Jennifer

SO, people promoting organic foods have NEVER claimed that the nutritional value of the food is any better then non organic.  I mean I have not heard or read this.

Fruit and vegetables, regardless of how we try to interfer with their greatness still have similar or the same vitamins and minerals.  Ok…..

Food that must travel a long distance will always have their enzymes inhibited so that they remain fresher and this is not ideal.   Our bodies are in need of these enzymes for good digestion and good health.   But again, one does what they can.  Eating as much raw foods as possible, and maybe local is an option, is ideal.  But one thing, it can become a little overwhelming to worry about food all the time.  Trust me, I know!   Much better to relax and impliment newness slowly.  And also with the knowledge that there are no certainties in life.  I think for me, less stress is just a better way to live.  Living perfectly with the hopes that the rewards will be ideal only creates internal stress.  SO Relax……..hehe.  No kidding!  Yah….. love those breakthroughs.

So what a useless article in my opionion put out by the British and found in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.  I am sure it’s not.   I can not wait to read the actual artical to see who funded the study.  Laughable!  Well I am pre-judging it only to be confrontational.  lol  But it’s good to think!! and not just believe.  I have read studies that prove their point but are not at all logical.  I look forward to actually reading it.  I refuse to pay for it though.  :P  (ok… it was funded by the UK Food Standards Agency.)

The best food is food that is grown with the least chemicals (no chemicals would be ideal, ya know it that ideal world we all dream of…lol)  and the food that also has the least chemicals added to it.  No chemicals is even better!!!  Chemicals may not have a short term effect on the body as most healthy bodies can deal pretty well at clearing these substances from the body.  Still it is best to avoid chemicals as we are around them where ever we go.  Why not avoid if possible?  The less stress (chemical, excess physical and emotional) we put on our bodies the better off our health will be.

I think we are doing very well if we are eating as much whole foods as we can and enjoying them in all their loveliness.  Throughly washed non organic or washed organic produce is better then any food that is altered.  Any attempt to eat whole instead of processed foods is a great way to feel lighter, happier and healthier.

Convenience food or whole food preparation?  I respect this dilemma, but health has to be somewhere on our top 5 things to do, no? And then there is always balance with everything….

I tried my first persimmon today!!! Yum.  Thank you to some U.S. farmer or likely some large production company.  LOVED the fleshy texture and it’t slight sweetness…YUM.  It went so well with my B.C. blueberries.  This is our world.

Ahhhhhh, someday I will have a little garden of yummies…..

Sugar is opportunistic!  I should write about all the reasons that sugar is bad for our health and I am talking the highly refined sugar, but I will just keep it specific here.

Raw sugar,  honey, molassas, maple syrup in fact do come with some healthy properties like vitamins and minerals.  On the other hand, the biggest thing that refined sugar does to us is that it depletes our bodies.  Now in this society, people are eating less and less completely whole food and so vitamins are lost during processing.  Not to mention healthy oils are lost or changed and unhealthy fats are added. Anyways, back to sugar!  Sugar requires vitamins inorder to be metabolised in the body.  Now the body needs glucose, but this can be attained from fruits, vegetables, legumes and whole grains and rare and natural sweeteners.  Refined sugar that comes into our bodies depletes vitamins and minerals from our body (minerals that are necessary for an INSANE amount of other bodily funtions) and gives nearly nothing back.  Well it provides us with low energy and excess weight if that counts!  Plus disease loves sugar because it lowers our immune system.  So what is the pay off ?  Why eat the crap?

