Nixing Dessert
Hi, guys! How’s your Monday evening going so far?
I’m actually really tired tonight– much more than usual. 
It must be the Body Pump, which definitely kicked my bee-hind! I’m going to sleep like a baby tonight.
Snack
After the gym, I headed to Starbucks to do some writing. While there, I enjoyed a decaf nonfat sugar-free vanilla misto. How’s that for an order? I’m so high maintenance sometimes! 
Mmm! My high maintenance misto hit the spot! 
When I got home, I snacked on a bowl of chopped grape tomatoes with crumbled gorgonzola and ground pepper.
And a little while later, I dug into these babies:
These are the BEST salt & vinegar chips ever! I ate one handful of chips, then another… and then another. I finally just stopped myself in my tracks. I folded up the bag of chips, put an elastic band around them, and put it in the way back of the cabinet. Disaster averted.
Dinner
Mal had a late day at school today, so when he arrived home, I whipped up a quick pizza + salad for dinner.
We had salad topped with balsamic vinegar.
And homemade pizza with red pepper, red onion, ground beef, garlic, tomato basil marinara, and shredded cheddar cheese.
The pizza was so, so, so delicious! 
After chowing-down a bunch of chips this afternoon, I thought it would be best to skip dessert tonight. Plus, I ate a million cookies yesterday, so I definitely didn’t need any more sugar. I thought nixing dessert would be really tough for me to do, but the craving for something sweet has actually lessened quite a bit.
Ok, ready for my exciting news!?!
Electrolux Program
I was recently selected as one of 15 Foodbuzz Featured Publishers for the Electrolux program! We’ll join Kelly Ripa in New York City for a special cake decorating event to generate support for and awareness of the Ovarian Cancer Research Fund, whose mission is to fund research to find a method of early detection and ultimately a cure for Ovarian Cancer.
Obviously, I am VERY excited about this opportunity. I’m a huge fan of Kelly Ripa and, of course, cake, so combining those two elements into an event that generates support and awareness for ovarian cancer is a dream come true! THANK YOU, Foodbuzz!
—
I’m poooooooped! Good night!
Tags: cake, Electrolux, Foodbuzz, Kelly Ripa, Ovarian Cancer Research Fund
Trish — January 11, 2010 @ 8:33 pm
Yummy!! Pizza is delish. Love it!
And I love Kelly Ripa too. Would also love to have her body. She is so fit. Big sigh of envy!
Rose — January 11, 2010 @ 8:39 pm
Congrats on the win! How exciting
Ashley — January 11, 2010 @ 8:41 pm
So jealous — Kelly Ripa is my hero.
Congrats!!
Sandy — January 11, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
Congrats on the Foodbuzz/Electrolux win. Can’t wait to meet you in New York! CAKE!
Lily @ Lily's Health Pad — January 11, 2010 @ 8:43 pm
What exciting news!
I have to agree, those salt and vinegar chips are out of this world!!
Allison — January 11, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
Body Pump will do that to you! My new gym doesn’t have group classes, but years ago I used to go to Body Pump once a week or so, and I could rarely walk normally the next day.
Katie — January 11, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
OMG!!! how awesome!! CONGRATS!!!! Kelly Ripa Rocks!!! love her!!!!!!! Wow that is so cool!!!! Mmmmmm your pizza looked yummy you made! Have a great night!!!!
Food Makes Fun Fuel — January 11, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
Kettle chips makes some great chips. That flavor comes in their baked variety I believe, too, which has less fat if you want to enjoy them with less guilt.
I saw your blog on the Foodbuzz letter. Congrats! I love Kelly Ripa and watch Regis and Kelly every morning. I bet she’s as nice in person as on TV
lindsay — January 11, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
Body pump sounds like an awesome workout, I love that painful burning feeling lol
As a Boston girl I know you’ll be able to appreciate this, I got to go skating at Fenway Park this weekend and posted a couple pics on my blog. ‘Twas awesome!
Happy Monday Tina!
