Ho boy, this journey is not an easy ride.
This week has been difficult. Erik is gone, the kids are fighting, I'm trying to get my ducks in a row for Paris (have I mentioned that I'm going to Paris? Well, I am, next week. CAN. NOT. WAIT!), I am trying to keep my house clean, trying to exercise every day, and the list goes on. I'm sure everyone has these seasons; be it day, week, month, year, life.
First off, let me give a little background so you know where I'm coming from. I think with my life eating foods that are not good for *me* namely gluten and foods that are not good for *anyone*; artificial sweeteners, trans-fats (anything that is partially or totally hydrogenated, soybean oil, etc), high-fructose corn syrup and artificial flavors and colors, I have made my body sick. I now need to heal it. To heal it I need to eat a healthy balanced diet as well as take prescribed supplements.
So this week, I haven't been taking my supplements. I haven't been drinking my water, I haven't been eating all my food, and I haven't been working out like I should. I have been working out and what I have been eating has been mostly healthy but I see myself spiraling back to where I was. Can't happen! I can not go back to my old habits.
On the flip side, I hit my 15 lbs weightloss mark. That's a big deal for me. I have tried everything under the sun to lose weight and this is the only thing that has worked. Now it has worked twice, I'm not going to go back. I have also been able to not drink the caribou!
My roller coaster emotions are that I want to celebrate my successes but I know full well that if I get too cocky about it I will just revert back to my old way of life. I can't do that!
It is a week before I leave for Paris. I think I am going to try to commit to being "perfect" for a week. I can do anything for a week, right? Well, see. I will report back.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Newton
I think Newton was on to something with this whole law of motion thing. I always learned it as "a body in motion tends to stay in motion, a body at rest tends to stay at rest." I think this comes to exercise too.
I have been struggling with getting moving. Although it isn't much, I walked a half mile yesterday. I used to be able to walk forever without any problems. Then I got sedentary (my body at rest) now I don't want to walk anywhere (it's staying at rest).
I think most people have an issue to staying motivated to work out. There are those lucky ones who like to do it and have no trouble staying motivated. Or maybe it is just a habit. However, most people I know have a really good streak then a long streak of not so good at working out. It seems like as long as they stay in motion they're good to go but once they stop moving their body tends to stay at rest.
I have my iPad. I have a gym membership. I have sneakers. I have resistance bands. I have an iPod. I have a balance ball. I have kind of cute clothes.
I have everything I need to workout except motivation. What do you do to stay motivated? I know one thing for sure, I have to keep it forefront in my mind or I forget to do it if I put it on the back burner or if my life gets busy. I think I might try a trainer because then I have an appointment with someone. Which will get me to the gym because I hate letting people down.
To keep exercise forefront, I have started listening to the Get-Fit Guy Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Most of the stuff is beyond what I'm able to do right now, but it gets me excited and wanting to try these new things out.
Let me know what you do... :)
I have been struggling with getting moving. Although it isn't much, I walked a half mile yesterday. I used to be able to walk forever without any problems. Then I got sedentary (my body at rest) now I don't want to walk anywhere (it's staying at rest).
I think most people have an issue to staying motivated to work out. There are those lucky ones who like to do it and have no trouble staying motivated. Or maybe it is just a habit. However, most people I know have a really good streak then a long streak of not so good at working out. It seems like as long as they stay in motion they're good to go but once they stop moving their body tends to stay at rest.
I have my iPad. I have a gym membership. I have sneakers. I have resistance bands. I have an iPod. I have a balance ball. I have kind of cute clothes.
I have everything I need to workout except motivation. What do you do to stay motivated? I know one thing for sure, I have to keep it forefront in my mind or I forget to do it if I put it on the back burner or if my life gets busy. I think I might try a trainer because then I have an appointment with someone. Which will get me to the gym because I hate letting people down.
To keep exercise forefront, I have started listening to the Get-Fit Guy Quick and Dirty Tips podcast. Most of the stuff is beyond what I'm able to do right now, but it gets me excited and wanting to try these new things out.
