Jenn

Starting the day off super super fine. Woke up tired, but once I got going I was unstoppable. Hope it continues through out the day. I have to do some shopping and studying…. YAH… herbs and veggies at the farmer’s market!

Woke up and had some chlorella and cantaloupe. Then off for my interval walk of 4o minutes. Back to do pilates butt and thighs (just 18 minutes). Then I had my breakfast. Recently I was given some samples of some hemp seeds from the health food store and information from the company that produced these seeds. Thought I would give their breakfast suggestion a try - basically fruit/veggies, yogurt and hemp seeds….and will take my vitamins at lunch. They* say this combo is great for prolonged energy. We will see Hemp seeds are fantastic for EFA and amino acids!!!

B: 3 cherries, mixed greens, carrot, broccoli, pineapple, organic fat free plain yogurt, and hemp seeds. I ate at 8AM and I will record here when I feel the need to eat again. (Note: this is about 400 calories and a decent sized breakfast for me. Normally I feel I need my complex carbs to give me energy, but hey I will give this a whirl!

*Rocky Mountain Grain Products - snowrk@telusplanet.net (I do not think they are organic.)

90-100% vegan days these days and I am trying to find good sources for iron.

Have a great day all!

The food journal seems to not be working as it did not add my last 2 foods, but this could be because I added these to the new food journal base and they have not been edited. Not sure.

Food Log

And so I was actually hungry at 1:00 and enjoyed a vegetarian O.F. Reuben sandwich with a side of yummy broccoli/sunflower seed and raisin salad. Normally I would be hungry just 2-3 hours after a normal breakfast regardless of whether it was an egg and toast or something vegan like oatmeal and the works. So 5 hours without being hungry, WOW. Good deal!

So the batteries are reading low on the scale and there are no 9 volt batteries to be found at this early morning. Ha! Great. I do have my tape measure. The first number is the number recored today. Neck: 12.75 - 13, chest: 35 - 35.5, upper left arm: 11.5 - 11.75, hips: 40.5 - 41, waist: 30 - 31.5, left thigh: 23.75 - 24, calf: 16.5 - 17. That is a decrease of 2.75 inches (lol) but I did not try that hard About 3 weeks? Not sure. I would guess about 95% vegan but the least dairy in my life. So, I have not at all been dieting to lose lately. Rather it seems I have been enjoying life - eating (a few too many sweets and I MUST take care of this as I can feel the affects and not enough veggies) and exercising (doing it all) and recording nothing. Now this is not good for keeping me in that line I so love to be on, but it is good for my well being.

I have an indicator that we are eating too much processed and junky foods. Recycling!!! When I/we have had a bad week the recycling bins are loaded. The guys come by to pick up our paper, plastics, glass, tetra paks, tin, etc every two weeks and there was a couple weeks where there was almost NO recycling and I had to think, DID WE EAT OUT? No, it was just a good week. That was when I first started eating this way. Anyways, time to get back to more whole foods and less recycling.

Last night was great! At noon I put on a vegetarian chili (tomatoes, mushrooms, corn, 2 kinds of beans, spices, soy ground ground - most of which was left overs from the freezer), made some multigrain pasta and had a big green salad. That was fine. But this week I have been reaching for the simplier carb (popcorn and rice cakes) snacks and that is a no no of course if you want to lose. So, I will think fruit (it at least has fiber and better nutrients), nuts/seeds (measured), veggies, and I am on the search for something higher in protein that is not soy. I will find something. Tis my mission!

So my mom has high cholesterol and seems to be very weird lately. Of course it could be that she is getting older (53 is NOT THAT OLD), but I think it is here meds that are making her have not such good balance and be VERY forgetful and other things. We are talking on the phone and I ask her how many fruits and veggies she gets in a day? 2-3!!!! Ok I went over with her all the ways she could increase here intake because this is simply too low for someone who is really needing those antioxidants. Did I mention she smokes? Yeh well I have learned that there is no changing this, so I thought I could maybe get her to eat more life (F&V) at least. All one has to do is add more into their day to feel the benefits, but I guess it does seem weird to aim for 6-8. Well it is a start. I DO WHAT I CAN. It is very difficult when the answers seem clear. But I do not have all the answers. Yesterday I felt helpless as I listened to the news and heard them saying how unhealthy most canned foods are. The lining of cans tend to be lined with a toxic substance called bisphenol A (BPA). The research never stops! The vet says feed Oscar more wet/canned food, so I do. Well what is one to do for their loved ones? I guess organic and fresh are the ways to go, but grief it is so frustrating to listen to the news. I sometimes think living in a bubble would be the way to go, but then alas, no flowers. I need flowers. So, we do what we can right and I know my issues. Stress! Dealing……

