It’s Sunday, so you know what that means!
Like how I put the bagel on a nutrition paper? 😀 March is national nutrition month, so I am going to try to work in some posts on this topic.
We stocked up on so much fresh produce at the grocery store. I am making an effort to eat extra clean during March for nutrition month and lay off as much processed stuff as I can (I’m looking at you Balance bars), and get in more fruits and veggies. There will be a great veggie experiment this week, too!
Lunch showcased my increased veggies with a brown green smoothie!
Included in this was several hand fulls of raw spinach, 1 scoop of chocolate protein powder, 1 serving of frozen raspberries, 4 grams of oat fiber. Doesn’t look all that attractive, but it was pretty good. I actually got 2 glasses out of this, which I drank while working.
Snack time was the usual latte and couple of these:
The fresh produce brings up another FAQ:
What about the quality of food vs. the quantity? Food without pesticides, growth hormones or antibiotics, for example. I’m wondering how you feel these factors might contribute to weight loss!
I answered this a little in the comments that day, but I will post with a little more detail: I don’t know as those really matter all that much to me personally. We already eat hormone-free/antibiotic-free local meat and dairy. The pesticides – well, we just can’t afford all organic stuff. Hate to say it, but there it is. It’s too spendy up here. I would have to seriously cut back on my fruit and veggie consumption if it had to be organic. If it works into the budget, we purchase the organic version. As far as quantity/quality goes, I would likely get the same sense of fullness from an apple irregardless of whether it was organic or not. I think eating clean matters more than eating organic. I think it is better to eat regular grown strawberries than a 100 calorie snack pack any day. In a perfect world, organic food would be the norm, and I wish it was. Maybe it is moving towards that.
Also of interest, Cammy from Tippy-Toe Diet posted comments regarding how several bloggers measure success (including me). Interesting comments!
So, out of my food comfort zone for dinner. I decided to try fish (again). I was just looking at the fresh fish case and I saw some silver Hake (also called whiting). What caught my eye was the sign that said Hake was similar to sole, which is one of the only fish that doesn’t taste ‘fishy’ to me (but it costs $$). So on a whim, I bought some and John pan fried it up with some lemon pepper for dinner.
The verdict? I actually liked it as much as I have liked any fish. It was good, but I’ll take chicken any day over fish. It had almost a buttery flavor and clean tasting. Not dry at all and very tender. I would probably give this one another go around.  Yay me!
I’m liking doing these FAQs in bits and pieces. I will be doing 2 separate posts one on running and one on lifting because a lot of questions centered on these, so they deserve their own posts!
Overall a good eating day today, and a nice rest day from exercise. The last few days were not so good on the eating front.
Stay ‘tuned‘ for a give away on Monday!!
Question:Â Do you eat organic?
Thanks for the heads-up on national nutrition month! I’ve been trying to focus on nutrition as part of my training this year, and especially this past month. Carrying it over to March sounds like a great idea!
The only item I always get organic is milk. Other things just depend on the cost.
The fish sounds good. I also like basa as it’s not fishy. I found Kim’s lite bagels which are only 1 point on Weight Watchers & they are delicious.
Good on ya for trying a different type of fish…I just can’t bring myself to eat seafood. Fish oil caplets it is for me!
Your clementines look so pretty! I am down to my last two – must buy some more before they go out of season.
I buy organic apples (yes, Sam’s Club carries them, which surprised me) but most of my other produce is not. I’m just not willing to pay the extra $$$.
.-= Shelley B´s last blog ..GLOW Run 5K Recap! =-.
I try to eat organic as much as possible when it comes to fruits and vegetables, though this has happened out of necessity as much as desire. My body has become intolerant of pesticides, especially evident with the foods that are listed as top foods to eat organic (lettuces, berries, apples) and cucumbers. I have a weakness for frozen french fries/tater tots and have found that the organic ones don’t upset my stomach. (It is also nice that they come in smaller bags so I am less tempted to make a ton, and I stick to portion sizes. I still limit how often I buy them, because if they are on hand I will eat them). I’ll price compare on other fruits and vegetables and buy organic when the prices are close. It makes it hard when I want to eat salads or get more fruit and I know that the items I want I need to get organic or they’ll upset my stomach and the stores don’t have any.
.-= Danielle´s last blog ..Goals for Week 5 =-.
Thanks for answering my question! When it comes to weight loss I think organic meat and dairy is a great idea. I mean, when you’re trying to lose weight do we really want to be ingesting the added growth hormones given to cows?
.-= Michelle @ Find Your Balance´s last blog ..Green smoothie book giveaway is here after all! =-.
The fish looks delicious, I have been trying to eat more organic, I am actually trying to change my eating habits a little and organic and eating clean are my goals.
.-= Ron´s last blog ..Dumbbells kicked my butt this morning =-.
I tried that whiting a while ago, mostly because it was unbelieveably cheap, but I really liked the mild taste and the texture as well. I am a seafood lover, but the texture of the fish is very important to me.
I am trying to go more and more organic. I am paying extra to buy cage free eggs, and I regularly buy organic milk and cottage cheese. Veggies and fruit–hit and miss. I haven’t bought beef for a while, but the next time I do, I am going to check with the local meat market to see where their beef comes from, and if not from them, I know I can get grass fed from the health food store.
