Down 2.5 pounds... Yeee Hahhhhhh!

     I mention in my last post I had started loosely following the "combination" diet way of eating a week ago last Thursday evening. I was getting a little bummed that after 5 weeks of eating very healthy I had only lost 6 pounds. Today after one week of tracking my calories and eating in combinations In a week I lost another 2.5 more pounds. I hate saying lost because I know exactly how it left and where it has gone. I hope never to return. It has only been a week and a half of eating in combination (protein and vegetable OR carbohydrate and vegetable but NO protein and Carbs together in same meal.) so, I hesitate to say that eating in combination is the answer for me, but I will. I can tell by the way my body feels, or doesn't feel, after eating in correct combinations.
      I don't have the familiar stuffed gut. After meals where I previously mixed carbs, proteins, fruits and veggies I could go the rest of the day not eating another thing and still feel full. Reason: I believe all the food just sat in my gut, while my stomach tried to figure out what to do with all of it. Should it make acid or alkaline juices? Hmm! Should the pancreas send out protease and lipase enzymes to break down the proteins and fats or amylase for carbs?

 

     Literally after the first day of correct combining, I began to get hungry after 2-3 hours of eating. The real eye opener was waking during the night and feeling very hungry. By morning I was famished and my stomach was flatter than normal. I forgot how good it feels to feel hungry.
     The best thing after getting up and moving around a bit...and this might be TMI, but I had to poo. On this morning, it was stinky as all get out and dark as chocolate. Why tell you this? Even after eating healthy for 5 weeks, I still have some constipation issues. Or having to go several times a day but just a few pebbles each time.
    My explanation for this is, by allowing my stomach, pancreas clear understanding (by foods combining) of what they needed to provide to churn the food into nutrients I could use, the job was done well and with efficiency. Moving along the track it ran into the backend of a lot of stagnant, not so well digested meals previously eaten. Like a caboose pushing a train, the well digested foods pushes the old, half digested sludge on through. When the sludge comes to it's final destination, elimination, they STUNK.
    I guess I tell you this because IF you have Really stinky poo's a few times a week, you're probably have digestion problems and have foods left undigested and rotting in your gut.
   So at the end of 6 weeks I've lost approximately 8.5 pounds.  I'm happy with that. I feel better because of eating better. My digestion is 90% better. I know immediately when I've eaten something I shouldn't. I also know pretty quick when I eat the wrong foods together.

Food Combining. Is It For You?

     So, I had some quiet time to look up some information to refresh my memory about just what food combining is. I liked what I read so on Thursday last week I started following the program, although somewhat loosely. Tomorrows post I will give you the update if I think it works or just another opinion.
     In yesterday's post I summed it up something like this: bad combinations of food impedes your metabolism, making it nearly impossible to loose weight. Since some foods need an acidic environment to break them down, others need a alkaline one, your stomach can not be both a the same time. When we eat foods that oppose each other in the stomach, it makes for unhealthy guts. Food ferments and goes undigested for hours, when it should be out of you stomach and ready for elimination.
     The proponents of Food Combining say it's important not to eat certain groups of foods together at the same time because it hinders good digestion. Resulting in incomplete digestion, leaving stagnant foods undigested in your stomach. You know you've combined opposing foods because you're gassy, bloated, feel stuffed, have indigestion, heartburn, crampy, constipated or the opposite, soon after eating. It also causes malabsorption of nutrients which leaves you drained of energy. Over time you can become very sick.
     
  From what I understand there are 4 Groups of foods. Some digest very quickly like fruits while proteins take much longer. The idea is if you eat your foods in the right combination, you maximize your digestive capacity and ability to break down foods more effectively.
# 1:  Proteins (meats, poultry, cheese, fish, eggs, milk, nuts) These all produce ACID juices for their digestion and digest very slowly.
# 2:  Carbohydrates- these are grains and the foods made from them (breads, pastas, cereals, flour, etc) and starchy vegetables (potatoes, sweetcorn) which all produce ALKALINE juices. They digest quickly and require different enzymes than proteins.
     If you eat group 1 and 2 together, the competing enzymes and juices will neutralize each other. The result is food doesn't get digested properly and rots or putrefies in the gut causing the ills listed above.
# 3:  Salads and non-starchy vegetables, roots vegetables and seeds.  These can be digested with either Group 1 or 2.
# 4:  Fruit. Is the fastest food to digest. Fruit uses completely different enzymes to digest than the above groups.

     Don't over think it. It's really not that complicated.

DO NOT eat foods from #1 and #2 together in the same meal. They oppose each other.
#3 foods can be eaten with #1 or #2.
#4 foods must be eaten alone, at least 30 minutes before or after other foods. If you eat fruit after a meal it can't go anywhere because it gets stuck behind foods that require much longer to digest.

     I'm sure that's why salads are eaten before the entrée, too. Let those nutrients get on their way into your system before packing on the heavier, harder to break down foods.
     Makes good sense to me. Even if you don't try this, at least try noticing what you have eaten prior to having gassy episodes. Or attack of heartburn. Maybe there's a correlation.

I have heard from others that proper food combining is a very effective way to lose and control weight.  I figure it sure can't do any harm to try. So far,  my results have pointed to the positive. Tune in tomorrow. .

