Rediscovering the Joy of Cooking

So I have had some time to tap into my love of cooking since I have changed jobs and have gone to a very part time basis until I can build a case load.  I spend a lot of time on the computer during the day which helps me rationalize not exercising as I am researching all things dietary and delicious :)  One meal that I made recently made really satisfied and I felt good eating it.  I made pork burgers and caramelized some onions from my CSA box.  I also used the hydroponic Bibb lettuce from the CSA box as a "bun" for the burger.  I made a salad using the rest of the Bibb lettuce along with a cucumber, Kumatoes and carrots.  Granted, the burger was messy but OH how juicy and delicious.

  

I have also really enjoyed getting a little creative with the One Minute Muffins.  I made Strawberry muffins for dessert one night using the juicy organic strawberries from my CSA box and topped it with some homemade whipped cream with a touch of vanilla.

  I posted this picture on my Facebook page and a dear friend made a reference to the movie "Calendar Girls" can you guess what it was?  ;)

My husband has recently remarked on how much he is enjoying my renewed enthusiasm for cooking.  He was recently diagnosed with high blood pressure and prescribed medication in addition to the medication he takes for chronic kidney stones.  I must share that since I met my husband 7 years ago and took over the cooking duties, his health has improved and the formation of kidney stones has dramatically decreased.  As a single dad, he was fond of cans and eating out....A LOT!  Granted, I am not there when he goes out for lunch every day, but I like to think what I'm doing here at home is helping to off-set that one meal a day he eats on his own :)

On a personal note, since I began Fast Track BFC and then incorporating some Paleo/Primal principles into my new eating "lifestyle" I have lost 10 pounds to date.  I managed to lose another pound last week!  I don't think this is bad at all for about 6-7 weeks of "work".  Sure, it has slowed down to a pound a week, but still, IT IS A POUND PER WEEK! Oh, AND WITHOUT EXERCISE :) as I am loathe to do it....still haven't found the motivation as of today but there is always tomorrow, right Scarlett?

Finding the right "lifestyle"

It's been a while.  I admit, I have a hard time with follow through sometimes.  But, that shouldn't be too much of a surprise as evidenced by the on and off of the eating "lifestyle".  What I am consistent with is my LOVE of food, cooking and eating.  What of that continues to change and evolve is what I am eating and the "lifestyle" I'm trying to stick with.  I think I may have found what works for me, finally.  It is a modified Paleo.  I say modified because I am keeping the dairy.  Cheese and heavy cream are necessary for my success with any eating "lifestyle".  Why I feel so optimistic about this is I have found blogs that have recipes that allow me to continue to have delicious baked treats.  I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to have come across the variety of 1 minute muffins and cakes that use almond, coconut or flax seed meal as the flour.  I have also discovered the multiple benefits of coconut oil-both for cooking and for moisturizing and treating skin conditions.  Approximately one month ago I began eating this way and so far I've lost 9 pounds.  I probably would have lost more had I not engaged in 2 weekends of indulgences (Mexican fare, too many libations and pizza) but I'm not beating myself up about it because it is just so easy to get back into the routine and rhythm again.  I've started following Mark Sisson's Daily Apple blog and discovered that I am a bit of a "faster".  I don't do anything regimented it's just the way I typically eat.  See, I don't like to eat when I first get up in the morning because it makes me feel queasy.  I definitely have my coffee first thing and recently I've noticed that I can nurse that iced coffee for the whole morning.  I may "feel" hungry around lunch time or a little later into the afternoon and I'll eat some protein and a fat of some kind, usually cheese.  I try to have dinner around 6-7pm and finish the night off with an iced "nightcap" of either amaretto or canton for a sweet fix and wind-down.  So, I go, on average, up to 18 hours between dinner and my next meal-whether I make it a breakfast or lunch themed meal.  I have also modified the amount of carbs I consume from Jorge's original 120 to 105 but I've kept the 15 sugars and 25 fiber.  I've been trying to lose as much weight as I can without going to exercise because of the common sense Gary Taubes discusses in Why We Get Fat.  I don't really like exercise either, especially now that I don't have someone to do it with (I did well with a buddy).  However, I think I'm beginning to plateau and I have my son's graduation from basic training (Navy), my anniversary, my 25th high school reunion and oh, yeah, BEACH to get healthy for :)  So, whether or not I like it, I need to get started with it.  I do like the yoga and exercise ball and recently the Hubs and I "treated" ourselves to a XBOX 360 with the Kinect sensor.  He picked 2 games and I picked one and that was Zumba Rush.  I've heard a lot of women like Zumba and I did like to dance back in the day so why not? What do I have to lose other than another 17 pounds right?  I don't know if 17 pounds is realistic but I remember weighing 130 pounds and would really like to get back to that.  What I have found most helpful so far in this latest "lifestyle" effort is using MyFitnessPal.com to track just about everything that I put in my mouth.  I really get a kick out of seeing calories left over at the end of the day and the site saying how much I'd weigh at the end of 5 weeks if I kept eating that way.  It also tells me that I'm eating too few calories but I ignore it because my body isn't sending signals that I am-and I do have days where I am over the calorie goal of 1200, but again, I don't beat myself up about it.  Perhaps engaging in daily or every other day blogging like some of the BFC-ers  on the BFC Facebook page do will help me be more accountable and follow through?  I certainly do enjoy taking pictures of my meals and "treats" :)

