Recovery snack ideas

I love my snacks.... it works best for me to eat 6 small meals a day instead of 3. I'll admit that my snacks  during the day have gotten kind of boring... cereal, string cheese, fruit, pretzels, graham crackers... really boring. My night snack is usually much more interesting... Toast with peanut butter and banana, hot chocolate, and lately mug cakes!! (I'll give recipes later in the post). Really the options are endless! I want to amp up my snacks a little bit so maybe this will inspire me as well :)

Yogurt and granola: a classic snack, also good for breakfast.  Pile on yogurt ( I like Greek yogurt with honey), granola, fruit, nuts seeds... have fun with it. A bowl of deliciousness. Healthy, and packs a lot of nutrition. You can do other cereals too... cinnamon toast crunch ,frosted flakes, cheerios (I like honey nut), cocoa puffs, captain crunch... whatever you like! I enjoy making a mix of different cereals. so yummy.

Poptarts: That's right, poptarts! I went through a period of time when my stomach was really upset and all I could eat were poptarts... I like maple and brown sugar, but chocolate ones are good and so are some of the fruity ones. I like using them like bread and putting peanut butter between two, and then sliced banana... and pb banana sandwich but better because the "bread" is really delicious. Try all the flavors!!

Cake in a mug: I made this last night. I made a chocolate cake, that's right, in the microwave. 1/4 cup flour, 2 tbsp sugar, 2 tbsp vegetable oil, 1/4 tsp baking powder, 2 tbsp cocoa, 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp milk, 1 tbsp nutella... mix together the ingredients then put a drop of nutella on top and microwave for 70 or so seconds. Mine turned out just ok last night... still looking for the best recipe. Top with ice cream, yogurt, fruit, nuts, peanut butter, hot fudge... make a sundae! You can also buy Betty Crocker "warm delights" which come with cake mix and fudge and all you have to do is add water and put in the microwave. They are really really delicious. I went through a period of time where I ate LOTS of these. There are several flavors... fudge, brownie, chocolate chip cookie, cinnamon.. yum.

Trail mix: Trail mix is AWESOME when you make it yourself. Add all the stuff you like and you have a handy on-the-go snack to enjoy. You can put almonds, peanuts, walnuts, macadamia nuts, sunflower seeds, granola, pretzels, chocolate chips, m&ms, yogurt chips, chocolate covered nuts, chocolate covered raisins, yogurt covered nuts, yogurt covered raisins, raisins, craisins, prunes, apricots, dried apples, rice crackers, any kind of cereal... the possibilities are endless. Have fun with this!!

Crackers with cheese or peanut butter or jelly or butter or turkey or other deli meats. There are all kinds of options. Pair with an apple, peach, pear, plum, any kind of fruit and you have a protein filled, tasty snack to enjoy.

Smoothies: You can make all kinds of smoothies and drinks in the blender. This morning I had a really delicious smoothie for breakfast... peanut butter, banana, strawberries, spinach, soy milk, chocolate sauce, oats... really really tasty. You can add yogurt, juice, fruits, nut butters, coconut oil, and if you want more of a milk shake add ice cream, milk, heavy cream, chocolate syrup, caramel syrup, strawberry syrup.... and then yesterday I made a "frappuccino" with soy milk and coffee and syrup. It was pretty good... needed more substance though. Maybe more milk, or more syrup, or maybe a banana to thicken it up. I'll have to experiment with that one. :)

These are just some ideas... the possibilities for snacks are endless. Leftovers from another meal, sandwiches, eggs, other breakfast foods, dinner foods, lunch foods..... anything really! Enjoy yourself. Eat what sounds good. Eat what you think will taste really yummy. Listen to your taste buds and have fun!!

Do you have any other snack ideas??

Snack ideas!

Bubble tea!

Today I got brown sugar milk tea with boba at Trinitea. And it was delicious!! Don't know the calories and really... Who cares?? I enjoyed sitting with my friend and we talked and drank and it was fun :)

Can barely wait for tomorrow!!

I can barely wait for tomorrow! I see my therapist in the morning and we are going to talk about my moving; when it's happening, where I will live. I AM SO EXCITED!!! Independence is just around the corner!

Tonight, after a hard family therapy session, I have decided to reward myself with a big frozen yogurt. I got vanilla bean, blueberry, and cake batter (I think... I can't fully remember hah). I had trouble with the frozen yogurt last time I ate it, so this time I plan to be more successful. All food is healthy and fits into a balanced diet. Everything in moderation is JUST FINE!

Night snack

I used to dread night snack. By the end of the day I am just so full and uncomfortable. But lately I've been looking forward to my bed time snack as I've made it things that taste really good.

Tonight I'm doing my favorite of the moment... Almond butter banana toast and a tea latte. It's really yummy.

Feeling insecure about my body tonight. Feel swollen and kind of puffy. I know it's the end of the day, though, and I will wake up light and refreshed in the morning. It's been three whole days without one behavior and it feels good :) I have energy; I feel like myself. I'm still obsessive about my food, I am trying NOT to count calories, but I'm getting everything in AND keeping everything down and that's a huge success.

Had a family session with my parents today and it went well. We are getting along for the first time ever... Seriously the first time ever, and it feels amazing. I feel loved and cared for and not judged or hated. I'm making my way out of the "identified patient" role and entering into healthy adulthood, with an adult to parent relationship with my family. I feel ready. It's time. My parents missed most of my teen years and they can't make those years come back, but we are repairing things now. I wish someone had stepped in and saved our family when I was 16. It didn't happen. But we still have time to cultivate a positive relationship and it's happening.