Jess (Fit Chick in the City) — January 11, 2010 @ 8:47 pm
That is awesome! Congrats! Hopefully, you’ll get a little electrolux love while you’re in NYC. Sleep well!
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) — January 11, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Salt and vinegar is my favorite potato chip flavor. Congrats on the Electrolux program!!!
Samantha — January 11, 2010 @ 8:50 pm
Those are some of the best chips I have ever eaten! They are sort of expensive here, so they are definitely a treat! I just want to say thank you for being such a role model with the self control. It is something I struggle with constantly, and I always get a boost when I see others doing it too!
Sarah R — January 11, 2010 @ 8:52 pm
Salt and vinegar chips are my favorite! Luckily (or unluckily) my husband doesn’t like them so we never have them in the house.
You and Meghann both get to go to New York?! How fun!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction — January 11, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
Looking forward to meeting you in NYC! Congrats on being selected for the Electrolux event!
Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg — January 11, 2010 @ 8:53 pm
Mega congrats!!!! I LOVE Kelly Ripa! She always looks so cute!
Julie @ Pickley Pear — January 11, 2010 @ 8:54 pm
What kind of pizza crust do you use/make? Do you just keep ready-made crusts on hand? The pizza looks de-lish!
Congrats on the Electrolux Program, that’s so fun! Hopefully I’ll be able to do something like that someday!
Danielle (Coffee Run) — January 11, 2010 @ 9:00 pm
Congrats on getting into the program! Your pizza doesn’t look homemade at all; it looks so good!
Kristen @ Change of Pace — January 11, 2010 @ 9:04 pm
Congrats Tina! Dinner looks awesome
Leah — January 11, 2010 @ 9:05 pm
Congratulations lady! That is such an awesome and exciting opportunity. I can’t wait to see the pictures of that adventure! Have a great day.
ashleigh — January 11, 2010 @ 9:06 pm
pizza + salad = best dinner ever! Congrats on being accepted into the program!
caroline — January 11, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
how fun! and way to go on passing on desert, i never can
Eve — January 11, 2010 @ 9:07 pm
Congrats – sounds like so much fun. And NYC is always awesome, but I guess I’m biased
Pizza looks delicious as always – my favorite toppings include caramelized onions, sundried tomatoes and sauteed mushrooms!
Jessica @ How Sweet It Is — January 11, 2010 @ 9:10 pm
Lucky gal!
Mandy @ University Cooking — January 11, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
I’m trying to lose my last five or so pounds too. So it’ll be fun to watch how you go about it as well. Good luck with your goals!
Spiceaholic — January 11, 2010 @ 9:16 pm
Congrats!
I LOVE salt & vinegar chips and I would not have been able to stop at just a few. Good for you!
Lisa — January 11, 2010 @ 9:20 pm
your pizza looks fantastic! Congrats on being selected for the promotion!
Maria (realfitmama) — January 11, 2010 @ 9:21 pm
BIG CONGRATS on the win!!! I adore Kelly Ripa…she’s so, well, ripped!! CORNY… Anyway, I actually passed on dessert tonight too. Time to hang with the kids and then get to bed. It’s funny because my post last night was also about getting back into tip top shape after letting things go a tiny bit. You can help keep me better motivated…not that my bikini doesn’t already do that! Congrats again!
Naomi — January 11, 2010 @ 9:22 pm
amazing!! I love the big pepper slices on the pizza boboli?? aah it looks so good! perfect way to stay warm today, it was freezing in boston!!
Kristen — January 11, 2010 @ 9:24 pm
Those salt & vinegar are my absolute favorite hands down.
Congrats on winning!
Jenna — January 11, 2010 @ 9:26 pm
Everyone in the blog world have been making homemade pizzas! yours looks great!
So you will be joining Meghann in NYC tina!! Congrats, that is wicked exciting!!
Jenna
Michelle — January 11, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
Wow, Tina! Awesome about Electrolux! Kelly Ripa is an inspiration! Have fun!
