Happy New Year!

All I could think last night, as the clock struck midnight, was, "Wow, so this is what it's like not to cry and be depressed on New Years!"

Every year, I have the same reaction to New Years' Eve.  I cry, I mope, I'm depressed and I feel guilty.  I don't honestly know if I've ever actually made a New Years' resolution to lose weight.  I wouldn't have bothered, because announcing your intentions only to forget you did so the next day...well, there's nothing impressive about that.  I know for sure that I've never made a resolution to be more positive.  I wouldn't even have thought to do that.  I was pretty comfortable in my negativity - it felt like home.  And, that's so sad.

This year, though, I had no tears.  I am officially down 15 pounds since I started this blog.  I have comfortably adjusted into this diet.  I started out a bit too severe, making myself kind of sick, and slowly and thoughtfully opened myself up to more food options, rounding things out a bit better.  I still eat very, very minimal processed foods and no red meat.  We've been eating a lot of fish.  I make sure I eat tons of veggies, and I keep my sodium low.  I think I was actually keeping it too low, as I wasn't eating much sodium at all, so I make sure to get enough to stay healthy.  The body does need salt, after all.  I drink a lot more water, especially when I feel hungry, and I don't drink milk or eat cheese.  I think I've eaten a few pieces of potato here and there, but overall, no simple starches.

I have also discovered a love for butternut squash.  Who knew?  I should say that I loathe squash.  I still dislike regular squash - I find it slimy and bland.  I can't get over the texture.  Same reason I seriously dislike eggplant.  I had had butternut squash on several occasions, but I could never get into it..  I always had the requisite dollop on Thanksgiving, but I hated every bite.

This Thanksgiving, however, my boyfriend and I were invited to a new friend's home, to enjoy the holiday (and the food!) with her and her family.  Keely is a new friend, but we meshed immediately, and I can't say enough amazing things about her (and, her gorgeous family).  Anyhow!  Keely made butternut squash.  When I saw it cooking on the stove, I balked.  I wasn't rude and I didn't say anything, but I wasn't super excited about it.  But, requisite dollop, right?

Keely made the squash differently, though.  I don't know exactly what went into it, but I'd venture not much.  It was simply pureed and retained all of it's flavor and texture.  Where I've had sugar on top or had the squash be completely obliterated by creams or oils...this squash was simple and stood on it's own.  My tiny dollop of squash was quickly finished and replaced with a decent sized pile, while my typical lover, mashed potatoes, mostly went ignored in favor of the fresher and brighter tasting squash.

I have loved it, ever since.  I sincerely have her to thank, because butternut squash is very, very good for me.  My boyfriend made some last night, and I thought of Keely.

Thanks, Keely :)  You took a veggie in my "Hate" list and moved it right over to "Love" for me.  That's not easy - I tend to stick to my food preferences and dislikes.  The veggie kingdom has burst into song and ushered me lovingly into Squashland.  Thank you.

Now, what can you do with celery?