So here I sit almost 2 months into my journey... and I have stalled. I am not sure why. I have been very careful with my eating. A little lax on my water drinking but still drinking water. I have been drinking a little more coffee then I should. I have been under much more stress the last two weeks. Stalling is the most frustrating thing to work through. In walks the emotional side of eating better.
That little devil sits on my shoulder whispering to me... Go ahead eat the donut, cookie, sandwich, blah blah blah, What have you got to lose... Your not losing now so what difference will it make? You have to hear him... He is relentless. It takes every ounce of strength I have to resist. I ask my self why are you resisting. Why do I have to resist something? Is there something wrong with me? I know I am not hungry when I "crave" something that is not on my eating plan. I have managed to stay on plan very well but the internal struggle continues and I get cranky. My head hurts and all I want to so is sleep.
My head knows that I just have to keep going. I wish that little devil would shut up for a while. He seems to prey on my mind when I am tired and stressed. He knows every button to press and he usually wins. Not this time... Not this time... Not this time... I will keep eating the right foods and doing the right things.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Food Supply... A RANT!
At the beginning of this journey I ranted about the cost of fresh food over processed food. Here I am a little over a month into this journey and I am still appalled at the high cost of Fresh, Unfettered, food! I still boggles my mind why fresh food that is taken to a factory, processed, filled with chemicals and canned cost WAY less then the food that is picked and sent to market. Take Green Beans for instance.... A 14 oz can of Green Beans costs .99 while you pay 2.99 a pound for fresh ones. So the green beans in a can are taking to a factory, washed, cut, "preserved" with salt and processed into cans, labeled and shipped to the store for .99 a can. FRESH picked green beans that are picked washed and sent to market cost $2.99 a pound. So for the same 14oz of beans fresh you are paying $2.67. How is that?
During my journey to healthfulness I have began to read more and more labels on the food that allow my family to consume. It is scary how many chemicals the food companies are feeding the american population with out us ever really paying attention. Are we willing to sacrifice convenience for our health? Have we been bamboozled by the food companies and the FDA? Are we really that busy? It is time for America to wake up and start demanding healthful foods. I read an article today about a small raw food company that is being forced to destroy food cause the FDA deemed it unsafe even though the food has not been actually tested for pathogens. Family Farm Ordered to Destroy Food I am not a huge believer in conspiracies. But I do believe that we, the american public, have been led down the path about the safeness of the foods we are consuming.
I am not a doctor( and I don't play on TV) but I do know this, I can see a difference in the attitudes and moods of my family and myself. The less chemicals, sugar and garbage that we eat the happier and more energetic we become. Just removing sugar, HFC and chemical artificial sweeteners from our diet has almost completely eliminated tantrums from our lives. The nightly nightmares that Sofia has had for 6 months have quit, she has no more stomach problems and is finally sleeping through the night almost every night. We all seem more alert and able to focus on the things we do. We have more energy and are able to get more done in a day.
Lately I have seen many commercials about the "safeness and healthfulness" of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFC), which they are now calling "corn sugar". Yet there are studies out there that show that is very unsafe and not healthy. Why do we allow ourselves to be lead down the primrose path with these commercials? Drug companies, food companies, politicians have all figured out that the american public is gullible enough to believe the TV ads that they see during the thousands of hours of television that we watch. Have you watched Kids TV lately? They are bombarded with ad after ad for sugary cereals, candy, sugared beverages, and toys. Our young minds are being filled with the idea that these foods are healthy to eat. Is it any wonder that the obesity in this country is off the chart?
How do we, the american public, turn this around? Buying organic food is good but the cost is so high that during these tough economic times it is very difficult to do. Even if you buy fresh over processed it is expensive. Some how we have to reverse this and make it economical to buy fresh unprocessed foods. Each and everyone of us is capable of doing something. Everyone is capable of growing fresh fruit and veggies. Even if you don't have a plot of land. Even if you are living in an apartment. Almost all veggies and some fruits can be grown in pots, even bags of potting soil that you cut holes in and plant. It is sustainable, healthy and chemical free. If you have a small yard you can have a garden using the acclaimed square foot gardening method .
