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?

If only…Mondays didn’t come so fast, we would all have more time to enjoy the weekend. Or in my case enjoy having an extra pair of hands at home.

If only…the energy I feel for the 30 minutes or so following my workouts lasted longer. I went to spin class this morning and felt great afterwards. As usual though, I hit a wall by 2 pm.

If only…every day could include getting together with a good friend. Em & I met up for a fun morning and early afternoon. We hit up a Greenway walking trail close to both of us mid-morning for some strolling and talking. Around 3 miles later, hunger (and preggo bladders) could be heard calling our names on the breeze. Time for lunch!

If only…going to lunch didn’t cost money, then I could validate coming to the sandwich shop Which ‘Wich every day for lunch. Which ‘Wich is a national chain but with more sporadic locations. I’m very thankful to have one close by. The restaurant works by choosing your basic sandwich (50 options!) and then checking off all your toppings on your own personal sandwich bag.

I went with the chicken salad (basically chicken with a bit of mayo and relish) with deli mustard, horseradish, red onions, lettuce, tomato, olives, mushrooms, and red pepper on wheat. Those flavors had a little party in my mouth.

I cannot wait to go back and try some other concoctions. I believe the hummus or BLT are next on my list.

If only…my daughter understood how vital her naps are to mommy. She was a little doll baby the last 20 minutes or so of our walk with Emily. Look at her sleeping in her stroller!

Don’t let her fool you! After we got home she snoozed for a grand total of an hour. She typically gets 3 hours worth of naps through the day. As you can imagine, I wanted to scream into a pillow. Or just scream since the pillow would not have done anything with her already being awake. I love my daughter and spending time with her, but naps make or break a mother’s sanity most days.

If only…I didn’t have to cook tonight and could instead get saucy with some on-screen drama. Oh wait, I can! Peter is cooking up some blue cheese (for me) and feta (for him) meatballs with baked potatoes and green beans. I will be eating his effort in the kitchen and watching Bachelorette madness. Very, very nice.

• Give me your “if only…”
• Favorite sandwich?