.-= debby´s last blog ..Doing the Things that Scare Me =-.
Your fish looks tasty! I was interested to see that you’re doing posts on weight-lifting and running for your FAQ series. I saw in another post that you refer to The New Rules of Lifting for Women; I hope you detail your experience with that program, as well as your thoughts on cardio exercise vs. weights, since you run (far!) in addition to lifting. Thanks.
I try to eat organic on things that are most affected by pesticides: apples, lettuce and spinach, milk, bell peppers, etc. I sometimes get organic tomatoes when they’re on sale. I get cage-free eggs, but not organic (just too expensive for me right now). I rarely eat meat, so I don’t have to worry about that.
Have you tried tilapia? I don’t think it tastes like fish at all, but then again, I love fish, so maybe I’m biased…?
.-= Ari´s last blog ..Hide the Food! =-.
Oat fiber.. never heard of it! I do love me some fiber in any form though 🙂
I don’t always eat organic. More often than not I don’t! It’s just so expensive and I just try to focus on eating enough of the good stuff- veggies and fruits!
.-= april´s last blog ..Rest & Rumbles =-.
I second the tilapia. I find it to be a nice mild fish…but I am a fish lover.
I hardly buy anything organic due to the cost. I think I have a bag of organic quinoa though…just bought it because it is prewashed.
I prefer antibiotic free meat, but my store doesn’t always have it. I try to stock up when they do but it is also VERY expensive.
I live in a steel factory city…pesticides are the least of my worries. 🙂
.-= Kimberley´s last blog ..Happy Anniversary and Week #9 Goals =-.
I also like tilapia…but it definitely needs to be cooked with a little lemon pepper for me. 🙂 Good for you on trying new stuff!
I agree with you on the organic…there’s a few things that we LIKE to buy organic (milk and fruit) but as you mentioned…super expensive!! We can’t really buy organic meat again, because of the cost. I’d love to one day though!
.-= PTG´s last blog ..pre-race day routine =-.
Your dinner looks excellent! I really miss being able to cook for myself – I’m studying in China right now, and I live in a dorm without access to a kitchen or even a microwave! It’s been an interesting experience, to say the least.
As for organic – well, right now, I have no idea WHAT I’m eating. And I would have no idea how to ask. (My Chinese is okay, but not THAT good!) When I get back to Toronto in April, though, I’m going to be all about Farmer’s Markets again. For me, buying local is slightly more important than buying organic, but I think the farmers that sell produce at farmer’s markets are less likely to use harmful chemicals on their crops, anyways. And more likely to shower them with love and devotion…lol.
Does anyone know more about that? I should do some research…
.-= Heather´s last blog ..What I’m Thinking About Right Now =-.
I was going to say OOOH ID TAKE FISH OVER CHICKEN ANY DAY! but then realized that what I really mean is Id take well prepared salmon (read: not by me) over chicken.
Eh or swordfish.
but I think we arent supposed to be eating that anymore—are we?
shhhh 🙂
Yay for a fish success! Do you like smoked meat? I looooove smoked fish. We have some pretty good local stuff around here, so it helps 🙂
I think if you’re going to spend money on organic food, it should be on meat and dairy. The hormones in that stuff is scary, not to mention cruel! I too buy organic produce when it’s economically feasible, but I’m a little obsessive when it comes to washing stuff anyways 😉
.-= Susan´s last blog ..Fatty February Wrap-Up & Then Some =-.
I do like smoked meat. I keep wanting to try smoked salmon, but salmon has a pretty strong flavor to me.
OK, I will take the bagel & the nutrition page, pls! 🙂 Man, those pancakes look so good!!!!!!
I hear you on the money, if I had it, I would buy all the good stuff!
.-= Jody – Fit at 52´s last blog ..Exercise, Make It Your OWN! =-.
I try to buy organic if I can afford it, too. Some of the organic items are just very expensive! I agree with you that it is better to eat some regular fruit than some junky snack pack any day.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Fresh Start in March =-.
Your dinner looks delish! I love fish, so I’m a bit biased! I agree that it has a buttery, fresh taste.
I try to buy organic. It’s so expensive, but luckily I’m just shopping for my boyfriend and I so I can afford it now. I’m sure it will be really hard when I have a larger family to feed.
Have a great Monday!
.-= Andrea @ CanYouStayForDinner.com´s last blog ..Buffalo Chicken English Muffin Pizza =-.
great job getting more fruits and veggies in!
.-= stephchows´s last blog ..Crepes =-.
No I don’t eat organic.
I prefer chicken over fish too. I’m not a hugh fan of fish, most of it I don’t even like at all.
.-= Fran´s last blog ..A day in my life: Sunday February 28th 2010 =-.
Honestly it depends on the price. For produce, if organic is on sale or not too much more expensive I’ll get it, otherwise not. I pretty much always buy organic milk and yogurt. Meat I try to buy organic but honestly there isn’t a huge organic meat selection at my store.
.-= Ang´s last blog ..Valentine’s Day Festivities! =-.
for reason I can’t stop starting at the broccoli. do normal people crave broccoli at 8pm?
.-= Yum Yucky´s last blog ..Tasting! Kraft Singles Melt Downs =-.