Monday, April 21, 2014
The End...or the Start of a New Beginning
Precious Yogi,
It's been awhile since I posted. Unfortunately, a sinus infection topped with bronchitis really derailed any amount of energy I may have had for any activities. My total focus and energy has been devoted to healing the body.
You'll be glad to know that I was able to maintain the diet portion of the Paleo lifestyle. I'm sure there was a bit of sugar in the prescription cough syrup, but it was paramount to getting at least a half-night's sleep, so down the hatch went the sugar.
And little did I know how important the fermented foods portion of the diet would be until I began ingesting the brutal antibiotic prescription. The medication was so hard on the gastrointestinal tract. The only groovy part about getting that sick was meeting a wonderful doctor at the urgent care center, who encouraged me to take probiotics, borage oil (for Omega 9's) and to take fermented foods. I was truly surprised, and she advised that she has an Integrative Medical Practice in addition to her regular duties as a physician. WOW, the plan I'm following, "Your Personal Paleo Code" was written by a practitioner of Integrative Medicine. She nodded knowingly, said it's her passion. Seriously, after 12 years of medical school, internship, residency, who has time to put massive amounts of time into studying nutrition? You can believe I took her phone number.
Lent has come, and gone. Yesterday was a beautiful Easter Sunday and spring has sprung. I was able to get through 43 days of this nutrition plan with a total of 3 cheats and in my book, that's a phenomenal success. Having not eaten any sugars, grains or dairy for that amount of time was a huge lifestyle change, and took more than willpower. I give credit to the Great Creator for granting the want, the will and the strength to withstand that impossibly long period of multiple detoxification. For awhile, it seemed as if it would never end! My grandmother turned 100 and I only got to enjoy the aroma of her birthday cake. The local churches and fire halls managed to garner success of their Lenten Fish Fires without my generous weekly visits for fried fish and cole slaw (sometimes for lunch AND dinner) My cravings for buttered bread, cookies and crackers did not, in fact, cause a nervous breakdown.
Normally, I would expect to say a drop 14 pounds WITHOUT calorie restriction, or portion control was the best part of this experiment. But it's not. Not by a longshot. I've learned so much about nutrition, and find the research fascinating. I've learned about grass fed meats, and fermented foods. I learned about gut flora, and how to nutitionally support the immune system. I learned how the standard American diet has given us some of the world's highest rates of obesity and diabetes. And although the Paleo/Primal diet may not be for everyone, I've learned that there are MULTIPLE options available for people to take more contol of their own nutrition and health. I've learned of the strong connection between stress and sleep deprivation to weight management. And, I learned how to make kimchi.
Yogi, I'll admit that when I broke the fast, I tried a slice of bread and butter (hurt my stomach), and to having a blessed spoonful of honey in my coffee. But you'll be happy to know, I'm back on the horse. I plan to make this way of eating, living, sleeping, exercising, a lifestyle. That's why it was so attractive, it's sustainable. I can't have 2 meal replacement shakes for the rest of my life. I'm not willing to keep a food log and count calories, it's just too time consuming and more work than I want to do. I don't have time for weekly meetings that prescribe hunger pangs. But I can continue the modified Paleo/Primal lifestyle. I can pay more attention to what foods go into my body, and assess how that food makes me feel. I can work on getting more, and better quality, sleep, and commit to get more exercise.
Lent brought me more often to pray, and I consider that time to have been spritual food. And I've heard God's loving voice more clearly. My heart is closer to Jesus. And dear Yogi, I have more gratitude and love for you. Thank you for having my back, and being my sounding board. For forgiving my cheats and cheering me on.
This blog will soon morph into something different, something more than the great Paleo experiment. Perhaps I'll be able to more confidently share news about the 4 Pillars of Health (nutrition, exercise, sleep and stress reduction) with you. And I certainly hope to comments from you. Until then, I remain
Your devoted Yoga guide
Saturday, April 5, 2014
Recommitment
Hi Precious Yogi
Another week into the nutrition plan and I'm feeling more committed than ever. Finally feeling like this will be a sustainable lifestyle.
