I'm happy to report that my lifestyle change is going along swimmingly and now, I've inspired others to do the same! My cousin has eliminated all the processed food from her diet and has lost 75 lbs!!!! Every day more friends keep asking me how I do it and what do I buy and the most popular question is, "isn't it more expensive?" To that I will say that I too was very skeptical in the beginning. I asked my mentor and neighbor the same questions. So, today I'm going to provide some tips on how to get started. It's NOT that hard to do (as some friends complain to me). If I, the former Pop-Tart queen, can do it, YOU can too! But, the biggest hurdle is just making that first step and allowing yourself to believe that you and your family will be healthier by doing so.
Step 1: Open up your pantry, cupboard, food storage areas. If a product contains any of the following ingredients, donate or dispose of it. (partially hydrogenated vegetable oils, high fructose corn syrup, MSG, nitrates, nitrites, hydrolyzed proteins, artificial flavors & colors - and any other unpronounceable chemical!)
Step 2: Make a list of those things that were you favorites - like Pop-Tarts, Potato Chips, packaged ready-made dinners, Pasta Roni, Jimmy Dean Sausage, salad dressings, fat-free products, Nutri-Grain Bars, Special K, high-sugar cereals, Cheeze-its, etc...
Step 3: If you're on Facebook, "Like" companies like Horizon, Chobani Yogurt, Food Should Taste Good, Fage Yogurt, Athenos, Pirate's Booty, etc...for coupons. Do a search for organic foods and "like" them too. You can also find these companies' websites and join their email list and receive coupons that way, if you're not on Facebook.
Step 4: The Inaugural Shopping Trip! Make a list of the things you need to replace, like lunchmeat, bacon & sausage that doesn't have nitrates, chips, yogurt, snack foods, etc...
I spent 3 hours at Target on my first trip. I read every label and put it back if I contained the ugly stuff. BUT, I did find awesome tasting chips from Food Should Taste Good, Boulder Canyon Rice & Bean Chips and Organic Tortilla Chips (Target Brand). They all taste WAY better than Lay's or Ruffles!
I buy Natural Peanut Butter (either Skippy or Jiff), organic "spaghettio's", Annie's Mac 'n Cheese, Hormel Natural Choice Lunchmeats, nitrate free bacon (which Safeway now carries!), organic dairy products, limited canned products (too much sodium and cans can often be lined with BPA), and I just joined a farm that delivers Organic, grass-fed meat, dairy and eggs.
Wegman's (a local grocer) has a large selection of Organic products and I LOVE their chip aisle! They have grass-fed beef, pork and natural sausage. If you can't find these products where you live, you could consider buying then online from Amazon. My point is, you don't have to cook everything from scratch whilst ditching the processed gunk, they are healthier alternatives, but it's fun and rewarding when you do!
I believe that if more people choose to eat this way, the "food" manufacturers would change the way they make our food. Our bodies just aren't meant to ingest these chemicals. I only wish I had started this sooner, like when I was pregnant or while breastfeeding. I shudder at the thought of all the yucky stuff I used to eat. At least now my children can grow up eating real food and have an appreciation for all types of cuisine. It brings me joy when my kids try my concoctions of fresh fish, kale salad, and even BEG for broccoli! And their favorite is Yummy Earth's Organic Lollipops - THE BEST EVER!
P.S. And they do make Organic Pop-Tarts - but since I'm trying to lose weight - they're out!
Friday, January 28, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
The UGLY Reality of Food Today
It's been five months since I started on my journey to clean up my diet and change my lifestyle. The down side is that I haven't lost any real weight (Christmas de-railed the plan, big time!), but the upside, and this is a big one, is that I feel tremendously better, have more energy and have had almost no headaches. The true test comes next week when I go for bloodwork, including a cholesterol screening and more.
