March 26, 2006

Scattered, Smothered, Covered

Sarah and I ate at Waffle House this morning. We sat at the counter because it was crowded. We saw all the action behind the counter, from one of the grill-people cracking eggs with one hand while she flipped eggs with the other, to the waitstaff calling our orders left and right. I had a thought. Someone (okay, me) should make a documentary about Waffle House. It could cover everything from how the cooks place the items like condiments and pickles on the plates to indicate what entrees go on there, to the types of people who work there, to the regular customers. Doesn't this sound like a good idea?

Posted by Nakia at 09:25 PM | Comments (4)

September 30, 2005

Bojangles Update

No Bo today, but I did have a morning Coke at, well, McDonalds.

I suck.

Posted by Nakia at 01:29 PM | Comments (2)

September 29, 2005

Bojangles is the new McDonalds

Hi, my name is Nakia, and I have a problem. . .

I guess it all started back in college. McDonalds was the only place close to campus. We'd go there after fraternity meetings. I'd run by on my way to class. Sometimes, Daniel and Kirk and I would go eat Egg McMuffin's after our Health and Exercise class. Nothing like a McMuffin and a cigarette after running 1.5 miles.

When I moved to Texas, I discovered that a McDonald's coke first thing in the morning was sublime. Maybe it was the fizz, or the sugar, or the way they mixed it all together, but I loved it. A sausage McMuffin with egg and a coke did me right, got me going. I was on a McDonald's coke a day habit for three, maybe four years. It lasted well after I moved from Texas. It didn't help that the damned things were everywhere -- right across from my office, right on my way to work. You can't escape them.

I gradually gave up the McDonald's food. Swore off of it for Lent, then managaged to extend the fast. The cokes kept on though. $1.07 in the AM was all it took. I rode the sugar/caffine snake day in and day out.

Not sure what it was that made me stop. One Lent, I think, I just gave up fast food alltogether. I wouldn't set foot in a restraunt that had a drive-thru, and I certainly wouldn't drive-thru. I stil had the occasional coke in the morning, though. Mostly I got them at the bagel joint in Charlottesville. They were really fizzy; just the way I liked them. Gradually, I gave those up, too. No coke in the morning, no fast food at all.

Now, though, I've fallen off the wagon. Not McDonalds though. I've only eaten or gotten a coke at a McDonald's once in the past year, to my regret. Now, it's Bojangles. Sausage biscuit and small pepsi (it's even pepsi, how low have I sunk!). I don't know what it is. The slighly spicy sausage? The fluffy biscuit? The fact that $2.25 is all it takes? What's next, waiting for my wife to leave for work then running to the jangles drive through on my way to the office. Wait, I did that! Is this rock bottom? I don't know, but I do know my craving is writing checks my body can't cash. I do know I can't go on like this. I have my wife to think of. I've got a good job. I can't put all this in jeopardy. . .

I need help. 12 steps, sponsor, whatever it takes. I just want to get better.

Posted by Nakia at 12:34 PM | Comments (4)

August 05, 2005

Eating update

Since Sarah has gotten here, my eating habits have returned to a normal range. I've returned to about 12oz of Coke per day (some days more, some days less). We're cooking at home quite a bit. Wednesday night Sarah cooked salmon with dill sauce, peas, and Rice (well, rice-a-roni). My big weakness so far is the wings at a local sports bar -- Lukes. The wings are great, with the best teryaki wings I've ever had. The place is pretty inexpensive, too. Since Sarah and I have yet to get cable, we end up there once per week to eat wings and watch baseball. Probably need to cut back on the wings.

We've also joined the local YMCA, so I was at the gym three times this week. That's a good thing. The Y isn't the fanciest place in the world, but it's inexpensive and convienent for us. It's only a couple of blocks from my office. We were spoiled in Charlottesville, since Sarah worked for the nicest gym ever and we got free memberships as a result.

Sarah's younger sister is here this weekend, so we'll be out and about a lot. I've no doubt we'll be eating out quite a bit as well. Next week, though, I'm going to pick a "no soda day" and try to avoid Cokes and the like on that day of the week from now on. In fact, I'll take suggestions as to what day it should be. I'll be teaching Tuesdays & Thursdays in the fall, so it should probably NOT be one of those days. But the other days are open. Thanks for all the encouragment on the new eating plan thus far.

Posted by Nakia at 10:13 AM | Comments (1)

July 23, 2005

Easing into new habits

I don't like the word "diet" because that suggests a temporary thing, when what I am trying to do is fundamentally change my eating habits. Since I was finally able to get groceries, things have gotten better already. I'm eating cereal and turkey sausage for breakfast instead of Waffle House. The past two days, I have only had one Coke per day. Last night I broiled some pork chops and had some green beans. I did have a few (reduced fat) chocoalte chip cookies and milk for dessert.

I've been grading papers all morning, but now I'm off to get some lunch. Then I'm headed into Charlotte to find a comic book/gaming store.

Sarah will be here tonight. Yeah!

Posted by Nakia at 12:14 PM | Comments (1)