Well I was CRAVING last night and I know I had a light supper on carbs.  Not absent, just lower as I had a little rye garlic toast, veggies and some corn (made a southwest chicken stir fry with corn, veggies and Franks hotsauce).  I was okay with this because I was in control.  But I SO WANTED peanut butter pie!!!  (and I was not craving fat, I did get plenty yesterday).  I wanted and I could hardly remember what it tasted like.  I could feel the texture, but the tastey nutty sweetness was gone from my tastebud memory.  And so, I road the wave.  Talked with David and realised that I have gone 19 nights (going on 20….tonight is a big one, BBQ) withOUT eating at night for emotional reasons or boredom.  I could not do it to myself.  I was not even hungry.  I nearly let myself convince myself that I was, BUT I WAS NOT.  So, I am better for the discussion and the ride on that wave.  I was in control and I came out of it just fine.  (In the past I did not come out fine.  I caved many a times because my brain was operating on sugar from past meals.  No more.)  Note to self: Health was NOT what got me through these moments of craving.  Intellectually I could see that it was a poor choice, but that was NOT the reason I got over my craving.  I needed to remember my goal.

So tonight I want to have a hearty supper and enjoy some fun times with some good people.  I think I am making a Mediterrianin chickpea salad for the BBQ.

A buddy sent me a recipe and I had to say….YUM.  I will be making this SOON.

My tweaked version of Cranberry Spinach Salad:

*   1 t. of butter + 2 t. of cold pressed olive oil
* 3/4 cup almonds or pecans (soaked and dried)
* 1 pound spinach, rinsed and torn into bite-size pieces
* 1/2-1 cup dried cranberries
* 2 tablespoons lightly toasted sesame seeds
* 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
* ~1/4 c. raw honey
* 2 teaspoons minced onion
* 1/4 teaspoon paprika
* juice of one lemon
* 1 t.-ish apple cider vinegar
* 1/4-1/2 c. cold pressed extra virgin  olive oil or any lighter tasting oil AND a couple T. of water if need be

DIRECTIONS

1. In a pan, melt butter and oil over medium heat. Place nuts in pan until lightly toasted. Remove and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, place spinach with the cooled nuts and cranberries.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the sesame seeds, poppy seeds, honey, onion, paprika, lemon juice, cider vinegar, and oil. Toss with spinach just before serving and ENJOY.

*Note I made changes to this with out trying.  I am not having sweeteners at this time so I will enjoy this later.  But I love this recipe.  I have had something similar in a restaurant with strawberries instead of cranberries.  YUM!  This will be great.  I think next week I am going to do some tweaking and make this, but I will use a fruit puree -pineapple or a few dates instead of sugar??? not sure.  YES dates come with some nice nutrients.  I can not wait!  Ahh it seems sinful to have dates and yet I know better… Moderation, Mother Nature and my butt will thank me later while my tastebuds thank me im The Moment  :)  I am leaning towards pineapple, oil, pineapple juice, 1-2 dates and then the rest of the ingredients for the dressing.

http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/Jamies-Cranberry-Spinach-Salad/Detail.aspx   -  site of the original recipe.

Hope Everyone has a wonderful weekend.  *hugs*

You do not give up!  And I am assuming that you just kept on doing your best.  You do not get all stressed because you know this packs on the pounds.  You do not worry about altering calories or recording them to the precise number.  You did not have the time, because you had a life to live and it did not fit in.  You were okay with this.  You relaxed, KNOWING that by doing things gently (no extremes), that all would come to be.  You know that respecting yourself creates a gentle balance within that is true beauty, harmony and optimum for all body functions including weight loss.  You know that extreme diets and exercise are hard on the body, leaving one altered, depleted and eventually, MOODY!   You know that eating a bit more one day or a bit more healthy fat than “ideal” is okay and even healthy.  You know that chosing fruits and vegetables more often just feels better.  You know that movement should feel good.  Maybe for once, you were just listening to the wisdom of your body and so balance was actually achieved at a cellular level.  Even though! if you were to ask a dieter or read an article or book, you might feel inadequate.  YOU KNOW BETTER !

Months from now this is what I think………………………………. My clothes fit better and I feel at peace.   It was really this easy?  Why in the hell did I make things so difficult?  Answer: I let a commerical society dictate “what I know” when the only knowing comes from with in.  Finally, I listened.  Still, the emotional times are not ALWAYS so easy.  That seems to be the most difficult of it all.  Sometimes it is just fine to sit in the unknown and know it’s okay too.

Inspired by a plateau buster & a self hater here at Buddyslim. 

