I made up a really REALLY good recipe today! My brother mentioned key lime pie and I got really obsessed.
Because I am a recent Chia initiate I thought I might try using a similar recipe to the coconut mango dessert that I made the other day.
Raw Vegan Key Lime Pie
For the filling:
Juice of 6 key limes (the little ones)
zest of 3 key limes
Juice of 1 medium lemon
5 Tbs raw honey (or to taste)
1/4 c. coconut cream
add coconut milk to bring the liquid amout to 1 1/2 cups
6 Tbs. dry chia seeds
5 Tbs. shredded coconut.
Whisk all ingredients together and let sit on counter for 30 mins. Whisk again and put in fridge for a couple of hours.
For the crust:
In the food processor put:
1 c. pecans
1/4 c. unsweetened coconut
6 or 7 dates (depending on size)
Blast it on high until it makes a crumbly, sticky consistency. If it is not quite sticky enough, you can add a sprinkle of water and zip it up. Pat the mixture evenly into a medium baking pan. If it is wet you can put it into a 100 degree oven for a bit to dry out.
When it is completely cool you can dump the filling straight on top or blend the filling first to make a smoother consistency. Top with whipped coconut cream or sprinkled coconut.
NOM! NOM! NOM!
Monday, 9 May 2016
Sunday, 8 May 2016
A Soft Week
Dear readers, this has been a very interesting first week of rawness. I offered myself a great deal of flexibility this week as far as being 100% raw. Budgetary constraints before payday and temptation from the lovely things that I cooked for supper led to a certain lack of commitment.
I am not going to be bothered by this, however, as I allowed myself to be more loose this week. Now that I am acclimatized I am ready to be more committed to being strictly raw in the coming week.
I have never been overly keen on making salad, but I am coming up with some delicious and unusual combinations. For example:
-Spinach, pear, broccoli, raisins and pecans with "caesar" dressing
-fennel, marinated mushroom, spinach, with flax and chia cracker crumble (more on that in a minute)
I have learned to work with a few new ingredients. Chia seeds, for example, are a very popular thing at the moment and I tend to roll my eyes a bit at faddish stuff. Still, for a raw diet they are a neat thing to work with. They can also be insanely sticky. If ever you plan to make raw crackers BE SURE TO USE PARCHMENT PAPER ON THE BAKING SHEET!
Here is a very nice link that I found in my explorations. I made Coconut Mango Chia Pudding last night. YUM! But don't eat too much because it fills you up like crazy, and makes a hasty exit the following morning.
http://greatist.com/eat/chia-seed-pudding-recipes
Some things that I noticed this week in my physical adaptation to eating so much raw were expected and some were not. First, I had a raging headache for the first day and a half of the process. Being no stranger to cleanses I recognize this as being a symptom of the Candida (or yeast) dying off. I was also a complete grouch over the first couple of days which was also expected as I got used to eating less calories at the beginning.
My guts have taken a little time adapting to the roughage passing through. I discovered that raw cruciferous veg (such as broccoli and cabbage) give me a very hard time with bloating and gas, as well as having a dampening effect on my already beleaguered thyroid. So I am supposed to ferment them... not sure whether that appeals to me. I am not a huge fan of kimchi or saurkraut. But maybe I will make a small batch in the interest of gastro-intestinal health. I shall let you know how that goes.
I am not going to be bothered by this, however, as I allowed myself to be more loose this week. Now that I am acclimatized I am ready to be more committed to being strictly raw in the coming week.
I have never been overly keen on making salad, but I am coming up with some delicious and unusual combinations. For example:
-Spinach, pear, broccoli, raisins and pecans with "caesar" dressing
-fennel, marinated mushroom, spinach, with flax and chia cracker crumble (more on that in a minute)
I have learned to work with a few new ingredients. Chia seeds, for example, are a very popular thing at the moment and I tend to roll my eyes a bit at faddish stuff. Still, for a raw diet they are a neat thing to work with. They can also be insanely sticky. If ever you plan to make raw crackers BE SURE TO USE PARCHMENT PAPER ON THE BAKING SHEET!
Here is a very nice link that I found in my explorations. I made Coconut Mango Chia Pudding last night. YUM! But don't eat too much because it fills you up like crazy, and makes a hasty exit the following morning.
http://greatist.com/eat/chia-seed-pudding-recipes
Some things that I noticed this week in my physical adaptation to eating so much raw were expected and some were not. First, I had a raging headache for the first day and a half of the process. Being no stranger to cleanses I recognize this as being a symptom of the Candida (or yeast) dying off. I was also a complete grouch over the first couple of days which was also expected as I got used to eating less calories at the beginning.
My guts have taken a little time adapting to the roughage passing through. I discovered that raw cruciferous veg (such as broccoli and cabbage) give me a very hard time with bloating and gas, as well as having a dampening effect on my already beleaguered thyroid. So I am supposed to ferment them... not sure whether that appeals to me. I am not a huge fan of kimchi or saurkraut. But maybe I will make a small batch in the interest of gastro-intestinal health. I shall let you know how that goes.
Wednesday, 4 May 2016
Wicked good dressing
Before I forget I need to share this recipe for my Caesar/Ranch dressing. Totally raw, vegan, healthy and delicious!