Has not been easy lately. We are waiting on a plummer to come by and fix a leaking pipe in the kitchen. I am really not pleased but I also know that it will not help to yell at people. So, I feel today is the day. We have been waiting for 6 days now and there is always some reason, some screw up. I thought this new management would be better, but this is it. I can only handle how I see the situation and it is not worth screaming. Neither one of us wants to leave the condo, so I am going to work this AM and then he will go to work later this PM. Luckily we have some flexibility right now.

Starting today, this is tough with the next 2.5 days being weekend days, I am thinking about getting real with progress. Workouts and good meals/snacks. I also need to drink more water even though I do not seem to be sweating. I think I just need to drink more. Hopefully we can go play tennis because WE NEED SOME OUTDOOR FUN!

Go Penguins Go!!! Ok, my Oilers are out and then all Canadian teams, then my Dallas Stars (how many more years will we see Mike Modano??? *sigh*)

Note to self:

Non vegan foods that I liked eating- red salmon, organic yogurt (it was OK really), bottled clam juice (good in my soup and very high in iron), eggs

Non vegan foods that were not so fine- too much honey, and butter *sigh* BLAH!

ALL IN ALL… I have seen what makes me feel good and what does not. So I will try to hold onto this over the weekend and beyond. If David tempts me with Tim Hortons I may give him a kick in the behind. But I will tell him of my goals and thoughts since that is only fair. I feel fiesty and full of energy today.

More whole grains, fruits, veggies, measured nuts and seeds/nut butters/almond milk (they really satisfy the need for those healthy fats, vitamins and minerals and you only need a little)…….. PORTIONS.

So, I am going to try and be really good because I want to see some inches GONE, but when I am not so ideal, I will enjoy and smile. Remembering, portions. Eventually…………………………………….. Oh yeh, and I will try and decrease the recycling load. One bin instead of two? Well we will try.

Have a super healthy and happy weekend all…… Life is wonderful from most perspectives. *adjusts*

Things have been going well lately for the most part despite being away for awhile. Hehe….Sometimes it does not always go this way. I have had some time to reflect and I really like where things are at. I have come to terms with the fact that weekends will just be relaxed days where I do not concern myself with diet. That with out saying I am still conscious of portions or otherwise I know I will feel stuffed like a pig and that makes everything unbearable. I am also fully aware that as I ease up a bit with trying to be on plan on the weekends, I am actually doing my metabolism good but giving it a little more. It is so hard with those last few and so I am happy to say that I am thinking health (not a shock to many of course) and just taking care of this precious body. My shape is changing and I could not be more pleased.

We enjoyed that game of tennis last week and I won. The funny thing was I was so into the fun (I really liked the new courts that we found) I hardly noticed the score. The fact was, we are in such better shape then we were last year and that makes it so fun and of course less painful. Ha! Good times.

I am keeping my diet around 85-95% vegan and my body loves it. Thanks to a buddy, I did look into some hemp seed butter which is so much higher in protein then almond or peanut butter. I thought David might be sick at the site of it’s color, but I thought it was cool… GREEN! LOL….. It is no almond butter, but it was a great purchase. Just aiming for variety and enjoying. I also am much more aware of how critical trytophan (”happy” neurotransmitter and amino acid) is in the diet and I am making sure I get plenty. I was a little down and this has helped tremendously in basically, all ways… Thank goodness.

Not diet related: So my little fury gal, Meeshka was getting so old. Meeshka, our hamster was getting to the point where she could not do the same things she once did.  Oh she had spurts of energy lately, but only a few.  When we returned from Walking with Dinosaurs (it was AWESOME) on Sunday she was bleeding and could not get into her little bed. She took some water, but that was it. I just could not stand to see her suffer so I checked the phone book and there was one vet open at the university so I called them. They said to bring her in. Made her up a box with some new bedding and left. They were so awesome there. The vet said it was good we brought her in because she did have a tumor and you could tell from the size of her middle. She was euthenized and it was more difficult then when we euthenized our sick angel fish.   I guess it is different when you can hold and play with a creature.  Anyways, it was so much better then how it could have been.  Freedom from her suffering was indeed a great blessing.  How crazy but she was a part of our family.  So, all is well. What is it about fur that is so comforting? They are the best.

