tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44717478607475214592024-02-07T09:06:23.969-08:00THE INCREDIBLE shrinking MAMA John 3:30Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.comBlogger101125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-60204856821027041332015-06-17T16:29:00.000-07:002015-06-17T16:48:30.608-07:00Sticky Situations<span style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Feeling Stuck?</span></span><br />
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">What was the last thought, idea, dream, offer, opportunity that you shrugged off, shied away from, talked yourself out of, doubted, or gave up on? I used to think that things in "God's will" were easy and didn't require much work or effort...they just magically fell into place. However, the older I get, and the more intentionally I chase after God's will in my life, the more I see the opposite is true. God will always make a way (even when it seems like there is no way possible) and God will always be there walking beside you and will bring people and opportunities into your path at the perfect time...but we have to be willing to step out and make ourselves available when He calls. I have found that most of the time when I feel stuck in my life it is because I said, "no," to something (big or small) that I should have said, "yes," to. Usually the no comes from a place of fear or uncertainty. Most of the time the fear creeps in because I have unknowingly shifted my focus onto what <i><b>I</b></i> can do and my own capabilities and limitations and not where it should be - what <i><b>GOD</b></i> can do and His capabilities - they are limitless!!</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I recognize that I am stuck and remember WHO is in control then I am able to step out in confidence. Once I move past the stuck places and conquer those fears and insecurities God usually (but not always) responds with an outpouring of new opportunities and connections, and I gain wisdom that I will need for the next leg of the journey. That is a beautiful place to be in even though it doesn't last long before the next step of faith needs to be taken. </span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Growing into who God created you to be is hard work, messy work, and sometimes painful work. It exposes the darkness and brokenness in you so that God can shine light on it and provide healing to others who are struggling. It is not for the weak or the prideful or the faint of heart. Actually...I take that back! It IS for the weak and the prideful and the faint of heart, the insecure, inadequate, broken, least qualified...but it is not an easy road and it takes constant, mindful surrender every single day. I say all of this to say:</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Don't give up!! Press on, and fix your eyes on Jesus! He has already made a way for you and He is with you wherever you go!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Here are some of my favorite verses I cling to when I am in a stuck place or having "growing pains":</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Hebrews 12:1-14</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Joshua 1:6-9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Philippians 2:13</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 John 4:18</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2 Corinthians 12:9</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1 Peter 5:6</span></div>
<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp6A6WzJPLQrhtkoLlez8V_QdV07df6BNlhJWkTldI_3ahkawchbozqrNur_LPrJc09I4sUqZSQBmL3JBByP_pteER33S_HM0bPoontIOQy-aSga5qsYz_nHXI80ptHZMoci8Pm-vHtDe/s1600/Aubri-Signature-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqp6A6WzJPLQrhtkoLlez8V_QdV07df6BNlhJWkTldI_3ahkawchbozqrNur_LPrJc09I4sUqZSQBmL3JBByP_pteER33S_HM0bPoontIOQy-aSga5qsYz_nHXI80ptHZMoci8Pm-vHtDe/s320/Aubri-Signature-01.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-59567132833821202482015-04-15T09:08:00.003-07:002015-04-16T07:38:29.934-07:00Taste and See!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>"I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises. I will boast only in the LORD; let all who are helpless take heart. Come let us tell of the LORD'S greatness; let us exalt his name together. I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh the joys of those who take refuge in him! Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need. Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing." - </b>Psalms 34:1-10 NLT</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Oh how I feel this verse right now deep down in my soul! I have so much to be thankful for - so much praise to give!! So many amazing things are being orchestrated in the lives of my friends! So many stories to tell of God's redeeming power, of His contstant provision...and above all of that...of His unfailing love for his people!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">But I cannot even begin to put into words the work He is doing in my heart and in my life - I can't even take it all in at times. My daughters (and maybe my husband) are getting baptized this month. (How marvelous!) I get the privilege to celebrate another year of life which after all of the loss I have seen and experienced over the last several months is truly a gift and not a promise. (How wonderful!) And some quiet time of reflection (which is super hard for me) has shown me just how much He has grown me as a leader, friend, mentor, mother/wife, vocalist, and Christ-follower over the last year. (Is my Savior's love for me!)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have done things in the last year that I have to stand back and say, "Only God!" I have heard things spoken to my heart that were so overwhelming and beautful that I have to stand back and say, "Only God!" I have experienced more joy, more awe, more faith, more trust - Only God! And I have been attacked from every angle by the evil one but not overcome - Only God!! What an amazing journey! I can't wait to see what awaits!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A little over a week ago I was feeling weary - tired, defeated, unsure. I sat alone in my house with my bible and my thoughts. I started asking God (as I often do) if what I was doing was still lining up with what He wanted. I was struggling with what my next step was - was I doing enough or was I just being impatient. I am an all-in person - most of you who know me at all know that I tend to do things with great intensity or not at all. And when I am passionate about something - well look out! Ha!! But God has shown me over the last year that so much of the changing and the refining and growing that He does in us is done in the routine - the mundane, the quiet. So I just wanted to check in and see if this was one of those times.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Sidebar: One thing I have felt a great desire for over the last several months was a female mentor that has been where I have been. Someone who has been in the worship leader role - someone who understands the unique challenges a woman faces both internally and externally as they move through chasing what God is calling them to do. I have been blessed with several great male mentors at Oakbrook - I call them "my guys." Haha. They have taught me so much and have taken me under their wing and encouraged me along the way - they are so important to me, but there is still something lacking. It is hard to speak openly about challenges that I am facing with any man other than my husband. Those emotions are so raw and personal, and my husband is a great listener, but he doesn't (and can't) fully understand. So I prayed. And I kept praying. And I had friends pray.</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In the quiet of that day God brought an image to mind. Oddly enough it was of a post I had seen on Instagram several weeks ago. It was an image of a screen - full of women on an online conference call. The image was posted by someone I greatly admire and have admired for many years. The caption said: "Just a little peek of some of the women worship leaders that I have had the honor of leading over the past 6 months online. God is raising them up and they are also now going to raise others up. Love you ladies and how you have surrendered every bit of who you are to Jesus.. #WorshipCircle." So I looked through the comments and happened to see a link to find out about what <i>Worship Circle </i>was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I spent quite a while reading about the program and found out that it is an "exclusive small group mentoring community for Worship Leaders and Worship Pastors that takes place over a 6 month period." (taken directly from the site) It is a place where worship leaders are mentored, trained, and given community with other leaders of their gender. The women are led by <a href="http://www.christynockels.com/" target="_blank">Christy Nockels</a> (think: the Passion movement) and the men are led by <a href="http://toddfields.com/about/" target="_blank">Todd Fields</a> (Northpoint Church). Along with the mentors other teachers like, oh, Kari Jobe (anyone know her??) and Kristian Stanfill, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, etc also jump on board. I continued to read about it and got more and more excited. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I decided to apply even though the info sheet that was emailed to me to read before I applied stressed how limited the opportunity was and how small the group was. It reminded me to not get discouraged if I was not accepted and to not take that as an indication of the amout of (or lack of) giftedness. I filled out the in-depth application that also had to include links to videos of me singing. I hit send and moved on with my day. I started doubting, but God kept reminding me that if it was something He wanted for me that He would make it happen. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The next day I received an email from Todd Fields thanking me for applying. He informed me that Christy's spring group was full and that they weren't even going to start looking through applications for the fall group until late summer/early fall. He reminded me (again) that they had lots of applicants and that is was a very small group and that not being chosen was not an indication of giftedness, etc. I emailed a quick, "thank you," and filed it into the "closed door" category.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Last Thursday I received an email out of the blue from Todd. This time he was writing to inform me that there had been an unexpected opening on Christy's team - for the SPRING term that started that day! He wanted to ask if I would want to fill that open spot...uhhhh...YES!!!! Unreal! I think I cycled through just about every emotion like someone who is completely mentally unstable and then I called my husband to tell him the news and of course said yes! I am still somewhat in shock. I am so excited and anxious to see what God will teach me through Christy and the other women over the next 6 months. And if there ever was a time for the phrase "I can't even" it is now! ;-)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Would you pray for me over the next 6 months - a prayer of celebration and thanks? I know God will do great things - things that only He can do. What an answered prayer times 1,000,000! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"God, please send me a mentor?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"Ok. How about Christy Nockels?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Haha. Also please pray that I would be open and moldable - that I would be able to juggle all that life is throwing at me - and that God would protect me from the evil one. I know all too well that when something BIG happens to advance God's will in my life that the evil one is lurking. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I can't wait to share my experiences with you all! It is going to be a wild ride!!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Love,</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycH2e3rMSVFLvU-G8NgLeGkArKlDzdpu11yKpPwOuhtHPl5OV18eFS6ABDBuiIFS6584dAGqPZrKGWozNNX12nNefKT9wj8t4Ny14Hc5bOoSoOmD4gmQlRv5TmDgCC4F4Aq3DSthZrqPL/s1600/Aubri-Signature-01.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjycH2e3rMSVFLvU-G8NgLeGkArKlDzdpu11yKpPwOuhtHPl5OV18eFS6ABDBuiIFS6584dAGqPZrKGWozNNX12nNefKT9wj8t4Ny14Hc5bOoSoOmD4gmQlRv5TmDgCC4F4Aq3DSthZrqPL/s1600/Aubri-Signature-01.png" height="209" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-808947629438538422015-01-27T08:04:00.000-08:002015-01-27T08:05:37.883-08:00The "&" of Worship<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have been thinking...which is often a dangerous thing. A post by Lysa Terkeurst last night really triggered some emotions and insight that I have been keeping on the inside.</span><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="color: #141823; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
<i>"Here's an encouraging word for someone tonight - don’t think you’re not doing what God called you to do just because things don’t seem as glamorous as you thought they would be. </i></div>
<div style="color: #141823; display: inline; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'lucida grande', tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; margin-top: 6px;">
<i>If you are a woman who honors God right where you are, you are in ministry. Keep being obedient, keep looking for the next open door of opportunity, and above all else hold closely to our Lord."</i> - Lysa Terkeurst</div>
<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A lot of people assume that leading worship is glamorous. That getting up on a stage and singing and leading people in worship must be exhilarating. That the people on stage are in some way hyper-spiritual - always living on some kind of "God-high."I can't speak for everyone, but for me the very opposite is often true. Yes, there are definitely moments where I feel completely overcome by the Spirit, where I feel like I am soaring...but not because of my own talent, spiritual fervor, or awesomeness. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If I have learned one thing more consistently over that last year (ish) it is that true, authentic worship - worship that inspires and moves and soars is worship that comes from a place of struggle, brokenness, lacking, sometimes sadness and frustration. That is what makes it so beautiful. Just because a person may be a gifted singer or speaker or musician doesn't mean that stepping on the stage week after week is an easy and always exciting process.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For me the process has been humbling and terrifying. But God. But always God. God continues to meet me through the fears and tears and doubts. He continues to ask me to have those emotions but do it anyway. Lay aside my insecurities about my body. Set down my perfectionism. Strip away pride. Refine motives. It. Is. Hard. Nothing about the process is easy - at least for me. </span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, I am gifted. God has placed in me an ability to sing. But that doesn't make USING that gift easy - putting myself out there, exposing my heart - my most intimate moments with God for all to see.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I spent many years singing. Singing is a little easier - less risky. When I <i>sing</i> I can still be guarded. I can "put on a show, " entertain, but still protect the deepest cries of my heart and soul. I never dreamed that stepping out of the mindset of a singer into a worship leader would be such a risk. As a singer your greatest risk is hitting bad notes or getting off tempo, but with <i>leading </i>the stakes are so much higher. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I know each time I walk out on to the stage that if God does not show up and work through me that what I deliver will be empty, meaningless "noise." It may <i>sound</i> good (or not - ha!) but that is where it stops. It doesn't MOVE. And for some people that may be OK. In fact, it used to be OK with me. I used to gauge how good a song I sang was by the amount of or lack of mistakes. That was before I experienced leading through the Holy Spirit. Once I had experienced that - there was nothing that <b>I</b> could possibly do to measure up.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Leading in any capacity is messy business. I rarely feel the need to celebrate my "successes" but instead find myself consistently surrendering, setting aside ego, stripping off walls that have been built up to present myself completely and fully to God to be used in the way that He sees fit...even when I don't want to. <b>Especially</b> when I don't want to. Especially when I don't feel like it. Especially after a fight with my husband and especially after a rough day with my kids or unpaid bills or unmet expectations. <i>Especially</i> when I have to get down on my knees and beg God to use this measly gift <i>one more time</i> for <b>His</b> greater purpose...when I know good and well that He doesn't need me. But He does choose me. And He does love me. And He loves you.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. I have enjoyed this journey and I so look forward to where God will take me next. I am having so much fun learning and experiencing new things. My creative side is completely bursting with thoughts and ideas and vision. I just know that for every "high" moment I get to experience with God there is another side to it. There is a spiritual battle raging. There is a whole person (a very imperfect person). There is life to be lived. A couple I really love and respect recently put it so well - there is <u>joy <b>&</b> sorrow</u>. God is deserving of our undivided, fully engaged worship ALL OF THE TIME. There is no hiding from the trials of life just because you decide to step into ministry. Life doesn't just all of the sudden get easy or make sense.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have so much more respect for those of you who have served or are serving as church staff and leaders. I understand now just a tiny piece of what it must be like to continually give of yourself to the cause of Christ - the ultimate call on <b>all</b> of our lives. Thank you. We often take what you do for granted. I now can see your brokenness but I also see you lay that aside in humble surrender and "do it anyway"...because...God. Because always God. And the stakes are far more higher if we don't.</span></div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJaXIM300-eoKYF0YDNw5iD6oUgs077O2brItzAWJ0WFgl6U4Ks1u80qn3yhmyjRQhcsj8lR8S6D-1k8HIbNEKBqXMRUeKGHGOye9UplY7EabXucRFdZoI-whyphenhyphendE54P97TsKSZx6wzfvd/s1600/IMG_2703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRJaXIM300-eoKYF0YDNw5iD6oUgs077O2brItzAWJ0WFgl6U4Ks1u80qn3yhmyjRQhcsj8lR8S6D-1k8HIbNEKBqXMRUeKGHGOye9UplY7EabXucRFdZoI-whyphenhyphendE54P97TsKSZx6wzfvd/s1600/IMG_2703.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-82372922390787982182013-09-19T08:38:00.003-07:002013-09-19T09:26:20.887-07:00My Hiding PlaceHave you ever been called out? I sure have. It's kind of embarrassing isn't it - being caught in a lie or an act of hypocrisy or for being fake or making a mistake? Heck it's embarrassing even when the reason you are being called out is funny - crop-dusting at Tar-get, Freudian slips, mispronouncing the word, "tidy," in first grade - someday I will let that one go...maybe.<br />
<br />
Have you ever been called out by God? It's a little more serious than being laughed at by your peers. And He sure has a way of not letting it go. ;-) I don't remember what I was doing at the time that I felt these words burn into my heart, but they were very clear and persistent: "You are hiding." And cue the first reaction to any instance of being called out - denial. <br />
<br />
"I'm not hiding! I'm putting myself out there! And anyway, I am just being a good mom and supportive wife by laying low and sacrificing MY dreams. That's what I'm supposed to be doing!"<br />
<br />
