IT'S ALIVE!!....ALLLLIIIIVVVVVEEE!!!!

Nov. 17, 2011 I began a new journey in life when I had gastric bypass.  A friend of mine, who also had the surgery, commented to me that just because she had lost weight, and can't eat as much, doesn't mean she isn't still a foodie. AND IT'S SO TRUE!!!! 


Let's pause for a moment and address reality.  I bought the cook book for people who had weight loss surgery and its got a lot of good recipes.  But, before surgery I NEVER ate Braised lamb's leg with a reduced blueberry wine sauce, with a side of kale....and while it might sound yummy (if you like eating poor innocent Lambchop (weirdo!) and something that sounds like it came from the sludge of the ocean....well, the blueberry sauce doesn't sound too bad) the reality is:
1. WHO SERIOUSLY HAS TIME TO COOK LIKE THAT?!  
2. WHO SERIOUSLY HAS THAT KIND OF MONEY?!
3. WHO SERIOUSLY EATS LIKE THAT IN REAL LIFE?!


Before surgery I found cooking for 1 person to be quite the challenge, and post surgery its even more of a challenge!  You follow a recipe and it makes more than you can eat in a month.  I've also learned that just b/c i can't each much doesn't mean that i'm ok with bland, unexciting, monotonous dishes.  (i.e.  today i think i'll eat 1/2c of pinto beans....mmmm, tantalizing!)


And as my friend so eloquently put, I'M STILL A FOODIE!!!!  Out of a desire to still have fun and enjoy what i eat, eat well and healthy, and to waste as little food as possible (food/groceries are expensive!) this blog has been born.....IT'S ALIVE!!!!  ALLLLIIIIIVVVVE!  (think "Young Frankenstein" when you read that).  My hope is to help other people who are on the same journey with me, or even people who are just trying to figure out how to cook smaller meals (for 1-2 people) who want to still enjoy their food, while working to become more healthy.


With that said, the food that I eat has to met several criteria:
1. Protein rich
2. low fat, low carb, low sugar
3. Yummy!
4. Easy or moderately easy.  (I'm a single woman on the go!  I don't have time to cook for 3 hours a day!)
5. Yummy!!
6. Small portions, i.e 2-3 meals worth.  (I get bored easily, so if i have to eat the same thing 5 days in a row, I have a problem.)
7. Easy and YUMMY!!!!!
8.  Healthy


Right, so, as i experiment, reduce recipes sizes, and cook, these are the things I'm looking for.  Now reality says not ALL recipes can be reduced to smaller size, and sometimes you'll see a big recipe on here, for instance, when I post the "Taco Soup" Recipe, it will make a crockpot  full.  But it freezes well.  


So come along for the journey if you want.  My goal is not only to post the "perfectly portioned" recipes but also their nutritional information.  If you have suggestions, comments, questions, or looking for a good alternative to an old favorite recipe, let me know.  i'm always up for a food challenge!