PASSOVER - EXODUS FROM MITZRAYIM

Friday night was the first night of Passover.  Most people know that Passover (Pesach) is a holiday that commemorates the exodus of the Jewish People from slavery in Egypt (Mitzrayim).   The story was depicted in the famous Cecil B. DeMille 1956 movie, The Ten Commandments, starring Charlton Heston as Moses.

My Rabbi at the Chabad House that I frequent has explained that among the things that make this 3000 year old story as relevant today as it ever was - is that many of us need to escape from slavery.  Some of us may be slaves to fashion, or money, drugs, or as in my case....I was a slave to a voracious appetite for unhealthy foods.   For the past 3+ months, I have been escaping from Mitzrayim.  No longer a slave.  I am free.  And it feels real good!  Chag Sameach.  (Joyous Festival, Happy Passover)

SATURDAY MENU

breakfast   one round Shmurah Matzo                                                                            120 calories

lunch         My Fit Foods Korean BBQ Tenderloin, spinach salad, 12 cherry tomatoes 447 calories

dinner       spinach salad, 12 cherry tomato, Panera Chicken Tortilla Soup bowl, matzo 497 calories

total calories consumed 1064 calories

CALORIES BURNED

2PM elliptical 32 minutes   485 calories

SATURDAY NET CALORIES     579 NET CALORIES

From the chabad.org website: 

Shmurah matzot are round, kneaded and shaped by hand, and are similar to the matzot that were baked by the Children of Israel as they left Egypt. 

My Chabad Rabbi introduced me to Shmurah Matzo three years ago.
I had never seen such Matzo before, or even heard of it.
The Matzo is watched (guarded) through each step of production.

              

CHILLY OUTSIDE - CHILI INSIDE

After finishing up with my customer around 1:30PM today I got into my car and used my GARMIN GPS to locate the nearest Panera Bread restaurant.  Last evening, while checking nutritional information posted by virtually every chain restaurant - I 'discovered' a 'Natural Turkey Chili with Beans' that looked tasty.   The caloric content really grabbed my attention.   Honestly, I couldn't believe that a bowl 1.5 Cups (402g) was only 280 Calories.   In the past I would have left my appointment and scooted over to Burger King or McDonalds (it is hard to drive more than 1/2 mile in parts of America and not find one of those restaurants)   Today, I navigated to the Panera Bread restaurant and enjoyed what seemed like the most delicious meal I can ever remember.  It is helpful to be truly hungry before sitting down to a meal.   I feel like I just landed on an exotic planet and I am discovering all its strange and new delicacies.    Sure, I know that this all sounds somewhat ridiculous - for the past many years I have been a victim of my laziness and stupidity.   I am experiencing my own personal Exodus out of a self-imposed slavery.  I am free.   Tomorrow I will weigh myself with my clothes on - as I was weighed in the doctors office.  I am curious to learn how much weight I have lost in this first week.   Happy New Year!

PANERA BREAD TURKEY CHILI WITH BEANS 280 CALORIES