Let me know what you do... :)
Monday, March 28, 2011
Ruby My Way
I heard about Ruby probably 3 years ago. I think I chose to not watch because of how close to home it it. I didn't want to deal. Well, I'm dealing now and for some reason I heard of her again, maybe a promo on YouTube or something. I decided it was time to watch.
I'm not as big as Ruby but I'm not super far off. A lot of her problems are similar to my own. Man, I HATE HATE HATE being this size. It is so humiliating, and Ruby has stated the same. She doesn't fit anywhere and breaks everything she sits on. I know the pain. :( But also like her, I'm doing something about it.
I do have some problems with this show (at least the first season) and don't think I won't tell you! hehe
First and foremost, I think talking about food as an a addiction is not necessarily a good idea. I don't the medical world will agree with me, but what I think is missing is the quality of the food. Making it the person's fault but not the food. I have heard before that "we" need to "behave" not make the food behave. That is all find and good as long as the food is good.
Here's the thing, if we are not getting the right foods and we are not feeding our body right, then in order to survive our body desperately keeps the weight so it doesn't die. It wants to survive.
So when we eat these foods that are fake foods we can't help but always be searching for something else. I believe that if she were to eat good balanced foods we will be able to eat the right amount of food with no cravings.
Another thing about the prepackaged foods is that Ruby can't eat if her food isn't around. She needs to be able to have choices outside her meal plan if the meals are not around. Or if she is unable to pack them when she is on vacation, etc.
Secondly, I don't like her mental health professional. I think he's WRONG. Plain and simple. haha! I know, who do I think I am!?! lol I think that he doesn't want her to cook is totally wrong. She needs to learn this stuff. She needs to learn to enjoy and enjoy eating healthy foods. And food she likes. With prepackaged meals, she is not learning anything she is just following someone else plan. Those other folks are not going to be around forever and she will have to do it on her own. I think it's important to do that on her own with guidance.
Then her friend... OH MY WORD! I think they are missing a big opportunity for themselves. Ruby's friends are her life and they really love her. I think what they can do for her, which they do a little, is to learn to eat better and feel better. I think the fact that they go to fast food or eat sweets is not fair to her. I think she needs more support. I think they do what they can but they can take an honest look at them selves and really help her out. However, I think her cravings would be lessened if her food was better.
The thing I like best about Ruby, she's a winner! She conquers her fears and does things she doesn't think she can do. For that, I keep watching. I'll tell you more when I'm done with season 1 or as the mood strikes. :)
Thursday, March 24, 2011
20 Tips to Live By
This is taken from the Eat Fat Lose Fat blog.
1. Eat real, whole food, as provided by nature. Eliminate “edible food-like substances”. check
2. Aim for 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, mostly vegetables. Choose a rainbow of colors. check
3. Eat something raw with every meal. Raw foods are living foods, supplying enzymes for better digestion. Salads are an easy way to accomplish this. sometimes
4. Buy and eat organic whenever possible. check
5. The less sugar and refined carbohydrates you consume, the healthier you will be. (See my Resources for healthy sweeteners). sometimes
6. Use only dairy products that do not contain rBST or rBGH (bovine growth hormones). check Organic [raw] dairy products are best.
7. Eat grass fed, pastured meat. Minimize the consumption of feedlot, grain-fed animals. check
8. Buy free-range, organic poultry and eggs. check
9. Avoid anything containing hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated fats and oils, as they are the source of trans fats. Trans fats have no place in a healthy diet! check
10. Make olive oil [or coconut] your primary oil. Extra virgin [cold pressed] is the best choice. Other healthy fat sources include avocados, fresh nuts, and coconuts [and fats from pastured animals: lard and tallow for frying]. check
11. Avoid foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame. Stevia and xylitol are good alternatives. check
12. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup, as HFCS contributes to weight gain and fatty liver disease. It’s NOT the same as sugar! check
13. Avoid foods containing MSG, which is a neurotoxin. check
14. Become an avid label reader, and buy foods that do not contain artificial or chemical preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners or other unpronounceable ingredients. check
15. Drink approximately half your body weight in ounces of pure, clean water that does not contain chlorine or fluoride. mostly
16. Eat a cultured or fermented food every day, as they contain beneficial bacteria (probiotics), necessary for a healthy digestive system. Some examples include yogurt, kefir, refrigerated sauerkraut (not canned), refrigerated pickles (unpasteurized), miso, aged cheese, and kombucha, to name a few. no
17. Eat slowly and intentionally. Listen to your body’s signals that tell you when you are full. No awards for “clean plate club” eating. getting there
18. Recognize your biochemical individuality. The right ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates for you may be different for someone else. check
19. Make sure that the carbohydrates you eat are as unrefined and unprocessed as possible, to avoid unhealthy blood sugar spikes. check
20. Always remember that YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! Make healthy choices for a healthy body. check
So I'm getting there... YAY!