First I need to explain that I am not really a condiments girl- give me a slice of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil any day over creamy dressings. But this is so darn good as a dressing and a dip that I had to share.
Raw Vegan Caesar Dressing
In a blender combine:
1/2 c. warm water
4 Tbs. tahini
2 Tbs. sunflower seed butter
3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
1 clove of garlic, peeled
1/4 c. olive oil
pinch of salt
Just zip it all together until it is nice and creamy and use it as you will. Apparently romaine lettuce has a decent amount of protein! Who would have thought? If you leave it in the fridge for a day, the mixture firms up and makes a delicious dip.
Feel free to substitute the vinegar for lemon and play around with the seasonings. What kind of tasty variations can you come up with?
First I need to explain that I am not really a condiments girl- give me a slice of lemon and a drizzle of olive oil any day over creamy dressings. But this is so darn good as a dressing and a dip that I had to share.
Raw Vegan Caesar Dressing
In a blender combine:
1/2 c. warm water
4 Tbs. tahini
2 Tbs. sunflower seed butter
3 Tbs. apple cider vinegar
1 clove of garlic, peeled
1/4 c. olive oil
pinch of salt
Just zip it all together until it is nice and creamy and use it as you will. Apparently romaine lettuce has a decent amount of protein! Who would have thought? If you leave it in the fridge for a day, the mixture firms up and makes a delicious dip.
Feel free to substitute the vinegar for lemon and play around with the seasonings. What kind of tasty variations can you come up with?
Tuesday, 3 May 2016
Adventures in the Raw: five years later...
It has been several years since I first went on a major weight loss campaign. The baby whose weight I was trying to lose in my previous entries has just turned five and, as there are no more babies on whom to blame my excess flab, I decided it was time to try another intense regimen to achieve the body that I want.
This time I am going RAW! I am trying one solid month of exclusively raw food to see how it works for me. If all goes well I may continue the trend. If it all tanks and fails after a couple of weeks, I will have benefited at least some from that amount of time.
The idea is to go raw, but I am not interested in going vegan at the same time. I tried that once before and it didn't suit me. Still, carpaccio is not really on my radar. Sashimi and Ceviche, here we come!
I officially started my regimen (I don't like the word "diet") yesterday and I did really well with a fine bowl of grated beetroot and carrot with parsley and crumbled pecans dressed with lemon juice. (recipe below)
I had a lunch of leftover rice casserole because it was there and REALLY belly flopped with the pizza for dinner (courtesy of my dear brother- I didn't want to seem ungrateful).
Today I started anew with a soaked millet and blueberry smoothie. It didn't taste bad and it filled me right up but the texture reminded me of drinking wet sand. Blah.
I am doing what I can with what is in my cupboards at the moment. I have made a comprehensive shopping list for tomorrow and I will be able to make all kinds of lovely things which I would be delighted to share with you!
A Grate Breakfast
good for one really hungry person or 2 as a side
2 medium carrots, unpeeled
1 medium beetroot, peeled
1/4 c. chopped parsley
a handful of crumbled pecans
juice of 1/2 lemon
Using the fine shred, grate your roots. Chop the parsley and toss in with the pecans and lemon juice. Let sit for a few minutes and enjoy.
Monday, 9 January 2012
New Years Resolved
Happy 2012! I am writing to you from the next checkpoint on my journey. I had mentioned that by the turning of the year I would like to be in a new dress size and some more pounds lighter. As it stands, unfortunately, I have not made that goal. I did maintain my previous weight of 215, even through the height of Christmas pigging so I am not too down about it.
This fall and winter have been challenging for me to try and stick to the program. The inevitable gloom that happens when the season turns grey is a clear trigger for my emotional eating habits. Drop me in the middle of a very tempting Bakers Market followed by holiday cookie season and voila! Lack of willpower.
Well, now there are no more excuses. I am back in business and ready to commit. I have started by making a list of all the lovely foods that I am allowed to have and there are so many combinations available that I am not likely to get bored. I have taken a couple of books out of the library with healthy and fresh recipes for predominantly vegetarian food. I feel ready and excited again. My last challenge is to figure out when I will get to work out. I am realizing that the diet is just not enough if I want to succeed. Exercise is crucial and it is not exactly the season for daily walks with the double stroller.
And so I venture once more into the fray as it were. Let us see if I can lose 25 more pounds in the coming three months.
This fall and winter have been challenging for me to try and stick to the program. The inevitable gloom that happens when the season turns grey is a clear trigger for my emotional eating habits. Drop me in the middle of a very tempting Bakers Market followed by holiday cookie season and voila! Lack of willpower.
Well, now there are no more excuses. I am back in business and ready to commit. I have started by making a list of all the lovely foods that I am allowed to have and there are so many combinations available that I am not likely to get bored. I have taken a couple of books out of the library with healthy and fresh recipes for predominantly vegetarian food. I feel ready and excited again. My last challenge is to figure out when I will get to work out. I am realizing that the diet is just not enough if I want to succeed. Exercise is crucial and it is not exactly the season for daily walks with the double stroller.
And so I venture once more into the fray as it were. Let us see if I can lose 25 more pounds in the coming three months.