For more Information on Food Combining read Fit For Life or do a Google search on Suzanne Somers Food Combining, The Hay Diet, Pete and Donna Thompson "All you Want to know About Food Combining.

Figuring Things Out

     I'm sure my audience is wondering, "With all your healthy eating, have you lost any weight?" The fact is I started at 198, as of today I am 192.6. I bing bong a pound or two, depending on what I eat, always coming back to 192. something. I have been excited with the many food changes and how the changes have help ease many of my gut issues, helped quell the mucous that has been in my chest and breathing for years, cleared up the constant stuffiness in my nose, which by the way has led to much deeper sleep however, last week I started to contemplate why I've only dropped 6 lbs. in 5 weeks. I don't hesitate to continue eating better, but, feel the need to find out why. And, let's face it, it would give me a boost.
    Consequently, with the prodding of my daughter, I have signed up for My Fitness Pal. This will help me track my eating to understand exactly what the food calorie counts are, while being a little more conscious of portion size. I started adding my foods Friday the 19th of July. It may take me a few days to get the hang of the site. But, so far, it has been a nice source of information. Not only does it keep track of everything you input, it has a list of foods available like I haven't seen on any other website. They have many chain restaurant foods listed, almost all grocery store brands listed, and what isn't on their list, you can scan product info into your smart phone that will be added to the list. If its something you eat often, you can put it in your personal list, so you don't have to look it up more than once. I've made up a few meals of my own. For example: My Caprese No Bread Sandwich, my cucumber roast beef no bread sandwich and a no gluten banana pancake. When I eat these I no longer have to look up each ingredient when logging. I'm hoping by tracking I might see a few pounds fall from my hips and give me a better picture (caloric intake, carbs, proteins) of what really passes through my lips.
 
     I have also read in a couple of Suzanne Somers books, Gillian McKeith's "You Are What You Eat" and several recent articles about food combining and how bad combinations of food impedes your metabolism, making it nearly impossible to loose weight. I am going to try harder at combing the right foods so as not to stress my already stressed gut.
     It makes a lot sense since certain foods need an acidic environment to break them down, while others need a alkaline one. Your stomach can not be both a the same time. When we eat foods that oppose each other in the stomach, actually neutralizing the juices, it makes for unhealthy guts. You know you've combined opposing foods because your gassy, bloated, feel stuffed, have indigestion and heartburn soon after eating. As I learn more I will include my findings in another post
     In the meantime I would love to be joined by any of you and you who are already taking advantage of My Fitness Pal. Look me up and friend me. I need all the encouragement I can get. Your input helps me help you. You can find me under NoMoreExcusesDiet.

Surviving the Heat

     The heat has not relinquished it's grip on what seems like most of America. What do you do to quench your hunger and stay cool?
      Wherever we are, we must all bare with the exhausting rise in temperature, especially the 93% humidity. It has kind of squelched my urge to cook over the weekend so, I relied on God's gift of fruit and salad delights, chilled of course. I single handedly devoured a whole watermelon, over the

course of 3 days. So sweet and juicy this time of year.
    I took 2 of my grandkids to see Despicable Me 2 and lunched at Buffalo Wild Wings after. Had a side salad and the Buffalito chicken wrap (mostly lettuce). So I behaved. However, was surprised that the calorie count for the lunch was almost 500. Had I known the thin little tortilla and a tsp of sauce would add so much, I may have ordered it without. Oh well, I know now. I'm not huge into calorie counting but do need to have an accountability.
     Most summer fruits are at their peak, so tossing grapes, blackberries, raspberries, blueberries and melons together, adding a little water, a drop of stevia and let chill for an hour, blends the juices to make a wonderful light syrup.
     Tomato's are abundant and perfect for slicing. Add some fresh mozzarella , avocado and fresh basil for a easy breezy lunch.
Instead of plain water, add sliced lemon, limes and celery in water. Makes for a refreshing drink. 
     My son in law was kind enough to stand in the soaring heat and grill our supper while we chilled inside.  I brought over a couple free range grass fed steaks, my daughter made a beautiful salad and veggies for roasting and a side of quinoa. Can you say "Yum!" I can barely, because I'm stuffed.
     I'm hoping by the time you read this Monday that we have a break in the weather. Until then, keep cool. Side note: People tend to be more irritable and short fused in hot weather, especially these extremes. So, drink plenty of water. Do not get overheated. Stay out of direct sun as much as possible. Leave plenty of time to get where you're headed and know that this heat is temporary.    

I wanted to let readers know I have join fitness pal online and are looking for friends for support. If you are a "Pal" please friend me.

*  My blog is written a few days ahead of the day of being published. We have had a nice break in the weather to have a couple perfect summer days here in Michigan.

To My Russian Readers

      On an average day I see at least 45 health conscience blogger friends tuning in from Russia. I want to say "Preev e et.  Cock de La.  Mean ya za vute Julie."  That is the extent of my Russian vocabulary. I know little about the expanse of territory we call Russia, but would love to learn. What the blog comes down to is, no matter where we live, what language we speak, we're all just people struggling to get our eating habits under control, while changing the typical world diet into a healthier way of living, ONE person at a time. We are here to support and encourage each other and who doesn't need that once in a while.
     I appreciate your readership and hope that it is helping you make some wise changes in your life. Please don't hesitate to leave comments. I would love to hear about the food choices and healthy meals you prepare on the other side of the world. What fruits and vegetables are in season there now?
     There are a few checking in from the Netherlands I'd like to send a shout out to, too. Thanks for sticking with me. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend. Eat healthy, make wise choices. Push away from the Potato Chips and dip and reach for the carrots and hummus.