1. Eat real, whole food, as provided by nature. Eliminate “edible food-like substances”. check
2. Aim for 10 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, mostly vegetables. Choose a rainbow of colors. check
3. Eat something raw with every meal. Raw foods are living foods, supplying enzymes for better digestion. Salads are an easy way to accomplish this. sometimes
4. Buy and eat organic whenever possible. check
5. The less sugar and refined carbohydrates you consume, the healthier you will be. (See my Resources for healthy sweeteners). sometimes
6. Use only dairy products that do not contain rBST or rBGH (bovine growth hormones). check Organic [raw] dairy products are best.
7. Eat grass fed, pastured meat. Minimize the consumption of feedlot, grain-fed animals. check
8. Buy free-range, organic poultry and eggs. check
9. Avoid anything containing hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated fats and oils, as they are the source of trans fats. Trans fats have no place in a healthy diet! check
10. Make olive oil [or coconut] your primary oil. Extra virgin [cold pressed] is the best choice. Other healthy fat sources include avocados, fresh nuts, and coconuts [and fats from pastured animals: lard and tallow for frying]. check
11. Avoid foods and beverages containing artificial sweeteners, especially aspartame. Stevia and xylitol are good alternatives. check
12. Avoid high-fructose corn syrup, as HFCS contributes to weight gain and fatty liver disease. It’s NOT the same as sugar! check
13. Avoid foods containing MSG, which is a neurotoxin. check
14. Become an avid label reader, and buy foods that do not contain artificial or chemical preservatives, colors, flavors, sweeteners or other unpronounceable ingredients. check
15. Drink approximately half your body weight in ounces of pure, clean water that does not contain chlorine or fluoride. mostly
16. Eat a cultured or fermented food every day, as they contain beneficial bacteria (probiotics), necessary for a healthy digestive system. Some examples include yogurt, kefir, refrigerated sauerkraut (not canned), refrigerated pickles (unpasteurized), miso, aged cheese, and kombucha, to name a few. no
17. Eat slowly and intentionally. Listen to your body’s signals that tell you when you are full. No awards for “clean plate club” eating. getting there
18. Recognize your biochemical individuality. The right ratio of protein, fat and carbohydrates for you may be different for someone else. check
19. Make sure that the carbohydrates you eat are as unrefined and unprocessed as possible, to avoid unhealthy blood sugar spikes. check
20. Always remember that YOU ARE WHAT YOU EAT! Make healthy choices for a healthy body. check
So I'm getting there... YAY!
Get Back Up Again
I'm not sure if TobyMac meant this video about a journey toward wellness but it sure is my theme song for this adventure I'm on. I will get knocked down but I will have to get back up again!
This past week, I got knocked down. :( But I got back up again! I think that's the key. We will all get knocked down from time to time but we need to get back up again!
Since I go to Nutrition4Weightloss on Thursday my week goes from Thursday to Thursday. I like to take a look back at the week and see what went well and what didn't so that I can keep doing what went well and try to avoid what didn't.
This week wasn't so good. I was going to try to quit drinking Caribou. It is my big crutch and the sugar is AWFUL for me. Actually it's bad for all of us but I'm not trying to be preachy or judgey right now! (I'll save that for a later post. hehe)
Friday I had a "no good very bad day" and I did exactly what I shouldn't have done, I turned to Caribou. I didn't think about it at the time but this is the one thing I should, under no circumstance, avoid. I shouldn't be turning to food, I should be turning to other things. The best option would be God but if for whatever reason I don't do that I could take a nap, read a magazine, play a game, exercise, etc. All too long I have been turning to bad for me things, what a hugely destructive behavior.