Trying BFC Fast Track

So today is day 6 of the Fast Track version of the Belly Fat Cure.  I bought the book last Saturday at Costco and spent that weekend indulging in all the "bad" stuff for the final time.  All-in-all I've had a good week.  I have had several days where I've only eaten 2 meals and maybe a snack.  My morning routine doesn't involve eating...it is an afterthought honestly.  Take today, I didn't eat breakfast and so far, at 253pm, I've eaten a slice of cheddar cheese and some pumpkin seeds still in the shell.  I've had a low grade headache all week as I am coming off sugar.  I have also reduced my alcohol intake this week and last night's glass of red resulted in a major headache this morning...I didn't have a huge glass either and I drank it over the course of several hours.  I guess I'm sensitive to something in it to have this reaction.
Anyway, Amber's blog has been great in providing some alternatives as I am really struggling with no sweets or seasonal treats.  She has posted a coconut pancake recipe, pumpkin and coconut muffin recipe and a recipe for chocolate coconut balls.
I have gotten on the scale every morning and it hasn't budged.  I hope this is due to a week's course of antibiotics.  I'm off them now and will resume my probiotic routine and I am going to drink some homemade ginger/peach kombucha a friend was kind enough to share with me.  I really expected to see a loss as I'd really gone crazy with sugar and carbs in pre-made foods.  I'm feeling disappointed and discouraged but at the same time I wonder if maybe I wasn't eating as poorly as I thought I was.  I've learned a lot from BFC and have done pretty well keeping the basic principals in mind when shopping and eating.  I do freely and readily admit that I am susceptible to seasonal treats such as: hard ciders, muffins, cookies, pies and chips and salsa.
Eggs have been the staple this week and I need some variety.  Perhaps tomorrow I will make the ham crusted quiche in the FTBFC book.  I will also make Amber's coconut pancakes and make enough to freeze/refrigerate as a grab and go breakfast or snack.  I would also like to make Amber's pumpkin coconut muffins.
Something that Amber and I share in common is using tea as a "treat".  I love looking for yummy teas and have found World Market to be a good source for this.  I have also enjoyed the standard grocery stores carrying the Celestial Seasons holiday flavored teas....sugar cookie, sleigh ride, candy cane, nutcracker as well as their decaf sweet coconut chai.  I drink these hot or cold.  I make a pot of flavored herbal tea every day and fill my insulated tumblers with it to drink throughout the day to ensure I get my required fluids in.  I enjoy Alyaa's Herbal Water a lot but can't always afford it so I use the herbal tea to make my own version of "flavored" water.  Since we are finally experiencing cooler evenings here in coastal North Carolina, I've had a hot tea with cream at night when the snack or sweet cravings hit.  Thanks to Amber, I now will have a yummy muffin to go along with the tea!
Tomorrow I will get my exercise area set up and I will commit to doing at least 30 minutes of core exercises a day.  It may be 15 minutes in the morning and 15 minutes after work, but I'm going to do it.  
Yahoo news showcased female actors over 40 and their looks on the red carpet this year and I would like to look as healthy as they do.  Of course I don't have nanny's or a personal trainer available to me 24/7 so I'm realistic.  "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step".
So, how's your journey?


