And this is what my cats had:

Tasty looking right? Just kidding.

I know this is a human food blog, but I thought I would share the perils of finding an all-natural wet cat food that my cats would actually eat.

My they are picky eaters!

After spending many years feasting on “indoor” dry cat food, my vet declared it was time for them to switch to a light food that was preferably wet. You see, my cats were slowly gaining weight over the years. Also, being a male, Drempels (the orange one) needed to be eating wet food in order to keep his kidneys healthy. Apparently male cats can have severe urinary tract issues and wet food has the moisture they need to stay healthy.

The problem? Drempels HATES wet food with a passion. The only kind he would eat was tuna and we were told that tuna can actually increase risk of urinary crystal development. Argh. Has anyone heard of this?

So Dremps was placed on an all-natural, low grain, high protein light dry food that cost a fortune. Crumpet on the other hand, will eat wet food so getting her to switch was quite easy. Unfortunately, we found out the hard way that Crumpet could not eat any of the dry food Dremps was eating. A bout of bloody diarrhea taught us to never allow her to eat more than a few bites again.

So for the past few months we have been having to feed the cats separately, all the while watching Drempels continue to not lose any of the weight he had gained. Crumpet, on the other hand, lost about 4 lbs on her wet food diet and looks fabulous! You go girl!

Kyle and I have been determined to get Drempels to switch to wet. We love him very much and would hate to see him die early from urinary tract problems. Also, knowing cats are carnivores, I would prefer him to get off of the carb crap he shouldn’t be eating anyway. In addition, keeping the dry food away from Crumps has been a PITA and Dremps (used to having dry food laying around all day) spends most of his time crying for food in front of our pantry.

Guess what?! I think we are on our way to getting Dremps to permanently switch! Knowing he only will eat tuna flavored wet food, I decided to mix tuna wet food with the chicken kind that we have been giving to Crumps.

It worked!

Maybe it was because he was starving, or he had finally just given in, but Dremps ate away with vigor! Since then, Kyle and I have been slowly adding less and less tuna and more and more chicken. Also, we have still been giving him a little bit of his dry food so his gastrointestinal tract gets used to the switch.

This stuff works wonders!

Weruva cat food may be pricey ($1.69 for a big can) but it is worth it! We spent too long feeding our cats cheap crap and they gained unnecessary weight because of it. Also, I try to feed myself the best quality food I can, so why not my cats? I want them to be around for a long time. In my opinion, it is a good investment.

I love these kitties!

After enjoying a night out on the town to celebrate my last day working in the Men’s Department at a certain department store (small/medium/big brown bag anyone?), I had my first day of orientation for my Dietetic Internship.

Here is one of my coworkers and I post pizza, beer and gelato…

Gah! I am soooo excited to start my DI!!!! I know it is going to be crazy busy and stressful, but I am so close to being done! I started this journey back in Sept. 2006 and it has certainly been trying at points.

So what is a girl to do to prep for a long day of sitting and going over the policies, procedures, syllabus, etc. for my new jouney?

My solution:

- Wake up wired after only 6 or so hours of sleep

- Run 4 miles in beautiful pre-fall weather (it was glorious)

- Eat breakfast

This would be a reenactment of what I ate this morning. I quickly threw together some leftover diced cantaloupe with plain yogurt and granola and called it a day. I knew that I had healthy snacks waiting for me at the DI orientation, so I kept it light.

IT WAS DELICIOUS!

Why have I not added melon to my yogurt more often? This evening after dinner I prepped the same meal to enjoy tomorrow on my second day of DI orientation. Only this time I added muesli (from the bulk bins at Whole Foods).

I can’t wait to eat this tomorrow.

_____________________________________

So the above would be an example of a typical “rushed” healthy breakfast in my household. On the other hand, this would be an example of a leisurely one:

Eggs! This would be an “egg in a basket” (1 whole egg added to the center of wheat bread that has been hollowed out and cooked in a skillet with a touch of butter). On the side I had another whole egg cooked and a soy sausage. Normally I would only has one whole egg plus a few whites, but I think I was craving yolk this day?

Off to sleep. Gotta make up a few hours after last night.

