[KellyA]

Hey Y'all! I'm just popping in to put a posting here cause it is all quite and, well, I sort of like to hear myself talk. You should ask my family how chatty I am -- they wish I would shut up sometimes. Course, I work for myself and sometimes I get a wee bit lonely and/or tired of the quiet. Lonely isn't the right word because I am uncomfortable around people due to my weight (intellectually I know that is super silly).

I'm just totally happy cause I got to go grocery shopping today. I love buying healthy foods instead of junk. It's very uplifting for me Today I noticed that cashew butter was on sale for $3.99 a jar when it is normally right at $8 so I bought some. I thought I would try it out in place of the natural peanut butter I eat on occasion.

Has anyone ever tried cashew butter? I almost got almond butter, but I am a super sucker for a sale *smiles* I just wanted to introduce a new flavor to my palette. Plus the cashew butter is VERY low in sodium and that made me happy too.

Anyways, just thought I would say hello and send you all warm wishes.

[karolinakat]

Sounds tasty, let us know!

[KellyA]

I'll let you know *smiles* I will probably have some tomorrow. I always count this sort of thing as a starch & I am assuming that's ok. I don't worry much cause this way of eating works so well for me that calling a peanut butter or an almond butter or a cashew butter a starch when it's actually something else doesn't change my success rate *smiles*

I told my husband about my find and he thinks it sounds gross. *I* think, "I love cashews so why wouldn't I love cashew butter?!" It's worth a try *smiles*

Have a great weekend!!!

[Kaylagal]

Hi Kelly!

I love you got a bargain! Butjust watch the calories and fat in the nut butters. They are allowed in the maintenace phase of the RD. I love buying almond butter at my local health food store. You grind it right there on the spot! I will never buy the stuff in the jar ever again after tasting the fresh stuff!

But I don't want you plateauing so go easy on the nut butters. . (Spoken from experience)

It is so good to see you on here again. Thanks for posting and chatting with us. I love to read your posts!

Rhonda

[KellyA]

Hey Rhonda! Now you know my dirty little secret!! I decided when I came back to the RD way of eating that I wasn't going to exclude foods that I know are good for me & that I very much enjoy. So, I am not in on any phase -- I eat 7 starches, 6 vegetables, 3 fruits & one dairy every day, but I don't worry about if each bit is an "allowed" starch. So, I actually eat a nut butter nearly every day cause it is easy for me & I enjoy it. My favorite thing to eat for lunch is 3 wasa crackers & I smear on the top of each a bit of natural peanut butter (or any nut butter *smiles*) and a bit of all fruit jelly. It's like a SUPER HEALTHY peanut butter and jelly & I love it. My other favorite thing to do at lunch with this meal is to have 6 ounces vanilla soy milk (in place of my dairy for the day) -- yummy!!

The nut butters haven't slowed down my weight loss yet. If I hit a plateau I may decide to change things up a bit. I don't have them EVERY day, but I do have my PB&J most days.

Basically, I decided that if I were going to stick to this I was going to have to make choices that work for my life & fit my needs. There are some things that I absolutely enjoy that do not throw me off track, but that I denied myself previously (things like nut butters or Veggie burgers because they were too high in sodium). I make a concerted effort to eat as much no sodium added foods during my day, but if I have to have a bit more sodium than is called for to make my meal happen then I do that.

Since I am probably consuming more sodium than the recommended, I do drink more water than I used to. At the end of the day a calorie is a calorie & I have found that by sticking to the basic 7 starches, 6 vegetables, 3 fruits and 1 dairy each day I am able to be satisfied, not count calories, not have crazy cravings AND lose weight.

I'm happy ~

[KellyA]

I meant to add that I had the cashew butter with my lunch today & it wasn't a lot different from peanut butter, but yet it was. It tasted a bit more decadent & richer. I guess that is how I would describe it. I liked it *smiles* BUT since it doesn't taste a TON different than the natural peanut butter I would probably only get it when it is on sale like this time. I'm hoping that almond butter will go on sale some time too so that I can try it out

[Kaylagal]

Kelly,

Someday when I have my sea legs back on this dieta I will discuss with you my choolate cheat! Lol

It is not toally a cheat however since we are allowed some coaco each day.

We all have to do what we have to do to stick with it. It is tough trying to beat the odds stacked up against it but we are both back on here trying our best!!

Later chick!
Rhonda

[KellyA]

*smiles* Chocolate cheat! I love cheats that aren't really cheats! I try to have some chocolate oatmeal every once in a while or some chocolate soy milk. Sometimes I will have a few squares of dark chocolate. I know it isn't the greatest thing to do, but if I want to have a few squares of chocolate I will skip a fruit or a veggie to do so. I'm just doing what I have to do & making the most mindful choices at the moment

[Leeney]

Almond butter is my favorite, but alas, I don't usually keep it around. It too easily becomes a binge food for me. When my food has been very clean for a while I can take it or leave it, but right now I'm struggling to stay on track. Good stuff though, and I count it as a fat.

[KellyA]

I'm gonna have to try almond butter some day I'm disappointed in the cashew butter because the oil that I initially stirred in has no re-risen to the top so it is really difficult to get any out of the jar without me taking some out & heating it up. It annoys me so much I just don't eat the stuff Do you think if I would add some sunflower oil or similar that it would fix it?!

[Leeney]

Don't know about adding the oil, Kelly. I just don't see how adding more oil will help. One thing I've tried with my tahini (it separates too) is just turn the jar upside down on the shelf. Then when I flip it and open it up, the good stuff is on the top. Good luck and good health.

[KellyA]

Thanks Leeney!! I'll give that a try