lover of the rad and fab

that time i tried to go on a diet

thatgirlwhit — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 06:04:48 +0000

HAVE YOU EVER GONE ON A DIET??? i haven’t. ever. i like eating way too much. i’m rather food obsessed actually, and i love cooking. especially since the invention of pinterest and my discovering foodgawker.com. what GREAT time wasters! though healthy eating is big for me, so it’s not like i’m overweight or anything. i have just never really been able to restrict myself from eating something i want. ha! i just make sure i exercise so i can…which is how it should be, right?

WELL…i decided to do this diet i found. it claims to make you lose 10 lbs in a week! dream come true! it seems healthy…fruits, veggies, that kind of thing: READ ABOUT IT HERE.

thus it happened: the non-dieting whitney went extra-fruit-and-veggie shopping, stocked the fridge, and decided to give it a go.

UGH is all i can say. disaster.

i am just NOT the diet type of person. the first day: all fruit, nothing else. i had a whole carton of strawberries..papaya…red grapefruit…grapes…and yet i felt so empty all day. just making endless trips to the bathroom. it was like i had nothing inside of me. ick. you know how in movies or commercials the food will start talking to people and calling their name – just INTICING you to eat them? OH EM GEE that happens! i can now say i’ve experienced it first hand. my dove chocolates and fruit snack stash at work were staring at me with their big Pixar puppy eyes. horrible feeling. so i ended up going home and eating myself a big bowl of cooked cabbage. yes, a healthy choice still. but it filled me up which is what i wanted. and… i ruined the “all fruit” day. whatever. not that bad of a cheat, right?

day two: a baked potato for breakfast (i was allowed one “pat” of butter…and i may or may not have exaggerated how big a “pat” is) and then only all veggies all day. let me tell you that baked potato tasted like a gift from the gods! i was feeling good. i steamed a mother load of fresh broccoli and cauliflower for lunch. and even had some zuchinni, cabbage ( i really like cabbage), mushrooms, and onions (all lightly cooked together, i’m so classy with my veggies)….but then i started to be just sick of it. and again…i was peeing like no other. everything i ate went straight through me. i was feeling empty and with no energy. who would’ve thunk such a “healthy diet” would do that? i attempted (yes, attempted. i always feel like a fool) yoga and then 3o mins at the gym….but felt like a weakling. NO energy. and empty. go figure, i went home and ate some carrots….with hummus! HA. yes, i dunked those carrots in that hummus…big scoops with no shame. i’m pretty sure protein is no-no for this stage in the diet….but i felt so sick without it. and…i was craving something with flavor. hummus is divine!

day three: TODAY. i’m realizing how bad i suck at following a diet. only fruits and veggies. not bad, thing is i woke up feeling nauseous. to the point where i could hardly stay standing. i was shaky and miserable and had to keep sitting down or laying on my bed in the process of trying to get ready for work. i ate some fruit in the car on my way to work, but i still felt like i had no energy and sick to my stomach. maybe people who diet all the time are used to this kind of thing?? i read about a model who would only eat an english muffin and water every day – half in the morning and half later in the day….but to me, it’s just not worth it (though i really didn’t think just fruits and veggies would do this to me – my mom seems to be fine and she’s doing it as well). anyway…i said forget this and drank one of my Odwalla vanilla protein shakes. good for energy. and i feel like a million bucks now! yes, it’s against my diet. oh. well. then after eating my container of fruit and a petite vinegar dressed salad for lunch (that’s all you’re ‘allowed’ on salads) – my goldfish that i keep at my desk were calling for me. cheddar blasted and pretzel mixed. who could resist! …so of course i had a handful …or so. then 3 or 4 (maybe 5) of my dark chocolate covered almonds made their way into my mouth too. let’s admite it, i’m SUCH a good dieter!

tonight was a girl’s friday night at the mall of georgia with Paige. shopping and a movie (This Means War – such a fantastic rom-com, i recommend it!)…and i may or may not have had some chick-fil-a chicken strips with a coke zero. the “zero” in coke zero means zero cals…just in case you didn’t know.

whatevs. i’m still continuing with the diet schedule and we’ll see what happens. i maintain i will still lose weight even with my cheating. diets are so stupid. besides…i’ll be at the gym tomorrow. and “only” eating bananas, milk, and some no-cal soup. gross, right? i know. but don’t worry, i have things under control…i still have some leftover wild blueberry white chocolate cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory in my fridge if i really need it.

OTHER ITEMS OF BUSINESS:

1. i just might need this fantastic bathing suit (anthropologie)

2. i’m moving. to Utah. Provo specifically. in mid April. at my ripe old age, i’m embarking on the “get my degree” journey. i’ve mapped out my graduation plan and should be done in exactly two years. dear heavens i hope so. i’m in it to win it!

