Attempting to create new healthy habits is not easy during the holidays, much less while traveling during the holidays. We've been in Odessa for nine days. For the most part, I have felt like I have moved from couch, to table and back to the couch again. I went for a light jog and did some walking lunges yesterday. It is amazing what 30 minutes of activity can do for the mind let alone the body.
My mother-in-law makes fudge, buckeye balls and peppermint bark at Christmas. She also made me a birthday cake (GF of course), pecan pie, apple pie and lemon pie. I set the limit for myself that I would not have more than two buckeye balls per day and I would only have pie on Christmas. I have kept to the limit on balls. I was weak last night and did have a small sliver of pecan pie.
I feel like a tub of lard. If you know me - you know I have BDD (Body Dismorphic Disorder). Not really, but I often look in the mirror and I see Oprah looking back at me. Yes, I know she is black and I am white, but I feel like I am her shape. It is insanity really - because I am at least five inches taller and in my mind, I know I am not "fat". I am sure the lack of exercise only adds to feeling totally disgusted with myself. Thank God there is no scale in my in-law's house!
I have been keeping up with my Green Shake. I am super thankful for my husband who has also made it a part of his daily routine. In all honesty, without his discipline this week would have been a complete bust! I have been completely Gluten Free since Day One. It helps to have people who understand and hold you accountable instead of tempt you!
I'll be home tomorrow and am excited to be back in my own element, free of temptation and no sweets in sight. I'm hopeful next week I will be more up beat and positive about my body, my diet and my outlook!
Here's to resolutions kept!
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
Day Four: Reduced Cravings and a Lapse in Discipline!
I can honestly say that I think the increase in fiber (green shake and flax seed) is having a huge impact on my cravings. We had 3 holiday parties this weekend, including one that I catered. I made it through all three without snacking! No, I am not joking.
You know that feeling you get in your tummy and the watery mouth that comes with seeing a plate full of fudge, cookies, and red-velvet cake? Well, I stared into the face of sugary sweets this weekend three times and I was hardly tempted. I've read before that if you have the right amount of fiber in your diet you can drastically decrease your cravings for sugar/sweets. It seems to be true.
I've also observed that I am full VERY quickly when I am eating and cannot finish portion sizes I could easily finish last week. I'm happy about that. Reducing portion sizes is one of the keys to weight loss. We'll see how that is working out when I weigh on Wednesday! :)
Yesterday was the first day I took the Apple Cider vinegar. I can't say I enjoyed it at all. I may try diluting it in water today. It was pretty harsh on my throat and difficult to down in one large swig.
Today is day 4 of the green shake, Day 3 of Flax Seed and Day 2 of vinegar. All in all, I feel great. I am still trying to convince my husband to join me on my journey. I'd love to see him trade his french fries for broccoli and his chocolate for fruit. I'm not holding my breath. If at the very least he could just add the vegetables and fiber to his diet - he'd at least be getting some nutrition.
I do have a confession before I end today's rant. I ate some bread last night. It was not GF. It was soaked in butter and garlic. I couldn't resist. Well, that is not true. I could have, I just didn't. I suffered all night long and regretted every bite. When will I learn? No matter how much butter is on the bread - iwill not be happy with myself and my body cannot tell the difference between yummy gluten and not yummy gluten. Ahhh, well, every day is a new day.
You know that feeling you get in your tummy and the watery mouth that comes with seeing a plate full of fudge, cookies, and red-velvet cake? Well, I stared into the face of sugary sweets this weekend three times and I was hardly tempted. I've read before that if you have the right amount of fiber in your diet you can drastically decrease your cravings for sugar/sweets. It seems to be true.
I've also observed that I am full VERY quickly when I am eating and cannot finish portion sizes I could easily finish last week. I'm happy about that. Reducing portion sizes is one of the keys to weight loss. We'll see how that is working out when I weigh on Wednesday! :)
Yesterday was the first day I took the Apple Cider vinegar. I can't say I enjoyed it at all. I may try diluting it in water today. It was pretty harsh on my throat and difficult to down in one large swig.
Today is day 4 of the green shake, Day 3 of Flax Seed and Day 2 of vinegar. All in all, I feel great. I am still trying to convince my husband to join me on my journey. I'd love to see him trade his french fries for broccoli and his chocolate for fruit. I'm not holding my breath. If at the very least he could just add the vegetables and fiber to his diet - he'd at least be getting some nutrition.
I do have a confession before I end today's rant. I ate some bread last night. It was not GF. It was soaked in butter and garlic. I couldn't resist. Well, that is not true. I could have, I just didn't. I suffered all night long and regretted every bite. When will I learn? No matter how much butter is on the bread - iwill not be happy with myself and my body cannot tell the difference between yummy gluten and not yummy gluten. Ahhh, well, every day is a new day.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Green Shakes and New Habits
Day Two:
This is day two of my journey to creating new habits and a healthier lifestyle. I'm feeling really motivated.