Did a little reading thanks to a buddy who shared some info. on carbohydrate intolerance from a book called the Woman’s Perfect Diet.  I am very thankful to Ann Marie, my fellow Intuitive Eater. *wink*   I needed to read the chapter she sent, because as much as I feel I “know” what my body needs, I have not been getting the fact that I eat too many carbs and good fats and not enough protein.  Plus the month has been tough - eating foods for the food sensitivity test and when you have to eat food/not so much choice, NOT FUN.  Yuck.  I feel for kids!  Then there was V-day and my B-day so I have been all over the place.   Anyways, finding that right balance is tricky sometimes, but I am up for it and a new approach.   I want to see what happens with less complex carbohydrates and a little less good fat.  I did not do the test to actually see, I just thought, how do I feel when I eat a high protein breakfast (hours after) and then how do I feel with a high carb breakfast?  I never use to be like this, actually feel more energized with more protein and less carbs.  I felt good and lost with high carb (about 60ish %) but no more.  So I actually do have more energy with higher protein and still lots for veggies and a decent amount of fruits.  I do not know, about 1400-1600 or a little more cals I would guess.  Just thinking a little less carbs and going with the actual hunger.  I have not been hungry so much, but I am hoping my metabolism will bless with me it’s presence.

I am maintaining like a champ *rolls eyes a little* but I can not get upset.  I will not.  Just realise what is and make changes.  It is all just so tiring and I can not go there.  So if anyone knows of a site where you log your food and get the macro nutrient (fat, protein, carb) percentatage that is not here can you relay the address?  Thanks.  If I do not find a good site, that is cool.  It is a certainty that I will become bored with it.  In fact I am giving myself a couple days of recording to get a feel for eyeballing about 40% carbs.  The trick for me is to be getting enough fiber….gawd I need fiber!!!   When did I become old?  Because seriously, my metabolism really has changed.  I just refuse to exercise like a nut because that kind of activity is not something I can maintain and it is too hard on my body.  So, me, trying to find some good balance and my ideal-for-me body.  Ahhh I would be so pleased with 160ish and 29/37 measurements.  But like the big guy says in the second or third Austin Powers, I just want to be “toyght”  LOL.  All good with me.  

 YAH, so glad Slumdog Millionaire kicked butt at the Oscars!  So postive and uplifting.  Yah for Kate!…Winslet.

All right so I feel that I have been a wee bit irritable lately.  I feel like I can get my last few days of possible irritants in before it’s - No You Should Not Have That!  So anyways, I see this.  Craziness.  Portions and whole foods, but a couple poor choices. (Feel flushed, a bit compulsive, etc.)  NO EE though and so this is progress.  I also think just upping the intake a little bit is good around lunch time.  No snacking last night as I had a good helping of sweet potatoes with my shrimp and mixed greens.  No eating at night, I just have not wanted to.  Really all in all, very nice and just 3 weeks until I decide what to wear for a new pic or if it is a confident me at the time, what not to wear…..hehe.   I finally think that I am seeing the real me in the mirror and not the old fat me.  This is making a huge difference.  Focussing on the positive and then everything else is coming into place.

Exercise is a high right now and I do not see too many things changing for my next unstructured week.  Still going to do what I feel.  I just thought I would have more inflammation with all the cardio and weights and I don’t.  Yah for essential fatty acids (healthy fats) and antioxidants (fruits and veggies)!!!  I do believe that this level of exercise, which is not that much for the the huge results that I am seeing (looser pants, muslces are peeking), like maybe 45 min of strength and 25 min. of cardio as an example 3 days this week/other stuff on the off days too, is just right for me because I am NOT hungry at night, but still the results are coming.  Love it. 

Journalling no longer works for me as it reinforces my perfectionism which can not be lived up to.  I knew this, but thought maybe….  NO!  I tried it for a day…laughable!  I am good with this.  You know me, just had to test the waters of control only to realise how silly I was.  I like enjoying good food in the propper portions and just eating optimally most of the time.  Listening for the hunger signals just makes for good eats.  No points either.  Bye bye.  “Hello Body I Never Knew Was In Me!”

