Well I am officially 29 years old now. I decided that I wanted to make an extra effort to work on my health. The past couple of days I have not paid any attention to what optimal things I should be putting into my body. My body feels absolutely disgusting on the inside. Instead of celebrating with junk food and cake, I have decided to start the 29th year of my life with healthy foods....I am hoping to be a vegan all year, but I will be content by just being rid of meats if I'm not the perfect vegan.
This morning I had some raw granola and a banana with a big glass of water. It was so refreshing and it gave me a few ideas on some more raw recipes that I want to try out. It also reminded me that eating raw foods doesn't have to be all complicated since fruits and veggies by themselves are so yummy. It's hard to believe I even was able to get off track since things were going well for quite sometime.
I think that I feel more motivated than ever since I started having undesirable symptoms as a response to my bad foods I was eating. Here's to the last year in my 20's.... I hear the 30's are where it's at!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
What are you full of?
Believe it or not, there are many qualities I have that I am proud of. I have a record of being very good at goal setting (in the academic and business world). If I have set my mind to completing something, there is a force inside me that pushes so hard even when I want to give up to keep going. Recently I was told that I have a "bulldog mentality" by a person who I care about - who was complimenting me on how hard I work towards achieving what my mind is set on. I always was proud of buying a house at 19, starting a business at 21, starting a family at 23, and now graduating college and starting a second career at 28. I never felt I was destined for great things, but I knew how to make things happen.
I have never been able to figure out this food nonsense though. Notice how I called it nonsense. In reality, food makes perfect sense. I've studied it so much to the point I know what I should be eating yet once I have a setback I have a hard time getting back on the boat and become even more discouraged by how quickly I find myself back at square one. It's simple, the crap that is on TV is typically bad for you and the stuff that grows out of the ground is what God intended for our bodies.
I once read that you can know who you really are by an analogy of a glass of liquid. The story goes on to say that you may feel you have things under control when your glass doesn't spill over from being too full. The part that I found significant was when the story said that you truly find out what you are made of when your cup becomes too full and you discover what spills out. Lets just say that lately my cup has been spewing out all over the place and I'm not to excited about what the contents of my cup are. I recently was offered a job, that I will be starting in the next few weeks and I can honestly say that I am kind of nervous. With me accepting this job, there will be many changes in my home life and it has caused me have an attitude of fear that I am not enjoying. Then throw in the staggering strep throat running through this house and the major scrub down of the house (which was well needed, though still not finished).
We have all heard the term "emotional" eating. I have never been able to relate to this concept because I have always considered myself a happy person. I have always thought that I just ate when I was bored and never tied that into emotional eating. I always thought that it meant that you had to be some crazy person who is always crying while shoving things into your face. If there have been moments of sadness with me, I find that I don't want to eat at all.
So how does this tie into my glass of liquids spilling over? I have found that as my glass has been overflowing some of my negative traits that I am not proud of are now being displayed. I have so many thoughts of the unknown swimming around in my mind. I even asked my husband to stop talking last night about the millionth thing that he wanted to buy that would make our life "easier." I explained to him that right now I need to avoid thinking about anything new until I have started working and some of my thoughts are straightened out. He went on to discuss other tasks that need to be done including the lawn. Needless to say, the lawn is not where my thoughts are.
I eventually talked to my husband once the kids were in bed and apologized about how short I have been with everything around here and explained my fears and disappointments with the upcoming job and food choices as of late. He was kind enough to understand, but must have quickly forgot by this morning when he was talking about the lawn again and briefly mentioned his desired "purchase" then asked me why I was so crabby.
My response to him was, well.... less than kind. I told him that part of the reason I appreciate him working outside the home was all I need to do is look at the clock to know when his talking will stop. That didn't go over too great and now I am getting the silent treatment. I am wondering if it is a pun to consider his silence well deserved by me. :)
My poor husband.
I don't mean to air dirty laundry to the world, but I couldn't help but reflect on how much of a toll changes play on our attitudes. This post has gone on a bit of a tangent, but my point was to say that I typically appreciate who I am as a person. When it comes to food though, I find that my cup spills over very quickly. I can only assume that it comes from my inner disappointment and feelings of inadequate-ness for not being able to just "figure it out." I remind myself that I have a choice in the matter yet continually make the wrong ones. I don't get it... and I don't like it....