Friday came and went. I knew the Caribou wasn't a good idea but I was ready to restart right away. Saturday and Sunday were a mess. Mostly with not taking my supplements but also not eating well. On Saturday we have a "fun" dessert. This week it was Sof'ella gluten free chocolate cupcakes. OH MY WORD, guys, they are so YUMMY! I had way too many. I don't even know how many. Maybe 2 Saturday and 2 Sunday. I don't even know... that might be too many because there are 5 of us in the family and we all had at least 2 and there were only 12 cupcakes. None-the-less, I didn't just have 1. Next time I will freeze them right away so there are no temptations.
I got back on the wagon on Monday. I was able to control my food again. I think it is because I was on my supplements which include one designed by NWW crave control that helps with cravings. Then yesterday, Wednesday, I had Caribou again. ARGH! What was I thinking??? Actually, I was thinking that I needed to run to Kohl-Carter's appointment, the roads were bad, and I wanted to have a coffee and didn't have time to make one at home. I should have just done it! WAAAA! Next time I will!
This week I did get knocked down, but I did get back up again. I also have a plan to have these things not happen again. This is what I'm going to do... 1) Instead of seeking out food/Caribou when I'm having a bad day, I will spend time with God. I can do that ANYWHERE. 2) Instead of leaving treats out, I will put them away right away to help limit my serving of treats. 3) Make coffee at home, NO MATTER WHAT! :)
Even though I "got knocked down" I stepped on the scale and I'm down another pound! YAY!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sof'ella
Sof'ella is a "Gourmet Natural Food" company that sells baking mixes. According to their website they have focused on high quality but easy to make mixes. Something a busy family would be proud to bake together. Not too long ago, they added two gluten free mixes to their line. They have an all purpose flour mix and a chocolate cake mix.
I recently purchased their chocolate cake mix after hearing about how good it was on GFree.TV. I was in love! It isn't just good gluten free cake, it's good cake! For $5.10 you only get 12 cupcakes so it's not cheap. But it has a way better flavor than any other cake mix I have had.
I also entered a contest that I learned about through GFree.TV and I WON!!!
I just received the prize a few days ago! This is how it looked. Isn't it pretty!
I opened it to see...
The mix does not come in a very big box but I think it is enough for what I need which is a small sometimes treat.
It was fun that they also included sprinkles and food coloring.
The pan is so cute! I think the whisk is also fun. My 9 year old likes to use it.
And finally, the donuts! They come out to be about the size of a quarter or half dollar! I didn't decorate them as nice and I would have liked but I got lazy. They are baked donuts so they are not like what you would buy at a bakery. I have thought of trying to fry them in coconut oil to see if they get texture closer to fried donuts. None-the-less, they were quite good and a nice little treat.
I recently purchased their chocolate cake mix after hearing about how good it was on GFree.TV. I was in love! It isn't just good gluten free cake, it's good cake! For $5.10 you only get 12 cupcakes so it's not cheap. But it has a way better flavor than any other cake mix I have had.
I also entered a contest that I learned about through GFree.TV and I WON!!!
I just received the prize a few days ago! This is how it looked. Isn't it pretty!
I opened it to see...
The mix does not come in a very big box but I think it is enough for what I need which is a small sometimes treat.
It was fun that they also included sprinkles and food coloring.
The pan is so cute! I think the whisk is also fun. My 9 year old likes to use it.
And finally, the donuts! They come out to be about the size of a quarter or half dollar! I didn't decorate them as nice and I would have liked but I got lazy. They are baked donuts so they are not like what you would buy at a bakery. I have thought of trying to fry them in coconut oil to see if they get texture closer to fried donuts. None-the-less, they were quite good and a nice little treat.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
The Thorn in my Side
Let's just put it out there, very few people like to exercise. However, I think even in this area I'm a high achiever because I really hate exercise. Heck, I hate to move much at all. Most of my hobbies are those things that don't require a lot of movement. I'm not a huge fan of sports or even being outside to do much more than sit in the shade. This is not a "I'm really fat" thing, it's been a life long problem.
