AI'm glad that you found something that is working for you. I do own a juicer, but I only really used it for the first couple of weeks after I bought it. I like making juice with it, but I feel bad for wasting all of the pulp that is left over... I also feel like I should be eating the pulp for fiber and stuff. I also don't like to do a lot of fruits or starchy veggies like carrots because I've found that I consume a lot more of them, and the sugar content is really high, and sugar/simple carbs makes me pack on pounds like WHAT. I definitely like your idea of having big glasses of water in the morning... my boyfriend always tells me I would sleep better if I were better hydrated, so I sleep with a glass near by bed and try and chug one before I go to sleep... but one in the morning sounds good. I always bring a tea with me in the car, so that counts... for something.
Also, I am a semi-vegetarian... I buy meat replacers whenever it's convenient... I use garden burger, Trader Joes, Morningstar, Gimme Lean, and whatever else I see in the vegetarian aisle because I really do like meat, but it's often fewer calories.. especially if it's a cook out or something and I want to eat a brat. Some of the vegetarian brats are SO GOOD and they have 1/3 the calories of regular pork brats. I also replace a lot of protein in meals with lentils, garbanzo beans, black beans, great northern beans, tofu, and eggs because it's cheaper. However, I don't scorn meat or anything, like we have a packet of ham in the fridge and I'll eat it on my breakfast sandwich until it's gone, but I won't buy more (it's from when my mom housesat for us... she likes sandwiches). But if I go out to dinner, I'd rather have a simple steak and some steamed veggies because then at least I know it's not some crazy pasta with fat-filled sauce for a zillion calories. Really it's more of a cost-cutting thing.. it's cheaper to put lentils in spaghetti sauce than ultra lean ground beef... or it's cheaper to have hardboiled eggs and vegetables for lunch than a sandwich with meat and processed breads.
It's amazing to me when I am craving pasta or something, I will weigh out 112g of whole-wheat pasta (2 servings, one for me, one for the BF) and start cooking it.. and then I will make a vegetable to go on top or in the sauce.. I throw whatever I want in there.. zucchinis, onion, spinach, kale, mushrooms, artichoke, bell peppers, sliced carrots, lentils, etc. and then I mix everything evenly together and it makes the BIGGEST PORTION EVER. I am always happy when I make that, because I love to eat until I'm full, especially on rest days when I like to get full and lazy, and I can eat and eat for almost no calories... 200 for the serving of pasta, then maybe 75 for all the veggies combined and 100 for the tomato sauce.. plus a sprinkle of parmesan on top. Greatest. meal. ever.