Today I'm in the bed with yet another sinus infection. Seems Rich and I are passing it back and forth as he's just recovering from one. I'm on antibiotics, probiotics, albuterol, anti-nausea meds and motion for the fever. This is the first time in almost 24 hours that I've felt good enough to lift my head.
Funny thing, when I went to the urgent care center yesterday, the doctor advised I should take the probiotics and suggested I also get some borage oil for Omega 9's. You know I did a double take. No offense to doctors, they're amazingly long educational process rarely leaves time to explore nutrition. Before I could get the question out, she also told me to put fresh sauerkraut and kimchi in my daily meal plan, and to have my vitamin D levels checked.
OK, at this point I'm astonished! It turns out, as well as an MD, she has an integrative medicine practice on the site, days it's her passion!
So I told her about the book with the nutrition plan, explaining the Author is on the same field. Wrote, she was all in. Once I complete the plan, of there are any questions or concerns, I've met my future practitioner. I believe things happen for a reason, and Good just blessed my efforts to honor the Almighty with a healthier commitment to serve the Kingdom.
Awesome.
Y'all have a week of peace, joy and yoga. I hope to be back on my feet in time for class.
Mp
Another week into the nutrition plan and I'm feeling more committed than ever. Finally feeling like this will be a sustainable lifestyle.
Today I'm in the bed with yet another sinus infection. Seems Rich and I are passing it back and forth as he's just recovering from one. I'm on antibiotics, probiotics, albuterol, anti-nausea meds and motion for the fever. This is the first time in almost 24 hours that I've felt good enough to lift my head.
Funny thing, when I went to the urgent care center yesterday, the doctor advised I should take the probiotics and suggested I also get some borage oil for Omega 9's. You know I did a double take. No offense to doctors, they're amazingly long educational process rarely leaves time to explore nutrition. Before I could get the question out, she also told me to put fresh sauerkraut and kimchi in my daily meal plan, and to have my vitamin D levels checked.
OK, at this point I'm astonished! It turns out, as well as an MD, she has an integrative medicine practice on the site, days it's her passion!
So I told her about the book with the nutrition plan, explaining the Author is on the same field. Wrote, she was all in. Once I complete the plan, of there are any questions or concerns, I've met my future practitioner. I believe things happen for a reason, and Good just blessed my efforts to honor the Almighty with a healthier commitment to serve the Kingdom.
Awesome.
Y'all have a week of peace, joy and yoga. I hope to be back on my feet in time for class.
Mp
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Halfway There
Hi Yogi,
Already we are halfway through the 40 days of Lent. I was hoping to feel better, sleep deeper and be lighter at this point. Isn't that funny? A lifetime of bad eating habits and nutrition misinformation should be wiped out in three weeks. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. But I'm determined to stick this out and MAKE IT WORK.
It's late Saturday and I'm tired. Heavenly Hands, our signing choir at Bethany Baptist, spent all day at the Robinson Mall Sign-A-Thon. We manned a table highlighting the services our church provides to the deaf community. We also signed several songs, made new friends and reconnected with some longtime old friends.
This was my first time participating in this annual event, but I knew it would be a long day. I prepared a proper Paleo breakfast of bacon, eggs, kimchi and sweet potatoes. Feeling well nourished,
I was off to a day of service and learning. Shared a snack of fruit and nuts with my BFF Lorraine and later we lunched at the dreaded food court.
Surely I thought, there will be "legal" eats there, but it was tough to find. One place had salads, but they were covered in cheese. So I tried Subway's chopped salad. All the veggies, turkey, no cheese or bread of any kind. Ain't I good? Yes, until the salad dressing dilemma. No industrial seed oils are permitted on this nutrition plan. I was told their salad oil is a combo of olive and canola!
Gang, I've decided to stay off the sugar, dairy, beans and grains. That's enough. Avoiding corn, canola, vegetable, soy and sesame oils is more than I can do. I'll limit them as much as possible, and won't have it in my pantry, but simply have to eat out on occasion. And the sources of cooking oils at most restaurants will always be dubious.