In high school I was lucky enough to find two things I really liked to do, cheerleading and marching band. But after high school, there really isn't a place to cheer or march. I suppose I could cheer in my front yard or march around the block twirling my flag. HAHA! Wouldn't that be a hoot?! However, I'm not that bold.
So here I sit pondering what to do and trying lots of things that haven't worked. I think one of my big problems with exercise is that I get SO bored! I hate being bored. I'm one of those people who watches tv, does a crossword puzzle and reads websites all at the same time. My family prefers when I do nothing but watch a movie when we have family movie time and it drives me batty to just sit there. But I digress.
One thing I have learned is that not exercising is just not feasible. It's just not going to work. So now what??
In the past I have hired personal trainers. It hasn't worked because I get them wrapped around my finger and I wimp out. Not to mention it starts to cost a lot of money really quick.
I have tried things at home. I have tried the gym. I have tried buying equipment. I have tried just walking outside. I have tried having cute clothes, cute water bottle, cute shoes. I have tried a lot of things! Let's just say, it all stinks!
My eventual goal: Run a 5k. I think it is very do-able. I am not sure when. I'm thinking Spring of 2012. Once I get moving maybe I can try the couch to 5k program. I don't believe I could truly start that today. I would never stick with it.
However, I'm not there yet. First step has to be a baby step. Here's what I'm going to do... I love watching the Martha Stewart show. I have an exercise ball and some free weights and resistance bands so I am going to do about 1 hour of strength and stretch while I watch Martha.
I'm starting that today. I will do abs plus legs one day and abs plus arms the next. If I do that Monday through Friday I think it will work out pretty well. There may be some nights I don't get it done so I'm thinking if I shoot for 5 but make 4 that will work. To assess me in these I have found an Apple application. I own a Mac so I'm able to get aps from iTunes that work on my computer. But I think the androids have the same or similar aps. I'm not sure if you can get these aps on a normal PC but I bet there are websites that are out there that can help you out. The aps I'm using are called Daily Ab Workout, Daily Arm Workout, Daily Leg Workout and Daily Cardio Workout. I might try to do a little cardio with Martha, we'll see.
The second idea I have is to get an iPad 2 from Apple. Which I have been desperately wanting anyway. And use it to watch videos or tv shows while I work out. I love to watch tv and I will think of that, not working out. YAY! WIN - WIN!!! My favorite way to do things. ;)
The only problem with the iPad option is they are no where to be found! ARGH! Stupid Apple... good thing for them I can't be mad at them for long because they make such wonderful and fun products!
So in conclusion... I have to move and it's a huge thorn in my side because I don't want to do it!
In high school I was lucky enough to find two things I really liked to do, cheerleading and marching band. But after high school, there really isn't a place to cheer or march. I suppose I could cheer in my front yard or march around the block twirling my flag. HAHA! Wouldn't that be a hoot?! However, I'm not that bold.
So here I sit pondering what to do and trying lots of things that haven't worked. I think one of my big problems with exercise is that I get SO bored! I hate being bored. I'm one of those people who watches tv, does a crossword puzzle and reads websites all at the same time. My family prefers when I do nothing but watch a movie when we have family movie time and it drives me batty to just sit there. But I digress.
One thing I have learned is that not exercising is just not feasible. It's just not going to work. So now what??
In the past I have hired personal trainers. It hasn't worked because I get them wrapped around my finger and I wimp out. Not to mention it starts to cost a lot of money really quick.
I have tried things at home. I have tried the gym. I have tried buying equipment. I have tried just walking outside. I have tried having cute clothes, cute water bottle, cute shoes. I have tried a lot of things! Let's just say, it all stinks!
My eventual goal: Run a 5k. I think it is very do-able. I am not sure when. I'm thinking Spring of 2012. Once I get moving maybe I can try the couch to 5k program. I don't believe I could truly start that today. I would never stick with it.
However, I'm not there yet. First step has to be a baby step. Here's what I'm going to do... I love watching the Martha Stewart show. I have an exercise ball and some free weights and resistance bands so I am going to do about 1 hour of strength and stretch while I watch Martha.