 

Yes, it has been a while

So, 8 months ago was my last post.  Suffice it to say that it has been a very difficult 8 months.  I was laid off from my crappy job in mid-December and the unemployment guy suggested I wait until January to file because my "base" for the previous quarter was $500....which would be what my benefit was based on.  So I waited and looked for the requisite number of jobs per week in a field with very few viable options.  I eventually got a job the end of January but again, with an unethical company.  The highlight is, I will finally get my license in 2 months :-)  and I made it clear in the beginning, that I would not participate in anything I remotely questioned as unethical practice.
I am an emotional eater.  I have had my sugar and carb party for the last 8 months and while it was delicious and fun at the time, the crash has happened and here the cycle goes again.....spring and summer are here and I don't want another summer to go by without a single trip to the beach I live just 10 miles from.
I have mentioned that sugar is my downfall....not so much that I seek it out, as I've been very happy with replacing sweetener with stevia, but that when I do have it, the scale reflects it very quickly.  I don't know that carbs are the big issue, however, after reading Amber's blog and watching the video of Dr. Oz's show with Gary Taubes on it, I might do an experiment this week and eat nothing but lean meats and green veggies to see if I can drop some pounds fairly quickly.  I also have major "elimination" problems and can't figure out if it is due to low fiber, not enough hydration or a combination of the two...but today I'll put together a menu for the next week and go shopping for supplies and give it a go and pray that I can "go" soon....I feel awful.
I am also contemplating purchasing a book by an authority in CBT-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.  Judith Beck, daughter of Aaron Beck, has written 3 books on dieting and using CBT to change thoughts and behaviors related to food.  I think this is what is missing for me.  I believe at this point I know enough about nutrition that I could teach anyone about food and nutrition but no one has really addressed the thoughts and feelings associated with eating for emotional eaters.
Here is a link to her website:
http://www.beckdietsolution.com/Library/InfoManage/Guide.asp?FolderID=1&SessionID=%7B0571EB69-B6E9-42B1-A49C-F0540325C466%7D

Once I create my menu for next week I'll post in the event that anyone would like to reference it.

Thank you for reading and posting comments, I appreciate the feedback :-)

Stress

It's been a while since I've posted.  I have had a rough summer.  The heat here, much like the rest of the East Coast, is unbearable.  Add to that a teenage boy with AS and ODD, a job I hate and the "promised one" no where in sight and limited visits home to Virginia to see my family has made me a stressed out eating mess.  Yesterday I just realized that I'd not taken my probiotics in a week.  I don't get on the scale often but thought I was looking a little fuller in my lower abdominal area and lo and behold-when I got on the scale I wasn't happy with what I saw.  Needless to say, I've not been thoughtfully eating.  Well, that isn't totally true.  I have been very conscious of staying away from candy bars, soda and baked goods even though I've really wanted them.  My carbs are high...I know that and honestly, I don't think the carbs are my weight issue...it's the hidden sugars.  I have gotten weak in my date night dinners and have added dessert in addtion to my "treat" margaritas.  When date night started, I was thrilled to have the margarita and relished it.  Now, with my stress levels and emotions in a negative place, I'm using the 'ritas and dessert as coping mechanisms.  I have also returned to the very bad habit of eating once a day-dinnner.  I've had nothing but coffee for the day more days this past week than I want to admit.
So, this week I began looking for another job in earnest.  I would love to leave this job immediately but unfortunately, it doesn't look like that will happen.  I will continue to plug along and I'm going to make myself a priority.  I have a lot of paperwork to complete by Sunday evening but I also want to take the time to set myself up for success this next week so I don't feel so bad.  I want to iron my clothes and make lunch for the week so I don't have to scramble to get it done in the morning.  I also want to make a large batch of tea-spearmint and a new one that is green tea with ginger, coconut and lemon grass.  Just doing these few simple things, I hope will help with some of the stress next week.  I also intend to use the tracker again until things settle down for me.
Are any of you introverts?  I am and I don't go out of my way to make friends or engage folks in small talk.  However, it has become painfully clear to me that I might need to find a friend who lives within 50 miles of me! :-) 