Pa ka
Fondly,
Julie

The Heat Is On...

     We're renting a house in Michigan for the month of July. Although a nice home, it lacks a major luxury that I am fully used to, central air conditioning. Oh, it has a couple small window units but only for specific rooms but, with the heat index rising above 103 degrees outside, I can tell you it's uncomfortable inside to say the least. The main level of house is left to fans for cooling. The kitchen is in the center of this floor with very poor air circulation. Why do I tell you this? Turning on the gas stove ads several degrees to the already stifling air so, we want to use it as little as possible. Its so hot and the air stagnant of any breeze, my husband doesn't feel like grilling outside either. So what do we do for eats?
    I went back to the link I sent you all, called "15 No Bread Sandwiches" and found a few ideas that turned out to be exactly right for what we needed. Each was simple to make, taking less than 20 minutes, and taste great.  
     If you don't have all the ingredients I used, use what you have. Be creative. Being summer, we have a bounty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, Cucumbers, cabbage, green beans and herbs are plentiful.
     I choose to tweak a couple of the sandwiches from the Buzz Feed blog. The Caprese Asparagus, the Portobello Mushroom chicken and bacon stack. We've also made the Cucumber Roast Beef Sandwiches too. I'll talk about those another time, not because they weren't really good. My husband gave them a 9. For Today, I'm going to share the two below.

#1                                             Caprese Asparagus became Caprese green bean and chicken sandwich.

     25/30 green beans
     2 large slicing tomatoes
     8 slices of rotisserie chicken
     1 log or ball of Mozzarella cheese
     12 fresh basil leaves
     2 cloves garlic
     1/4 cup olive oil
     3 tsp balsamic vinegar
     salt/pepper to taste
First, finely chop the garlic, basil leaves, mix with oil and vinegar. Set aside. (leave a good pinch of basil aside to garnish top. Steam the green beans til tender. Run under cold water. Chill in frig. While beans are steaming, slice tomatoes in 1/4 - 1/2 inch slices. Lay tomatoes in with oil mixture making sure to covering the toms with the mixture. Slice Mozzarella the same as tomatoes. (Mozzarella logs come pre-sliced) Start layering with a tomato slice, then a layer of green beans, slices of chicken, then a layer of mozzarella. Repeat, ending with tomato on top. Drizzle any extra oil mixture over top. Sprinkle left over basil. Makes 2. 
     I had my daughter over for lunch and served this. She gave it a 10 and proceeded to eat the leftovers. I think she enjoyed it.
 
#2   Portabella chicken bacon sandwich. Are you a mushroom lover? If so, this is the meal for you. It is so simple to make but the combination of taste is anything but simple. The original recipe has the bottom and top large portabella mushroom. I chose to make it open faced and it was plenty.
     2 Large portabella mushrooms
     1 garlic clove
     2 tbsp. butter or olive oil
     1/2 log of goat cheese
     4 slices bacon  (I pre cooked extra slices in morning with breakfast)
     slices of chicken (I used left over rotisserie)
     1 avocado
     1 tbsp. Braggs Amino Acids(does not contain the MSG that soy sauce does)
Clean the stem and the ribbon meat inside the mushroom. Melt some butter and added 1 clove garlic. Sauté for a couple minutes. Place mushroom hole down in butter and cover. Cut your chicken, bacon and avocado to approximate size of the mushroom. Steam mushroom for 4 minutes each side. Place hot on a plate and fill the pocket with goat cheese or your favorite cheese. Layer your bacon, chicken and avocado. Top with a dollop of goat cheese. Salt and pepper to taste. Drizzle Braggs Amino's across it and serve. I made this for myself, I give it a 10. I loved it.  I have enough left over to make it again, and I can't wait.

Let me know if any of you try these and how you like it. BTW...I rarely measure while cooking, I kinda just wing-it. The above recipes are close guestimates of quantity.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego

     Thinking back to my post (We Gather Together) and the illustration of the 25 foot food table brought to mind what a Kings table might look like during the 5th - 6th century B.C.E.
A table layed out with a feast of every kind of delicacy.
     We've all seen the portrayal of an over indulged King reclining around his massive table with a shank of pig in hand, as he sinks his teeth into the flesh and wrestles to tear a hunk away from the bone, then washing the half chewed meat down with a large goblet of wine. Makes for a disgusting picture. Don't have to wonder how healthy that poor chap was.
     From there my mind wandered, as it often does, onto the four young Hebrew boys, Shadrach, Meshach, Abednego and Daniel. (Daniel Chapter 1) They were chosen along with royal offspring and sons of nobles because "there was no defect found in them, good looking, having wisdom and discernment. " The king wanted them to eat his "delicacies and wine" for three years (fattening them up while educating them in the Chaldean tongue). Then they were to be brought back to "stand in the palace of the king."
     The Hebrew boys faced a dilemma. There were many things offered by he King that they had never eaten. They were under the Mosaic Law which had very specific dietary rules. Their test? Would they continue to follow God's dietary laws thereby taking a chance on offending the King?  
     It's interesting how the Bible explains in verse 8, "Daniel determined in his heart that he would NOT POLLUTE himself with the delicacies."  Maybe the Bible writer knew more than he led on. Maybe that story has more to it than being loyal to God even when your parents aren't watching. Maybe it was a recipe for a balance diet that will keep the human body healthy, smarter and happier. Hmmm! Just saying!  Either way, the boys chose to eat only their customary vegetables and water. 
     We all know the end of that story. (Dan. 1:19,20) "Out of all of the children, no one was found like" those four boys, in ALL the land. "As far as wisdom and understanding they were ten (10) times better." Jehovah had safeguarded the Jewish people from much of the sickness and disease that festered in lands round about. Could it be that diet played a significant role in that, even back then? I think so. We can't dispute that they were blessed for keeping the Law and we can't deny that their choice of food made them much better specimens of men in ALL aspects. Gives us something to think about.