The first week of January, I started a local "biggest loser" contest for some friends. There are 14 of us. The winner, or loser as it may be, will receive $140! Every week we check in on our Facebook page and report results and challenges. There's also a small group of us working out in my basement gym. That's my favorite part. I love how I feel when I'm working out, but it's getting me to that point. Tennis shoes on, ready to sweat. We're having fun, let's just hope we can make it a habit and keep it going.
Over the holidays, my parents were here visiting us in Northern VA. My folks are from the South and traditionally we eat good old comfort food and tons of baked goods at Christmas. That's fine to do for a day or two, but a full week of eating badly resulted in seven pounds on the hips! Not good! I tried to share some of my new cooking habits with my mom. I showed her how I made my own croutons for her dressing recipe and I even made homemade marshmallows to put on top of the Candied Yams. She thought I had really lost my marbles with that last one. But then she tasted them and I won her over! The taste of real food versus something chemically made is a wonderful thing.
The sad reality is that food you buy today in a traditional grocery store is so far from its natural state that it's a wonder we can still call it "food!" I subscribe to several food blogs and read websites from various organizations that are constantly writing about the dangers that lurk on the store shelves. One recently wrote that they are battling the FDA to ban synthetic dyes because they present “a rainbow of risks,” including allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and even cancer. Why would you knowingly eat something that causes cancer? Because you may not know it!!! One report stated that there are many financial ties between big corporations and the largest food allergy non-profit in the U.S., an increased presence of chemical additives and genetically engineered ingredients in our food supply, and statistics showing a significant increase in the number of food-related allergies in the U.S since their introduction. Gross!
It's really very simple. Avoid processed foods and live healthier and longer. Ask yourself, how do I feel? How are my children behaving/feeling? Do you sleep well? Do you have energy all day long? Do you get sick a lot? Your diet may be to blame. It's not as hard as it seems to change. After all, I did it and I used to eat Pop-tarts, Ding-Dongs and Fat-Free everything. I mean it took me a while to shop when I first started. My first organic shopping trip to Target took 3 hours. I read EVERY label on every product I bought. Take a weekend and clean the pantry out, make a pile for donation and head to your nearest grocery store (without the kids!).
Here's all you need to do:
1. Read the ingredient label, not the Fat content or calories
2. Put down anything that has partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans-fat!!), heart disease creator
3. No MSG, monosodium glutamate
4. Artificial sweeteners, all of them - ditch 'em
5. High Fructose Corn Syrup or Corn Sugar
6. Hydrolyzed soy/vegetable protein, another form of MSG
7. Artificial colors, dyes (Red dye #40, etc...)
8. Nitrites, Nitrates, found in bacon, sausage and lunchmeats. They make Organic bacon and it's SO good!
9. Look for Organic on the label. Target now carries many brands of Organic, as do many local supermarkets (Wegman's is the best) and if they don't, buy from Amazon!
If a product has a huge laundry list of ingredients - PUT IT BACK! If you wonder why your child is hyperactive, has trouble sleeping, you have constant headaches or that fact that you can't go one day without cholesterol medicine, it's time for a complete food makeover. I believe the more people that change their life and the way they eat, then perhaps the food industry will follow and make changes to the way they make our food. You can do this! It justs takes one baby step in the right direction! Ask me questions, provide feedback. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Don't believe me? That's fine, read for yourself:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/
http://www.organicitsworthit.org/ - great site on money-saving tips, recipes
http://www.ota.com/ - Organic Trade Association
The first week of January, I started a local "biggest loser" contest for some friends. There are 14 of us. The winner, or loser as it may be, will receive $140! Every week we check in on our Facebook page and report results and challenges. There's also a small group of us working out in my basement gym. That's my favorite part. I love how I feel when I'm working out, but it's getting me to that point. Tennis shoes on, ready to sweat. We're having fun, let's just hope we can make it a habit and keep it going.