Sunday, 16 October 2011
I made it to the first milestone!
The next landmark will be to get into a new size of clothes by New Years. Let us see how that progresses...
Sunday, 2 October 2011
Long time and the Weight is not yet over...
Wow, how quickly two months can breeze by. I must be honest and say that I have not been very good at my program of late. I am preparing for the Vancouver Baker's Market and I have been up to my eyeballs in candy, cakes and pies (oh MY!). It would be irresponsible of me to sell my wares without having tried them first, right? Ah who am I kidding. Off the wagon again but luckily still losing pounds.
I am currently at 215 lbs and about 38 inches around. I am happy about that and I attest my modest success to three things: subconscious adherence to the Strict Week rules much of the time, portion control, and Curves Fitness. I have been on my program for four months now and many of the lifestyle changes that I found so hard at the beginning are almost (I say ALMOST okay, I'm not a hypocrite) second nature. It is easier anyway.
Portion control is a big one. Some people lose tons of weight on portion control alone. I have been eating just enough to slake my hunger, not to the point of feeling full. I eat several times in the day, pretty much when my daughter eats, and I find that if I get it right I am never really hungry.
Finally, Curves. Horray! I have been looking forward to starting a workout schedule and it is really working for me. I am lucky to have the kind of muscles that build quickly and the more muscle one has, the more fat is burned. I have only just started but I can see it as being a very good way for me to get in shape. Thanks to Mom and Dad for gifting me the membership!
So I am going to forgive myself for any transgressions that happen this month with Thanksgiving, the Baker's Market and Hallowe'en fast approaching. November is when I tighten the belt in preparation for Christmas feasting. Believe me, the way we do Christmas I will need the seven weeks of good behaviour!
I am currently at 215 lbs and about 38 inches around. I am happy about that and I attest my modest success to three things: subconscious adherence to the Strict Week rules much of the time, portion control, and Curves Fitness. I have been on my program for four months now and many of the lifestyle changes that I found so hard at the beginning are almost (I say ALMOST okay, I'm not a hypocrite) second nature. It is easier anyway.
Portion control is a big one. Some people lose tons of weight on portion control alone. I have been eating just enough to slake my hunger, not to the point of feeling full. I eat several times in the day, pretty much when my daughter eats, and I find that if I get it right I am never really hungry.
Finally, Curves. Horray! I have been looking forward to starting a workout schedule and it is really working for me. I am lucky to have the kind of muscles that build quickly and the more muscle one has, the more fat is burned. I have only just started but I can see it as being a very good way for me to get in shape. Thanks to Mom and Dad for gifting me the membership!
So I am going to forgive myself for any transgressions that happen this month with Thanksgiving, the Baker's Market and Hallowe'en fast approaching. November is when I tighten the belt in preparation for Christmas feasting. Believe me, the way we do Christmas I will need the seven weeks of good behaviour!
Wednesday, 3 August 2011
Plateaus and Challenges
It has been a while since I have posted. Not that I haven't wanted to but I have had remarkably little to say. I have discovered that July contains a LOT of cake filled birthday parties and ice cream on hot days. I have fallen off the wagon, chased it down the road, and then stood in the middle of the road waving my arm at the retreating cloud of dust.
Even so, I am still holding at 223 lbs and my waist measures 39 inches. I am boarding the wagon once again because that is what you do every time you fall. I have been learning that this path that I am following is not a cakewalk (both literally and figuratively). I have triggers and pitfalls, moments of strength and of weakness- sounds like a video game.
In all honesty I have not pulled myself together to make weekly meal plans so the Four Lists have not really been adhered to very solidly. I have been good about keeping to Strict Week rules for the most part and I have got to say how much better my general health is. When you cut out irritants like dairy, gluten and sugar for the majority of your weekly fare your general well being increases greatly.
I have found a pattern of certain challenges that have come up in the past month.
1: Birthday parties, afternoon tea visits, going out to eat.
It is very hard to navigate social activities, especially with traditional fare such as cake, cookies, bread etc. I have a strange balance of not wanting to offend anyone and validating a cheat (oh well, it is a party after all...)
2: Budgetary concerns
There are times in the month when the grocery budget dwindles to a point where the supper options are limited to frozen perogies, pizza, or pasta.
3: Parenting
If we are running out to the park and I am making peanut butter sandwiches anyway I am not going to steam up veggies and quinoa for myself. I do replace the jam for a banana or an apple though.
While I have an idea how to navigate these challenges, I need to organization skills to do so. Working on that...
Even so, I am still holding at 223 lbs and my waist measures 39 inches. I am boarding the wagon once again because that is what you do every time you fall. I have been learning that this path that I am following is not a cakewalk (both literally and figuratively). I have triggers and pitfalls, moments of strength and of weakness- sounds like a video game.
In all honesty I have not pulled myself together to make weekly meal plans so the Four Lists have not really been adhered to very solidly. I have been good about keeping to Strict Week rules for the most part and I have got to say how much better my general health is. When you cut out irritants like dairy, gluten and sugar for the majority of your weekly fare your general well being increases greatly.
I have found a pattern of certain challenges that have come up in the past month.
1: Birthday parties, afternoon tea visits, going out to eat.