I found that when my glass spills over, I have been full of fear and anger toward my lack of self control. I can only hope that the spilling over is getting the bad parts out of my glass and I am left with a glass full of positive traits that I admire and model for my kids.
Now I need to go call my husband.... :)
I have never been able to figure out this food nonsense though. Notice how I called it nonsense. In reality, food makes perfect sense. I've studied it so much to the point I know what I should be eating yet once I have a setback I have a hard time getting back on the boat and become even more discouraged by how quickly I find myself back at square one. It's simple, the crap that is on TV is typically bad for you and the stuff that grows out of the ground is what God intended for our bodies.
I once read that you can know who you really are by an analogy of a glass of liquid. The story goes on to say that you may feel you have things under control when your glass doesn't spill over from being too full. The part that I found significant was when the story said that you truly find out what you are made of when your cup becomes too full and you discover what spills out. Lets just say that lately my cup has been spewing out all over the place and I'm not to excited about what the contents of my cup are. I recently was offered a job, that I will be starting in the next few weeks and I can honestly say that I am kind of nervous. With me accepting this job, there will be many changes in my home life and it has caused me have an attitude of fear that I am not enjoying. Then throw in the staggering strep throat running through this house and the major scrub down of the house (which was well needed, though still not finished).
We have all heard the term "emotional" eating. I have never been able to relate to this concept because I have always considered myself a happy person. I have always thought that I just ate when I was bored and never tied that into emotional eating. I always thought that it meant that you had to be some crazy person who is always crying while shoving things into your face. If there have been moments of sadness with me, I find that I don't want to eat at all.
So how does this tie into my glass of liquids spilling over? I have found that as my glass has been overflowing some of my negative traits that I am not proud of are now being displayed. I have so many thoughts of the unknown swimming around in my mind. I even asked my husband to stop talking last night about the millionth thing that he wanted to buy that would make our life "easier." I explained to him that right now I need to avoid thinking about anything new until I have started working and some of my thoughts are straightened out. He went on to discuss other tasks that need to be done including the lawn. Needless to say, the lawn is not where my thoughts are.
I eventually talked to my husband once the kids were in bed and apologized about how short I have been with everything around here and explained my fears and disappointments with the upcoming job and food choices as of late. He was kind enough to understand, but must have quickly forgot by this morning when he was talking about the lawn again and briefly mentioned his desired "purchase" then asked me why I was so crabby.
My response to him was, well.... less than kind. I told him that part of the reason I appreciate him working outside the home was all I need to do is look at the clock to know when his talking will stop. That didn't go over too great and now I am getting the silent treatment. I am wondering if it is a pun to consider his silence well deserved by me. :)
My poor husband.
I don't mean to air dirty laundry to the world, but I couldn't help but reflect on how much of a toll changes play on our attitudes. This post has gone on a bit of a tangent, but my point was to say that I typically appreciate who I am as a person. When it comes to food though, I find that my cup spills over very quickly. I can only assume that it comes from my inner disappointment and feelings of inadequate-ness for not being able to just "figure it out." I remind myself that I have a choice in the matter yet continually make the wrong ones. I don't get it... and I don't like it....
I found that when my glass spills over, I have been full of fear and anger toward my lack of self control. I can only hope that the spilling over is getting the bad parts out of my glass and I am left with a glass full of positive traits that I admire and model for my kids.
Now I need to go call my husband.... :)
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Being Sick...and Setbacks...
Wow! I first would like to say sorry for not posting in a long while. I came down with strep and was knocked down quite a few notches. I've never had a strain of strep that was so tough on me, but I was down for 3 or 4 days.
During that time my husband and my Dad were extremely helpful with making sure the workings around the house and kids were taken care of. I feel extremely blessed that I had help! I found myself feeling bad though since I am the one to normally make dinner. I felt even more guilty since we needed to go grocery shopping before I even got sick.
Needless to say, since Dustin was in charge of the cooking, the family had a little setback in the food department. Once I was able to pick up a few things from the store, Dustin also mentioned that he wants to have more of "his foods" in the house.... great...
