So, we are getting ready to leave for California tomorrow, and I'm anticipating the challenge. Aunt Flo (if you catch my drift) decided to visit yesterday, so I've been dealing with the side effects of that the last week. Which, going with my norm, meant the need to eat and a unexplainable lack of energy (that is until Flo shows up, then it makes perfect sense.) So, next month my goal is to figure out when the pms is going to hit, and how to stay on track when it does. I haven't completely fallen off, I just have had a hard go at it this past week.
I made up a breakfast cereal recipe the other morning (got tired of oatmeal). It was really good, and since Stretch refuses to eat it, I had enough for 4 mornings. So I hope you enjoy it and I hope you have a great Thanksgiving!
Yummy-Good-for-your-Tummy Cereal
3 cups of water
2 T. amaranth grain
2 T. millet
2 T. rye flakes
2 T. cracked wheat
2 T. steel-cut oats
(the above should be heaping and needs to total 1 cup. I'm also going to try using brown rice and quinoa in the future)
2 T. flaxseeds
handful of dried apricots, chopped
handful of raw almonds, chopped
Boil water. Stir in grains and flaxseeds. Cover and simmer for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in fruit and nuts. Cover and continue to cook for 15 minutes. Serve with a little soy milk and your good to go!
You can use any dried fruit and nuts you like and any combination of grains as long as the grain to water ratio is 1:3.
Enjoy!
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Monday, November 24, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
The Temptation of Potlucks
First off, I'd like to start by saying that yesterday morning before I went to workout with Gina, I weighed myself. No kidding, the scale said 137...137! I haven't weighed under 140 for years!!! That number really lit a fire under my butt. Over the weekend I had a few times where I could've stayed clean, but chose not to (pizza, egg rolls...you know, stuff that is the opposite side of clean.) Afterward, I really felt the effects on my body, which was actually good for me to experience, like after the pizza night, I was so lethargic the entire following day I could hardly function. So when I saw the 137, I decided right then and there that the cheating was going to be kept to an absolute minimum. I want to be at 130 for Thanksgiving and at least 125 for Christmas, and if I'm going to reach those goals, I've got to keep my cravings and temptations in check.
So what better way to challenge myself than to be tempted by a church potluck last night. Could I hold onto my resolve when the counter was packed full of delicious but not so nutritious food? I knew it would be hard, so I made a game plan. For my main dish contribution I made a clean turkey sausage, chicken and rice dish which was delicious, then I made the apple-cranberry crumble found on www.eatcleandiet.com (though I ran out of honey and had to use molasses and a little bit of sugar in the crumble topping--which I think the molasses added a very tasty dimension!) I figured if all that I could eat was my two dishes, then at least I would be able to eat and be completely satisfied. So come potluck time, I was limited, but was able to eat from the fresh fruit tray, a broccoli and chicken dish, and my two dishes. I left felling very content and completely happy that I had stuck to the game plan (even though the chocolate cake was beckoning).
So after yesterday, I know that come Thanksgiving time and Christmas party time, I'll be ready to take the challenge. What a fun game to play, Buffet Table I Spy. Maybe I can convince others to play along!
So what better way to challenge myself than to be tempted by a church potluck last night. Could I hold onto my resolve when the counter was packed full of delicious but not so nutritious food? I knew it would be hard, so I made a game plan. For my main dish contribution I made a clean turkey sausage, chicken and rice dish which was delicious, then I made the apple-cranberry crumble found on www.eatcleandiet.com (though I ran out of honey and had to use molasses and a little bit of sugar in the crumble topping--which I think the molasses added a very tasty dimension!) I figured if all that I could eat was my two dishes, then at least I would be able to eat and be completely satisfied. So come potluck time, I was limited, but was able to eat from the fresh fruit tray, a broccoli and chicken dish, and my two dishes. I left felling very content and completely happy that I had stuck to the game plan (even though the chocolate cake was beckoning).
So after yesterday, I know that come Thanksgiving time and Christmas party time, I'll be ready to take the challenge. What a fun game to play, Buffet Table I Spy. Maybe I can convince others to play along!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Day Five, Six & Seven - Bloating & Sex
So the last three days have been amazing. The longer I eat clean the more my body is talking to me. It is like almost instant when I don't eat good that my body feels bad. For example, the other day I had a cheese stick without having a complex carb and my belly bloated up like a balloon. And since I've been eating better, an additional side effect has been a huge increase in my sex-drive. I'm not sure is it's the food regime or my confidence building or both, but I tell you what....Stretch isn't complaining!
