Tonight’s blog post title pretty much sums up how I feel about kale chips. They rule! 
I don’t know how I could have ever forgotten about kale chips!?! I haven’t made them since May 2008, which is totally crazy, right? Where has my mind been?!
Along with a hefty serving of kale chips, I also had some carrot sticks with dinner. Hooray for a double serving of veggies! 
When Beth and Corey visited, they mentioned that they try to eat two servings of veggies with dinner every night. I love this idea, so I’m going to try to incorporate it into my eating habits as well. Small, everyday changes add up!
And, finally, I enjoyed a small onion hamburger that my wonderful husband cooked up.
For dessert, I enjoyed a Reese’s Peanut Butter cup. Yuuuumm!
I seriously considered eating a second peanut butter cup, but I stuck to my guns and brushed my teeth instead. I’m really trying to keep it together around sweets.
Ask Me Anything
The questions just keep coming! Here are some more answers to your Ask Me Anything questions:
Did you have to convince Mal to get Murphy, or did he want a pug as much as you did?
I don’t think anyone in the whole wide world wanted a pug more than me, but Mal was on board with getting one, too. As soon as Mal saw Murphy’s adorable pug face at the breeder’s home, he was hooked. M & M are pretty much in love now. 
How is it that you eat the same amount of calories now as when you were trying to lose weight?
Before losing weight, I ate about 2,500 – 3,000 calories per day. So, when I reduced that amount to 1,800 – 2,200 calories and started exercising more frequently, the weight came off. I continue to consume 1,800 – 2,200 calories per day, so I’ve maintain my weight for almost 6 years now.
You have written about your mom, family, special occasions, gatherings with them, but I am curious if you have a close relationship with your mom. How often do you speak on the phone, have mother-daughter times?
My mom is pretty amazing. I have so much respect for her and what she has done for my sister and me over the years. Growing up, my mom worked long hours at two jobs to support our family financially, but, at the same time, she never missed a soccer game, dance recital, or other important event in our lives. Somehow, she did it all!
My mom and I used to talk on the phone a few times a week, but now that she reads my blog everyday, we only talk about once a week. Although, I’m pretty sure she just reads my blog to see photos of her grand-dog.
My husband is also a teacher, so I have to ask… Mal seems to be around a lot during the day. How is he able to swing so much time off?
It’s Mal’s February vacation, so he has the whole week off.
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Mal just broke out a bag of Giant Salted Cashews that the folks at the Superior Nut Company sent me to sample. I’m off to snag a handful… or two! I LOVE cashews!
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I LOVE kale chips. My husband spit them out when he tried them. I said fine with me…more for me to eat. I swear, I ate the whole pan in one sitting. They are really really good! I love the idea of two veggies at dinner. It is hard enough getting my kids to eat one though. They eat like some, but different ones. Except artichokes, but I think that is because they are so fun to eat. Too bad they are so expensive! Luckily they like raw carrots, so we do that alot with dip…or course.
Mmmm…love those kale chips! My mom and I talk less now that I have my blog as well– but it kind of makes me mad because I never know what’s going on with HER, she just knows what I’ve been doing!!
I’m glad you are showing sliced carrots; they taste SO much better than “baby” ones and are less processed! I love the crunch
I totally forgot about kale chips! I made them this past summer and haven’t made them since. They were SO good! And, my husband loved them, too! I think I made them with some chili powder and parmesan cheese. I practically ate the whole tray in one sitting. They really do taste like potato chips.
How did you manage to only eat one Reese’s peanut butter cup? Those are the best! And nuts are really starting to make me nuts…I just can’t eat one small handful…UGH!
Congrats on the move! Your new home looks great!
I’ve heard so many raves about kale chips but still haven’t made them!! I’m a little skeptical….. I think it’s time I give them a go though. Kale is now on my grocery list for this week!!!
My family and friends always give me weird looks when I make Kale chips. They just need to try it! They’re especially good seasoned
yum kale chips! i haven’t had them in FOREVER either just reminded me to make them again! and salted cashews are one food i can eat by the handful!
I have got to make these kale chips, already! I’m embarrassingly behind on this trend! they look delish, though! The Mister LOVES reese’s cups – they’re his faves! Have you tried the BIG CUPS?
I like kale, but have never had or made kale chips. Maybe I’ll try them this weekend
I love kale chips! You must try them dipped in ketchup (as long as you like ketchup). Good job on resisting the second Reese’s – no easy feat
I remember the days when I’m pretty sure I ate 2500-3000 calories as well without even knowing it. I think back then there would also be days when ate less just because I wasn’t even aware. It all balances out.
Kale chips are fantastic and I agree with Megan, ketchup makes them even better! I’m curious, when you decided to cut the number of calories that you consume, did you work with a nutritionist to find the right calorie “target” or did you figure it out on your own?
Corey and I are so inspiring! (Except for tonight, as I had peanut butter toast for dinner.)
Oh my gosh- it’s like you said a dirty word! Cashews are my biggest, guiltiest pleasure of all! As part of my New Years Resolution i’ve given them up for odd months (Jan, March, etc..)
I hope you enjoyed them! Grab an extra couple for me
~Christie
I havent had kale chips in forever either, I love them but forget to pick them up at the grocery store.
@Sarah: I figured it out on my own. It was mostly trial and error– enough food to keep me satisfied, but not too much that I’d gain weight.
Hi Tina,
I was just curious why you opted to get a dog from a breeder instead of a shelter/rescue. Are you aware that there are millions of animals that are living in shelters, waiting to be in a home? I think of you as a caring person, so I’m really shocked that you opted for a breeder, instead of saving a life.