When I was growing up my mother was an avid gardener, canner, freezer, and all around homemaker. It was a lot of work and she managed to do it even when she was working full time. She made her own bread, jams, tomato sauce, and anything else you can imagine. When grandma was alive we got fresh milk and eggs. We grew up drinking raw milk and eating fresh churned butter. As a kid I used hate it. I swore that I would never do that when I was older... and for a long time I did not. I, like most people, lived on the convenience of the supermarket. I believe that the prepared foods that we have eaten for many years have led to my being overweight, among other things.
In the last month I have found myself moving away from the processed foods and to more healthy fresh foods; Growing, making and otherwise removing the chemicals from our diet. One day not too long ago I picked up a jar of mayo to read the label, WOW there are so many additives in store bought mayo that it will make your head spin. Mayo should really only be simple ingredients, eggs, oil, lemon juice and seasonings. It does need chemicals or sugar to make it. So why do they add all the crap to it? To increase the shelf life. Well I can make it at home and make it healthy. What about sausage? I was at the store looking for some sausage to buy. Did you know that almost all sausage has sugar and/or corn syrup added to it? I mean seriously why? It takes 5 minutes to grind up your own fresh pork and add a few seasonings to make sausage.
I think that if we all do a little to help change the food supply that we can make a huge difference for generations to come. I believe that if we start removing sugar, HFC, chemicals and preservatives from our national diet that we will see a drastic reduction in the murders, suicides and hate that have plagued this country for the last 40 years. It is time we stand up and demand that we have access to foods free of chemicals that is reasonably priced.
During my journey to healthfulness I have began to read more and more labels on the food that allow my family to consume. It is scary how many chemicals the food companies are feeding the american population with out us ever really paying attention. Are we willing to sacrifice convenience for our health? Have we been bamboozled by the food companies and the FDA? Are we really that busy? It is time for America to wake up and start demanding healthful foods. I read an article today about a small raw food company that is being forced to destroy food cause the FDA deemed it unsafe even though the food has not been actually tested for pathogens. Family Farm Ordered to Destroy Food I am not a huge believer in conspiracies. But I do believe that we, the american public, have been led down the path about the safeness of the foods we are consuming.
I am not a doctor( and I don't play on TV) but I do know this, I can see a difference in the attitudes and moods of my family and myself. The less chemicals, sugar and garbage that we eat the happier and more energetic we become. Just removing sugar, HFC and chemical artificial sweeteners from our diet has almost completely eliminated tantrums from our lives. The nightly nightmares that Sofia has had for 6 months have quit, she has no more stomach problems and is finally sleeping through the night almost every night. We all seem more alert and able to focus on the things we do. We have more energy and are able to get more done in a day.
Lately I have seen many commercials about the "safeness and healthfulness" of High-Fructose Corn Syrup (HFC), which they are now calling "corn sugar". Yet there are studies out there that show that is very unsafe and not healthy. Why do we allow ourselves to be lead down the primrose path with these commercials? Drug companies, food companies, politicians have all figured out that the american public is gullible enough to believe the TV ads that they see during the thousands of hours of television that we watch. Have you watched Kids TV lately? They are bombarded with ad after ad for sugary cereals, candy, sugared beverages, and toys. Our young minds are being filled with the idea that these foods are healthy to eat. Is it any wonder that the obesity in this country is off the chart?
How do we, the american public, turn this around? Buying organic food is good but the cost is so high that during these tough economic times it is very difficult to do. Even if you buy fresh over processed it is expensive. Some how we have to reverse this and make it economical to buy fresh unprocessed foods. Each and everyone of us is capable of doing something. Everyone is capable of growing fresh fruit and veggies. Even if you don't have a plot of land. Even if you are living in an apartment. Almost all veggies and some fruits can be grown in pots, even bags of potting soil that you cut holes in and plant. It is sustainable, healthy and chemical free. If you have a small yard you can have a garden using the acclaimed square foot gardening method .
