Food is Fuel!

on June 10, 2009

I was struck by a serious hunger all morning — I think that this crazy schedule has impacted my dinners, and they are slowly getting lighter and lighter (I just don’t have time eat a big meal or by the time I get home, I’m not very hungry). As a result, I’m starving in the mornings.

I had cherries around 1o AM:

Yogurt + a crushed Kashi TLC bar around 11 AM:

And a grilled tempeh + sprout wrap with a side salad around 12:00 PM.

The sammie included about 1 tablespoon of this alfredo sauce, which I found in the fridge! Guess it’s the Hubby’s.

Of course, there is more to making a meal satisfying than just it’s calorie count, but I was still SO hungry after this two-hour long "lunch" that I quickly totaled the calories up and realized it was only 660 calories — what I thought was "lunch + two snacks" was really just a big lunch (calorically speaking).

I was still hungry around 1, so I just ate a small tupperware bowl of Kashi Go Lean.

The fiber in this definitely filled me up. OOF! Now I’m satisfied.

I’ve actually lost a few pounds over the last few weeks, and my dad remarked that I looked skinny when I saw him last weekend, so I think a little extra something-something is probably a GOOD thing! I don’t typically discuss weight gain/loss on the blog because I don’t really see the point normally (weight fluctuations are normal). But it’s worth pointing out that I recognize my new schedule is throwing off my eating habits and I need to pay attention to make sure I’d adequately fueling myself up! Food is fuel for life! I also just want to acknowledge this on the blog because I’m sure several of you are wondering how I’m faring with living on PB sammies at night.

In other news, what the hell is with my electric + water bill this month?

Grrr!

How much are your utilities? We have a 2-bed, 2-bath and our water + electric is typically $170.

{ 56 comments }

Meganerd June 10, 2009, 10:35 am
lame!! at least you have power… 🙂
Peanuts & Crackerjacks June 10, 2009, 10:41 am
3 bed 3 bath townhome…between $180 and $210
Jennifer @ His N' Her Health June 10, 2009, 10:44 am
2 bedroom 2 bath house. usually in the summer our electric is over 200! I have it set on "budget billing" so I pay 125 every month for electric then water is about 60 a month. The real killer bill is our phone, satellite and internet bill it is usually about 300! stupid expensive utilities!
runsarah June 10, 2009, 10:46 am
My bill was only $49/2 months for the past 2 months…I don't have AC and live in a 1 bed 1 bath, I was so happy! 🙂 I love idea of tempeh in a wrap – major yum.
Quinn June 10, 2009, 10:49 am
We don't pay water, but for 2 BR / 1 BA and a washer/dryer, dishwasher – we pay about $85 in electric and $40 in gas (well, now). And then there's the Verizon Fios package – adds an additional $130/month.
Fitzalan June 10, 2009, 10:51 am
Wow, that is an expensive bill! Ours are weird because we have gas for heat (water and temp) and for stovetop cooking. But our electric bill ranges from $100-$300 depending on the month. Right now we are around $100 a month for a 4 bedroom, 2.5 bath house. (haven't really turned on AC.) The gas is another $70 a month.

Happiness Awaits
Becci June 10, 2009, 10:52 am
1 bed + 1 bath + basement that is not sealed off from the upstairs of the house (in Michigan) = Electric+Gas ~$100/month, water+garbage ~$120/3 months
Gas and Electric vary A LOT between winter/spring/summer/fall, these are averages
Reese June 10, 2009, 10:55 am
I live in a condo in Orlando…2/2 about 1000 square feet and our bill is usually aroun $175 as well. We live on the top (4th) floor though, so I am noticing as it gets hotter it is muuuch harder to cool our place down!
Katherine June 10, 2009, 10:55 am
Our utilities are usually $80/month – we have a 1 br/1ba apartment in an OLD building in NYC.