I'm starting that today. I will do abs plus legs one day and abs plus arms the next. If I do that Monday through Friday I think it will work out pretty well. There may be some nights I don't get it done so I'm thinking if I shoot for 5 but make 4 that will work. To assess me in these I have found an Apple application. I own a Mac so I'm able to get aps from iTunes that work on my computer. But I think the androids have the same or similar aps. I'm not sure if you can get these aps on a normal PC but I bet there are websites that are out there that can help you out. The aps I'm using are called Daily Ab Workout, Daily Arm Workout, Daily Leg Workout and Daily Cardio Workout. I might try to do a little cardio with Martha, we'll see.
The second idea I have is to get an iPad 2 from Apple. Which I have been desperately wanting anyway. And use it to watch videos or tv shows while I work out. I love to watch tv and I will think of that, not working out. YAY! WIN - WIN!!! My favorite way to do things. ;)
The only problem with the iPad option is they are no where to be found! ARGH! Stupid Apple... good thing for them I can't be mad at them for long because they make such wonderful and fun products!
So in conclusion... I have to move and it's a huge thorn in my side because I don't want to do it!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Menus
A big thing for me to eating healthy consistently is organization. I think each person has their own thing to being organized. Mine is the menus I have made for our family. I need to have everything at my finger tips because I will not seek things out when I'm hungry I will go to whatever is easiest. For me in the past, that's going out to eat.
Currently, we have 3 weeks worth of menus that we rotate through. I'm hoping to get to 6 or 8. I just don't know if we'll have enough recipes. Along with each menu, I have made a comprehensive shopping list. Before we go grocery shopping we shop the house. I buy some of my organic staples on Amazon.com so I have a lot of that. We also have purchased a 1/4 cow so we don't need to buy beef for awhile.
There are a couple thing I love, like Shepherd's Pie, so we have that weekly but I am really trying to have new things in there each week so we don't get bored.
Other than my youngest son, my family has loved the meals I have planned and it is possible for my 13 and 15 year old to make food for us.
Just for my readers (which I'm not sure I have any of... lol) I will post my menus. Actually, I am also going to make a wiki for my menus and recipes which I will also post on here once I get it done.
Another thing I want to point out is that we are a family of 5. We typically eat every meal at home since we home-school. We end up spending about $2 per person per meal. Not so bad! Especially not for good wholesome food!
So without further ado, here are the three menus (without recipes)...
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Currently, we have 3 weeks worth of menus that we rotate through. I'm hoping to get to 6 or 8. I just don't know if we'll have enough recipes. Along with each menu, I have made a comprehensive shopping list. Before we go grocery shopping we shop the house. I buy some of my organic staples on Amazon.com so I have a lot of that. We also have purchased a 1/4 cow so we don't need to buy beef for awhile.
There are a couple thing I love, like Shepherd's Pie, so we have that weekly but I am really trying to have new things in there each week so we don't get bored.
Other than my youngest son, my family has loved the meals I have planned and it is possible for my 13 and 15 year old to make food for us.
Just for my readers (which I'm not sure I have any of... lol) I will post my menus. Actually, I am also going to make a wiki for my menus and recipes which I will also post on here once I get it done.
Another thing I want to point out is that we are a family of 5. We typically eat every meal at home since we home-school. We end up spending about $2 per person per meal. Not so bad! Especially not for good wholesome food!
So without further ado, here are the three menus (without recipes)...
Week 1:
Week 2:
Week 3:
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Week 2
Week 2 of Nutrition4Weightloss was GREAT! It was an explanation of the program which I already knew after seeing a nutritionist a few times. However, I learned some new things.
First, I learned that I love avocado with a lot of yummy salsa. Our teacher eats that for a snack before bed. I don't know if I would eat it then but I like to save that for my dessert at this point.
I also learned that non-organic oat meal has bugs and pesticides in it. GROSS!
I also got some more tips on food choices and where to get my foods. We pretty much shop mostly at Trader Joe's and Super Target with little trips to the co-op, Cub and Whole Foods. Groceries are costing us about $250/week. That seems like a lot but it really is only $50 per week per person. We each eat 21 meals each week so it comes out to be a little over $2 per meal. I don't think that is much to feel well and stay healthy.
