Lean To The Sun

Exercise

2011-09-26T21:25:00.000-06:00

Amen

Zucchini!

2011-09-21T09:08:00.002-06:00

This has to be the best time of year! My kitchen is full of fresh local produce. I am very happy about this.

I tried this recipe online and it turned out great. (here is the recipe) This is not completely vegan - I did use a little parmesan. And also olive oil. But oh. It was so yummy and healthy! I think I will make it again this week! This would be a good dish to make in advance and use your oven's time bake feature. It smells wonderful when you come home after a busy day to the smell of a hot meal! Here is my variation of the recipe:

Pesto Potato, Tomato, Zucchini Bake

Saute until olives are tender:

Small splash of olive oil (optional)
sliced onion - small

To make pesto process the following:

large handful of fresh basil (from my garden!)
large handful of spinach
1/4 c of pinenuts
3 cloves garlic
water - enough to make it smooth

Spread the pesto in bottom of pan - reserving 1/4 cup)

Top with sautéed onions

Layer sliced tomatoes, potatoes (sweet red ones are great) and zucchini (I used yellow and green) over the sautéed onions.

Spread the rest of the pesto on top of the layered veggies, sprinkle lightly with Parmesan, salt and pepper (I didn't use any salt), and pinenuts. Cover and bake at 375 for 1 hour (or more) until tender remove cover and bake 20 minutes more.

Serve with fresh melon and a quinoa salad.

MenoPause

2011-08-28T12:40:00.000-06:00

I went to the Dr this week and she told me I am peri-menopausal. I was disappointed. I wanted to be in menopause and just get this whole thing over. But she said this could go on for 10 more years. I skipped my period in July (yes, I bough a pregnancy test, yes it freaked me out) and so I was hoping I was all done!

My mom had her hysterectomy when she was about my age, 47, but the Dr said because it was a hysterectomy we don't know at what age she actually stopped menstruating so I could last a long time.

She also said that changing my diet and lifestyle was awesome and most likely will help me avoid lots of the unpleasant parts of menopause (hot flashes, emotional ups and downs, foggy thinking, irritability, aches and pains). She was surprised and thrilled for me when i told her I rarely have hot flashes (maybe 8 in the last 6 years). The only hot flash I had since we started ETL last year was at Christmas (hello sugar!) and she agreed that a poor diet increases hot flashes.

I can't imagine how terrible I would feel right now if I hadn't changed the way I eat! Most recently I quit the sugar (again). No sugar for a week now. I don't even think about sugar now. I do have to be careful with the peanut butter (I feel great affection for p-nut butter) and bananas. I have been eating lots of fresh peaches - ahhh. so good.

anyways, the Dr cheered me on and told me she was proud of me. As she left the room she said, "I can't tell you how wonderful it is that you have made such a huge change! You have really made your life better. Good luck! Keep it up!" it was super satisfying. Later I heard her consulting with a patient in the hallway and tell her to eat more leafy dark greens. :)

I get my blood/urine test results back this week and I am looking forward to seeing the changes and also wondering what my B12 results will look like because I have been kind of tired.

The End.

5 Days A Week

2011-08-23T17:49:00.002-06:00

I set a goal this week to attend 5 classes at our gym. Today is day 2 and so far, 2 classes done! Yesterday was yoga and it left me a little sore but not miserable. Today I did the barbell class where I learned how to do the clean and jerk just like you see on the Olympics! Well, ok, I probably didn't look Olympic-like mostly because my barbell weighed a massive 9 lbs. But I can tell I am going to be sore tomorrow. Really sore.

The ladies in the classes are friendly and nice (and use MUCH heavier weights), quick to introduce themselves and say a few encouraging words when I tell them it is my first time in the class. Some even invited me back to the next class and I am totally accepting that invitation.

I have a theory that exercise makes it easier to eat healthy. People say it is because they don't want to eat junk after working so hard, but I think it is because of the good endorphins released. I just feel happier and more in control after I exercise.

Tomorrow I plan to go to a Zumba class, it will leave me all sweaty for a meeting, but that's ok. Right? I'm also considering a spinning class. I went spinning years ago and didn't like it, but Kelly tells me I should go and she is usually right.

I think I will sleep well tonight!

Starting the UP

2011-08-15T10:36:00.000-06:00

via pinterest

Ups and Downs.

When I started the healthy plant based diet last year I worried that like any diet, career, relationship, long term commitment, I would have ups and downs. But after 4 months I believed I would only have ups! I felt so great and only wanted super healthy food and I was sure I would never be tempted by food again! It was a glorious feeling. Definitely the highest up of the whole life style change experience. Then slowly, quietly, almost invisibly, I started flirting with sugar and that led to the up and down part of the experience. I was a little embarrassed to admit it on this blog. But my goal with this blog was to be real about the whole experience and being real includes the parts where it didn't go as well as I wanted it to.

I dusted off the key board, thought long and hard about what has happened, and realised that I am happier when I take care of myself and feed myself the good stuff. So. I am back. You know how when you make a decision to do something and you can tell that it is going to really happen? That's where I am!

After a summer filled with local and international travel I am finally home to stay, at least until Thursday when I will be in LA for the day, but otherwise I am HOME TO STAY for 6 weeks. And guess what? 6 weeks is how long Phase One of Eat to Live lasts. Coincidence? I think not!

I went to the farmer's market on Saturday and loaded up on fresh local veggies. Breakfast was a green smoothie (with beet greens and carrots and the usual stuff) and a small bowl of garbanzo beans (hey, I like them. A lot.) and there is a huge salad on the menu for lunch and tonight we are having burritos, roasted green beans and beets, and local sugar baby watermelon (it really is amazing that anyone can grow anything here).

Oh, and I am SO glad that I started last year. SO thankful. SO filled with gratitude for all those wonderful people who encouraged me and nudged me along.

Are you ready for this up?

Hot Yoga

2011-07-28T10:20:00.000-06:00

Have you done hot yoga? Sounds like a terrible idea. I went to my first hot yoga class today. It was hot. Michelle, my running coach (she likes when I call her that) taught the class and it was amazing! I was amazing because I went to the class but I was not amazing in the class. Apparently everyone in the class can balance on their pinky toe. It was quite a talented group of very fit ladies.

I was inspired! I want to get good at yoga! So I will start going regularly (but maybe to a few classes that aren't so advanced) and build up to Michelle's class.

Hot Yoga seems like a terrible idea but it really is nice! Even in the summer but I think it would be especially nice in the winter. My goal, when I am back in town, is to go to the club 5 days a week and do exercise that won't hurt my foot: yoga, spinning, swimming...hmmm, what else?

I need to start posting regularly. After my upcoming trip I will start posting more consistently. I promise.

The Joy Of Eating Clean!

2011-06-28T18:10:00.000-06:00

It's just so awesome that summer is here! So many lovely things to eat. I look back at the bleak months of winter and how oranges were really the only treat that was in season. Now, there is so much to eat!

What I Ate Today:

Breakfast: Big fat bowl of watermelon before I gardened for 2 hours
Snack: Large (20 oz) green smoothie with lots of frozen blueberries
Lunch: Gabe's delicious veggie curry with garbonzo beans and wild rice
Snack: more smoothie (leftovers) and small handful of corn chips and large bowl of watermelon
Dinner: Large green salad with roasted veggies and hummus

For dessert: Strawberries and blue berries

Those green smoothies are like caffeine for me. They just power me up. I have been so super productive today, checking things off my list that have been there for weeks.

And I feel fabulous! This is the cleanest eating day I have had in months! WOW! I feel great! Exclamation Points!!!

Corndog Super Power

2011-06-22T16:12:00.002-06:00

"If I could have any super power I would be able to shoot corndogs out my wrist, fully cooked, with mustard. Awesome!" - Ike, age 14 after his first corndog for a long long time.

You may wonder, is that why Robin hasn't posted for 7 weeks? Has she been on that new corndog/twinkie/county fair diet? Of course not. I've been around, eating my veggies and fruits and nuts and beans and seeds and grains. Lots of grains. Probably too many grains. And maybe too much fat and sugar. But I am back from my blogcation and ready to share with you all the enthusiasm I can muster up!

Roland and I hit the very first farmer's market this week and brought home a cooler filled with garlic scapes, spinach, baby greens, bok choy, head lettuce (a little bitter - but it will do), sweet peas, kale, and freshly laid eggs. Today I made a huge breakfast fruit salad with watermelon, cantaloupe, strawberries, and blue berries. Our 21 year old son is living at home with us and between him, Ike, and Roland you have to fight for the fruit! And the avocados!

Here is a delicious summer dinner for you:

Grilled veggies kabobs, fruit salad, green salad, roasted sweet potato fries, and grilled pineapple for dessert.

Here are all the kabobs waiting to be grilled. We fed 9 people with these delicious beauties. My sisters helped make them:

These are (some of) my sisters - they are both eating a plant diet and you will notice how cute and healthy they are! Bright sparkling eyes and vigorous health comes from all that spinach and kale!

One Last Gasp of Winter

2011-05-02T10:07:00.002-06:00

It is snowing today.

Sigh.

This is probably my favorite go to meal in cold weather and while I realize that most of you are basking spring sunshine I still have to share this meal.

If you've been here before you will know that I have posted several variations of this already but it never gets old and it is super easy.

Saute: (in lightly sprayed pan)
onion
garlic
carrots
celery
green pepper
4 leaves of kale stemmed and chopped fine

Add:
1 can black beans
1 can pinto beans (or what ever bean you have handy)
1 large can diced tomatoes (toss in some fresh ones too if you have them)
water as needed

Season to taste:
Chili powder
roasted paprika powder
cumin
pepper
balsamic vinegar
green onion

Serve with sliced avocado and limes. So good. My boys like to crumble tortilla chips on top and I like mine with lots of avocado.

Knowledge is Power

2011-04-28T07:46:00.001-06:00

Through the nutritarian way of eating I've been able to kick my addiction to caffeine, dairy, and meat. But my addiction to sugar keeps raising it's ugly head. I've found that if I have absolutely no sugar for 5 or more days I completely lose my taste for sugar and a taste of sugary food turns me off. I much prefer fruit over sugary treats. But once I let myself have more than a few tastes I quickly spiral into cravings for sugar and it is super addictive.

So how do we get those cravings under control? I believe it comes down to 3 things Knowledge, Power, and Self Respect.

When you experience a craving and you are in the middle of the overwhelming need to satisfy that craving it feels impossible to be rational about the craving. That's where KNOWLEDGE comes into play. Once you understand why you are experiencing cravings then you have the POWER to control that craving (in my experience it takes about 2 days to stop craving) until the craving is gone. Then you have the SELF RESPECT to care for your body and never subject it to that craving again. This creates a positive cycle that makes you feel wonderful!

Here is a wonderful video to help you get the knowledge you need to kick that sugar craving. Yes, it is 1 1/2 hours long and life is short but I think it is well worth your time to watch this video - or play it while you do some mindless task.

Thanks to my sister, Emily, for this link!

What has helped you kick your sugar addiction?

Headline: 14 Boy Craves Fruit! (experts baffled)

2011-04-22T07:15:00.010-06:00

It's true! When we got home from our travels we picked up Ike and I thought he would be happy to see me but he seemed more excited about the bowl of cantaloupe in the fridge! Turns out that he missed all the fruits and veggies we eat around here. I was delighted! He didn't miss the green smoothies, because I make them really green, but after 2 weeks of no smoothies he can feel the difference the difference they make and now eats them without complaint.

Ike - making his messy Green Smoothie Face.

Yes, I did say "eat" the smoothie rather than "drink". That's because my smoothies are really green with nearly a pound of spinach and 5 - 7 leaves of kale, making about 3 servings of thick smoothie.

Ike also bragged to me that in his health class the teacher asked who gets more than 3 servings of fruits and vegetables a day and Ike was the only one. And I will brag to you and tell you that at the allergist's appointment yesterday his symptoms were much improved (and this is high pollen count time) and his eczema is almost completely gone! The doctor asked what he thought the difference was and Ike said, "I eat better than I use to" and then went on to tell the doctor that he doesn't really like meat!

I was so proud.

Eating in Europe Report

2011-04-21T09:43:00.003-06:00

Roland and I just got back from a trip to Brussels and Berlin. I blogged the details about it on my other blog but I was thinking about you while I was traveling and took pictures of some of my favorite meals.

Before we left I researched vegan/vegetarian restaurants on the Happy Cow website and found lots of great options for dinner. I found that in most cases the vegetarian restaurants are hip and cutting edge with food and the presentation of the food. Whenever I saw the words "Biologisch" and/or "Vegetarisch" I knew I was in for a delicious healthy meal.

I also found that most non-vegetarian restaurants had creative and satisfying options for vegetarians but they were loaded with fat and it was difficult to eat vegan. And then of course I had to try the Belgian Waffles and the German Strudel and the chocolate. That sweet tooth has a hold on me.

So many chocolate stores.

Roland said the only disappointing meal he had was a business dinner at a fancy underground restaurant in Berlin that was famous for their meat. He requested a vegetarian meal and received a plate of steamed veggies. Bummer. I think that was the night I ate at an organic vegan Indian restaurant - divine.

Of course, when I get around really good food I forget about my camera, and the last thing I want to do is stop eating and take a picture. But then Roland would say, "Hey, don't you want to blog about this?" and so what you will see are pictures of half eaten food, so you may not see how fabulous it looked before I attacked it.

Lunch in Berlin at the Super Good Vegetarian Restaurant. Polenta fries with a savory dipping sauce.

Super Good again - My basil and tomato sandwich and Roland's Veggie Burger. Roland also had a mushroom soup that was fabulous.

Breakfast at the Reichstag Parliament building. The only way I could get into the building was with a reservation at this restaurant. It was pretty fancy and I could totally visualize world leaders eating this excellent food. In Berlin the breakfasts like this were called "Fit for the Day" breakfasts. I ordered them several times.

Close up of the Reichstag breakfast: I ate the green breakfast salad so fast (see the balsamic dressing on the left side of the plate) that I forgot the camera. The red cup on the left is a very loose yogurt with a tart fruit sauce, the spelt crepes were filled with zucchini and green onion and drizzled with a balsamic reduction, a little cottage cheese with herbs, a honey pot for sweetening as needed, a fresh fruit salad, and what you can't see is peppermint tea and freshly juiced carrot/apple juice (they make the juice right there where you can watch). And bread, lots of bread with nuts and herbs. Excellent breakfast.