It is very hard to navigate social activities, especially with traditional fare such as cake, cookies, bread etc. I have a strange balance of not wanting to offend anyone and validating a cheat (oh well, it is a party after all...)
2: Budgetary concerns
There are times in the month when the grocery budget dwindles to a point where the supper options are limited to frozen perogies, pizza, or pasta.
3: Parenting
If we are running out to the park and I am making peanut butter sandwiches anyway I am not going to steam up veggies and quinoa for myself. I do replace the jam for a banana or an apple though.
While I have an idea how to navigate these challenges, I need to organization skills to do so. Working on that...
Monday, 11 July 2011
Ahhh Steak!
I have to tell you about steak. Steaks have always been my Achilles Heel. I can cook pretty much anything but I was always stumped by steak, making them invariably wooden and flavorless. Tonight was quite different. I looked up the Good Eats episode on steaks and it featured a technique that makes a perfect steak in about 7 minutes. When I tried it it also produced billows of white smoke that filled my home, but also two delicious steaks that could be cut by a butter knife. Next time I will use the barbecue.
Here is something nice that you can have as your once-a-week red meat splurge.
Have your steak(s) at room temperature when you start. They recommended rib-eye but I used top sirloin and it worked beautifully. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees (not the broiler) and put a cast iron skillet on the burner at almost maximum heat. Season your steaks with a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Lightly drizzle both sides with a little canola oil. Now, turn on your stovetop fan.
Slap the steak(s) into your HOT pan and LEAVE IT ALONE for 30 seconds, flip and wait another 30 seconds. Don't mess with it.
Pop the whole thing into your volcano hot oven for two minutes, flip the steak(s) and bake another two minutes. Remove the pan and now it is time to rest the meat.
Invert a saucer on a dinner plate and put your steak on top, then cover loosely with foil. Do this with each individual piece of meat. Let rest for ten minutes or so while you fan all the smoke out of your doors and windows and worry your neighbors (just kidding).
Remove the saucer and break out the Worcestershire.
Serve with a nice green salad and some brown rice. These steaks are cooked with such high heat that most of the fat is seared away, leaving just a nice juicy steak for you to enjoy.
Here is something nice that you can have as your once-a-week red meat splurge.
Have your steak(s) at room temperature when you start. They recommended rib-eye but I used top sirloin and it worked beautifully. Preheat your oven to 500 degrees (not the broiler) and put a cast iron skillet on the burner at almost maximum heat. Season your steaks with a generous sprinkling of kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper on both sides. Lightly drizzle both sides with a little canola oil. Now, turn on your stovetop fan.
Slap the steak(s) into your HOT pan and LEAVE IT ALONE for 30 seconds, flip and wait another 30 seconds. Don't mess with it.
Pop the whole thing into your volcano hot oven for two minutes, flip the steak(s) and bake another two minutes. Remove the pan and now it is time to rest the meat.
Invert a saucer on a dinner plate and put your steak on top, then cover loosely with foil. Do this with each individual piece of meat. Let rest for ten minutes or so while you fan all the smoke out of your doors and windows and worry your neighbors (just kidding).
Remove the saucer and break out the Worcestershire.
Serve with a nice green salad and some brown rice. These steaks are cooked with such high heat that most of the fat is seared away, leaving just a nice juicy steak for you to enjoy.
Wednesday, 6 July 2011
Wednesday Weigh-In and the Wonders of Walking
Hurrah! Progress! This morning I weighed in at 225 lbs and my waist measurement went down to 41 inches! We are now rolling! Despite my recent mishaps involving cake I am pleased to see that I am getting results. I attribute this success to my regular and rigorous walking regimen. Wednesdays and Fridays I have a good long walk of an hour at least and the rest of the time I manage to get about that much. It also helps that I have a really heavy and unwieldy double stroller to lug around.
It is so important to have a walking partner who will keep you on task. Two weeks ago on a Friday it was just pouring rain and I really didn't want to do the "big walk" but my walking buddy prodded me along and, although I got soaked, I had a good time and I felt very righteous for doing it.
So, fill up a water bottle or two, bring a sunshade for the kids in the stroller, and slap on the sunscreen. Also walk in the morning before it gets too hot- we are not going for unbearable here.
It is so important to have a walking partner who will keep you on task. Two weeks ago on a Friday it was just pouring rain and I really didn't want to do the "big walk" but my walking buddy prodded me along and, although I got soaked, I had a good time and I felt very righteous for doing it.
So, fill up a water bottle or two, bring a sunshade for the kids in the stroller, and slap on the sunscreen. Also walk in the morning before it gets too hot- we are not going for unbearable here.
Tuesday, 5 July 2011
A Worrying Development
I shocked myself yesterday. Over the past week or so my resolve has been tested as I am sure is the natural rhythm of any drastic lifestyle change. I have been facing stresses within my family: husband ill, baby teething, and toddler being, well, her age. I have not been sleeping properly and have been feeling generally strained. This was not a good environment to also have the temptation of a table full of chocolate cupcakes (a commission from my landlady).
Well, confession time. I was icing cupcakes yesterday and completely lost control of myself. Before I knew it I was slapping gobs of icing on a leftover slab of cake and shoving it into my face. It was like I was watching myself doing it and trying to protest. Afterward I was so disgusted with myself. I actually went into the washroom and tried to make myself throw it all up. That is when I took a mental step back and said to myself "what the hell are you doing?!". I am NOT that person.