Next week we will be talking about my eating disorder, why it started, when it started, and why it's persisted for so long: I'm nervous because it's very personal and a lot of my reasons are embarrassing and I've kept secret for so long. But I don't need to be ashamed... It's hard because I feel so much guilt and shame... But honesty may set me free, who knows? It will be scary being open with my parents about some of my deepest darkest secrets, but maybe it will be better if they are out in the open. I got sick for a reason. And maybe I don't have to feel so alone anymore. 

Kind of a hard day

I don't know how to deal with feeling hungry... and as a result it's been a hard day. Lots of behaviors, which I hadn't had much of in a while. I'm disappointed for sure. Wanted to make today stronger, more solid.

Tomorrow is a new day.

I went to a yogurt shop and bought myself a frozen yogurt for later tonight's snack. Coconut and banana yogurt, and I will put fresh banana and almonds on it. YUM
And then I will keep it down because my body knows what to do with the food... My body knows what to do, my body knows what to do, my body knows what to do. Arg. I wish this wasn't so hard. Having behaviors feels so natural, so automatic. I need to FIGHT to do the healthy thing.

It IS possible to be healthy. I can do this.

You can do this.

Keep fighting.

Meals today

Breakfast: Oatmeal with banana, almonds, toast with cream cheese, cinnamon, and sugar

Snack: Fiber cereal, raisins, string cheese

Lunch: Turkey sub sandwich, carrots, apple slices

Snack: Apple, pretzels, string cheese, almonds

Dinner: Cheesy pasta with asparagus and broccoli

Snack: PB banana sandwich with honey and a tea latte :)

What did you eat today?

Today's meal plan

Just recovered from a huge meltdown after dinner... I was so full and uncomfortable I just found myself sobbing in a pile on the floor. Embarrassing. But I'm feeling better now. This stomach pain needs to go away! 

Here's all the stuff I kept down today!

Breakfast: 1/2 bagel with strawberry cream cheese, egg, veggie sausage, strawberries, and a soy latte

Snack: bran flakes, banana, soy milk

Lunch: Turkey sub sandwich, carrots, and strawberries

Snack: Pretzels, apple, string cheese, almonds

Dinner: Chicken tacos, refried beans, green beans

Snack: Almond butter banana sandwich, soy hot chocolate :) My favorite!

Nutritious, healthy food for the body. 

Wish I could enjoy it more. 

High calorie recipes for weight gain!

Peanut Butter and Banana Stuffed French Toast

1/2 cup granola
8 slices of white bread
1/4 cup peanut butter
2 teaspoon honey
1 banana, peeled and thinly sliced 1/2 cup whole milk

2 large eggs
1 1/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon ground cinamon
1 1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter maple syrup

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the granola in a shallow bowl; set aside.
Spread each slice of bread with peanut butter. Drizzle honey evenly over peanut butter. Divide the banana slices among four slices of the bread; top with the remaining bread, peanut butter sides down. Remove the crusts and tightly pinch the edges of each sandwich together to seal.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, sugar, vanilla, and cinnamon. Soak each sandwich in the egg mixture for 5 seconds. Roll the edges of each sandwich in granola.
In a large skillet, heat the butter over medium-high heat. Add the sandwiches, working in batches if necessary; cook about 2 minutes per side or until golden. Transfer the sandwiches to a baking sheet; bake for 10 minutes. Serve immediately with maple syrup.
*Recipe courtesy Jamie and Bobby Deen from their cookbook Y'all Come Eat

L’s Muffins

1 stick (8 tablespoons) butter 1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

2 mashed bananas
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup sour cream
2 to 2 1/2 cups chopped walnuts or pecans

Mix the butter and sugar; add the eggs. In a separate bowl, mix the dry ingredients, than add to the butter/sugar/egg mixture. Add banana, sour cream, and vanilla. Stir. Add the nuts.
Pour batter into nonstick pans with 4 large muffin tins. Bake at 325 degrees for 15 minutes. Test with a fork or toothpick to make sure the centers are fully cooked. If not, keep checking every 5 minutes until done. Between 800 and 1,000 calories per muffin. 

Oatmeal
1/2 cup oatmeal
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/3 cup water (to make it less thick) 1/4 cup raisins
Cook these ingredients for 2-3 minutes in the microwave. Then add 1/4 cup sunflower seeds or nuts, 1/2 banana, 1 scoop protein powder.
Mix. About 1,000 calories. 

Granola
2 cups granola (we used almond-raisin) 1 cup yogurt
raspberry jam (optional)
Mix. Enjoy. About 1,100 calories

1,200 Calorie Shake

Our doctor “prescribed” one of these a day for our daughter. Iʼm convinced they were a crucial element in her recovery. The key is to use a high-calorie ice cream. Haagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerryʼs are usually the best.
2 cups Haagen-Dazs ice cream 1/2 to 1 cup whole milk
Blend ingredients in a milkshake maker or blender. Serve with a straw.

Delicious Hot Cocoa
Claireʼs Delicious Cocoa
1/3 cup carnation instant breakfast powder (chocolate)
1 packet instant cocoa of your choice
1 cup half and half
Optional: We often add an additional dollop of heavy cream in the cocoa or a squirt of whipped cream on top
Put the instant breakfast mix and cocoa mix into a mug. Pour warm half and half over it. Whip with a small whisk or fork.

Seems scary I know! But these foods are tasty and so good for someone who's gaining weight! Which will YOU try?? 

Healthy snacks!

Feeling inspired!