Wednesday, March 26, 2008

THINK THIN THURSDAY - Portion Control

AND THE WINNER IS . . . Carol! Carol, Please email me at ljodamron@gmail.com with your full name and mailing addy and I'll get the books in the mail to you by the end of the week. If I don't hear from Carol by Thursday evening, I'll draw another winner. If any winner already has any of these books or isn't interested in any one or more in particular, feel free to decline those and I'll draw another winner for them.
Thanks, everyone, for playing! I hope you'll stop back, I'll have a review for Toni Blake's LETTERS TO A SECRET LOVER sometime in the next week or so, and a bit of chatter about some other recent reads.


Portion control is very important when you're trying to eat healthy. It's incredible to see how big an actual serving size is, compared to the serving sizes we're used to. Here are some tips about controlling portions - and if you read to the end, there's a little contest that involves portion control of another variety!

* Hankering for a sweet treat after dinner? You can splurge on dessert -- you just have to limit your portion size. Instead of heaping scoops of ice cream into a large bowl, or worse yet, eating it directly out of the container, plop a few spoonfuls into a small teacup. The dainty serving dish will make a small amount of ice cream seem bigger. So curl that pinky and get in touch with your inner princess.
* Did you know that the standard bagel is the equivalent of four or five slices of bread and that the average soft drink is three times the size it was 25 years ago? * It's no wonder that so many of us are overweight. We eat portions that are way too big, with way too many calories. To lose weight, you'll need to cut your portions down to size.
* Eat on a salad plate instead of a dinner plate. A fuller plate tricks your brain into thinking that you're eating a lot.
* Eat lots of high-water, low-calorie foods, like lettuce, raw veggies, broth-based soups, and low-fat or fat-free dairy products. You'll feel satiated without breaking the calorie bank, says Barbara Rolls, Ph.D., a professor of nutrition at Penn State University and author of The Volumetrics Weight-Control Plan: Feel Full on Fewer Calories.
* Do a monthly portion check-up. Drag out the scale and measuring cups to make sure your portions haven't crept up in size. Even a small difference like three ounces of turkey instead of two can add up to a few pounds over a year.
* Make your own portion guide. Use common, recognizable items, like a tube of lipstick, your cell phone, or your hand-held electronic organizer. Match food portions to these common items. For example, an ounce of cheese is about the size of a tube of lipstick. This will help you eyeball foods and approximate their portion size.
Some good advice, huh?
Now for more good stuff! I'm doing a little portion control in my stack of "have read" books. I have six books to give away, sweet little romances, some fluffy, one suspenseful, a couple I bought because I liked the cover, and one is autographed (not to me personally) that I won as a door prize at a booksigning. I'm not putting the covers up, I'll leave it up to you to check them out further. Here's what's up for grabs:
THE CEO'S SCANDALOUS AFFIAR by Roxanne St. Claire
PRIDE & A PREGNANCY SECRET by Tessa Radley
THE MERCENARY by Cherry Adair
A ROYAL BRIDE AT THE SHEIKH'S COMMAND by Penny Jordan (this is the cover I especially liked!)
BEDDED BY A PLAYBOY by Heidi Rice
THE EXECUTIVE'S SURPRISE BABY by Catherine Mann (autographed)

So, if you're interested, post a comment saying so. Send a friend who comments and indicates that you sent them and you'll be entered again. I'll draw a name from all posts on Monday evening, March 31. Good luck!
Laurie

32 comments:

Jane said...

I'm familiar with most of these authors, but I don't know these titles. Please enter me. Thanks.

Wendy said...

Hey Laurie!

I'm only familiar with Cherry Adair, I really like her books. So I'm interested. :)

Enchanted by Books said...

Hi Laurie! Wendy told me about this contest, thanks!

I have heard of Cherry Adair, Penny Jordan and Roxanne St Clair. I've never read them yet though.

Barbara-Jo said...

Please enter me. Thanks for all the great tips. I have just lost 11 pounds with alot more to go and these tips will serve me well!

wolfpackgirl said...

Count me in please! I've read most of those authors but not those titles.

Portion control is my biggest problem. I'll definitely try out some of those tips!

Katie B.

CrystalGB said...

I am interested. The only one I have read is Pride and A Pregnancy Secret.

Laurie D. said...

Barbara Jo - Congratulations on your loss! I'm so excited for you - Keep up the good work!

I thought I'd mention, since Crystal mentioned she's already read one of these, that if you win and have already read any of them, feel free to decline the one(s) you have read and I'll draw another winner for that one. No pressure to decline, but it's an option, ok?