Over the holidays, my parents were here visiting us in Northern VA. My folks are from the South and traditionally we eat good old comfort food and tons of baked goods at Christmas. That's fine to do for a day or two, but a full week of eating badly resulted in seven pounds on the hips! Not good! I tried to share some of my new cooking habits with my mom. I showed her how I made my own croutons for her dressing recipe and I even made homemade marshmallows to put on top of the Candied Yams. She thought I had really lost my marbles with that last one. But then she tasted them and I won her over! The taste of real food versus something chemically made is a wonderful thing.
The sad reality is that food you buy today in a traditional grocery store is so far from its natural state that it's a wonder we can still call it "food!" I subscribe to several food blogs and read websites from various organizations that are constantly writing about the dangers that lurk on the store shelves. One recently wrote that they are battling the FDA to ban synthetic dyes because they present “a rainbow of risks,” including allergic reactions, hyperactivity, and even cancer. Why would you knowingly eat something that causes cancer? Because you may not know it!!! One report stated that there are many financial ties between big corporations and the largest food allergy non-profit in the U.S., an increased presence of chemical additives and genetically engineered ingredients in our food supply, and statistics showing a significant increase in the number of food-related allergies in the U.S since their introduction. Gross!
It's really very simple. Avoid processed foods and live healthier and longer. Ask yourself, how do I feel? How are my children behaving/feeling? Do you sleep well? Do you have energy all day long? Do you get sick a lot? Your diet may be to blame. It's not as hard as it seems to change. After all, I did it and I used to eat Pop-tarts, Ding-Dongs and Fat-Free everything. I mean it took me a while to shop when I first started. My first organic shopping trip to Target took 3 hours. I read EVERY label on every product I bought. Take a weekend and clean the pantry out, make a pile for donation and head to your nearest grocery store (without the kids!).
Here's all you need to do:
1. Read the ingredient label, not the Fat content or calories
2. Put down anything that has partially hydrogenated vegetable oil (trans-fat!!), heart disease creator
3. No MSG, monosodium glutamate
4. Artificial sweeteners, all of them - ditch 'em
5. High Fructose Corn Syrup or Corn Sugar
6. Hydrolyzed soy/vegetable protein, another form of MSG
7. Artificial colors, dyes (Red dye #40, etc...)
8. Nitrites, Nitrates, found in bacon, sausage and lunchmeats. They make Organic bacon and it's SO good!
9. Look for Organic on the label. Target now carries many brands of Organic, as do many local supermarkets (Wegman's is the best) and if they don't, buy from Amazon!
If a product has a huge laundry list of ingredients - PUT IT BACK! If you wonder why your child is hyperactive, has trouble sleeping, you have constant headaches or that fact that you can't go one day without cholesterol medicine, it's time for a complete food makeover. I believe the more people that change their life and the way they eat, then perhaps the food industry will follow and make changes to the way they make our food. You can do this! It justs takes one baby step in the right direction! Ask me questions, provide feedback. I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Don't believe me? That's fine, read for yourself:
http://www.truthinlabeling.org/
http://www.organicitsworthit.org/ - great site on money-saving tips, recipes
http://www.ota.com/ - Organic Trade Association
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
One Day at a Time
As the holidays approach, I must say that I feel a bit scared of the coming test of my will. This is my favorite time of year. The house is decorated, the pantry is stocked with all the staples to bake the most delicious cookies and multiple parties will be attended. I have to admit that I have failed in one area - I have not exercised since early October. I started off great, then I got busy with a fundraiser and then Halloween, then just plain got out of the habit. I, however, have not slacked off in the least with my healthy food buying or cooking habits.
I'm still reading every label of ingredients and not just how much fat is in something. I don't look at that at all. I'm looking for junk. I have managed to abstain from anything containing HFCS, hydrogenated oils, MSG and other preservatives that are chemically created and packaged as food. Yeah! It's been hard to give up my favorites, but the health benefits far outweigh the taste of a chemical-laden Pop-Tart. In fact, I've found a lot of Organic substitutes for Pop-Tarts and Spaghettios! I also found this great natural food store and bought Oregano Oil and elderberry juice (immunity boosters).