What I've been eating lately & websites

So, as I've written, I purchased a CASE of GG crispbreads.  Well, to date, I have had tuna salad on them, as well as, turkey sloppy joes, Costco's spinach/artichoke/parm dip, good 'ole PB&J and sliced tomato and cheese.  I have avocados and Laughing Cow cheese that I want to try this week too.  I regularly eat chocolate VitaTop muffins-from Costco.  I've had my period this week so the muffin and BAGS of popcorn have been a nightly regular and therefore my system has been "regular"! (hee, hee)  I have enjoyed the farmer's market and my CSA box.  I've had miniture plums, blueberries, strawberries, tomatoes and a variety of squashes.  My family's favorite summer salad is a strawberry/spinach/feta with balsamic.  I ordered more stuff from Netrition.com-apricot and peach Nature's Hollow preserves and Orange Creme Barlean's Omega Swirl which I add to my plain greek yogurt-YUMMY!  I still take Dr. Murray's 12/12 probiotics and drink Smartwater, SoBe 0 and iced coffee.  I prefer flavored coffee to using flavored stevia but since I don't always make the coffee in the morning (husband always makes plain) I have both on hand.  Every Thursday is date night with my husband at the local mexican restaurant and I enjoy their $1 margaritas and chili verde.  At least one night a week we get pizza-where it comes from varies and we have a salad with it.  I am really proud of myself for packing lunch twice already this week and plan to finish the week out taking lunch with me.  I had gotten into a bad habit of eating lunch out on the road (I travel across 5 counties to do my job) either at McDonald's (actually, I eat breakfast there-egg mcmuffin & unsweet tea), Subway & Wendy's.  I'm going to boil a few eggs tonight to make egg salad for tomorrow's crispbread topping.
What are your staples? Challenges? Favorite crispbread toppings?
I've discovered that I am doing the bulk of "my" grocery shopping (vs. the family) online....are you too?  I shop between 3 different websites for different things.....would LOVE the convinience of one-stop-shopping but what's a girl to do :-D  Where are you shopping?  What are the deals/shipping?  Here are mine-
http://www.allstarhealth.com/  they have $5.95 shipping and I buy my probiotics from them-cheapest I've found
http://www.netrition.com/ they have $4.95 shipping and I buy Nature's Hollow, Barlean's, Zevia, Pasta, GG crispbreads and stevia from them
http://www.totalhealth.com/ has free shipping on orders over $85 and under 5 pounds.  I had ordered my probiotics from them but their price went up, they have Barlean's and stevia products as well as a full line of NOW products that I occassionally partake of.

Converts

A few weeks ago my supervisor mentioned that she was doing Weight Watchers to lose weight for upcoming graduations she would be attending.  I asked her how it was going and she said she had a lot to lose before the events.  So what did I do?  I told her that if she dropped the sugar and increased her fiber she'd lose more weight and quickly.  I explained the basics of 15 grams of sugar and 24 or more grams of fiber per day and to READ labels.  I wrote down my favorite and easy to find BFC products and over the last 2 weeks have shared some products with her.  She is doing a combined WW and BFC-ish program and is doing very well.  She is consistent with a 2-3 pound loss per week which is good.  Her husband has started doing this as well and he has already lost 19 pounds!  I enjoy helping her out a little and sharing the evils of sugar with her.  She is SO happy and excited with the acceleration of her weight loss....she even told me that the WW folks were concerned she was losing too much too quickly!
Last week I took her a package of the GG Scandinavian Crispbreads and she shared them with her husband and they both really liked them.  She has since placed an order for a few packages to get her through the next couple of weeks.  She even shared that her BMs have been like nothing she has ever experienced before.  I told her that I completely understood.  She asked if she needed the probiotic and since she hasn't abused sucralose/Splenda like I did for years unwittingly, I told her no.  If the crispbread is doing wonders for you, save the $ for new clothes and IF the crispbreads don't work as effectively then incorporate the probiotics. 
I'm glad I shared this information with her and she feels that these changes are something she can stick with.  I feel like I'm getting a little BFC refresher course when she asks me questions and it has motivated me to be more mindful of what I am eating.  I really do like the crispbreads and their versatility.  I haven't had PB&J for quite some time and that has been my favorite way to eat the crispbread since receiving my order and the Nature's Hollow berry preserves.  I look forward to discovering other tasty ways to get fantastic filling fiber into my diet :-)