Have a great day Everyone!

Be back in a couple weeks……

http://www.chep.org/gfb/index.html

The Good Food box was such a surprise!!!  And it was all organic as I ordered.  I do believe I would have spent more at the store for the same amount.  I buy all of this from the grocery story (except I have not had squash FOR SO LONG), but not all is organic.  So this is so neat!  Better then Christmas!  ;) 

They said during the winter season not all can be collected locally, of course.  I am just so pleased.

-baby spinach leaves

-romaine lettuce heart

-alfalfa sprouts

-squash (YUM… so excited)

-bag of carrots

-many potatoes (When it is the end of the week and we are thinking about going to the grocery store for ‘wants’, I am going to create a comfort meal with a few of these potatoes…. so many potatoes.  Glad they last a long time.  Recipe ideas are welcome…. Tx)

-garlic

-bag of dried green peas

-bag of whole wheat flour  (pancakes as a treat?  not sure what I will make)

-celery

-many apples

-bananas

-kiwi(s?)- Usually our kiwi are from NewZealand, but this AM I read these are from the USA.  Well thank you to the US for my kiwi. 

Well worth the 30.00 and I will be placing another order in the coming weeks.  They say they vary the produce so it should be a nice surprise each time.   

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Oh, and I am taking a cue from Jane I am doing a light cleanse today.  Though I will be having a little salmon for supper.  But all fruits, mostly veggies and some walnuts (I do not have almonds).   It works out well because I have this new produce plus some older produce too.  I have studied about various cleanses and short and light cleanses are best for most people.  

The reason we detox or cleanse is to rid our body of various chemicals and organism (which are in too high numbers like bad bacteria and yeast. PEOPLE WHO CRAVE SUGARY THINGS often will have excess yeast) and doing so too quickly will cause these organisms to be destroyed and it is thought that the chemicals they then release from their dead cells is actually quite unhealthy.  Hence the ill feeling many people have when doing intense or extreme detoxes.  The body does not actually “get rid” of the bacteria so effectively as I understand it (constipation and when there is an excess), though some are clearly excreted.  They must die.  So the key is to not feed them the sugar they want and poop regularly.  We need some broken down sugars to live, but NOT the excessive amounts we so often have.  Oh yeh, I know this… *sigh*   A gradual end to these “critters” lol is best, so says many experts.  They don’t say critters though, they use words like pathogens and microbes….hehe.  Thank you Jane for inspiring me to write this.  I read about this, dysbiosis, in what seems like every new section.  A healthy digestive system is ESSENTIAL to good health.  But regular gentle cleansing helps all body systems to do their best and that means a better quality of life.

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Speaking of doing my best….. update on accepting that I will be a success…..

I am most pleased that this week I have steadily and dramaticly seen a change in my mental game with food.  I am so at ease.  AS SOON as I say I can have it all, peace.  When I say no to anything I want I want.  So just no rules is really affective for me.  And then also enjoying the small portions has been an absolute success.

But most of all, I have been so into my studies and good at saying no to certain domestic things that bug me usually if left (like not unloading the dishwasher or doing only 1 load of laundry instead of 3).  Basically I am pacing myself and putting my goals at the top of my list.

I have been more relaxed and way more at peace.  Just telling myself that I will do something has worked.  Plus, the activity is there and it is here to stay!  Love it.  Though I still do have to be aware of it so it does not slip from my day.  Love the list of activity so that I am doing at least 6 days a week.

After the cleanse last night I did have a bit more food as it was needed after some additional activity.  Listening to what my body tells me, NOT the voice in my head which can be so negative.  Voice: “that is too fattening” or “you know you will never be a success”.  All good.  But then I think balance has been achieved.  I got so much studying in this week.   More success to come.

So everything has been great, but by far the greatest success has been the peace and happiness that resides in me and around me.  I placed some old and new pics up too on my home page for motivation.  I love that strong picture.  Makes me smile. 