Glad you're in tune with your hunger queues and learning to adjust!
Brandi June 10, 2009, 10:57 am
I hope you can find a good balance with the jobs/dinner! I know that's got to be hard when you're on the go so much. Maybe try doing minimeals during the day more than meals/snacks?

our electric is 90, water is 50 or so? We have a 900 sq. foot house with only one bath and one "real" bedroom.
Amanda June 10, 2009, 11:00 am
One big perk to living in a tiny studio is lower utilities! I pay about $65 a month for it all!
monkeyeats June 10, 2009, 11:02 am
We have a four bedroom, 2 bath cape, our electric is around $120/month and our water is around $60/quarter. Funny thing is I thought this was really expensive, we moved from another state, where we had a 3 bedroom, 2 bath cape and our electric bill was $60/month. This put it in perspective for us. I guess a lot of it depends on the electric rates in your area. I know I cringe when they go up every year.
Amanda's Eats June 10, 2009, 11:04 am
Our water is included in the apt but our electric bill was 189$ this last time 🙁 We have the AC on though, 2 bed 2 bath, dishwasher, three people, three pets, and two computers constantly on. I am guessing its only gonna get higher as it heats up. Being on the third floor sucks too because the whole heat rises thing.
Betsy June 10, 2009, 11:07 am
wowza!! we got crazy if our electric or gas bill is over $25!
recipesforcreativity June 10, 2009, 11:07 am
Ahhh! 170 a month! I own a two bed, one bath home and two of us live here (plus two cats) and the water bill is usually 24 and the electric ranges from about 30-65 depending on the time of year. I think electric is cheap in North Carolina, though.

Interesting about the weight loss…are you still eating when you're hungry and stopping when you're full, you're just losing weight, or do you feel like your new schedule keeps you from eating when you need to?
Emily June 10, 2009, 11:07 am
I think I would die if my bill was that much! My water is $15/month (included with my rent though!!), electric is on an average monthly and it's around $50/month. In the winter months my gas bill is around $75 but that's only a 3 month period. I just paid my first summer month bill and it was only $17 (!!). I live in a one bedroom/one bath apartment (about 650 sqf). Then my internet/cable runs about $71/month, but that is a luxury and not a necessity.
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point June 10, 2009, 11:09 am
recipes – i think my eating (esp at night) is being dictated by the clock more than my actual hunger levels, and then my the time i can eat, my hunger has passed, and as a result, im just eating less. and im stressed out, which makes me lose.
Rachel June 10, 2009, 11:12 am
I've actually been noticing that your dinners have been getting smaller but didn't think it was my place to say anything. I'm glad that you're thinking that you probably need more fuel! Thanks for being open about it on here! Hang in there with work…it's a lot to adjust to!
healthy ashley June 10, 2009, 11:13 am
My utilities never go beyond $50… wow, I am going to miss this apartment when I move out next month!!
Kelly June 10, 2009, 11:13 am
I think ultilities are very weird. I used to live in a one bedroom TINY apartment and my electricity was $120 per month (electric hot water heater) and my heat was about $60 in the winter, $30 in the summer (which also makes no sense because the hot water was from electricity, so what are we heating?)
Now, in my three bedroom house that is a LOT bigger than my apartment, my heat is about $130 in the winter and $25 in the summer and my electricity is $100 ish. It's weird that in a big house I'm barely paying more for utilities. I think my apartment was sucking up my money a bit!
Marissa June 10, 2009, 11:16 am
I bet tempeh is super good in a wrap!!
april June 10, 2009, 11:30 am
I'm glad to see your feeding your hunger! Sometimes I feel like I'm "eating too much" but I'm learning that our bodies are pretty smart!
Heather June 10, 2009, 11:30 am
Wow! I have a 3BR 1.5 bath (2 story home) & my bills are about the same. Gas/Electric was $130 on a monthly budget program but is now $70/month.

Water is separate & runs anywhere from $45-$55/month.

I'm really a tightwad about the heat & air though leaving that on a set temp no matter what. If I'm cold..put on a sweatshirt. If I'm hot, turn on a fan! lol
Ashley June 10, 2009, 11:32 am
I don't have AC, so my bills are pretty low, I live in a one bedroom one bath w/water included in the rent and my electricity is only about 20-30 bucks a month. I live in CA though, so rent is high.
RhodeyGirl/Sabrina June 10, 2009, 11:42 am
totally just read it as this:

