I took eating for two seriously when I was pregnant with Kate. I ate first breakfast, second breakfast, morning snack, lunch, afternoon snack, dinner, bed snack and sometimes a snack in the night when I couldn’t sleep. I blithely ignored the nurse’s diplomatic suggestions that I might find it hard to lose the weight afterwards. I thought how hard could it be to lose a few pounds? (I would like to go back and smack that version of myself and that cookie out of my hand)
A few weeks after Kate was born I was horrified to discover that I was forty pounds over my pre-pregnancy weight. I eventually lost fifteen pounds and then gave up and started the project of cooking my way through the Silver Palate. The Silver Palate is the exact opposite of a diet book. Their motto seems to be “Why use half a cup of butter when a cup is so much better?” The food was rich and wonderful and I loved building my new repertoire of dishes even if it meant wearing elastic pants.
This past January when Kate was eighteen months old, I printed the photos from Christmas and cried a little as I put them into the album. I made a New Year’s resolution to stick to a diet until I fit into my wedding ring. Dieting took a lot of joy out of my life (i.e. chocolate) and the only thing that has got me through is my one treat a week from the Silver Palate. Even if it is a small taste, I still get to enjoy something delicious every week. This week I’m celebrating reaching my goal of fitting into my wedding ring and having lost thirty pounds. To celebrate, I chose the Silver Palate Lime Mousse. Described as one of their most popular desserts, I would agree that it is wonderful. It has a heavenly whipped texture with a strong lime flavour. The mousse is very tart and refreshing and the perfect palate cleanser at the end of a meal. I served it with brownies as suggested by the Silver Palate and I’m told they were the perfect accompaniment (I did not partake). Recipe here.
So while the Silver Palate may not rank high on the healthy eating lists, it is definitely the place to look when you want to treat yourself and your loved ones to a delectable meal.
One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating.”
Luciano Pavarotti
Congratulations Alex on losing 30 lbs! You are definitely a woman who puts her mind to something and then accomplishes her goal! I have to say I admire your discipline. I hadn’t read your blog in a long while… nice to hear you’re still at it with the Silver Palate AND somehow losing weight at the same time.
Sounds like you will be a chef extraordinaire by the end…
Congratulations Alex! I have fought pre-baby weight for 10 years, then post-baby weight for 47 years! And your Uncle Malcolm loses weight by eating whatever he wants! Is life fair?
Thanks Delia. I have been told that losing the weight is easier than keeping it off so I guess it is a life long struggle ahead of me.
30 pounds! Impressive…. you have to give me your secrets…. I am now trying to get rid of my combined baby weight from both kiddies. It sucks. Way to go!
Thanks Jesse. The baby weight is just another one of those things that you don’t think about before kids.