Starting over

I have fallen off the wagon a little bit over the weekend. Sugar was calling my name and I let it win. Strawberry cake, banana pudding, ice cream and cheesecake. Wow all of that in just a few days. Needless to say just a few days of bad eating has made me feel slow and heavy. So instead of beating myself up and continue the bad habit, I am starting over. Sipping my hot lemon water has already helped my sore throat.

I started off eating healthier as a way to get some of the extra weight off, but after falling into some bad habits I am starting over mainly to feel better mentally, more energy, and a healthier glow about my skin. It isn't easy but it is already paying off. I did a vitality quiz on http://apps.bluezones.com/vitality/
it said I am 2 years younger than I actually am and lot of that has to do with all the fruits and veggies I've been eating. I'm sure if I was married or in a happy relationship I could have shaved off a couple more years but I'm happy with 32.

I packed my lunch for today. Cabbage & spinach salad with a dressing I made with balsamic vinegar, walnut oil, flax oil and fresh lemon juice. I never ate raw cabbage before except in a Cole slaw. It's cut up like slaw for a salad it's great. One thing I learned many years ago when I was a vegetarian is I eat a lot more variety of foods when focusing on a natural foods diet.

I walked out to the compost this morning and was surprised how many bell peppers and cherry tomatoes are still producing. I urge everyone to grow something even if it's just some herbs in a window seal. Cilantro works better in the fall, spring and early summer in a small greenhouse on the back porch. Just one example.

Don't give up keep going if you fail pick yourself back up again, dust off and keep going. You will thank yourself in the end. BE STRONG!

Ginger tofu stir fry

My 12 yr old has been requested tofu for dinner tonight. We decided to do a tofu stir fry.

Onion, garlic, baby carrots, bunch of broccoli, spinach,and baby bellas  sauteed over brown rice, topped with baked tofu.
Pat dry a block of extra firm tofu and marinate it. I use a mixture of fresh ginger, Bragg's,  apple cider vinegar, garlic and few drops of sesame oil.
Tofu is like a sponge absorbing all the flavors it is marinated in so give it at least 30 mins to soak.
Spread the squares on a baking sheet and place on lo broil. Stirring occasionally until it becomes a nice toasted brown color on each side.

 

When I have extra ginger I mince it and freeze it in a little water in ice cube trays. You can use the ginger cubes for juices, smoothies or in your tea

 

green tea replacing coffee

I went 3 weeks without have any coffee in the house. On the days I wasn't on the detox I would drink a cup at work but I didn't need it. That was my only addiction. I never thought I happily go one day much less over a week without. I drink a few cups of green tea a day but I don't feel like I need it to wake up and get moving like coffee had hold on me.  3 cups of green tea has about the same about of caffeine as ONE cup of coffee plus it has so many more added health benefits over coffee. Don't get me wrong I will never give up my coffee but I am happy to know I no longer depend on it and I doubt I will ever go back to drinking a cup every day much less 4-5 cups I was drinking daily.  I drink yogi tea they have the most uplifting quotes on each tea packet. I look forward to reading it. Makes me want to open the next pack and drink one more cup.

I have been told by several people they can't drink coconut water. I understand it is a bit strong so I cut it.  1/2 water, 1/4 coconut water, 1/4 ginger ale(I use Reids or Blue Sky).

My amazing friend and fellow detoxer made a healthy alternative on ranch style dressing by using greek yogurt. She also uses fresh limes and cilantro. I'll get the measurements from her tomorrow and post it on here.

Updates and my granola recipe

Life has been busy with my very active boys. We had a busy busy weekend with cross country races, wake boarding and archery competitions. I plan on putting up a new recipe daily for the next week. The detox is over and now I am falling into a healthy eating lifestyle. So far the only problems is eating on the go. Most days end around 7pm and that is just too late to cook a good dinner. Having the soups ready to heat up is great but still I would much rather eat earlier in the night.
Another major frustration is wanting to weigh myself every day. Of course not much change a healthy weight loss is 1-2lbs a week. I need to start weighing myself every week or every 3 days at the most. I need to focus more on how much energy I have now and how much lighter I feel and how my clothes are fitting.  Granola is a good food to eat on the go for my active family. Like nuts and seeds make sure not to over eat.