3. i’m very much looking forward to this change in scenery and daily activity. and even more stoked about living with my lovely Chelsea Vose! not to mention…being just minutes from so many other people that are on my favorites list that i rarely see because i’ve been so far away east coast bumming it for the last two years. (was that a run-on sentence? probs. whatevs.)

4. Waffle House gives me THE biggest stomach ache every time i go. but i never hesitate to go when an opportunity suggests it!

5. before being utah bound, i’m florida bound. for the beach, to be exact! YESSSS. talk about a much needed week vacay in early april. it’s Paige’s spring break, and there is just no better way to spend it.

6. maybe i’ll actually get a tan??? it’s been so long since my skin has been any shade darker than pale. ha. i used to work as a county lifeguard and swim instructor for a few years – in the sun EVERY DAY and i was still made fun of for being so white. i’ve learned to embrace my complexion. though, basking in the rays in still worth a shot. can’t wait.

7. this means my “beach bod” needs some work as well. since i’ve been home from Italy, my gym attendance is PATHETIC. where i used to go and stay at least an hour – often Zumba and then some miles on the treadmill….now i’m doing good to make once or twice a week and feeling done after 30 minutes – HA! so it’s time to get myself back in the swing of things. obvi. not to mention i’m going to get so skinny being on this diet

8. for the last FIVE years of my life, i’ve found myself in distance relationships. six and a half years total – because i attempted one in my early college years as well. why would i do that to myself??? i don’t know! it just always happens! it’s like i can’t find someone i’m interested in that actually lives in the same state. i got pretty used to the distance thing. but i am so over it now. i want nothing more than to find a decent boy – that makes me happy – that i can actually spend my weekends with. i’m hoping utah will do that for me. dream big, right? my previous wishing holds true.

love, whit

Sorrento, Italy

thatgirlwhit — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 17:00:19 +0000

South of Rome. South of Naples. Along the “almost” Amalfi Coast is Sorrento, Italy. I now know it for it’s small-town “country” hospitality, amazing ocean views, windy seaside fishing village, and lemons the size of your head.

I couldn’t have been more thrilled with my choice of hotel…right up on the ocean-side cliff…

our room was great, with a balcony view to die for…

we had to follow a little road to get into town, but I really enjoyed the 7 minute walk and the view…

once in town, the tiny cobblestone roads are filled with little shops (all on sale – holiday season perks!) — Did you know that in Italy, stores are not allowed to have sales whenever they want? Sales only happen twice a year…and when they do, everyone has to go on sale. Fortunately for us, all the sales last 6 weeks after Christmas! woohoo! In every city, too! double whammy!

Anyway…check out these ginormous lemons that Sorrento is so famous for…

i loved the paths leading down to the ocean…and the views of Vesuvius…

we walked down to the port one day…and ate at this restaurant…SO GOOD!…

I forgot to take a picture of our food before it was practically gone – my caprese salad…mom’s veal and cheese filled potato something-er-other…

she gave me one…and my Gnocchi di Sorrento (with fresh tomatoes and mozzarella) was heavenly…

a rainy night in the central plaza of Sorrento……more on Sorrento…and it’s fishing village – Marina Grande – later…

love, whit

a little cooler

thatgirlwhit — Wed, 22 Feb 2012 21:35:04 +0000

loved this.

love, whit

i don’t need money spent on me…but time, yes

thatgirlwhit — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:22:20 +0000

time is one thing we can never get back. so for me, when it’s given – or not given – it speaks volumes. it speaks love.

i hope everybody felt some love this valentine season.

fitspiration and health

thatgirlwhit — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 19:26:36 +0000

…getting motivated…

some days i’m pumped. many days i’m lazy. though things like this help get me going:

don’t know your BMI (body mass index) and want to? go HERE – and find where your healthy weight ranks

love, whit

How I became an Italian chef in a day: Florence Food & Wine Academy

thatgirlwhit — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 16:58:04 +0000

Italy is known for it’s food. Art, yes. History, yes. Fashion, yes. {now i’m only being reminded of how AMAZING Italy is}.. But the FOOD, oh the food! Cooking and food is a lifestyle and passion that forever lives on all over the country. Unlike the states, I saw very few “grocery stores.” In fact, I didn’t see any until we made it to our third city – Florence. Instead, you have fresh markets or little shops and stands specializing in a specific item (ie: bakeries, butcher shop, produce stand, etc). I even wondered if Italians ever ate frozen food like we Americans love so much (ick, why WOULD you with the alternative available??). My question was answered when we wandered into a tiny grocery store down the alley from our bed and breakfast…in the very back was one freezer with some frozen vegetables and cool whip. Ha!

Point in case: In Italy, food is about QUALITY, fresh, and in-season ingredients. Eating isn’t done on-the-go…maybe if you’re a student, in which case you would grab some “fast food”. Let me clarify that “fast food” for them is still a freshly put together panini, pizza, or salad that ranks better than Panera or Atlanta Bread Company. This is probably why overweight Italians are hard to come by. They eat well, and they get out and walk around town. …My kind of lifestyle!

