American shoppers. I am not here to stand on my soapbox and look down on those that shop on black Friday, but I do want to be here as a agent of change. To be the change and offer a substitute.

About a year ago I posted about the holiday I created Friendsgiving (seems I am not the only one that celebrates it). It all started when I was broke and unemployed, this darkest of times made me realize that money and career are a distant second to friends and family. Since Thanksgiving is typically a family holiday, I wanted to create my own holiday the day after to celebrate those I do not share DNA with, but share everything else. It is the perfect day for a celebration: it's a Friday, you still have leftovers and food to share and you didn't get to celebrate the day before with your friends! 

So would you rather freeze your butt off for a cheaper laptop or stay toasty and cozy with your friends and some awesome food at home?  Come on...

Friendsgiving is celebrated with a Turkey dinner and all the trimmings, NY Foodgasm style of course. There is always a twist and I always lower the fat. I send out the word to my very closest friends, the ones that mean the most. I ask everyone bring a dish or a drink to contribute and the dining table turns into a buffet of amazing food! Great food, amazing company and I always like to give a little speech.

This is a time to show how much you really love all of your friends. To show gratitude and to be really serious for a minute and really tell people from the heart how you feel and what they do for you. Many days we are light hearted and rarely REALLY say how we feel and let people know how they affect us and make our lives better. This is the time. The time to make it all real.

My friends actually have come to look forward to this tradition. They expect it and enjoy it more than Thanksgiving itself. No drama, no repressed anger that is sometimes present with family. You can just sit back and enjoy.

This year I have chosen to give thanks to all my fellow chefs and foodbloggers I am most inspired by. Here is the menu.

Beer Brined Turkey- The Beeroness. She beerifes everything, she is cool and she knows her craft beer YAY!)
Thanksgiving Nachos- Inspired by Half Baked Harvest. I have tried at least 5 recipes by her and they ALL rock!
Italian Stuffing- my man Fabio Viviani, He's the BEST! He's seXXXy, he was on Top Chef, he makes me smile and I love his fresh food with an Italian spin!
Maple Pumpkin Brulle cheesecake- Baker's Royale. Her photos have made me swoon since I started blogging, they are gorgeous!

Stay tuned for more details!

Beer Month Brewery Review: Greenport Brewery - 8 different and complex beers on tap!

New favorite Brewery!

Upon walking in I was impressed just with the look of this old firehouse. I loved the old building and that it had been beautifully restored. Walking up the steps I saw it said "Stairway to Heaven" on one of the risers- I always love a fun sense of humor. Then walking into the tasting room I was impressed with the overall decor, layout and ambiance. It brought a sense of happiness to me right away. Then I put my lips to the beer and was blown away by the complexity of some of the flavors---Just a side note: it has be proven beer = happiness. Just looks at the pictures, this was a FUN trip and this brewery was oh so cute!