(Could I possibly, really, be getting my life together finally?)
Breakfast
- light whole grain English muffin with avocado, tomato, and low-fat Cheddar cheese
- sliced kiwi
I know it looks like a melty blob, but this breakfast was literally exploding with flavors. Each layer had a different texture and complexity, melding the smooth, buttery avocado with salty, sharp cheese and tangy tomato - it was fabulous.
I was glad this didn't take too long to prepare (since I just microwaved it), and it really gave the day a civilized start. I found that for the first time in a long time, I wasn't starved by the end of my morning class. I was in fact so satisfied that I contemplated holding off on lunch until after my afternoon class.
Lunch
- lite whole grain English muffin with low-sodium deli turkey, tomato slices, low-fat Cheddar cheese, and turkey bacon
- balsamic tomato salad with cilantro
- dried apricots
I am so glad that I came home for lunch, as this was one of the better meals I've ever had midday. I wasn't prepared to enjoy the tomatoes, as they weren't really at the peak of freshness, but by the time I drizzled them with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and salt and pepper, then sprinkled the cilantro on top (the recipe called for basil but the store didn't have any), they were markedly improved.
The open-faced turkey sandwich was everything I'd hoped it would be and more. I was astonished at the amount of meat it called for (3 oz. of turkey when a usual serving is more like 1), as well as how much turkey bacon I could have (two full slices). I cooked this in the oven so that the muffin would crisp on the bottom and the bacon on the top, and it made for a nice blend of textures.
The only down-side is that I think I was only supposed to have half of an English muffin, which would have made the rest of the ingredients quite a tower on top. I rationalized that they're lower calorie and smaller than called for, so it probably won't kill me, plus I got an extra bit of walking to and from campus at a brisk pace.
Afternoon Snack
- Dannon Light n' Fit white chocolate raspberry yogurt with wheat germ and almonds
I thought ahead and brought this with me when I was on my way to my afternoon class, so that I'd be able to stay in my studio working for a while afterwards.
It was just the energy boost I needed, and it was delicious to boot. I really like the Light n' Fit yogurts because they're not too sweet and they pack a ton of flavor into a minimal amount of calories, no fat, etc.
Evening Snack
- salsa mixed with lite creamy Parmesan dressing and low-fat Cheddar cheese
- baked tortilla chips
Seeing as chips and salsa are one of my all-time favorite snacks, I was stoked to find they'd improved on it by adding in cheese and dressing. The resulting dip was creamy, tangy, and really flavorful.
I had this snack before dinner because a friend stopped by for a while - it was good to have something quick and easy to prepare that I didn't feel weird offering to other people as well (which I can't always say for diet food). Unfortunately I did have a few more chips and some more salsa after I had this snack, but I didn't go completely out of control.
Dinner
- pizza made with whole grain flat bread, tomato sauce, spices, sauteed onion and green pepper, low-fat mozzarella, and Canadian bacon
- fresh baby spinach salad with cherry tomatoes, carrots, and fat-free Italian dressing
- dried apricots
Wow. This was perhaps the most amazing dinner I've ever had on a diet. I made a second pizza for my boyfriend at the same time, and he too agreed that it was spectacular by any standards.
I actually only used half of the Canadian bacon that was called for (3 oz!!?!), and still found it intensely satisfying and delicious.
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