Potsdam Lunch at Cafe KeiselStein - so fresh and satisfying. This tomato soup and chamomile tea hit the spot on a cold rainy day.

Cafe KieselStein again - My lunch of crepes filled with leeks, zucchini, and white asparagus and a side of very fresh salad with a lemon mustard dressing (I am salivating as I type this).

Cafe KieselStein again - Roland's lunch of falafel, hummus, bean salad (huge beans!), grilled eggplant, salad (and one of my crepes - we share).

The charming street in Brussels where we had our first night dinner of salad, pasta, and vegetarian pizza with pesto sauce. And bread, lots of bread. I'm still coming off all the bread we ate. Oh, it was worth it.

I found that it was much easier to eat healthy vegan in Beijing. In Brussels and Berlin there was always butter, cheese, and bread at every meal and I was usually very hungry so it was hard to resist! In Beijing it was vegan - all the time!

Recovering from jet lag is so much easier when you are eating healthy. When we went to France I was eating the SAD diet and I remember how terrible I felt the entire time! This diet kept me cheerful and energetic and forced me to find some awesome restaurants that are off the beaten track.

It was a great trip but I was so happy to get home to my Green Smoothies! And I am looking forward to re-creating some of these meals here at home.

Food As Medicine

2011-03-29T10:10:00.000-06:00

Probably one of the most amazing changes that we experienced when we switched from the SAD (standard American diet) to a nutritarian style of eating was the nearly immediate improvement in annoying on-going health issues such as allergies, colds, fatigue, aches and pains, high cholesterol and of course the obvious weight loss. My mom reported that her arthritis improved dramatically and she went off most her pain killers and cholesterol meds.

It really is amazing and you have to wonder why doctor's aren't recommending this to all their patients.

Here is a fascinating article about being obese in America and how one woman saved her own life. It really is worth reading.

Being Fat in America

Thanks to Sharon for sharing the link.

Vegan Bragging

2011-03-24T08:13:00.001-06:00

We just spent 5 days with our 3 college kids (report here). They are darling and they are all taking good care of themselves. It was quite satisfying as they each complimented us on our healthy eating style and told us how they brag to their friends that we are vegans. We are not vegan. Vegetarian, yes. But not vegan. I would say vegan-ish. We mostly eat vegan but occasionally something will have egg in it or a bit of cheese and I will eat it.

We ate at lots of yummy healthy restaurants - college towns are famous for healthy trendy restaurants - and were treated to a few delicious healthy homemade meals. One thing that I am going to make is sweet potato hash browns:

We ate quite a bit before I decided to snap a photo. Sweet potatoes, onion, and green pepper. Delicious. This was the same breakfast where I ordered the vegetable medley:

It came with 2 vegan sausage patties and the sauce on this veggie dish was warm and comforting. I could taste a bit of cumin. It was a wonderful way to start the day and kept me full for a long time!

Here is a joke my son Gabe told me:

How can you tell if someone is vegan?

Don't worry, they will tell you.

Ha.

Normal Dinner

2011-03-18T09:19:00.000-06:00

During dinner the other night Roland asked me what I thought about the way we eat now. I looked at our meal of steamed broccoli, green salad, and Garbonzo Delight and laughed.

"You mean, the fact that this is a normal meal now?" I asked.
"Yes." - Roland
"I think its great that this is normal. No cheese, no meat, no sugar, and we are happy and satisfied at the end of the meal. We don't even think about it anymore." - Me
"I think it is great too." - Roland
"We have changed our lives for the next 40+ years! Oh, the adventures we will have!" - Robin
Roland nodded his head because his mouth was full. :)

You can see why I haven't written a book. My dialogue is not very interesting.

Anyways - I realised this at the grocery store the other day when I had to leave the produce department for bag of brown sugar. How long had it been since I was in the baking isle? A long time. I realised that this lifestyle is normal now. We no longer think about it - well, okay, we do think about it and talk about it (and I even blog about it!) but only because we are so happy and pleased with ourselves for having tried it and we like to pat each other on the back and tell each other how great we are.

Its very satisfying.

Garbonzo Delight

2011-03-17T09:19:00.002-06:00

How does one name a recipe? I am tempted to put my name on every single recipe: Robin's Soup, Robin's Salad, Robin's Dessert. But it seems a little obnoxious and not very informative.

Here is our latest invention. I got the idea from watching Good Eats when he had a special on chickpeas (garbonzo beans). Ike thought it looked like a good treat and begged me to make it. It can be served warm as a main dish or cold as a salad (I had a bunch for lunch yesterday with an orange on the side). It's a little salty because of the olives and artichokes and peppers. And it is not low fat - feel free to eat it with balsamic vinegar instead. We named it Garbonzo Delight. (Tempted to call it Delightful Robin's Garbonzos! but that sounds like I am describing something else...)

Garbonzo Delight

3 cups chickpeas - cooked or from a can (Here are directions on how to cook them)
1 medium zucchini - thinly sliced
1 red pepper chopped
1 leaf kale finely chopped
5 artichoke hearts (packed in water) - roughly chopped
4 pepperochinis - thinly sliced
10 olives (your choice) sliced
2 green onions thinly sliced

Dressing:

3 T Veganaise
1 T vinegar
2 t dijon mustard
dash garlic powder
dash oregano

Mix the dressing and pour over ingredients. Mix and serve!

I made this with freshly cooked chick peas and served it hot. Oh! It was good. Because I doubled the recipe I have had it for lunch for 2 days. I think it would be good with feta if you eat cheese. Also - perhaps a few pine nuts sprinkled on top!

Planter Fasciitis

2011-03-16T09:04:00.001-06:00

Didn't the title of this post get you all excited!? Were you asking yourself, "Oh my! What could this be about? Looks super interesting!"

Over on my other blog I posted about falling down due to my planter fasciitis. I have been complaining about here too and many of you have told me that you suffer the same pain.

Its so much easier to eat healthy when you can exercise and PF stops me dead in my tracks. But I have found a website full of PF exercises and have been doing them for 2 days now and I am starting to feel a little bit better!

For your PF pain here is the link: Heel That Pain!

Oatmeal and stuff

2011-03-14T09:02:00.001-06:00

Some of you are experiencing spring right now. Here in the frozen tundra of Colorado we won't warm up until sometime in August and then a week later we'll have a blizzard. Not kidding.

So a warm breakfast is a must have for most of the year. My current favorite is oatmeal. Oatmeal lasts for hours - eat a bowl of oatmeal with a green smoothie and you won't even think about food for at least 4 hours. I use Coach's Oats (at Costco) with a dash of cinnamon topped off with a few crushed pecans (you can crush them right in your hand). Ike likes brown sugar on his but I am trying to transition him to honey. He is being a little stubborn about it. It isn't as easy as switching him to almond milk or whole wheat pasta. Roland is just happy to have a warm meal in his own kitchen. He travels too much.

He just got back from a trip to India and Singapore for 10 days - by the time he got home he had no idea what day or time it was. But thanks to his healthy eating ways he recovered quickly and reports that he didn't gain a pound. Yay!

Last night for dinner I whipped up an easy meal of spaghetti and salad.

Super Quick Easy Spaghetti Dinner :

Saute up 1 lb sliced mushrooms until they begin to brown. Toss in 3 leaves of kale (stemmed and finely chopped), add 2 patties of vegan sausage (morningstar is my fav) - crumbled, pour 1 small jar of Classico spaghetti sauce over all and heat until bubbly. Serve over whole spaghetti with a large dark green salad.

Serve fresh pineapple for dessert!

Smoothie Virgin

2011-03-10T08:02:00.004-07:00

I've been distracted from the blog by work and by my master bedroom. I am redecorating and want it over quickly so all my spare time goes to the bedroom.

Ike has a friend staying with us this week (his parents are on a cruise) and all week long we have been gently teasing him about drinking a smoothie. Hey, he has been eating tons of vegetables, including brussel spouts, and vegan tacos and spaghetti and enjoying it all, so a smoothie is no big deal, right?

So, this morning I made a very mild smoothie with a banana, pear, apple 1 1/2 cup almond milk, 3 T flax seed, 1 cup frozen blue berries, and only 2 handfuls of spinach - it was one of the sweetest smoothies I have made. I poured him a very small cup and he announced he would drink it. We were silent as he bravely took his first sip, made a face, and said it smelled like pumpkin and not in a good way. A bad pumpkin way. He tried to gag down the rest and I told him to not worry about it and eat his mango and vegan sausage instead. I was proud of him for trying.

I think Ike was proud of himself. He drinks a big, thick, dark green smoothie every morning. Its not his favorite thing to do, but he does it, and now I think he is proud of himself for being so tough every morning.

If green smoothies were pink everyone would like them.

I love them.

Junky Vegan

2011-03-04T07:28:00.002-07:00

Oh! It feels so good to eat clean!

I have been a bit of a junky vegan lately. I've been vegan - but in a corn chip, Dr. Pepper, licorice kind of way. I blame it on the funeral and think it is a good blame. But I'm over that now and right back to Nutritarian Woman ( Ta Da!)!!!

What I ate yesterday:

Big old green smoothie
orange
Huge salad
leftover French Lentil Soup (I heart leftovers)
Banana
Hummus (lots) and cucumber
Apple
Quinoa Coconut Curry! (my own invention)
Pero

I was really hungry last night and not sure what I wanted. This is what I did (so yummy):

You can find this at the supermarket. My son, Gabe, told me about it. Good Stuff.

Robin's Super Simple Easy Quinoa Coconut Curry!

Spray pan with Pam. Saute 1 cup chopped onion and one chopped red pepper until tender. Add 1 cup light coconut milk (from a can), 1 1/2 teaspoon green curry paste, 1 cup peas, and 1 1/2 cup cooked quinoa and stir until peas are tender/sweet. Try not to eat it all at once.

Ike even liked it.

I am the Unicorn

2011-03-02T11:41:00.002-07:00

I feel like the unicorn after I exercise. And it is so much easier to eat well when you are moving your body! On Monday we joined Lifetime Fitness (tell them I recommended you so I can get more bonus bucks for training!). It doesn't open until May - but I am walk/running now. Still fighting with my feet about feeling good and trying to decide if I should just exercise through the pain or take it easy.

It's nice that the granny orthodics that go in my shoes make me look an inch taller.

Yay for looking tall!

Dinner last night was French Lentil Soup. Recipe here. I added avocado, of course.

Champagne Mangoes are in at Costco - not organic at all - but oh so wonderful!

I'm Back! With lots of oranges.

2011-02-28T10:47:00.000-07:00

So I took a week off the blog and now I have lots of exciting things I want to blog about. You should be gorging on citrus right now. I know we all miss watermelon and real tomatoes, but mother nature planned it so you can love citrus exclusively, not being distracted by cantalope or peaches.

I usually just peel an orange and eat it like candy. I used to smother my grapefruit with powered sugar but now I eat it straight or eat it mixed with orange. I can eat a pretty big bowl of this in one day. It makes me feel sunny and cheerful.

Here is a fun video on how to peel citrus. I don't cut out the segments - I just peel and chop. Make sure you use a freshly sharpened knive.

I got this one at Walmart 3 years ago for $30 and I use it on the JAHenkles knives we got as a wedding present 27 years ago - and it works great! A must have if you are constantly chopping up plants to eat.

When Things Don't Go The Way You Planned

2011-02-21T07:04:00.000-07:00

Things don't always go the way you planned. When things don't go the way I've planned I feel disappointed. And, like many of you, I am an emotional eater.

Roland's father passed away on Friday and although we are happy that he is with his dear sweet Betty we feel sorry for our loss and are flooded with a large range of emotions. I have found that I want sugar very much. But I know it will make me feel sick and it will fuel a greater need for sugar.

In times of mourning it is important to be kind to yourself. This is not the time to fight the big battle. So, I am being kind to myself with food. Really kind. I'm being my own best friend to make sure I feel good. Rather than fight that sugar urge I am giving in with fruit and it works! It works much better than chocolate or Krispy Kreme! After eating a orange I feel refreshed and calm. After eating pineapple I feel clean and sunny! When have you ever felt refreshed, engergized, and clean after gorging on junk food? Never.

I'd rather go into this week of mourning/celebration of life feeling fresh and capable than feeling exhausted and distracted by cravings.

..............

Week one of the 6 week committment = 5 lbs lost! Yay!

"Meatloaf"

2011-02-18T08:01:00.000-07:00

I'm not much for fake meat and my friend Angie warns me against too much soy. But this recipe is really good.

This meatloaf with a big green salad, and oven "fried" potatoes = real comfort food.

The only thing I did differently to the recipe was to mix the ketchup with some Braggs liquid aminos, some spicy mustard, and a few drops of agave nectar and spread that on the top. Ike loved it.

Today my sweet baby boy (oh, he was such a cuddly baby!)

is coming home to visit Grandpa, who is not doing very well. Gabe has adopted a mostly vegan diet, (I am so proud of him!) and I plan to make this dinner for him tonight.

If you have a man in your life that would benefit from a plant based diet you might want to encourage him to read the E2 Book or at least checkout their website (lots of good recipes there).

http://engine2diet.com/

One Year Anniversary!

2011-02-16T14:33:00.000-07:00

Exactly one year ago February 16, 2010 Roland and I started the Eat to Live diet. We committed to each other to give it a good 6 weeks and at the end of the 6 weeks we could return to our previous diet of prime ribs, cheesy bread, and fudge.

I didn't start blogging about it until I'd been on the diet for 2 weeks because I was afraid I wouldn't like the diet. But I ended up loving the diet and wanted to share our discovery. I hoped that this blog would provide moral support I felt I needed. But as it turned out, I didn't need moral support, kale was doing the job just fine. I felt so great and had such amazing success and this blog was a great place to share the good news.

Six weeks later and we were hooked. We had no desire to go back to the SAD (Standard American Diet). Now here we are exactly one year later. We have relaxed our standards a bit, allowing a few processed foods and a little bit of sugar, but we are still vegan - strictly vegan. It feels normal now. I don't even think about it - I just do it!

We've changed what it will be like when we are 60, 70, 80 + years old. We are on a completely different road then we were a year ago. I used to think that a sedentary lifestyle, pain, and illness would be a normal part of our aging process but now I see that we have busy, active, exciting decades ahead of us! Oh! I am so glad I married such a fun, intelligent, sexy, clever, adventurous man!