Most days I am feeling well.  I still feel ill if I eat certain foods, but all will be figured out soon with the help of science.  If I were to drop all the suspects, what I can eat would be cut by a quarter.   (corn, soy, dairy-I LOVE DAIRY, peanut butter, tomatoes, wheat, broccoli - I LOVE STEAMED BROCCOLI, all chemical preservatives)  I think I have a bit of an imbalance/dysbiosis, because my moods are all over the place… blah

Well just thought I would update.

Have a good one!

So I am writing this because one of my buddies made the cool choice to write a blog instead of eating mindlessly and I think that is just so great.  So, last night I did not chose sweets after supper, but rather I read blogs, ate some mini mandarin oranges (I guessed 6 was a serving once peeled) and watched the Oilers win, YAH.  I really, really, really wanted to eat something and was a little hungry so later in the evening, I had 2 cups of air popped popcorn.

http://www.efreshfruit.com/fruits-info/oranges2.htm  

Anyways, these mini mandarin oranges are so AMAZING and can you believe they are about an inch and a half wide.  SO CUTE!

I love all fruit nearly equally though I am not the biggest fan of most melons.  Good on occasion though.  I guess I love berries and fresh pineapple the best. 

And Saskatoon berries in a pie are just HEAVEN.  LOL… no pie right now.  I know it is not the most ideal thing to see food as a reward, but sometime before this year ends, I would like a piece of this pie.  OOH ooh, I know, the next person to tell me this year that I have lost too much weight will have to buy me a piece of Saskatoon Yum!  Ok, I may have to just treat myself!  Dieter’s Power!  Like Girl Power, but I am in just the best place in a long time with diet.  I know things will just happen when they happen.  And I am ok with slow, because my overall form will look better as I do not rush it.  Ok, I wrote about it and it is done.  The pie fantasy is out of me.  *wink* (I fully recognize that this was NO fantasy.  I do not want to temp others, so it was in my head, a talk briefly about it and BAM, done. )

What is your favorite fruit?

Jo, did you get your 2 servings of fruit in???

Yesterday I had a banana, prunes and mini mandarin oranges.  I count my tomato as a veg, but I guess it is a fruit.

Happy munching on that sweet juicy piece of fruit that’s just dying for you to savor it’s delightful nutients.  What a terrific way to give your body energy and life!

Little tiff last night with my sweetie over the fur child, so today I am really going to think only positive.  I love myself today and ALL thoughts and choices will reflect my desire to choose Happiness.  I am looking at the big picture and not the tiny unimportant things.  I know that one way I can chose to love myself is giving myself fruits and veggies.  If I am doing this then I will be less likely to eat senselessly.  So….. here goes… Breakfast, workout and studying…..

On this Rememberance Day, my prayers go out to family of military personel and soldiers serving their countries and also I remember the past soldiers who have fought for what I have in this society.  May peace come to us all someday…. 

If you do not have a problem with constipation, then great.  But anyone who has a problem knows how uncomfortable it is and dealing is ESSENTIAL - both for your sanity/comfort and for your health.  I write this here because it has come to my attention that a number of people are having issues.  I have to work very hard to be regular and happy too.  I also think that Dr. Oz who has been on Oprah is awesome.  Though I have not read his book(s) he was brilliant when doing the poop talks on her show and so I can only assume the books are fantastic!

The purpose here is to help people who are stuck.   Happiness is the goal.  Somethings might be worth a try and then some will say, life is not worth living without that X-food or beverage or whatever.  We must enjoy and find the balance for our unique selves.   Usually the smallest changes can help.  Also, I come from a natural means of healing though in my life I am very much a middle ground thinker.  I am not of the allopathic vs. homeopathic camp.  There are good things to be taken from both schools.  I clearly think we are the sailors of our ships and our health though. 