Jenny — January 11, 2010 @ 9:27 pm
COOL!
any chance of a blogger meet up (maybe with Meghann . . . i read she’s attending as well) ????
if you guys plan on something let me know if you need any help scouting a cool restaurant . . . i live 20 mins away from the city and know it like the back of my hand . . . and i think it goes without saying that im a totally foodie. Seriously, im walking zagat
Jenna — January 11, 2010 @ 9:28 pm
Congrats Tina!
I’m a huge fan of Kelly Ripa aswell, your so lucky! Yummy looking pizza too 
Arlene — January 11, 2010 @ 9:29 pm
That pizza looks delicious … I was wondering what to have for dinner — now I might have my answer.
I’m going to have to try those chips, too.
Jessie (Vegan-minded) — January 11, 2010 @ 9:30 pm
I love those salt and vinegar chips, they are so addicting! I can’t even buy them since I have no self control. Congrats on winning the Electrolux contest. I got an email from Foodbuzz earlier announcing the winners, so I already knew the good news.
Lauren @ eater not a runner — January 11, 2010 @ 9:31 pm
Congrts! That will be an awesome time
Katherine — January 11, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Congratulations on such a wonderful opportunity!! Hope you can squeeze in some time with all of us NYC bloggers while you’re here
tina — January 11, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Oh my! The buffalo bleu version of those Kettle chips were my downfall last night when I scarfed down almost an entire bag. I apparently ignored the “sharing size” recommendation!
Congrats on the win!
Sarah — January 11, 2010 @ 9:34 pm
Congratulations!! You will have so much fun with Kelly Ripa
She is so adorable and bubbly (just like you). And good luck with Lose the Dough! I’m sure you will do fantastic.
ALI — January 11, 2010 @ 9:35 pm
Hi Tina-
good luck!
I teach over at Beacon Hill Athletic- you should come try my muscle abs class sometime– Elina tried it a few weeks ago and we had a blast!! Let me know if you want to try it out on a Saturday morning sometime!
Meg — January 11, 2010 @ 9:38 pm
Congrats on being chosen for the Electrolux event! I can’t wait to meet you there!
Heather @ The Joyful Kitchen — January 11, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
congratulations! what a cool honor…and they couldn’t have picked a more wonderful blogger
shelby — January 11, 2010 @ 9:39 pm
wow congratulations that is so cool!! I love your blog, and I wish you the best of luck on your health journey, I too am trying to do that myself and get in shape for a sprint triathlon … Iam looking forward to you health posts
-shelby
P.S. your pizza looks AMAZING
Kara — January 11, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
That Electrolux thing sounds awesome! Kelly is so cute and I love her Electrolux commercials! Omg, you should be in one with her!!!
Jacquie — January 11, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
Congratulations! What a fabulous thing to be a part of. This will sound horrible, but I love Kelly Ripa too because she used to be on the soap I watch sometimes (All My Children). We all have guilty pleasures, right?
PS: your tomato snack is a GREAT idea! I’m going to do that one soon
Kristin (whimsyville) — January 11, 2010 @ 9:51 pm
Oh man, you think you’re high maintenance? My favorite drink is a triple tall (sometimes decaf) soy americano misto with one pump cinnamon dolce syrup.
I’ve had baristas roll their eyes at me.
Congratulations on the electrolux event!
Susan — January 11, 2010 @ 9:57 pm
Decorating a cake with Kelly Ripa? I’m so jelly! She is hilar.
And I always order wacky drinks at starbucks (1/2 caf, xtra hot, etc.). I like to believe that the baristas like the challenge, but they probs secretly hate me.
Meredith (Pursuing Balance) — January 11, 2010 @ 9:59 pm
No worries about your order either! I used to have a customer who would order a decaf triple grande nonfat no whip 1.5 pump 185 degree mocha!
Erin — January 11, 2010 @ 10:05 pm
I’m a high maintenance Starbucks orderer too — my current fave is a tall extra-hot soy misto with shot of peppermint. Mmm!