One evening I experimented with making my own mayonnaise, remoulade, cole slaw and back fin crabcakes. All so very yummy, thanks to my neighbor (and mentor) Amy Butchko (http://www.wellnessworksforyou.net/blog/). She gave me a quick cooking lesson. It's fairly easy, but I will say that I blew through an entire bottle of sunflower oil to make all of that. So, it's definitely more expensive to make it yourself.
Thanksgiving was fun. I made all fresh sides, nothing out of a can and nothing packaged. I even made homemade marshmallows to go atop my Candied Yams. I use the recipe from Alton Brown on http://www.foodnetwork.com/. They are SO easy to make and the taste is phenomenal compared to the bagged version. While decorating the tree, we enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate with the mallows on top and they just oozed and slid into the cocoa like hot butter. You gotta try it just once! I won't buy the bagged ones again.
Leftovers have been fun too. I made Turkey Pot Pie with homemade pie crusts on the top and bottom. And I'll be making Turkey Chili this week too. And my all-time fave is the Thanksgiving Sandwich - spread fresh cranberry sauce on both sides of bread, top with a slice of stuffing and slab of turkey and voila - yumminess!
On a personal note, our family's Thanksgiving was dotted with a little sadness. My Grandad passed away on Thanksgiving morning. Then, yesterday, a mom in my playgroup passed away. I lost a dear friend on Halloween and my other Grandfather in September. I really don't think I can take another loss. So please take care of yourselves, eat well, exercise, don't smoke, drink in moderation and remember to laugh.
And a big congratulations to my cousin Macy who has lost 75 lbs. and is cooking and eating whole! Kudos to you! Very proud!
For now, I'll be taking the holidays one day at a time, connecting with friends and family and enjoying my children's anticipation of Santa Claus.
I'm still reading every label of ingredients and not just how much fat is in something. I don't look at that at all. I'm looking for junk. I have managed to abstain from anything containing HFCS, hydrogenated oils, MSG and other preservatives that are chemically created and packaged as food. Yeah! It's been hard to give up my favorites, but the health benefits far outweigh the taste of a chemical-laden Pop-Tart. In fact, I've found a lot of Organic substitutes for Pop-Tarts and Spaghettios! I also found this great natural food store and bought Oregano Oil and elderberry juice (immunity boosters).
One evening I experimented with making my own mayonnaise, remoulade, cole slaw and back fin crabcakes. All so very yummy, thanks to my neighbor (and mentor) Amy Butchko (http://www.wellnessworksforyou.net/blog/). She gave me a quick cooking lesson. It's fairly easy, but I will say that I blew through an entire bottle of sunflower oil to make all of that. So, it's definitely more expensive to make it yourself.
Thanksgiving was fun. I made all fresh sides, nothing out of a can and nothing packaged. I even made homemade marshmallows to go atop my Candied Yams. I use the recipe from Alton Brown on http://www.foodnetwork.com/. They are SO easy to make and the taste is phenomenal compared to the bagged version. While decorating the tree, we enjoyed a mug of hot chocolate with the mallows on top and they just oozed and slid into the cocoa like hot butter. You gotta try it just once! I won't buy the bagged ones again.
Leftovers have been fun too. I made Turkey Pot Pie with homemade pie crusts on the top and bottom. And I'll be making Turkey Chili this week too. And my all-time fave is the Thanksgiving Sandwich - spread fresh cranberry sauce on both sides of bread, top with a slice of stuffing and slab of turkey and voila - yumminess!
On a personal note, our family's Thanksgiving was dotted with a little sadness. My Grandad passed away on Thanksgiving morning. Then, yesterday, a mom in my playgroup passed away. I lost a dear friend on Halloween and my other Grandfather in September. I really don't think I can take another loss. So please take care of yourselves, eat well, exercise, don't smoke, drink in moderation and remember to laugh.