What I know causes constipation for me and others things that can cause constipation:

-heavy meals - slows digestion

-lack of exercise

-inability to digest bread and dairy and prolonged consumption can even make it worse - good to have a varied diet. Plain active bacteria yogurt is better then milk.  I kid you not and I am getting use to it, but instead of milks, more and more I am adding yogurt and a little water or some kind of milk to my cereals.  I add different things to make it taste good like raisins, cut prunes, seeds, nuts, pineapple, ground flax or hemp seed, etc.).  I am even starting to prefer it and the results, though I had to convince myself it was good for me at first.  Actually I believe early on there was no milk of any kind in the house, so I tried it.  It grew on me….  :) 

-early intake of cow’s milk  (I share with you now, I have been constipated for the majority of my life and this is one of the reasons I chose to study Natural Nutrition.  Also intersting, babies who are breast fed ted to have less digestive issues.) 

-Early inappropriate foods and continued abuse of our guts creates a system that may not be able to function well.  Luckily our bodies are pretty forgiving.  A book I recommend to anyone who has digestive issues is Eating Alive by Dr. Matsen.  It is written in a fun way, but the information is serious and helpful.   MORE IMPORTANT THEN FOOD COMBINING IS CHEWING WELL! 

-chocolate, especially when combined with nuts - my weakness…. *sigh*

-constinuous meals and snacks that do not adhere to the principles of food combining - especially large amounts of meat that because all meats have a significant amount of protein and most have a moderate-high fat content, it really slows digestion and when mixed with carbs slows it down even further and may create fermentation in some individuals.  (yeast problems?   Nutrition, nutrition, nutrition….)

-a lot of fluids with meats (diluting hydrochloric acid -HCl) or not enough fluids with high fiber foods.  HCl in our stomach decreases with age.

 -impropper digeston beginning with not enough chewing - food should be a paste BEFORE swallowing, mixing as much saliva as possible. (25-50 times, may seem tedious, but it is your health!) This begins carbohydrate-sugar digestion and this is very important in not welcoming fermentation.

-high fat diet - fats slow down digestion more then carbs (fast) or protein (about 4-6 hours to digest)

-tea and coffee as they act as diuretcs (Though caffeine can also stimulate some people’s digestion. ??? - Still it is more diuretic I think.) 

-many medications (Tylenol, some heart and depression medications, … so many)

 -calcium without magnesium, and iron supplements

-aluminum (yikes - get that out of the diet or certainly reduce! Aluminum foil that comes into contact with food, pots/pans, antipersperants/deodorants,baking powders, bleached flour, processed cheese, antacids, breathing in dust when sanding from aluminum oxide sandpaper, beverages from aluminum cans)

-starchy fruit like bananas and some sources say cherries (though some say the opposite for both).  We are unique. 

-avoid tea with meal or high protein meals. The tea acids can toughen the protein and slow digestion  (I do like my tea….)

-avoid intense exercise, sleeping, bathing or walking around a lot after eat a meal. Right. *rolls eyes* Anyways, these all interfer with the bodies ability to digest propperly because blood is moved away from the middle of the body. Still I think if one is chewing well and not mixing huge amounts of fluid, one should be able to LIVE after eating….lol

-stopping smoking as nicotine can have a laxative effect.

-VARIOUS health problems

 -prolonged sress

-change in hormones

-pregnancy

-traveling

WHAT HELPS….The goal is to speed up digestion. Not decrease the ability of the body to absorb, but to allow the body to DO IT’S JOB! -digest, absorb and elliminate!

 -small meals are better

-limit sweets

-regular and small amounts of water over the course of the day. The standard 6-8 glasses is usually a good start. But water is individual and based on activity, climate, temperature, body weight etc. What is right for one, may not be right for another.

 -not mixing continual high carb and big protein meals or at least keeping the portions smaller. -limit breads if you think you might have problem digesting. NOT forever, but just for a month or so. Add back slowly. I find open faced sandwiches to be easily digested.  Though for awhile I am avoiding wheat.-limit cow’s milk/dairy except low fat quality yogurt (avoid thickeners) - get the real stuff. Ingredients should include milk and bacteria. NOTHING else. Fat free yogurts usually have thickeners. The last thing one needs is cornstarch and caragenum gum plugging you up  - yuck!

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*

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*