So, how do you celebrate one year of success? Well, mostly it is like any other day of the year, bills beg, phones ring, food rots, carpools call. But Roland and I agreed to start all over again at day one. We recommit to the original 6 week challenge. If you don't know what that is run out and buy the Eat To Live book. It will be the best $16 you ever spent.

Join us on our 6 week challenge! Starting today (or tomorrow [actually we started yesterday]) we will follow the Eat To Live 6 Week Diet. Strict.

Who is in?

Let's Talk About Chili

2011-02-15T10:20:00.001-07:00

Chili is a big part of my life. I make it about once a week and eat the leftovers for lunch a few times. At first I followed a recipe but now I just wing it with whatever I have.

When I make chili I follow a basic pattern. All ingredients are to taste/what you have on hand/how many people you are serving.

Robin's Kitchen Sink Chili:

Saute chopped onion, carrots and green bell pepper until starting to soften. May need to add water for saute.
Add other veggies, whatever you have on hand: mushrooms, peppers, asparagus, brussel sprouts, green beans, just dig through the fridge and toss it in.
Add 3 cloves sliced garlic and seasonings and saute until veggies are starting to get tender.

Seasonings I like include: chili powder, smoked paprika, oregano, fresh ground pepper

Then toss in a can or two of diced tomatoes, a drained can (or two or three) of beans (I like black beans, northern beans, and large kidney beans) and extra water if needed and simmer for about 20 minutes.

Right before serving I like to add 2 cloves garlic - minced or pressed, a large handful of frozen corn, and chopped avacado.

Sometimes I will add a few tablespoons of balsamic vinegar for a little twang.

In this batch you can see that I added leftover brown rice.

YUM!

Those Damn Girl Scouts

2011-02-14T14:29:00.000-07:00

I always buy 3 boxes of Girl Scout Cookies from a darling girl scout in our neighborhood. If the girls scouts were hairy and stinky and surly it would be a lot easier to say no to them. This year I planned on taking them to a party or giving them to the teachers. But Ike opened the door and got the cookies first. He opened the Samoas. Have you had the Samoas? If not, please don't ever taste them or you will always feel like you need them.

So I said I would have just one. One hour later they were all gone and Ike only had 2.

I console myself by telling myself they were tiny cookies and only 15 in a pack. Eating a baker's dozen wasn't that bad, right?

I felt sick the rest of the day.

Here is a cute Valentine my BIL made for my sister (read her blog):

If you wear green today it means you want to be kissed!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Abundance

2011-02-10T09:11:00.001-07:00

You've probably heard about the Abundance vs. Scarcity Mentality that has been applied to everything from everything to economic systems to interpersonal relationships. Well, I'm going to stretch it out a bit and apply to a healthy diet.

The Scarcity Diet:

I've done this diet so many times. The "I Can't" diet. I can't have that, I can't have this. I can only eat these few foods and only so much of them.

8 oz sugar free fat free yogurt topped with 1/4 cup fat free granola
6 oz of low fat soup topped by 1 tablespoon of fake sour cream
one cookie
1 rice cake topped with 2 tablespoons cottage cheese
1/2 cup of low fat no sugar ice cream
8 chocolate chips

Food is rare, it it limited, and lots of times it is fake. You better sit down and enjoy every bite because, honey, there are not very many bites. And they don't taste very good.

It only takes one "meal" to feel deprived. Along with that feeling of deprivation comes the distinct feeling of not being nurtured, a cold empty longing for comfort. Then you get greedy and if your 10 year old eats a rice cake with Nutella you might freak out and yell about needing every. single. one. of those cardboard cakes! For crying out loud. After all, you are starving! Everyone must suffer! Heaven forbid he pours whole milk over your expensive diet granola (that tiny box will fill up exactly one of his cereal bowls). Heads will roll!

The longest I have made it on The Scarcity Diet is about 1 1/2 days. So my family and friends only suffer a bit before I dig out the Rootbeer Ribs and Cap'n Crunch and gorge, trying to erase the impoverished suffering I have forced on myself.

This poverty of food, of nourishment, never works. At least not for someone who loves food.

The Abundant Diet:

I love food. I use it to nurture. I use it to celebrate. I use it to show my family I love and care for them. I use it when I am upset, bored, lonely. Food is a big deal to me. The Abundant Diet works because I can have as much food as I want. An endless supply of food needs to be eaten. Everyday I need to eat at least:

1 pound of raw vegetables
1 pound of cooked vegetables
1 cup beans
5 pieces of fruit
1/2 cup of starchy food (whole wheat bread, brown rice, potatoes)
nuts and seeds

Have you ever tried to do this? It's too much. Food is plentiful. Its spilling out out of my fridge and out of the fruit bowls (yes I have more than one fruit bowl now). I am full. I feel nurtured. I need to share it. Come over and eat my food! Please! I have too much!

I'm no longer measuring, weighing, counting. I'm just enjoying. My emotional needs are being met and my physical needs are more than being met. I no longer crave food to make me feel better, to fill a hole, to comfort me. Food has become a joyful thing I do rather than a constant obsessive fight.

I am satisfied.

How are you eating: Scarcely? or Abundantly?

Ahead of Oprah

2011-02-04T08:18:00.000-07:00

Aren't we so glad that we were way ahead of Oprah on the whole vegan thing? I have to admit to feeling somewhat self-righteous as I watched her show. I wanted to cheer each time a staff member said they were converted. Yay!

This is what I had for lunch yesterday and probably will have it again for dinner today.

Just lettuce and blueberries with balsamic vinegar. I've added sweet onion and avocado and that is pretty good too. Of course this isn't enough to keep me satisfied

so I teamed it up with a steaming bowl of my tomato soup.

It feels wonderful to eat such a summery meal in the dead of winter.

I'm going to Jason's Deli for lunch today. They have a muffaletta that is easily made into a

vegan meal. I can't decide between that and salad and their vegetable soup.

Decisions decisions!

I'm really shooting for a pound of raw and a pound of cooked veggies everyday this weekend.

It's going to be a wonderful weekend.

My Heel Didn't Hurt In This Picture

2011-02-03T07:34:00.003-07:00

The Great Wall of China - June 2010

Remember my painful heel and how it stopped me from exercising? And did I tell you how Roland gave me a lecture about going to see the doctor? I always do what he says :).

The doctor didn't have a magic pill but he had a magic cortisone shot that reminded me of all 4 of my childbirths rolled into one 30 second moment. It left me sweaty and breathless - and not in a good way. It promises to fix my heel lickety-split. I can't wait to post sweaty breathless posts about how great it feels to exercise again! Hopefully in 2 weeks (or earlier!).

It has been cold.

I've been drinking this:

I like it very hot with about 1/4 cup almond milk.

Today I drank it while I read this article:

Testimonial III - Princess

2011-02-02T08:30:00.003-07:00

If I get any more testimonials I will have to revert to arabic numerals because once we hit #4 I get confused on roman numerals. But go ahead and send me more testimonials and I'll see what I can do.

Here is another wonderful testimony of a healthy vegan diet. This was left in my comments by a lovely woman who goes by Princess Singular. I think she deserves a big pat on the back and lots of sun shiny attention (especially because she is in Boulder where it is VERY COLD):

I started this journey in September, weighing 189 lbs and a size 20. Not sure exactly how much weight i've lost since I don't own scales and don't really need to go to my doctor anymore! I am guessing about 45 lbs. Today, when I went to try on pants at the mall I discovered I am a size 10!!....and if that didn't leave me in enough shock, the salesgirl asked me something I never thought I'd be asked "We have in some cute new pencil skirts, want to try one on?" I am still in shock. It almost seems "too easy" and anyone who has tried to lose weight on any plan other than Dr. Fuhrman's will know what I mean. It is such an enjoyable lifestyle (ok the first week was a little icky).....Just wanted to say thanks for your blog...it is, indeed, a huge help and support system. There is really no other blog like it out there. I live in Boulder, a really tough town to be "fat" in.....so there isn't a lot of support here because there are almost no overweight people. Your blog means a lot to me. Thanks so much!!

Princess - Boulder is a vegan eater's dream! So many great vegetarian restaurants! I'm glad you are doing so well. Thanks for sharing your encouraging experience!

..........

Also, Check out this funny post: Ladies, alone, laughing with salad.

Creamy Mushroom Soup

2011-02-01T21:31:00.002-07:00

Today was a snow day, not because of the snow but because of the cold! Our high was -4 and that was without the windchill! Tonight it will be -45 with windchill. Holy Frozen Cow.

As most of the US is cold tonight, here is a lovely soup to warm you up. I modified this from the Williams Sonoma Beans and Rice cookbook.

Wild Rice and Mushroom Soup:

This is a great soup to make on a snow day because it takes a little time and it makes your home smell warm and inviting and if you happen to whip up some whole wheat rolls to serve with it you will really have a treat.

Bring to boil and cook covered for 40 minutes:

1/3 cup wild rice
2 cups water

Use hot water to soak cashews for cashew cream and rehydrate mushrooms - one handful - (from the big costco container) for 40 minutes.

While all the boiling and re-hydrating is going on spray a soup pot with Pam and saute:

1 onion - chopped
1 celery stalk - chopped

adding apple juice or white grape juice or vegetable stock if needed to keep from sticking

Add:

3/4 pound of mushrooms - sliced

to the saute mix until mushrooms start to soften and smell good - about 15 minutes

Add

3 cups vegetable stock
re-hydrated mushrooms

and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Prepare cashew cream while simmering:

Then add

1 cup (or more) cashew cream (I added quite a bit more)
wild rice

to soup pot and simmer for 5 more minutes. Season with pepper.

Garnish with parsley and serve hot! I also think this would taste wonderful if you added a bit of sliced green onion towards the end and tossed in a handful of frozen corn (for a sweet crunch) and topped it with toasted pecan bits. That is what I am going to do next time.

Ike and Roland added Red Hot to their soup.

Here are all the ingredients in one place:

1/3 cup wild rice

2 cups water

cashew cream (make as much as you want)

dehydrated mushrooms - optional (one handful)

1 onion chopped

1 celery stalk chopped

3/4 lb mushrooms sliced

3 cups vegetable stock

parsley

Possible Improvements:

handful frozen corn

sliced green onion to taste

toasted pecans for garnish

Testimonial II

2011-01-29T08:09:00.000-07:00

Another testimonial email. This one is from Linsey in Washington DC.

So, it's been a struggle, I'm not going to lie. And, I am not as vigilant as you, but I made major changes for me and I am proud of that. I got on the scale this morning and I've lost 10 pounds. Of course, I had an easy 5 of empty DisneyWorld and Holiday goodies to lose, so it's really more like 5. But, since my goal is 30, I'm a third of the way there. WOO HOO! And, I feel good. I really do feel good. I've finally worked out my childcare issues (I hope) so I can now start exercising with regularity too. I'm hoping to turn some of this excess fat I'm carrying around in to muscle. I'm also hoping to be fit enough to actually race in the race for the cure this year, instead of to just leisurely stroll with the masses.

Thanks for posting/sending all your positive thoughts and encouragement and recipes. The recipes are key because the food preparation part is the biggest deterrent for me. I'm so tired, the last thing I want to think about is making a "diet" friendly meal most nights. However, I'm not as tired and that's fabulous. School is actually making this easier too, because I've decided if I don't have it with me, I will not eat it. So, I'm not snacking on crap and I'm saving money too!

You're a rock star and you have made a huge difference in my life. Thank you, thank you, a thousand times thank you!

--
Linsey

10 lbs is just amazing! It sure encourages you to stick with it! Sounds like it hasn't been too difficult. And she is already noticing other positive changes like more energy. Pretty soon she may notice softer skin, the ability to focus her brain power (important when doing graduate studies while raising kids, I've done that too), needing less sleep, easier periods. Those were only some of the benefits I noticed. Next she will start craving salads.

Linsey - I am really proud of you! Thanks for sharing your success. I know many people who are trying this and any encouragement helps a lot. Your "fresh convert" enthusiasm is quite contagious.

YOU, Linsey, are the rock star!

Hand In Hand

2011-01-28T08:04:00.002-07:00

Did the title of this post make you think romantic thoughts? Valentine's day is about 2 weeks away so I'm not at all surprised if your thoughts turn to amore.

This post is about pain. My pain. I have a stabbing throbbing piercing sharp pain in my right heel that has stopped me from exercising the last week or so and after some frustrating reflection I've decided that its much much easier to eat a healthy diet when you exercise. Diet and exercise go hand in hand. My theory is that the good endorphins you get from exercise make it easier to choose chard over chocolate, and then the chard creates peace in your body thus encouraging more exercise - it is a wonderful cyclical relationship.

I ignored the pain for a week because sometimes when I ignore a problem it fixes itself or goes away. But this didn't go away so I made an appointment with our friendly podiatrist - a real nice guy - and hopefully he will give me a magic pill that will have me up and running soon. Literally running.

Not my picture but pretty close to how it looked.

Back to romance. Last night I was in charge of the chocolate fountain for refreshments at a church meeting. The recipe for a chocolate fountain is 10 cups chocolate chips and 2 cups oil, melted together. The chips were swimming in the oil. That's how they get the chocolate to flow like a water fountain - tons of oil. I filled my plate up with bananas, strawberries, and grapes and fought the urge to announce how gross the chocolate was because I didn't want to be a killjoy, and all those ladies were loving the chocolate fountain, and I love those ladies.

Happy Pre-Valentine's Day.

8 Is Great!

2011-01-27T08:04:00.001-07:00

Roland gave me this pin a year ago. I treasure it.

I got 558 hits yesterday.

If you add 558 together you get 18 which was how old I was when I went to college. If you add 18 together you get 9 which is 1 less than 10 which is what 208 added together equals. 208 was the goal for yesterday. I got 558 hits yesterday which was 350 hits more than I needed to get to my goal. 350 added together is 8. 18 (the sum of 558) minus 10 (the sum of 208) is 8. Amazing hu?

I made this on Monday for dinner and plan on serving the leftovers for dinner tonight. It is delicious! These pictures are before baking - I tossed some chopped cashews on top to make it pretty! So good. Eat as much as you want.

Here is the recipe.

208

2011-01-26T08:42:00.000-07:00

208 is the area code of one of my favorite places on planet earth. It's also how much I weighed after losing 30 lbs eating this healthy vegan diet. And it's how many more hits I need to reach 15,000 visitors! See that little yellow number on the left side of this post? Right now, at 8:40 AM Mountain Standard Time it reads 14,792.

I hope I break 15,000 today!