"I think that this crazy schedule has impacted my DIAPERS"

ewwwww/weird/random right?
Laura June 10, 2009, 11:43 am
we live in a 2br/2ba apartment (1150 sq ft) in atlanta– our water is normally $30-50, cable is $60, electric is $35-70 and gas is ~$35. i think it really helps that we live on the 1st floor… our 3rd floor apt used to cost so much more!
eatingRD June 10, 2009, 11:51 am
Just make sure you are feeling okay and take care of yourself girlie! We just moved into a 1670 sq ft townhouse from a 600 sq ft condo and haven't gotten our first power bill yet and I'm scared!! But, it seems to be well insulated and isn't pounded by the vegas sun like the condo :)Can't wait to hear about the summit, any continuing education credits?? Or just a weekend of fun?! Either way sounds awesome 🙂
Susan June 10, 2009, 11:55 am
I pay $100/month for heat, lights, cable and internet, but that's split with my roomie. Ours is a 2 bedroom, 1 bath top floor apartment without a/c though.

Are you allowed to eat at your night job? You could always freeze leftovers on the weekends then just grab them on your way out the door throughout the week… I have a whacky work schedule too, so finding ways to get all my meals and snacks in takes A LOT of planning ahead. I can never forget about meals though, I turn into a huge bitch when I miss one 😛
Tina June 10, 2009, 12:07 pm
Our electric bill is $25-30/month, but you stupid building charges us an additional $60 to get the electricity to our apartment! I can't wait to move!
Eliza June 10, 2009, 12:11 pm
My brain almost exploded until I remembered you probably have AC. Water is between 21 and 28 a month and electricity is about 20 bucks for our two bedroom, one bath apartment.
Of course, we have to pay for gas in the winter for heating…
NYgirl@heart June 10, 2009, 12:29 pm
Regarding your utility bill…we live in a 2BR, 2 bath condo just outside of Boston, approximately 1400 sq ft. We have pretty high ceilings (12 ft) but we did NOT expect our heat/gas bill to be:
November $400
December: $450
January: $550!!!!! (seriously)
February:$500
March: $475
April: $400
You get the picture…These are approximate (a dollar or 2 off) but seriously, our heating bills have been disgusting.
We didn't want to budget but if we're in this place again next year we will definitely go on the budget. GEEZ LOUISE!! Sounds like living in Orlando is the way to go! 😉
healthyfitmama June 10, 2009, 12:42 pm
I do the same thing… I'll eat and eat and eat all morning and total it up and realize that I've really only taken in a few hundred calories. It's a struggle ebcause I always feel like I shouldn't be eating again an hour after I last ate, but in reality I need the fuel.

I live in a 3 bed/2 bath townhouse in CO. Our utility bill is about $70 in the summer and $150 in the winter.
Lauren @ Team Giles June 10, 2009, 12:57 pm
Wow, thats very high! Our 3 bedroom, two story house this month was $150 & change…. the water bill is separate and thats $40.00.
Natalie M. June 10, 2009, 1:00 pm
Have you and your husband switched to CFL bulbs? I can't really relate to high utility bills since heat and hot water are included in my rent and typically my electric bill is 30 bux (I'm not home a lot and when I am I don't leave anything plugged in I'm not using other than the fridge)… its called vampire energy… appliances suck up energy when plugged in even if you aren't using them.
Melissa @ For the Love of Health June 10, 2009, 1:00 pm
eewwww I hate bills! I am in a condo so I don't pay the bills because I don't own but the utility costs are DEFINITELY included in my ridiculous rent! ($1475 for a one plus den- isn't that nuts?!)

You chose such healthy options to deal with your hunger!! YUM!
Caitlin II June 10, 2009, 1:07 pm
My BF and I are VERY careful with water, electric, and the like…both for environmental and economic reasons. We haven't turned the AC on yet (live in MD) and probably won't until at LEAST July, and then only when ABSOLUTELY necessary.

Anyway, our gas/electric bill varies throughout the year of course. About $60/month at the lowest (spring/early summer/fall) and $160/month at the highest (winter/). We pay for water quarterly and it's usually less than $25 (so about $100/year).
Caitlin II June 10, 2009, 1:09 pm
Oh and we live in a 3 bedroom, 2 bath brick rowhouse, 1,200 sq/f.
Anne June 10, 2009, 1:45 pm
wow! that seems high! we pay $100 max this time of the year for our 2bed/1 bath home. we owe it to our programmable thermostat. saves a lot every month! you can get a great one for $35-$45 max.
Matt June 10, 2009, 1:56 pm
I have a one bedroom one bathroom and it is about 100 bucks a month for the water and electricity. I actually want to get it lower…
jenngirl June 10, 2009, 2:27 pm
I can definitely relate to having my schedule being thrown off and having my eating habits affected, it's tough!

