10 Ways to Maintain your Weight -- and why I hate the word "Skinny"

I hate the word "Skinny". Have you ever dropped a few pounds and had a girlfriend exclaim "Oh my God! You're so skinny!". Like it's a good thing to be skinny? And for the record, I have NEVER been skinny in my entire life. Skinny, for me, is a term reserved for under nourished Runway Models; not for us every-day-totally-normal-(but still super hot) gals.

I thought about how I hate this word when I came across the following list from the website Girls Guide To (a totally cool site btw). I wanted to share this list of 10 "lazy" ways to maintain your weight or even drop a pound or two. I wouldn't call it a list to stay Skinny. You won't look like this model by following the tips on this list, nor should you ever want to look like that. But these tips are a really good guideline for maintaining your ideal HEALTHY weight. On the Girls Guide To site these tips are called 10 Lazy Ways to Stay Skinny, but sorry GGT, that is an ugly term we don't use on Planet MelMac. These tips are also similar to what Weight Watchers advises it's clients to follow to lose and maintain weight, so that is why I am sharing them with you.

1. Don't deprive yourself

You really can enjoy all the foods you love. The key here is moderation, because no single food makes you gain weight. Instead, it’s all about the portion sizes you enjoy. 

2. Eat until you feel satisfied, not full
Even though it’s old-fashioned, this rule is actually very helpful: put down your fork between every bite. Not only will you savor your meal more, it will also help you realize when to stop eating before you feel bloated or too full. 

3. Make sure half your plate contains veggies
Vegetables are filled with fiber and water so they keep you fuller longer without filling you out. 

4. Stay hydrated
Did you know sometimes that feeling of hunger is actually just thirst? Make sure you’re getting your eight glasses of water a day to prevent that problem.  

5. Make sure your intake isn't top heavy
I’m super guilty of this one. But, if you restrict yourself all day, you’re much more likely to break down at night and overindulge. Combat those late night munchies by eating more substantially (but healthy) during the day. 

6. Don't eat in front of the TV
When you’re mindlessly snacking in front of the TV or computer, you’ll end up consuming more than you realize. If you must snack, do so away from the TV and choose fiber rich snacks like popcorn, fruit, or trail mix. 

7. Know that exercise isn't everything
Regular exercise is important, but going to the gym doesn't mean you should reward yourself with a monstrous dessert later on. Eating well, and not just exercise, will really determine whether you lose or gain weight. 

8. No eating after dinner
Calories give us energy and you don’t need energy to sleep. 

9. Don't eat out of the bag
When you’re snacking, and not in front of the TV, make sure you’re pouring an appropriate portion onto a plate or bowl. This way you can measure how much you’re consuming before you finish off an entire bag. 

10. No seconds
You really just don’t need them. That fullness feeling can take some time to settle in, so before you reach for another plate allow your body some time to digest. If you wait just 20 minutes, you’ll realize you really aren't that hungry. 

Finally....
To show you that these tips really do work, below is a comparison of me about 6 months ago and now. I lost weight not by working my ass off at the gym or following the latest and greatest diet fad, but by using those tips above and tracking what I ate. It works!

Stripes and the City

So sorry I have been MIA, this week has been a little busier than normal with work. As a result my mind has been in a stupor from the time I get home until bedtime so my blogging brain has been on hiatus!

 Top: Forever 21

Jeans: Jessica Simpson Kiss me Jeggings, seen here and here

Shoes: Aldo White Wedges

Just playing around in the bathroom, ya know....totally normal behavior :-)

I  love this shirt from Forever 21 that I bought while in Colorado for a work trip many years ago. I was super thrilled when I saw it on TV during an episode of The City (GAWD I miss that show). Some girl that worked at Diane Von Furstenberg with Whitney Port was wearing this very shirt! I wish I had a screen shot to show you but sadly I don't :-(

Upon closer inspection of this shirt in the picture above I see a tear happening under the armpit! Oh no! I guess this fav of mine is on it's last legs. I hadn't notice this rip this morning because a) I am NOT a morning person so I am in a haze for the better part of 7am to about 10am and b) the rip was in a place that wasn't super obvious.

Are you like me, do you get sentimental about pieces of clothing and die a little inside when you have to throw it away?

The BEST recipe you will ever make!

Ok, I can't even believe that I am sharing this recipe because it is my go-to, crowd pleasing, oohhhing and ahhhhhing masterpiece. Anytime I have made this, I have been praised and even kissed because it is THAT good. Is this dish good for you? Hells no! It is meant as a special occasion side dish so save up those calories when you make it.

I have given this recipe to those I love countless times so I am sharing it with you as a way to show my appreciation for those that have been reading my blog. If you make this, I warn you, you may be required to make it at any dinner event for years to come (as I have)!

The Love Gnocchi

Ingredients

4-5 Shallots roughly chopped

3-5 Cloves of garlic roughly chopped

4 Tbsp butter, add more if needed

½ jar of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil (get the kind that are chopped already)

1 cup of heavy whipping cream (get the pint sized in case you need to add more cream if your sauce gets too thick)

1 package of Fontina cheese diced

½ package of pine nuts

1 package of Gnocchi potato pasta

Salt and pepper

Directions

1) Heat the butter in a large non stick pan over medium-low heat; add about a tablespoon of the oil from the sundried tomato jar (or add your own oil) to raise the burn temp of the butter. 
2) Once the butter is melted and just bubbling, add the shallots and cook for 5-7 mins until soft. Meanwhile, start a pot of water to boil as per the directions on the Gnocchi package.  
3) Add the garlic and cook for another 2 mins. 
4) Stir in the sun-dried tomatoes and cook for another 5 mins until everything is well combined and the shallots are golden brown.  Add salt and pepper to taste.

5) Add the cheese and a small pour of the cream (a couple of Tablespoons should do it); stir frequently. You may raise the heat a little on the stove to help the cheese melt but make sure that nothing is burning. 
6) By now your pot of water should be boiling; cook the gnocchi following the directions on the package. The pasta takes only about 5 mins to cook; it is ready when the gnocchi floats to the surface. 
7) As your gnocchi is boiling into little puffs of heaven, in the pan add the rest of the cream and cook on MED heat until all of cheese is melted and the sauce has thickened (about 7 mins). Keep stirring to help the sauce combine. Add more cream if your sauce gets too thick. It shouldn't be runny but it shouldn't be goopy either!

8) Drain the pasta and transfer to an oven safe casserole dish. Pour the sauce over the gnocchi and lightly toss. 
9) Sprinkle the pine nuts over the top of this pasta until covered and heat under to the broiler in your oven until golden brown and bubbling and don’t take your eyes off it (about 2-3 mins).

This is the final product! 

This pairs beautifully with a nice Filet steak and any robust red wine (like a Shiraz). The sauce is gooey and rich and the gnocchi are like fluffy decadent bobbles that melt in your mouth. I hope you enjoy my special Love Gnocchi. If you have any questions, please leave a comment and I will get back to you!