The other day I made some homemade bread from www.recipezaar.com that was awesome. It uses molasses instead of sugar and no oil. The recipe does call for white flour, and I used it, just in the initial dough. I used the whole wheat flour for the kneading. Next time I'm going to get some barley flour or oat flour and replace the white. I also added a 1/2 cup of wheat germ. Below is the recipe, hope you enjoy it! Remember, eat healthy, be happy and God Bless!
Multigrain Yeast Bread Recipe #107864
Recipe is courtesy of Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Heathful Cooking.
by PaulaG
3 hours | 20 min prep
SERVES 16
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1/4 cup dark molasses
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
additional all-purpose flour, as needed
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oat, plus
1 tablespoon rolled oat
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large egg, seperated
1/3 cup hulled unsalted roasted sunflower seeds, plus
1 tablespoon hulled unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the milk and molasses. Heat to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove from heat and sprinkle yeast on top; allow to stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Fit the mixer with the paddle and stir together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
4. Whisk the egg yolk into the yeast mixture and add to the bowl.
5. Beat on medium speed until a sticky dough forms.
6. Continue to beat, adding small amount of all-purpose flour until the dough comes together into a smooth ball.
7. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and knead on medium speed until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes; add additional all-purpose flour as needed to reduce stickiness.
8. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl turning to coat with oil.
9. Cover the bowl with towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
10. Lightly oil a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
11. Punch the dough down and let rest for 10 minutes.
12. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work area and sprinkle with 1/3 cup sunflower seeds.
13. Knead the dough until the seeds are evenly distributed.
14. Roll the dough into a 12 by 7 inch rectangle and beginning on the short side, roll up loosely and pinch the seam to seal.
Place seam side down in prepared pan, cover and allow to rise until doubled, aproximately 30 minutes.
While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
15. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg white with 2 tablespoons of water.
16. Brush the top of the loaf with egg mixture and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon of rolled oats and sunflower seeds.
17. Bake until the top is golden and hollow sounding when tapped, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire cooling rack and cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!
The other day I made some homemade bread from www.recipezaar.com that was awesome. It uses molasses instead of sugar and no oil. The recipe does call for white flour, and I used it, just in the initial dough. I used the whole wheat flour for the kneading. Next time I'm going to get some barley flour or oat flour and replace the white. I also added a 1/2 cup of wheat germ. Below is the recipe, hope you enjoy it! Remember, eat healthy, be happy and God Bless!
Multigrain Yeast Bread Recipe #107864
Recipe is courtesy of Williams-Sonoma Essentials of Heathful Cooking.
by PaulaG
3 hours | 20 min prep
SERVES 16
1 1/2 cups nonfat milk
1/4 cup dark molasses
2 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 cups all-purpose flour, plus
additional all-purpose flour, as needed
1 cup whole wheat flour
1/2 cup rolled oat, plus
1 tablespoon rolled oat
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1 large egg, seperated
1/3 cup hulled unsalted roasted sunflower seeds, plus
1 tablespoon hulled unsalted roasted sunflower seeds
1. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine the milk and molasses. Heat to 105 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Remove from heat and sprinkle yeast on top; allow to stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
3. Fit the mixer with the paddle and stir together the 2 cups all-purpose flour, whole-wheat flour, 1/2 cup rolled oats and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt.
4. Whisk the egg yolk into the yeast mixture and add to the bowl.
5. Beat on medium speed until a sticky dough forms.
6. Continue to beat, adding small amount of all-purpose flour until the dough comes together into a smooth ball.
7. Fit the mixer with the dough hook and knead on medium speed until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes; add additional all-purpose flour as needed to reduce stickiness.
8. Form the dough into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl turning to coat with oil.
9. Cover the bowl with towel and allow to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
10. Lightly oil a 9 x 5 inch loaf pan.
11. Punch the dough down and let rest for 10 minutes.
12. Turn dough onto a lightly floured work area and sprinkle with 1/3 cup sunflower seeds.
13. Knead the dough until the seeds are evenly distributed.
14. Roll the dough into a 12 by 7 inch rectangle and beginning on the short side, roll up loosely and pinch the seam to seal.