I don't REALLY remember what my inner dialogue reaction was - but it was something similar. And I continued to reassure myself that I was doing just fine for the next few days. But the thought prevailed. And it is still echoing in my mind as I type. The truth is, I HAVE been hiding. Every time I grab the (way) oversized gray hoodie and black comfy pants (that have a hole in the knee) and I throw on my hat and I move throughout my day...I'm hiding. Every time I doubt a leading. Every time I choose to stuff emotions way back down inside to avoid a confrontation. Every time I avoid a phone call. Every time I say no to something my heart longs to do. Every time I waste hours in front of the TV. Every time I roll over and go to sleep without kissing my husband goodnight. I AM HIDING...I am shrinking...I am giving up on the very reason this journey started. Living. Fully.<br />
<br />
A person who is truly connected to their purpose and is living the life God has called them to is inspiring. Their excitement and passion is intoxicating. People can't help but watch to see what they are going to do next. And people can't help but want, "whatever it is they are smoking." I have been that person at times. Have you?<br />
<br />
It is flat scary if you ask me. I'm not sure I want to be there again. When I was there I felt so naked - so opened up to criticism and judgement. Who likes that anyway? Living "out there" means more hurt, more failure, more unmet expectations. But not living there now after I have been called out...is disobedience.<br />
<br />
It's so funny how God can get your attention sometimes. You know the song that has been playing in my head on loop for the past several weeks (other than the ones I am prepping for on Sunday)? Click below for a listen. Hilarious, right?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/HR6pRNfhlJY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<br />
Yes, I am aware that this song has become a sort-of anthem for another kind of "coming out" of hiding, however, I cannot HIDE the fact that it truly has been playing in my head non-stop! Thank you mom and dad for your old disco records.<br />
<br />
So a couple of weeks after the thought (you are hiding) entered my heart, I was awakened at 3 AM with another thought. Brace yourselves. This one is a doozy. Write to the Rachael Ray show. At 3 AM!!! C'mon! You have got to be kidding! The backstory is this: I had seen a tweet from the show a couple of weeks prior that said this:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rbKaLVHYh4NuB90cD9sNpVe8ADizSmdMXEF3IOXTHc5w_j-UnLvAI13RZ4AQO8HE8cL56lOQc-m5t_O0EfuzOp7NER1gSo8-UvKa85mAwuRyJrAsjqCrQKh6ya6Rg8xcejxD_fvfuFKI/s1600/Screen+shot+2013-09-19+at+11.06.18+AM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4rbKaLVHYh4NuB90cD9sNpVe8ADizSmdMXEF3IOXTHc5w_j-UnLvAI13RZ4AQO8HE8cL56lOQc-m5t_O0EfuzOp7NER1gSo8-UvKa85mAwuRyJrAsjqCrQKh6ya6Rg8xcejxD_fvfuFKI/s320/Screen+shot+2013-09-19+at+11.06.18+AM.png" width="269" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
The day it hit I had a leading to respond, but I very vehemently said, "NO!" You see...I have lost 100 pounds BUT I have also gained some back. And I am embarrassed by that and I do not want to publicly broadcast those feelings. I moved on with my day, kinda forgot about it, and that was that...or so I thought. I later got an email about it (I'm on the show's email list) and was once again lead to respond..."NO!" And that brings you up to speed. 3 AM wake-up call.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I continued to argue in a sleepy stupor for close to 2 hours. All of the worst things that could come from a simple email to the Rachael Ray show played in my mind. I squirmed at the idea of a lot of people scrutinizing my blog, the thought of what I would look or sound like on TV, and mostly the thought of how it would feel to admit that I lost 100 pounds and gained 30 of it back...when I still had a lot more that <b><i>I </i></b>wanted to lose. But those thoughts were combatted by many positive things mostly summed up by this: My story is real. People need to hear real stories. I am still eating as healthy as I can. Health is not about size. Health is a daily journey - FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE. I know a lot of stuff...and people could benefit from that knowledge. So ultimately I said yes and I fell back asleep. I said yes again the next day when all I wanted to do was hide. Instead I sat in front of my computer screen and attempted to fit 3 plus years of my journey into a very small space.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
And now what? I don't know. I did what I was told and have been trying to do what I am told to do each day since then. I started an amazing <a href="http://www.livemoreweighless.com/" target="_blank">28-day challenge</a> with an amazing group of women and an <a href="http://www.sarahjenks.com/" target="_blank">amazing leader</a>. I have learned a lot about myself...and remembered a lot of things about myself lately. More than likely...Rachael Ray won't be calling me up...often obedience is just about saying yes when your whole being wants to say no. I think that obedience is a gut-check to see if we are truly "all-in." More than likely He just wanted to see if I was listening. But you never know! Over the years I have learned that God often does the "less than likely."</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
We shall see!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-77076996249958394232013-08-20T08:37:00.002-07:002013-08-20T08:37:49.941-07:00If You Fail to Plan...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am a horrible planner. I mean, I have all of these great ideas rolling around in my head, but to actually put my thoughts into practice is a whole other animal. That being said, I have become quite the Iron Chef. You know what I mean, right? <a href="http://www.foodnetwork.com/iron-chef-america/index.html" target="_blank">Iron Chef</a>, the show? The show where they hand a box full of seemingly unrelated, unappetizing foods to a chef and in under an hour or so they create beautiful, gourmet platters of food?</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ok, well, it may feel like that in my mind, but in all reality I am not cooking octopus or puréeing dragon fruit...OR using dry ice...but I might as well be on the show. How impressive is it to have four children screaming, "what's for dinner?" in a continuous, whiney chorus while you attempt to mold a pantry full of random grains, legumes, flours, and spices and a refrigerator full of moldy left-overs, condiments, and produce into a beautiful, symphony of flavors that everyone will love? I say it is pretty impressive - nay a miracle! I have had a handful of really great dishes come out of desperation (and a few that LEFT me desperate for a PB&J).</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
One of my favorite things to make in a pinch that is always a big hit (and is very budget and user friendly) is my Creamy Vegan Potato Soup. I researched a lot of recipes online to get inspiration and then customized it to fit our dietary needs as well as what I actually had on hand...which at times tends to be not a whole heck of a lot. ;-) (Grocery shopping with four kiddos in tow tends to be less than pleasant.) The beauty of this recipe is that I can pretty much use this basic "skeleton" - which is perfectly awesome as-is - and fancy it up to add more depth of flavor when I have fun extras around the house.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Creamy Vegan Potato Soup</u></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 large onion, chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 ribs of celery (including leafy tops), chopped</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 tsp. minced garlic (about 4-6 cloves)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">EVOO</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Salt & pepper</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. dried rosemary</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 bay leaves (optional but yummy)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp. herbes de provence</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 c. dry sherry</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4-6 cups of diced yukon gold potatoes</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">water to cover</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T Earth Balance</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 cups Silk organic, unsweetened soy milk</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Easy peasy. Sauté onion and celery in EVOO over medium-high heat. Add salt and pepper. Allow veggies to sweat out and soften and get slightly brown. Rub dried herbs in the palm of your hand before adding to the veg mixture to "wake up" their natural flavors and oils. Cook for another minute and then add dry sherry to pan to deglaze. Cook for about 3 minutes while scraping of any browned bits off of the bottom of your pan with a wooden spoon. Hooray for flavor!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Add diced potatoes and just enough water to cover. Add more salt and pepper. (Here is where you can swap in a more flavorful product - vegetable broth - when you have it in your pantry). Put a lid on the pan and turn the heat down to medium. Cook the potatoes until tender. Add Earth Balance and soy milk, stir to combine, and taste for seasoning. Add more salt and pepper as needed. Using an immersion/stick blender, purée soup until it reaches your desired consistency. We like it mostly smooth with a few potato "chunks" here and there. Serve with your favorite toppings! We like Veggie Sour Cream and green onions or chives. We have also added Veggie cheese in the past as well as <a href="http://www.wayfarefoods.com/products/dry/bacony-bits/" target="_blank">Bacony Bits</a> made by WayFare foods (a GREAT Vegan alternative - but they are not gluten-free).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Enjoy!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-26606200637075348482012-05-04T11:14:00.002-07:002012-05-04T11:14:22.313-07:00Fill 'Er Up!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't know exactly when it started, but I have entered a new phase of my journey. As you know the last two years have been super-focused on the physical affects of "healthy living" - the things you can touch, taste, feel, see. My journey up to this point has been tangible. It has been easy to see progress. For a while my mood revolved around seeing the number on the scale decrease each week. In fact, I almost got to the point of (dare I say) idolizing weight loss itself. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. I don't think weight loss is bad...at all. It is a VERY good thing! BUT when you get to the point where you can't be happy if you aren't losing? That's a problem. I'm finding it so much harder now to figure out who I am and where I fit into the world now that I am no longer a losing machine. It's hard, but God is continuing to work on me everyday...just in ways that I am not always so happy about. It's so much more fun to get praised by your friends, family, and peers about how "good" you look or how "thin" you are getting.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have been brought to a place in my journey now where things are so focused on inward battles, hurts, and scars. Sometimes I am not sure I can unpack everything while being all the things I need to be for others in my life. I find myself bubbling over with anger because I can no longer "hold it together." I learned to be an expert at "holding it together" at a young age. I learned how to set my needs and desires aside and be available...which is a good thing. In fact, I think it is what has allowed me to be the mom I need to be for my four kids. However, now I am seeing how too much of a good thing causes disfunction.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The disfunction for me is that while I am so absorbed in caring for others' needs, my tank gets more and more empty. I also feel extreme guilt whenever I am not fulfilling my responsibilities - when I am away. It is hard to enjoy social outings. It is hard to really feel nourished by anything...but food. And I think that has always been the case. I have always used food to "fill" me. The times in my life where I was the heaviest were the times when I was least connected to the things I love to do. Now don't get me wrong...I LOVE my kids, my husband, my parents, siblings, inlaws, and friends. I am talking about things that fill my life with joy BEYOND people. You know, the things that bring the twinkle to my eye when I talk about them.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One of those "fillers" for me is art - creating. I have always loved art - all kinds of art. My nickname growing up was, "Doodle," because I would just sit and draw for hours. I also love to paint. I painted a replica of VanGogh's, "Starry, Starry Night," in High School. It is one of my most treasured possessions. I was so proud of it when it was finished. I love to write. I used to write a lot of poetry and songs and short stories. There is just something cleansing about writing. I suppose my love for cooking and creating recipes also falls in this category. For some reason I left most of my artsy side behind when I became an "adult." I am trying to find ways to bring it back.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another filler for me is music which is probably most obvious to people who know me, but what you don't know about singing for me is that it only fills me when I allow the Holy Spirit to take the guilt and fear away and replace it with joy. Otherwise it is just another "job" to do, a task to check off of my to-do list. If you watch me when I sing, there are some times that I smile from ear to ear and then there are other times that I don't. The times I smile are genuine. The smile is a result of freedom - reckless abandonment - joy. When I don't smile it isn't because I am mad and it isn't because I hate the song I am singing, it is merely because something is in the way of God. It could be stress, anger, fear, sin, or a number of other things. When I am in that place I feel so empty.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXPEmPbG7jFbaxcSIyobYPLQf59jBMttr0JG3ulZ0-AjBIK-ricoEI1cloFlnRVKCYXJ0GY7nhZgPUX1AJ1M19PZwPsZmo3oBj2py3NA7NUkwhVoSw66IYMM3Q3tgf2kQwIq7dscG7UH4/s1600/204421_10150567103620521_506045520_17936200_4476926_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXPEmPbG7jFbaxcSIyobYPLQf59jBMttr0JG3ulZ0-AjBIK-ricoEI1cloFlnRVKCYXJ0GY7nhZgPUX1AJ1M19PZwPsZmo3oBj2py3NA7NUkwhVoSw66IYMM3Q3tgf2kQwIq7dscG7UH4/s400/204421_10150567103620521_506045520_17936200_4476926_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have always been moved by nature. Engaging in nature fills me. I find God in nature. I love animals and plants and the smells of fresh air and rain. I love the feel of grass on bare feet and the warmth of sun on my face. I feel so connected and peaceful when I am outside. Being a stay-at-home mom of 4 little ones a lot of times keeps me tied to the house, and that is hard for me. But it is getting better and easier to take them out the older they get, and thankfully Kokomo has some of the best parks around!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are other things that fill me too, but those are the main ones. I am seeing just how deeply connected my overeating is with being under-filled. When I am not feeling nourished on a spiritual or emotional level I tend to eat to fill that void. Unfortunately the void only gets filled temporarily when you fill it with food. Even though I eat very healthy (as far as WHAT I eat) I still find myself eating too much at times. Now that I recognize why I do what I do I am learning how to change it. Sometimes I just have to stop and figure out what I am lacking. Maybe I just need a hug. Maybe I need someone to tell my I am important - that I am valued and special. And maybe sometimes I just need permission to do something for myself, by myself. The permission part is important for me. It sounds silly, but when my husband or friend says, "I want you to: go get your hair done/take a walk/take a bath/have fun at practice," it releases me from the feelings of guilt and allows me to enjoy what I am doing fully. Baby steps.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Does this resonate with you?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If so, I'd love to hear from you! I'd love to walk through this with you! Until next time!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-18337737305474463372012-05-03T11:41:00.000-07:002012-05-03T11:42:31.243-07:00Oh, Oh, O-r-e-o!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I have officially crossed the line. Oh no I didn't! Oh yes, I did. I spent 5 hours the other night creating (to the best of my ability) a "healthy" Oreo cookie. No I didn't make them for a special client or my best friend. I made them for 50, 4 and 5 year old Pre-K kids. I made them 1. because I can - darn it, and 2. because I want my kids to see that special treats don't have to come out of a package. Yes, it would have been a million times easier and cheaper to just pick up the Oreos, but I couldn't. Sure those kids could have cared less what I did or didn't put into the cookies, but I don't care. I am THAT weird now, folks (and proud of it)! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The inspiration? Icing that could send you into your happy place!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A few weeks ago I made a cake for my birthday - gingerbread cake - and found an icing recipe in a new cookbook I got, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/theinc0a-20/detail/1451636741" target="_blank">Chloe's Kitchen</a>, which has everything from breakfast to dog treats. The author won Cupcake Wars on Food Network, so I knew the cupcake and icing recipes would not disappoint. The upside? The icing was mind-blowing. The downside? The recipe calls for powdered sugar and I don't like to use powdered sugar - or any sugar for the matter, but I figured if it topped a healthy cake or cookie it would be OK. And it's amazing...did I mention that yet?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here's the icing recipe:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><u><b>Vanilla Bean Buttercream</b></u></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup <b>non-hydrogenated</b> vegetable shortening (I bought mine at Sunspot)</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqF1ytoDX7CsWJD1yNGvj9kyR5UKpUy9H3CVSB-PoR7LsLIEX_5uKFcrxv3DX_V__7yJ1tz94qzemRB_cNCTPudkT5wMtD6LqSGYxlSIt2TCTXtgKEJkljvvltAdX5NAPz3IKeNyJ5_L_/s1600/2012-05-03+13.28.44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYqF1ytoDX7CsWJD1yNGvj9kyR5UKpUy9H3CVSB-PoR7LsLIEX_5uKFcrxv3DX_V__7yJ1tz94qzemRB_cNCTPudkT5wMtD6LqSGYxlSIt2TCTXtgKEJkljvvltAdX5NAPz3IKeNyJ5_L_/s320/2012-05-03+13.28.44.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 cups powdered sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp vanilla extract</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Seeds of 1 vanilla bean (or 1 tsp vanilla bean paste)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 to 5 T almond, soy, hemp, rice or coconut milk to thin</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Using a hand mixer, beat the shortening until smooth. With the mixer running on low, add powdered sugar, vanilla, vanilla bean seeds or paste, and 1 tablespoon of the non-dairy milk at a time as needed to reach desired consistency. I used about 3 tablespoons both times I made mine. Beat for two more minutes until the buttercream is light and fluffy.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the cookie part of the "Oreo" I turned to one of my favorite baking books, <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/theinc0a-20/detail/0307408833" target="_blank">Babycakes</a>! It not only has some super fun treats in it, but mostly all of them are gluten-free which is an added bonus because both my sister and brother (and some friends' kids) are gluten-intolerant or have mild Celiac. You can make it with regular flour or whole wheat pastry flour if you desire, but I tried the cookies both ways and my verdict? The gluten-free version was actually better! Of course I also swapped the evaporated cane juice (just a fancy word for sugar) for agave (in my first two batches) and then raw local honey in my final batch. The honey won! Better flavor, better texture. So I will post my favorite version of the recipe. If you have any questions about swapping flours or natural sweeteners, please ask! I have become quite the expert!