I suppose that this is rather skewed sign of commitment on my part. A month ago I would have shrugged my shoulders and somehow validated my little gorge session. It's just that I have been so good since I started this path and to find myself doing something so out of character is really disconcerting.
I am realizing more and more the unhealthy relationship that I have with food when I am overtired and stressed. I am strongly aware of my habit of comfort eating and it has been getting the better of me for too long. The worst part of it is that because I feel down about what has happened, I want to eat more junk, even though I know that will only make things worse.
I am tempted to lock things down even more severely but I am worried that it will stop being a positive experience. I think I will just do my best to stay the course with Strict Week during the week and a bit more relaxed on the weekends. I have not been keeping up with the Four Lists so I am going to start writing weekly meal plans. I think that will be the easy push to get myself back on track.
Above all, I am determined not to let this get me down. It was a valuable learning experience about my own weaknesses and limits and I can now say that I know where I need to watch myself and to care for myself. If I feel weak then I know there are other things afoot and I need to look after myself a little better.
Well, confession time. I was icing cupcakes yesterday and completely lost control of myself. Before I knew it I was slapping gobs of icing on a leftover slab of cake and shoving it into my face. It was like I was watching myself doing it and trying to protest. Afterward I was so disgusted with myself. I actually went into the washroom and tried to make myself throw it all up. That is when I took a mental step back and said to myself "what the hell are you doing?!". I am NOT that person.
I suppose that this is rather skewed sign of commitment on my part. A month ago I would have shrugged my shoulders and somehow validated my little gorge session. It's just that I have been so good since I started this path and to find myself doing something so out of character is really disconcerting.
I am realizing more and more the unhealthy relationship that I have with food when I am overtired and stressed. I am strongly aware of my habit of comfort eating and it has been getting the better of me for too long. The worst part of it is that because I feel down about what has happened, I want to eat more junk, even though I know that will only make things worse.
I am tempted to lock things down even more severely but I am worried that it will stop being a positive experience. I think I will just do my best to stay the course with Strict Week during the week and a bit more relaxed on the weekends. I have not been keeping up with the Four Lists so I am going to start writing weekly meal plans. I think that will be the easy push to get myself back on track.
Above all, I am determined not to let this get me down. It was a valuable learning experience about my own weaknesses and limits and I can now say that I know where I need to watch myself and to care for myself. If I feel weak then I know there are other things afoot and I need to look after myself a little better.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
Derailed by Birthday Cakes!
This weekend was very rough on my willpower. I had two third birthday parties to attend with my daughter. Of course I could have refused the pizza, hot dogs, and three kinds of cake, but despite my long weeks of self-discipline the little convincing voice of the Candida Monkey was loud and clear. Some of the excuses that ran through my mind were "you have been so good for so long, you deserve a treat", "it's a party, you should eat party food", "you wouldn't want to insult the hostess" and so on. Seriously, I thought I was over that. Still, I am back on track with a good solid plan for another Strict Week. Honestly I am starting to like eating this way. I am buzzing with energy and feeling very clear headed, even though I am nursing a 2 1/2 month old. Oh I miss bread and cheese from time to time, and I have always had a sweet tooth, but I find that sweetened things are so much stronger than I remember- even pasta sauce!
Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Weigh-in Wednesday
Well, I have been at this for two and a half weeks and until last night my scale has remained relatively unchanged. This morning, however, I checked my weight to find that I dropped two pounds over night and am now sitting pretty at 228 lbs. This may not seem like a big deal but after two weeks of being so strict and not seeing any progress on the scale, I was pretty glad to see the weight coming off. That being said, even though I didn't lose pounds I have been losing width. I forgot to get a tape measure to see just where I was last week so I will start the measuring today. At this time my waist measures 44 inches around. Unacceptable! We are shooting for 32-34 inches.
I am interested to know, even though I was doing all I could to kick start the weight loss, why it has taken so long so gradually begin to work. I am going to write in to the Dr. Oz website to find out. He has been such an inspiration with his gradual and healthy weight loss programs. We'll see what they say.
In the meantime I am trying to stay the course and not succumb to temptation which is sometimes harder than others. This week I am taking a partial break from the Strict Week regimen and just trying to stick to my Lists. Even so, I find that I need to make detailed meal plans in order to maintain my discipline. Not necessarily a bad thing, just time-consuming. Let us see how things progress in the next week.
I am interested to know, even though I was doing all I could to kick start the weight loss, why it has taken so long so gradually begin to work. I am going to write in to the Dr. Oz website to find out. He has been such an inspiration with his gradual and healthy weight loss programs. We'll see what they say.
In the meantime I am trying to stay the course and not succumb to temptation which is sometimes harder than others. This week I am taking a partial break from the Strict Week regimen and just trying to stick to my Lists. Even so, I find that I need to make detailed meal plans in order to maintain my discipline. Not necessarily a bad thing, just time-consuming. Let us see how things progress in the next week.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
The Best Quinoa Salad
Sometimes it is hard to get inspired but other times inspiration hits like a bolt from the blue. I was happily struck by inspiration the other day when I created this salad. It has a large chunk of the components from List 1 (your daily dose of leafy greens, nuts, carrots, and whole grains) and this recipe makes enough to bring to a summer barbecue (and nobody will turn their nose up- I guarantee!). I hope you like it.