I’ve never had kale – I don’t even know if my local grocery store would even carry it! I’ll have to try it sometime, though, if they’re so good! However, I love Reese’s cups! My all time favorite candy – heck, anything with peanut butter and chocolate is my love for life!
;0]
I wish I had some of your willpower when it came to sweets.
and hooray for simple carrot sticks. Too often I feel like they’re banished to lunch boxes and veggie trays (to be drenched in dip). I prefer them just as they are.
I am scared to admit this but I have never had kale! I want to try these chips but somehow I am intimidated by a giant head of kale!
WHAT is the deal with kale chips? All the bloggers love it but they scare me..oh heck, i’ll try to make them soon. ;P
I gotta try kale chips! And I really agree with the “aim for 2 veggies at dinner” idea. I always get my recommended amount+more, I think, because I always have a huge salad on the side!
LOVE cashews, enjoy!
cashews are SO addicting! the only downside to kale chips is they definitely don’t leave the best smell in my apartment!
Oh man, I would have gone for the second cup. Good for you.
ps. i was JUST looking for a kale recipe and then i read your blog, woohoo!
I for sure need to try ‘blogger’ kale chips. I only hear positive comments about them. Way to go — eat those veggies! =]
I just tried kale chips last weekend and they were SO much better than expected!! If anyone is on the fence… do it!!!!
um, i want a february break! can we somehow swing that for the business world?
i really really need to try kale chips. i don’t know what’s holding me back! i love kale, i love chips, so that means i should love kale chips, right?
I’ve only made kale chips once before and I totally burned them and they did not taste the greatest..I need to try them again. Good job at only eating one reeses those are make weakness!
I seriously need to try these kale chips!
I love kale chips too, and yours look amazing! I haven’t been able to find any good fresh, organic kale in my local stores lately, so I’ve been missing it.
Your dinner looks good but it would not fill me up!
i’ve never had kale chips before.. have to try them.. Reeses are my weakness.. as is most things with peanut butter.. glad you had a smooth move yesterday..
Tina, you are SUCH an inspiration!! I just had a treat and was ready to dive into a new one until I read this post~ I’m currently on the same boat as you and bummed about how much softer I became so I’m up to shaping myself up again!!
Oh, I can’t wait to try kale chips. I’ve probably had kale three times in my life. This recipe fits right in with wanting to try new veggies/eat more veggies.
i’m convinced any veggie roasted in the oven rocks. have you ever tried brussels sprouts chips? they’re pretty darn tasty too.
I love kale chips! For my birthday, my mom sent me 3 packages of New York Naturals Raw Vegan Kale Chips from a company in Brooklyn- the “Vegan Cheese” flavor were my favorite! The ingredients are kale, red bell peppers, cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and sea salt. I can’t wait to attempt to recreate them!
Ooh I must try Kale chips, but I can’t buy Kale over here in Hong Kong. It sucks because I LOVE Kale. glad the move went well
.
KALE CHIPS!! I discovered them on Kath’s blogs a while back and fell in love – with parmesan and soy sauce, they are soooo good!
Sometimes I ever get to like, 10 portions in a day…but now I’m showing off haha :p
I always try and include 2 veggie portions at dinner too – I ike 1 before I workout, 1 at breakfast, at least 2 at lunch and at least 2 at dinner. And the best thing is that chickpeas and butterbeans etc count, so it’s even easier
Enjoy the cashews!
I need to try kale chips! Yummm. Such a sweet answer about you mom!
I’ve never had kale chips!
Can’t find kale easily in Australia, though I’m thinking if I start shopping at farmer’s markets once I get home from traveling, I might have more luck? With so many glowing recommendations on the interwebs, I really have to try these!
Despite kale being one of my favorite vegetables, I’ve never actually made kale chips. A veggie-lover’s sin, for sure. Perhaps I’ll remedy that this weekend…
I love the notion of two veggie servings per dinner, a great way to bulk up on plant food that is clean and filling.
I commend you for your butter-cup will power. Lord knows I would’ve eaten the whole King-Sized lot.
Grand-dog. Hahahahaha. Great term, Tina.
So funny that you posted this as I was just told about them last week!!! Kale is one of my fave veggies so I am definitely going to have to give these kale chips a try. Also love the idea of two veggies at dinner…especially for my son!
I must try kale chips! I’ve resisted for some unknown reason but now I must!
A lot of people ask me about calories as well and whether I eat the same now as I did when I lost my weight. And I do! Similar to you, I decided to take my weight off in the best way I could…in a way that I could sustain for the rest of my life. That meant small decreases in calories and better quality food. Now I am at the healthy weight that is perfect for ME! It took me years and years of fighting this before i finally realized how uncomplicated weight loss can be.
So funny! I just made Kale chips after forgetting about them for ages! I won’t be forgetting again. Even my veggie-hating hubby loves them!
Kale chips rock all the time! I love the idea of trying to get 2 servings of veggies with dinner. Normally I’m sure I do this but it’d be something to focus on and make sure I do. Veggies are fabulous and so good for the body!
Mmmm kale chips are awesome. They barely make it to my dinner plate before the hubs and I eat most of them. I also like roasting broccoli because it gets the crispiness of kale chips! So delicious. Good luck with unpacking!
I too love Kale Chips. I started making them a few months ago and now I always have a bunch in the house to grab
I love kale chips.. I love a little bit of greek yogurt and salt for dipping and it is a perfect afternoon snack
Four peanut butter cups in one package! Yikes. Sounds dangerous. I do better with the “Fun Size” … although I don’t know what’s so “fun” about a smaller portion on candy.
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