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Double Chocolate Chip Cookies</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup coconut oil (look for unrefined, virgin oil) - melt before you measure</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhqCT3sZq6lgf1OsW5U6ydGuXVr9fxLro9leec-ADeuSWweDPggq5YJDEBQbeXHwbYPnE8921UfVLWnKcO4ycogqQAj1PaZploKQGcWYwrpQQEnKMrL9xRUqPyuWSgoG1Qt-M3vs2M4nc/s1600/2012-05-01+19.22.26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjhqCT3sZq6lgf1OsW5U6ydGuXVr9fxLro9leec-ADeuSWweDPggq5YJDEBQbeXHwbYPnE8921UfVLWnKcO4ycogqQAj1PaZploKQGcWYwrpQQEnKMrL9xRUqPyuWSgoG1Qt-M3vs2M4nc/s320/2012-05-01+19.22.26.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup local, raw honey</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 cup homemade applesauce (see below) or store-bought, unsweetened applesauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T vanilla extract</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp baking soda</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 1/2 tsp xanthan gum (look in the organic section of most stores)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup flax meal/powder (I love <a href="http://www.navitasnaturals.com/products/flax.html" target="_blank">this one.</a>)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups <a href="http://www.bobsredmill.com/gf-all_purpose-baking-flour.html" target="_blank">Bob's Red Mill Gluten-Free All-Purpose Baking Flour</a></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Preheat the oven to 325°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper or a silicone sheet. In a medium bowl, mix together the melted oil, honey, applesauce, and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt, baking soda, flax, and xanthan gum. Carefully add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients until a dough is formed. It may look runny at first, but give it a few minutes and the xanthan gum will do it's work and thicken it up. Fold in the chocolate chips. Using a small ice cream scoop, scoop the dough onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake the cookies in the center rack for 14 minutes. After 9 minutes, rotate the pans 180°and then continue to bake for the remaining 5 minutes. Let the cookies cool for 10 minutes on the baking sheets, then cool completely on a wire rack.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once cooled completely add a small (or large) amount of icing to the bottom side of one cookie, then top with a second cookie. Eat. Ahhh...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you are interested in making a super-stellar roasted applesauce that is super quick and easy and can be used in this recipe, here ya go (you can thank me later). This recipe will fill a 24 oz Mason jar.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Roasted Applesauce</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br /></u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 pound (about 3 medium) Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch cubes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 pound (about 3 medium) Pink Lady apples, peeled, cored, and cut into 1-inch cubes</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 T ground cinnamon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 cup agave nectar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup fresh lemon juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup hot water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">agave as needed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment or a silicone mat. Toss apples with agave, cinnamon, and lemon juice until completely coated. Bake the apples on the center rack for 35 minutes rotating the pan 180° after 20 minutes. Place the baked, cooled apples into a high-powered blender or food processor. Add 1 cup of hot water and process until smooth. Add agave as needed to desired sweetness (mine didn't need any more to make it sweet). MMMMMM!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When all is said and done...here is the finished product:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJir1tU_mOvXm1JEqbGjz3m9wRCrS2xtAMHSDH5-gdyGuEjN2Ja1VBW51heaosX0CML4tkGOfum3NwCWuXZWhGaum0xFlFXawIItoXVwiyIpd6MhTszhBTY6mu96yYPR8b_tt5zn9SRve/s1600/2012-05-01+21.01.49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUJir1tU_mOvXm1JEqbGjz3m9wRCrS2xtAMHSDH5-gdyGuEjN2Ja1VBW51heaosX0CML4tkGOfum3NwCWuXZWhGaum0xFlFXawIItoXVwiyIpd6MhTszhBTY6mu96yYPR8b_tt5zn9SRve/s400/2012-05-01+21.01.49.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They are decadent and with the flax, applesauce, honey, and coconut oil, so much better for you than their Nabisco counterpart. Enjoy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEuKGTClcI9QXT5dMMo4cSELtDyaGVUmJUeJVQQbYVw_uvnRvvCnvBC0OGrQm2ynZ6qKJPi3R_w0fLX3GysnD3cM2z5rF-QgXD3vhACJKTMXXmF7mA_adNAE2jKXyu8LN-HJ_BH8rXRFQE/s1600/Screen+shot+2012-05-03+at+2.35.23+PM.png" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-16822011988569436882012-01-06T11:21:00.000-08:002012-01-06T11:21:56.798-08:00The Proof is in the PuddingAhhh...THIS is the life! For all you caffeine junkies, sugar babies, high-fructose-corn-syrup, salt lickin', hydrogenated oil slick'n, doughnut, french fry, big mac-a-saurus - chicken patty - join in my chorus...THIS is the life! You don't know what you're missing! Join the healthy movement and my feet you'll be kissin'. I swear I wouldn't lie the grass IS greener on this side...and so are my smoothies...and they're recharging my insides. (not really sure why I had to open this post with a "rap," but that's how it sounded in my head...so that's what you get!)<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I'm not kidding folks! We have been fooled for so long - SO long! We've been believing the lies that we are dependent on prescription drugs and chemical "fixes" to thrive. I am telling you RIGHT NOW it's not true! Many people think that lowering their cholesterol or blood sugar lies in the hands of their doctor...their fate in a little white slip of paper...it doesn't have to be that way!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Change is hard. I know. We are all stubborn, stuck in our ways. We can't see the light at the end of that Pepsi or the silver lining in our Ben and Jerry's! I've been there! I've tasted the stuff! I know what it's like to eat an entire chocolate cake and be at the end of my rope and put all of my trust and my health in the hands of the Creator - not knowing where He would lead me. Not easy. But there is hope. I promise you that!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
We were meant to have more and be more than we ever dreamed. But it all starts with taking good care of our insides - one good choice at a time. It's not about finding that next diet or another quick fix - miracle potions or cleanses or energy shots with vitamins. It's not about gym memberships or treadmills or special running clothes. It's about getting back to the basics - what we all know but we don't want to face.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's about real food. It's about time!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The other day I had to have some labs done for our insurance. I have to admit I was pretty anxious - not about the needles, but about the results. It is easy for me to see my progress on the scale. Numbers are concrete. We get numbers...we can see them. Our internal health on the other hand is harder to gauge. I FEEL better than I have in years, but does that translate into health? It has been almost 2 years since I started my healthy journey. Can you believe it? I can't. I have lost over 100 pounds but I was scared that it still wasn't enough to make a real difference. The proof is in the pudding...or in this case...my blood. ;-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Before I started on my journey I was looking diabetes in the face, my gall bladder was full of stones, I was depressed, and I filled my diet with highly processed, packaged foods, sodas, fast food, and sweets. My life revolved around my next "fix." Now I eat a plant-based diet full of colorful fruits and veggies, beans, nuts and seeds, whole grains, and I use natural sweeteners in lieu of white sugar, corn syrup, and artificial sweeteners. Do I ever "cheat?" Yes but I don't consider it cheating. I just make poor choices from time to time. Sometimes it's sugar, sometimes it's dairy or even one too many cocktails, but every time I do I am reminded of why I made the changes in the first place. My energy tanks, depression sets in, I get headaches and joint pain, my faces breaks out, I get jittery, scattered, and anxious. It is like the ghost of Christmas past - a look back at a life I no longer want.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So you're probably wondering...how did my labs go? :-) These numbers may mean nothing to most of you, but to me it is a gold star, an A+. (I've always loved good grades!) Here are the results (I apologize for the cheese factor but I am pretty jazzed):</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Cholesterol:</div>
<div>
HDL (the GOOD guys): with a normal range of 0-60 I scored a 48! SUPER!!!</div>
<div>
LDL (the BAD guys): with a normal range of 65-185 I scored a 91! AWESOME!</div>
<div>
Total cholesterol: with a normal range of 110-200 I scored a 157!!!! SUPERB!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Triglycerides: with a normal range of 0-149 I scored an 88!! YAY!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And lastly...the big one for me...</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Hemoglobin A1c (a measure for diabetes): with a normal range 3-6% for non-diabetics...I scored 4.7!!!!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I did a happy dance all the way to the van! It is just more solid proof for me that FOOD really does MATTER! Healthy food can change your life!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Most of you probably know I started a Holistic Health Counseling practice. I feel very passionate about teaching people about what healthy food is and how to prepare it. I am getting ready to launch a 4-week intensive program called, "Get Fresh!" to help people learn the basics of good nutrition. It will be 4, 1-hour sessions and the last session will include a grocery store tour to help people navigate which aisles to shop and which aisles to pass by. Beyond that I also teach private (think girls night out with a private chef) and public healthy cooking classes which are super fun! If you are looking for something more intense, I also have a six-month program that includes 12 one-on-one counseling sessions with me to help you reach your healthy living goals!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In the future I am hoping to start some mommy and me cooking classes (can't wait), pantry makeovers, and many other things. But for now, and with 4 little ones, I will take what I can get! :-)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
If you are interested in the "Get Fresh!" program, please contact me for more information. I am planning on starting that toward the end of January and only have 9 slots left!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-11329818740606380612011-09-30T12:21:00.000-07:002011-09-30T12:22:29.138-07:00Gearin' Up!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This post is (mostly) for the ladies...the ladies who like to get down...and sweaty. Um, ahem, I'm talking exercise. I used to think people were nuts when they talked about their workout "gear." Gear...schmear...or so I thought...until I became one of them.</span><br />
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't get me wrong. I started out with nothing but a pair of stretchy capri pants, an awesome pair of shoes, and my lungs. You don't HAVE to have "gear" but it sure helps make your exercising much more enjoyable. It takes your mind off of your underoos falling down, the blisters developing on your heels, the bra strap that inevitably falls down every time you start to get your focus, your hair that's in your face and mouth, and the possibility of two black eyes. My chosen activity right now is running but I think most of this gear that I am about to discuss is pretty universal. Here are my top picks for workout "gear:"</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. A great pair of shoes. First and foremost and oh so important - shoes...good shoes. Don't go grabbing some old jalopy, stinky pair in the back of your closet. Your barking dogs will give you an earful the next morning. I used to think that buying shoes specific for an activity was dumb - just a way for shoe manufacturers to jack up the price. But alas, I might be slightly mistaken. I still think a good pair of shoes costs way too much but in the end they are well worth the investment. Last Christmas I went to a place in Carmel called <a href="http://www.bluemile.com/">Blue Mile</a>. They specialize in fitting you for the right kind of shoe - specific to the kind of exercise you're in to. They even video tape you running or walking on a treadmill and then slow down the recording to see how you naturally step (it has a fancy name - "video gait analysis"). It gives them an idea of how much and what kind of support your shoe will need. It's pretty interesting really. I got a fabulous pair of kicks that fit better than any other shoes I've had. No achey feet in the morning anymore. I think I will go back this year and get some shoes specifically for running since the pair I have are mostly for walking. The whole shebang cost me about $90. My feet thank me everyday. Essential.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Nice socks. Going along with the whole foot thing...get a good pair of socks. Again something I used to roll my eyes at...but if you are blister-prone...this is a good upgrade. I got some socks at the same store that are like Heaven on my feet. They don't slip and they really add cushion in all the right places. Very nice. Plus they keep your feet dry. I need to get some more. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The ones I bought have a band that wraps both sides of the heel and are made by a company called Balega. They're seriously great - like a foot hug.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> You can check out their site here: <a href="http://www.balega.com/">www.balega.com</a> </span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3. A good sports bra. This is something I resisted for a long time - mostly because I didn't really think there was anything out there that would lock and load like I needed it to. Next to going to a blacksmith and having some kind of metal suit forged I thought I was S.O.L. Once again...wrong. I researched and looked and researched some more and finally settled on trying a bra by Under Armor. I will post the link and you will see that this puppy just looks bad to the bone. No movement is coming outta that straight jacket! I got it early last week and to be completely honest it took me a good 15 minutes to figure out how to put it on (thank goodness I've been doing yoga - phew!), but I love it! It fits great and the straps stay up and now I can save money on under eye make-up. Thank you Under Armor! If you want any specifics about sizing...let me know. I wasn't sure it would fit at first but it fits great! Here is the link: <a href="http://www.dickssportinggoods.com/product/index.jsp?productId=11248556&jsessionid=LKFDTF5dhNH4ZLww2pglVMxQxq4ydPLW61BCpvt98xpwTTfDGzYL%21-127711846&ab=TopNav_Apparel_WomensApparel_SportsBras&cp=4413874.4413879">Under Armor workout gear</a></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4. A headband. I got this one down. I may look like a biker mama running down the street but no wispy hair is getting in MY eyes! I bought a semi-stylish cloth head wrap at Tar-get (said with a French accent) that I decided could also double as a keep-my-stinkin-hair-outta-my-face device when I am working out. It is completely functional - and in my opinion necessary...unless you are a man...or bald (which in that case - sorry).</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5. Pants with underwear built in. I am not sure what the correct name is for such a thing, but last winter I bought a pair of adidas workout pants that had underwear built into them. I thought it was strange at the time, but now I know why there is such a beast. Nothing is more annoying and workout sabotaging than underwear creep. It can creep both ways...it can fall down and tick you off and it can creep up and irritate you (in more than one kind of way). Anyhoo...it is really nice to have that freedom to just slap on some workout pants and not worry about slippage.</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Those are my current top 5 picks. I am sure the more I run the more I will long for other items. Right now I am happy with just using my cell phone as a stopwatch and I don't run long enough to need one of those water backpack thingees...but maybe someday. Until then...race you to the stop sign! Ready, set, GO!</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQwakW-ZtwGKwguGtkcn8bUJKrNwsRWcPPB6EZfCKMP5iOdrGW0uf4mnUu_RvhFK2kTn0AV0yqcdFpSrALCRVoR7EWk9-WhjLu4wZbrMAe498XnXhJk9J2DNyMAp3Yv99Xs05U5yRlr7r/s1600/runningyogamaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWQwakW-ZtwGKwguGtkcn8bUJKrNwsRWcPPB6EZfCKMP5iOdrGW0uf4mnUu_RvhFK2kTn0AV0yqcdFpSrALCRVoR7EWk9-WhjLu4wZbrMAe498XnXhJk9J2DNyMAp3Yv99Xs05U5yRlr7r/s400/runningyogamaster.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">*I am not being paid to endorse any of these products although I sure wish I was! ;-)</span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-78807079290617770552011-09-02T11:33:00.000-07:002011-09-02T11:39:51.400-07:00Rocky<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I've been contemplating what to write about lately. I am in a new phase of my journey which I have entitled, "whole new me." It's a play on words you see...I am learning who I truly am now...and at the same time really striving to live a "whole" life, one that is balanced. It's funny. I thought I knew who I was. I didn't...and I still don't. What I have learned over the past year and a half is that my excess weight was partially a means to hide the real me - and in turn shelter myself from pain, rejection, failure. Maybe it was even to keep me from the greatness that God stamped into me. We all have greatness stamped into us you know? Through that sheltering process I lost myself completely - plum forgot who I was. And now that most of my excess weight (read: protection, shield, or force field - haha) is gone, I am left dazed and confused! Obviously there is a whole lot more to that equation, but that's a big piece. Moving on...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The big thing that has been weighing on my mind lately is, "WHO am I...really?" I am not the girl that started this journey. I mean, sure, there are glimpses of "her" in me - there always will be, but for the most part I am a new person. After weeks of rolling this around in my head I decided that who I am now doesn't really matter. The meat of the issue is really deciding who I want to be. When I look deep down inside and picture "me" at my best...what does that look like? Here is what it looks like for me: 1. I am smiling on the inside and out, 2. I feel uninhibited - free, 3. I am active - usually I envision myself running and playing with the kids, 4. I am confident and strong - I believe in myself, 5. I am successful. Now I want to clarify the part about success. When I say, "success" you probably immediately think about money. I tend to see success as more than that. I see myself helping others reach their goals and I see myself following God's will and direction for my life - that's what I qualify as success.