Testimonial

2011-01-25T09:18:00.003-07:00

I got this email yesterday from my darling friend:

Hi Robin!

I just had to write and say: um...not eating sugar is the best thing that ever happened to me. I have lost 11.5 lbs in 3 weeks. (Ryan said last Saturday "Where was this no-sugar diet 5 years ago? We could've had a lot less tears if you'd figured this out then.") I feel great. It's not even that hard. Like, not eating sugar is hard 30 minutes a day, and the rest of the 23 1/2 hours I feel awesome because 1)I am not cycling through sugar highs and lows 2) I'm feeling full because I don't waste calories on a nutritionally purposeless food 3) I've got self-control. I've cut back on dairy a little, and upped my veg/fruit servings to 9 per day (Thanks to green smoothies which I'm addicted to). So what do you think? Is it just all about the sugar?

Thanks for starting a revolution in your little blog world...

--Jessica

See? It really does work. And like Jessica said: "It's not even that hard".

What I ate for Breakfast today:

Green Smoothie (duh)
Oatmeal with blueberries
1 bowl of this soup
1 toasted pita (dipped into the soup)
1 banana with p-nut butter

and finally, I was satisfied. I was hungry this morning! Really hungry!

Speaking at CCL

2011-01-24T07:52:00.000-07:00

I was invited to speak at the Center for Creative Leadership last Friday along with Sharon about "Eating to Lose Weight". Sharon holds a PhD in nutrition and presented the science behind a vegan diet. She has an impressive presentation filled with the latest nutrition research - stuff that really makes you happy you are eating a vegan diet. And she throws in fun stuff too, like:

After she wowed the crowd with her amazing expertise I spoke about my experience losing weight by eating a vegan diet. Not the Cheetos Oreos vegan (those are technically vegan) but the healthy vegan diet. After our presentations we had a tasting table filled with wonderful healthy food. I brought Snow Day Chili, Grapefruit and Avocado Salad, and green smoothies of course!

Grapefruit Avocado Salad

1 T Dijon mustard
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/2 t fresh ground pepper
2 T dried cranberries
4 small avocados - peeled, sliced, and pitted
3 large pink grapefruits - peeled and sliced - make sure all white pith is removed

Mix mustard, lemon juice and pepper until blended. Toss with avocados and grapefruit.

Grapefruit season is just getting going and this salad is refreshing and pretty to look at!

No Jiggles

2011-01-20T09:46:00.000-07:00

The shoes Roland gave me for Christmas. They are running shoes but I wear them to my training class too.

Can't move - too tired.

My "ultimate training" teacher at the YMCA is so good that people arrive 25 minutes early to get into her 9:00 class. I go to the 8:00 class that isn't nearly as crowded. Oh, she kicks our butts. Nothing on her body jiggles. Not even her boobs jiggle. Some of the exercises we do are impossible to do. I try to do them but sometimes I lose my balance and fall a little. I think I am the fattest person in there and that is after losing 50 lbs! But everyone is nice to me. They don't care what I look like because they are there for themselves - not to critique others.

It isn't an easy thing to do at first but then when I get going I actually like it! Amazing.

What type of exercise works for you?

Newbies

2011-01-18T09:37:00.001-07:00

I know of at least 4 people who are jumping on the nutritarian band wagon right now! Yay! I wish they could all just move in with me for a week so I could help them kick it off right. That's how my mom got started, she went to the cabin with me for a week of my diet and she was hooked.

So here are a few encouraging words for Kristen, Angie, Lindsey, and Kelsy -

You can do this!

Also:

Be nice to yourself the first few days - withdrawal can be tough. It helped me to always have fruit on hand and when I started feeling overwhelmed by it all, or tired from withdrawal, or discouraged, I would eat an orange. Oranges are truly amazing. One day I ate 4 oranges. And bananas are like candy bars. It takes about 2 weeks to really feel a difference and at the end of 6 weeks you will be hooked! Just shoot for a pound of raw veggies, a pound of cooked veggies, at least 4 pieces of fruit and a cup of beans per day and you will be amazed at the change in your body.

Read Eat to Live and the China Study. And check out vegan books from the library - they are full of good food ideas (you probably will need to reduce the fat though).

Keep me updated on your success/struggles!

One Day

2011-01-14T07:42:00.000-07:00

It took one day to break the sugar craving. I was surprised. I figured I would craving sugar for at least 3 days. As you remember, I started occasionally eating little bits and pieces of sugar right around Halloween and by Christmas sugar was once again part of my daily diet. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to break the habit. But I woke up on Sunday and decided that would be the first day of no sugar. By Monday morning the craving was gone!

Guess what else is gone? The post nasal drip that has been bugging me since Halloween. Strange hu?

I'm feeling great and very pleased with myself for not wanting sugary treats when they are offered to me. No more sugar bondage for me.
It's wonderful to have freedom from sugar.

I am traveling this weekend and so happy to not have to deal with cravings while on the road!

If I can do this - you can too.

Beans, Beans! The Magical Fruit!

2011-01-12T08:11:00.001-07:00

The more you eat 'em the more you toot!

So true. Try Beano.

Beans are saving me this winter. My appetite is bigger than it was in the summer probably because my body is trying to stay warm. Yesterday I ate a bowl of hummus on cucumbers for a mid morning snack. It was a pretty good sized bowl and it filled me up and kept me happy for 5 hours!

My favorite way to eat beans is in hummus but I also like them in salads, in soups, and black beans fresh out of the pressure cooker as a side dish. When I eat them with hummus I like to divide a whole wheat pita into 2 thin pieces (sometimes you need to toast it a minute so it will separate easily) and then toast those pieces until they are crispy and use them as crackers for the hummus. Search for a good quality pita with as few ingredients as possible and store them in the fridge. The homemade pita chips and hummus are filling and make a very satisfying snack. Sometimes I will have that everyday!

How do you eat your magical fruit?

5 Week Flashback

2011-01-10T09:39:00.000-07:00

Only 5 weeks left until we celebrate our 1 year anniversary. I'm thinking a great way to celebrate would be to take my readers on a cruise to GREECE! Who's in? :) Now we just need to find a sponsor.

Looking back to last March when we had been eating nutritarian for 5 weeks, I found that my clothes were getting loose. In fact Roland's pants fell right off him when he was walking up the stairs! I was amazed to find that the summer clothes no longer fit - they were way too big on me. It really surprised me that I didn't miss junk food at all, rarely craved food, and I was getting skinny! It seemed miraculous.

At the 5 week mark we were starting to say that we could possibly eat this way forever! Now, with only 5 weeks to go until one year I can confidently say that we can eat this way forever - in fact, I want to eat this way forever!

What I Ate

2011-01-08T08:57:00.001-07:00

I just sent my 3rd child back to college this morning. He told me that one of the things he will miss the most is the green smoothies I've been making him everyday.

He lives in the dorms and eats in the cafeteria. Upon realizing that the only fresh greens available was iceberg lettuce, he requested that they serve fresh spinach and now they do! He said he has a large plate of spinach with each meal and his friends think he is weird.

I know I've said this many times, but oh, how I wish I had found this way of eating when my kids were babies. I know it would have made a big difference in their health and in my attitude.

What I Ate Yesterday (someone needs to hide the pecans):
Breakfast:

small handful of raw pecans
big green smoothie
banana
orange

Lunch:

huge dark green salad (and black beans, mushrooms, sliced baked potato, apples, dried cranberries, and balsamic vinegar)
soft pita bread

Snack:

medium handful of raw pecans
medium glass of green smoothie

Dinner:

Amy's Lentil Soup
avocado
orange
Sweet and Spicy Tea
MORE pecans

I'm hiding the pecans now.

6 Weeks Countdown!

2011-01-06T17:57:00.002-07:00

12/28/2010 Monarch, Colorado
We've been eating right for 46 weeks (only 6 weeks to go until ONE YEAR!) and we can now do fun stuff with our kids!

There was no way I was skiing last year.

Yay for feeling AWESOME!

When I first started blogging about this I was told that one of my posts hurt someone's feelings. In the post I reported that a meal, in someone else's home, made me feel ill and I was amazed that such a small thing as food choice (not so small after all right?) could have such a huge impact on my wellbeing. The person who prepared that meal read the post and felt hurt.

I felt horrible about it. Here I am trying to make the world a better place and I hurt someone's feelings? Whaa! I wondered if I was doing the right thing. Food is a very sensitive issue and I didn't want my enthusiasm for new found health to offend those I hold dear. I decided that I had to speak out and hope that I helped more people than I hurt. So I kept the blog going. And now here we are only 6 weeks away from ONE YEAR of healthy lifestyle!

Join me as I count down the last 6 weeks to One Year of Success!

P.S. The person whose feelings were hurt still loves me and I love her so we are fine.

Tasting Normal

2011-01-05T08:48:00.000-07:00

I am glad to be back on the vagon (vegan wagon).

Last summer I went to a big craft show with a neat group of ladies on my street - commonly referred to as neighbors, I have nice neighbors - it was one of those craft shows where people buy tickets in advance and line up early to get in. Even so, it can't hold a candle to Boise's Art In The Park. But I digress. There were lots of food samples at the show, gift foods, fancy foods, stuff you would serve at a party. There was one booth that was selling dried soups and I sampled them and spit the soup out it was so horrible. It tasted like chemicals and plastic. All around me women were buying it (buy 3 get one Free!), snatching it up like it was fresh picked, warm from the sun, garden grown tomatoes! I was amazed! Had my taste changed so much that I was no longer normal?

Yes. Yes it had. I was no longer normal.

Food.

Not Food.

Over the Christmas season my taste started to get more normal and it didn't take much, just a nibble here, a small serving there, and suddenly store bought chocolate ice cream topping didn't taste horrible. It tasted odd, off and un-food like but not spit-it-out-horrible.

I also noticed that my smoothies weren't tasting as wonderful. The processed sugar I was eating made it impossible for me to appreciate the natural sugar in the smoothies.

When you eat real food you crave real food and it becomes your normal. Then you will be appalled by processed food.

And it feels good.

New Year's Resolution Idea

2011-01-04T09:35:00.000-07:00

I have to laugh at my last post made in ernest hope that I would really do that! I made it through the Holidays without much damage - in fact I still haven't gained weight in spite of eating too much sugar and fat. But I wasn't tempted one bit by cheese, butter or meat. I feel a little repelled by those foods. If only I could feel repelled by sugar! That would be awesome.

If you are new to the idea of a plant based idea click over to my friend Celia's web site - she has some good advice for you. If you are worried about diving in all the way may I suggest you just start incorporating green smoothies into your daily diet? I have a recipe posted here and my sister has one posted here. They have made huge difference in my life and my husband swears by them.

If you haven't set a New Year's Resolution I think you should resolve to have a big (at least 12 oz I usually have 24 oz) green smoothie everyday! And then sit back and see how awesome 2011 will be!

Whoa! Sugar!

2010-12-20T09:57:00.000-07:00

10 months. Roland and I have been eating a plant based non processed diet for 10 months. Well, make that a little less than 10 months. I let sugar back in. Ack!

I just slowly let it happen. And this is how I feel:

moody
mucus-y
tired
distracted
out of control
I have an appetite for sugar (and it makes me think about sugar a lot)

Amazingly I haven't gained a pound. In fact I've lost a pound. But I feel yucky. So starting today I quit sugar. Who am I kidding? I'll probably have some goodies at Christmas but the deal is that I am not going to let it into my daily diet. I know I will feel better once the sugar is gone.

It's my Christmas present to myself.

Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup

2010-12-10T18:59:00.002-07:00

I have had some success with soup and so far this is my favorite. It takes a little prep but it is so good. The cashew cream gives it that creamy taste you expect from creamy buttery soups. I am a fan of cashew cream. The cashew cream recipe I linked is by Tal Ronnen who has a wonderful book called The Conscious Cook. I highly recommend that book.

I served this at a luncheon today and it got rave reviews and requests for the recipe. I roasted all the veggies the day before and assembled the soup this morning and it was easy and quick. It keeps well and can even be frozen. I doubled this recipe to serve 14 people.

Robin's Roasted Garlic Tomato Soup

1 quart tomatoes - I used the fabulous tomatoes I froze this summer but you could use fresh or canned.
4 small heads of garlic (or 2 large heads)
1 large onion- roughly chopped
2 cups Vegetable stock (I like Pacific organic)
1/2 cup Cashew Cream or to taste (http://www.talronnen.com/recipes/cashew-cream)
Fresh Basil - 1/4 cup finely chopped- diced

Roast garlic - Here is a tutorial: http://simplyrecipes.com/recipes/roasted_garlic/ I dipped the cut heads in olive oil rather than drizzling oil so I used less oil. I also had to roast mine about 1 hour rather than 30 minutes. They sell roasted garlic at Sunflower if you'd rather use that.

Roast Tomatoes - spread tomatoes on large baking sheet with a lip - spray with Pam and sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Roast at 325 for 2 - 3 hours. Let cool.

Saute onion until soft and sweet.

Put tomatoes (and juices if any), roasted garlic (squeeze them out of the skins) and onion in blender with enough vegetable stock to blend - and blend until smooth.

Pour blended mix into soup pan and add rest of stock. Stir in cashew cream. Simmer for about 30 minutes. 15 minutes before serving add basil.

Serve with soft whole wheat rolls and a huge dark green salad - of course!

Favorite Thing

2010-12-07T12:12:00.000-07:00

Oprah had her final "favorite things" show. Wish I could have been in that audience. If I were Oprah one of the favorite things I would give is this:

Good Earth Sweet and Spicy Tea.

They were sampling it at Costco and I couldn't believe how wonderful it was!

Sweet AND Spicy.

Even my husband and son, who usually prefer hot chocolate, like this stuff.

Drop by and let me make you a cup.

Thankful

2010-11-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

I'm thankful for my husband who cautiously gave me "Eat to Live" for Valentines Day and sincerely asked me to read and follow the book for 6 weeks. It takes a strong (or clueless) man to give his wife a diet book on Valentine's Day. But it ended up being a wonderfully romantic gesture of love as our lives have changed so much for the better.

I'm thankful for friends who have encouraged me, taught me to run, made me go to the Y, shared fabulous recipes and food ideas, and patted me on the back. I truely am blessed with dear friends.

I'm thankful for children, sisters, and a mom who changed over to a plant based diet - making my change all the more exciting and fulfilling. And I am thankful that they are proud of me. Again, I am so blessed.