I'm still in an apartment, so no utilities for me. I am very nervous about the day I begin to pay them separately from rent tho!
mel h June 10, 2009, 3:00 pm
Hey Caitlin,
maybe you are hungry b/c you are eating less protein and little fat. I know I'm starving when I don't eat enough fat so i try to add an extra serving of nuts, avocado, or pb in for fats and protein (eggs, meat, dairy, etc)
elliebelle June 10, 2009, 3:03 pm
Utilities suck! Especially when you live in an old apartment in the winter. When I was living in a 1 bedroom+ apartment in Minneapolis area my heat would cost upwards of $400 a month!!! CRAZY!!! I had to do the average monthly deal so I paid the same price year round otherwise I would have never been able to afford it. (The apartment was top floor of a building with a flat roof – not good for insulation. Plus it had TONS of windows – which were of course, gorgeous, but very leaky.)
Luckily now, my boyfriend and I live in a small 2 bedroom house – but we recently put in a new, very efficient furnace. yay!
teacherwoman June 10, 2009, 3:05 pm
Those cherries look scrumptious!

I have a 3 bed, 2 bath townhome and water/garbage/sewage and electricity/heat runs about $100 a month.
K from ksgoodeats June 10, 2009, 3:08 pm
Food is indeed fuel! That's my message as well 🙂

I have no idea what our bills our since I still live with M&D!
Rachel June 10, 2009, 3:43 pm
We have a 2 bedroom, 2 bath apartment on the 1st floor. Typically our gas bill is $25, water around $35, and electric $35 or less. When I first moved here, my electric was running around $100, but I made a lot of changes and was extremely proud to have my electric bill under $30 for three months straight recently!
Allison June 10, 2009, 3:56 pm
Hmm..
I pay $25/month for Water/sewer/Garbage
Our Gas (which is heat, and hot water) and electric (AC and everythign else)
averages about 130 per month. Which bill is high varies by time of year.
I live in 3 bed/2ba single family home.
Stephanie June 10, 2009, 4:05 pm
i also have a 2bed/2bath in missouri…summer bills are usually 110-140 and winter bills are about 150-180
Stacey June 10, 2009, 4:07 pm
Danggggggg. I live in a two bedroom house and my utilities never go over 150-ish. But then again, I am hardly ever here too.

Thats so weird how weight gain and loss is! Every summer I lose like 4 pounds just like that! I even eat more and I still lose weight. I have to watch myself and make sure that I am eating a lot all the time, maybe it's not having an AC and sweating all the time lol
Kelly A. June 10, 2009, 4:09 pm
My utilities in my 4 bed 4 bath in Tally was over 300 dollars a month!
Denise June 10, 2009, 4:28 pm
I just found your blog…you have a lot of great info on here!!
Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) June 10, 2009, 4:59 pm
I like the way that you brought up weight in this way…nothing wrong with saying you realize you need a lil' more fuel! Just shows a nice, healthy relationship with food. 😀
Kate June 10, 2009, 6:40 pm
i dont have AC, that must be the difference! my roommate and i share a 2 bdrm 1 bath and the two bills combined are usually 30-40 bucks a month. and we live in LA, which aint cheap 🙂

good job EATING when you are hungry!!!! it's important to recognize when your body needs a little more fuel!
HangryPants June 10, 2009, 6:41 pm
We don't pay for any utilities. I am completely spoiled by this.
Menden (Skinny Menny) June 10, 2009, 7:26 pm
Awww, man, I'm spending $379/month for electric + gas right now…on the budget plan! And of course, going without AC is def NOT an option for my boyfriend 🙂
nicoleishappy June 10, 2009, 10:37 pm
i know the heating issue i live in south fl(wpb) it is an inferno here i step out side and start "glowing" instantly
seesaraheat June 11, 2009, 8:07 am
Yikes on that utility bill! I live in Kentucky in a 2 bedroom/1.5 bath townhouse (apartment) and ours is $70/month right now. We don't pay water because our complex covers it. In the winter, its around $100 because we have gas heat.

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