Heather (The Single Dish) — January 11, 2010 @ 10:09 pm
Congrats, that sounds like such a fun event! Pizza looks great, perfect for leftovers for lunch. I made pesto pizza the other night and had it for lunch today, yummy.
bridget {bake at 350} — January 11, 2010 @ 10:15 pm
That pizza looks fabulous! Can’t wait to meet you in NYC!
Anne — January 11, 2010 @ 10:18 pm
Congrats to you!! I love the Starbucks misto; I started ordering mistos on your blog’s suggestion – so smart! And the hi-maintenance order? Just order a skinny vanilla misto (they’ll make it with sugar-free vanilla syrup and nonfat milk)
Emily Eats and Exercises — January 11, 2010 @ 10:27 pm
My boyfriend always looks like he wants to crawl under the table when I’m a high maintenance orderer. I say, you have to get what you want.
Good luck on the Lose the Dough. I’m definitely interested in joining any challenges you’re setting up. I have more than a few pounds to lose – but I’m down 35 so far…
I LOVE Body Pump. I’m heading there tomorrow.
Deva (Voracious Vorilee) — January 11, 2010 @ 10:33 pm
I love salt and vinegar potato chips, but am the only one who will eat them if we buy them, so I rarely get them. They’re sooo good!
Katie O @ Fit to Wed — January 11, 2010 @ 10:41 pm
Congrats on your news- that is so exciting! I looove those salt and vinegar potato chips- so good!
Jenny — January 11, 2010 @ 10:44 pm
ahh that’s so exciting! What could be more fun than cake decorating in ny?
Congrats!
Kel — January 11, 2010 @ 10:47 pm
Here is a chip tip: weigh out (or count out) a serving and put it in a pretty bowl. Serving gone? You can then decide if you want more. Also, in my own experience when I go back for seconds, it is not hunger. It is emotions. I eat chips when I am cranky or frustrated or angry. Not saying that is you, but worth watching out for!
I read your blog everyday and I love it. You have given me so many great tips; this is the one I felt I needed to give you. Hold yourself accountable to what you said this morning you want to do!
diana(mymarblerye) — January 11, 2010 @ 10:48 pm
congrats!!! Can’t wait to see you on tv if it’s aired! BTW I can NOT buy chips….I end up eating the whole bag..like seriously. I feel less guilty if it’s a bag of Pop Chips but still!
Wendy (Give Love Create Happiness) — January 11, 2010 @ 10:49 pm
YAY YAY TINA! Congratulations, that is so exciting. Kelly Ripa is so funny on TV, it will be awesome for you to meet her! You deserve it with all your hard work!
Paige (Running Around Normal) — January 11, 2010 @ 10:51 pm
I should have nixed dessert tonight, too! Congrats on the trip to NYC!! So exciting:D
lindsey — January 11, 2010 @ 11:00 pm
cool electrolux deal! my dad works there
♥ lindsey
Foy Update - Cook. Garden. Write. Repeat. — January 11, 2010 @ 11:04 pm
I do like Pizza and Salad dinners, but this time of yar salad is hard to come by locally and at a good price in the midwest What’s another good side for pizza that’s not lettuce salad? I’ve been wracking my brain since last night and I’m stumped. A little help anyone?
Rebecca — January 11, 2010 @ 11:35 pm
Your pizza looks delicious!! Congrats on winning the foodbuzz contest!! And I agree- those chips are amazing!!
Good Taste. Healthy Me. — January 11, 2010 @ 11:37 pm
Congrats! You must be psyched!!
Delicious looking pizza!
Heather @ Side of Sneakers — January 11, 2010 @ 11:52 pm
So So SO exciting!!! I LOVE Kelly Ripa!! How awesome!!!
Ali@ Food, Fitness Fashion — January 12, 2010 @ 12:01 am
Yeah, I know how dangerous the chips can be I love them. You should try the baked version they are just as good! Congrats!!!! That is sweet!
onehealthyapple — January 12, 2010 @ 12:02 am
Congrats! I love Kelly Ripa too! Great job on avoiding the chip disaster!
Tasha — January 12, 2010 @ 12:17 am
Congrats on getting into the program! That’s so great!