So, we did get some of his foods. Not nearly as much of it as what used to be in the house, but I feel like my sickness was a major setback to our lifestyle. I keep trying to rationalize it in my mind since we are still in the transitional phase that setbacks are to be expected. So why does it bother me so much?
I can only assume that its so difficult on me because it requires me to have self control... With all of the old junk I used to enjoy in the house, I find myself having a little bit of it myself. I try so hard not to get mad about it all. If I am being perfectly honest, I know I have even thought about how much easier changing my eating/exercising habits would be if I was single without children! But then I quickly come back to reality and realize how miserable I would be.... Healthy physically, but an emotional disaster with out my family. So, I'm thinking that's not a legit option worth pursuing..lol..
There is a part of me that does not even want to post this particular blog, but I feel its only fair to share the ups and downs with you. Changing any habits are going to have roller coaster experiences with some having more loop-de-loops than others. I've also noticed that I receive more feedback from people who are able to relate when I do post about my shortcomings. We are human. We will make mistakes. The ultimate goal is to make less and less, but I promise that my mistakes will ever make it all the way to zero.
I am deciding that instead of feeling sorry for myself about our setback, that I really need to dwell on what wonderful health my family has even with our less than perfect eating.
Now if you will excuse me, I have a banana calling my name...
During that time my husband and my Dad were extremely helpful with making sure the workings around the house and kids were taken care of. I feel extremely blessed that I had help! I found myself feeling bad though since I am the one to normally make dinner. I felt even more guilty since we needed to go grocery shopping before I even got sick.
Needless to say, since Dustin was in charge of the cooking, the family had a little setback in the food department. Once I was able to pick up a few things from the store, Dustin also mentioned that he wants to have more of "his foods" in the house.... great...
So, we did get some of his foods. Not nearly as much of it as what used to be in the house, but I feel like my sickness was a major setback to our lifestyle. I keep trying to rationalize it in my mind since we are still in the transitional phase that setbacks are to be expected. So why does it bother me so much?
I can only assume that its so difficult on me because it requires me to have self control... With all of the old junk I used to enjoy in the house, I find myself having a little bit of it myself. I try so hard not to get mad about it all. If I am being perfectly honest, I know I have even thought about how much easier changing my eating/exercising habits would be if I was single without children! But then I quickly come back to reality and realize how miserable I would be.... Healthy physically, but an emotional disaster with out my family. So, I'm thinking that's not a legit option worth pursuing..lol..
There is a part of me that does not even want to post this particular blog, but I feel its only fair to share the ups and downs with you. Changing any habits are going to have roller coaster experiences with some having more loop-de-loops than others. I've also noticed that I receive more feedback from people who are able to relate when I do post about my shortcomings. We are human. We will make mistakes. The ultimate goal is to make less and less, but I promise that my mistakes will ever make it all the way to zero.
I am deciding that instead of feeling sorry for myself about our setback, that I really need to dwell on what wonderful health my family has even with our less than perfect eating.
Now if you will excuse me, I have a banana calling my name...
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Humbled...& my favorite lunch...
I've been getting some very nice feedback from you guys. I just want you to know that I very much appreciate it. I don't claim to know everything, but anything I am learning, I love to share it with you. I've been told that I am inspiring people which is awesome, but I can't help but feel inspired about how receptive people are to hearing about real nutrition. We all grew up with varying ideas about what nutrition was and now some of us are learning it all over again.
Pat yourself on the back for being so brave. It's so easy to just give up. Learning all of this new information is quite the task, but our bodies deserve it. Please also give yourself a break about the speed in which you are giving up old habits. We all have them. Just focus on how many more nutrients you are putting in your body than what you were before. Your body wants to thank you!
I love you guys :)
So, to avoid being considered a cornball... I'll change the topic. Remember the other day when I posted a recipe for that salad dressing? I thought...for as much as I love this stuff, I really need to make a video to show how easy it is. So as we were getting ready to leave, I whipped out the camera. It has quickly become my favorite lunch! Please do try it... it is so yummy...especially if you have tried the oriental chicken salad/wrap at applebees.