I finally finished Chris Kresser's book, "Your Personal Paleo Code" and am checking out the bonus chapters on line. There are several and they tend to be targeted to different physical problems, like GERD, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and so on. There's also a chapter on supplements that I'm very interested in. Richard and I both take a handful daily, a good solid multi-vitamin, ubiquinol, fish oil, vitamin C. I also take an iron pill to stave off borderline anemia.
Also, I'm gently suggesting to people with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, to look into anti-inflammatory diets. We can do so much harm or good, with what we put in our mouths.
Yogi, thank God for the new week that's about to begin. May you all be blessed, and thank you for your support.
Peace, love and good eats...
myrna
Already we are halfway through the 40 days of Lent. I was hoping to feel better, sleep deeper and be lighter at this point. Isn't that funny? A lifetime of bad eating habits and nutrition misinformation should be wiped out in three weeks. Riiiiiiiiiiiiight. But I'm determined to stick this out and MAKE IT WORK.
It's late Saturday and I'm tired. Heavenly Hands, our signing choir at Bethany Baptist, spent all day at the Robinson Mall Sign-A-Thon. We manned a table highlighting the services our church provides to the deaf community. We also signed several songs, made new friends and reconnected with some longtime old friends.
This was my first time participating in this annual event, but I knew it would be a long day. I prepared a proper Paleo breakfast of bacon, eggs, kimchi and sweet potatoes. Feeling well nourished,
I was off to a day of service and learning. Shared a snack of fruit and nuts with my BFF Lorraine and later we lunched at the dreaded food court.
Surely I thought, there will be "legal" eats there, but it was tough to find. One place had salads, but they were covered in cheese. So I tried Subway's chopped salad. All the veggies, turkey, no cheese or bread of any kind. Ain't I good? Yes, until the salad dressing dilemma. No industrial seed oils are permitted on this nutrition plan. I was told their salad oil is a combo of olive and canola!
Gang, I've decided to stay off the sugar, dairy, beans and grains. That's enough. Avoiding corn, canola, vegetable, soy and sesame oils is more than I can do. I'll limit them as much as possible, and won't have it in my pantry, but simply have to eat out on occasion. And the sources of cooking oils at most restaurants will always be dubious.
I finally finished Chris Kresser's book, "Your Personal Paleo Code" and am checking out the bonus chapters on line. There are several and they tend to be targeted to different physical problems, like GERD, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and so on. There's also a chapter on supplements that I'm very interested in. Richard and I both take a handful daily, a good solid multi-vitamin, ubiquinol, fish oil, vitamin C. I also take an iron pill to stave off borderline anemia.
Also, I'm gently suggesting to people with chronic inflammatory diseases, such as arthritis, to look into anti-inflammatory diets. We can do so much harm or good, with what we put in our mouths.
Yogi, thank God for the new week that's about to begin. May you all be blessed, and thank you for your support.
Peace, love and good eats...
myrna
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Cheating
Greetings Yogi
Time to 'fess up. If you were invited to be my accountability partners,I must tell you the whole truth. So here are some of the embarrassing confessions of cheating on my nutrition plan.
Chewing gum. Not just any gum, but Jolt gum. It has caffeine. I don't do energy drinks, but keep a pack of Jolt in my desk at work, one in the car and one in my purse. I buy it by the case on line. It truly helps in my case of chronic sleep deprivation. Jolt has the rather unique combination of 3 grams of sugar plus artificial sweeteners, both verboten. I don't use it daily anymore, but having given up the delicious diet Pepsi, it's still a crutch until my sleep patterns improve.
Dogs. Ok, meat and potatoes can make up 50% of the Paleo plate. While Rich and I were at the Home and Garden show last week when hunger struck. I did not prepare a bag lunch and found myself at the concession stand ordering an all beef dog and fries. Ditched the yucky white bun, munched the fries naked, because of course ketchup had sugar in it. Somehow I don't think this is the meal Chris Kresser had in mind.