I'm very thankful for every single comment on this blog. Thank You.

And, finally, after years of complaining and wondering what was wrong with me, I can happily say I am thankful for a wonderful body that has energy, works hard, wakes up early, thinks clearly, and feels great!

Happy Thanksgiving indeed.

Love Your Food and Your Food Will Love You

2010-11-18T16:38:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I can talk Roland into inviting a work associate (friend? peer? dude?) home for dinner. This week was one of those times. Roland has been telling me how awesome this guy is for months now.

Prasad Kaipa. He works with Roland as a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Creative Leadership. He is also a professor at the Indian School of Business, and does Executive Coaching. He is a good photographer. He has a lovely wife and 2 beautiful children. And to my great pleasure he is a wonderful conversationalist who isn't at all afraid to talk talk talk. We talked about lots of interesting things but I want to share with you our conversation about food.

He is vegetarian and so he appreciated my meal of vegan lasagna, fresh baked french bread, big green salad, and apple sauce. We talked about how after a meal like that you feel satisfied but light. He told us that you must love your food and treat it with respect and care. He said when we eat the food meets 3 main needs: 1) emotional/spiritual edification, 2) physical/nutritional rejuvenation, 3) the elimination of that which is not of use. He said when we carefully prepare and consume our food with love it does a better job of meeting all 3 needs.

Eat with love.

I think this is why a bowl of watermelon is so much more satisfying than a bowl of cold cereal. And imagine the satisfaction emotionally and nutritionally of eating a watermelon you have grown and nurtured with tenderness.

He encouraged me to read a book called Messages from Water written by a Japanese researcher who studied the effects of music and words on the growth of water crystals. It is on my reading list.

He told us that 30 years ago only 20% of people in India ate meat and today 70% of people eat meat causing a huge spike in diet related illness in India. It's because they are adopting the standard American diet.

We talked about lots of other amazing things. I wish you all could have joined us. When he finally left Ike said he was a pretty cool guy. High praise from a 14 year old!

Links to Prasad:

Restaurants

2010-11-15T08:33:00.001-07:00

I took a quick trip to Salt Lake City this weekend and put my daughter in charge of the restaurant choices. First we were going to eat at a raw food restaurant called "Omar's" (follow that link - it is an awesome web site) but they were closed. So we went to a vegetarian restaurant called "Sage". The restaurant was actually vegan, it didn't say it was vegan, but I couldn't find single animal product on the menu.

We ordered and I had a whole grain crepe filled with pesto roasted veggies. Hannah had a colorful pile of steamed veggies with a delicious sauce topped with a nut burger. We ordered a side of mushroom escargot and carrot pate. SO GOOD. I am filled with regret that I didn't take pictures of our lovely food! For dinner we ate Indian food - The Indian Oven in Logan. You can always eat healthy at an Indian restaurant - except it was probably pretty high in fat. We ordered stuffed nan and an ugly spinach potato dish "Saag Aloo" that was ugly. Did I mention how ugly? But it was delicious. Lick the bowl delicious.

If you live near a big city (and even in a small one like Boise) you can probably find a delicious vegetarian restaurant or a restaurant that serves vegetarian food. Next time you want to go out for dinner skip Red Robin and be adventurous. If you aren't sure what to order, ask the staff - tell them you are new to this kind of food and unsure what you would like. They want you to have a great experience, veg heads love new converts, and will steer you in the right direction. And if you mention that you are eating vegan style they are more than willing to accommodate you.

The vibe in a vegetarian restaurant is laid back - easy - healthy. You leave feeling refreshed and nourished rather than full and tired.

Not sure how to find a vegetarian restaurant? Here are a few links that might help:

Urbanspoon.com - choose your city and search for vegetarian restaurants
http://www.chow.com/restaurants/regions
http://www.happycow.net/
http://www.vegetarian-restaurants.net/usa/index.html

Oh! The Weather Outside is Frightful!

2010-11-10T17:58:00.002-07:00

It's cold and snowy.

The cold snow makes me want to bake and use ingredients like butter and caramel. But I feel blah after eating that kind of food and I want to keep eating healthy, especially as the holidays approach, I want to feel great! So what to do when the comfort cooking urge hits? Put on some good music - right now I am liking "Lower Lights" an old timey hymn revival that you can really sing along to - and make rustic apple sauce.

It makes the whole house smell wonderful and satisfies that comfort baking/cooking/eating urge!

I had rome apples that were on the mushy side - perfect for:

Rustic Applesauce

8-10 large apples - peel them (don't worry if it's not perfect) and quarter them
Put apples in pot with 1/2 cup water (add more if needed)
Add cinnamon and nutmeg to taste
Simmer (with a lid) until the apples are done.
Break them up with a spoon into bite-sized pieces.
Serve them hot.

I had them for dessert and then again for breakfast and then as a mid afternoon snack.

Here is another apple idea:
I had a gallon of cider and boiled 2 quarts of it down into a thick syrup. It was so sweet and strongly apple flavored. I added 2 tablespoons of the apple cider syrup to the applesauce and it was wonderful. I also used it to flavor a sugar free apple pie I made last week.

3 Meals In 1

2010-11-06T08:06:00.002-06:00

I find this diet to be pretty heavy in the food prep department. Because of that I end up eating fruit and vegetables in their raw natural state a lot of the time. But I love to cook and have found that my cooking skills are getting better on this diet. Here is a recipe I made up this week that made 3 delicious meals!

It all started with roasted vegetables that was a meal in itself. Then I made a salad and a soup! 2 more meals!

Meal # 1
Roasted Veggies - I could eat this every week, all winter.

Not my picture. I usually forget to use the camera while I am cooking. I'll try to do better.

You want to make a lot of this so you have left overs for the other meals.
On a lightly oiled cookie sheet with a lip add:

Large Butternut squash (peel with peeler and slice into 1.5 inch cubes)
2 onions (peeled and quartered)
Lots of baby potatoes (don't peel, dont usually need to be cut as they are already small)
Garlic cloves
Carrots - lots
Any other veggies you have on hand (I included Parsnips (GOOD!) and brussell sprouts)

Toss with olive oil (I used a very very small amount - like 1 Tablespoon) and course salt and pepper. (I was very light on the salt - 1/2 t)

Roast at 425 for 30 minutes or until tender. I roasted each vegetable in their own side of the pan and didn't mix them all together. When you serve it put the veggies all on a large platter but don't mix them together. Let them touch but keep them with their own kind. It looks rich and fancy that way. Serve with balsamic vinegar for dipping, salad and rustic bread. I served applesauce too.

Meal #2
Roasted Veggie Salad - there is something so yummy about the potato in this salad!

Mixed greens
cold roasted potatoes, brussel sprouts, butternut cut into bite sized pieces
sliced apple
toasted walnut
Balsamic vinegar (Amy's Green Goddess dressing is quite good here too)

Serve with toasted pitas and hummus

Meal #3

Butternut "Sausage" Soup - this was my favorite meal of all!

In a soup pot warm:

4 cups vegetable broth
left over butternut, potato, parsnips, carrot, onion and garlic (about 4 cups worth)

When warm blend in smaller batches until smooth. Return to soup pot and bring to almost a simmer. While it is heating, microwave 3-4 MorningStar Sausage patties (if you have meat lovers in the house maybe add an extra patty or 2) until they are warm. Break them up into small pieces and add to butternut soup. Serve hot with leftover roasted brussel sprouts and toasted whole grain bread for dipping.

Do It To Feel It

2010-11-03T06:34:00.000-06:00

Recently I was talking to a friend who felt like she should serve a religious mission. She shared with me how she felt like she should do it but she didn't feel "inspired" about it. She wasn't brimming with enthusiasm about the mission. Then she said once she started preparing, setting doctor appointments, interviews with her Bishop, and filling out the paperwork she started to feel it. She said,

"Sometimes the feeling only comes after you do it.

You have to do it to feel it."

Pretty smart for a 22 year old woman.

She is right. And I think it applies to taking care of our health. If you wait until something external motivates you it may be too late. But if you tell yourself that you want a healthy body, even if it means no more sour cream dip, fudge, or potato chips, and you start to do it, you will feel it. It is a positive cycle that takes on a life of it's own.

For those of you who are waiting for that big flash of inspiration I say:

You have to do it to feel it.

For Newbies

2010-11-02T06:48:00.004-06:00

I've been getting quite a lot of email about our success on this plant based diet. I suggest that if you are truly interested in changing your health you read the book "The China Study". It will answer your questions. Another great book is "Eat to Live" (but the recipes in the older book aren't so good).

Also, I've added something new to my sidebar. It is a list of my selected posts, starting from the beginning, that have good information about this diet works (don't care for the word "diet" but that is what it is). If you are thinking about making big changes some of those posts might be interesting. Of course, I think every post on this site is amazing and you should read them all while you eat a green smoothie and some freshly picked apples.

Olympic Training Center

2010-11-01T08:18:00.000-06:00

Roland and I got to hang out at the OTC (that's what we insiders call it) last week. He was speaking to a group and I went along to help him. What an inspiring place! We were surrounded by art work, sculptures, flags, murals and installations that celebrated being the very best in the world.

We ate lunch with the athletes in their dining hall. They pretty much ignored us.

Next week we get to go back and speak to another group. Can't wait!

Dinner's Ready!

2010-10-28T18:43:00.002-06:00

I have made some nasty food on this diet. I made a butternut soup this week that was TERRIBLE. I mean, it was horrible beyond belief. But Roland ate it because he was hungry. Oh, it was bad.

Here are some tried and true dinner recipes that my entire family likes and will eat without being bribed. Most of them make great leftovers too. There is enough here to get you through 11 days.

Burritos
Tofu scramble (just like scrambled eggs - add peppers, onion, avacado, Red Hot sauce)
Stir Fry
Amy's Soups (lentil, bean chili - top with fresh tomatoes and avacado - perfect for stressful nights!)
Veggie Sandwiches
Veggie Burgers (marinate veggies in your favorite marinade and grill. Eggplant and portobello mushrooms make excellent burgers!)
Three Bean Chili - (saute onion, peppers, celery and garlic [lots of garlic] - add tomatoes (fresh or canned) oregano, cumin, chili powder, black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans - top with chopped lettuce, cilantro, and avocado)
Chickpea Curry Super easy - open cans and fix.
Spaghetti Squash with Eggplant sauce (saute eggplant slices and pour a jar of Classico sauce over and simmer until bubbly - one of Roland's favorite)
Wild Beans and Rice ( a little work but worth it)
Veggie Lasagna - a crowd pleaser every time and easy! Great leftovers!

and easiest of all and very delicious - just a big plate of fruits and veggies:

Now that the weather is cold I am starting on soups. You already know I made that nasty butternut soup but I am going to try a new butternut one this weekend. Tomorrow (hopefully) I will post my new Mushroom and Wild Rice recipe that I adapted from a Williams Sonoma recipe. Yum!

Daily Menu

2010-10-27T16:42:00.001-06:00

People ask me what I eat everyday if I am not eating dairy (what?! No yogurt!??) or meat or processed food. Well, to tell the truth I do eat some processed sugar now and then but it makes me feel bad now that I am off it. However, I very rarely have dairy and I no longer like the texture of meat but I sure do love the salt the meat is seasoned with!

So my days usually look like this as far as food goes:

Breakfast:

Always a green smoothie (about 20 oz. - usually enough to keep me happy for 3 hours)
Usually some fruit
Sometimes oatmeal or granola with a little almond milk and sliced fruit and cinnamon

Lunch:

Always a big salad (I mean huge. It takes forever to eat. I usually read while I eat even though diet books say that is a bad habit)
Either leftovers from dinner the night before or, hummus and toasted pitas, or homemade whole wheat bread with almond butter

Snack: Sometimes I need a snack

sliced veggies
fruit
small handful of nuts
very thin bread with almond butter and bananas
almond date rolls - yum!
leftovers
cup of hot tea

Dinner:Veggies are the main course and side dish too! I will post some sample dinner menus tomorrow. Roland (he has a secret desire to be my blog coach) has been telling me that I need to create a list of dinner ideas. He is right.

Dessert:

We hardly ever need dessert after dinner. the nice thing about this diet is that all my nutrition needs are being more than met so my body doesn't crave sugar - not even during "PMS" time (which has disappeared with this diet). But if I have the need for a goodie I will make fruit or a fruit smoothie. We also make very low fat, low sugar kettle corn.

Tune in tomorrow for dinner menu ideas!

Brussel Sprouts

2010-10-26T21:19:00.002-06:00

As a child I thought brussel sprouts were nasty. I've been passing by the big bag of brussel sprouts at Costco for a few weeks now but yesterday my friend, Jen, told me she had fixed them for her family and they loved them. So today I bought that bag and roasted them up and they were wonderful! Ike loved them. I was rather shocked that I liked them too.

The outside is toasty and crisp and the inside has a wonderful texture and reminded us of artichoke hearts. The roasting brings out the sweetness in the sprouts.

I got this picture off the net - We ate ours so fast that there wasn't a chance to take a picture!

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Enough sprouts to loosely cover the bottom of a 9x13 pan
Olive oil (I used 1 Tablespoon but you might like more)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix together until sprouts are lightly coated with oil. Roast in 400 degree oven for 40 minutes or so, until tender.

I served this with spaghetti squash topped with egg plant and classico tomato sauce. Roland said it was a great dinner.

TO DO

2010-10-25T07:36:00.001-06:00

This week:

I'm will make 2 new soups and a new salad from the Moosewood Cook Book.

I will re-read The China Study.
I will DVR a show called "Good Eats"
I will put the following cookbooks on hold at the library:

Claire's Cornucopia
The Conscientious Cook
Fit For Life

I will exercise one hour 5 days a week (ack!)

Looking Forward to 64

2010-10-24T07:34:00.001-06:00

Yesterday I was invited to lunch at my friend's so I could meet her mother. Of course I loved her mother. She is a lovely woman who reminds me of a modest and unassuming Martha Stewart. She lives on 40 acres in Alabama, has raised 14 children (!), and has been on a plant based diet for 30 years. It was such a treat to ask her about how she managed to go plant based (for health reasons) at a time when doctors were telling women that formula was more nutritious than breast milk. I admired the fact that she made such a huge change at a time when no one - I mean no one! was eating plant based.