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The next step beyond who I want to be is to decide how I get there - what steps do I need to take? Well, first off...I have to practice. Practice what? I need to practice being confident, being strong, uninhibited, happy, active, successful. This means stepping out of my comfort-zone...disallowing myself to be complacent with my life. Talk about culture shock! :-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First stop? Active. UGHHHHH! Active? It goes against every fiber of my being, but I know that being active is a big part of overall health. I have always associated "active" with pain, embarrassment, and failure - it's no wonder I have an aversion to it! The first thoughts that flood to my brain when I think of exercise and activity are ones of gym class, Jr. high basketball, the biggest girl in gymnastics, lame attempts at t-ball, failed try-outs for the color guard...let's just face it...I am not the most coordinated creature on the planet. I wasn't designed for athletics - I am an artist at heart. BUT it's time for me to create NEW visions of what "active" means in my life. So that is what I am going to focus on from now until Christmas. I will still be blogging about food (duh) because, well, I love it, but I am also going to make myself more accountable in the activity department. You know, that dreaded "e" word? Exercise? Yeah I am going to do that...at least 5 days a week...maybe 7! I will try to do a weekly post of the things I have tried. Who knows...maybe I will find something I truly love!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So here is what I have been up to the last several days/weeks. One thing I always thought I would hate is running. Seriously. What can be pleasurable about being sweaty, out of breath, and in pain? I don't know what got into me the other day but my body told me to get out of bed and run. So I did. The first day I patted myself on the back because I thought I'd run a marathon...not so much. After measuring it I realized that I ran a half a mile. Oh well! It was a half a mile more than I would have ran if I had stayed in bed! :-) The next day I ran a whole mile without stopping! I was really proud of myself! For me this was an accomplishment! I couldn't even run a mile without stopping in High School. I got a C- that semester because I failed to run the mile! Anyway, this achievement made me realize how far I have come. My body is so much more full of life! I can do more than I realize!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now it's on like Donkey Kong! I am pushing my limits everyday - trying to see what I am made of. There are three goals I have for next summer: 1. I want to run a 5K - the whole thing - no stopping, 2. I want to walk the mini with my best buddy, and 3. I want to participate in Warrior Dash. Those are three things that I know I can do if I just keep pushing myself. What are your goals?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you would like a daily update on what things I am doing EACH DAY to become the bestest me I can be...please friend "The Incredible Shrinking Mama" on Facebook. I will post everyday the things I did to better my health. I want to make it a challenge to all of you out there to post things too! I'd love to hear from you! We can support each other!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Now go get strong!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScQBd4yQjsQ0Fsm3uf_ZlOLQLCctKEE4DCgUA14SXbsR6lcTErGooihcG3rWmBz_5RZIJAOwwrcxLFuVuRgvhpxjE_4zehBVfAa1Ppo8FNtBXfMB3EwYWPNEf3bZlDwMsTZUwdOYDUNpa/s1600/rl_rocky-280x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiScQBd4yQjsQ0Fsm3uf_ZlOLQLCctKEE4DCgUA14SXbsR6lcTErGooihcG3rWmBz_5RZIJAOwwrcxLFuVuRgvhpxjE_4zehBVfAa1Ppo8FNtBXfMB3EwYWPNEf3bZlDwMsTZUwdOYDUNpa/s1600/rl_rocky-280x300.jpg" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-23242557853866028182011-08-02T11:55:00.000-07:002011-08-02T11:55:16.348-07:00The Dark<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everyone has a past. Everyone has things about themselves that they don't like...that they fear...that they want to hide. Everyone has a "dark" side. Typically we present out lighter selves to the world - put our best feet forward, smile, and stuff the darkness back in...but sometimes that darkness creeps out here and there. And sometimes we just get tired of stuffing things inside. I'm tired.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So why bring this up on a blog that deals with health and weight loss you might say? Well...it's simple. When you start peeling back the layers of your self, losing weight, getting healthy, you start to feel a need to also shed some emotional baggage. In fact, I think that my emotional baggage outweighs my physical baggage at this point. And that is what I am being led to focus on at the present. I have been stuck for a while now, and the more I pray and read and hear and think the more I am seeing that I'm not going to press forward without admitting to myself and the world who I really am. It doesn't mean that I have to like it and it doesn't mean that I can't or shouldn't work on changing some of it, but I do know that until I embrace all of ME...I'm not going to reach my ultimate goal - [INCREDIBLE] wellness (which just happens to be the name of my business...yes, shameless plug).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am not going to attempt to rationalize anything or explain myself either. Yes, I believe that God made all parts of us - good and bad - for a purpose. And I do believe that our weaknesses keep us humble and reliant on the One who created us. I see some of my weaknesses and realize how they help me to cope with the life I have been given...and others...I'm not so sure. Today I am merely shedding light on the dark parts...admitting my imperfections...and then I am going to stop pretending to be someone I am not. I am done acting. I am done trying to please everyone - it's impossible anyway, and I am surely done with feeling bad for my shortcomings.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Some things you will read are fears that I hold and some are things about my character or personality that I don't like. I'm not going to tell you which is which. It doesn't matter. Mostly it's just emotional baggage of some kind or another that I am ready to release.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>ME</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>This is my catharsis.</b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I am messy, disorganized, lazy, and scattered. My mind races 24 hours a day. I am consumed with worry most of the time. My house is always dirty. I have a tendency toward selfishness. I yell at my kids. I am inept at being a parent and I truly at times just can't handle the amount of responsibility that has been placed on my shoulders. When I am overwhelmed I try to hide - from friends, from responsibility, from life. I am driven less by passion and more by fear. I hate being judged - thinking about it makes me ill. I am angry at the lies that our government tells us about our food, our education, and our health. At one time or another I have lied, cheated, or stolen. I hate when someone questions my intelligence or makes me feel inferior. I am a control freak...and when I can't control something or someone I get angry.</b> </span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ahhh...doesn't that make you feel all warm and fuzzy? Yeah. Me too (*sarcasm*). As much as I'd like to take back the paintbrush and start painting happy trees - telling you all of the good things about me - I'm not going to. That's the purpose of this post. I need to be OK knowing that everyone is now reading the "bad" things I wrote. I need to own them so that I can move past them. I encourage anyone out there who is feeling "stuck" in life to do something similar. Just write some things down and give it to your spouse, friend, parent, child, pet (haha) etc. I feel better already - I think.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And to update you on my raw food cleanse...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am still trying to eat at least 2 raw meals per day - whether it is a smoothie or juice or some other raw meal concoction. It has been harder for me this week for some reason. I'm not sure if the emotional junk (see above) is zapping my energy or if it is the things I am eating (or not eating). Surely it is because I need to eat more chocolate, right? I mean, that's got to be the problem! ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Until next time...</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-92149968154850912622011-07-23T11:21:00.000-07:002011-07-23T11:21:17.189-07:00Shrinking and Juggling<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Wow. Seems like years...or three months. ;-) So where the heck have I been? To be completely honest I have been hiding...cowering...whining and complaining. You see I just was embarrassed that me, THE Incredible Shrinking Mama, had somehow stopped shrinking. I guess my body forgot to send me the memo and the instruction manual.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am happy to say that after three months things have started moving in the right direction again! After playing a juggling game with the scale - up and down, up and down for three months I decided that my arms were getting tired. I'm not 100% sure why my body stopped responding to what I considered a healthy diet, but I do know that a lot of change has taken place in the last year and a half...see exhibit A:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSGliC7RndRtufv-y_ai5vGmxXxHNkdr9WP-2gg_Bi8VzX141_Q4Cme0p87KVeVwTQE9P9SonSfscqP23vIZPH16DvAGP3FBhFEXrP_g-7wTM8EFfmeo5qGFQcxItbDwGsVKTo6Hi9pfK/s1600/exhibit+A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSGliC7RndRtufv-y_ai5vGmxXxHNkdr9WP-2gg_Bi8VzX141_Q4Cme0p87KVeVwTQE9P9SonSfscqP23vIZPH16DvAGP3FBhFEXrP_g-7wTM8EFfmeo5qGFQcxItbDwGsVKTo6Hi9pfK/s400/exhibit+A.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Desperate times call for desperate measures! (didn't Jafar say that on Aladdin?) And by desperate measures I mean...change! Daggonit if I just didn't want to jump up and down and throw a tantrum, dig my heels in deep, and pout! I mean...look at all the skinny people who eat junk all of the time!!! UGH! But instead, I prayed (and cried) - a lot. I kept pleading that God would show me the next step. I didn't really question WHY I was going through a lull...I just wanted to know what my next move was. Three months later (God's timing is much slower than mine!) my friend and I showed up at WW and decided that we were going to restart our system by going (mostly) raw!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what is "raw" you might say? There are a lot of books and websites and such that go into further detail than I will BUT for me this is what it means: eating foods that are LIVING - not processed. The raw food movement is a super-BIG deal and I am only scratching the surface with this post so I will list some great sites at the end if you want to research it any further. Basically I have recommitted to not put any sugar/preservatives/chemicals/crud in my body. I committed to eating fruits and veggies in their natural state - uncooked- as much as possible. Note: Uncooked? Why? Because cooking food destroys a lot of the important nutrients and enzymes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have to say up until the last couple of weeks, I had gotten pretty comfortable with sugar again - not going on sugar binges but eating it here and there and I could tell a difference in the way I tasted food. Everything started tasting bland again and I found myself reaching for more "sweet" (maple syrup, stevia, etc.) or salt to add to it. I had also grown accustomed to grabbing easy (packaged) snacks...even though most were healthier options...they were still "junk" foods.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The biggest bonus for me has been the renewed excitement of the process. Things had become mundane and were no longer fun or exciting. Now </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am back to making new recipes and experimenting with new flavors and textures. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> I am back in the saddle and ready to ride into the sunset! On top of eating (mostly) raw I have also been experimenting with juicing at least once every day which has been fun! I feel better now than I have my whole life. I feel alive and energetic and my mind is clearer. (Speaking of juicing...have you seen, <a href="http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/">"Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead"</a> yet? If not...you need to!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what have I learned over the past 3 months? I guess the biggest thing I have learned is that we can't keep doing the same things and expect different results. After watching the scale remain steady for several weeks I should have wised up and made a change, but I didn't. I am pretty stubborn like that. I have also learned that my body is different now than when I started this journey. I have a lot of healing to do emotionally and physically. In order to get that healing ball rolling I need to feed my body the best fuel I can find so that it can start repairing the damage of 29 years of excess. The last thing I learned is that I have to be OK with where I am RIGHT NOW. I can't always be looking for the next big thing, the next big goal, the next clothing size. I have to be grateful for what I have been given and prayerful that God will continue to mold me and use me for His glory!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Since I started this new chapter I am happy to say I have lost 6.4 pounds! Yay! My total weight loss is 106.6! :-) Here's to more celebrating in the future!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">***If you'd like more information about eating raw or about juicing, check out a few great sites:</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aniphyo.com/">http://www.aniphyo.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.alissacohen.com/">http://www.alissacohen.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.davidwolfe.com/">http://www.davidwolfe.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.therawfoodworld.com/">http://www.therawfoodworld.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/">http://www.fatsickandnearlydead.com/</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">and a great <a href="http://blog.integrativenutrition.com/2011/07/ultimate-raw-food-resource">Raw Food resource</a> from my school!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For more recipes and such be sure to "friend" The Incredible Shrinking Mama on Facebook!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-61710749942523464642011-05-07T11:49:00.000-07:002011-05-07T11:49:19.714-07:00Roller Coaster Ride<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I made a promise to myself...that I would write a post today if I had some extra time. Well guess what? I have some time! Yay!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I know it has been a while...much too long. Things have started getting a little overwhelming here. My husband started a new job with FedEx which translates to later dinners and more solo hours with the kids...which in turn equals mental and physical burn-out on my part. On top of that throw in the fact that I am starting <a href="http://www.integrativenutrition.com/">classes</a> in a week, singing regularly with a great <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Loose-Change/182465645138733">band</a>, and trying to revamp the blog. Phase one of the revamp is complete. I changed the background and added a search engine. You can now look up any post with a few key words. Try it out! No more searching feverishly for a favorite recipe! Hooray! Phase two will include some killer pictures (soon to be taken) from one of my pals and hopefully some other cool graphics and such. Keep an eye out or make sure you are a fan of <a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Incredible-Shrinking-Mama/140769409303391">The Incredible Shrinking Mama</a> on Facebook for all of the latest updates!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have decided that since the big 100 I wanted to lay off of the weekly updates. I am feeling a whole lot of unneeded pressure and anxiety to keep pulling big numbers in order to keep my readers excited and engaged. I have recently realized that I am NOT a reality show. At this point in the game it about one thing for me - health. I am no longer as focused on my weight or a specific number or size (even though I still would like to lose another 50-60 pounds). My biggest goal throughout this process has been and still is to be as healthy as possible and to take my family and as many friends as possible with me on the journey. I still think numbers are a great way to remain accountable but I don't want them to end up sabotaging my efforts. From now on I will include a <b>monthly</b> <b>update</b> with the first post of every month. So here goes...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This past month has been a VERY wild roller coaster. I am learning a lot through my prep work for school. I have been really tuning into what my body wants and needs - nutritionally speaking. It is quite amazing. I have also been flirting with some dietary theories out there - mainly the Blood-Type Diet. Again - amazing and fascinating. I have discovered through personal experimentation that my tolerance for sugar and refined flour is almost none now. The week after I hit 100 I ate more breads and sugar than normal. I had a baguette at Panera, a scone here, a cookie there. You get the idea...I was a little more "free" with my choices. I wish I would have taken a picture for comparison. Next time I go on a sugar/bread binge I will definitely take pictures. It caused me to bloat to the point that (to me) I looked and felt pregnant - kinda scary actually. Who knows what my insides looked like *shudder.* This free-eating started my roller coaster of a month. Up one week - down another, up again and finally back down. I am happy to report that I am back to the basics again and really just feeding myself the way I should - fruits and veggies, whole grains, nuts and seeds, lots of water, and very limited amounts of sugar and (white flour) bread. I am experimenting with other baked goods like spelt and brown rice breads...oh and some super-delicious buckwheat waffles. So far I love them (except for the price!). This month my total loss is a little over 3 pounds! Hooray! Still traveling in the right direction!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Something I have really been craving lately is salad. Don't groan. I'm not talking iceberg and tomatoes. I am talking big, fresh salads with bright flavors and lots of color. One salad I am loving right now is my concoction I am calling the Sunny Salad:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Sunny Salad</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 c. Romaine Lettuce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 c. Mann's Sunny Shores (broccoli slaw mix)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4-5 strawberries, sliced</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 c. fresh chopped pineapple</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 baby cucumber, sliced into bite-sized pieces</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">BRAGG Organic Hawaiian Dressing and Marinade (about 2-3 T.)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was the original salad and it is delicious just as is, but the next day I added:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 small tomato, clopped, seeded, and cored</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 c. yellow bell pepper, chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1-2 green onions, chopped</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">fresh ground black pepper</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Try it both ways. The dressing is KILLER! You can find it at Sunspot or <a href="http://bragg.com/products/bragg-organic-hawaiian-salad-dressing.html">right here</a>! It is crazy-low in calories and all that jazz and has some great health benefits as well!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am working on some delicious recipes. Hopefully I will get a chance to start sending some your way next week! What's YOUR favorite healthy spring or summer dish?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><img alt="natures-path.jpg" height="260" src="webkit-fake-url://1ED27B96-5582-465F-931A-176AA3967963/natures-path.jpg" width="400" /></div></span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-28384054494163278742011-04-04T11:09:00.000-07:002011-04-04T11:58:50.162-07:00This Post Is For The...Kids!