 

Falling Off The Wagon

     This past weekend was a challenge for me and my NoMoreExcusesDiet. Since we started eating healthier over a month ago now, I have been eating well with little exception. No fried foods (except an egg or two), no fast foods, no processed foods, literally five pieces of bread (Udi), no alcoholic beverages, no sugars, no oils except occasional butter.

     Then this weekend came along. It's not that I totally blew it but, I let myself down. We had the Circuit Overseer over for lunch Friday. We enjoyed a large Olive Garden type salad. Lettuce, olives, red onion slivers, tomato, cheese and home made dressing. We also copied a recipe of Olive Garden's Zoupa Toscana. You say "what's wrong with that?" I have a difficult time digesting potatoes and sausage, and haven't had either in 5 weeks. That in itself was hard on my gut. But then, Zoupa is my absolute favorite soup, I totally over indulged, eating 2 heaping bowls. Stuffing your gut after weeks of a well controlled diet is a bad idea. I knew that within a half hour of the last swallow. 
   

I felt like a stuffed pig, literally. I could hardly breath. I remained nauseous for the rest of the day and into the evening. I took enzymes to help digest the meal, I walked the dogs an extra block. I took 4 magnesium to help "move" things along. Nothing helped.     Breakfast Saturday was plain fruit. I was going to be busy all afternoon, taking pictures for some young pioneers who were getting married, and I didn't want to upset my stomach that had just started feeling better. This was not a smart move. Why? you ask.
     Six hundred pictures, 4 Brazil nuts, a granola bar and 7 hours later we ended up at a small reception. I was so hungry, and surely dehydrated that all self control was abandoned. 
     Two pieces of KFC (heavy oils, trans fats, flour, MSG, breading), macaroni salad (wheat noodles), regular salad, two bread sticks (wheat flour), a handful of chips (trans fat, potato, fried) a piece of wedding cake (flour, food coloring and a heavy dose of sugar) and two rum and cokes later, I was feeling that old familiar nauseated feeling. The burn in my belly and the aching pain in my lower abdomen that I lived with for years prior to the No More Excuses Diet was back with a vengence.
     We made our exit only to spend the rest of the evening feeling lousy. Again popped some enzymes, magnesium and this time a Rolaid to calm the storm in my guts.

     Before starting The No More Excuses Diet I was taking  2 Prilosec a day, settling the burn and gut pains. Since (5 weeks)    eating better I have only had to take one Prilosec and Rolaids twice. It's like a miracle to me. No gut pain, no constipation, no heart burn and no upset stomach which had been a daily problem.  Now in just one weekend, I have set myself back to feeling really crappy. Why? I need to sit back and think why so I will not get myself into the same situation again.

     I tell you this because, we all fail. We have setbacks. But, that doesn't mean we give up. We get back on the program. Treating your body with good and healthy foods. I had a few weak moments. Okay, a lot of weak moments and I need to figure out why it was so easy to allow myself  to run back to the foods that have caused me so much trouble, just because they were put in front of me.
    I know most people eat differently than I am trying to eat these days. What I learned from this is: I should plan ahead, bringing something healthy or stopping for good food and waters before going to the after party. I should always carry waters with me so not to get so thirsty that I reach for anything. When you are unaware of the menu provided, then cover yourself with a packed backup.
     So if you falter in the program you've set up for yourself, get back on track as soon as possible. Don't give up, don't give in to the old habits we're all trying to shuck. Make your peace with that slice of cake or Fried chicken and move ahead.
     I apologize to you all for not following through with the no bread challenge. Forgive me and know that I'm back on track.

PS. These are a few of my pics from the wedding. See Leah and Maddy? Leah was maid of honor, Maddy the flower girl.