And y'all know I'm the only one in the house using this nutrition plan, right. I'm doing my best to feed Rich as usual. I still make and serve him pasta, macaroni, cornbread, etc. Well whenever I visit Mom in Akron, he's come to expect a box of Church's Chicken. I got nearly halfway to Pittsburgh when I found my hand reaching for the still warm and crispy fried okra. Now that's comfort food.
So I'm back on track and recommitted to making this plan work. A dear friend brought a jar of her hubby's homemade lunching which is even more comforting, delicious, healthy and gut soothing than fried okra.
Peace, love and namaste,
Myrna
Time to 'fess up. If you were invited to be my accountability partners,I must tell you the whole truth. So here are some of the embarrassing confessions of cheating on my nutrition plan.
Chewing gum. Not just any gum, but Jolt gum. It has caffeine. I don't do energy drinks, but keep a pack of Jolt in my desk at work, one in the car and one in my purse. I buy it by the case on line. It truly helps in my case of chronic sleep deprivation. Jolt has the rather unique combination of 3 grams of sugar plus artificial sweeteners, both verboten. I don't use it daily anymore, but having given up the delicious diet Pepsi, it's still a crutch until my sleep patterns improve.
Dogs. Ok, meat and potatoes can make up 50% of the Paleo plate. While Rich and I were at the Home and Garden show last week when hunger struck. I did not prepare a bag lunch and found myself at the concession stand ordering an all beef dog and fries. Ditched the yucky white bun, munched the fries naked, because of course ketchup had sugar in it. Somehow I don't think this is the meal Chris Kresser had in mind.
And y'all know I'm the only one in the house using this nutrition plan, right. I'm doing my best to feed Rich as usual. I still make and serve him pasta, macaroni, cornbread, etc. Well whenever I visit Mom in Akron, he's come to expect a box of Church's Chicken. I got nearly halfway to Pittsburgh when I found my hand reaching for the still warm and crispy fried okra. Now that's comfort food.
So I'm back on track and recommitted to making this plan work. A dear friend brought a jar of her hubby's homemade lunching which is even more comforting, delicious, healthy and gut soothing than fried okra.
Peace, love and namaste,
Myrna
Wednesday, March 19, 2014
Progress, or lack thereof....
Blessings Yogi,
Much appreciation to all of you that have viewed/followed this blog. Thank you for being my accountability and inspiration.
Last week, my office celebrated our annual St. Patrick's Day chili cook-off. (Don't even ask, this tradition started years ago and I've never gotten a straight answer). The 6-quart slow cookers were lined up like a dozen soldiers, ready to feed the masses. I made Cincinnati Chili this year, which is served up to 5 ways (2 ways is with pasta, 3 ways beans, 4 ways onions, 5 ways cheese). It's flavored with heady, aromatic sweet spices. I made sure it was paleo friendly, keeping the beans and spaghetti on the side. Speaking of sides, my coworkers brought corn muffins, wheat crackers, buffalo chicken dip, homemade cakes, 7 layer salads, cheese, chips, and more cheese.
This is where it got tough. Now I truly understand what the biblical term "flesh" means. My flesh was screaming for a slab of bread slathered with butter like a cranky 2 year old in the midst of a hot temper tantrum. Later I realized that I forgot to have any carbs at all that day. Now I keep roasted yams in the fridge.
My body seems to be rebelling, but I read recently about a phenomenon called the "Paleo flu". Newbies have been known to suffer aches and shakes as the detox process takes place. A dear friend/yogi told me "You'll feel worse before you feel better". She also told me to hang in there, better days are around the corner.
I had a weird thought earlier today, how I'll be glad when this is all over and things can get back to normal. Then I realized, but for a few tweaks in phase 2, this IS my new normal. I mean; bitter, unsweetened black coffee in the morning, no commercial salad dressings, no bagels, lentils, pretzels... Whew! That's going to be hard to swallow. Stop groaning. However, it's fascinating that I've lost 6 pounds on a diet that has no calorie restrictions!