I asked her how her life would be different if she didn't change her diet and she said she would be dead. What a loss! She has 36 (!!!) grandchildren! They would miss her and she would miss them. She has beautiful skin, a bright shiny smile, sparkly eyes, and a young healthy body. She was quick to laugh and knows just about everything about nutrition. And the meal she made! An amazing "salad" called Gado Gado from The Moosewood Cook Book (which I just happen to be borrowing from my neighbor right now) was so fresh and exciting I want to make it for you all!

She gave me a little pep talk and told me to post more often and include pictures. OK. I will. And after meeting her I look forward to being her age. Delightful.

For Maxine: a picture of some of my local, organic CSA peppers that I froze this week to use in stews this winter!

Commitment

2010-10-18T12:24:00.003-06:00

It's been 8 months now that Roland and I have been eating a plant based diet. We just returned from a great week in Idaho where we ate healthy food and worked hard outside and felt wonderful! I have often said that I would continue to eat this way even if I didn't loose weight and the last 2 months have proven that.

In the last 2 months I didn't loose any weight, mostly because I was nibbling on extra bread, nuts and the occasional goody at a party. I also stopped exercising - no good reason to stop but I did. I didn't gain any weight, but my steady 2 lbs-a-week-loss came to a screeching halt. Well, I miss that weight loss so I am going back to the Eat To Live 6 week plan which means that everyday I will try to eat:

1 pound of raw veggies
1 pound of cooked veggies
5 pieces of fruit
1 cup of beans
1/2 cup whole grains.

Holy cow that is a lot of food!

Last week I cut my long hair short as a reward for loosing 50lbs. It was a big change and kinda scary to do, just like changing my eating habits! But Oh! It has been so good for me!

I love this new hairstyle and feel like it is more "me".

I already started the exercise 3 weeks ago and I am back to running 2x a week and doing a ridiculously difficult workout at the YMCA 2x a week. Already, without cleaning up my eating, I have lost 3 lbs. Exercise is key in a healthy lifestyle. Oh, but I don't always like it.

So today I go out to buy more spinach, almond milk, bananas, and hopefully some smaller workout clothes!

What I ate today before 12:00:

Green Smoothie
1 cup oatmeal with raisins and cinnamon
big leafy green salad

Planned snack:

Pita with Hummus and cucumber

For dinner tonight:

veggie stir fry (peppers, cabbage, onion, tofu, wild rice, seasoned with fresh ginger, garlic, Braggs Liquid Aminos, and sesame seed oil [just a bit]- so good!)
salad
WATERMELON (might be the last of the season - big sad sigh)

There is no way this meets the 6 week food intake requirements. It's hard to eat that much food.

You Are In Charge

2010-10-06T07:55:00.000-06:00

If you have youngish children you are so lucky! You can feed them whatever you want! Sure they will complain and beg and maybe even refuse to eat for a while, but eventually they will eat what you feed them. Ike - my soon to be 14 year old son - complained something fierce when we started eating Nutritarian, but now he is on board and actually prefers a plant based, non processed diet (of course he will eat junk if you give it to him - duh!).

Dr. Fuhrman recently sent out this informative email:

The Five Most Dangerous Foods to Feed Your Child

1. Butter and Cheese - full of saturated fat and fat delivered chemical pollutants

2. Potato Chips and French Fries - rich in trans fat, salt, and carcinogenic acrylamides

3. Doughnuts and other trans fat - containing sweets - rich in trans fat, sugar, and other artificial substances

4. Sausages, hot dogs, and other luncheon meats - containg N-nitroso compounds that are potent carcinogens

5. Pickled, smoked, or barbequed meats - places you at risk of both stomach cancer and high blood pressure

I used to feed my kids cheese everyday, sometimes 3 times a day, thinking that they were getting good nutrition that way. I saw the ads on TV and was trying to do the right thing. Cheese on chips was a favorite! And rolled up lunch meat filled with cream cheese! I thought that was healthy and felt like a good mom when I made that for a snack. Oh, that I could go back and do that all over again! I had no clue what I was doing.

Here is a snack that all my kids loved (I rencently tried it out on my 8 year old nephew and it was a hit!). Sliced apples and peanut butter. Easy peasy. I am especially fond of the Costco organic peanut butter. There are only two ingredients: dry roasted peanuts and salt. My kids liked any snack that involved dipping. My nephews are big fans of whole grain crackers dipped in hummus.

While your kids are young you can help them develop a taste for healthy nutritious food that will bless them their entire life!

Me and Mr. Clinton

2010-10-01T09:37:00.001-06:00

If I had known he was so smart I might have voted for him!

Makes me want to bite my lower lip and look like I am thinking a big thought.

Tomatillos

2010-09-23T09:59:00.002-06:00

This is what tomatillos look like after you remove the husks. My spell check doesn't recognize the word "tomatillo".

I got a bunch of these from the CSA and had no idea what to do with them. So I made salsa (with heirloom tomatoes that were almost sugary) and the tomatillos added a nice tart flavor. And I made a green salsa. It was a winner! Great with chips, eggs, burritos, tacos, perfect on salads - just so so good! Here is my recipe:

Tomatillo Salsa

15-20 fresh tomatillos - remove husks

Roast whole tomatillos in large pan until they start toast a little. While they are roasting assemble the following ingredients:

2 garlic cloves
4-6 roasted mild chiles - stemmed, seeded and peeled
1 onion
1 cup water

Once tomatillos are browned add the above ingredients and simmer until tomatillos and onions are soft. Then add:

1/4 cup (or more) cilantro leaves
1 T lime juice (fresh is best)

Pulse in food processor until it reaches desired consistency (no large pieces).

I also added a little cayenne pepper that we had on hand to heat it up a bit otherwise it is a mild salsa. You may want to add salt too.

Here in Colorado Springs you can get roasted peppers at road side stands, farmer's markets, or my favorite place is the Chile Festival in Pueblo (this weekend - I want to go!). It is wonderful and well worth the trip. For $20 you will bring home a huge bag of fire roasted chilies (mild or hot, your choice) and divide it up into smaller portions to freeze and use this winter in soups, salsas, and stews. The taste is amazing and the festival is fun! Arrive at the festival hungry.

I served this salsa on burritos and salad and it was great. For dessert we had a huge bowl of fresh peaches.

Yum!

Honestly

2010-09-21T06:51:00.002-06:00

In yesterday's post I mentioned that I've found a new ability to be honest with myself. It has been a pleasant discovery that has helped me immensely. When I was eating the SAD (standard American diet) I was completely out of touch with my body. I didn't understand the signals it was sending. I confused cravings with hunger - there was no difference. I was consumed with thoughts of eating. I accepted fatigue as normal. I attributed pain and weakness to being 45 years old. I had no control over my appetite. I blamed my high cholesterol on genetics. I couldn't exercise because I was exhausted.

I was disappointed that my body was failing me. I asked myself over and over "why me?" Why did I have such a hard time losing weight? What was wrong with me? And then I would feel overwhelming hunger and make Snickerdoodles.

Since I have been eating a plant based non processed diet I have whole new relationship with my body. I don't feel the urge to eat or even think about food until my tummy growls and rumbles because it is empty and needs food. And if that happens and I am not near a food source I can have a glass of water and the grumbling empty feeling is gone - sometimes for hours. When I eat I can feel the food in my body and how it affects my mood and energy. Have I ever told you about the time I felt pure anger after eating a brownie on an empty stomach? I mean uncontrollable lash-out-at-your-kids anger. Roland sent me to my room.

But mostly the honesty that I have with my body is the ability to understand and objectively look at what is going on and adjust and make myself feel better. I believe that getting rid of the SAD food allowed me to be more aware of what is going on with my body and give it what it really needs instead of a doughnut.

When I first started having cravings (yesterday's post) I felt those old feelings of confusion, fear, and loss of control creeping back. But I was able to think clearly, assess the situation and be honest enough to see why this was happening and then decide that I would make a change and get back on track.

I'm happy to "give up" Coke, pastries, prime rib and cheese for that honesty. It's a good trade.

Confession

2010-09-20T05:32:00.004-06:00

I've suddenly started craving junk food. Well, not suddenly. It's been a gradual process of having a little nibble of this and a taste of that. And "suddenly" I find myself walking right past 100 lbs of produce to stand in front of my pantry looking for something (chocolate cake? Cheetos? they aren't there- thank heavens!) to satisfy this surprising craving. It surprises me because up to this point I have had no cravings at all.

I've been confused by these cravings and a little disappointed in my body that it would "suddenly" trick me like this. But, one thing I have gained in this quest for health is the ability to be much more honest with myself. So I took a good long look at what was happening.

Could it be possible that a few little daily mouthfuls of sugary salty fat could create such strong cravings? Yes.

I want those cravings gone - banished back to 2009. I know how to do that - I have to walk that veggie line. Fortunately, I've only indulged in sugar, processed grains, and extra fat so I don't have to overcome meat/dairy/caffeine cravings too. It will take about 3 days for the cravings to disappear. And then it will be easy again.

I start today.

100 LBS!

2010-09-18T07:27:00.003-06:00

There are 20 lbs of pears, 20 lbs of apples, 20 lbs of peaches, and 25 lbs of tomatoes sitting in my kitchen waiting for me to do something with them. I still need to go to the farmer's market and pick up my CSA share. What am I going to do with all this produce??

I'm going to freeze the tomatoes (I was told to wash them and put them into freezer bags and freeze them whole!), skin and slice and freeze the peaches (they are great in my green smoothies), put the apples in the cool basement, and hope that the pears don't all ripen at the same time.

My fridge is still jammed full with the produce from last week's CSA share (probably another 20 lbs of veggies). Roland's been traveling and Ike doesn't love the veggies so much - I can't eat all this!

Poor Me. Too much food on hand. Everyone should have this kind of trouble.

Turns out we don't like turnips so much. You are welcome to come take all my CSA turnips away.

Yo, Adrian

2010-09-16T18:05:00.000-06:00

So I went with Kelly to the YMCA and it pretty much kicked my little fanny. It took all the fight out of me for the whole day. That would have been the day to call and ask me to do something big for you - I would have said yes. No fight left. Or today - call me today because I went again this morning.

I'm actually looking forward to going next week. If I can walk.

Que The "Rocky" Theme Song

2010-09-13T20:58:00.001-06:00

My friend, Kelly, walked up to me on Sunday and told me it is time to get serious about exercise. Don't you wish you had a friend like that? I don't deserve her.

I've fallen off the exercise wagon. I've only run 3 times since August 1. So tomorrow morning I'm meeting Kelly at the Y for a lovely cardio/weightlifting session.

I hate to sweat.

New and Improved!

2010-09-10T22:00:00.002-06:00

This is what I had for lunch. Whole wheat pita with veganaise (just a little) stuffed with a salad heavy on garden fresh tomato and cucumber and a side of watermelon. It was delicious and filling and satisfying. Roland got back from London tonight and I made the same thing for him but substituted hummus for the veganaise and I think it was even better! It was the perfect meal following a day of flying.

I've modified my hummus recipe a bit. I added a can of white beans (northern) and it makes the hummus creamy. Sometimes I want to eat it with a spoon! I've tried the recipe without the tahini but I just don't like it as much.

Robin's Improved Hummus

1 can chickpeas (reserve liquid)
1 can white beans
2-3 cloves garlic
1/2 teaspoon cumin or more to taste (I just got roasted cumin but I can't tell the difference - I need to do a taste test)
1 tablespoon lemon juice or to taste
2 T tahini

Blend in food processor until smooth and creamy. Add chickpea liquid if it is too thick. Serve on crackers, sandwiches, burgers, cucumbers, veggies, salad, pitas, or on a spoon if you love it as much as I do!

Selling The Fat Clothes

2010-09-08T14:16:00.000-06:00

Today I took my old clothes to a resale store. It is called "Full Figure Resale" and they only sell size 16 and up. They sell shoes size 9 and up. It's for big girls.

It took me about 3 hours to sort my clothes, pick out the stylish clean new looking clothes, touch up iron, put them on hangers, and drag them out to the car. I had 31 items and the clerk told me they were beautiful. I hope they sell for lots of money because I only get 40% of the price.

All the clothes that didn't make the cut went to Salvation Army.

My closet is looking pretty bare - it looks big now! I bought a pair of jeans and a skirt and jacket at the resale shop. I am proud to say that everything there was too big! I don't really want to buy clothes yet. I still have a ways to go. So I will wear the same thing over and over until I get down a size.

Yay!

A Little Kick In The Pants.

2010-08-31T10:16:00.000-06:00

"Everything you want in the world is just right outside your comfort zone...every single thing you could possibly want."

Jamie Lee Curtis

I guess this means I need to get out of my comfort zone (couch) and start exercising again!

What is it that you want that is right outside your comfort zone?

Pineapple

2010-08-28T19:18:00.003-06:00

We are eating this tomorrow.

Did you know that if you turn a pineapple upside down (set it on it's leaves) that it will ripen more evenly and quickly? I've done it 3 times now and it works! Fresh pineapple is wonderful! So far the best pineapple has been at Costco.

Summer Dinner

2010-08-27T13:57:00.002-06:00

Oh, what do you eat in the summer time when all the world is green?

How about this for dinner:

Green salad
Steamed Green Beans with pepper
Cantalope
"Oven Fried" potatoes

Oh so yummy and easy and clean up was a breeze! The potatoes were sweet and made it feel like a real meal.

"Oven Fried" Potatoes

New potatoes - cut to bite size - freshly harvested ones are sweet and tender
1 Tablespoon olive oil
chives
minced garlic
pepper

Mix in bowl, spread on cookie sheet, bake at 350 for 40 minutes or until tender - turning once during baking time.
................

This was such a light and satisfying meal. For dessert have Watermelon Icy's!

3 Months

2010-08-26T12:19:00.000-06:00

I was doing some housekeeping and found a post that I wrote 3 months into the diet but for some reason I didn't ever post it. So, for your reading pleasure: A never published post from 3 months ago!

.....................................

5/17/2010

Roland and I have been nutritarian for 12 weeks now. It seems like we were just high fiving our 6 week goal and suddenly here we are at 12 weeks.

I've read back through my initial entries and have a different perspective now that I have some distance from the first few weeks. The first week was more difficult than I realized. I emotionally prepared myself and was ready for a tough time, so when you read the original posts, it sounds easy breezy when in fact in was hard. Not hard because I was hungry. I wasn't hungry at all. And I didn't really miss junk food or meat. There were so many new foods to try. And I love to cook and there were lots of new recipes.

What was hard was changing a life long habit. Change can cause struggle but struggle brings strength. And boy, am I much stronger now than I was in February!

