So last week was my wife's birthday.  I know I say "everything in moderation" all the time but in this case, there was no moderation.  We went to Melt. 

I could say that I felt guilty cheating or that I was disappointed in myself for going but the truth is I was fine with it.  I ate really well that week so why shouldn't I be able to treat myself? I enjoyed it, a lot.  The next day I went right back to healthy eating and never looked back. I have been doing really well and decided that, just like bread, this is part of my life.  I don't want to deny myself these things and be on a "diet" for the rest of my life.  I want to modify what I do now to make it a lifestyle change that still affords me the opportunity to splurge every now and then.  So maybe in this case the moderation is not in the amount of food I ate but in the frequency that I go to Melt. 

PS – In case you were wondering, it was REALLY good!

Got weighed in Saturday, happy to say I lost 10 lbs.

I still find it amusing that when people find out I'm a baker, they always ask if I eat my baked goods.

The answer is YES!

I love bread and I have a sweet tooth. So it's not, do I eat it my baked goods, it's watching how much of it, I eat.

I diet like the rest of us, but I also reward myself from time to time with a treat.  One of my favorite treats is what many of you call a cookie...I call a "BAKIE".

I really never understood why they call them cookies, when you bake them. That's why I call them "bakies".  I'm sure glad you don't fry them!

Anyways, I can tell you that I use only the best available ingredients in my "bakies", from unprocessed flour to all natural sugar. 

Some people swear by their protein bars after workouts, I'll take one of my "bakies" any day, at least I can pronounce all of the ingredients which I put into them.

Reward yourself once in a while...with a "BAKIE"

Just wondering...

Why isn't there any bread listed in any of the pre calculated ultimate mealplans.

Being from a European background, there was always bread at the dinner table.  A great filler and a high source of fiber.

I make my own bread at my bakery, so I know what I put into it.  No processed flours or sugars. I really believe it's a healthy part of my diet.

I will always have  a slice of bread with every dinner.

I hope everyone had a sweet Valentine's Day.

It was really nice to see so many people supporting a small bakery like mine. 

Thank you to all my customers that realize that having a little sweets is not a bad thing, especially the chocolate covered strawberries!!!

Everything in moderation.

Well I finally figured out this computer stuff!

There's a saying that goes something like...If you like doing your job, you'll never work a day in your life.

I've been a baker for over 35 years.  First Starting out at the old Hough Bakeries when I was in High School. Then went on to owning the Willoughby Baking Company for over 16 years. Now I run a little bakery in Eastlake called Cakes By Maria and Joe, featuring cakes for all occasions.

All in all, I love my job, and everything that goes with it, including, indulging into the decadent sweets that I make.

Coming from a European background, bread was a staple at every dinner table.

That is my weakness, my kryptonite.  Come on, is there anything better than fresh bread coming out of an oven, and watching butter just melt all over it?

As I start my diet for Lighten Up I know I will have to watch my calories, but like the saying goes, everything in moderation.

I hope to use Lighten Up as a ways to a healthier lifestyle and possibly changing some of the thing I make in my bakery to be more healthier and just as delicious as ever.