I am really hopeful that adding (or removing in some cases) nuances to my diet and lifestyle changes ever couple of weeks will help me make them more permanent. I am an extreme person and if I set out to make these changes all at once, and fail and one, I will feel as though I have failed at all of them.
You might be wondering why the "green" shake is so important to me and what it is. I am using one made by Vibrant Health called Field of Greens. It is gluten free and 100% organic. Each serving contains 7 grams of 14 different greens (broccoli, kale, alfalfa, spinach, collard, barley, oat and wheat grass). What inspired me to want to drink this concoction?
My husband has cancer on both sides of his family. Two of his family members who have battled the disease and won, swear by the changes in their diet. Their testimonials inspired me. They feel better, have more energy, less cravings and overall feel healthier. My husband's cousin actually juices her greens and drinks the fresh juice. I am not quite that ambitious. I mix my powdered greens with OJ and drink them very quickly. They are not awful. I have had worse. In fact, I am intrigued that I can actually taste the alfalfa and the broccoli.
Summary of Day Two: So far so good!
This is day two of my journey to creating new habits and a healthier lifestyle. I'm feeling really motivated.
I am really hopeful that adding (or removing in some cases) nuances to my diet and lifestyle changes ever couple of weeks will help me make them more permanent. I am an extreme person and if I set out to make these changes all at once, and fail and one, I will feel as though I have failed at all of them.
You might be wondering why the "green" shake is so important to me and what it is. I am using one made by Vibrant Health called Field of Greens. It is gluten free and 100% organic. Each serving contains 7 grams of 14 different greens (broccoli, kale, alfalfa, spinach, collard, barley, oat and wheat grass). What inspired me to want to drink this concoction?
My husband has cancer on both sides of his family. Two of his family members who have battled the disease and won, swear by the changes in their diet. Their testimonials inspired me. They feel better, have more energy, less cravings and overall feel healthier. My husband's cousin actually juices her greens and drinks the fresh juice. I am not quite that ambitious. I mix my powdered greens with OJ and drink them very quickly. They are not awful. I have had worse. In fact, I am intrigued that I can actually taste the alfalfa and the broccoli.
Summary of Day Two: So far so good!
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
GF Breaded Eggplant w/Goat Cheese
Tonight's dinner was "on a budget".
Bison was on sale at Sprouts this weekend. It is a leaner meat than beef and it was cheaper than beef or chicken. So, that was an easy choice!
I don't really ever "plan meals". I know what ingredients work well together and I try to buy things that don't spoil quickly that I know how to cook and that are versatile.
For example, eggplant can be grilled, sauteed or fried. It is a food for every mood!
I've been experimenting with the perfect way to do "breading" for fried veggies/chicken that is gluten free. I think I perfected it tonight! You could use this eggplant recipe for GF Eggplant Parmesan, as a side veggie as I did here, or in the place of meat on a veggie sandwich w/mushrooms, spinach, roasted red peppers and red onion!
GF Breaded Eggplant w/Goat Cheese
Serves 4
Total Prep and Cook Time: 30-40 Min
1 medium eggplant
Breading (Gluten Free)
1/2 c. Bob's Red Mill Baking Mix
1/2 c. Corn Meal
3 Tbsp Freshly Chopped Rosemary
2 Tbsp Freshly Chopped Thyme
1 Tsp Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper
Pinch of red pepper flakes
---
2 eggs
---
Oil for cooking (Olive Oil)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Peel purple skin from eggplant with a vegetable peeler. Slice into 1/4" slices. Any thicker and they will burn before they are cooked through.
Mix herbs and dry ingredients together in a dish large enough to use for dusting your egg plant. Scramble eggs (add milk if you like). Always dust whatever you are frying in the "flour" first. Then to the eggs and back to the flour.
Your oil should sizzle when the eggplant is placed in the pan. Otherwise, it is not hot enough. Your eggplant will soak up the oil instead of fry and it will be soggy. Fry over medium heat for 2 min or so, turn and cook 2 min on other side. Once they are a a golden-brown, remove from heat and set on paper towel to drain some of the oil off.
Add a dollop of your favorite goat cheese to the top and serve warm. The goat cheese really topped it off! :)
Guten Appetit/Bon Appetit!
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Walnut-Berry Vinigrette
1C. Roasted Walnut Oil
1/3 C. berry/Fig infused Balsamic vinegar**
1tsp mustard (Dijon)
1 small chopped shallot
salt^
pepper
Whisk all ingredients together.