Night!

As my first step to a recommitment to blogging, I have updated my “about” page to include more about my history with food. Take a peak and get to know me more.

Also, the first rotation of my dietetic internship begins next week! I hope to use this blog as a DI journal in a way and plan to recap noteworthy experiences.

On another note, where did summer go?

I will miss thee!

Stay tuned. More to come…

Yeah chicken wing!!!! This photo is from a while back – just illustrating the funness being had!

B-FAST BABY!!!!

Egg whites + Soy sausage on an Arnold’s sandwich thin:

Iced skim cappuccino – Homemade by me!

Muesli (whole foods bulk bin kind) with Barney Butter!

I combined the muesli (1/3 cup?) with 1/2 cup plain yogurt, 1/2 cup skim milk + extra raisins and let it sit overnight in the fridge. Delicious!!!

LUNCH!

Random packed meal of black bean salad (black beans, corn, red bell pepper mixed with 2-3 tbsp salsa), grapes, blackberries, tortilla chips (Food Should Taste Good kind – awesome!), and a Siggi’s for a snack.

Black bean salad in another form…with a Cheese quesadilla + Side salad:

Lentil soup + Salad + Watermelon – this was such a satisfying meal! I love love love watermelon! It might be up there with my favorite fruits.

DINNER!

Grilled chipotle chicken breasts (Trader Joe’s pre-marinated kind) + Purple rice (Whole Foods bulk bin) + Sauteed green beans with garlic:

Crazy bowl!!!

This contained Trader Joe’s frozen quinoa mix + added veggies (bell pepper, carrots, kale + beets) + goat cheese. It was phenomenal. I love any combo of beets + goat cheese. This hit the spot!

with salad:

Linguini (non-whole grain – for the boy) with chickpeas and artichoke hearts:

Soba with veggies & tofu + Side salad + Steamed summer squash:

This Trader Joe’s mix was used. I didn’t like it very much.

The flavors were off.

Tofu champuru + Miso soup + Side salad:

Baked chicken breast (with a quick lemon glaze) + Wild rice pilaf + Green beans:

SPLURGE ALERT!!!

As I have been enjoying my summer freedom, I have been indulging a bit lately. Here is a fun example!

Too bad I burned the pizza!!! Can I blame it on my oven?????

The beer was tasty:

May be one of my favorites.

Fun Pics!

Look what Kyle found!

It is sitting in my closet at this very moment (the pay phone, not my kitty!).

In other cat news…check out these paw prints on my leg! Crumpet was marking her territory?

Alright. Have a good one!

Where have I been? Florida!!!! I had a fantastic time visiting the family…

Brothers:

Sister-in-law!

Shenanigans…

I LOVE MY FAMILY!!!!!

Prior to my departure I had this for breakfast:

This would be: 2 whole grain pancakes with a soy sausage patty and an iced nonfat latte.

I got back from visiting the fam a few days ago and have been playing catch up since. I am back to working full-time (gotta save for my internship!) and already have some assignments to work on for my dietetic internship.

Dinner tonight was sooooo good! Kyle was in the mood for an old-fashioned home-cooked meal and I delivered!

Grilled chicken tenders (marinated in BBQ sauce), mashed red potatoes (steamed and mashed with a touch of butter, skim milk and dill + garlic salt), and corn on the cob:

+ Kyle’s favorite salad (caesar):

T’was good!!!! There also may have been a few bites of Ben & Jerry’s thrown in the mix for good measure..

And I am off! Good night!

On another note…

Crumpet loves turkey!

I have been BAD at taking pictures of my food. Lazy, lazy blogger!

Here is what I have captured.

Spicy turkey on wheat toast with a laughing cow cheese wedge:

Garden salad with ginger dressing:

Semi-sweet chocolate chips:

Eggs in a basket (2 eggs + wheat toast) & soy sausage + remaining bread:

Amy’s Tomato Bisque + sesame bread w/olive oil:

Whipped cottage cheese w/pineapple + Lime seltzer:

Grilled chicken + Grilled pineapple & zucchini:

+ Tomato & Basil Salad:

2 Egg omelet + whole wheat English muffin w/jam + coffee:

Tempeh sandwich on wheat + side salad + Asian pear:

Curious kitty…what is tempeh mommy?