Granola
3cups rolled oats
3 cups of chopped nuts and seeds(I like almonds, walnuts, pecans and sunflower seeds)
1/2 cup grape seed oil or coconut oil
1/2 cup pure maple syrup
2 ts vanilla extract
2 ts cinnamon
dash of almond extract
 dash sea salt
dried fruit(I love dates, blueberries and dried mango but you can use raisins, pineapple, apricots, currants) watch the sugar content of the dried fruit some have a lot more than others

mix oats, nuts and seed into a large bowl.
heat oil, syrup, extracts, salt and cinnamon in a saucepan.
Pour onto the oat mixture when hot.
Spread it out on a cookie sheet
bake at 350 for 20 mins stirring every 5 mins.
after it is cooled down add the dried fruit

this can be eaten for breakfast or a snack with Greek yogurt, with milk or on it's own.

Enjoy what you eat!! Enjoy your life!

Healthy lifestyle

No more word diet, no more detox now just into a healthy eating lifestyle that includes coffee, alcohol and red meat in moderation. I am eating a lot more fresh fruit, veggies and whole grains. I have not missed processed foods at all in the past 2 weeks. I haven't missed coffee half as much as I thought I would. Replacing it with green tea really helped. Yogi has the best quotes and taste good.

I had to write something today since I promised myself I would write every day for one month. Tomorrow will probably be short since too since I will be running a mommy taxi service until 10pm.
I will make up for it with lots of good recipes Saturday and Sunday.

Ancient Grains

Many people ask what the heck is quinoa, amaranth, and isn't millet what we put out for the doves and barley for beer and whiskey.

Amaranth has been around for centuries. It was a staple in the Aztec and Mayan Indians. It has high protein, calcium  iron and B vitamins.  It can be used as you would rice with steamed or stir fried veggies or as a flour for baking.
Barley comes in two different kinds, pearled and whole. Pearled is a refining process used to remove the bran covering. It cooks faster. I love to put it in soups.
Millet is the most alkaline of all the grains. It is also very high in protein and iron. It is also a good source of niacin thiamine, and riboflavin, magnesium and potassium. It as a good nutty taste. Make sure to toast it a little before cooking. I like to cook it along with fish.
Quinoa is is great on it's on or in soups. High in protein, iron and calcium. Make sure you rinse it well before cooking it has a soapy taste if you don't. I have learned that the hard way. I like it stuffed in a eggplant or in a tomato dish.

Experiment and see how you like it.

Think outside the box

1st day of Detox #2

Today is the first day of the new detox I am glad I changed it up some. Added more protein and few more healthy snacks. I was getting so stuck in eating the same veggies I made my mom promise she would tell me if I started turning orange from all the beta carotene I've been eating and juicing.  I made several different options for the detox but I seemed to keep eating the same for lunch and dinner. So I had to change that up today. As soon as you get stuck in "ohhh please not another salad or bowl of soup" the diet is all off for me so I am shaking it up a little bit and adding more color. Pears and walnuts in my salad at lunch. Steamed turnip greens and asparagus with some summer squash and red bells with a lot of blood cleansing garlic. A beautiful colorful plate of food makes this not feel at all like a diet. I will tell you the truth I am glad we changed it to only 2 days of smoothie, soup and salad and adding some eggs, chicken, turkey and my favorite fish in the other days! Protein powder is gross and nuts and seeds are so easy to over eat on for me at least. My kids are in no way picky eaters and love their fruits and like all veggies except uncooked tomatoes(they will come around) so not only am I eating healthier but they are too. Can't ask for anything better than that. Ethan is going to be on and win Master Chef when he is 18 so let the training begin.

Live your dream!!