SparkRecipes

O.K. - diets are extremely intimidating to me - simply because I have never succeeded in them - Well, I may have lost 5 pounds here and there but soon became unmotivated and frustrated. So, is this time any different? I don't know!! I certainly hope so but only time will tell. I have a difficult time with laziness - be it cooking something different for me then my family or having the energy to count calories, points, whatever!! Anyways, I have decided that there is no way around it - it just has to be done since I refuse to resort to liposuction (can't afford it) or "magic" pills.

Unfortunately, I do not have the funds to buy a pass to any local athletic club and I don't have the motivation to just head out the door on a run. That part can also be frustrating since growing up I was always an athlete and being active was just a part of what I did - every day. Growing up we didn't have reality TV, cell phones, internet, the Redbox or anything like that. My sister and I had to be creative with our "free" time and as a result we spent many summer evenings in the park bumping the volleyball around, or shooting hoops down at the gradeschool, or going for walks or bike rides in the country. I miss it - I really do!! I yearn for the brisk fresh air and the beautiful view of the mountains out my window. Needless to say I think I would be all for "working out" if it just didn't feel like "working out" - if you know what I mean. I remember my mom walking with her "friends" every morning up around the base of "our" mountain and she tells of the most wonderful, intimate conversations during those mornings with friends as well as a few pounds dropped along the way. I envy her "walking" buddy relationships. I think in the small town that I grew up in people just made time for people because we actually had "time". I can't believe how quickly and forcefully technology has taken over our lives. I hope someday to live in the country again and have close friends to "walk and talk" with. I look forward to "that" kind of exercise.

Anyways, I'm rambling on and on and not even really getting to the point of this blog which is a website I found (yeah for internet???) called sparkrecipes.com. On this site they have a recipe calculator which has been wonderful as I seek to discover the muscle under this flab. One frustration of mine when I used to diet was that I could never eat my homemade "comfort" foods that I loved so much. One, because I figured they were too high in calories, fat, sugar, etc . . . and two, because I had NO idea how many calories, fat, sugar I was consuming and when you're on a diet eating something that is in the "unknown" category is a no-no. Anyways, this new website has become my best friend because I am able to calculate my much-loved recipes and the final result will be a complete break-down of all of the nutrional information for that meal. Whahooo!! It's been great - however I did discover a few recipes that I probably should only intake once every 5 years (yikes!) On this website you will also find fun new low-cal recipes that others have created and you can even share your own. It's fun!! Well, I know this blog is random and it was not meant to be this long at all - but it is what it is. Hope you enjoy the website, especially for all you calorie counting, weight-watching, woman of the dieting realm of life. I think I may just go outside now and see if I can't catch a glimpse of . . . . . . . well, a cloud or two I guess. City life is not for me!