I hope everyone is having a great day - it's gray and rainy in Ohio today, but with temps in the 40s, it's not too uncomfortable.

jenna said...

Thanks for the great dieting tips which influence success greatly. Love the books offered. Thanks again.

limecello said...

Hi Laurie,
I'm not sure if this is the way to do it, but I'd be interested in
THE MERCENARY by Cherry Adair
A ROYAL BRIDE AT THE SHEIKH'S COMMAND by Penny Jordan
BEDDED BY A PLAYBOY by Heidi Rice

I already own the other 3.
Portion control is extremely important - and my sister definitely emphasized that after reading "French Women Don't Get Fat by Mireille Guiliano"

ellie said...

Would be interested in the books you have selected. I enjoyed reading your tips which are important ones that determine failure or a great achievement.

Cherie J said...

Great tips on portion control. I am interested in these books. Have not read any of them.

Estella said...

I am interested in the books.
Portion control is one of my biggest problems with weight control.

Maureen said...

I've only read the Tessa Radley book and I liked it so count me in.

Unknown said...

I love the portion control tips! It’s all so true. And I’m always up for another book :o) I haven’t read any of those authors.

Karin said...

I've learned a lot of portion control thanks to my mom. Of course, I still tend to go a little overboard on certain of my favorites - like potatoes (mashed or baked), which I had for lunch today.

Of course, the last few months have definitely taught me portion control when it comes to reading. I've been so swamped reading the books on the list for my exam that I've not read anything else since January.

I'd love to win any of those books listed so I'll have something fun to read after I take my exam in 9 days.

Anonymous said...

Hi Laurie! Oh, how I wish I could control my portions - at least where all the delicious bad stuff is concerned. I'm one of those that can't have just one cookie.

I haven't read any of the books you've got up for grabs, but I just received one from you today (thank you!) so I don't feel right entering for another just yet.

tetewa said...

A great list of authors, and I haven't read any of them!

ChristyJan said...

I'm interested! Please add my name to your draw.

Unknown said...

please throw my name in the hat :)

Laurie G said...

Today I can finally post! Dial up sucks!!
Anyway, love the diet tips ...most of us can use a bit of assistance!
One thing that I do is put my fork down after every bite and chew slowly. It has really helped me eat less!
I also do not watch TV or read or do anything to distract me so that I'm aware of what I'm eating.
Finally , I put little note quotes around... especially on the fridge & cupboard doors...I have to stop and read them. It makes me think: do I want to exercise this off. You can use song titles: STOP:In The Name of Love, old weight watcher tips:"15 seconds on your lips,a lifetime on your hips." Anything that you can relate to: fat people pictures. People running, a beach scene, a bathing suit. Hope these work for you!!

Laurie G said...

OOPS, I'm working now, so reading has to get squeezed in. I haven't read any of these books. I'd love to be entered!!

Dina said...

I can see why you picked that cover. I do that as well, if the cover is great to me, the book had to be. :) Count me in too please. Thank you.

Meljprincess said...

I have Cherry's book but I'm interested in the others and would love to win one! Christy Hawkes sent me. Thanks.

Melissa K.

Anonymous said...

do we pick which ones we want and dont want?

tasha t

Laurie D. said...

Thanks, everyone, for stopping by!

As for the books - it is my intention to draw one winner who will get all of the books. However, the winner may decline any books she has already read (or doesn't want) and I'll draw another winner for those. Does that clear things up?

I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Lisa F. said...

Hi Laurie, you've given some great tips. We ate at a buffet on the way home tonight and I noticed their plates were smaller than the ones I use at home.

I certainly fell off the wagon this week with the kids being home. I feel like I've gained back the 6 pounds I had managed to lose. Gotta get back on track tomorrow!

Carol M said...

Melissa K. told me about this blog and this contest. All the books look good! I'm going to add this blog to my favorites! :)

Unknown said...

Hey count me in on this. These are some really good authors.

I don't have much luck with my weight. I do eat on a salad plate most of the time, I think everything I eat turns to fat.

Debby said...

HI, thanks for the tips. I could use them. I am interested inthe books. I have the Cherry Adair and the Tessa Radley books but not the others. Melissa K sent me

Dannyfiredragon said...

Laurie,

I know that I can't enter as I am overseas, but Melissa K. sent me, so please enter her.

Meljprincess said...

Congrats, Carol!!

Melissa K.

Carol M said...

I just saw that I am the winner! Thank you so much! Thank you Mel for the congrats!