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most of you know that I have kids...a lot of kids...a herd of kids. Most of my day isn't consumed with beautiful food and cookbooks. It is consumed with caring for these beautiful cherubs that I have been blessed with. (or demons depending on the day - haha) </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This post is (mostly) for the kiddos or kids-at-heart in your life.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Most kids love play-doh...mine included. However, with my kids being so close in age it is VERY difficult to make sure large quantities are not being eaten during a 30 minute "doh" extravaganza. Ew. Have you ever tasted play-doh? Of course I have...and paste, and crayons, and paper...yeah I was "that kid" in school. I don't even want to THINK about what is actually lurking in a ball of play-doh - chemicals, hair, fuzz - you get the picture.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To make our "doh"-fest more pleasant I decided to try out a <a href="http://www.cooks.com/">recipe</a> that I found online. I altered it slightly to fit our needs. It is super-simple and actually tastes good too! It was a great activity to do together - even my youngest could join in on the fun!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Edible Peanut Butter Play Dough</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup powdered soy milk</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup peanut butter</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 cup honey</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix and shape. Use nuts and dried fruit for decoration.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are some action shots:</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwvdIoDNCeFGg3HGqirHTcUxcPPdrS3YxY9_GStxoCi-guLDoqLz6Z3hRPaMoENN5MscV65EdZUvgVHqITUr_onK1-Ee2Zbpqs8gLDA5gTZpt0pquO649RtVOHQDCL1DQiOEVbI6vfQ5/s1600/100_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzuwvdIoDNCeFGg3HGqirHTcUxcPPdrS3YxY9_GStxoCi-guLDoqLz6Z3hRPaMoENN5MscV65EdZUvgVHqITUr_onK1-Ee2Zbpqs8gLDA5gTZpt0pquO649RtVOHQDCL1DQiOEVbI6vfQ5/s320/100_3682.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">An artist at work.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyemkyoPrv54pO4j9vrnMUnQPZ6ZHEIdGsfmr1gTEjlIzFAAUNCDRjbQ3YkUMXMzMv0EaltMZ_rX90Bu3xJjgv5opwDrs_ogiF6espRRKTGg24iTKdimcm_jbDrFeQA1iEgoK-uBqAACf/s1600/100_3685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqyemkyoPrv54pO4j9vrnMUnQPZ6ZHEIdGsfmr1gTEjlIzFAAUNCDRjbQ3YkUMXMzMv0EaltMZ_rX90Bu3xJjgv5opwDrs_ogiF6espRRKTGg24iTKdimcm_jbDrFeQA1iEgoK-uBqAACf/s320/100_3685.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Of course we had to sample our masterpiece.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVBqFkSMFura-r-oFO2PSStnxPgJbnjbjhc_eMJlLHpguPj0x19EvGDU_2jxenb5YIJHGUtl7r21aiLlP5wxfQwqPMFHaIrCEqdGjHF_spAZ6OkJMFAKCbwnNEef3MjbqT65q8TTwDXqq/s1600/100_3690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhVBqFkSMFura-r-oFO2PSStnxPgJbnjbjhc_eMJlLHpguPj0x19EvGDU_2jxenb5YIJHGUtl7r21aiLlP5wxfQwqPMFHaIrCEqdGjHF_spAZ6OkJMFAKCbwnNEef3MjbqT65q8TTwDXqq/s320/100_3690.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Squish!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbkMs8iTbnT-nnNRWeeU_0-BEAoaPP00EkNefJRnSHM0OTCsuB8818nDuTbyVZ5Z4-_I7-vocoT3ks6pKevi4e9S3sbebTeLSX8Oc7wDmaT9jrjvVwtgnHovXHFldIM7lzD-aDw941g9X/s1600/100_3688.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLbkMs8iTbnT-nnNRWeeU_0-BEAoaPP00EkNefJRnSHM0OTCsuB8818nDuTbyVZ5Z4-_I7-vocoT3ks6pKevi4e9S3sbebTeLSX8Oc7wDmaT9jrjvVwtgnHovXHFldIM7lzD-aDw941g9X/s320/100_3688.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ta-da!</span> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZncf3GeuM8-euG54PlkGp-xrF5ujAzNMVLMMKgztJdqDu6_-nx7HWVpFnlLLHPgiChDKEhd0kSF05xHLTn3xD7z7bIyPcbQdfvpJZ5Er6ccr0Zhld8redqFaZx4wOXkMixOH1rrSULPRI/s1600/100_3691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZncf3GeuM8-euG54PlkGp-xrF5ujAzNMVLMMKgztJdqDu6_-nx7HWVpFnlLLHPgiChDKEhd0kSF05xHLTn3xD7z7bIyPcbQdfvpJZ5Er6ccr0Zhld8redqFaZx4wOXkMixOH1rrSULPRI/s320/100_3691.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Our delicious decorations.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Something else fun for the kiddos (and tired moms)? Quick and easy lunches packed full of good stuff and topped with "cheese." Shhh...they will never even know how good it is for them! They even liked the name of this dish. It made them giggle when they said it. I think Rachel Ray has a dish called this? Oh well...I'm claiming it! And who doesn't love giggling kids? Sure beats crying kids any day! :-)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Easy PEAS-y Cheezy Rice</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Brown Rice (I used some leftover rice I had in the fridge - about 2-3 cups)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Peas (you can use canned or frozen - about 1 1/2-2 cups)</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.wayfarefoods.com/content/products">We Can't Say It's Cheese!</a> - about 1/2-3/4 a tub of the Cheddar-style Dip</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix together, and heat. Serve to a hungry pack of kids alongside sliced apples or some grapes and smile. :-) This dish gives you a great boost of whole grains with the brown rice and whole grain oatmeal (in the cheese sauce)! Plus you sneak in a green veggie! Hooray!</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-90914583850459571622011-03-26T12:06:00.000-07:002011-03-26T12:36:25.482-07:00Celebrate Good Times, C'mon!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Hmmm...should I start things off like this?</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/zzOA37bY1po?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Or this?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/04854XqcfCY?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway you slice it...it's big news...I hit my big goal today!!! I lost 3 pounds this week bringing my grand total up and over the 100 pound mark (101.6 to be exact!). I am so overwhelmed with emotion that I am speechless. Well, almost...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://i.ytimg.com/vi/05_fbRGF_no/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/05_fbRGF_no?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/05_fbRGF_no?f=user_uploads&c=google-webdrive-0&app=youtube_gdata" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And by the way...the products I reviewed are from a company called WayFare and you can check out all of their products on their website <a href="http://www.wayfarefoods.com/content/products">here</a>. I promise you won't be disappointed!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This morning at my WW meeting there were so many things I wanted to say about the last year and a month (and 5 days...but who's counting really?). Looking back on all the changes I have made it is hard to consolidate everything into a short little "speech." The biggest thing I wanted to convey is that YOU are the only one responsible for your success. It has to be a personal journey. God gives you the strength and places the right people and information in your path, but YOU have to be willing to take it all and run with it. I think we all rely a little bit too much on other people and things to carry us through...and even though other people are SO incredibly important for support and motivation...you are the one that has to face the scale each week.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For so long I refused to take responsibility for my health. I fooled myself into believing that I was just destined to be overweight my whole life - that it wasn't my fault. I believed that somehow I was flawed or broken and that I couldn't be fixed. I think we all tell ourselves things like this from time to time.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Once I erased all memory of what I thought I knew about weight and diet and food I was able to soak in the truth. I broke off the unhealthy relationship I had with food and was able to see things clearer than I ever have. The information is truly out there we just have to be willing to search for it. Food is the ONE true "medicine" we all need. It is the only proactive approach to health. Medication and surgery are just ineffective solutions to a bigger issue - simply put, they are bandaids. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The biggest thing I have learned from WW is how to turn my need for control into a healthy habit. Before when I would "diet" I would restrict what I put into my mouth. I would keep myself away from things I love the most in an effort to get through a 6 month program. That was my form of control. Now I control my <b>lifestyle</b> by writing down (or tracking) what I eat and by keeping track of things like water intake, fruit and veggie intake, protein, whole grains, and dairy (or in my case non-dairy alternatives). I try to also exercise control when it comes to portion size (most of the time). It is not difficult or time-consuming to grab a measuring cup or a tablespoon and make sure I am not overeating. A food scale has become one of my greatest allies.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Don't underestimate the power of eating fresh, whole foods. Fruits and vegetables have such amazing power locked up inside. That power is transferred to us when we consume them. Food isn't meant to be in a box. Food in a box isn't healthy either. Make an effort to eat more fruits, veggies, and whole grains everyday. That was the very first step I took. I think that is the foundation of success when it comes to living a healthy life.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My best bud, Jaime, shared a fabulous cookbook with me the other day and I wanted to pass along a couple of recipes I tried out this week. the book is called, "Appetite for Reduction," by Chandra Moskowitz. You can check it out on amazon by clicking the link below! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theinc0a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1600940498&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Easy Breezy Cheezy Sauce</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3/4 cup nutritional yeast</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup all-purpose flour</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tsp garlic (I used fresh she called for powder)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tsp onion flakes (again, I used fresh)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 tsp salt</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/8 tsp ground turmeric</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T broth powder (I used Better Than Bouillon Veggie Soup Base)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 cups water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp prepared yellow mustard</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Place everything but the water and mustard in a bowl and stir to combine. Add water and whisk or use the back of a fork to mix and make smooth. Pour into a 2-quart saucepot and cook on medium-high heat, stirring often, for about 5 minutes. When the mixture comes to a boil, bring down the heat and cook for another 5 minutes while stirring constantly until it has a thick and smooth, cheese-like consistency. Mix in the mustard and add salt to taste. Serve over macaroni noodle or as a sauce over veggies. (My verdict: YUM! This one is a keeper!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This next recipe is a mind-blowing salad with a dressing that would taste good on anything - including a shoe...right, Jaim?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Green Onion-Miso Vinaigrette</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 cup red miso</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1-2 cups roughly chopped green onions (white and green parts)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 T rice vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tsp agave nectar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tsp chopped, fresh ginger</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 clove garlic</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 tsp toasted sesame oil</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 to 3/4 cup water</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Toss everything into a blender and blend until smooth. Use only 1/2 cup of the water to start with and then gradually add the last 1/4 cup to your desired thinness. Chill until ready to use. (My verdict: There aren't words to describe this delicious concoction.) P.S. this makes a lot of dressing - at least 4-5 servings.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And here is the salad...</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Sushi Roll Edamame Salad</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Serves 4</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup shelled frozen edamame, thawed</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 T rice vinegar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 tsp agave nectar</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">8 cups chopped romaine lettuce</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 cups cooked and cooled short-grain brown rice</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 small cucumber, cut into matchsticks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 medium sized carrot, cut into matchsticks</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 cup thinly sliced green onion</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 tsp sesame seeds</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 sheet nori, chiffonaded (this can be found in the Asian section)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 ounces sliced avocado</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Green Onion-Miso Dressing</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Basically...add the vinegar and agave to the edamame and toss. Chop your veggies. Place the lettuce in a big bowl and drizzle with a little dressing. Scoop the rice over the lettuce. Top with cucumber, carrot, green onion, sesame seeds, nori, and avocado. Serve the dressing on the side. (My verdict: You will want to keep this recipe very close at all times)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwURxVFrH20uwsOj7LVXTLa8rACNLtHB3_yNd-uD2zA8lLD0yfWkarCz41HcaOV-Hoq3nNaoDdTbaUcsJ7de_Sc5BAn5EoFcntItPDWjy1ncYYeNI41FtnYwBoo8TpMBL5ABtz5wD8vXdI/s1600/100_3672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwURxVFrH20uwsOj7LVXTLa8rACNLtHB3_yNd-uD2zA8lLD0yfWkarCz41HcaOV-Hoq3nNaoDdTbaUcsJ7de_Sc5BAn5EoFcntItPDWjy1ncYYeNI41FtnYwBoo8TpMBL5ABtz5wD8vXdI/s400/100_3672.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-66320609089272271082011-03-16T12:24:00.000-07:002011-03-16T12:24:14.114-07:00Mid-Week Pick-Me-Up!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So I can't remember which one you eat when you "feel like a nut" and which one you eat when "you don't," but I made some Vegan cupcakes today that had me singing that song. If you like chocolate and coconut you need to try these out. I adapted a recipe that I found online a) because I can and b) because no matter how many trips to the grocery and how many times I read the recipe...something always goes wrong. Today it was my oil. I sniffed two oils from my pantry and they both smelled rancid. I hate that. Such a waste of moolah! Anyway, despite my concerns about the cupcakes being a "complete disaster" this little alteration worked in my favor and gave these cupcakes their catchy name! ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Little MOUNDS of Vegan JOY Cupcakes</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3/4 c. Organic Raw Cane Sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 c. Soy Yogurt (SILK Vanilla Live is good)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 c. Coconut Oil (make sure it is really good quality)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 c. Unsweetened Applesauce</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 t. Pure Vanilla Extract</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 t. Baking Soda</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/4 t. Sea Salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T. Apple Cider Vinegar (or lemon juice)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2/3 c. Plain, Unsweetened Soy Milk</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 c. Unsweetened Cocoa Powder</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 c. Whole Wheat Pastry Flour (I use Bob's Red Mill)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Combine sugar, yogurt, oil, and applesauce with a hand mixer until smooth. (Tip: preheat your oven to 350 and set your jar of coconut oil on the stovetop to melt...it makes it MUCH easier to measure and mix). Add in vanilla, baking soda, and salt. Combine the apple cider vinegar with the plain soy milk and stir until it curdles. Add to the rest of the wet ingredients. Add cocoa powder, mix until smooth. Finally, add the flour and beat with a hand mixer until smooth. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 22-25 minutes or until tops are cracked and a toothpick comes out clean. This recipe makes exactly 12 perfect cupcakes.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you're feeling frisky and want to try out a dairy-free frosting - this one is super-simple! It is adapted from my "Skinny Bitch in the Kitch" cookbook.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 Container Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese (make sure it's plain b/c french onion might taste a little funny - true story)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 c. Ideal Confectionary Sweetener (the Xylitol powdered sugar alternative)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 T. Vanilla</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pinch of salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Combine and ENJOY!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">By the way...last week I lost 0.6 pounds bringing my total to 98.2 - only 1.8 to 100!!! *Crossing fingers!*</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/s55QoIZScP4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-50191171230387296822011-03-05T11:32:00.000-08:002011-03-05T11:32:30.293-08:00Roses Are Red...<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">As promised I am going to start a series of blog posts that I am lovingly naming, "The Skittles Series." Hehe. It will be an homage to one of my new favorite cookbooks, "Color Me Vegan," by Colleen Patrick-Goudreau which encourages us to eat more fruits and veggies in an array of colors. Basically I will be pushing my readers (and myself) to "taste the rainbow' - hence the name. ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><iframe align="left" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0" scrolling="no" src="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm?t=theinc0a-20&o=1&p=8&l=bpl&asins=1592334393&fc1=000000&IS2=1&lt1=_blank&m=amazon&lc1=0000FF&bc1=000000&bg1=FFFFFF&f=ifr" style="align: left; height: 245px; padding-right: 10px; padding-top: 5px; width: 131px;"></iframe></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week is all about the color RED! We are going to amp up our red-food power this week! Red is such sexy color! So to start things off, let's name some common red foods. Pick a few items from this list to incorporate into your weekly menu:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Fruits</b>: strawberries, cherries, red pears, red grapes, grapefruit, red apples, cranberries, raspberries, pomegranates, watermelon, and tomatoes are technically also a fruit...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Veggies</b>: I'll add tomatoes here too b/c most of us eat them like a veggie, red potatoes, beets, red beans, red lentils, red cabbage, red onion, red peppers (bell and hot)...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Some other less common but delicious "reds" are red quinoa, elderberry, rhubarb, red miso, guava, papaya, and red okra (which I haven't seen around here).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what is the deal with red foods? Why are they red and why should we eat them? First of all, let's start off with this: all plants contain substances called phytochemicals/phytonutrients (which is the basis behind this book). Phytochemicals are created inside the plant to protect them from the elements and from animals and insects. These "protective substances" are transferred to us when we consume them! Would you believe that there are over 100 different phytochemicals in just ONE serving of vegetables? Wow!