No fooling around

So as today marks day one, and other friends try to challenge themselves with me, I find it funny that people seem to be encouraging resturant dining and in agreeance with no fast food.  To me they are the same,  neither place you really know what you are getting, how it was made, what the kitchen looks like, and what the real cost of making it is.

This challenge for myself, along with helping to lose weight is to help me save money.  When I realize how much it costs to purchase food at a fast food joint and or sit down restaurant it makes me cry inside.  My hopes for the next month, will be to get the cravings out of my system, to reinvent my taste pallete, and to eat better.

Traditionally on my birthday, which just so happens to be today, I would normally dish out my debit card for a $50 meal at The Cheesecake Factory.  What the hell am I paying fifty dollars for?  Because all I order is a grilled chicken avocado club sandwhich (1400 calories), fries (690 calories), a side of ranch (80 calories) and cant forget the cheesecake (800-1200 calories), and thats just one meal.  So not only am I consuming enough calories for an entire day (and plus some), but I am also wasting my money.  I cant bring myself to do that to myself anymore, at least not on a regular basis.  Now I know someone might think, ok jennifer order something else.  Silly people, those things right there are the reasons I go there, and its just easier to not torture myself.

So to the ones out there that say "Olive Garden isnt fast food", correct but its not exactly any better for you or your wallet than McDonalds.  As the cravings get less and less, I am starting to wonder what is in fast food to make it so addictive.  Is it the convience?  Is it the sick feeling after eating like you just did something wrong?  Because I for one have never ever left a fast food joint thinking to myself, "man that was the best thing I have ever eaten".

In closing, for my birthday, my sister, got me a cookbook for meals that are 350 calories or less, and i will definately be sharing the ones that I try out.  So no more fooling me calorie loving stomach, this girls food for fuel brain is taking over.

My birthday wish this year is that not only will I be able to make a change in my life, but that I reach my goal... to be healthy.