I learned that Vitacost.com is an inexpensive place to buy discounted but good quality supplements, like Source Natural. I have been using Amazon.com to buy a lot of my organic hard to find products. I have to buy in bulk but I have it now for a long time so it works out pretty slick.
Other links that I have been looking at lately: glutenfreeda.com and gfree.tv. Since I'm gluten free I have also been looking to a lot of websites for recipes. I have mostly just used allrecipes.com.
I stepped on the scale again and I'm getting down lower. I haven't been able to do that forever, like 4-5 years. It is so fun and feels so good!
First, I learned that I love avocado with a lot of yummy salsa. Our teacher eats that for a snack before bed. I don't know if I would eat it then but I like to save that for my dessert at this point.
I also learned that non-organic oat meal has bugs and pesticides in it. GROSS!
I also got some more tips on food choices and where to get my foods. We pretty much shop mostly at Trader Joe's and Super Target with little trips to the co-op, Cub and Whole Foods. Groceries are costing us about $250/week. That seems like a lot but it really is only $50 per week per person. We each eat 21 meals each week so it comes out to be a little over $2 per meal. I don't think that is much to feel well and stay healthy.
I learned that Vitacost.com is an inexpensive place to buy discounted but good quality supplements, like Source Natural. I have been using Amazon.com to buy a lot of my organic hard to find products. I have to buy in bulk but I have it now for a long time so it works out pretty slick.
Other links that I have been looking at lately: glutenfreeda.com and gfree.tv. Since I'm gluten free I have also been looking to a lot of websites for recipes. I have mostly just used allrecipes.com.
I stepped on the scale again and I'm getting down lower. I haven't been able to do that forever, like 4-5 years. It is so fun and feels so good!
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Well, I did it...
Well, I did it! I finished GFree Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. It was a good book. I loved the first half. It was full of information about gluten and celiac Disease. I believe much (if not all) of what was written is useful and true.
Hasselbeck did her homework and knows her stuff. She also had doctor co-write with her. I loved that it was an easy read. I think that for people just diagnosed with celiac it's a great first step. The second half of the book was still ok, but only ok. I think what it did a great job of is giving resources. There are a lot of restaurants, foods, websites, beauty products, etc. that are gluten free and friendly. This is huge for someone who has to do a complete 180 in their lifestyle.
What I don't think Hasselbeck did well was throw a bunch of gluten free products at people, almost like product placement. What I think would serve people better would be telling people how to go gluten free by eating things that are naturally gluten free. I'm quite thankful for all the great gluten free products out there because sometimes it is nice, even necessary, to have those products but let's not forget to eat whole foods, just the way God intended!
I’m now onto Eat Fat Lose Fat by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon. So far so good... and boy does this book make sense!
Well, I did it! I joined a weight loss class. I have mentioned Nutritional Weight and Wellness before which is the company I'm going to for the class. It is basically teaching us about the Weight and Wellness way (like all weight loss places do -- teach their way of doing it) along with a class so I can get accountability. I love it! My teacher Oralee is the greatest!!!
Being a Nutritional Weight and Wellness groupie that I am, I didn’t learn a lot the first night but I’m excited to see what else they have to say as we go along. I go Thursday nights so I’ll post more after the second class. One step in the right direction is that I’m doing the homework. I normally don’t do the homework, because I’m a pill and I just don’t do it. But I have looked forward to doing the work this week. YAY! I love those small successes! However, this success isn’t only a weight loss success it’s a personal success. :)
Hasselbeck did her homework and knows her stuff. She also had doctor co-write with her. I loved that it was an easy read. I think that for people just diagnosed with celiac it's a great first step. The second half of the book was still ok, but only ok. I think what it did a great job of is giving resources. There are a lot of restaurants, foods, websites, beauty products, etc. that are gluten free and friendly. This is huge for someone who has to do a complete 180 in their lifestyle.
What I don't think Hasselbeck did well was throw a bunch of gluten free products at people, almost like product placement. What I think would serve people better would be telling people how to go gluten free by eating things that are naturally gluten free. I'm quite thankful for all the great gluten free products out there because sometimes it is nice, even necessary, to have those products but let's not forget to eat whole foods, just the way God intended!