When I look back on the first 2 weeks I remember that we were tired, the withdrawal from our previous diet made us feel weak and a little flu-ish. We watched a lot of TV during those weeks. And I was consumed with what I was eating. I thought about it all day long. I was obsessed.

.....................

Folks - that's all I wrote. But I think it is interesting to read because each month the diet just gets easier and easier. Sure, I crave junk sometimes and please don't leave an open bag of Doritos near me. But I've been at this long enough that it feels natural and normal. I can eat without thinking and planning as much.

So
Glad
We
Did
This!

After?

2010-08-23T08:00:00.002-06:00

Quite a few people have told me that I need to post an after picture. I haven't because I'm not at the "After" point. But - I will post where I am right now.

I have been a nutritarian for 6 months and I've lowered my cholesterol by more than 60 points and lost 52 lbs. I feel so much better, younger, happier and productive!

Our before picture. A friend took this and thought it was such a flattering photo. And here are our afters (sorry - no body shots - yet!):

Roland - 53 lbs lighter

Me - 52 lbs and counting!

Pretty soon we will get a picture in the same pose as the "before".

I keep saying that even if I hadn't lost a pound I would still eat this way. My food tastes better and I feel better!

CSA Share

2010-08-22T09:00:00.001-06:00

Every Saturday I go to the farmer's market and pick up my CSA share for the week. Each week I get more and more! This is what we got this week:

celery
kale
basil
beets
green peppers
lemon cucumbers
baby potatoes
garlic
zucchini
onions
slicing cucumbers
turnips (need ideas for what to do with these!)
carrots
cabbage
tomatoes
2 kinds of beans

I still have quite a bit of produce left over from last week! I love that it is all organically grown, picked fresh and local. It tastes much better than store bought (and in the case of brocolli - much stronger!).

Can't wait to see what we get next week!

Veggie Sandies By The Dozen

2010-08-21T07:32:00.001-06:00

Most of my family has started eating a nutritarian diet. My mom and sisters are especially devoted to this healthy lifestyle. This pleases me very much because it validates my position as the oldest and thus, the bossiest. But really, I love them and want them to feel as great as I do. I want to travel with them when we are old and when I say travel I mean adventure! Most of the places on my "To Explore" list involve, at the very least, vigorous walking. Some require an little bit of dare devil attitude and I want my mom and four sisters there because they really are the neatest people I know.

So this summer when we spent a few weeks together we ate lots of delicious food and had many exciting conversations about how wonderful it all tastes and how awesome we all are for treating ourselves so well. There was lots of bragging and back patting.

One night we made 12 veggie sandies:

12 wasn't enough. Everyone wanted two -they were so good. We served them with grilled corn on the cob (grill before shucking), melon salad, hummus and green salad. It was a feast!

Grilled Veggie Sandies

Sandwich thins - we used Pepperidge farms but any brand will do if it is whole wheat
Spread bottom thin with hummus
Stack:

shredded carrots (on the hummus so they stick)
grilled eggplant
grilled zucchini
grilled sweet peppers
sliced onion (we used Vadalia)
sliced cucumber

Spread top with guacamole.

Tuck bib into collar and open wide (real wide!).

My Bad - Not

2010-08-15T00:18:00.006-06:00

Isn't it a relief to hear the words "it's not your fault"?

For 20 years I always thought it was my fault that I wasn't healthy and slim. I assigned all sorts of negative descriptors to myself:

lazy
lack of self control
gluttonous
undisciplined
careless
ugly
gross

I remember wondering how I could raise 4 babies while going to graduate school and working but not have enough strength to loose weight. Duh - it was easy! Eat less=weigh less, right?

I thought that if I ate the Standard American Diet (SAD) - but less of SAD- I would lose weight. Then when I couldn't stick to that diet I would berate myself. My SIL, Christine, once told me that I was entirely too hard on myself. She was right.

In the past 6 months (yes! 6 months of nutritarian eating!) and 50 lbs of weight loss I have learned that it wasn't my fault. I had no idea how to feed myself. I was eating foods that created addictions and more hunger. My body wasn't getting the nutrition it needed so I had overwhelming cravings that I couldn't ignore. My diet of meat, cheese, and simple carbs was starving me nutritionally. Your body will not let you starve. It will create an urge to eat that cannot be denied. So I ate more of the diet that was starving me. It was a vicious, destructive, frustrating cycle that went on for 20 years.

Now I am eating such nutritionally dense food that my appetite has all but disappeared. My body only craves food when it is really hungry for more nutrition. I don't even feel the urge to eat when bored, sad, or lonely - those were my big food triggers.

If you struggle with your weight let me pat you on the shoulder and say, "There, there. It's not your fault." Eat a ton of veggies, pig out on the beans and lentils, gorge on the fruit and start saving your money for some new clothes honey, cause those pants are gonna fall right off you pretty soon.

What I Ate Today:

30 oz of green smoothie
small slice of whole wheat banana bread

Soy Nut Mix
banana
Almonds

cantaloupe
watermelon
apple
Zucchini spaghetti ( blend fresh tomatoes, fresh basil, and garlic and serve over cold shredded zucchini - so good!)
Lemon squash (very thin slices of yellow squash topped with a spritz of fresh lemon juice, a small drizzle of olive oil, salt, pepper, light sprinkle of shredded Parmesan, and chopped fresh mint. If I make this I will drop the oil and cheese and I think it will still taste fabulous!)

Now, quit beating yourself up and have some watermelon!

Back To What?

2010-08-12T00:13:00.000-06:00

Back to school lunch? Back to junky cold lunch? Nope.

Ike and I did his back to school shopping today and that included lunch stuff. We walked up and down all the isles at Costco looking for healthy lunch options. Let me tell you, it was slim pickin's!

Ike's health has improved so much this summer. His skin has always been covered with large rough patches of eczema and scabs and now it is smooth and soft with only a few small patches on his ankles - this is almost miraculous to me. The dark circles under his eyes are gone. He can breathe through his nose. He just feels so much better. I believe it is because we removed nearly all animal products and processed foods from his diet (I say nearly because he will nab fried mozzarella sticks and Doritos when given the opportunity) and because he drinks a green smoothie everyday.

It has been pleasantly surprising to see that he wants healthy food. He now prefers almond milk to cow's milk and finds processed food to be too salty/sweet or just yucky. But what 13 year old is going to choose cucumbers over tater tots? It will be interesting to see if his health declines when he goes back to school and is surrounded by unhealthy food. And it will be interesting to see if he is ready to take his health into his own hands and choose healthy food at school.

In addition to fresh fruit and veggies and organic p-nut butter honey sandwiches on whole wheat bread, here are the healthy lunch options we found at Costco:

Mrs. Mays dried fruit
Mrs. Mays Trio bars (not his favorite but I think these are so amazingly yummy)
Lara bars ( again - not his favorite but I love them)
Grapefruit cups (he likes grapefruit!)
Stretch Island dried fruit bars

Last year we did yogurt, chips, carrot sticks and a lunch meat sandwich. So I need more options for this year.

Any ideas?
..................
ps - Haiku Tofu - will you send me a link to your private blog? I miss you!

Forks Over Knives

2010-08-01T06:38:00.000-06:00

If you've read The China Study then you know exactly what this all about:

Can't wait to see this movie!

Me and Padma

2010-07-31T07:51:00.004-06:00

We went on a little trip this week and we ate mostly from restaurants.

After ordering a pizza that we redesigned to be vegan Ike told us that we are difficult customers. He said it in that embarrassed way 13 year olds have. I said, "Of course! If we are paying $22 for a pizza (this was in Vail, CO after all) I want it done right!" And so it went the entire trip.

When ordering the Irish steel cut oatmeal be sure to order without cream or butter or yogurt and ask for the berries on the side (you get more). And clarify that you want the grilled veggie sandwich without cheese. You have to be exacting and demanding. It goes against my nature to make demands but I have actually found that in a restaurant it is fun! Especially an upscale restaurant with a chef who has celebrity aspirations. We've had some delicious meals from those chefs.

On our last night there we went out for a celebration dinner and chose the restaurant because several people in the group were vegetarian and we saw "Mushroom Meatloaf" and assumed it was like a mushroom burger - but meatloaf style. We were wrong. I asked the waiter what vegetarian/vegan options were available besides dinner salad. After checking with the chef he said the chef was up to the challenge and would create something special for us.

It was like Top Chef and I was Padma.

Yup. I'd say that's pretty much how I looked when I was being a "difficult customer".

The chef brought out our dinner and explained it to us (just like on Top Chef!) and we dug in. And we judged it to be good. He wouldn't need to pack his knives.

Orzo, smoked rosemary, pine nuts, grilled leeks and asparagus, strawberries and little slices of mushrooms. And lots of olive oil. I would have backed way off the oil, played up the veggies more, and garnished it with something fancy looking and given it a side of fresh mango. Ahh. That might have been perfect.

Younger Next Month

2010-07-30T09:51:00.000-06:00

This is a good book:

Sure it says "Live like 50" but I think if you start early you can live like 40 or 30! I definitely feel younger now than I did in February. And I am doing all kinds of new stuff. Like mountain biking. Down a mountain.

If you are older or if you have parents I recommend this book to you (them). It is fairly repetitive so I found myself skimming parts and jumping ahead and still getting the message.

The Losing-est Loser Figures It Out

2010-07-24T14:55:00.005-06:00

Athena

The Goddess of War - and apparently more than 150 lbs.

If you are a woman who weighs more than 150 lbs, in the race I ran today, you are in the Athena Division. I am in the Athena Division.

When we lined up at the race start (The Classic 10K - dubbed the "fastest race in colorado" because it is relatively flat) I realized that I was the only non-athletic person there. 5K's attract walkers and very slow joggers but 10K's weed all those out (except the BolderBoulder because it is more like a street fair than a race). It was a small race - maybe 300 people? At the gun everyone took off and I told Roland, Ike and Kelly that they didn't need to run with me. It took me about 5 minutes to realize that I would most likely be the last person to finish. It made me cry. Not sobbing wrenching tears, just a lump in the throat and a burning behind the eyelids.

Athena doesn't cry.

I was embarrassed. I wanted to turn back and wait at the car. I didn't want to run 6 miles knowing the whole time that I am the slowest. Athena doesn't quit. So I slogged it out. I ended up "running" with at 22 year old girl for most the race and I asked lots of questions so I could focus on listening and running. Before long we were at the halfway point and I was feeling good. Better than I felt at BolderBoulder. But still - I was last.

In case you haven't ever been last (and you probably haven't) I will describe it for you. They've turned off the victory music. The finish line is empty except for the people you are riding home with, the race staff, and the Ethiopian winners of the race who are collecting their prize money. There is no fanfare. No one tells you what an inspiration you are for even showing up much less running that whole stupid thing. Your husband will hug you and tell you he is proud and that you really need to hurry to the bus because the last one is leaving soon. Your girlfriend will try to convince you that she saw someone running behind you and you weren't last. And, thankfully, everyone else will ignore you. No one, but you, really cares. And unlike the winner there is no recognition, thank goodness.

I did win though. I took 11 minutes off of my BolderBoulder time. So. That is a victory.

Afterwards we went to the farmer's market to pick up our CSA share (what the heck do you do with a kolrabi?) and I thought:

"Who are we? Last year I wouldn't have run 1/2 mile and certainly wouldn't have been excited about a bag o'beets! But today I ran 6 miles! 11 mintues faster than I did in May! And I can't wait to get this kolrabi home!"

I don't even recognize myself.

Athena

10K Manipulation

2010-07-23T07:21:00.000-06:00

The running thing has slipped a bit. I've only run about 6 times in the last month. The less you run the less you want to run. I keep telling myself that once school starts I will be more consistent. But I worry that I won't.

Ike loved the BolderBoulder race and wants to do more races so a few weeks ago Roland said we should all do a 10K. Blah! I almost talked him out of it with my argument that we should spend the morning hiking instead. Or maybe painting the garage? I didn't want to run that race- even if it is mostly downhill. Finally Roland said, fine just drop us off and pick us up. So, I am doing the race.

It is tomorrow. I'll be the last one over the finish. High 5 me if you are still there.

Burgers

2010-07-20T07:05:00.002-06:00

I find myself leaning towards burgers as a dinner solution in the summer. Here are 3 of my favorite burgers:

Easiest:

You can buy these at Costco and they are spicy delicious. I usually heat them in a fry pay (without oil) and serve them on whole wheat buns with guacamole, tomatoes, romaine and sweet onion. SO SO GOOD!

Most Like Meat:

Grilled marinated portobello mushrooms. Roland says they are as good as a burger. I marinate mine in balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, red wine vinegar and Montreal Steak seasoning. Roland puts 2 on his burgers. If you aren't worried about fat intake add some olive oil to that marinade.

Most Surprising!

Grilled Eggplant! Just slice in rounds and marinate (in the mix above) and grill. I make sandwiches out of these (I didn't make the sandwich in the picture).
.................

Serve burgers with grilled corn on the cob - Just soak the corn (still in husks) in water for 20 minutes or so and then grill with husks on. Roland wears gloves and husks the hot corn after grilling.

Slice up a watermelon and dinner is ready!
..............

Hey, as long as the grill is hot marinate some zucchini (quartered lengthwise), peppers, onions, and sweet potatoes and grill them up for sandwiches tomorrow.

Smoothie Addict

2010-07-15T08:02:00.002-06:00

5 months ago my breakfasts consisted of cold cereal and toast. Somedays I would have eggs. Usually I would rummage around and find some cookies or a little bit of candy to reward myself after the morning rush getting the family out the door. That has completely changed. My breakfast now is usually a green smoothie.

The Eat to Live program guidelines call for 1 lb of raw veggies a day. So I have a huge salad for lunch and a smaller salad at dinner but that still isn't 1 lb of veggies. It is hard to chew all those veggies too and it takes a long time! Enter the green smoothie.

I pack the smoothie with spinach, kale and any sort of greens we might have (chard, romaine, etc.). I've been getting beets in my weekly CSA (community supported agriculture) share and I've tossed the beet greens greens in too. You want bland greens that you can flavor with fruit (spinach is especially bland).

These smoothies are loaded with protein, calcium, iron, vitamins, and phytonutrients. It basically kicks cold cereal's butt. And steak and egg's butt too. With one arm behind it's back. And if you don't use carrot greens or collard greens it tastes wonderful!

