Been trying to really get into micro-managing my food intake the last week or so in an effort to change my eating habits for the better, and to be able to get to a point in the foreseeable future where I can do that without thinking too hard about it.  As a result I’ve been developing/reworking (reworking = stealing from another source and adapting to my liking) some recipes that I can use to keep my weekly meal plan lively and not a bore.  I’ve been adding the few that I have to the Recipe Library, and as a result anyone interested can benefit from my hard work.  I list the number of servings and the big 4 macro nutrients (calories, fats, carbohydrates and proteins) in the body of the recipe for reference.

The first two to make it in are Teriyaki Chicken and Scallop Stir-Fry.  If you want to easily find the specific recipes I’m adding for meal planning, just do a search for “calorie” and select “instructions”.

Enjoy.

Learn from the past, look to the future, enjoy the present.

That’s what I’m trying to do, trying to teach myself… there are worse ways to go about living your life, and a little self-improvement isn’t a bad thing.

Another thing that I’ve known, but never really understood until recently is that happiness isn’t necessarily something handed to you on a silver platter, it’s something you have to work for.  Which makes it that much sweeter when you can have it and can maintain it.  The status quo isn’t specifically unhappiness, but it takes no effort to be miserable.  That’s like the cheap plastic keyring you win at the carnival just for playing the game.  You really have to knuckle down and work hard to win that stuffed 6′ tall pink teddy bear on the back wall — the pinnacle of the carny prize pool.  As my favorite philosopher says:

“Easy to bitch, easy to whine, easy to moan, easy to cry, easy to feel like there ain’t nothing in your life.  Harder to work, harder to strive, harder to be glad to be alive… but its really worth it if you give it a try.”

- Fred LeBlanc

I’m trying, dear Fred, I’m trying.  I’ve been working my ass off to be happy and I think its been paying off.  Not huge sums, but at least tiny dividends and that’s a good start.  I’m not completely miserable all the time, I’m actually maintaining a pretty good demeanor with brief periods of backsliding (AngerMan bubbles to the surface and I try to keep him in check).

Also, it appears that these two guys were separated at birth:

I’m broke but I’m happy, I’m poor but I’m kind… I’m short but I’m healthy.  Yeah.  I’m high but I’m grounded.  I’m sane (but I’m overwhelmed!), I’m lost — but I’m hopeful baby.  What it all comes down to is that every thing’s gonna be fine, fine, fine… I’ve got one hand in my pocket and the other one is giving a high five.

I feel drunk but I’m sober.  I’m young and I’m underpaid: I’m tired but I’m working (yeah?).  I care but I’m worthless, I’m here… but I’m really gone.  I’m wrong, and I’m sorry baby.  What it all comes down to is that every thing’s gonna be quite alright — I’ve got one hand in my pocket and the other one is flicking a cigarette.

What it all comes down to is that I haven’t got it all figured out just yet.  I’ve got one hand in my pocket, and the other one is giving the peace sign.

I’m free but I’m focused.  I’m green, but I’m wise.  I’m shy… but I’m friendly baby.

I’m sad but I’m laughing, I’m brave but I’m chicken shit.  I’m sick but I’m pretty baby.  And what it all boils down to is that no one’s really got it figured out just yet: I’ve got one hand in my pocket and the other one is playing the piano.

What it all comes down to my friends is that every thing’s just fine.  Fine.  FINE!  I’ve got one hand in my pocket (and the other one is hailing a taxicab).