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You've probably heard of antioxidants, right? Most of us have. They are ALSO present in large amounts in plants. There are a lot of similarities between phytochemicals and antioxidants. For the purpose of this blog, let's just say that we need them both because they help protect our bodies from the inside out. They help build our defenses against diseases and even slow the aging process!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So what is unique about red foods? There are several dominant phytochemicals in red foods that are worth looking at. We will focus on two. The first, and probably most commonly known phytochemical is lycopene. Lycopene is responsible for making tomatoes red and watermelon, grapefruit, guava, and papaya pink. Lycopene concentrates itself in certain organs of the body - mostly in the lungs and prostate gland (pay attention and tell your hubby!). Its super-power is the ability to treat and prevent prostate cancer, heart disease, breast cancer, and various eye ailments (like cataracts). Let's all cheer for lycopene! Tip: to unleash lycopene's full potential - cook lycopene-rich foods before eating them...let's all eat some spaghetti (with whole wheat noodles of course) to celebrate! (p.s. ketchup doesn't count...unless you make your own OR buy organic ketchup sans HFCS!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Another phytochemical found in red foods are betacyanins. Betacyanins are found in foods like beets, red carrots (who knew!), red grape skins, red chard, elderberry, and red cabbage. They, like lycopene, boast protective powers in the area of cancer-prevention and treatment!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To give you a couple of ideas to try this week and up your red ante...I chose two recipes from the red chapter (which was very tough because they all look SO good)!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Harvard Beets</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 pounds (about 5 medium) fresh beets, scrubbed</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. fresh orange juice</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 tsp. cornstarch</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 c. apple cider vinegar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T. non-dairy butter (like Earth Balance)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Salt, to taste</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 T minced, fresh parsley</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">She gives several ideas for preparing the beets, but here is the method I am going to use: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Trim the greens from the beets leaving at least 1 inch of the stems attached so that the pigment won't run out during the cooking process. Place the unpeeled, whole beets in a large casserole dish, adding some water to the bottom of the dish and drizzle with olive oil. Cover the dish with foil and roast for about 1 hour and 15 minutes or until the beets are fork-tender. When they are cool enough to handle, slip the skins off, cut the stem off, and slice into bite-size chunks.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">While your beets are cooking, in a medium-sized pot over medium heat, whisk together the orange juice, sugar, cornstarch, and vinegar. Make sure the cornstarch dissolves completely. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil, whisking constantly. Once it's thickened a bit, remove from heat and stir in the butter until melted.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Stir the cooked, diced beets into the sauce. Serve either hot or at room temperature. Salt to taste and garnish with fresh parsley.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And for a yummy dessert? I've gotcha covered!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u>Watermelon Granita</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><u><br />
</u></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 c. sugar</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/3 c. water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 cups seedless watermelon chunks</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Juice of 1 lime</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mint leaves, for garnish (optional)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Make a simple syrup by heating the sugar and water in a pan over high heat and stirring until all the sugar is dissolved. Set aside and cool. Add the cooled syrup, lime juice, and watermelon chunks to a blender. Puree until smooth. Pour into a shallow, wide pan and freeze for one hour. Rake with a fork and freeze for another hour. The whole process takes three hours total - you get the idea. Rake again before serving. It can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 days (but who wants to wait?). Serve in margarita glasses or large wine goblets and garnish with mint and watermelon rind. Easy, peasy. :-) It looks like a slushy or Italian ice when finished. I wish I could get a good picture to show you...I guess you'll just have to buy the book...hehe. Actually if you click on the link above and then click, "look inside this book" you can see for yourself! Purty!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week I lost another 1.4 pounds! That brings my total loss to 97.6 pounds! Is it just me or is this 100 thing taking FOR-EV-ER?? Haha.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a SUPER-sexy <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><u><b>RED</b></u></span> kind of week! Muah!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-55714242501097617132011-02-26T11:09:00.000-08:002011-02-26T11:23:46.458-08:00Ode to American Eagle Jeans<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There are very few material things in life that I get excited about. I gave up on fashion a long time ago - even more so when I became a mom. There's just something that doesn't quite line up with designer duds and spit-up. Sweet potato puree doesn't look too sexy on a pair of stiletto heels either.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I pride myself in getting by with a few good pieces in my wardrobe and a handful of not-so-great pieces that I refer to as "work clothes" and/or pajamas. However, I have always loved a great pair of jeans. (and no I am NOT referring to pajama jeans - lord have mercy) You all have probably picked up on my slight obsession with finding cute denim.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">A couple of years ago (and more than likely pregnant) I was de-cluttering my closet - getting rid of things that I had been holding onto in hopes that they would fit again one day. Reluctantly I added a pair of American Eagle jeans to the black trash bag. They were simple - nothing fancy, but worn-in and by far the most comfortable and best-fitting pair of jeans I had owned. Visions of wearing them again faded and I passed them on.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I don't recall stepping foot in an American Eagle store so I can't remember how I ended up with a pair of AE jeans. I mean, I have nothing against their clothes. They sell really nice stuff, but they are slightly over-priced in my opinion...and their clothes are typically on the small side. Come to think of it...maybe I went in the store with my sister to buy a purse or hat or something. Who knows?</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Normally I don't regret giving things away, but these jeans have haunted me from the day I got rid of them. The other day they crossed my mind again only this time I realized that if I would have held on to them I would have been able to wear them again! Ugh! So...I set out to find another pair! </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To my surprise American Eagle still sells jeans (enter sarcasm here)! Imagine that!?! I ordered a pair and awaited their arrival.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">When they came I ripped open the package and immediately had to try them on. They were soft and had just the perfect amount of distressing (which my parents still believe is a rip-off) and they fit! I jumped around and modeled them for my kids who are always willing to dish out compliments. By the end of the night...I noticed something...they were too baggy! I debated on whether or not I wanted to let them go again...only this time I was happy to send them away because they were too big NOT too small!! I can't wait to get my new pair in the mail next week. Upon opening the package, I will once again leap around like a fancy unicorn! LOL. ;-)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEf3Tg71gZE03aD6Gpg5B3TSNY4JOgvpI_gLABO5NNu8s0q9paJkgAQdLZ6R4d1Px0hbEsGfWeg-BKWf6vDj89deBbI2Bghz7Lf9MPVGQD5NJLE9VHktkkr4VIvaQQY7JEvCeI08UU7Lz/s1600/0433_7158_575_of.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEf3Tg71gZE03aD6Gpg5B3TSNY4JOgvpI_gLABO5NNu8s0q9paJkgAQdLZ6R4d1Px0hbEsGfWeg-BKWf6vDj89deBbI2Bghz7Lf9MPVGQD5NJLE9VHktkkr4VIvaQQY7JEvCeI08UU7Lz/s400/0433_7158_575_of.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week I lost 1.8 pounds! That brings my total to 96.2 pounds - 3.8 pounds to 100!!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am going to start a series of blog posts inspired by a great cookbook I got for Christmas called, "Color Me Vegan." Aside from being a GREAT cookbook, it is packed with tons of information about nutrition. I can't wait to pass along some of the valuable info as well as some delicious recipes!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Have a great week!</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-12863974621645394162011-02-19T12:58:00.000-08:002011-02-19T13:03:59.730-08:00Happy Anniversary!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I'm feeling all smooshy inside because tomorrow marks the one-year anniversary of my journey. One year ago I threw up my hands at my lazy, toxic lifestyle, prayed for direction, and walked into the doors at Weight Watchers. Everyone was so friendly and smiling - except me. I was miserable. I still remember the sinking feeling I had as I stepped on the scale. I remember the shock I felt as I realized that my weight had reached an all-time high of 321.8 pounds. I stared at the number for quite a while. I couldn't get over it. Numbers like that will jerk you into reality real quick.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Aside from the fear and shock, I also remember the freedom that came as I walked out of the doors that day. I looked at my reflection in the large panes of glass and I shuddered. I was so embarrassed...but at the same time I felt free. I felt free because I took a stand that day - I stood up for "me" and stood up to myself - that was a big step in the right direction. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I opened my mind to the possibilities. I became a sponge that day...soaking up information. I threw out everything I thought I knew about nutrition and "dieting" and health and I started over at a ground level.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">You know I think the biggest change for me was surrendering my life, my food, my habits, my body, and my family over to God. I acknowledged the fact that, yes, I have been a failure before. I have gained and lost and lost and gained a million times. The difference is will-power vs. God-power. My will-power is strong to a point...until hurt comes along...until stress comes along...until cookies come along. (haha) But GOD-power? It is never-failing, never-ceasing - no matter what the circumstances. THAT was the power I had been missing. Talk about the ultimate WW buddy!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am so looking forward to what the next year of my journey will bring! Today I tried on some jeans and was able to zip up a size 16. That is the size I wore in high school! :-) Of course my body doesn't quite look the same as it did back then! Four kids have a way of giving you that used-and-abused kind of look! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week I had a slight gain - 0.4 pounds. No big deal. I think 94.4 pounds is pretty darn good for a year...don't you? Just 5.6 pounds away from 100! I can't wait!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In honor of my 1-year anniversary, here is a song that really spoke to me at the beginning of my journey. We sang it at church the day after I started WW. I got to sing back-up that day. Coincidence? I hope it will inspire and motivate YOU!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/X2wpcpYLrQ0?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And lastly I'll leave you with this quote from one of my favorite songs, "Our God," by Chris Tomlin: "And if our God is for us than who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what could stand against?"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-81998073335694710742011-02-12T11:57:00.000-08:002011-02-12T11:57:57.929-08:00Getting Stronger<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I learned something about myself this week...I am strong even under pressure...and boy has life been weighing down on me lately! I am not trying to give you a sob story. I am merely hoping to ignite YOUR inner strong-man.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">These past few weeks have beat me up pretty good. We have been from Dr. to Dr., to ear tubes and adenoid removal, to RSV, to hospital stay, to no sleep, disturbed sleep, coughing, puking, breathing treatments, whining...SIGH...you name it...we've had it. I am truly exhausted mentally and physically. I think a year ago my comfort would have been found in food. I would have tried to eat myself happy! But at the present, I have to say I am pretty proud.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have done a whole lot of praying and crying. I have leaned heavily on the shoulders of friends and family. I have facebooked myself 'til I was blue in the face. I have talked to my mom A LOT on the phone. I have thanked God for my amazing husband. But not once have I thrown my hands in the air and said, "Forget it! Bring on the chocolate cake!"</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have to say that this is a big step in my journey. This "test" shows me where my heart truly lies. This time of assault on my sanity separates "going through the motions" from true lifestyle change. Even though there have been many days lately where I have felt like my head was barely above water, I still took a stand and went out of my way to take care of ME (nutritionally speaking).</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have relied a lot on soups and big honkin' salads, but there hasn't been one run to a fast-food drive-thru...and not one late-night dessert run to Marsh. That's big news for me.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Last week I stayed the same - no gain or loss - just maintained. This week I lost 1.6 pounds AND I worked out with Jillian Michaels on the dusty treadmill! Hooray! That brings my total loss to 94.8 pounds - only 5.2 to 100!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I promised to include some fun and delicious snack-attack foods this week. I have been experimenting with healthy alternatives to some favorite snack foods:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1. The elusive Cheeseball</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2. Rice Crispy Treats</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">First and foremost - the cheeseball. So what is wrong with a good cheeseball? Well, it's just pretty much a big ball of cream cheese with some green onions and some weird stuff they call "chipped beef" (at least that's the kind my momma used to make) rolled around in pecans. Not a whole lot of nutrition - but I have to admit...everyone likes a good ball o' cheese - even me! So what is a dairy-free girl to do?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Well, first of all, you need some good friends who are in-the-know. My friend, Morgan, from the Little House of Veggies site sure knows her stuff. When I saw this recipe last week I knew I had to try it out. Guaranteed to please any cheeseball lover (and don't you dare say, "ew!" until you try it!)...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Herbed Cashew Cheese</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">3 cups raw, unsalted cashews</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 3/4 cups water</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">6 capsules of probiotic power (you can use acidophilus or all-flora capsules)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Soak the cashews for at least 2 hours, and then rinse well (just put enough water over them to cover). Place cashews in a blender with the 1 3/4 c. of water and probiotic powder. Blend until VERY smooth. Place the "cheese" into cheesecloth and set into a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Cover the top of the cheese with the cheesecloth too. Place a weighted plate on top of the cheese and let sit overnight to drain excess water and also allow the cheese to ferment. In the morning scoop the cheese into a bowl and add:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">juice of 1 lemon</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 green onion, white and green parts, chopped</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">large handful parsley, chopped (I used freeze-dried b/c that is all I had)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 clove garlic, minced</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2 T nutritional yeast flakes (Sunspot or Whole Foods in the bulk bins)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 tsp sea salt</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">cracked black pepper</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Mix everything together and place into refrigerator until ready. I let mine sit for several hours so that the flavors could really meld.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is her original recipe - <a href="http://littlehouseofveggies.blogspot.com/2011/02/english-muffin-ssandwich-with-marinated.html">Herbed Cashew Cheese</a> and some yummy ideas on how to use it! I just spread it on some whole wheat crackers and had my moment of cheesy euphoria!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">On to snack-tastic food #2. Ahhh...the rice crispy treat...so good and yet so bad. But I can fix that!! Healthy crispy treats to the rescue!!! This recipe is from one of my favorite books, "The Kind Diet," by Alicia Silverstone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Crispy Peanut Butter Treats with Chocolate Chips</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 box Brown Rice Cereal (try Barbara's Organic Brown Rice Crisps)<br />
1 3/4 cups Brown Rice Syrup (pretty much a whole jar - I use Lundberg)<br />
3/4 cup peanut butter (natural w/ no added crud - the label should say: peanuts - I like Smuckers Natural)<br />
1/2 cup non-dairy, grain-sweetened choc. chips (try Sunspire of Ghiradelli)<br />
<br />