That Dreaded word...Exercise

     Exercise conjures up all sorts of things for people. Training for a marathon. Doing a boat load of calistetics, pumping weights until you drop.  For me, it has meant dragging myself to put on a pair tennis shoes, pulling out the stepper and putting Gilad in the DVD. Other times it meant packing up my gym bag with water and heading to the gym to do a circuit or two, then dancing my way through a  step aerobics class.
     Today, it means latching the leashes on our two dogs and briskly walking the neighborhood while they sniff and tinkle on every available tree. Really, the dogs are a blessing to me. They get me out of doors into fresh air where I enjoy the many sounds of God's creations while giving my body a boost.  If the weather is too hot or rainy I jog on my rebounder for 10 or 15 minutes. 
     What do you enjoy? What can you add to your No More Excuses Diet to help you get moving a little more than yesterday? Figure it out and then "just do it."  It doesn't have to be some major workout, just a fast pace walk around the block. Instead of piling a bunch of stuff on your steps, waiting for the next trip up or downstairs, take the items up now. Stuff on your stairs is a safety hazard. So think of it as keeping your family safe and getting a little exercise. Instead of carrying a huge basket of laundry to the laundry room, take one load at a time. Better for your back and will add several extra steps to your day. We've all heard this one, when shopping or at the Hall, park furthest away. This too will add a few more steps to your day. And if you're working in an office, always take the stairs. If available, walk to get your lunch. If you pack lunch, walk to a park or side walk bench and enjoy it. Good for mind, body and soul. Be creative. 
     The fact is, if you exercise just 10 minutes of vigorous exercise a day you gain great benefit.
     The lymph glands are the major way your body gets rid of unwanted toxic matter. The lymph system is totally dependent on physical exercise to help it do its job of excreting the junk that accumulates in the lymph glands. Without adequate movement the toxins stored in the lymphs gets stuck and the lymph become congested. If left stewing in the waste, a person can get very sick. Congested lymphs contributes to arthritis, cancer and many other degenerative diseases.
     I have read more than once that just 10 minutes of vigorous jogging on a rebounder/mini-trampoline increases lymph flow by 15 to 30 times. I like this because I can do it anytime during the day.  I put on my home-made jogging jig CD or watch television and jump. Finding 10 minutes in a day isn't hard. The benefit of cleaning your lymph system is immeasurable plus you have the immediate result of a super burst of energy that will follow you through out the day.
     So whether it's walking with a friend, going up and down stairs several times, or rebounding make it a part of your day. Just 10 minutes, pushing yourself a little bit and you will reap quick rewards.

Are We Salting Ourselves to Death?

  
     Not to beat this subject into the ground but it is sooo important to be aware of the dangerous side effects that this favored food accent has on the human body. Many of us have NO Idea just how much of it we REALLY consume. SALT! I can not stress how much salt/sodium has to do with much of the sickness and disease that is ravaging the American public.
     Why this has been a hot topic for me. It was my pleasure to escort two beloved friends (80+ year olds) to a specialist to find out why she is retaining so much water when she is on high doses of  meds that should resolve the issue. A-Mom (I will call her A-Mom for adopted mom. I have known these two as friends for so many years, that I say I have adopted them as parents) is and has been for sometime in congestive heart failure. When questioned by the doctor about eating habits, their picture of the weeks menu was one of healthy eating. They truly believe what they are consuming on a daily basis is healthy foods. 
     The list consisted of a BLT for lunch, a boxed cherry crumble Danish and toast for breakfast. For dinner the evening before they had order chicken tenders with the creamy coleslaw from a Pizza place. Their vegetable of choice is frozen, but more often than not they eat canned vegetables. Don't get me wrong, I get it. They are in their 80's. It takes a lot to stand at a counter and chop veggies and cook.  Fact is because of her illness, A-Mom can no longer stand except for brief moments. A-Dad is doing all he can to care for her regular everyday needs. 
     The doctor wasn't surprised. For when a person is taking in too much salt/sodium it is very apparent by the swollen look they have. It was obvious to him that her diet was full of salt. And it was. Everything she had eaten in last 24 hours was full of sodium. "But what about the lettuce and tomatoes and the sweet cheeries. That's all good for you." A-Dad said. This day and age sodium is is everything.  I know it's a drag but we really must start reading labels, especially if we prone to hypertension, heart disease. We literally are salting ourselves to death.
     The doctor said "look around next time in a group of people. People who have a diet high in sodium/salt tend to have hands and fingers, face and necks or legs and feet that are swollen. Their skin is very taut or stretched tight. It's because they are retaining water caused by too much salt." These same people tend to eat fast foods, boxed, processed convenient foods. All which contain huge amounts of sodium.
    Ten years ago my mother in law, when hospitalized, was put on an IV drip of a meds "to help her get some of the water off." In one night she lost 15 lbs. She had a major wake up call that helped her transform her life. At age 73 she had to change her eating habits or face death. She choose to eat herself healthy. She went from a 180 pounds patient with congestive heart and diabetes to 145 pounds in under six months. She did end up with a pace maker but no longer has congestive heart or diabetes. Went from size 20 to 12/14. That was 10 years ago. We are very proud of her for taking control of her life and health. If she hadn't i'm sure she wouldn't be with us today. Just goes to show your never to old to change.
     Thing is. Her body, when given the proper nutrition, healed itself. Now, that's *amazing medicine.
     I am  relating their stories because their diets are the diets of most people. And when you look at most sick people, their diets are very similar.  People generally believe they eat relatively well.  Quick, easy and convenient but, diets of very little nutrition and lots of sodium. I am inserting a link here of a chart of sodium content in everyday foods. Peruse it, look up some of the items you use in your daily lives. It's to make you more aware of just how much salt you inadvertently take in and may not know it.  Really stop now and click the link. Interesting huh? Remember, we should not have more than 2300 mg a day. And that's the high levels. Meaning more than that is truly stressing your organs and in a short time your body begins to react with a host of ailments.