^Remember that flavours become stronger after they have had time to sit. You will not taste the saltiness until the salt has completely dissolved in your dressing and had time to combine. Therefore, be very wary of adding more than a pinch or two (especially if you are a salt addict)! :)
**If you want to save some cash and still have "infused" vinegar, buy a regular vinegar and some frozen blue berries. Thaw 2-3 tablespoons of the blueberries and puree in a mini-food processor. Add to the vinegar! :) Voila - infused vinegar!
1/3 C. berry/Fig infused Balsamic vinegar**
1tsp mustard (Dijon)
1 small chopped shallot
salt^
pepper
Whisk all ingredients together.
^Remember that flavours become stronger after they have had time to sit. You will not taste the saltiness until the salt has completely dissolved in your dressing and had time to combine. Therefore, be very wary of adding more than a pinch or two (especially if you are a salt addict)! :)
**If you want to save some cash and still have "infused" vinegar, buy a regular vinegar and some frozen blue berries. Thaw 2-3 tablespoons of the blueberries and puree in a mini-food processor. Add to the vinegar! :) Voila - infused vinegar!
Fresh Berry and Chicken Salad
Serves 2
4 C. Salad Greens
1 Chicken Breast grilled/broiled
4 Strawberries Sliced
1/2 Gala Apple Sliced (thinly)
Approx 10 Grapes
4 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts
2 Tbsp Goat Cheese
2 Tbsp Fig Vinigrette**
(I buy my dressing at Whole Foods. It is by Lucini Italia and it is called 'Fig and Walnut Savory Balsamic Vinigrette. It is fantastic and a huge time saver. However, I will post a recipe for one! ) :-) Any Balsamic Vinigrette will do, but this one really compliments all the fruits in this salad.
Tip: The trip to incorporating soft goat cheese that comes in a tube shape is to break of little pieces and "drop" them onto the salad once it has been plated.
4 C. Salad Greens
1 Chicken Breast grilled/broiled
4 Strawberries Sliced
1/2 Gala Apple Sliced (thinly)
Approx 10 Grapes
4 Tbsp Chopped Walnuts
2 Tbsp Goat Cheese
2 Tbsp Fig Vinigrette**
(I buy my dressing at Whole Foods. It is by Lucini Italia and it is called 'Fig and Walnut Savory Balsamic Vinigrette. It is fantastic and a huge time saver. However, I will post a recipe for one! ) :-) Any Balsamic Vinigrette will do, but this one really compliments all the fruits in this salad.
Tip: The trip to incorporating soft goat cheese that comes in a tube shape is to break of little pieces and "drop" them onto the salad once it has been plated.
Fish Taco Salad
Okay...I know this sounds a little weird, but it was fantastic! I found a really great Gluten Free marinade by Simply Organic. It is simply called "Fish Taco". I picked it up at Whole Foods, but I have also seen it at Sprouts.
FISH TACO SALAD WITH WARMED VEGGIES
Serves 2
2 Mahi Fillets
1/2 of green, red, orange, yellow bell pepper chopped
4 Mushrooms chopped
2 Tbsp Chopped Red Onion
1 Package Fish Taco Seasoning**
4 cups your favorite salad greens
1 small chopped Roma tomato
1 small chopped zucchini
1 small chopped yellow squash
1/2 sliced avocado
Salsa for dressing (my fav for this salad is Herdez)
4 corn tortillas
Prepare Mahi in a skillet according the directions on the marinade package.
Spray small amount of cooking spray in small frying pan over med-low heat. Add squash and zucchini. Heat just until they are softened and warm.
Meanwhile, plate up your salad greens top with all veggies minus you warmed squash. Add squash and fish last. Top with sliced avocado and salsa for dressing. Serve with warm corn tortillas.
Enjoy! :)
FISH TACO SALAD WITH WARMED VEGGIES
Serves 2
2 Mahi Fillets
1/2 of green, red, orange, yellow bell pepper chopped
4 Mushrooms chopped
2 Tbsp Chopped Red Onion
1 Package Fish Taco Seasoning**
4 cups your favorite salad greens
1 small chopped Roma tomato
1 small chopped zucchini
1 small chopped yellow squash
1/2 sliced avocado
Salsa for dressing (my fav for this salad is Herdez)
4 corn tortillas
Prepare Mahi in a skillet according the directions on the marinade package.
Spray small amount of cooking spray in small frying pan over med-low heat. Add squash and zucchini. Heat just until they are softened and warm.
Meanwhile, plate up your salad greens top with all veggies minus you warmed squash. Add squash and fish last. Top with sliced avocado and salsa for dressing. Serve with warm corn tortillas.
Enjoy! :)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)