Pour brown rice cereal into a large bowl. Heat brown rice syrup on low heat until it liquifies and then stir in peanut butter. Continue to heat over low heat until well combined. Add to cereal and stir to coat. After cooled to room temperature add the choc chips. Place in an 8X8 pan and let cool completely before cutting into squares. :-) Enjoy!!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">WARNING!!! Both of these recipes are highly addictive and even though they are healthy...you still have to portion them out! I figured up the P+ on the PB treats and they are 8P+ for 1/12 of the recipe - which gives you a good slab (they are really thick pieces).</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I had planned on sharing a great trail mix recipe, but like a space cadet I returned the cookbook to the library. I will have to post that one next time! Have a great and STRONG week! You can do it!!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-15661691227943593972011-02-02T17:59:00.000-08:002011-02-03T06:56:41.308-08:00Soup-er Comfy Soups!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have been promising...and now it's finally here! I figured it was appropriate right now since we are buried under 100 feet of snow and in the midst of THE BLIZZARD OF 2011 (said in a dramatic movie-preview voice)...or not. Even though we are not truly in a frozen, wintery catastrophe they are predicting some pretty chilly temps. In honor of cold and flu season and cold, cold weather that makes you want to curl up and hibernate, I bring you...</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">My favorite-ist (is that a word?) soups!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The first two are simple. Cold weather just screams chili and my absolute favorite chili recipe is from The Little House of Veggies website (check it out for some amazing veg recipes). You have all probably heard me talk about it a time or ten. You can click on the link below to check it out!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://littlehouseofveggies.blogspot.com/2010/10/morgans-veggie-chili-and-whole-grain.html">Morgan's Veggie Chili</a></span><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I actually just made a huge pot of it tonight! YUM! I always double the recipe because the leftovers are quick and easy and only 3 P+ for a cup! I use Quorn grounds (1/2 bag or a whole bag if you double the recipe) in place of the Yves meatless grounds (which are also good...but I like the texture of Quorn grounds better). The other change I make is I use (for a double batch) 2 cans of diced tomatoes, 1 can of Rotel mild tomatoes and chiles, and 1 can of tomato sauce instead of 4 cans of diced tomatoes. It is a quick, easy, and delicious recipe that will fill you up and keep you warm! </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The next one that I have featured on the blog before is the Slow-Cooker Lentil Soup I found on the WW website. I think this one really surprised the whole family. Everyone slurped it down and my husband even wanted seconds! You can check out the recipe by clicking the link below!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeId=143541">Slow Cooker Lentil Soup</a></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uErOMo7OyjIJJH0cvYEF7PlqiHRq45BSLTL9uBsHfBnrup7dX9dppWWp42nAmOygvIL5kdz7CqnkmSVeXNoDHLwq-WdNHlbQZtOFeO7PV1N7ZILVXUBuZPufxkeogQH9BL7sVUj43qAn/s1600/SlowCookLentilSoup_n_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9uErOMo7OyjIJJH0cvYEF7PlqiHRq45BSLTL9uBsHfBnrup7dX9dppWWp42nAmOygvIL5kdz7CqnkmSVeXNoDHLwq-WdNHlbQZtOFeO7PV1N7ZILVXUBuZPufxkeogQH9BL7sVUj43qAn/s1600/SlowCookLentilSoup_n_lg.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am planning on making this again later in the week. The changes (because there always are changes you know)? I added some extra carrots and celery, used vegetable stock instead of chicken broth, and I omitted the Canadian bacon. Again, this is another simple and hearty recipe that really fills you up for only 5 P+ per 1 1/2 cups!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">One thing I love about WW is the people that you meet at the meetings. It becomes a second family. I love bouncing ideas off of other members and I love getting tips and recipes too! The next two soups are some new favorites that I have added to my soup arsenal - both were inspired by recipes from WW buddies (Thanks Lynelle and Jaime)!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Lynelle's Taco Soup</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
1 onion<br />
16 oz veggie broth (I use Imagine brand No-Chicken Chicken Broth)<br />
15 oz can of f/f refried beans<br />
15 oz can of black beans<br />
15 oz can of pinto beans<br />
15 oz can of diced tomatoes<br />
15 oz can of diced tomatoes w/ chiles<br />
2 cans of whole kernel corn<br />
1 packet of taco seasoning<br />
<br />
Saute the onion, dump everything together, & bring to boil. Simmer for 5-10 minutes. How's that for EASY directions? This soup weighs-in at only 3 P+ per cup! My kids are probably partial to this soup - mostly because it is one of the few opportunities I allow them to eat chips. We crumble tortilla chips and sprinkle with Veggie Shreds "cheese" and top with about 1T of Tofutti - Better Than Sour Cream. So good. So, so good.<br />
<br />
Last but not least...a perfect soup to have around for the moment you hear a sneeze or sniffle. Most people associate being sick with chicken noodle soup, but I beg to differ! This soup packs a 1-2 punch with healing garlic and ginger and LOTS of great veggies! I have to apologize because I kinda made this up on the fly trying to mimic a soup one of my best buds brought to me and I used a WW recipe to help me get ratios right. Here is the WW version:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/index.aspx?recipeid=140501&tab=2&sort=1">Asian-Inspired Vegetable Soup</a></span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="color: #333233; font: 14.0px Minya; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVuZ47eZIU1BcDM2z42VtCoXfPU0Gctlb5zGPbXV77wDf90J8Zht1H3WxmPYwCIOAiVb6Vq2yh7vjv0pNuR7TKtGfpDbkhCKwTbhCUZqF3r9lFz6UoAUdenEI38YF7dypngGzIWI57-nb/s1600/AsianZeroPointsSoup_n_lg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVuZ47eZIU1BcDM2z42VtCoXfPU0Gctlb5zGPbXV77wDf90J8Zht1H3WxmPYwCIOAiVb6Vq2yh7vjv0pNuR7TKtGfpDbkhCKwTbhCUZqF3r9lFz6UoAUdenEI38YF7dypngGzIWI57-nb/s1600/AsianZeroPointsSoup_n_lg.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>And here are my changes:<br />
<br />
I changed up the veggies for what I had in my fridge. I used: carrots, celery, 1 head of bok choy, 1 head chinese (napa) cabbage, 1 head of broccoli, 1 can water chestnuts, one red pepper, and one large onion. I omitted the peas b/c I didn't have any and I also omitted the mushrooms b/c my soup pot was getting REALLY full at this point! If you use the veggies I listed above you will need more veggie stock than the WW recipe calls for - I think I ended up using 3 boxes of dark veggie stock. Basically you need enough to cover all your vegetables. The cabbage will wilt down so once it has cooked for a while you will be good. Other changes? I used A LOT more garlic - probably double what it says and I grated my fresh ginger (please use fresh - don't use ground ginger from your spice cabinet!). I swapped cayenne pepper for the red pepper flakes - just a couple pinches will do ya. And last but not least I used BRAGGS Liquid Aminos in place of soy sauce. I would guess that I used at least 1/4 c to start out (mind you this is a big pot of soup). At the end I added a little more to taste. The WW recipe says it has 1 P+ per cup, but since I left the peas out I am 99% sure it is a big fat ZERO! Hooray!!<br />
<br />
I am telling you that you will have super-powers if you eat this soup! It has so much good in it that there will be no room for the bad. It is magic soup! That is why I am calling it, "Jaime's Magical Soup!" :-) Don't believe me? Check out ginger and garlic's super-medicinal-powers!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/ginger.html">Super Ginger!</a> (hey it can even spice up your...um...love life!)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.theepicentre.com/Spices/garlic.html">Super Garlic!</a><br />
<br />
Oh yeah...almost forgot...I got so giddy about soup I didn't deliver the latest news! This last week I lost another 0.8 pounds bringing my total loss to 93.2 pounds! T-minus 6.8 pounds to the 100 pound celebration!!<br />
<br />
Have a SOUP-ER week!<br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div style="color: #333233; font: 14.0px Minya; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small; line-height: normal;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> <br />
</span></span></span></span> </span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 14.0px Minya; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div style="color: #333233; font: 14.0px Minya; line-height: 14.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><br />
</span></span></span></div></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-60997622734302523942011-01-22T12:30:00.000-08:002011-01-22T12:30:44.229-08:00The Protein Myth Buster<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Probably the most commonly asked question I get since I have decided to cut out meat is, "but how do you get your protein?!? (said in an intense and concerned tone)" Let's face it...we Americans love protein. We love to talk about it, we love to eat it, and the cattle farmers rejoice! ;-) In all seriousness, though, this is a very important topic. Most people go around their whole life thinking that meat is a superior form of protein and if you're not eating it you will eventually wind up looking something like this:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tSPX8vQ_jQdh0nkOwV0pYtwNO8NPFaSWdJ27SbIvkGUlabwLIRrgdu6FGiFlFWaPtsX9xCL-cOjyxkMukUojdraDmDtDQ6Nx0wtEXGf5VQLiAzOzkfXY9MApdpSs2_X6fUL2JymarWeo/s1600/olive+oyl.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tSPX8vQ_jQdh0nkOwV0pYtwNO8NPFaSWdJ27SbIvkGUlabwLIRrgdu6FGiFlFWaPtsX9xCL-cOjyxkMukUojdraDmDtDQ6Nx0wtEXGf5VQLiAzOzkfXY9MApdpSs2_X6fUL2JymarWeo/s320/olive+oyl.jpg" width="177" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The truth? You need a whole lot less protein than you think, however it IS still very important! It is what keeps us ticking and it keeps you feeling satisfied longer which staves off hunger! The most shocking part of the story is that you can get protein from just about ANY food! Check this out (from <a href="http://www.vrg.org/">www.vrg.org</a>):</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><table align="center" class="article" id="table2" style="background-color: #eedaf2; border-bottom-color: navy; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 4px; border-left-color: navy; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 4px; border-right-color: navy; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 4px; border-top-color: navy; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 4px; color: #1f1f1f; font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 0.95em; line-height: 16px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; margin-top: 1em; width: 609px;" summary="Protein Content of Selected Vegan Foods"><tbody>
<tr><td class="title" colspan="4" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;"><div style="color: #660066; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">Table 2: Protein Content of Selected Vegan Foods</div></td></tr>
<tr><td class="colhdr" style="background-color: #ccccff; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">FOOD</td><td class="colhdr" style="background-color: #ccccff; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">AMOUNT</td><td class="colhdr" style="background-color: #ccccff; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">PROTEIN(gm)</td><td class="colhdr" style="background-color: #ccccff; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">PROTEIN(gm/100 cal)</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Tempeh</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">41</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9.3</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Seitan</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">3 ounces</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">31</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">22.1</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Soybeans, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">29</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9.6</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Lentils, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">18</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">7.8</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Black beans, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">15</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Kidney beans, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">13</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6.4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Veggie burger</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 patty</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">13</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">13.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Chickpeas, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">12</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">4.2</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Veggie baked beans</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">12</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Pinto beans, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">12</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Black-eyed peas, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">11</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6.2</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Tofu, firm</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">4 ounces</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">11</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">11.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Lima beans, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">10</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Quinoa, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.5</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Tofu, regular</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">4 ounces</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">10.6</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Bagel</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 med.<br />
(3 oz)</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.9</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Peas, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">9</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6.4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP), cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1/2 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8.4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Peanut butter</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">2 Tbsp</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">4.3</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Veggie dog</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 link</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">13.3</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Spaghetti, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Almonds</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1/4 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">8</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Soy milk, commercial, plain</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">7</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">7.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Soy yogurt, plain</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">6 ounces</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">4.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Bulgur, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Sunflower seeds</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1/4 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.3</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Whole wheat bread</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">2 slices</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">3.9</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Cashews</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1/4 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">2.7</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Almond butter</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">2 Tbsp</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">2.4</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Brown rice, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">2.1</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Spinach, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">5</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">13.0</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Broccoli, cooked</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 cup</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">4</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">6.8</td></tr>
<tr><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">Potato</td><td style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;">1 med.<br />
(6 oz)</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">4</td><td class="value" style="font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; text-align: center;">2.7</td></tr>
<tr><td class="lgnd" colspan="4" style="border-top-color: navy; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 4px; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.8em; font-weight: bold; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><span style="color: navy;">Sources:</span> USDA Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 18, 2005 and manufacturers' information.</div><div style="margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0.5em; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;">The recommendation for protein for adult males vegans is around 56-70 grams per day; for adult female vegans it is around 46-58 grams per day (see text).</div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>We need about 0.45 grams of protein per pound that we weigh. To say it another way - only about 1 calorie for every 100 we eat needs to come from a protein source. I don't want to downplay the role of protein in our diet because it is essential, but I do think it is important to realize that most of us eat way more than we need without even trying (forget the excess protein we get in supplements and shakes and bars). As long as you are eating a varied diet - one that consists of veggies, fruit, beans, grains, nuts, seeds and such you should be more than fine in the protein department.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So...what is this "complete protein" business? What does that mean? Don't you have to combine foods to get the magic protein potion? To answer that question, let's take a short trip back to High School Biology...cue pimples...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Proteins are made of amino acids. Amino acids are the building blocks of life as we know it. We make some amino acids on our own - others we obtain through the food that we ingest. These "needed" amino acids are called "essential." Some of the essential amino acids are: tyrosine, lysine, tryptophan, valine, and leucine (I picked the easiest ones to spell - haha). A food is considered a "complete protein" when it contains all of the essential amino acids. Meat is a complete protein (that's why most people consider it THE protein source). This concludes your Biology lesson.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The old school thought was that in order for a vegetarian or vegan to get a complete protein they had to eat foods together in the same meal that when combined had the full set of essential amino acids. One common and easy power-duo is beans and rice. Today it is known that while beans and rice are delicious together it isn't necessary that they are eaten together to reap the nutritional benefits. In fact, our bodies are so well-designed (imagine that...our Creator knew what He was doing!) that they can pull the things we need from different foods all day long and then fit them together like a giant jigsaw puzzle! Pretty amazing, huh?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">There is a lot more information out there on this topic. Some of it is over my head. The site I found some of my information on is <a href="http://www.vrg.org/">The Vegetarian Resource Group</a>. There are many, many others. Try searching: "vegetarian protein sources" or "vegan bodybuilders" - chances are you will learn something new! If you do - please share!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">If you remember last week I had a gain and I was determined to press on. This week I lost 3.6 pounds!! That brings my total to 92.4 pounds! T-minus 7.6 pounds to 100! ;-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This week at WW we talked about treating yourself to something you love. I know too well that depriving myself causes overindulgence, so in honor of treating myself this week I bought my favorite treat...