*Under the words amazing medicine above is the link to Food Matters Trailer. A must see movie

1/4 teaspoon of salt     =  500 mg
 1/2 teaspoon of salt    =  1000mg                               
   1  teaspoon  of salt   =  2000 mg

Who's Up For A Challenge?

Last evening I challenged the original 15 who showed interest in The No More Excuses Diet.
     The challenge is this: No bread, buns, rolls or crackers for one week. Some have already stopped eating breads. I'm proud of you. Just Continue what you're doing. But, for all of us starting tomorrow, Wednesday to Wednesday, let's not consume any of the above.

     The reason for this challenge is many of the everyday problems we suffer with such as: stuffy sinus', congestion, hacking cough and phlegmy throats, could very likely be caused by a gluten/wheat intolerance. Cleaning our system of it, even for one week, should help you recognize clearer breathing, less stuffy heads and throats. One week is not be long enough to clear deep congestion, that would take considerably longer.
     I'm trying to help you see that Gluten is NOT just the new diet craze. It's a pain in the neck problem for a lot of people AND they have no idea that it is the culprit.
     Who of you have had clear sinuses, clear throat, then ate some bread, crackers, cereals, anything made with flour and within a few minutes the familiar guttural clearing of the throat, frogginess around your vocal area starts.  You quietly try to clear your sinuses with discrete snorts, because it suddenly fills with phlegm and congestion? Or within an hour of food consumption, you find you have a headache? Most of the time that is your body reacting to the gluten.
     Gluten intolerance is real. If it was only in bread and we only ate bread occasionally, then maybe it wouldn't be such an issue for so many. Would you be surprised to find out it's in products like shampoo and toothpaste? Gluten is commonly used as a binder in products like medication, cosmetics, oral care, skin care, and even children’s toys. The public has become aware of the problems with gluten and are demanding gluten-free products. IF it wasn't a real issue, corporations would not be jumping through hoops to bring these gluten-free products to market.
    So whose willing to try this? No breads, buns, rolls or crackers for ONE week? Pay attention to your bodies reactions to all the foods you put in your mouth. You may be surprised. After a week, reintroduce wheat bread or cake made with wheat flour and see if you have a reaction.

A Healing Crisis

     If you have chosen like I have to eliminate processed foods, sugars, breads and wheat  (gluten), then you may be experiencing moderate to extreme symptoms of "letting go" or withdrawal side effects of that choice. This is known as a healing crisis.  Your body has had processed sugar, high fructose corn syrup, MSG (natural flavorings) and gluten fighting against its natural state of health for as long as you have been eating processed foods. For many that's a lifetime. In fact these foreign "foods" have melded to become a part of your bodies chemistry, in a sense.
     Now, you've decided to eat for health, banning these or at least cutting way back on their intake. You may not even realize that many of your day to day ailments like allergies, fatigue, headaches, sinus problems, mucous, sleeplessness, constipation, diarrhea, rashes, congestion and a host of other things that make you sick, are caused by these unnatural "foods."  They can cause terrible reactions in your body when you are no longer supplying them in your daily diet yet, your body is hard pressed to want to let them go.
      It may take a week or three before your body uses it's reserves and then recognizes you are not furnishing the "fix" of these substances anymore. Even though you have replaced the junk food with real whole foods, live foods, and your body appreciates that, a period of confusion will most likely occur. That is what happened to me last week. 
    

For three days my body went though withdrawals in the form of the worse Migraine headaches that I've ever experienced. So severe they kept me up 3 nights and days with only a few hours where I dozed off. Frequently the pounding in my head was so intense I threw up. I had heart palpitations,  blurred vision and extreme brain fog. I could not lay my head against a pillow because the throbbing was so extreme. Submerging my head in a bathtub of water, so there was no pressure was the only small relief I got.  I was exhausted. 
     I took magnesium because it's known to help migraines but, I could not keep it down. Finally on the 3rd day when the ban around my head loosened slightly I took several magnesium and asprin to get some control of it. Through out the day I took more magnesium and 2 asprin every 4 hours through the night.  I needed some relief and was willing to do the OTC drugs to help my body feel better. By the 4th day it was over however, I was left exhausted and tired.
    Withdrawing your body off sugar, gluten and MSG cold turkey can be tough. It can make you miserable for a few hours or several days. It's similar to the withdrawals from powerful drugs.  I believe that's why many fail to do it.
    The pain, whether in body aches, joint pains, headaches, stomach cramps, horrible gut pain, moodiness, crying jags, overall flu like symptoms and whatever else, it is just too much for some to handle. It seems easier to grab a source of "junk-food"  (for the comfort) giving into the craving withdrawals, than ride it out, cleansing the body of dozens of toxins that are keeping you sick, probably overweight and not feeling very good. 
    Another one of our blog readers wrote how her arthritis and joints became so inflamed, it was hard to walk. It was excruciating for her to move. Stairs were nearly impossible. The pain throughout her body was intense. She had not heard of a healing crisis. Had she known, it may have made it easier for her, knowing it was temporary. 
     This is why I am telling about it today.This is not to scare you from continuing the journey of cleaning up you eating habits.  It's to show that many of the things we choose to eat are as powerful at changing who we are, inside and out, as many hard core drugs. Just because they line our supermarket shelves, does not mean they are good for us. We MUST educate ourselves and then, apply what we learn, to treat our bodies as they should be treated, as a temple. But the changes are not easy. But to know the crisis is only temporary and you'll be feeling better than ever soon, may give you strength to work through it. 
    