One ingredient that I use for the dressing is raw honey. There has been some research done that shows that many people benefit from having about 1 tbsp of raw honey that is local to their area. So if you have seasonal allergies, this might be something you want to consider. If you don't have seasonal allergies, you will still benefit from eating it, because it's super yum. The health food store I live near by has a big metal cooler full of honey that you can serve up in a little bear bottle. Or if you are really motivated, you can become a beekeeper. (How cool would that be to wear one of those suits? Maybe cool isn't the word...)
Pat yourself on the back for being so brave. It's so easy to just give up. Learning all of this new information is quite the task, but our bodies deserve it. Please also give yourself a break about the speed in which you are giving up old habits. We all have them. Just focus on how many more nutrients you are putting in your body than what you were before. Your body wants to thank you!
I love you guys :)
So, to avoid being considered a cornball... I'll change the topic. Remember the other day when I posted a recipe for that salad dressing? I thought...for as much as I love this stuff, I really need to make a video to show how easy it is. So as we were getting ready to leave, I whipped out the camera. It has quickly become my favorite lunch! Please do try it... it is so yummy...especially if you have tried the oriental chicken salad/wrap at applebees.
One ingredient that I use for the dressing is raw honey. There has been some research done that shows that many people benefit from having about 1 tbsp of raw honey that is local to their area. So if you have seasonal allergies, this might be something you want to consider. If you don't have seasonal allergies, you will still benefit from eating it, because it's super yum. The health food store I live near by has a big metal cooler full of honey that you can serve up in a little bear bottle. Or if you are really motivated, you can become a beekeeper. (How cool would that be to wear one of those suits? Maybe cool isn't the word...)
Monday, July 11, 2011
mmmm...hummus...
Hummus is readily available in stores, but did you know it is really easy to make yourself? This way you know what ingredients are really in it, and you can customize it to your specific tastes.
Here is my favorite recipe of hummus, it is really strong tasting but a person could tame it down if they didn't add so much garlic... I sure love garlic though...
Let me know how you like your hummus!
Here is my favorite recipe of hummus, it is really strong tasting but a person could tame it down if they didn't add so much garlic... I sure love garlic though...
Let me know how you like your hummus!
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Wrap it up....
Wowzers..... Just got done eating dinner. So yea, that was pretty yummy! I have always loved applebees oriental chicken salads. I don't like having to pay for the salad though (especially if I am not going to eat the chicken) So I found a recipe online that has a dressing similar to applebees. Here's the recipe for the dressing
3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I used grape seed veganaise)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
blend with a wire whisk until smooth.
I then took a organic flour tortilla (from the health food store... granted I would have preferred a whole grain one) added chopped spinach, arugula, onions, carrots, sprouts, and chic peas and added some dressing.
Then, roll it up and chomp it down..... :)
Super yummy!!! Remember, you are not limited to these ingredients... if you don't like something, don't add it. If you'd prefer to eat it with something else add it!
As always, let me know if you try it!
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3 tablespoons honey
1 1/2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
1/4 cup mayonnaise (I used grape seed veganaise)
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/8 teaspoon sesame oil
blend with a wire whisk until smooth.
I then took a organic flour tortilla (from the health food store... granted I would have preferred a whole grain one) added chopped spinach, arugula, onions, carrots, sprouts, and chic peas and added some dressing.
Then, roll it up and chomp it down..... :)
Super yummy!!! Remember, you are not limited to these ingredients... if you don't like something, don't add it. If you'd prefer to eat it with something else add it!
As always, let me know if you try it!
Oh, I just wanted to add a little note. Normally I won't even weigh myself anymore because I am afraid if the scale doesn't move fast enough. It was down 5 lbs today from the last time I weighed myself (3 weeks ago). I haven't been exercising as much as I should, so even though I was hoping for more than that, I can't ask for much more.
In the past if the scale didn't move fast enough, I'd get mad and eat something bad. Well... Now I don't want to do that since I crave more whole foods than the junky stuff I've been known for. I feel great mentally and physically. I was just talking to my mom and sister about how my mood has stabilized and I feel a greater feeling of calmness and less stress. I'm sold on this lifestyle... I don't feel as if I am missing out if I don't have junk food.
Life.Is.Good....
I love you!
Friday, July 8, 2011
That's it, stick a fork in me and call me a vegan....