So, back to the purpose of the site, good healthy food, good eating and fantastic exercise! Oh yah!!!  Better and better each and every day.  Helping each other…. ;)  Hope you are having a fabulous day!  Cheers to life and peacefulness. *hugs*

Woke up FAMISHED and so I listened to my body and fed it what it wanted and I assume needed.  Eggs/egg whites and whole wheat sprouted grain bread.  It is nearing the grouchy emotional time and I feel I just need to not deny myself what my body most likely needs.  NO I DO NOT NEED all the countless junk cravings, but I sure did need those eggs today.  Funny how such a healthy food could be seen as a treat this AM.  But I just have not wanted them until today.

I had such a distaste and then a full-out desire, what is up with this?  Listen, learn, experience, learn some more….. Love.  Not doing enough loving of myself today.  Need to believe in me and trust.  My mantra…. I am good enough when I am just being true to me.

Off to do yoga and study….

Wishing you all a great day. 

Yah…. a diet where I do not have to be perfect. Love it. Just eat well and I am so much more aware of what I want in me and the choices seem simpler. With all the things that are so often complicated, nice to FINALLY simplify this little aspect of life-food.

I was asked why Vegan? I am not 100%, because milk especially is in everything, even the Kashi whole grain bars I love. The book clearly changed my views of things. I simply have a body (and mind) that does not love animal protein in me. It just takes too long to digest and I do not know why. Others seem to be good with it. Just the way it is. So be it! Since I know this is not optimum for health (slow digestion), I know I need to help myself. So, these are my reasons for my new diet.

So my first week of eating mostly vegan has been great. I really enjoy eating within certain dotted boundaries. No restrictions, but rather there are just gentle guidelines that are really helpful for me. Like if I am hungry and feel lazy and do not want to add the old junk to the trunk, I just grab some fruit and/or a few nuts and then I am good for awhile. Simple! What else to say, if feels pretty normal though I learned that soy cheese is not for me. I still make David pretty normal things or my stuff with some adjustments to fit his tastes, but normal. Made this yummy “Hamburger” helper that was so darn fine and all from scratch. It is just too weird/unique to tell about. Perhaps it is a recipe that will have to go in my first cook book that I write…. hehe. David rated the meal a 9 out of 10 so this is high praise. The guy likes his meat, but is so open to my creations. So lucky for us…. Just a little add on, there was a time when I would be cutting the hard cheese, like I was for David’s meal, when I would have just chowed down on at least 2 ounces while preparing alone (with WW that is an easy 6-7 points), but I did not mind at all just seeing it for what it was, something I did not want. I am not a saint, just because I am not tempted by that dairy product, I still want other things. But thank goodness for small blessings. Makes life a little more simple and my goals more attainable. Cheese has been attached to my mouth ALL MY LIFE as I ignored the signs of sensitivity - phlegminess and bloatedness.

Weekends are always so tough as David and I do spend more time then usual together so I do eat more, but I am keeping up with my exercise so that is good. Slowly I am tightening up. I caught myself being frustrated with my progress then I really saw myself in the mirror instead of some baggy clothes and I just had to STOP. All in the right time. Of course.

I do find that my energy is best with combined foods like whole grains and legumes. I go too light at meal time and then it is just a case of a female lacking in physical and mental abilities, so it does help to experiment a little with portions. I do have to eat a little more (not too much) but a little when I do not have that old hunk of protein. Weekend was a little low on the veggies so I am wanting to get that going tomorrow.

Tried some new games this weekend which I enjoyed. Also loved LOVED that first game of tennis. I rocked. I won the first match and David won the second.  So much fun!  Sometime this week, the tie breaker match

Have a great week everyone. Just going to do a quick read of some of my most recent goals I have made for myself to make sure I am ON instead of OFF. Tea cheers!

Leisure activities ARE the best!