Place seam side down in prepared pan, cover and allow to rise until doubled, aproximately 30 minutes.
While the dough is rising, preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
15. In a small bowl, lightly beat the egg white with 2 tablespoons of water.
16. Brush the top of the loaf with egg mixture and sprinkle with remaining tablespoon of rolled oats and sunflower seeds.
17. Bake until the top is golden and hollow sounding when tapped, about 40 to 45 minutes.
Cool in pan for 5 minutes then turn out onto a wire cooling rack and cool completely before slicing. Enjoy!
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Days Three and Four
Not much new here. Still plugging away! I'm feeling a lot better, just the typical stuffy nose now. Eating clean has really been a lot of fun. Tucker and I went to the grocery store yesterday to get some breakfast cereal supplies and produce and had a blast. It was fun spending most of time browsing produce rather than hurrying through that section to stand in the sugar-laden aisles. Now we didn't hardly bother with the aisles, except to get to the front. And the meals have been wonderful. Last night we had seared tuna steaks with brown rice and spinach. Stretch was surprised that meal was a clean eating meal and commented that he didn't even want to drink his milk because the taste was so good. So the move to our new lifestyle has been, for me, quite an easy one. I'm not saying I'm perfect and that I don't crave the chips or candy every now and then. But if I grab and apple or some veggies and hummus, I'm even more satisfied then with the others.
So until next time...eat clean!
God Bless
Sara
So until next time...eat clean!
God Bless
Sara
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Day Two - Pomegranates
So today found me battling a cold. Sore throat, sore bones, tired...your typical cold. Which actually presented me with my first challenge in clean eating for when I'm sick, I tend to want to eat. I know, very weird, but that's how it is. However, I stuck with the way I want to eat through most of the day (I just couldn't resist the chocolate...but now it is no longer a temptation since it is in my belly). Oatmeal in the morning, leftover lentil soup for lunch and salad, quinoa with red peppers and turkey sausage for dinner. Not too bad. Not perfect, but that will come.
One of the best snacks we had today was pomegranate seeds. These little seeds are so packed with nutrients its no wonder ancient civilizations cherished them and God gave them to the Hebrews as one of their special harvests (Deut. 8:8). Research has been done showing that these little juicy rubies can help combat coronary heart disease, prostate cancer, diabetes, and many more, including the common cold. And since in the northern hemisphere they are in season between September and January, its the perfect time to keep your eyes peeled for them to be on sale. Not only are they good straight from the fruit, but they also will add a little twist to your recipes. I threw some onto my dinner salad, added a splash of balsamic vinegar and what I had was a very tasty alternative salad. Check out the sites below for more info on the amazing pomegranate.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pomegranate
http://www.pomegranates.org/home.shtml
Monday, November 3, 2008
Day One Food Journal
Okay. Today was full of lots of good food and good nutrients. I was full all day and never felt like I was lacking anything. I do think my body is flushing the bad out, because with all the water I drank (about 3 liters) I got a weird backache late in the afternoon and I also have a sore throat. It may have been a cowinkidink, but I think my body was screaming 'Hallelujah' as it purged all the ickies out.
Food:
First thing this morning: 2 8oz glasses of water
Breakfast: 1 cup cooked oatmeal, 2 T. chopped dates, 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk, 3 hard-boiled egg white, & 2 mugs of black coffee.
Mid-morning snack: apple & handful of raw almonds
Lunch: bowl of romaine lettuce with chopped celery, 1 T. flaxseeds, 2 oz. smoked salmon, squeeze of lemon juice and a splash of rice vinegar and on the side a half of a whole wheat pita toasted with 2 T. of my homemade hummus (yummy!!!!)
Mid-Afternoon snack: banana & handful of almonds with a cup of caffeine-free green tea
Dinner: bowl of homemade chicken lentil soup (lots of protein and fiber!) & 1.5 slice of homemade flaxseed bread.
Night time snack: 1 apple
Not too bad...and I wasn't hungry at all!
Food:
First thing this morning: 2 8oz glasses of water
Breakfast: 1 cup cooked oatmeal, 2 T. chopped dates, 1/2 cup unsweetened soy milk, 3 hard-boiled egg white, & 2 mugs of black coffee.