Does Mal have a health bent like you do? When I lived with my boyfriend, who loves junk food, I found it harder to resist chips.
Katharine — January 12, 2010 @ 12:28 am
Congratulations! That’s fantastic – what a fun and unique experience, too! (And I applaud you for putting away the chips AND forgoing dessert – I was unable to do the same with some ice cream tonight.)
Mel — January 12, 2010 @ 12:48 am
That’s AMAZING news! Congrats!
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] — January 12, 2010 @ 1:16 am
I have the same habit of eating something sweet after dinner. It’s such a hard habit to break. I’m jealous you get to meet Kelly. She’s so cute =)
Jessica — January 12, 2010 @ 3:23 am
Congrats on the news!!
I finished a bag of Popchips today. I can’t have them around anymore. Sooo addicting. The large bag has 3 servings so I count out exactly 22 chips everytime and then quickly put the bag away. There is no way I could control myself if I just ate them straight out of the bag.
Freya at foodfitnessandfreya.wordpress.com — January 12, 2010 @ 3:48 am
wow that’s awesome news you must be so excited!! Gosh well done
Good restraint with the crisps too, I often do that
Haleigh — January 12, 2010 @ 4:47 am
Oh, how exciting!!!
jenna — January 12, 2010 @ 9:46 am
how exciting! Congrats!
I was wondering how do you buy your lettuce…random question!? But I’m always stumped for some reason, I hate washing (if you buy organic some times there is worms, yuck) and I hate eating lettuce out of the bag?
Nicole @ kismetsbooty — January 12, 2010 @ 10:02 am
So jealous. That is so exciting! I put in for that as well. I can’t wait to read and see your pics from that adventure.
Nicole (dishin') — January 12, 2010 @ 10:27 am
That’s going to be so fun!! I love Kelly Ripa!
Sarah — January 12, 2010 @ 10:51 am
Good for you for nixing dessert if you weren’t really craving it. I think sometimes I get in a dessert “habit” and I’m looking for it even when I don’t really want it.
Congrats on the Eletrolux trip!
Amanda @ Cakes and Ale — January 12, 2010 @ 11:06 am
What kind of pizza crust do you use? I’ve been experimenting with different kinds lately… so far, I like the whole wheat one from Trader Joe’s the best. Sometimes I make my own from scratch but during a busy weeknight that’s just not happening!
Jen — January 12, 2010 @ 11:33 am
Congratulations, Tina!!! What an amazing opportunity! I can’t wait to hear all about it – I love Kelly Ripa! Ps…the pizza looks delicious too! have you tried Sidewalk pizza in Southie? Yum! and good salads too…and cheap! http://healthylaps.com/2010/01/11/heathier-takeout/
Tara — January 12, 2010 @ 11:56 am
I love those salt and vinegar chips! They really are the best and to make them even better, my husband won’t touch them so I get the whole bag to myself! Hmm…maybe that’s not such a good thing.
Heather @ Get Healthy With Heather — January 12, 2010 @ 12:21 pm
Yay for you being selected to be part of the Electrolux Program!!
alison — January 12, 2010 @ 1:22 pm
that is awesome! and i too love salt and vinegar chips. they’re so satisying.
Cynthia (It All Changes) — January 12, 2010 @ 1:58 pm
My coffee order is so high maintenance that Hunni refuses to order it for me. He always puts me on the phone with the barista if he goes out.
Kelly — January 12, 2010 @ 2:38 pm
I would LOVE to meet Kelly Ripa. She has the best arms. I hope she is awesome in person. And congrats for being selected as part of the eletrolux program.
Rachel — January 12, 2010 @ 3:01 pm
The pizza looks delicious & congrats on being chosen!!
Claire — January 12, 2010 @ 3:49 pm
Fabulous!!! cc
Jessica @ The Process of Healing — January 12, 2010 @ 11:27 pm
That is fantastic!!!! Congratulations! I also love Kelly Ripa… I used to watch Hope and Faith all of the time.