Asian Quinoa Salad
1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
1 carrot, grated
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 c. broccoli florets, lightly steamed
1 can baby corn, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpeas (or other bean that you prefer), drained and rinsed
1 bag baby spinach
1 c. whole raw walnuts
Dressing:
1/4 c. rice vinegar (or sushi vinegar)
3 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1/4 c. peanut butter
4 Tbs. orange juice
Prepare the quinoa by putting 1 c. dry quinoa into 2 c. cold water. Bring to a boil with the lid off and then stir, reduce heat to med-low, and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the end of that time if the quinoa looks a bit mushy spread it out in a bowl to cool. Meanwhile, steam your broccoli until it is bright green and still crunchy, 2-3 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
Compose your salad with everything except the walnuts and spinach and stir in the dressing. Make a bed of baby spinach in a broad bowl and pour the salad on top, then sprinkle walnuts on top.
This is a very pretty salad and so very healthy. One variation is to substitute the quinoa with cooked chow mein noodles and you've got an asian noodle salad.
If you prefer more of a mexican flavour you can substitute the broccoli with fresh tomato and avocado chunks, use black beans or kidney beans, and use the a light ranch dressing. Yum!
Asian Quinoa Salad
1 1/2 c. cooked quinoa
1 carrot, grated
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 c. broccoli florets, lightly steamed
1 can baby corn, drained and rinsed
1 can chickpeas (or other bean that you prefer), drained and rinsed
1 bag baby spinach
1 c. whole raw walnuts
Dressing:
1/4 c. rice vinegar (or sushi vinegar)
3 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. soy sauce
1/4 c. peanut butter
4 Tbs. orange juice
Prepare the quinoa by putting 1 c. dry quinoa into 2 c. cold water. Bring to a boil with the lid off and then stir, reduce heat to med-low, and cover. Cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. At the end of that time if the quinoa looks a bit mushy spread it out in a bowl to cool. Meanwhile, steam your broccoli until it is bright green and still crunchy, 2-3 minutes. Rinse under cold water to stop the cooking.
Compose your salad with everything except the walnuts and spinach and stir in the dressing. Make a bed of baby spinach in a broad bowl and pour the salad on top, then sprinkle walnuts on top.
This is a very pretty salad and so very healthy. One variation is to substitute the quinoa with cooked chow mein noodles and you've got an asian noodle salad.
If you prefer more of a mexican flavour you can substitute the broccoli with fresh tomato and avocado chunks, use black beans or kidney beans, and use the a light ranch dressing. Yum!
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
Fun facts about Strict Week
Well, this Strict Week is shaping up to be a bit easier than last week. I have convinced my brain to accept that I am not allowed certain things and I finally think that I am convincing the Candida Monkey to shut up. Since last week I have altered things a little.
I have always allowed an exception in my dairy rule to include yogurt, but having cut out most of my dairy consumption has done a bit of a number on my Calcium supply. I am also breastfeeding a very robust little boy who needs his nutrients, thereby depleting mine even further. I am now taking Calcium tablets with vitamin D along with my daily Prenatal and vitamin C. I am also taking two Omega 3-6-9 capsules daily as I can't always get oily fish and other Omega rich foods. I find that my mood is much more sunny when I remember to take my supplements in the morning with my breakfast. It is important to always take supplements with food so they have something to grab on to and also to keep form getting nauseous from some of the stronger minerals like Iron and Zinc.
Next there is chocolate. I have been doing some reading and have discovered that very good quality dark chocolate has some pretty amazing antioxidant properties. "Cocoa and cocoa-laden dark chocolate have been identified as rich sources of antioxidants known as flavanols. Cocoa has more cardioprotective proanthocyanidins than blueberries, more brain-saving catechins than green tea, more heart-healthy phenols than red wine. Two tablespoons of cocoa have more antioxidants than four cups of green tea." [Hara Estroff Marano, Psychology Today, March/April 2011]. As if I needed any convincing... So I have included one lovely square of 70% cocoa black Lindt goodness to my daily routine. It is a very nice treat that I allow myself once the kids are in bed at the end of the day. An interesting side effect is that it caps any craving that might start brewing and makes me feel like I have allowed myself the decadent treat that the Candida Monkey keeps harping on about. Bonus! It is not even hard to limit myself to one square because the high cocoa chocolate is so potent. So enjoy your chocolate, dear readers, as long as it is good quality and high in the magic cocoa solids.
And finally a word on gluten-free living. I picked up a great book on cooking with whole grains (The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook by Judith Finlayson). It is a fabulous primer for the whole grain rookie like myself because it has a complete breakdown of all the grains consumed today, their various forms, nutrition properties, fun facts, and how to cook them. All of this before the recipe section even begins!
