Kelly's Stellar Kitchen

I just turned 29. Snow on the ground, in the dead of winter, 29. It’s no secret that I’m not a huge fan of my birthday. It’s always been a period of reflection for me. Being on the “older” side amongst my groups of friends, I merely tolerate the gentle ribbing about being “old.”

I’m really not into the bells and whistles of things. I’ve never liked that old “waiters-sing-at-a-restaurant” hoopla.

But every year, I celebrate. When I most feel curling up and hiding under covers, I celebrate.

I celebrate because I am truly and deeply in love with my friends.

Sharing drinks, talking, laughing, and feeling the outpouring of love makes it all worthwhile.

(The cake helps.)

…so much so that my family caters to my very delicious whims.

(Don’t worry, most of it is in my freezer.)

I mentioned to all y’all on my Weight Loss and Cooking Inspiration page the wonderful Andie Mitchell of canyoustayfordinner.com. She is a skilled writer, and a true weight loss success story. I admit that I haven’t been reading her blog as much lately, because I want to make sure I stay true to my voice. It’s a challenge not to imitate someone you admire so fiercely.

Andie recently highlighted her Best Posts of 2011. If you are not familiar with her blog, I recommend you begin with the Best Posts post.

Eating Light and Getting Heavy was one of Andie’s selections, and I tend to agree. The cliff notes version is that Andie eats real food. Andie encourages you to eat real food on your weight loss journey. Minus some deviations in the form of reduced-fat dairy, I whole-heartedly agree.

It’s why I cook the way I do. It’s why I shudder when I open up jarred sauce, cringe on the nights that I have no choice but to pull a rigid pizza out of the recesses of my freezer.

I admit that I arrived at my conclusion to eat real food on my own – it is due largely to my attempt at a low(er) sodium diet, and the fact that my body  will bloat for days at a time if I let anything with over 600mg of sodium per serving pass my lips.

My real food conclusion is also due to the fact that at one point, I was down 68 pounds. I was seven (s.e.v.e.n!) pounds away from goal, and all of the 100 calorie packs in the world could not have helped me keep that from slipping through my fingers.

What I’m saying is: I gained  back 38.2 pounds in three years because I didn’t know how to eat, and when I tried, I threw all caution to the wind.

I encourage you to eat real, watch your portions carefully, and enjoy your meals for everything they’re worth.

Even if it is occasionally a frozen pizza.