And a big congratulations to my cousin Macy who has lost 75 lbs. and is cooking and eating whole! Kudos to you! Very proud!
For now, I'll be taking the holidays one day at a time, connecting with friends and family and enjoying my children's anticipation of Santa Claus.
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Halloween is coming - Oh, the HORROR!
We're approaching the downhill slope of the "eating season" - Halloween, Thanksgiving and all the holiday parties. The time of year where the pounds slowly creep on and stay put till we decide we've had enough come January and start the two-week workout binge and then stop. I'm not ready to throw away all of my hard work these past two months for some candy and stuffing. Fun size candy bars? I don't think it's fun being a size 14. So, I've come up with a few suggestions on how to ditch the candy bucket and get your kids on board too.
Try buying these candy treats instead of the usual stuff. They're not exactly healthy, but they contain less sugar, calories and fat than other options:
3 Musketeers, Fun Size
Spangler Dum Dum Pops
Tootsie Rolls
Chewing Gum
Now & Later
Reese's Bite Size Peanut Butter Cups
Remember, Halloween is a one-day event. The more candy you consume, the more addicted you'll become to junk food - that's right, it's addictive! I don't buy candy and when my kids get some from school or birthday parties, they get one piece and then the rest goes in the trash!
I'm going to allow my kids to have two treats on Halloween night, then place all their candy in a bowl by the front door. My neighbor Amy told me of this great trick: Place your candy at the front door the night of Halloween, the more candy, the bigger the gift from the Ghost of Halloween. The next morning, the kids wake up to find their candy has been replaced by a small toy, coloring book, puzzle, etc...whatever their favorite toy might be.
Now what do you do with all that candy? No, don't hide it from your kids and sneak a piece every now and then! Get it out of your house! Several dentist offices offer a candy buy-back program, offering $1 per pound of candy. You could also donate unopened, heat-resistant candy to U.S. troops stationed abroad. For details, go to operationshoebox.com. I also found this great website called candyexperiments.com. I love the density rainbow using Skittles!
See you later, I'm off to buy my Dum Dums!
Try buying these candy treats instead of the usual stuff. They're not exactly healthy, but they contain less sugar, calories and fat than other options:
3 Musketeers, Fun Size
Spangler Dum Dum Pops
Tootsie Rolls
Chewing Gum
Now & Later
Reese's Bite Size Peanut Butter Cups
Remember, Halloween is a one-day event. The more candy you consume, the more addicted you'll become to junk food - that's right, it's addictive! I don't buy candy and when my kids get some from school or birthday parties, they get one piece and then the rest goes in the trash!
I'm going to allow my kids to have two treats on Halloween night, then place all their candy in a bowl by the front door. My neighbor Amy told me of this great trick: Place your candy at the front door the night of Halloween, the more candy, the bigger the gift from the Ghost of Halloween. The next morning, the kids wake up to find their candy has been replaced by a small toy, coloring book, puzzle, etc...whatever their favorite toy might be.
Now what do you do with all that candy? No, don't hide it from your kids and sneak a piece every now and then! Get it out of your house! Several dentist offices offer a candy buy-back program, offering $1 per pound of candy. You could also donate unopened, heat-resistant candy to U.S. troops stationed abroad. For details, go to operationshoebox.com. I also found this great website called candyexperiments.com. I love the density rainbow using Skittles!
See you later, I'm off to buy my Dum Dums!
Friday, October 8, 2010
Immune-Boosting Foods
For the last seven days, I have been sick with the worst cold/flu-like illness. My daughter came from school with a runny nose and then woke up the next morning with a sore throat. It started that way with me too, however, two days later, she is fine and I am down for the count. Why is it we always get their tiny little colds in ten-fold fashion??