When I was growing up my mother was an avid gardener, canner, freezer, and all around homemaker. It was a lot of work and she managed to do it even when she was working full time. She made her own bread, jams, tomato sauce, and anything else you can imagine. When grandma was alive we got fresh milk and eggs. We grew up drinking raw milk and eating fresh churned butter. As a kid I used hate it. I swore that I would never do that when I was older... and for a long time I did not. I, like most people, lived on the convenience of the supermarket. I believe that the prepared foods that we have eaten for many years have led to my being overweight, among other things.
In the last month I have found myself moving away from the processed foods and to more healthy fresh foods; Growing, making and otherwise removing the chemicals from our diet. One day not too long ago I picked up a jar of mayo to read the label, WOW there are so many additives in store bought mayo that it will make your head spin. Mayo should really only be simple ingredients, eggs, oil, lemon juice and seasonings. It does need chemicals or sugar to make it. So why do they add all the crap to it? To increase the shelf life. Well I can make it at home and make it healthy. What about sausage? I was at the store looking for some sausage to buy. Did you know that almost all sausage has sugar and/or corn syrup added to it? I mean seriously why? It takes 5 minutes to grind up your own fresh pork and add a few seasonings to make sausage.
I think that if we all do a little to help change the food supply that we can make a huge difference for generations to come. I believe that if we start removing sugar, HFC, chemicals and preservatives from our national diet that we will see a drastic reduction in the murders, suicides and hate that have plagued this country for the last 40 years. It is time we stand up and demand that we have access to foods free of chemicals that is reasonably priced.
Thursday, October 14, 2010
The journey continues
This is a journey like no other I have embarked on before. I feel more determination and resolve then times I have tried to walk this path in the past. I feel like I am unshakable. That is not to say that there have not been struggles and trails. I have a very bad habit of weighing everyday and expecting to see a loss everyday. I find myself feeling disappointed when this happens. It is difficult for me to keep going but I lift myself up and keep on walking.. I know I am on the right path. I have to get myself to stay off the scale everyday.
Today was different though. This morning I got on the scale and no change. I trudged off to work disappointed and more determined then ever. I got lost in my work today and forgot all about my earlier disappointment. I stayed on plan and ate what I was supposed to eat. I got home and needed to go run some errands. I needed to change my clothes before I went. Since most of clothes that "fit" me are in the wash from the weekend I had to dig in the closet for something to wear. The only casual clothes I had in there were a few pair of jeans that I have not been able to wear for over a year. They two sizes to small at the start of my journey. I thought quietly to myself... What the heck I will try them on. I was floored. Not only did they fit they fit very comfortably loose. So loose that I can even bend over in them and touch my toes... Incredible.
It did not end there... We went out for dinner tonight and we sat in a booth... Whoot! No tummy touching the table. I can not tell you how long it has been since my tummy did not touch the table in a booth.
So what I realized is that I am making big progress and it may not always show on the scale. I have to trust that if I keep doing the right things and eating the right things I will succeed. It is like the fire that burns inside of me was fanned tonight into an inferno. I feel unstoppable tonight...
And the journey continues...
Today was different though. This morning I got on the scale and no change. I trudged off to work disappointed and more determined then ever. I got lost in my work today and forgot all about my earlier disappointment. I stayed on plan and ate what I was supposed to eat. I got home and needed to go run some errands. I needed to change my clothes before I went. Since most of clothes that "fit" me are in the wash from the weekend I had to dig in the closet for something to wear. The only casual clothes I had in there were a few pair of jeans that I have not been able to wear for over a year. They two sizes to small at the start of my journey. I thought quietly to myself... What the heck I will try them on. I was floored. Not only did they fit they fit very comfortably loose. So loose that I can even bend over in them and touch my toes... Incredible.
It did not end there... We went out for dinner tonight and we sat in a booth... Whoot! No tummy touching the table. I can not tell you how long it has been since my tummy did not touch the table in a booth.
