Looking for a dinner idea for tonight? Well, you don’t have to go any further because do I have a good one for you! Just swing by the store to pick up some spaghetti squash and tofu. I promise it will be worth it!

For dinner last night, I had a few things on my mind. I wasn’t quite sure how my hankerings would partner up, but they played nice. I followed my gut and allowed my taste buds to reap the rewards.

A couple weeks ago, Nasoya offered me some free product coupons to review the brand’s new Tofu Plus version. I immediately said yes.

I love tofu for its versatility, and I really love the Nasoya brand. The “plus” version comes fortified with important vitamins that a meat-free diet can commonly lack, such as B vitamins. Cool!

For the tofu, I decided to go with some Parmesan Tofu Nuggets a la Beth’s recipe. When I saw them on her blog last week, I knew I had to make them! 

I pressed the tofu, cut the block into "nuggets” and followed Beth’s recipe. Baked the little guys up and plated them up with some basic marinara for dipping fun.

When deciding on this recipe, I couldn’t figure out what to have as a side. While perusing the produce section, my eyes caught sight of a perfectly sized spaghetti squash. My cravings settled.

As I cooked dinner, I realized I didn’t want to do the same ole same ole with the squash. Besides, dousing it with marinara would take away the nugget dipping fun.

So, I made a game time decision and pulled out a wedge of Garlic & Herb Laughing Cow cheese.  Love those little wedges. They provide such creamy flavor so easily!

Want to know what you get when you mix one of those babies with spaghetti squash?

A surprisingly creamy and rich tasting side that couldn’t possibly include vegetables. Except it does. And it’s fabulous. And you must give it a try!

I scooped mine up forkful after forkful with a pile of zucchini, mushrooms, and onions. I don’t believe I have put together a dinner this good in quite some time! Or at least not since the night before with that quinoa blend. I’m eating well this week, that’s for sure!

“It Tastes Just Like..” Pet Peeve

Now, this dish isn’t meant to compare to some chicken parmesan and pasta alfredo. Besides, I wouldn’t want it to! Actually, when people claim a recipe tastes JUST LIKE something else, I always roll my eyes. Because, no…it usually doesn’t taste JUST LIKE the original.

Banana Soft Serve does not taste just like a pint of Ben & Jerry’s.

Drinking a pumpkin smoothie is not like eating a slab of pumpkin pie.

A black bean burger does not taste just like a beef burger.

“Cookies” made from ground up nuts and dates do not taste just like a gooey, warm from the oven chocolate chip cookie.   

And spaghetti squash does not taste just like pasta.

What do I have to say to that? It’s OKAY if they don’t! In fact, a lot of the options still taste just as dang good, if not better, in their own right!

I understand wanting to make things sound more appealing by comparing it to a classic favorite. I know I have done it myself. I just wonder when the day will come that making a healthy dinner or dessert doesn’t lend itself to needing some “ohhhh…it’s just like _____” promise. Let those creations speak for themselves! Just my two cents.  

• What’s a food comparison of “It tastes just like ____” that you don’t agree with? Got any good ones? Biggie for me = Tofu Shirataki  noodles. They are not like pasta…and they are just NASTY to me!
• Any pet peeves you want to get off your chest? I’m all ears!

It seems like it should come so naturally. But it doesn’t. And, honestly, I’m a little afraid. Especially since the time has come.

First, Makenzie’s birthday.

Then…Halloween.

Then the many traditions our family has in the fall that includes good food.

You can imagine what comes next. Thanksgiving. Christmas parties. Christmas dinners. Treats passed out every which way you turn. Holiday baking.

Food. Food. Food. Food.

What am I getting at with all of this?

Maintenance.

I have a slight fear. Will I be able to keep maintaining the progress I have worked so hard towards? I have so far, but what about over the holidays?

You see…I feel kind of lost when it comes to holiday maintenance. Why? Because I have NEVER done it in all the years that I actually cared about my health.

Literally, NEVER! In other words, since high school, the holidays has been a time to pack on the pounds.

old school picture of mine and Peter’s first Thanksgiving together – towards the beginning of overcoming my binge eating struggles

In high school and the first two years of college, I just ate a lot. Then, my junior year of college I went on vacation to Disney world and ate my way through the week with a “new healthy plan” to start at the New Year.

That “new healthy plan” was the beginning of my food obsession and control techniques. For the next few years, the holidays were a never ending binge and restrict cycle that always ended with me “giving up and starting fresh on January first”. It also ended with the scale reading a good 10 pounds more. At least. For me to restrict my way back down from later on.

Finally, my relationship with food changed…but the holidays still weren’t for maintenance.

Four years ago – I was trying to conceive Makenzie and on the tail end of binging issues. Three years ago – I was a first time and new mom, who didn’t even think of the word “healthy” the first 6 weeks post-partum. Two years ago – I was having to force myself to gain weight in order to regain my cycle post fitness competition. One year ago, I was pregnant with a sweet tooth that wouldn’t stop and supposed to gain weight, of course.

It’s not an exaggeration. I have NEVER maintained my weight over the holidays and for some reason I find myself struggling with the concept.

Quite frankly, that pisses me off!

I KNOW what works for me to have a healthy balance. I KNOW what to do to stay on track. I KNOW I can work dang hard to care for myself.

So why in the heck am I not trusting myself to do the same for the next 2.5 months?

Just because I haven’t been able to before doesn’t mean I won’t be able to now. I cannot let doubt get in the way. Who am I to doubt myself?

I know what to do and I will do it. Look for another post coming on my “maintenance game plan”. But in essence, I will have my (pumpkin cheese)cake and I will eat it too.

I refuse to not enjoy the celebration that comes with this time of year we are fast approaching. But, more importantly, I refuse…REFUSE…to go back to my old ways. Who wants to knock the crap out of doubt with me?

• Is there a healthy habit you sometimes doubt in yourself?