So yesterday I was cleaning up the PVR list and found something I taped a LONG time ago and maybe you saw it A LONG time ago. It is called “I can make you thin” and the guy has 4 rules.I am following these ever so simple rules just because I especially know that I eat a little faster then I would like when we are out and then sometimes I am eating snacks standing up while doing other things and I want to see if this guy and his ideas might be helpful. So easy they are:

1-Eat what you want (not what you think you should) Hmmmm…… this is weird for me. I have not had any animal protein for the last 5 days and I was feeling GREAT! But the sugar has crept in, lol, ok I put it in me of course, also had somethings that had a little dairy (felt not so fine afterwards) and then woke up feeling like I SHOULD have some fish. Weird. Fish and spinach. I knew I would have some spinach this AM because my diet has been somewhat low in iron and I wanted to get that in before I um, lost more iron (George….love him). So, I learned a long time ago that if you want to increase the absorption of iron, eat Vitamin C foods with those iron rich plant foods. Though animal foods are best for acquiring that iron , plants are good too, just need some help. So, fine. That spinach is what I wanted so I had it with some red pepper (source of vit. C). Because I woke up with a slightly stressed out system, sugar will do this-duh!, I thought I needed the fish. Just felt a little lazy and BLAH. So, I ate the fish before 7 AM because I wanted to feel better, not because it was what I wanted. My pleasures-self would want something completely different, I am sure if I thought too much about it. Anyways, I see this guys point, but I think I enjoy choosing the foods that are good for me. I do not love raw broccoli, but do eat it when I do not feel like turning on the stove. Well this week I will try to eat more of the things I enjoy.

So, I want Chlorella and love Tim Horton’s Chocolate Danish. I think this man might be nuts. But people have to enjoy and eat what they want, I see this. These little tricks will surely help many, but I still think eating does not have to be entirely about satisfying the pleasures. Perhaps I am totally off though. WW is what helped me lose the most (until it got boring and the meetings no long worked for me) and I enjoyed it all in moderation and now listening to those full signals should help with the last 10 pounds…. try, try, try……

No vegan ever decided to do this fish thing I bet, hence the word VEGAN. How insane! Well I like this way of eating, because though I eat primarily vegan, I am not defined by it. I have been 100% most days and that is all great, but I am so thankful for the fish and a little bit of buttery goodness lately. I have had a good supply of energy lately. Clothes fit better and I feel so happy. Those size 8s are ready for me! Also, off to play some tennis today and maybe some Frisbee, YAH! I want to get in a session of Wii boxing. I really felt like I got my behind kicked yesterday even though I just barely won. That is so intense for cardio.

OH YEH… the other rules…… babble, babble……

2-Eat when hungry! Right!

3-Eat consciously. This is why I am doing this. Just have not been eating properly. When I eat standing I do not feel satisfied since I have not felt like I did it.

4-When full, stop!! David is so good at this and I was raised to “clean the plate”. After all, there ARE starving people in the world. Well I saw this story on the news saying that because of the large number of over weight people, society is producing large quantities if food to support these habits. I am quite certain that me or anyone “finishing the plate of food” does not help us or them. This is tough for me. Now, the sometimes wanting just because…. I do find when I eat slower and consciously, I am able to feel that hunger single and be satisfied. Ok, so this is why people have to eat what they love. Get it. LOL… I would not be here if it were not for all those small Blizzards from DQ over the past few years, get it, got it, good. Moderately eating that which we love and helps us to feel good about ourselves….. Wish that Blizzard was enjoyable as enjoyable as it use to be. lol.. Not!

It is a good life I think and I want to live my life in shorts this summer. I think it is not weird at all because this is my life, but I see that it would seem weird to others to share that I have likely worn shorts maybe 5 times in my adult life out in public. Well it is a different summer coming up, thanks to Buddyslim and my buddies. I think you are all great and I wish you another great week! *hugs* (So many reasons I have not worn shorts so much, but damn, the sun wants to meet my legs. Beautiful, wonderful necessary vitamin D…. Let’s make lots of vitamin D this summer )

http://www.mckenna.com/default.aspx

We are hot! We just have to realize it! But we become hotter and hotter with good foods and improved self confidence. Feeling like you want to EE, have a salad and WOW, the mood just improves 100%. Why? Because treating ourselves in a positive way is true love. Binging on crap is not goodness and will never make us feel better. NEVER!