Mid-morning snack: apple & handful of raw almonds
Lunch: bowl of romaine lettuce with chopped celery, 1 T. flaxseeds, 2 oz. smoked salmon, squeeze of lemon juice and a splash of rice vinegar and on the side a half of a whole wheat pita toasted with 2 T. of my homemade hummus (yummy!!!!)
Mid-Afternoon snack: banana & handful of almonds with a cup of caffeine-free green tea
Dinner: bowl of homemade chicken lentil soup (lots of protein and fiber!) & 1.5 slice of homemade flaxseed bread.
Night time snack: 1 apple
Not too bad...and I wasn't hungry at all!
Day One - again
First let me start by saying welcome to my site dedicated to becoming a healthier me and you! So you might be asking why Day One-again? Well, I have had many "Day Ones" in my attempts to lose the excess weight I've managed to put on over the last 6 years, and, like many others, have failed or 'yo-yo ed' in the simple fact that I don't stick to it. I'd rather stick to the sugar-filled cakes and cookies that then stick to my gut and butt! Okay...deep breath. But the other day I was looking in the mirror and just wasn't happy with the way my body looks. Then I went on a hike with my husband Stretch and our 2-year-old son Tucker and I had to pretend to be 'taking in all the beauty' when really I was sucking air with burning legs... and we hadn't even gone a 1/2 mile!!! Then to top it all off, I made some home videos for the grandparents and have had to watch them over and over again (Tucker has said goodbye to Disney and hello to watching Uncle Heath for the millionth time!) While watching them I realized just how big I'd become. It's in my face and my neck and my arms. Growing up I was so skinny I was forced to drink Carnation Instant Breakfast with every meal just to try and get something more than bones on me and now I'm rolling in something. It scared me, quite frankly. Here i am constantly going to the cupboard full of processed, canned and boxed food while the good-intentioned salad gets slimy in the fridge. What am I teaching and training Tucker to eat? When I realized that his favorite things to eat (and sometimes the only things he'll eat) are cheese sticks, Goldfish and chicken nugget, I knew I have to change the food environment of my family or I would be leading them down a very long and dark road.
So I thought to myself, how do I not start and then stop like I've always done in the past. Well, first I started a health group at my church. So every weekday I am facilitating a workout and rounding up resources for the individuals in the group. What better way to get healthy then by helping others get healthy too! Then I got The Eat-Clean Diet book by Tosca Reno. I didn't want another quick slim-fast program (pun intended)...I wanted a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family that was easy to maintain, not hard on the pocketbook and great tasting. Hence, eating the way God intended us to eat...eating clean. Finally, I set up this blog and my video blog, so that I hold myself accountable. Who wants to be the loser who started a blog on being healthy then copped out....not me. So as embarrassing as it may be, I'm going to be completely transparent, in hopes my transparency will give others the motivation and courage to help themselves as well. So please, visit often, leave your comments, and I'll be here to help whatever ways you need it!
Day One Stats
Weight: 146 lbs.
Waist: 36 in
Hips: 41 in
Chest: 37 in
Thigh: 24.75 in
Calf: 14 in
Bicep: 12 in
Body Fat= 39%
Now don't laugh...it's hard to take pictures of yourself when you have a kid and dog getting in the way!
So I thought to myself, how do I not start and then stop like I've always done in the past. Well, first I started a health group at my church. So every weekday I am facilitating a workout and rounding up resources for the individuals in the group. What better way to get healthy then by helping others get healthy too! Then I got The Eat-Clean Diet book by Tosca Reno. I didn't want another quick slim-fast program (pun intended)...I wanted a healthy lifestyle for myself and my family that was easy to maintain, not hard on the pocketbook and great tasting. Hence, eating the way God intended us to eat...eating clean. Finally, I set up this blog and my video blog, so that I hold myself accountable. Who wants to be the loser who started a blog on being healthy then copped out....not me. So as embarrassing as it may be, I'm going to be completely transparent, in hopes my transparency will give others the motivation and courage to help themselves as well. So please, visit often, leave your comments, and I'll be here to help whatever ways you need it!
Day One Stats
Weight: 146 lbs.
Waist: 36 in
Hips: 41 in
Chest: 37 in
Thigh: 24.75 in
Calf: 14 in
Bicep: 12 in
Body Fat= 39%
Now don't laugh...it's hard to take pictures of yourself when you have a kid and dog getting in the way!
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