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx8LBJqLzJLsO6bfSVUhIXrne0o2QGYfdwyZEKyQ3np1o4K2OsuXM-lBRCDwBemWHVE4GVfkwv5j4_oqKLGX6ZgMtG_3XyOuNDF3vlraG53Y8CUFhuKrYC1mRqrPJC46ec5GKJKdeTaDy/s1600/newblog12211.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbx8LBJqLzJLsO6bfSVUhIXrne0o2QGYfdwyZEKyQ3np1o4K2OsuXM-lBRCDwBemWHVE4GVfkwv5j4_oqKLGX6ZgMtG_3XyOuNDF3vlraG53Y8CUFhuKrYC1mRqrPJC46ec5GKJKdeTaDy/s400/newblog12211.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.ChocolateBar.com/">Endangered Species Chocolate!</a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Be on the look-out for a post coming soon all about soups entitled, "The Soup Nazi"...it will include some of my current favorite soup recipes from friends and family. What could be better on a cold day???</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-86809312362962456552011-01-18T16:02:00.000-08:002011-01-18T16:02:29.580-08:00Produce Power!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Tuesdays are grocery day in the Colescott household. The pantry and refrigerator were looking pretty thin...I actually cried this morning because we were out of bananas...well, almost. I had to improvise and toss some chopped apple and dried cranberries into my groats instead of a banana. ;-) I've discovered that sometimes if I am in a rut I just need a little inspiration. One sure-fire way to breathe new life back into my meals and snacks is to go walk through the produce aisle. Meijer is one of the BEST places in Kokomo to do just that. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">They carry some fruits and veggies I haven't even heard of and many that I have never tasted. So today my two sons and I leisurely walked up and down the aisles in the produce section to grab some favorites as well as some new finds for the week.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I call it my <b>pRoDuCe pOwEr</b> - my ammo to fight for another week. The bad guy? Junk food. The good guys? See below...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For those of you who are still convinced that eating healthy is way to expensive...and also to the coupon clipping, deal-seeking peeps out there...here is what I came home with today: </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMaJKuQaWTiuFkZqxCi47oMARwurFlRcF-2AOJPoszuYAQccHzRoC_4CHVVn9QAPJxylCmkMeVCr-yOewfe4gpAXWBopJLSVW8nB9AVb0YcbF9P5OTC_4ziejUWIUhSa4_LpxPApkTXYE/s1600/100_3626.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihMaJKuQaWTiuFkZqxCi47oMARwurFlRcF-2AOJPoszuYAQccHzRoC_4CHVVn9QAPJxylCmkMeVCr-yOewfe4gpAXWBopJLSVW8nB9AVb0YcbF9P5OTC_4ziejUWIUhSa4_LpxPApkTXYE/s320/100_3626.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And here is everything unloaded...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlnIjKSmfBvG0zLei0l9detJLJzianrbCnXLbhqajOgQcOB8BCNjcXFbLOO-WHadIbBbK68AeMrJYtwPouIe_bd392ZRt6kXs15bmIccBeaLMFENh0KVxhEugaC-ayR-3z7pVexFAkZqb/s1600/100_3627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlnIjKSmfBvG0zLei0l9detJLJzianrbCnXLbhqajOgQcOB8BCNjcXFbLOO-WHadIbBbK68AeMrJYtwPouIe_bd392ZRt6kXs15bmIccBeaLMFENh0KVxhEugaC-ayR-3z7pVexFAkZqb/s320/100_3627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">How much do you think I spent?? There are 2 kinds of apples, bananas, mangoes, potatoes, red pears, oranges, zucchini, yellow squash, spaghetti squash, asparagus tips, Veggie Shreds, Flat-outs, Cheerios, 3 different salads, a small veggie tray...and some other packaged items like Kashi bars and pretzels...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7jilPQ7jxVXtbLxzHag6WKsw7NI_vib8susIq-EheqCyojxqwyWZi3iA3ze5jhFQmQ3NVzY70cq-hp75L6QHJcpkwaAsAIiaTAyL7SJuc1AzO-BNTCp8qUilKxXZeK-pwnqSpL2_iW5M/s1600/100_3628.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw7jilPQ7jxVXtbLxzHag6WKsw7NI_vib8susIq-EheqCyojxqwyWZi3iA3ze5jhFQmQ3NVzY70cq-hp75L6QHJcpkwaAsAIiaTAyL7SJuc1AzO-BNTCp8qUilKxXZeK-pwnqSpL2_iW5M/s320/100_3628.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">The total was $96 and some change!! I was pretty excited about that! Our budget for the week is $120. This will more than feed our family for the week! Of course I have some other staples already at home like beans and rice and Quorn products and I also have turkey burgers for the kids and veggie burgers for me.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyZpEXbfgYJOXadBnHaGO4icyVQvvJHOAwVOF_x8i2ctTEWJIKZnu9IXBL0BAdNUBBqMn7cZAq9YZ-tT4Hec6rGlB31U4v1PqfYGFAz0AeZamudZzYUUWxSjtgs19CssHaNtKKBqF2Y8/s1600/100_3629.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVyZpEXbfgYJOXadBnHaGO4icyVQvvJHOAwVOF_x8i2ctTEWJIKZnu9IXBL0BAdNUBBqMn7cZAq9YZ-tT4Hec6rGlB31U4v1PqfYGFAz0AeZamudZzYUUWxSjtgs19CssHaNtKKBqF2Y8/s320/100_3629.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Yes. We like bananas...and oranges...and apples. :-)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3YyXDrAXpOUWfukyViUihjNjE1q6kBjsOIjv3sgirvh3EgwoJ6q8lx_U-KkErwoMq1j1jFWT1JryPAqo9aYKw1GhTJGJQsw6JmcAXRLWevy9yoCkoDr3okC3ih6T6lmYkTLprg_UkKfv/s1600/100_3630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe3YyXDrAXpOUWfukyViUihjNjE1q6kBjsOIjv3sgirvh3EgwoJ6q8lx_U-KkErwoMq1j1jFWT1JryPAqo9aYKw1GhTJGJQsw6JmcAXRLWevy9yoCkoDr3okC3ih6T6lmYkTLprg_UkKfv/s320/100_3630.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Lots of "free" fruits and veg!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvtX64WrUuSIvDSvwEwoL7M4WzQN_EzutBWqiuqA2xVIBQev8FB42HgRnATY4yinxFSUgNx37jbXT0TTTs7TJvSWamadVFaWPazixqaVaVyiLlwTbjRZwBDPlruyMFX3Hgb1SGU9OfulM/s1600/100_3633.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYvtX64WrUuSIvDSvwEwoL7M4WzQN_EzutBWqiuqA2xVIBQev8FB42HgRnATY4yinxFSUgNx37jbXT0TTTs7TJvSWamadVFaWPazixqaVaVyiLlwTbjRZwBDPlruyMFX3Hgb1SGU9OfulM/s320/100_3633.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here are my "inspiration" foods for the week - above from L-R: turnips, rutabaga, and fennel. The plan is to roast them with some olive oil, salt, and pepper. Anyone know what I can use the fennel fronds for?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQjnyyDzD8NqHPT3Y9sQmac9ol5VkukxPTJa2QL9pr_hrtFcIOp7ThyKbuU3hktZ8gAPsErNnrUBQ0P-lK0U9BijtJ8PYUKl4iIHxLOpzHVULSS8Iplf0fJJ5s4qF4v6ujL47506ZHvS_/s1600/100_3634.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQjnyyDzD8NqHPT3Y9sQmac9ol5VkukxPTJa2QL9pr_hrtFcIOp7ThyKbuU3hktZ8gAPsErNnrUBQ0P-lK0U9BijtJ8PYUKl4iIHxLOpzHVULSS8Iplf0fJJ5s4qF4v6ujL47506ZHvS_/s320/100_3634.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">And these interesting beauties? Prickly Pears. The label said "intense berry flavor" - sounds intriguing!</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicv-LX0rjGVDkRzmy55g3zNR7QBHgRnvCOlsAAHU-FlyStBM31I2w4V6N0LbSGksGzpXPWuASwQ6bOe5TsBVQCBiDdzy1Cxa2etxCwlfcwcGksodSfVK-Y46wP7zCPObEmzlBfZtm_4bzi/s1600/100_3635.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicv-LX0rjGVDkRzmy55g3zNR7QBHgRnvCOlsAAHU-FlyStBM31I2w4V6N0LbSGksGzpXPWuASwQ6bOe5TsBVQCBiDdzy1Cxa2etxCwlfcwcGksodSfVK-Y46wP7zCPObEmzlBfZtm_4bzi/s320/100_3635.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This was a recipe experiment from tonight. Sometimes I feel bad that I use my family members as guinea pigs, but most of the time I enjoy it. Haha. It's my payback for all of the dirty diapers! This is my veggie version of a Shepherd's Pie. It was actually quite smashing, love (said in my best brit accent).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yhgtMx0b50d1OM2xVVRdvtoUs4bsXVGeeuVbEjFK59RVbP37PyTETuF2bWR7CkgFBE2VNmifcTUEUufC9LtnkxzxyaKEuZzZAKl5SOi9A-V645vRSf7bUr74_g1p7vZrZCYn4VlUg47N/s1600/100_3636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yhgtMx0b50d1OM2xVVRdvtoUs4bsXVGeeuVbEjFK59RVbP37PyTETuF2bWR7CkgFBE2VNmifcTUEUufC9LtnkxzxyaKEuZzZAKl5SOi9A-V645vRSf7bUr74_g1p7vZrZCYn4VlUg47N/s320/100_3636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">In case you might want to try it out this week...here is the recipe! Sorry the picture looks like barf. I don't take very good food pictures.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Veggie Shepherd's Pie</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Olive oil</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 medium onion</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">garlic (I added about 6 cloves b/c I am a garlic freak)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2, 8 oz packages of sliced baby bella mushrooms</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 bag Quorn grounds</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 bag frozen peas</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1/2 bag frozen green beans</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 can carrots (I don't like frozen carrots at all!)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">5-6 small yellow potatoes</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">salt to taste</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pepper to taste</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">pinch of cayenne pepper</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">2-3 T cooking sherry</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups veggie broth/stock</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">4 T flour</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1 1/2 cups plain soy milk</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">1-2 tsp Worcestershire sauce</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Cut potatoes into halves or quarters and boil until tender. Spray olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions, mushrooms, and garlic and saute until onion is soft and mushrooms release their juices. Add Quorn grounds and heat through. Add peas, green beans, and carrots. Continue to heat through for about 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper, a pinch of cayenne, and the sherry. Whisk the flour with the veggie broth and stir into the vegetables. Continue to stir until the "gravy" thickens and then add the milk and Worcestershire. Pour into a 9 X 13 casserole pan. Mash potatoes (I add a little Earth Balance butter, garlic, salt and pepper, and plain soy milk to mine). Spread potatoes on top of veggies and place into a 350 degree oven until warmed through - about 10 minutes. For 1/12 of the total dish, the P+ value is 3! Score! (ps...I ate 2 servings for a P+ value of 6)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-family: Times; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-21910438692442643682011-01-17T17:57:00.000-08:002011-01-17T18:00:46.610-08:00Pressure<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am finding myself back in that "whiney baby" stage of the journey. It seems like I can coast for several weeks and then I start the stomping and complaining again. My complaint this time? A gain last week. It wasn't catastrophic and I kinda expected it, but it is still disappointing and I have to admit it knocks the wind out me a little bit. I can always list 15 reasons why I gained - you know the usual stress and lack of sleep and all of that, but when I am truly honest it comes down to getting a little too "free" with my choices. A few bites here that are unaccounted for and maybe a forgotten avocado there. It all adds up, and add to that sitting on my butt most of the day last Friday with my son who had surgery...it's a cocktail for disaster on the weight loss front. Don't get me wrong I didn't go raid Dunkin Donuts, but you can overeat healthy foods too!</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Something I did learn this week is that I need to listen to my body. The old me craved everything bad all of the time. Now I rarely have what I would call a true craving, but when I do I think it usually legitimate. For instance...I will crave pears or avocado if I go a few weeks without having them. I like that because it helps me keep putting a variety of foods in my mouth each week. This last week I craved a chocolate bar. I am not talking about a Snickers either (even though Snickers used to be my fav), I am talking about an Endangered Species bar...my favorite...dark chocolate with mint. I ignored the craving and passed it off as unnecessary - something the old me would want. I should have listened. All week I tried to fill that need with less healthy alternatives. Nothing satisfied me. After WW on Saturday...I bought my chocolate and I ate it. No more chocolate craving so far this week. Lesson learned.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is the deal though...I TRY not to let the gain get to me...I really do. But then the perfectionist and competitive side of me just won't let it go! And top that with the pressure of friends and family who look me up each week to ask the burning question, "how did you do this week???" I love having that accountability, but it sure sucks when I don't have negative numbers to report. Sometimes that pressure is too much for me to bear. Sometimes I wonder why people want to read my story or ask my advice. But then I think back to where I have come from...and I smile. I guess it's just a reminder that this is not really MY story to start with and that I need my Heavenly Father to carry me when I am weak.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am not sure if I let my guard down after the holidays or if I am just feeling rebellious, but I know that this isn't the end for me...not even CLOSE! I have so much more journey left. I think I just needed a kick in the pants! ;-) And...I needed to get out my rice cooker and make some yummy groats! One of my favorite breakfast treats!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">This last week I gained 1.4 pounds. BOO! That brings my total weight loss to 88.8. No worries. I'll be back to 90...and then 100 in no time! The plan for my 100 celebration? To revamp this site and a revamp my look...definitely looking forward to visiting my favorite hairdresser, Miss Joie! It's been way too long!</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I am looking forward to a great week. My plan for the week is to move my butt and really focus on good, healthy grains, veggies and fruits, and up my water intake again because I have gotten lazy about it. I am also trying to eat less at meal-time and have more snacks. Sometimes I find myself forgetting snacks and then it really sneaks up on me when it comes to meals. A little more balance is a good thing.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Looking forward to reporting back next week with some "negative" news! </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div></div>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4471747860747521459.post-28319234564235862832011-01-08T11:46:00.000-08:002011-01-08T11:46:18.674-08:00That's the Way the Cookie Crumbles<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So how was your December? Did you have a good Christmas? Eat too many cookies? Ham? Candy canes? Fudge (yum...one of my personal favs)? You're not alone! And guess what? It's January...December is gone! You can't change the things that you ate (or didn't eat) in December, but you CAN start fresh (literally) and take big steps toward making yourself the healthiest YOU you can be - today!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">We had our share of sweet treats in the Colescott household. Some of them ended up in the trash...well...some were in the trash b/c they didn't turn out the best (for example my mom's failed caramel corn - sorry mom) and some ended up in the trash b/c they were TOO good, too tempting. I didn't deprive myself this holiday. I ate cookies and more candy canes than I should have, but I also ate good things too. And, unlike other Christmas seasons past, I started over every day - like nothing had ever happened. I think it's OK every once in a while to have your cake and eat it too...really. It's not going to make or break you when you look at the big picture. My biggest obstacle in the past was not my mom's DE-licious fudge, it was the negative self-talk that came after the fudge. I stuck my fingers in my ears and started humming when I heard that voice this year!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Is all of the indulgence of the holidays GOOD for you? No. In fact, I woke up the day after "cookie baking day" and had what I am lovingly calling a "sugar hang-over." Don't laugh. I'm serious. My body felt like it had been beaten up from the inside. I had a blaring headache that intensified with every shrill scream from my kids, felt nauseous, and just wanted to lay on the couch all day. Sound familiar? It's been a long time since I have sailed with the Captain but I do remember what that feeling is like...vividly...unfortunately. *shudder* Just more proof that sugar is soooo bad for your body. :( BUT your body is so smart and so resilient that in a matter of days all of that junk is pushed out and sent packing with every bite of a banana or brown rice or any other innately healthy food. Isn't that amazing?!?</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Anyway, I hope that admitting that I also had some Christmas excess helps to encourage some of you who are still ridden with guilt. It's OK...really! So let's take a deep breath and get down to business!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Here is a recap of my December/January for those of you who are keeping track: week 1 (12/4): -2 pounds, week 2 (12/11): -0.8, week 3 (12/18): +0.6, week 4 (12/25): -2.8, and week 5 (1/1): -1.0. This week I lost another 0.4 pounds. That brings my "holiday season" (Dec/Jan) total to -6.4 pounds! :) Not even Mr. Gingerbread Man can stop me! Haha! My grand total as of today is -90.2 pounds...I am heading straight for that 100 pound mark! Can't wait to celebrate! How do YOU think I should celebrate the 100-pound mark? I need some ideas!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I tried some new things over the holiday season that I am really excited about. Here are a couple of my favorite new finds:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Baby broccoli/Broccolini: Have you had this before? I have seen them use it on the Food Network, but have never seen it in the grocery store until the other day. They were actually out of broccoli (something about a shortage?) so I was scouring the shelves for something comparable. Baby broccoli looks like asparagus (long, thin stems) with the "fuzzy" floret tops. The flavor was also an asparagus/broccoli hybrid - LOVE!! My sister bought us some fancy olive oil that is infused with roasted garlic and portabello mushrooms and I used it to saute the broccolini - it was divine! I highly recommend you give it a try! (the olive oil is from a small store my sister visited in Sedona, Arizona - her soon to be new home - sadness!)</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">Ideal "confectioner's sugar" sweetener - I have been searching for a powdered/confectioner's sugar substitute. There have been times that I have wanted to experiment with making a "healthier" icing or glaze for cupcakes or cinnamon rolls. I found this the other day at Meijer when I was shopping for cookie baking items. It is made of <a href="http://www.idealsweet.com/about/xylitol.html">Xylitol</a> (which is a naturally occuring sugar alcohol found in many fruits and vegetables) and <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maltodextrin">Maltodextrin</a> (a glucose-like substance derived from the starch in either corn or wheat). It is 84 calories per 1/4 cup so it is popular for people with diabetes. They also have "brown" sugar and regular sweetener packets and such. I REALLY was impressed with the flavor. We made a peppermint glaze with it for some candy cane cookies that we baked. The cookies were a flop (due to some expired shortening) but the glaze was wonderful! I'm not saying it is a HEALTHY food, but definitely a great alternative to powdered sugar in recipes!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxLCQlBvofjkFaydNpcqZRI4u5N9L9oMgGFxlSt7sEZooZp47iHM9zScOTVFjGjSBUYVW1GV00pTZ-GtB4d9dyeyugJA2Ys7COUzlumT4s0_Uxgran4mHZJafD0jf221yL9jQsAYNQMgi/s1600/slider_new.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpxLCQlBvofjkFaydNpcqZRI4u5N9L9oMgGFxlSt7sEZooZp47iHM9zScOTVFjGjSBUYVW1GV00pTZ-GtB4d9dyeyugJA2Ys7COUzlumT4s0_Uxgran4mHZJafD0jf221yL9jQsAYNQMgi/s320/slider_new.png" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">I have so many things I have been dreaming up to share with all of you. Keep your eyes peeled for some stellar posts in the next couple of weeks - new recipes and tips and some product reviews! :) Stay tuned!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br />
</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03489433434852749425noreply@blogger.com0