First off, I loved all of your “if only” comments! There were so many good ones that I can certainly relate to. To live a carefree life like that…sigh. Unfortunately, life isn’t always rainbows and sunshine but it still is good and the little things certainly count.

Like the little rounds of joy that adorned my dinner plate last night. We had feta meatballs with baked potato and green beans. Exactly the type of balanced meal I enjoy.

Feta Meatballs (recipe originally from my friend Mandy)

Ingredients

• 1 lb package of 96% lean ground beef or turkey
• 1/2 yellow onion, diced
• 1/3 c bread crumbs
• 1 egg
• 1/2 package crumbled feta cheese

Play by Play

1. Preheat oven to 350. Combine the meat, onion, breadcrumbs, and egg in a bowl.

2. Get dirty like Christina Aguilera and mix everything with your hands.

3. Roll the meat into 8 (for larger) – 16 (for smaller) even sized meatballs and then flatten out the center. Place a sprinkling of feta into the center of each.

4. Roll back into a meatball and bake in the 350 oven for 25 minutes until done. Easy peasy!

Some adjustments

• Use another form of cheese instead of feta. I love these with blue cheese and was so sad we were out!
• Add some extra diced veggies. My store greatly disappointed me this week by not having mushrooms. I was planning on using diced baby bellas in there. Grrr!
• Sprinkle some of your favorite seasonings for extra flavor.

Nothing fancy, but they are a staple recipe in our house and typically make an appearance once a month.  If you’re a meat eater, give ‘em a try!

Warning! This recipe may cause the sudden onset of contemplation, pondering, and thoughts which are the last things you want to be worried about when attempting to get lost in the mind numbing world of Ali Fedotowsky and the hearts she is about to break. By the way…thank you Google search for enlightening me with the useless information of Ali’s last name.

Moving on. I suddenly started to consider how often we hear talk about calories. You know I’m not big on tallying up those pesky numbers, but there is still much to understand about the “C” word. Are all calories created equal?

Well, yes. A calorie IS a calorie. Whether it comes from spinach or a Luther Burger (GA’s fattiest food based on Health.com’s fatty foods of the states article) it’s all the same. For weight loss, maintenance, or gain it really does boil down to calories in versus calories out. Now before you get your panties in a bunch, do NOT think I’m saying that it doesn’t matter if we eat our daily calorie needs in the likes of fresh fruits or Runts fruits.

Because it does. And that, my friends, is why calories mean crapola in my book. There are so many more important things to consider over calories. Any of you out there stuck in the calorie game, if you instead choose to focus on nutrition I promise good things to come. A few -

• Feel more satisfied. Choose wholesome foods and you will reap the benefits of feeling fuller longer. Things like protein, fiber, healthy fats, and water volume all increase satiety and are common in foods like produce, dairy, nuts, whole grains, etc.
• Have more energy. Drink a green monster instead of a diet coke and you’ll know what I’m talking about.
• Don’t feel guilty for eating something higher calorie. When you don’t worry about the calories and choose to concentrate on a healthy balance, it is easier to recognize one piece of cake won’t deter your goals or ruin your health.
• Be more in tune with your body. When your eating habits aren’t determined by what is listed on a label you can pay attention more closely to hunger cues and what sounds appealing.

So while all calories are equal, not all foods are equal. Big difference in my book.

Now you tell me…do you count calories? What are benefits of doing so or why do you choose not to?

Hello all! Especially the couple of new readers/commenters that have been popping up in the last post or two. I am happy to hear from everyone. Speaking of which – does it seem like there are crickets chirping around the blogosphere lately? It just doesn’t seem as lively with people posting and, especially, commenting on blogs lately. I didn’t know if it was just me or what. I think it’s because summer is in the air. Not a bad thing in my book.

Many things have kept me occupied this week, that’s for sure. It may only be Wednesday, but I feel as though I have done enough for the entire week. Today I started off with a Kick class at the gym. It felt so good to be back. Then, I spent the day with a friend at her house. We planned on taking a walk with our kiddos, but the 98 degree weather quickly squelched that idea. I don’t care to die of heat stroke today, thankyaverymuch. I instead savored every moment of A/C at her place before I had to head home and pretend I was on a tropical isle. Without a dang margarita.

Swoon. Oh, what I would do for a tequila laden, salt-rimmed, tangy glass right about now. Well, I won’t harm my baby so I guess it’s all a moot point. I will simply spice things up in my life a different way.

With Mexican food, Edward, and Hot Tamales. Triple swoon!

Last night, as I mentioned, I had a ladies’ night with my mom and sister. We hit up a few things I was craving. First off would be Mexican. I told you – Mexican, BBQ, and Chinese will never lose their appeal during pregnancy. They call to me like those pesky sirens call to the seamen. I even “forgot” to eat my afternoon snack so my appetite would be suitable for Cheeky.I’ve told you before I’m in love. Instead of saying it again I will just provide the proof that jaws drop and drool flows at the sight of the beauty.

I had a taco trio plate with one fish, one crabcake, and one pork mango taco. I ate about 3/4 of each taco and most of my beans. I didn’t touch the rice. It wasn’t worthy of room in my stomach like the chips + salsa.

After dinner we had a bit of time to kill before going to see our movie. My mom mentioned wanting to break movie law!!!! get some Hot Tamales to bring with us to the movie.

I’m down with that. It would only be my 2nd favorite candy and sometimes you must use the whole pregnant-so-eat-for-two reasoning. Not every day mind you, but once in awhile is good for the soul. It’s gotta be in the Bible somewhere I tell you. And after having to stop at three different stores to find some, I certainly swooned.Yes we stopped at 3 stores because a gas station and the Target were out. Um, if you’ve been pregnant you understand the logic behind this.

Now it was time. Time….for Edward er, Eclipse.

I got swept away in the books before the movies existed and eat up the movies simply because they do such a good job of portraying the books. I also believe there is something innately sexy about Edward. Not Robert Pattinson, but the vampire. Only the vampire. It’s 100% the crazy intense passion and I think that is what draws me into these stories so much, as well as the intriguing characters and plots. You can say I’m a preteen little girl, but I like the series. So there. *stamps foot and sticks out tongue* I’m so mature. I guess it runs in the family. I’m off to celebrate my grandfather’s 89th birthday and he is not mature by any means. Ciao!

• What is your favorite thing to snack on with a movie?
• Do you enjoy the Twilight series? What is your favorite (or least favorite) thing about it?
• Does the blog world seem quieter to you recently? I think we are all naturally taking breaks. I know I had mine!