It was inspiring to me to know how many grains that I can consume that are gluten free and very tasty. Grains with gluten include: barley, rye, and all forms of wheat (such as spelt, kamut, farro, bulgur and couscous). Gluten free grains include: Amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, sorghum, teff, and the old favourites, corn, oats, and rice. The latter three were ones that I wasn't certain about, but now that I know I have been enjoying my oatmeal, grits, and sushi very much. I can honestly say that I don't miss bread at all right now. One last word about this book: it includes stats and information about the US and Canada equally, which is refreshing for this Canadian mama.
I have always allowed an exception in my dairy rule to include yogurt, but having cut out most of my dairy consumption has done a bit of a number on my Calcium supply. I am also breastfeeding a very robust little boy who needs his nutrients, thereby depleting mine even further. I am now taking Calcium tablets with vitamin D along with my daily Prenatal and vitamin C. I am also taking two Omega 3-6-9 capsules daily as I can't always get oily fish and other Omega rich foods. I find that my mood is much more sunny when I remember to take my supplements in the morning with my breakfast. It is important to always take supplements with food so they have something to grab on to and also to keep form getting nauseous from some of the stronger minerals like Iron and Zinc.
Next there is chocolate. I have been doing some reading and have discovered that very good quality dark chocolate has some pretty amazing antioxidant properties. "Cocoa and cocoa-laden dark chocolate have been identified as rich sources of antioxidants known as flavanols. Cocoa has more cardioprotective proanthocyanidins than blueberries, more brain-saving catechins than green tea, more heart-healthy phenols than red wine. Two tablespoons of cocoa have more antioxidants than four cups of green tea." [Hara Estroff Marano, Psychology Today, March/April 2011]. As if I needed any convincing... So I have included one lovely square of 70% cocoa black Lindt goodness to my daily routine. It is a very nice treat that I allow myself once the kids are in bed at the end of the day. An interesting side effect is that it caps any craving that might start brewing and makes me feel like I have allowed myself the decadent treat that the Candida Monkey keeps harping on about. Bonus! It is not even hard to limit myself to one square because the high cocoa chocolate is so potent. So enjoy your chocolate, dear readers, as long as it is good quality and high in the magic cocoa solids.
And finally a word on gluten-free living. I picked up a great book on cooking with whole grains (The Complete Whole Grains Cookbook by Judith Finlayson). It is a fabulous primer for the whole grain rookie like myself because it has a complete breakdown of all the grains consumed today, their various forms, nutrition properties, fun facts, and how to cook them. All of this before the recipe section even begins!
It was inspiring to me to know how many grains that I can consume that are gluten free and very tasty. Grains with gluten include: barley, rye, and all forms of wheat (such as spelt, kamut, farro, bulgur and couscous). Gluten free grains include: Amaranth, buckwheat, millet, quinoa, sorghum, teff, and the old favourites, corn, oats, and rice. The latter three were ones that I wasn't certain about, but now that I know I have been enjoying my oatmeal, grits, and sushi very much. I can honestly say that I don't miss bread at all right now. One last word about this book: it includes stats and information about the US and Canada equally, which is refreshing for this Canadian mama.
Weekly Wednesday Weigh-in
Monday, 13 June 2011
Off the wagon and on again
Today I am back on track. Over the weekend I indeed had my pizza (home made and whole wheat, mind you) and pie (store bought, key lime, very good but next time I will make it myself). I meant to go back to the regime on Sunday but what's a girl to do if there are leftovers? So today I made sure I was extra well behaved. I had rice crackers with guacamole, baby spinach and sliced red bell pepper for lunch and I felt very righteous in doing so.
One side effect of this dramatic change in my eating habits has been a clear indication that my body is undergoing a purge. I keep breaking out in itchy little red rashes on my back and arms, I have hot flashes, and I have moments of "spicy" temperament. My mom, who knows of these things better than I, says that it is my liver flushing out toxins. Having experienced similar symptoms while doing an herbal cleanse, I can confidently agree and look forward to a shiny happy liver soon enough.
I wish that the past ten days had had more of an effect on my weight so I could at least feel like I have had a good head start. It is strange, I look like I am losing weight (yay!) but the scale says that I have gained 6 lbs. I don't get it. I will post the official numbers in a couple of days on Weigh-in Wednesday.
I am now going to curl up on the couch to watch Julie and Julia. I get a kick out of the fact that she is making and eating insanely fattening food and blogging about it while I am making and eating healthy low fat food and blogging about it. Plus the movie just makes me feel good.
One side effect of this dramatic change in my eating habits has been a clear indication that my body is undergoing a purge. I keep breaking out in itchy little red rashes on my back and arms, I have hot flashes, and I have moments of "spicy" temperament. My mom, who knows of these things better than I, says that it is my liver flushing out toxins. Having experienced similar symptoms while doing an herbal cleanse, I can confidently agree and look forward to a shiny happy liver soon enough.
I wish that the past ten days had had more of an effect on my weight so I could at least feel like I have had a good head start. It is strange, I look like I am losing weight (yay!) but the scale says that I have gained 6 lbs. I don't get it. I will post the official numbers in a couple of days on Weigh-in Wednesday.
I am now going to curl up on the couch to watch Julie and Julia. I get a kick out of the fact that she is making and eating insanely fattening food and blogging about it while I am making and eating healthy low fat food and blogging about it. Plus the movie just makes me feel good.