Make it with what you love or like, knowing that this is going to provide your body with loads of nutrients that will help heal, cleanse and revive your body and I think, mind. Energy!

Mixed greens (ANY kind as long as it is dark green)

Kale, broccoli, cabbage (purple, green), celery, cucumber, zuchinni

Carrots, red, yellow and/or orange pepper, red onion, tomato, radishes…..

Adventurous? Mushrooms, olives, herbs, pieces of fruit, little avocado, legumes, few nuts or seeds, fish or shrimp

Etc. (Not all of these, unless YOU WANT. It is up to you!)

Dressing- Just keep it chemical free. Lemon juice or any real fruit juice mixed with a good oil (about 1 T. or a little less of olive, flax, sesame oil, YOU PICK) or you could try this. I took a spicy, no preserve ginger sesame dressing and since it was a little too sweet for my taste at the time (pineapple juice and sugar in the ingredients *sigh*… Shanna, next time better label reading ), I halved it with Bragg soysauce. Slightly a little lazy, but I was in a funk and needed something good. YUM. Topped it with a few sesame seeds and bon appetite !!! (A little good fat is good for absorbing those nutrients. And you will be amazed how long you feel satisfied.)

Grab, cut, mix, savor, chew well and enjoy because you just did something fabulous for your body when you know, it could have went the other way too. And NO COOKING which is practical, time saving and cool for the house.

Creativity!

Now, you better feel hot because you are! Hotter and hotter each day!

Update:

Inspired from that moment when my whole body wanted to snack on the not so healthy and with me, that is usually a lot of it. But thank goodness for the rational and a fridge of veggies. I remembered something when I read a blog yesterday that I have heard before. Not ideal to see yourself as a label or in a certain way because you tend to perpetuate that view of yourself. I found a bit of a lifestyle that makes me feel good and does not have me wanting and wanting or feeling anxious, but I will not label myself 100%. Just liking these new thoughts.

I am aiming to eat Vegan, but I am listening to my body and when I feel I need something else, I eat yogurt and fish, whatever is good for me and appeals. But truly I do feel so awesome and NO JOINT PAIN or lack of energy like I thought MIGHT happen. I feel so amazing. Just keeping track with WW so I do not dwindle away or lose too fast…lol Well if the truth be told, feeling healthy is the best place. Keeping in mind also, protein, calcium, zinc, iron, B12 especially…all covered. Weights yesterday and yoga today!

Have a beaUtiful day Everyone ! *hugs*

These are my measurements after a week or so of dairy and sweets and a general lack of caring for me. A little shocked I am, just a little.  Thanks Mark (the fitness guy) for the idea to measure.

neck: 13

chest: 35.5

upper left arm: 11.75

hips: 41

waist: 31.5

left thigh: 24

calf: 17

*Will measure at the end of the month too.

——————————

Back on track with a new diet (Vegan - though I am easing into it. No cold turkey for me!) and working on making the exercise (cardio, strength and flexibility) more of a routine. Of course with out the forum I have slacked a bit, but I am back at it. Watch I will start craving sardines…. I am so weird. Say I can not have and I want.

Would have been so easy to crap out further yesterday and go to Tim Hortons for something junkie (NICE COMMERCIAL…so tempting!) but we resisted. I worked out something good. Actually exercise was not the problem yesterday. Very good in this respect.

I know I need to think about the long term a bit more and remember what I have and not worry about what I am not eating. Feed myself well and let go of the need for bad fats and refined sugar. Some say it just takes time. I will not be forgetting that good fat, some sugar from fruits and veggies and complex carbs (with some protein) is vital to steering away from those otherwise inevitable cravings. I NEED to remind myself of these things.

But as for the denial and wanting….. I really am thinking and remembering all that I have.

I also need to remember that I have a little voice in my head that is not me. The one voice that has plagued my entire life: You will never be a success! As soon as I start doing well I sabotage and this is nothing new. I have blogged about this since I was here and I must MUST see this for what it is. A voice in my head that is not me!!!

I appreciate all that I have.

Today: meditate, STUDY, workout, eat what this earth has grown and be thankful for this (no food scientist created substances today) and enjoy some sun later this afternoon of a day well spent with the books. I would like to go for thirty days, not perfection, but thirty days of effort.