So, I decided to comb the Internet looking for immunity-boosting foods. I found a good bit of info and thought I would share it with you. I plan on eating a full diet of these items, hosing off my kids before they walk into my house and putting antibacterial lotion in every room of my home!
The Power Foods:
In health,
Cindy
So, I decided to comb the Internet looking for immunity-boosting foods. I found a good bit of info and thought I would share it with you. I plan on eating a full diet of these items, hosing off my kids before they walk into my house and putting antibacterial lotion in every room of my home!
The Power Foods:
- Vitamin C - Duh! In their pure forms (no OJ), citrus fruits, green peppers, strawberries & pineapple
- Vitamin E - Seeds, vegetable oils, grains
- Omega-3 Fats - fatty fish, flax seeds, omega-3 eggs, nuts, seeds
- Beta-Carotene - Sweet potatoes, carrots, all greens, spinach, cilantro, fresh thyme
- Capsaicin - (the fire in chili peppers) - add some spice to your dishes
- Garlic
- Zinc - Oysters, lean beef, pork, turkey, lamb, lentils, garbanzo beans, yogurt
- Tomatoes - the lycopene in them acts as an antioxident, try tomato soup, fresh sauces
- Chamomile Tea - apparently there's something in there that boosts immunity
- Oats - has the fiber to fill you up, McCann's Steel-Cut Oats has double the power
- Whey Protein - That clear liquid that forms on the top of your yogurt is pure whey protein, so don't drain it off, stir it back into the yogurt. Or buy some Whey Protein Powder Isolate and mix in your favorite smoothie.
In health,
Cindy
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Week 6 - Soup's On!
It's Fall and time for yummy, hearty soups! I made my favorite Fall soup this past weekend and shared with some neighbors. It's a great feeling when someone tells you that something you made was the "most delicious soup they ever had in their life." I can't take full credit though, I only reproduced a recipe given to me by my best friend, who is a chef. The recipe for Ribollita Soup follows today's blog.
So last week I attended a Mom's Night Out program given by a Holistic Health Counselor. She shared with us some basic things we all should do to clean up diets. Here's a summary:
Our counselor also gave us two weight loss tips: eat 15 grams of less of sugar per day and exercise at least 30 minutes every day. The first is almost impossible - a medium sized apple alone contains 14 grams of sugar! The latter is easier to do, but do I do it? Not so much.
I am down another pound. Probably has more to do with the fact that I have a horrible cold and haven't been grazing as much. But, I'd like to add #4 to the list of things to stay away from: MSG. I've noticed a severe drop in the number of migraines and headaches I usually get since starting this journey. I have also eliminated foods containing MSG. This nasty stuff has turned up in the oddest places - like my Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage! Really? Why? So, no more of that brand.
Keep up the good work guys! We can do this! Hopefully, if we can get the word out, the food manufacturers will take heed and get rid of this crap in our food! Till next week - enjoy this soup:
Ribollita Soup
4-5 stalks organic celery - diced
1 1/2 onions - diced
2 garlic cloves - minced
Place the above in a large stock pan with the bottom covered in a good EVOO. Put a lid on it and sweat the veggies down with 1 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir occasionally. When those are nice and translucent, add 12 cups of water or chicken stock (be careful about adding salty stock). I add water with 1 tbsp of chicken base. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 min.
Meanwhile, slice a loaf of Ciabatta bread, drizzle the slices with EVOO. Save 1 large garlic clove to rub over the slices when the bread is done toasting.
Wash, clean and remove stems from 1 bag of Kale and 1 bag of Collard Greens (both Organic). Use about 1/2 to 3/4 of each bag. Add greens to the soup and simmer, Then add 1 can of butter beans and 1 can of Cannelini beans, and a little S&P. (You can use dried, but you'll need to soak them overnight). After the greens are completely cooked and soft when you test a bite, then add a whole Rotisserie chicken that has been shredded. Cook 10 more min. Toast your bread in the oven on broil till golden brown, then rub garlic cloves over each slice.