Friday, 10 June 2011
My first stumble
Well, despite all of my best intentions the inevitable has happened. I encountered the edge of my daughter's chocolate chip muffin the other morning and I admittedly ate it. But that was merely stubbing my toe. This morning, after only the slightest hesitation, I deliberately defrosted my own whole muffin and devoured it to the last crumb... then I ate the remnants of my daughter's again. Big faceplant! Of course this means that I am honour bound to endure another Strict Week. Clearly the Candida Monkey is still speaking to me.
One thing that I have begun to realize is that I need to be creative with my Strict Week menus in order for them to appeal to my high metabolism husband and daughter. While I can be fully content to eat a salad for my supper, both of them would be clamoring for another meal an hour later. I picked up a whole grains cookbook at the library and I will try some of the recipes and relay my favourites.
I have decided that I will have my one allotted dessert and some homemade pizza for my Saturday dinner tomorrow- as much for my family as for myself. I will resume my Strict Week on Sunday.
One thing that I have begun to realize is that I need to be creative with my Strict Week menus in order for them to appeal to my high metabolism husband and daughter. While I can be fully content to eat a salad for my supper, both of them would be clamoring for another meal an hour later. I picked up a whole grains cookbook at the library and I will try some of the recipes and relay my favourites.
I have decided that I will have my one allotted dessert and some homemade pizza for my Saturday dinner tomorrow- as much for my family as for myself. I will resume my Strict Week on Sunday.
Wednesday, 8 June 2011
The Candida Monkey
Today is the first day that I was feeling truly weak. Not physically mind you, but my resolve was challenged. It started yesterday when I had to turn off the computer due to a very persistent ad featuring a particularly delicious looking cinnamon bun. Today as I was running errands the wafting aromas from the bakery at the mall and the pizza shop on the street caused me such distress that I had to rush past telling myself "eyes front, soldier!". At the grocery store I stared at a key lime meringue pie as though it were a priceless work of art. I have promised myself some on Saturday when Strict Week is over and I am allowed to claim my one weekly dessert.
This morning I ate the edge of my daughter's chocolate chip muffin. She was done with it and I told myself that it was because I didn't want it to go to waste. Baloney! I felt so terribly guilty afterward for having broken my vow. It's funny how a little muffin rind can cause such stress.
My mom, who is undertaking to leave sugar behind at the same time as I am, emailed me about the little voice of the Candida Monkey. It is true that when one is cleansing the yeast bacteria that cause Candida will send messages to your brain to make you actually believe that you need more sugar and other yeast-friendly foods. I takes the form of a little nagging voice like an evil conscience telling you things like "oh, I have been so good lately, I deserve a little treat" or "no one is telling me I can't have it" or "I need to keep my energy up because it is going to be a busy day" and so on. The Candida Monkey is hard to ignore because it does such a darn good impression of one's own internal voice. The good thing is that once the Candida is gone after three or four days, it is blissfully quiet inside one's head.
I am feeling generally pretty discouraged today though. After yesterday's discovery of an extra ten pounds and my little tryst with a muffin, I am realizing that it is going to be a big challenge to achieve this goal. I hope that I can stick with it and make writing about it just a part of my everyday routine. As least I can be sure that Strict Week will only last a few more days until I decide to do it again. More water, vitamins, and more exercise will also help me to feel better about myself and this entire process. It is always hardest at the beginning of any long term campaign and I just need to keep on pushing. Raaaah! Goodbye Candida Monkey!
This morning I ate the edge of my daughter's chocolate chip muffin. She was done with it and I told myself that it was because I didn't want it to go to waste. Baloney! I felt so terribly guilty afterward for having broken my vow. It's funny how a little muffin rind can cause such stress.
My mom, who is undertaking to leave sugar behind at the same time as I am, emailed me about the little voice of the Candida Monkey. It is true that when one is cleansing the yeast bacteria that cause Candida will send messages to your brain to make you actually believe that you need more sugar and other yeast-friendly foods. I takes the form of a little nagging voice like an evil conscience telling you things like "oh, I have been so good lately, I deserve a little treat" or "no one is telling me I can't have it" or "I need to keep my energy up because it is going to be a busy day" and so on. The Candida Monkey is hard to ignore because it does such a darn good impression of one's own internal voice. The good thing is that once the Candida is gone after three or four days, it is blissfully quiet inside one's head.
I am feeling generally pretty discouraged today though. After yesterday's discovery of an extra ten pounds and my little tryst with a muffin, I am realizing that it is going to be a big challenge to achieve this goal. I hope that I can stick with it and make writing about it just a part of my everyday routine. As least I can be sure that Strict Week will only last a few more days until I decide to do it again. More water, vitamins, and more exercise will also help me to feel better about myself and this entire process. It is always hardest at the beginning of any long term campaign and I just need to keep on pushing. Raaaah! Goodbye Candida Monkey!
Tuesday, 7 June 2011
Tipping the Scale
I did it. Today I bought the dreaded bathroom scale. I am not going to be content in not knowing what progress I am making. The downside is knowing how heavy I really am. A full ten pounds more than expected! Granted some of that is milk but I am still one hefty mama.Soooo this means that my goal weight is a full 60 pounds away. Drat!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)