I found an opportunity for us to take a private cooking class while in Florence and jumped on it! It was the best decision, and by far the most enjoyable day of our whole trip. Mom agrees.

Our 5 hour class began as we followed our local chef to the fresh market in Florence to buy our ingredients. There we were also educated on olive oil and balsamic vinaigrette…VERY fascinating and taste testing included!

Once we had everything we needed, our small group walked to the “ristorante” to learn how to be an Italiano in the kitchen!

That’s Andrea, our chef, turning on some background music to set the real Italian mood…

we put on our aprons and were ready to COOK!

we started off preparing our dessert – Tiramisu – all whipped and mixed by hand…

i was so PROUD of my accomplishment. after chilling in the refrigerator all afternoon, it tasted like heaven…

my pictures are a little out-of-order : Here Andrea was drizzling the bruschetta (pronounced Broo-Sket-Uh…he always corrected my calling it “broo-shet-uh”) we prepared with extra virgin olive oil.

Note: toast the bread and then rub it with a fresh whole garlic clove and always only use ONE herb for seasoning. More than one confuses the flavors. We chose fresh oregano (with a sprinkling of sea salt and pepper). My favorite bruschettas that I had were topped with zucchini and mozzarella, and the other with grilled porcini mushrooms. Tomatoes suit me though just as well. YUMMM!

Before making our homemade pasta, we prepared a Bolognese Sauce (with soft fresh sausage…none of that harder crap) and a Vegetarian Sauce…both with simple ingredients but more flavor than I can describe!

Andrea is a funny man, he liked to give me a hard time. Though he showed me the trick to chopping fast like the pros and not worrying about my fingers! I still need to practice.

While the sauces were a-simmering, we made the pasta! Eggs, a pinch of salt, a drizzle of olive oil, and “00″ Flour is required…such a pain that it’s not so easily found in the stores around Atlanta. Whole Foods let me down.

i rolled out my dough paper thin…folded it over…sliced it my desired thickness….and voi-la! Ready to cook!

I learned that after placing the fresh pasta in boiling water, you know it’s done when it floats to the top. (it only took not even a minute i don’t think)

cook, combine, and ready to eat! (am i the only one who loves that mini ponytail?! i bet he plays soccer, too. i forgot to ask.)

Believe it or not, this was the best meal i ate our entire trip! I had seconds. And then dessert. I don’t think I can ever eat boxed pasta again and find it tasty.

and yes, we graduated!

We’ve since re-created the entire meal for my dad….only I added caprese salad to the menu ..of COURSE!

I am just a LITTLE italian food obsessed now. Or more, fresh food obsessed. I don’t think that’s a bad thing though. Just harder on the pocketbook.

love, whit

Florence, my love…

thatgirlwhit — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 02:16:55 +0000

i’d love to be back there…

love, whit

how do you get out of a bad mood?

thatgirlwhit — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:06:14 +0000

what are your “get happy” remedies? i’m at a loss. (i already tried buying the new red skinnies i’ve been wanting – only a temporary fix though, obvi. ha)

for no reason my days just suck and i’m so ready for them to be over. so i go to the gym after work. i’ll soak in a hot bath for half an hour. i consider reading. or painting. but most the time there’s no use because i’m just tired. so i resort to laying peaceful in my bed and fall asleep because maybe i’ll wake feeling different. maybe tomorrow will be better.

my dad came to me tonight to tell me he’s noticed that the past couple of weeks i’ve been in a bad mood, and it shows. he said i’m being really snappy and i need to be more careful about that. ugh. and i know it’s true.

seems no matter what i do though (even my valentines projects or an afternoon of paintball), at the end of the day, i sink into my bed and feel i could disappeeear.

i feel it all

thatgirlwhit — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:20:55 +0000

sharing some things that i liked today.

love, whit

walking through modern ancient rome

thatgirlwhit — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 21:57:34 +0000

For me, one of the most incredible things in Rome (apart from reveling in the Sistine Chapel) was experiencing the Colosseum. You can see it from a distance in this picture I took:

anyway… up close, it is SO COOL (for lack of better words)!

Formerly known as the “Flavian Amphiteatre”, they started building it in 72 AD. Walking through a structure THAT old with so much history, is an amazing experience.

our tour guide, Alfredo – a Roman local, was so passionate and knowledgeable – he made it hard to not be even more excited about being in “Ancient Rome”…he knew everything, and smiled a lot while he talked about it…

i couldn’t help but be happy too!

pictures do not do justice to what it was like walking through this massive structure – CENTURIES old…with worn brick walls. It used to host THE main events back in its day – seating between 50-60,000 people. Obviously the main arena is worn off, but you can see underneath where there were once “elevator shafts” to let up the beasts for fights. Everything so ingeniously structured.

very fascinating.

afterwards, we wandered to The Ancient Forums … it’s a strangely beautiful combination and modern and old…

love, whit