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It’s a well known fact that when you’re on a diet, bread equals bad. Even diet bread can be sketchy. The Weight Watchers 1 point per slice bread has like, 20 ingrediants, none of which I can pronounce. The one exception I have found is the good ol’ english muffin. It’s not just for your British grandma anymore!

An english muffin and peanut butter makes a great Weight Watchers friendly breakfast or lunch. An entire english muffin is only 2 points, and about a tablespoon of peanut butter is the same.

I’ve been obsessed with Peanut Butter & Co peanut butter ever since I had it at their adorable SoHo restaurant. Last year I found it at Vancouver’s Stong’s grocery store, and more recently at Whole Foods. It’s a chemical free all natrual peanut butter that only contains about five ingredients. The best part? No gross oil to stir!

Total Weight Watchers Points: 4

Today I met my friend and former student, Sachiko to get some Japanese nail art done. She’s an amazing nail artist based out of Kobe and I was thrilled that she finally gave into my constant pestering about getting something done.

She started by giving me a very meticulous manicure and getting on my case about using nail clippers. Apparently they weaken your nails and make them uneven. Then she gave me pink gel nails, which are slightly healthier than acrylic.

For my design I choose tiny fruit slices which are too adorable for words. Since I’m a beginner when it comes to wearing nail art I chose to put them only on my kusari yubi fingers (ring fingers) and my thumbs, which is apparently very popular in Japan. “See, you can look at them when you’re sending text messages” Sachiko told me.

After looking over her work, Sachiko decided that she was going to give me some crystals as a bonus. “Swarovski is my policy.”

The whole process took about 2 hours and afterwards I got a hand massage and a can of Sprite.

I took a photo.  It’s not great but you get the idea.

What do you think of Japanese nail art?  Have you ever tried it?

Breakfast

Living in your boyfriend’s mom’s basement suite has it’s drawbacks, mainly the shame factor, but it’s all worth it for those mornings when you wake up and there’s a sign on the door that says “Free pie upstairs.”  I had one piece of sugar free Strawberry for breakfast.  Total Weight Watchers Points: 8 - 5 for the crust and 3 for the filling

Lunch

After strolling 4th ave and finally buying a pair of galdiator sandles that I actually like, I met my friend Jamie for lunch at Mandala IKI.  I had four pieces of nigiri and a Diet Coke.  The food was okay and the service was crummy, but it was dark, air conditioned and Spruce Meadows was on the flat screen.   Total Weight Watchers Points: 2 for the sushi and 0 for the diet pop

After lunch Jamie and I drove out to Steveston to get ice cream and watch the fishing boats come in and out.  I got some coconut and mango gelato from Mary’s Ice Cream.  It was delicious, and has less points that regular ice cream.  Total Weight Watchers Points: 3

Dinner

For dinner I went to a friend and former student’s apartment for a birthday party for another teacher at my school.  The host made a wonderful salade russe, a special occasion dish from her native Russia.  It’s a lot like a potato salad, but also includes chicken and pickles.  I don’t even want to guess how many points were in this mayonnaise based dish, and the wine and tart that followed.  But of course it was worth it.

Lunch

Once a month at our school, we get to take our students out for an “afternoon activity” after their exam. Today, my new friend who also teaches beginner and I took our classes out to Old Spaghetti Factory in Gastown. The food wasn’t great, and I have no memory of it ever being that good, but English teachers eat for free! How can I pass up that opportunity? I went simple. Spaghetti and meat balls. Total Weight Watchers Points: *gulp* 16. But then again it was a special occasion. Good thing I skipped breakfast.

Afternoon Snack

I was still full when I came home from work, so I just made a cup of Yogi Slim Life Green Tea. Green tea is a diet staple. I’m an Earl Gray addict, but I try to have a least one cup of green a day. Slim Life also includes garcinia, a natural appetite suppressant, to keep you safe from the 4 o’clock sugar rush. While you can get most Yogi teas at Whole Foods, Choices etc. Slim Life is only available in the states (as far as I know). I pick it up during my Target trips. Total Weight Watchers Points: 0

Dinner

At 6 I met my friends downtown to go to my dad’s slide show at SFU. We grabbed a quick dinner beforehand at the So.Cial butcher shop on Water Street in Gastown, my second favourite sandwich spot in the city (the first being Suzette’s Cafe on Richards and Dunsmuir). I had the turkey breast on brown with dijon mustard and aioli, topped with Havarti, lettuce, pickles and banana peppers, tomatoes, onions, as well as a bag of home made chips. Probably not the most healthy choice, but it was Friday! Total Weight Watchers Points: Probably 8 for the cheese, sauce and bread.

image from trufflepig’s flickr

Lunch

Today was test day for my students, and after spending half of my lunch hour dealing with them complaining about their marks I only had time for some Jugo Juice.  I decided to get the Mini Mango Snackin’ Smoothie.  It’s only 200 calories and tastes pretty good.  Total Weight Watchers Points: 3

Dinner

After a very long day at work I said eff Weight Watchers and my boyfriend and indulged in the best burgers in the city - Moderne Burger on Broadway.  There also may have been a side of fries.  But hey, I had water to drink so ya know, that’s okay.  Total Weight Watchers Points: About 20 but it’s so worth it.

Breakfast

I’m not that original when it comes to breakfast on work days. I usually find one or two things that are quick and yummy and eat them every day. Today was the same as yesterday. Yogurt, blueberries and granola. And of course a mug of Earl Gray Total Weight Watchers Points: 3

Lunch

Most work days I eat at the Salad Loop in Harbor Centre. They don’t have the most spectacular options, but tt’s quick, healthy and only about 4 dollars a salad. In my salad today was spinach, cherry tomato, green beans, edemame, cucumber and baby corn, drizzled in olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Total Weight Watchers Points: 3

Afternoon Snack

It was such a beautiful day, so after work my boyfriend and I took the sea bus to Lonsdale Quay to watch the tug boats come in and have a bite. I indulged. Lemonade and a piece of Pizza. Total Weight Watchers Points: 7

Dinner

As I said, I can be very unoriginal. Sushi. But can you blame me? I do live in Vancouver. Total Weight Watchers Points: 2

Note: My Weight Watchers points limit is currently 21, if that helps you get a better idea of what these foods are worth.