There was one true flavor triumph this week. Check out this two ingredient dessert recipe.
1 ripe banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries. Blend with a little ice or a dribble of cold water, just enough to get the blender moving. Tastes like yummy sorbet, and at least momentarily made up for all the sacrifice.
The practice of fasting for lent builds spiritual muscle. I'm filled with gratitude to live in a place of abundance.
Peace
Myrna
Much appreciation to all of you that have viewed/followed this blog. Thank you for being my accountability and inspiration.
Last week, my office celebrated our annual St. Patrick's Day chili cook-off. (Don't even ask, this tradition started years ago and I've never gotten a straight answer). The 6-quart slow cookers were lined up like a dozen soldiers, ready to feed the masses. I made Cincinnati Chili this year, which is served up to 5 ways (2 ways is with pasta, 3 ways beans, 4 ways onions, 5 ways cheese). It's flavored with heady, aromatic sweet spices. I made sure it was paleo friendly, keeping the beans and spaghetti on the side. Speaking of sides, my coworkers brought corn muffins, wheat crackers, buffalo chicken dip, homemade cakes, 7 layer salads, cheese, chips, and more cheese.
This is where it got tough. Now I truly understand what the biblical term "flesh" means. My flesh was screaming for a slab of bread slathered with butter like a cranky 2 year old in the midst of a hot temper tantrum. Later I realized that I forgot to have any carbs at all that day. Now I keep roasted yams in the fridge.
My body seems to be rebelling, but I read recently about a phenomenon called the "Paleo flu". Newbies have been known to suffer aches and shakes as the detox process takes place. A dear friend/yogi told me "You'll feel worse before you feel better". She also told me to hang in there, better days are around the corner.
I had a weird thought earlier today, how I'll be glad when this is all over and things can get back to normal. Then I realized, but for a few tweaks in phase 2, this IS my new normal. I mean; bitter, unsweetened black coffee in the morning, no commercial salad dressings, no bagels, lentils, pretzels... Whew! That's going to be hard to swallow. Stop groaning. However, it's fascinating that I've lost 6 pounds on a diet that has no calorie restrictions!
There was one true flavor triumph this week. Check out this two ingredient dessert recipe.
1 ripe banana, 1 cup frozen strawberries. Blend with a little ice or a dribble of cold water, just enough to get the blender moving. Tastes like yummy sorbet, and at least momentarily made up for all the sacrifice.
The practice of fasting for lent builds spiritual muscle. I'm filled with gratitude to live in a place of abundance.
Peace
Myrna
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Hurdles
Greetings Yogi,
May you be wonderfully blessed today.
It's been 4 days since starting "Your Personal Paleo Code", the nutritional journey developed by Chris Kresser. During the 30 day reset phase, or in my case the 40 days of Lent, one is to refrain from eating any sugars (that includes anything made with sugars such as ketchup, hot sauce, salad dressings, wine), dairy, grains, beans/legumes or industrial seed oils such as soy/corn/canola/ vegetable/sesame, etc. In a word, DETOX. He recommends eating at home, because seriously, it's difficult to find a restaurant meal with those restrictions. And he was right.
That has been fully impractical in my life already! I'm proud of the fact that we do very little eating out, but with a busy lifestyle, working a full time office job, teaching yoga classes 2-3 times a week, active in 3 church ministries, sometimes you gotta grab a meal on the run. Even yesterday, Rich's friends invited us to join them for breakfast at a restaurant on Carson Street. Can I bring along a jar of coconut oil with which to ask the chef to prepare my paleo-friendly eggs?
So as you can see, it's been an imperfect few days. I ordered an egg over easy, which served as my dressing for the side salad. Later, after a morning full of running chores and meetings, I lunched out with a ministry leader, and had a splash of commercial salad dressing on the SECOND salad of the day, at a family-friendly restaurant which uses no olive oil. Some people can use just vinegar, I ain't on of 'em. Reminder, this is a plan, not a religion.