Sometimes I write things here and forget my plans, so here goes:

Consistent exercise

Healthy diet (mostly plant based). I do think I have been oblivious to some things all my life, but the torture of animals is a bit tough to handle. I have a stupid soft heart for fur creatures and seeing the treatment of animals in large over populated animal farms, is a bit more then my heart can handle. Working this out…… love the tools I learned from A New Earth. Guilt and frustration are not able to fester long when I have learned how to stop the negativity in my head and let it all go. I learned something, I learn with the gentle and the sarcastic sometimes. I love humor. I need humor!

Meditation/spirituality and stress reduction

Study consistently and start early in the day. It is when I work best.

All right……. all good!

Have a great day Everyone!!!

Well, I think I have a veggie buddy who is not here at Buddyslim but we are going to attempt to do this support system online.  What a concept!

The whole weight thing use to be such a taboo subject for me, but with tools I have always felt like I would eventually get there, ya know.  This journey has been a long one and I am always amazed at those who just seem to get it done.  There are so many factors that contribute to the journey.  For me, the biggest thing I have realized in the last several weeks, is that it is a much better, more enjoyable journey if you can take the skills and knowledge and not take the criticism and personalities too too personally.

I really think it is so much better to laugh at ourselves then to beat ourselves up over the little and big indulgences.  See where things went screwy and keep going.  LAUGH.  It might be the best medicine.  It was for me today.  Me plus milk products equal a big balloon, now how funny is that when I know it is mostly just a lot of bloatedness.  Back at it this week.  More dedicated workouts and a proper diet.  I also want to search out some quick and interesting vegetarian recipes. So here I go….laughing my way all the way to work ………

Have a great week everyone.  *hugs*

So, recommended to me by some guy was the book Skinny Bitch, written by some very sassy ladies… He is big into vegetarianism or should I say wants to get back there and I want to be here for my health. Did some research, checked it out at McNally Robinson, read just under half of it in the store, LAUGHING MY BEHIND OFF and enjoying every bit of it, and did decide to buy it. Now, I am doing some investigating on the net this early AM (fur child woke me up) and found an article I can not respond to it so I will post the link and my comment about it.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=457277&in_page_id=1879

My comment: It is easy to bash the beautiful especially when they are saying things that are unknown or maybe you do not understand, but these woman have gotten the nutrition aspect nearly right on. I personally do not agree with soy in such high quantities, but over all I think this is where nutrition should be heading. I think the only mistake is alienating so many meat eaters because the book is a bit harsh and will not reach so many. I think it is wrong to put woman into the category of bimbos and skinny whacks just because the notion of holistic nutrition is so far from your grasp. Does the fact that they happen to be drop dead gorgeous have anything to do with the negativity? They are harsh in such a sassy and hilarious kind of a way and your words are equally harsh, but they do have the facts and that is what I am learning to love about a loud mouth - intelligence! As for Ms. Beckham, I wish I had the thick skin that she indeed must have. Cheers to all the chicks out there, overweight (me, but I am nearly at my healthy goal weight) and those who are not. Great health to us all! -a former big flesh eater and now I have trouble thinking about meat and animal products. Guess I received me wish. This book is not for the faint and yet minus the big bad words it could be talk in schools. But alas, it will not be and we will continue to shovel the acid forming foods in our stomachs despite the fact that we are not Super-Hydrochloric Acid Heroines, unfortunately. (Grief I am getting too creative…. what I mean is most of us do not have large amounts of hydrochloric acid in our guts to even deal with large amounts of protein. I still feel the cheese in me from a couple days ago. Wish this were a joke. )

Everything does indeed come in it’s own time! Be careful what you wish for is my lesson today. Still I look forward to reading my new books. Purchased a few different kinds of books last night. Who knew I could be such a book worm? Never use to be. Also excited to read my new Drew Hayden Taylor book too.

Well I must go and make my Mom a Mother’s day pressy as we are going to see her today.

Happy Mother’s day to all you Mom’s out there. It isn’t easy to be Mom, but you do have the #1 job! Take care of yourselves.

Today I am thankful for Dr. Marc’s words of wisdom with his recommended diet (essentially vegan), the hilarious and bright Skinny Bitch and also how things are becoming more clear for me. Live, live and live some more. Food is just the energy, but where I go, now this is suddenly seeming more, interesting……