To serve:
Tear pieces of bread into the bottom of each large bowl. Add soup on top of bread. Then use a vegetable peeler to shave off large pieces of Pecorino Romano cheese on top. Add crushed black pepper. Enjoy!
So last week I attended a Mom's Night Out program given by a Holistic Health Counselor. She shared with us some basic things we all should do to clean up diets. Here's a summary:
- Get rid of foods containing High Fructose Corn Syrup. Why? Apparently, there's a compound in it that suppresses our bodies ability to realize we are full and thus, we overeat. Ever sat on the couch eating a bag of chips, cookies or sweets and couldn't stop - it probably contained gobs of HFCS!
- Eliminate Partially Hydrogenated Vegetable Oils - Why? Well, that's the nasty stuff called Trans Fats. That's the stuff that'll clog your arteries! Even if your packaging says "Contains NO Trans-Fats" - there could still be .5 grams in there per serving. So, no more Pop-Tarts for our house. They have both HFCS and Trans-Fats in them. Boo!
- Pesticides! Our counselor gave us some data on kids today and the alarming number of them on anti-psychotic drugs, diabetes medicines, Ritalin, and a host of other meds. Scary! Plus, there's a new study that came out last week about the link between kids on ADHD drugs and pesticides on our produce. There are 12 fruits and veggies known as the Dirty Dozen. These are the worst offenders when it comes to foods that are sprayed heavily with pesticides. I grew some of my own veggies this summer and lost a bunch to grub worms and other pests. Someone told me to spray them with some chemicals and I responded with - that's exactly why I was growing my own produce - to stay away from that stuff! So, the Dirty Dozen are: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale/collard greens, potatoes and imported grapes.
Our counselor also gave us two weight loss tips: eat 15 grams of less of sugar per day and exercise at least 30 minutes every day. The first is almost impossible - a medium sized apple alone contains 14 grams of sugar! The latter is easier to do, but do I do it? Not so much.
I am down another pound. Probably has more to do with the fact that I have a horrible cold and haven't been grazing as much. But, I'd like to add #4 to the list of things to stay away from: MSG. I've noticed a severe drop in the number of migraines and headaches I usually get since starting this journey. I have also eliminated foods containing MSG. This nasty stuff has turned up in the oddest places - like my Jimmy Dean Pork Sausage! Really? Why? So, no more of that brand.
Keep up the good work guys! We can do this! Hopefully, if we can get the word out, the food manufacturers will take heed and get rid of this crap in our food! Till next week - enjoy this soup:
Ribollita Soup
4-5 stalks organic celery - diced
1 1/2 onions - diced
2 garlic cloves - minced
Place the above in a large stock pan with the bottom covered in a good EVOO. Put a lid on it and sweat the veggies down with 1 tsp of crushed red pepper flakes. Stir occasionally. When those are nice and translucent, add 12 cups of water or chicken stock (be careful about adding salty stock). I add water with 1 tbsp of chicken base. Bring to a boil, then simmer 30 min.
Meanwhile, slice a loaf of Ciabatta bread, drizzle the slices with EVOO. Save 1 large garlic clove to rub over the slices when the bread is done toasting.
Wash, clean and remove stems from 1 bag of Kale and 1 bag of Collard Greens (both Organic). Use about 1/2 to 3/4 of each bag. Add greens to the soup and simmer, Then add 1 can of butter beans and 1 can of Cannelini beans, and a little S&P. (You can use dried, but you'll need to soak them overnight). After the greens are completely cooked and soft when you test a bite, then add a whole Rotisserie chicken that has been shredded. Cook 10 more min. Toast your bread in the oven on broil till golden brown, then rub garlic cloves over each slice.
To serve:
Tear pieces of bread into the bottom of each large bowl. Add soup on top of bread. Then use a vegetable peeler to shave off large pieces of Pecorino Romano cheese on top. Add crushed black pepper. Enjoy!