Even with those infractions, my diet has been completely overhauled. Even the occasional pretzel, tortilla chip, diet Pepsi or dollop of peanut butter, must have wreaked havoc because I'm feeling the burn baby. In fact, this fast has taken me right over into the spiritual realm, for real. Thoughts of pastors speaking and teaching about reasons to fast, using hunger pains as reminders to pray, remembering and honoring sacrifices of Christ.
On the other hand, at this stage, it's still difficult to distinguish between hunger and craving, but one or both is ever present. I'm still feeling joint pain, sleep issues, brain fog, cranky. On the other hand, I'm also experiencing feelings of strength, empowerment and determination.
All this in less than a week. The goal for this week is to obsess less about food, riiight! For a very nice explanation of Lent, check out this site, from Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the host of one of my yoga classes, http://www.emmanuelpgh.org/lent-2014/what-is-lent/
Thank you for checking out this post.
Peace, love a grace to y'all...
myrna
YogaNuvo
May you be wonderfully blessed today.
It's been 4 days since starting "Your Personal Paleo Code", the nutritional journey developed by Chris Kresser. During the 30 day reset phase, or in my case the 40 days of Lent, one is to refrain from eating any sugars (that includes anything made with sugars such as ketchup, hot sauce, salad dressings, wine), dairy, grains, beans/legumes or industrial seed oils such as soy/corn/canola/ vegetable/sesame, etc. In a word, DETOX. He recommends eating at home, because seriously, it's difficult to find a restaurant meal with those restrictions. And he was right.
That has been fully impractical in my life already! I'm proud of the fact that we do very little eating out, but with a busy lifestyle, working a full time office job, teaching yoga classes 2-3 times a week, active in 3 church ministries, sometimes you gotta grab a meal on the run. Even yesterday, Rich's friends invited us to join them for breakfast at a restaurant on Carson Street. Can I bring along a jar of coconut oil with which to ask the chef to prepare my paleo-friendly eggs?
So as you can see, it's been an imperfect few days. I ordered an egg over easy, which served as my dressing for the side salad. Later, after a morning full of running chores and meetings, I lunched out with a ministry leader, and had a splash of commercial salad dressing on the SECOND salad of the day, at a family-friendly restaurant which uses no olive oil. Some people can use just vinegar, I ain't on of 'em. Reminder, this is a plan, not a religion.
Even with those infractions, my diet has been completely overhauled. Even the occasional pretzel, tortilla chip, diet Pepsi or dollop of peanut butter, must have wreaked havoc because I'm feeling the burn baby. In fact, this fast has taken me right over into the spiritual realm, for real. Thoughts of pastors speaking and teaching about reasons to fast, using hunger pains as reminders to pray, remembering and honoring sacrifices of Christ.
On the other hand, at this stage, it's still difficult to distinguish between hunger and craving, but one or both is ever present. I'm still feeling joint pain, sleep issues, brain fog, cranky. On the other hand, I'm also experiencing feelings of strength, empowerment and determination.
All this in less than a week. The goal for this week is to obsess less about food, riiight! For a very nice explanation of Lent, check out this site, from Emmanuel Episcopal Church, the host of one of my yoga classes, http://www.emmanuelpgh.org/lent-2014/what-is-lent/
Thank you for checking out this post.
Peace, love a grace to y'all...
myrna
YogaNuvo
Wednesday, March 5, 2014
Day 1, My Personal Paleo Code
Hello Yogi,
This idea of a totally new nutrition plan is exciting and frightening at the same time. I didn't sleep much last night, wondering if I'll be able to make these changes last. Of course, lack of sleep makes one hungry, doesn't it?
The day started with a cup of coffee, flavored with a bit of coconut milk. It wasn't great, but better than no coffee at all. Breakfast was a scrambled egg with red peppers and onions. Definitely feeling the lack of sugar by 11am, but had enough energy to remain determined.
One of my coworkers made the first of many trips to St. Mary Parish (Cecil Twp) Lenten fish fry. Today is Ash Wednesday and we'll be eating there pretty much every Friday up to Easter. There is nothing like an old fashioned church lady fish fry.