So what I realized is that I am making big progress and it may not always show on the scale. I have to trust that if I keep doing the right things and eating the right things I will succeed. It is like the fire that burns inside of me was fanned tonight into an inferno. I feel unstoppable tonight...
And the journey continues...
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Oh No Thanksgiving
As I was sitting here this morning drinking my coffee I realized that Thanksgiving is right around the corner. And then I recall a statement that my husband made a few days ago when we decided to take a road trip... " I am eating pumpkin pie on Thanksgiving". At the time I blew it off not really thinking about it. I think I made an off hand comment about have "Mock" mashed potatoes made out of cauliflower and went about my business.
For some reason this morning it dawned on my that pumpkin pie is not the only thing at Thanksgiving that is not on our new eating plan. Then my mind started racing... What am i going to do? How am I gong to survive this wicked holiday? I can't lose momentum... Then with another sip of coffee I relaxed and said to myself "Why not transform Thanksgiving into a healthy meal that everyone will love?" even those who are not following our new eating plan.
So in addition to all the other things I have to do. I have to come up with substitutes for pumpkin pie, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls and much more... They have to be tasty enough so that you don't long for what used to be... I have some ideas and I am pretty sure I can do most of it. But what about doing something different then the normal thanksgiving fare. Do you think I will meet with much resistance? I have served the same Thanksgiving meal every year for the last 20 years and it is the same meal that I was served for the 20 years prior to that. It has never wavered.
I have little over 5 weeks to perfect the menu and get all the recipes lined up. This is going to be fun but a little challenging considering I have a wedding video to finish and a 3 year olds costume to finish also. But who needs sleep especially in the name of Thanksgiving.
~The journey continues...
For some reason this morning it dawned on my that pumpkin pie is not the only thing at Thanksgiving that is not on our new eating plan. Then my mind started racing... What am i going to do? How am I gong to survive this wicked holiday? I can't lose momentum... Then with another sip of coffee I relaxed and said to myself "Why not transform Thanksgiving into a healthy meal that everyone will love?" even those who are not following our new eating plan.
So in addition to all the other things I have to do. I have to come up with substitutes for pumpkin pie, stuffing, green bean casserole, rolls and much more... They have to be tasty enough so that you don't long for what used to be... I have some ideas and I am pretty sure I can do most of it. But what about doing something different then the normal thanksgiving fare. Do you think I will meet with much resistance? I have served the same Thanksgiving meal every year for the last 20 years and it is the same meal that I was served for the 20 years prior to that. It has never wavered.
I have little over 5 weeks to perfect the menu and get all the recipes lined up. This is going to be fun but a little challenging considering I have a wedding video to finish and a 3 year olds costume to finish also. But who needs sleep especially in the name of Thanksgiving.
~The journey continues...
Friday, October 1, 2010
Yummy "Oopsie" Pizza
Well I love my Oopsie Pizza... Oopsie Pizza Recipe Thanks to Jamie for her awesome blog that keeps us on the straight and narrow. Now that I got the correct incendiary credits done I can move on the awesomeness that is this pizza. One of the things about changing the way you eat to lose weight is that you have to find a way to eat that you can seriously live with the rest of your life. When you find that way you have to have a plethora of recipes that will keep the food lively and different. If you ever feel like you are deprived then you will lose hope and faith. Well we love pizza in our house. LOVE IT!
When I ran across this recipe on Jamies Blog I fell in love... I admit it took me a couple of weeks to try it... But oh my once I did ... It is soooo easy and yummy. 
These two pictures are of the crust pre-toppings. The one on the left is as it is baking in the oven and the one on the right is after I took it out... If you could only smell how yummy they smelled...
I have made this pizza a few times since the first time. Each time I am amazed at how quick and easy it is and how yummy it tastes. I made a canadian bacon one for Sofia and a yummy pepperoni and olives for Chuck and I...
Who could ask for anything more then yummy pizza on a diet! Can't wait to make some of Jamies yummy desserts.If you are interested in some awesome lower carb recipes please check out Jamies blog... Stay tuned as I work on some of my own favorite recipes.
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