So I was feeling sorry for myself earlier today since I wanted some cheese but just hate the idea of having dairy. I was thinking about all of the cheesy soups that I will never have again and while I could have some if I wanted to, I just choose not to at this time.
So... one thing led to another.... If you know me, I don't allow myself to feel down for very long. I went to the kitchen and started cooking some vegan soup.
I did not have a recipe I was just grabbing things from the fridge in a frenzy..... When all was said and done... I had the most wonderful tasting cheezy soup (and 100% vegan). Seriously.... there are no words for how ridonkulous this soup is. Who knows, maybe it's not that good and I was just really craving soup. Who cares that its 90 some degrees outside...soup is YUM.
So here's what I think I added
5-7 red potatoes diced (skins on)
1/2 cup onion
2 carrots chopped (I didn't peel these either...)
3 garlic cloves
1 box of liquid not chicken broth (vegan)
3/4 cup of nutritional yeast
1/4 cup of pine nuts
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 green onions chopped
1-2 tsp Himalayan salt
1 1/2 tbs ground pepper
1 tsp ground mustard (spice)
1/2 tsp of peperika
1/2 cup of beer (optional)
Add the first 5 ingredients to a pot and cook over a medium heat. Take pine nuts and about 1/2 cup of the broth (from the pot) and blend in a blender to a creamy consistency. Add all remaining ingredients to the pot, including the pine nut blend and cover for about 10-15 minutes until veggies are soft.
Now be very careful for the next part. If you have a hand held immersion blender, you can use that to blend the soup. If you are like me and don't own one then put half of mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. Repeat this step for the other half unless you like a chunky soup.
Then put mixtures back into pot and cook for a couple minutes.
Then devour that mass of yumminess without guilt! So yummy!!!
Please do let me know if you make it. I can't wait for the kids to try it when they have lunch tomorrow ( I made it when they were sleeping).
Seriously... If you love cheesy soup.... you should like this...
![]()
Rock on people.... no need to enjoy in moderation.... Gobble it all down at one time... SUPER YUM!!!
Since I came up with this recipe off the top of my head, I really have a boost of confidence for making new recipes. Although, I may not have time since I might just eat this all day everyday lol...
So... one thing led to another.... If you know me, I don't allow myself to feel down for very long. I went to the kitchen and started cooking some vegan soup.
I did not have a recipe I was just grabbing things from the fridge in a frenzy..... When all was said and done... I had the most wonderful tasting cheezy soup (and 100% vegan). Seriously.... there are no words for how ridonkulous this soup is. Who knows, maybe it's not that good and I was just really craving soup. Who cares that its 90 some degrees outside...soup is YUM.
So here's what I think I added
5-7 red potatoes diced (skins on)
1/2 cup onion
2 carrots chopped (I didn't peel these either...)
3 garlic cloves
1 box of liquid not chicken broth (vegan)
3/4 cup of nutritional yeast
1/4 cup of pine nuts
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
2 green onions chopped
1-2 tsp Himalayan salt
1 1/2 tbs ground pepper
1 tsp ground mustard (spice)
1/2 tsp of peperika
1/2 cup of beer (optional)
Add the first 5 ingredients to a pot and cook over a medium heat. Take pine nuts and about 1/2 cup of the broth (from the pot) and blend in a blender to a creamy consistency. Add all remaining ingredients to the pot, including the pine nut blend and cover for about 10-15 minutes until veggies are soft.
Now be very careful for the next part. If you have a hand held immersion blender, you can use that to blend the soup. If you are like me and don't own one then put half of mixture into a blender and blend until smooth. Repeat this step for the other half unless you like a chunky soup.
Then put mixtures back into pot and cook for a couple minutes.
Then devour that mass of yumminess without guilt! So yummy!!!
Please do let me know if you make it. I can't wait for the kids to try it when they have lunch tomorrow ( I made it when they were sleeping).
Seriously... If you love cheesy soup.... you should like this...
Rock on people.... no need to enjoy in moderation.... Gobble it all down at one time... SUPER YUM!!!
Since I came up with this recipe off the top of my head, I really have a boost of confidence for making new recipes. Although, I may not have time since I might just eat this all day everyday lol...
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