Screech! Back up! Industrial cooking oils are forbidden. No worries, St. Mary's always has baked options. They have a delicious baked salmon with lemon cream sauce. Should tell them to hold the sauce, (no dairy allowed either) 'cause if I see it, or smell it, I'm eating it. My temptation resistance muscles are in their very first day of training so I ordered the baked cod, believing it would be a safer option.
The generous portion of cod came sprinkled with, da-da-dahhhhh, buttered bread crumbs. Dang, another forbidden food and it's touching my fish! I carefully pushed all the bread crumbs to the side, gently blotted the cod on paper towels. That's gotta be close enough to kosher, right?
There aren't many beverage options on this nutrition plan, only 1 cup of coffee or tea are allowed, before lunch. But I was ready, armed with several unsweetened, fizzy mixers and wedges of fresh lime ready. Club soda, seltzer and tonic water. My drink was super refreshing, and I haven't had any sugar for a whole, well 1/2 a day. The lime almost tasted sweet, like an orange. I finished that cup and started sipping a second serving when I realized, hey this doesn't just taste sweet, it is sweet! Turns out tonic water is loaded with high fructose corn syrup! Gotta start reading those labels.
Today the new plan was full of fits and starts, wrong turns, mistakes. But I carried a slice of King cake home for Richard, without so much as a sniff. And I prepared a macaroni salad to have with his dinner, no tasting to correct the seasoning. Just trusted my cooking instincts.
The first day (and hopefully the toughest) is complete. I thank God for the new direction and the challenge.
I pray you all have a blessed week and abundant nutrition.
Peace, joy, love...
Myrna
This idea of a totally new nutrition plan is exciting and frightening at the same time. I didn't sleep much last night, wondering if I'll be able to make these changes last. Of course, lack of sleep makes one hungry, doesn't it?
The day started with a cup of coffee, flavored with a bit of coconut milk. It wasn't great, but better than no coffee at all. Breakfast was a scrambled egg with red peppers and onions. Definitely feeling the lack of sugar by 11am, but had enough energy to remain determined.
One of my coworkers made the first of many trips to St. Mary Parish (Cecil Twp) Lenten fish fry. Today is Ash Wednesday and we'll be eating there pretty much every Friday up to Easter. There is nothing like an old fashioned church lady fish fry.
Screech! Back up! Industrial cooking oils are forbidden. No worries, St. Mary's always has baked options. They have a delicious baked salmon with lemon cream sauce. Should tell them to hold the sauce, (no dairy allowed either) 'cause if I see it, or smell it, I'm eating it. My temptation resistance muscles are in their very first day of training so I ordered the baked cod, believing it would be a safer option.
The generous portion of cod came sprinkled with, da-da-dahhhhh, buttered bread crumbs. Dang, another forbidden food and it's touching my fish! I carefully pushed all the bread crumbs to the side, gently blotted the cod on paper towels. That's gotta be close enough to kosher, right?
There aren't many beverage options on this nutrition plan, only 1 cup of coffee or tea are allowed, before lunch. But I was ready, armed with several unsweetened, fizzy mixers and wedges of fresh lime ready. Club soda, seltzer and tonic water. My drink was super refreshing, and I haven't had any sugar for a whole, well 1/2 a day. The lime almost tasted sweet, like an orange. I finished that cup and started sipping a second serving when I realized, hey this doesn't just taste sweet, it is sweet! Turns out tonic water is loaded with high fructose corn syrup! Gotta start reading those labels.
Today the new plan was full of fits and starts, wrong turns, mistakes. But I carried a slice of King cake home for Richard, without so much as a sniff. And I prepared a macaroni salad to have with his dinner, no tasting to correct the seasoning. Just trusted my cooking instincts.
The first day (and hopefully the toughest) is complete. I thank God for the new direction and the challenge.
I pray you all have a blessed week and abundant nutrition.
Peace, joy, love...
Myrna
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)