I’m now onto Eat Fat Lose Fat by Dr. Mary Enig and Sally Fallon. So far so good... and boy does this book make sense!
Well, I did it! I joined a weight loss class. I have mentioned Nutritional Weight and Wellness before which is the company I'm going to for the class. It is basically teaching us about the Weight and Wellness way (like all weight loss places do -- teach their way of doing it) along with a class so I can get accountability. I love it! My teacher Oralee is the greatest!!!
Being a Nutritional Weight and Wellness groupie that I am, I didn’t learn a lot the first night but I’m excited to see what else they have to say as we go along. I go Thursday nights so I’ll post more after the second class. One step in the right direction is that I’m doing the homework. I normally don’t do the homework, because I’m a pill and I just don’t do it. But I have looked forward to doing the work this week. YAY! I love those small successes! However, this success isn’t only a weight loss success it’s a personal success. :)
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
The GFree Diet
So I've been reading... and reading... and reading... I had started reading The Schwarzbein Program. It is a very good read. I just loved it. However at the same time I started The GFree Diet by Elisabeth Hasselbeck. I was hooked.
Can I just say, I had no clue!!! I knew gluten was in all baked/starchy/processed food but who knew it was in LIPSTICK!!! Oh, my word! And who knew that it was in hair care and condiments! And who knew that I may have to not have two sets of utensils in my kitchen. Can I get a HOLY BUCKETS! And who knew that there are (something like) 268 different symptoms (or sometimes none) for Celiac disease? Talk about overwhelming!! I don't think I want to be gluten sensitive anymore... lol
My thinking is that for the most part, I would rather just not eat things with gluten rather than trying to find substitutions where possible. For example, rather than buying gluten free bread I'd rather just not eat bread. I am not sure how it is going to work for everything, like when I need bread crumbs for a binding (maybe use gluten free oats) or cakes for birthdays (can't live without birthday cake). In the last 2 to 2.5 weeks it has been going pretty good with this way of thinking.
A day in my life looks like this...
Breakfast: 2 organic cage free eggs and usually a fruit but otherwise I sometimes will saute up some veggies.
AM Snack: 2 ounces of turkey with 1 table spoon of cream cheese and a piece of fruit or some veggies.
Lunch: 4 ounces of chicken strips plus some veggies (like 2-5 cups) and a tablespoon or two of Annie's Naturals Organic Buttermilk dressing
PM Snack: 1/2 of a Serotonin Sundae
Supper: Shepherds Pie
PM Snack/Dessert: Berries and whipping cream (no sugar)
There isn't any gluten in this but not because I have substituted a lot but because I'm eating good whole foods. I love it and I'm so satisfied at the end of the day.
Can I just say, I had no clue!!! I knew gluten was in all baked/starchy/processed food but who knew it was in LIPSTICK!!! Oh, my word! And who knew that it was in hair care and condiments! And who knew that I may have to not have two sets of utensils in my kitchen. Can I get a HOLY BUCKETS! And who knew that there are (something like) 268 different symptoms (or sometimes none) for Celiac disease? Talk about overwhelming!! I don't think I want to be gluten sensitive anymore... lol
My thinking is that for the most part, I would rather just not eat things with gluten rather than trying to find substitutions where possible. For example, rather than buying gluten free bread I'd rather just not eat bread. I am not sure how it is going to work for everything, like when I need bread crumbs for a binding (maybe use gluten free oats) or cakes for birthdays (can't live without birthday cake). In the last 2 to 2.5 weeks it has been going pretty good with this way of thinking.
A day in my life looks like this...
Breakfast: 2 organic cage free eggs and usually a fruit but otherwise I sometimes will saute up some veggies.
AM Snack: 2 ounces of turkey with 1 table spoon of cream cheese and a piece of fruit or some veggies.
Lunch: 4 ounces of chicken strips plus some veggies (like 2-5 cups) and a tablespoon or two of Annie's Naturals Organic Buttermilk dressing
PM Snack: 1/2 of a Serotonin Sundae
Supper: Shepherds Pie
PM Snack/Dessert: Berries and whipping cream (no sugar)
There isn't any gluten in this but not because I have substituted a lot but because I'm eating good whole foods. I love it and I'm so satisfied at the end of the day.
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