No Bread Sandwich, What?

     Thanks to all who are sending me text messages about their journey and what they are doing to change their food choices for the better. Ku-doos to You! Keep the good news coming.
     I heard from one that IF you choose to post Anonymously then it allows you to post. Otherwise i'm thinking you may have to have a Google account to post by name. The Internet is sporadic to say the least, I apologize but will continue posting as I can. In the meantime you'll get a text and email.
     Yesterday I sent all of you a link to a very cool web page called "Fifteen No Bread Sandwiches." A few have already responded saying they are excited to start making them. I do congratulate you who have turned from white bread to wheat. However, the wheat, even in "100%" wheat bread is NOT made from the kind of  wheat that Jesus' disciples plucked and ate. Original wheat had more than 40 chromosomes each working synergistically with our body when broken down by chewing. Today's wheat contains about 10 chromosomes. I'm sure that scientists thought by changing the DNA of wheat it would grow faster, be more hardy, last longer...who knows. But, Jehovah made it perfectly the first time round. So if the bread you purchase is in the inner grocery isles, it's made from substandard wheat and it's got tons of preservatives to keep it "fresh" on the shelves.

     I will have to do research on where and what grains are in Ezekiel and Udi bread. They boast whole grains, no preservatives, organic so no pesticides and herbicides. If you are going to eat bread a couple times a week I suggest trying to change over to Ezekiel, Udi (gluten free) found in the frozen food section, and must be refrigerated. We have to retrain our palates to enjoy foods that arn't sugar filled and full of preservatives if we want to get healthy.
     With that said I am posting the link my daughter and I found incredible. Check it out and text me which sandwich you decided to make this week. Take pictures and send them.

     http://buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/15-mouthwatering-no-bread-sandwiches http://buzzfeed.com/ailbhemalone/15-mouthwatering-no-bread-sandwiches

So Julie, What Do You Eat?

     The other day I was asked, "What do you eat in a day. Give me an example." For a moment I couldn't think. What do I eat?  
    There was a time I was consumed with eating, what's for lunch, what's for dinner. I always knew what I had or would be having. These days it doesn't seem as important. So, I went back over the last three weeks log to get a better picture of what choices I had made.
     As you know, many mornings when I have a few, and I really mean a few extra minutes, because it really doesn't take much time at all, I'd make spinach or a spinach mix of greens with garlic and bacon bits. Sometimes cracking an egg on top for a scramble.
     A friend in Florida turned me on to Quinoa. I have real gut issues with oatmeal so quinoa is a great substitute. It's as filling and much more versatile than oatmeal. Can be eaten for breakfast lunch or side dish for dinner. I'll post some recipes in my next blog.
     On rushed mornings I tend to make a piece of toasted Udi bread (made from rice flour) with almond butter or I'd make up a bag of mixed raw nuts (walnut, almond, sprouted pumpkin seeds, brazil and cranberries) and eat those. If I have nuts I will grab a piece of fruit and have it as snack. Nectarine, grapes, peach or apple.
      Lunch varies between a version of my Chinese rice noodle soup, chicken salad lettuce wrap, salads of all sorts or an assortment of cut up veggies with some almond butter dip. 
     My favorite salad is the Julie version of Wendy's chicken, apple, pecan, cranberry salad. So easy and so good. 
     I've been know to make garbage soup, meaning whatever veggies or meats are leftover from prior meals gets tossed into a broth, cooked down and used for soup stock. When I make this, it last two or three days.  I add different things to it each day for variation. Vermicelli rice noodles, rice, red skin potatoes, zucchini, celery, spinach, onion. It really depends on what I have in frig.
     Dinners usually consist of a meat or chicken, however unless i'm really craving protein I keep the portion size to 4-5 oz. I have always been a steak lover and recently we were lucky enough to get in on a deal for pasture raised, grass fed 1/4 side of beef. So lately I been eating beef a couple of times a week. One night last week we shared a porterhouse and boiled corn. Last night we had tilapia fish and broccoli. Another night rib eye with roasted yellow squash, zucchini and  tomatoes with some Mrs. Dash and feta spinkled on top. Another evening we grilled pepper jack hamburgers and smothered them in onions, mushroom and peppers. That was it and it was more than enough for us.
    In our 25 years together we rarely do 3 course meals and almost never do deserts.                                                                                    raspberries from my backyard

      If you remember an earlier post of mind, I'm fighting a life long 8:00 pm snack battle. I guess we could consider that desert. We'll have a bowl of grapes, plain yogurt with fresh fruit (with a couple drops of chocolate stevia), or popcorn popped in coconut oil. We are trying to get away from popcorn because it's extremely hard for me to digest plus 99% of American corn is GMO.
          My refrigerator almost always has a bag of greens (described above), a rotisserie chicken and fresh fruit and fresh bulbs of garlic. Some cupboard staples are Quinoa, Swanson chicken broth, canned tomatoes (one of the only canned item I don't mind using), brown rice, Jasmati brown rice, dried cranberries and Mrs. Dash Original all natural spices and No MSG.
     Now, you may be thinking, "But rotisserie chicken, Swansons, canned tomatoes?" I much prefer to buy chicken and brown it up to have on hand for meals but that's not always possible. Plus, when I'm done with the rotisserie carcass, it's used it to make really good stock. I have read some articles of late about canned tomatoes contain a resin that leaches a toxic chemical, bisphenol-A (BPA), into food. So I may be learning to can my own tomatoes in the future. Maybe one day, but for now these processed items are my friends.
     I'm on my way to Leah's (daughter) to make Rhubarb jam. So, until the next time. Think before your eat. What will this food do for me?

