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.
Sunday, 8 May 2016
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...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)