Pure deliciousness Crumpet!!! This stuff rocks!

Whole grain pasta w/chicken & red peppers + Caesar salad:

Another fabulous new find…

Japanese curry (w/tofu, carrots, onions & potatoes) + Garden salad w/ginger:

The new finds continue!!! This tastes like Christmas! Peppermint bark anyone?

Veggie burger + EXTRA pickles…Love them!

A B-day present from Kyle! I love my apple cutter!!! It works perfectly with Asian pears!

Balanced meal…

Veggie monster! The beginnings of a stir-fry. I forgot to take a pic of the final product…doh!

My favorite meal of the bunch. Steamed broccoli, tomato soup (Progresso…not so bad) + Grilled cheese (goat+cheddar = delicious!):

Pasta w/broccoli, chicken & marinara sauce:

Caesar salad…

And finally? 2 egg + 2 white omelet w/soy sausage & Garden salad w/ginger dressing. Hmmm.

That’s all folks!! Have a good one!

Still swamped with end of semester papers!

Eats (in no particular order)

Tofu Champaru

with salad + steamed zucchini + nori

Kick A$$ Salad dressed in Goddess + Bulgarian Feta Cheese

Veggie Burger (Morningstar Original) on a Wheat Bun with Lettuce + EXTRA Pickles

Baked Parsnip Rounds!!! + Baked Artichoke/Feta Chicken Breasts + Roasted Tomatoes

+ a Salad (the boy is on a Caesar kick lately!) + Blackberries (so good!)

Chopped Tomato dressed in Olive Oil + Balsamic Vinegar

+

Hot & Crusty Wheat Bun for sopping up Tomato Juice!

Plain Yogurt + Sliced Almonds + Raspberry Preserves

Homemade – Defrosted Lentil Soup + Garden Salad (w/Goddess Dressing)

Awesome!!!! Egg White Burrito with Soy Sausage + Salsa! Served with an Iced Nonfat Cappuccino  

Whipped Banana Oats!

Black Beans w/Cheese + Salsa and Garden Salad with Ginger Dressing

From Above!

Papaya!!! So cheap…so juicy!

Last Night’s Dinner

Tofu + Veggies simmered in Trader Joe’s Yellow Curry Sauce

used this –>

Served with Salad

This was consumed (1/2 serving?) while paper writing –>

Worth every bite!!!!! This is the BEST ice cream every!

Unfortunately, I was up in the middle of the night with a belly ache! I don’t know if it was the curry (Kyle said he had the same problem) or too much over-indulgence, but I was not a happy camper! I hate being awake for hours in the middle of the night! I feel a little useless today. Live and learn.

Back to paper writing! XOXO!

con Cafe

Obviously I was well into my above breakfast before remembering to snap a pic. Oh Snap!

Old Faithful…Banana Oats!

Jar-form

with Apricots instead of banana and Almond Butter in place of the peanutty variety

Before lunch, Dremps checks his e-mail

Lunches….

Tofu Vegetable Chili with Kashi Crackers

Above Said Chili over a Baked Sweet Potato

Snack = Heaven in a Bowl!

Nonfat Plain Fage + Pineapple + Granola

Afternoon naps preceded dinner…

Pizza Pizza!!!!

Store bought crust topped with marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella & basil + garden salad with ginger dressing

Puerto Rican Chicken and Potatoes (recipe courtesy of Rachel Ray)

Chicken breast poached in chicken broth + coconut milk served over brown rice (also cooked in mixture of coconut milk + broth) with steamed green beans

with

Caesar Salad

The random pens in the above pics are due to crazy flash card making sessions that took over my life for a few days.

Anyway…Trader Joe’s vegetable pot stickers + steamed squash

eaten in a rush to get to a show a boy I know was playing in.

That boy is Kyle!

Congrats on your CD release party for Monkey Pudding Face! It rocked!

I am officially in paper writing mode for the next few weeks. Wish me luck! I can taste freedom!!!