We Gather Together...

     Coming from a realm of people who are definitely social eaters, one of the first questions asked whenever there's going to be a gathering is "there going to be food?" I realize some are genuinely asking because they want to bring a dish to ad to the table however when men and some women ask I know that food and sometimes what kind of food is going to be the deciding factor of whether we'll see them that day. Do you know people like that? The saying " breaking bread together" when it was coined a thousand years ago meant just that, breaking bread and maybe a few nuts and berries. What does it mean today?
     You know. It means our plates will be piled high with ribs, chicken, ham, collards swimming in a pool of yummy bacon pot liquor, sister Johnson's 5 cheese mac and cheese, Martha's 4 bean baked beans with ground meat, potato chips, BBQ chips, bacon ranch chips, sour cream chips, doritos, and tucked at the end in the back of the 25 foot table a Sister Foster's green leafy cucumber tomato salad with the standard three salad dressings.   
     Oh but, that's not all, no sir-ree.  There's the other 10 foot table practically toppeling over with carrot cake, chocolate cake, triple chocolate cake, cookies of all sorts, pie, pies and more pies and of course my husbands favorite banana pudding. At the end of the day, the majority of all this "good food" is devoured and everyone's sitting around so stuffed they can hardly move, including me. But for the majority of Sister Foster's tossed salad, it ends up in the dumpster.  Does this sound like one of your gatherings?
     This same scene plays out all across America. While we think we're enjoying our food, it's truly making us sick. Personally I have never had high blood pressure or diabetes. I want to keep it that way, but a lot of my friends do. Across the nation the numbers are off the charts. The general public feels as long as there's medications to help my body keep in check, then I don't have to. I can eat what I want, when I want, then pop a pill to keep it all under control. High blood pressure and type II diabetes are both the first signs your body is struggling. If your diet is left unchecked, heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and a host of other ailments will be next. These two diseases are both ones that can totally be controlled by diet. What we put in our mouths has a direct baring on how we feel and how healthy or unhealthy we are. 
    It's not my intention to get myself banned from gatherings. So don't be thinking "then she shouldn't show up if she don't like all our food." It's a difficult test to turn away from all those things I fed myself for years but, each time I choose what's good for my body, choosing to eat healthier, makes me feel good about myself and I know each day gets easier. With that said, if you should see me at a gathering, after eating a healthy meal, having a small piece of cake or banana pudding, don't be too judgmental. I'm working on it.
    
     This is our test. The next time we're ask to bring a dish to a gathering, let's be determined to bring something healthy. "Oh, come on. You're creative, there's more to eat than salad." I frequently use AllRecipes.com for inspiration of healthier choices. Try it, you'll like it, and so will others too.

Greens for Breakfast?

     It may be hard to see yourself sitting down to a plate of greens and eggs in the morning but let me tell you it is a great way to get your day started. Greens are full Beta Carotene, Vitamins A &C excellent sources of antioxidants. Also a good source of folate, vitamin K and Lutein. That is how I start several mornings a week. I chop and saute greens in less than 10 minutes. If you plan ahead just a little, you can be enjoying them too.
      There's two ways to do this. When in season I love fresh spinach, kale, bok choy, collards and swiss chard. Sometimes I mix several greens together, others times one by itself. For this meal my girlfriend kindly let me raid her garden of bok choy, kale and collards. But, when these are not available I turn to Walmart. There, I said it. I do shop Walmart for certain things. They carry a specific bag of mixed greens by New Star that has spinach, bok choy, baby red and green chard already clean and ready to cook. (I always rinse them) These are a staple in my diet.
     This is how it's done. For one large helping, If fresh, I chop 2  or3 large leaves of each green very thin with or without their stems. If using the bagged variety I use 3 or 4 handfuls. Greens cook down to 1/4 their original size. Set aside. In a frying pan of a tbsp. of olive oil, I chop 2 cloves garlic, maybe a little onion and brown. Then add 1/2 cup of chicken stock or Swanson's 99% fat free/no MSG stock and blend. Add the chopped greens, tossing them so they become evenly coated with the mixture. Sometimes, I cook 2 pieces of bacon, remove bacon and pour off all but a tbsp. or two of the grease. Then use this as my base for sautéing the garlic, onion and greens. Pines nuts are a tasty addition too. If you've never eaten greens in the morning, this is a great way to ease yourself into them. When greens are done cooking I chop the bacon into pieces and mix in. Then sprinkle feta cheese on top. Plate it and garnish with an egg over easy. Yummy yum yum!
     Greens aren't just for breakfast either. They make a nice side with any animal protein. Larry likes these with a spoonful of Rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies mix in or with his favorite stand by for all foods, hot sauce.
      Try them and tell me how you like em'.