This recipe is flexible, use what you have and what you like. I load my blender full of greens - I want as many greens as I can get and still have it taste like a smoothie rather than a blended salad. I probably use 6-7 cups greens (that blends down into 2-3 cups). But if you are just starting - maybe ease into the green-ness. Maybe just do a handful of greens.

Robin's New and Improved Green Smoothies

1 cup liquid (I use water unless I suspect that the greens might be too greenish tasting then I use a milk substitute [soy milk, almond milk, or rice milk])
Spinach - 3-6 cups - whatever tastes good to you
Greens - work your way up -shoot for 3-5 large leaves of kale, chard, beet greens, or romaine
Banana - this is a must have item. It provides creaminess and sweetness. Sometimes I add 2 bananas
Apple- or some other fruit cantaloupe, pineapple, peaches, whatever you have handy.
Flax seed - about 1 T per serving. just toss in the whole seed and let the blender grind it. This adds creamy texture too.
Frozen fruit - about 1 cup unless you want it thicker (add more for thickness) I am partial to blueberries. Also try strawberries, and frozen fruit mixes. they should be sugar free

If you don't have a vita-mix ( I don't) add the liquid and half of the spinach first. Then add the remaining ingredients a little at a time so they can mix in easily. These are remarkably filling and satisfying. I usually make about 6 cups of smoothie. Roland and I drink about 2 1/2 cups each and Ike has 1 cup.

Another smoothie idea:

Watermelon Smoothie

I made these last week on a hot day at the cabin. They were so cool and refreshing!

Watermelon cut into cubes
Frozen Fruit (from costco)

Shove watermelon in blender and blend until smooth and watery. Add frozen fruit until thick "milk shake" consistency.

Lean In More Baby

2010-07-14T09:48:00.000-06:00

I'm Back!

I've been all over the place and finally I am home and ready for a routine. It was pretty easy to stick to the Eat To Live plan while traveling, except for the last 2 long car road trip days when I broke down and had peanut M&M's and Pita chips. And a Diet Dr. Pepper. And some Chocolate Cake. And then some more M&M's. And you will be pleased to know that they all left me feeling blah-ish.

We've been eating nutritiously for 5 months now! 5 MONTHS for crying out loud! And we feel great. The weight loss slowed for me the last month. As I read back over my posts the last few months I realized that I have let processed foods, flour, sugar, and salt sneak back into my diet little by little. So yesterday I recommitted to the strict 6 week phase of Eat To Live to jump start my progress and already I feel better and more in control.

My sister Emily started the eat to Live program too and she has a blog you should check out: http://www.vegetablecarnival.com/ She and her husband are on week 3 I think - they are great writers and very honest in their reports.

Tomorrow I'm going to tell you about the evolution of my Smoothies!

Toxic Hunger

2010-06-25T11:26:00.000-06:00

I'm on the road - but I wanted to post this excellent article about hunger:

http://drfuhrman.com/ask/archives/2005_01_03.aspx

I suffered from toxic hunger (sounds like a pathetic radio ad) for 40 years. Now, I only get hungry when I really am hungry!

Yesterday I visited with a neighbor I haven't seen since Christmas. She went on and on about how good I was looking and she finally decided it was my haircut. I haven't changed my hairstyle since I last saw her, so it must be the weight. And the healthy glow from all that produce!

CSA

2010-06-24T08:04:00.000-06:00

I signed up for a CSA this summer. CSA stands for Community Supported Agriculture. You pay money up front and then all summer long you get local, organic, freshly picked produce. Such a great deal. Each Saturday morning I go to the farmer's market down the street and get my bags of produce.

Last week was the first week (it takes a while for stuff to get growing here) and I got all kinds of weird stuff like garlic scapes, brocolli raab, and tatsoi. I also got herbs (basil, cilantro), peas, spinach, beet greens (with little baby beets) arugula, radishes and a huge head of lettuce. That picture really doesn't do it justice. It seemed as large as an 18 month old child. We are still munching on it.

Check out CSAs in your area. I think they are a great deal!

Weighing In

2010-06-23T08:23:00.001-06:00

http://tidwellstudios.com/images/weighingin_lg.htm

For the last 4 weeks I have plateaued on my weight. I was stuck at 198 for nearly a month. I started to worry that I would never loose more weight, that I would never be really healthy, that I would always be chubby. But I kept eating nutritiously because I wanted keep feeling good. Part of the reason I plateaued might have been because in 3 weeks we: celebrated 2 birthdays, high school graduation, a dance festival, senior recitals, an anniversary, 3 house guests, and went to China! I ate right and exercised through all that, but the scale wouldn't budge.

Yesterday when I hit the scales (I weigh in about once a week) I found that I was at 193! WooHoo! Only 4 lbs away from the 180's! That brings my total weightloss up to 44lbs.

Roland reminded me that when he lost 40 lbs he hit a plateau for about 3 weeks and then finally the weight loss resumed. So, if any of you hit that plateau hang in there! Don't give up!

..................

For dinner last night I made this green bean stir fry that was delicious! Margaret, the author of the recipe, is in our Green Goddess group. I cut the sugar out and only used half the sesame oil and it was good. I served it with a big salad, brown rice, and grapes.

Green Goddess Club

2010-06-22T07:28:00.000-06:00

My friends Angie and Kelly have been eating healthy for years. They approached me about starting a healthy eater's group. I had to think about it for a month or so, I didn't feel qualified to hand out advice after only 4 months on a healthy diet. But they convinced me that it was a good idea.

Like 15 year olds starting a band, it was all about the name. I wanted to name it "Hippie Chics" or "Hemp Honeys" but Kelly nixed that. Finally we settled on a name and sent out this email:

………………….

Who? You!

What? Our very first Green Goddess meeting!

When? June 15^th – 8:00 PM

Where? Angie's Home

Why?

After years of people asking why we eat this way, how we eat, what we eat, and telling us how hard it would be for them, we have joined our super green goddess powers to bring our “exceptional expertise” (ha!) to you. We will discuss food. How to eat so your body will thrive! How to eat to avoid disease and illness! How to feed your family so they can be their very best! This is all very exciting.

Our panel of “experts” (wink) include:

Kelly – life long healthy eater – creates healthy food that tastes great

Angie – healthy eater for 8 years – passionate about nutrition and excellent food

Robin – the newbie who is turning her life around through superior nutrition

R.S.V.P. – reply to this email today so we can prepare enough delectable samples

Disclaimer: We are not professionals. We have degrees, but not in nutrition. We are not selling anything. We would like to be on Oprah and make lots of money, but mostly we want you to feel as good as we do.

Feel free to send this to anyone you think would be interested in joining us!

..............................

So, 28 women showed up. We talked about how we got started, why we love to eat this way, and then we ate delicious food that is healthy and nourishing for our bodies (green smoothies, black bean mango salsa, and fajita burritos). Ladies stayed until late - we practically had to kick them out. It was fun!

It was such a success that we are having our next meeting in July.

You are invited.

Still Here!

2010-06-21T14:55:00.002-06:00

I'm still here, working on a big salad! I think some of you may be worried about me because I haven't been ~~bragging~~ posting lately. What with all the milestone celebrations my family has had and our world travels (sounds so glamorous hu?) you might think that I have slipped back to cinnamon rolls and cheesy pulled pork. Well honey, you would be thinking wrong. I'm still going strong and feeling better and better. I only need 6 hours of sleep a night!

Here is my Father's Day menu from yesterday (Roland has lost like 53 lbs! Hubba Hubba):

Grilled Veggies (zuchinni, eggplant, sweet potatoes, peppers, onion, mushrooms, garlic scapes) marintated in 1T olive oil, 2 T spicy mustard, 3 T basalmic vinegar, 1 T red wine vinegar, 2 teaspoons Montreal steak seasoning - if fat isn't a concern to you add more oil. I grilled a ton so I made much more marinade and will eat leftovers tonight. The peppers are the best, I used the baby ones.0
Mango salsa salad (recipe below)
Potato salad (make your normal recipe - leave out the eggs and use veganaise instead of mayo. Not low fat but a wonderful treat!)
Sun Dried Tomato Hummus with warmed pita
Coconut/Rhubarb Ice Cream! (recipe below)

Roland said the Mango Salad on top of the grilled eggplant was "recipe book worthy". Happy Father's Day indeed!

This menu is heavy on meal prep. I made the ice cream and hummus on Friday, the mango salad and potato salad on Saturday, so on Sunday I could focus just on grilled veggies and the fathers in my life. I doubled each recipe (or tripled!) so I don't have to cook today or tomorrow.
...................................

Black Bean and Mango Salad - Kelly O. I had this for lunch today on a large romaine salad, So good!

Ingredients:

· 1 15.8 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed

· 2 cups mango, diced

· 1 cup sweet red bell pepper, diced

· 6 green onions, thinly sliced

· 1/4 cup cilantro leaves, chopped

· 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

· 1 tablespoon olive oil

· 1 seeded Jalapeno pepper, minced or hot sauce to taste

· Salt to taste

Preparation:

Combine all ingredients, including beans in bowl. Toss and serve.

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Coconut Ice Cream: My mom sent me this recipe from this blog. I modified it and served it over fresh berries. It was delicious. I made it with the rhubarb (see the full recipe link) but I think I liked the parts without the rhubarb better. I plan to serve this on the 4th of July with blueberries and strawberries.

Ice cream:
1 cup (4 oz/110 g) raw walnuts
1 can (14 ounces or 400 ml) full-fat coconut milk, preferably organic
1/4 cup (60 ml) agave nectar
2 Tbsp (30 ml) coconut sugar* (I used brown sugar)
2 medium peaches cored or pitted and cut in to chunks (about 9.5 oz or 265 g)
1 Tbsp (15 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice
20 or more drops stevia, to taste (I used agave)
Pinch salt
1 Tbsp (15 ml) vanilla
* If you are not following an anti-candida diet and don’t have these sweeteners, you can use agave or maple syrup for the glycerin, and Sucanat or brown sugar for the coconut sugar.

For the ice cream base, place all ingredients in a blender and blend until perfectly smooth. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to directions. Turn into a container and freeze until ready to serve. Makes 6 servings.
If you don’t have an ice cream maker, you can prepare it this way: Prepare the rhubarb swirl as above, and place in a container.
Line an 8 x 8 inch (20 cm) square pan with waxed paper or parchment paper (plastic wrap won’t do in this case). Set aside.
Blend all ingredients for the ice cream base as above, and pour the base into the prepared pan. Freeze until just solid, then turn onto a cutting board, peel away the paper, and using a sharp knife, cut into about 25 squares. Store the squares in a plastic bag in the freezer until ready to use.
To serve the ice cream, place 4 squares for each serving in a food processor and process until it comes together in a ball, then for about 10 seconds more to create a “soft serve” consistency. Eat immediately.

Inked

2010-06-14T08:46:00.001-06:00

I'm totally famous now.

Image from the Denver Post
Go Here!

Beijing

2010-06-06T07:02:00.001-06:00

I will not blog for the next week or so as I will be in Beijing!

I think it will be easy to eat lots of healthy food there. I promise that I won't be tempted by scorpions on a stick. Even if they are dipped in chocolate!

Wieners or Turkeys

2010-06-05T07:02:00.000-06:00

My healthy eating mentor, Sharon, told me that when it comes to changing your eating habits there are two kinds of people, wieners and turkeys.

Wieners slowly making changes, wiening themselves off of unhealthy food and slowly introducing healthy food.

Turkeys go cold turkey.

I am a turkey.

What are you? A turkey or a wiener?

All Or Nothing

2010-06-04T08:08:00.000-06:00

I got my hair colored yesterday and my dear stylist asked how I had lost so much weight. When I told her she wrinkled her nose and said, "That's not right. You can't really eat like that!"

Sigh. Yes you can. In fact, once you start you will WANT to eat like this. Junk food, sugar, fat, and cheese burgers lose their power over you. Pretty soon you are salivating over a salad (I never ever thought that would happen).

"But to never have cake again!? What about fudge? I could never live a life where I can't have junk food! I could never do that!" I hear this a lot. What do these people think? That I got fat on veggies and suddenly I started eating fewer veggies and lost weight? Honey, I got fat on junk food and gave it up for a healthier body and it has been an excellent trade.

Let's talk for a moment about the "all or nothing". I'm kinda an "all or nothing" girl, with exceptions. If I have the opportunity to each chocolate cake I am probably going to pass, but if it is delectable-gourmet-top notch-hard to come by-chocolate cake, I'm in for at least one bite. One of Roland's clients sent a package of Omaha steaks as a thank you for a job well done. On his birthday we grilled them up and I had a bite - just one bite did it for me - I preferred the grilled eggplant. For the record, Roland didn't even taste the steak. But eating unnutritious food is a rare thing - not even once a week - because really, we aren't often exposed to food of that gourmet quality. And, honestly, it doesn't taste that fabulous to me.

If you are considering eating this way here is my advice: tell yourself that you can eat whatever you want. For heaven's sake we are talking about loving life here! If you need that caramel, have it! But wait until you have been religiously on the diet for 6 weeks. You will find, as I have, that one bite - one taste - does the job and you won't need more.

At times I get tempted. We had a piano recital at our house last week and there was left over cake. That cake was calling my name. Loud. I could hear it from my bedroom. So I told my boys to eat as much as they wanted (they didn't want any) and then tossed the rest into the dirty garbage can in the garage. But mostly I can walk away from junk.

This recipe is a little junky because it has veganaise - fake mayo. But oh, what a wonderful way to eat broccoli!

Robin's Red Broccoli Salad
(I made this up myself!)

Dressing:
1 T agave (could use honey instead)
2 T red wine vinegar
1/3 c. veganaise (has the same amount of fat as mayo - so if you aren't doing vegan just use mayo)
Mix together in small bowl.

1 head broccoli - chopped (chop stem into small pieces)
1/3 cup green onion
3/4 cup small chop celery
1/3 cup diced red onion
1 1/2 cup grapes sliced in half (I use red grapes)
3/4 cup walnuts - toasted

Mix salad fixin's together and pour dressing over the top. Mix dressing in thoroughly so all the salad has a touch of it. This salad tastes better if you wait a few hours to eat it (or on the 2nd day) if you do that add walnuts right before serving. Double the batch so you can snack on it for a day or so. Yummy!

Hint : I soak my broccoli in the hottest tap water for about 10 minutes in my salad spinner and then spin it out, make the salad and put in fridge to cool. Broccoli that is soaked this way has a better taste and prettier color.