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Week 4 - You Get Out What You Put In
So here I am, four weeks later and no real pounds lost. I weigh myself every day and I'm down two pounds and back up two pounds. I'm going nowhere. However, I can note one major change and improvement - no headaches! I usually get about 1-2 migraines a month and a bevy of smaller headaches. Is it the decrease in chemicals flowing through my veins? Maybe so. I've eliminated a lot of them and tried to make a real effort to cook cleaner with more raw ingredients, but I've got a lot more work to do. But this is one side effect I can actually live with - at this point the weight loss is secondary, as long as I don't get debilitating headaches.
Remember that old adage, "you are what you eat?" It's SO true! If you eat a bag of Doritos laden with MSG, hydrogenated oils and other nasty preservatives, you're body doesn't know what to do with all that crap. It fights back, your liver is struggling to soak up the nastiness and your blood vessels start to dilate and cause intense pain in your skull. On the other hand, eat an apple and piece of string cheese and you're full from the fiber and protein.
I have actual proof that chemicals and sugary bad foods alter behavior in children. I never give my kids sugary drinks or soda, in fact at five years of age, I still water down my daughter's juice glass. I buy only 100% organic juice. Yesterday, my 3 1/2 year old was playing at a neighbor's house. They helped themselves to their fridge and drank a large Sunny D squirt bottle. Thirty minutes later my daughter was a total screamy mess, throwing herself on the ground for no apparent reason. I hadn't told her no to anything or scolder her, she was just unable to control her emotions all of the sudden. She complained her legs hurt and she couldn't walk. She screamed for over half an hour. Now my daughter can be fairly headstrong and determined, like most 3-year olds, but this was over the top, out of her normal range of tantrums. I am blaming the corn syrup solids, canola oil, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives in this bottle 'o nastiness. You get out what you put in.
One more thing to add to this week's post. The Basement Bootcamp started yesterday! I had a couple of friends come over and I led an aerobic exercise class for 47 minutes in my basement. I used to teach classes eons ago, so I just put together a routine and off we went. I felt great during and after the class. I can't really get motivated to exercise and push my limits by myself. So, I thought getting a group together would be the best way to get me moving and motivated. It's working!
Remember that old adage, "you are what you eat?" It's SO true! If you eat a bag of Doritos laden with MSG, hydrogenated oils and other nasty preservatives, you're body doesn't know what to do with all that crap. It fights back, your liver is struggling to soak up the nastiness and your blood vessels start to dilate and cause intense pain in your skull. On the other hand, eat an apple and piece of string cheese and you're full from the fiber and protein.
I have actual proof that chemicals and sugary bad foods alter behavior in children. I never give my kids sugary drinks or soda, in fact at five years of age, I still water down my daughter's juice glass. I buy only 100% organic juice. Yesterday, my 3 1/2 year old was playing at a neighbor's house. They helped themselves to their fridge and drank a large Sunny D squirt bottle. Thirty minutes later my daughter was a total screamy mess, throwing herself on the ground for no apparent reason. I hadn't told her no to anything or scolder her, she was just unable to control her emotions all of the sudden. She complained her legs hurt and she couldn't walk. She screamed for over half an hour. Now my daughter can be fairly headstrong and determined, like most 3-year olds, but this was over the top, out of her normal range of tantrums. I am blaming the corn syrup solids, canola oil, artificial sweeteners, and preservatives in this bottle 'o nastiness. You get out what you put in.
One more thing to add to this week's post. The Basement Bootcamp started yesterday! I had a couple of friends come over and I led an aerobic exercise class for 47 minutes in my basement. I used to teach classes eons ago, so I just put together a routine and off we went. I felt great during and after the class. I can't really get motivated to exercise and push my limits by myself. So, I thought getting a group together would be the best way to get me moving and motivated. It's working!
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