The holidays are over...Finally

It is not with a heavy heart that I say good bye to 2014. In fact I am kinda glad the holidays are over and a new year has begun. It hasn't been a bad year. I have really learned alot about my health and have found a lot of food intolerances that I have. I discovered a new way of cooking things and also discovered a love of yoga. It has been a year of learning,trying,and tweeking.

But lets be real for a minute. It is HARD to eliminate all the things you know are bad for you when the holidays hit. For instance, Christmas cookies. They are my biggest downfall. SO many varieties to make and only a few weeks to eat them. The temptation is terrible for me. But before the holiday season started I made a decision that I wasn't going to change my traditions with my kids just to fit into my newly evolved way of eating. So I ate cookies..I ate sugar cookies and snickerdoodles and oatmeal scotchies. I ate homemade peanut butter cups and fudge. If you expect me to say I regret that then you will be disappointed. I enjoyed every last bite of them.

I thought about looking up some different Paleo cookie recipes. In fact I have tried several different "healthy" desserts that supposedly taste like the real deal. I walked away wondering what these people cook like on a regular basis if that is what something special taste like. They have all been terrible. I will keep looking, but so far nothing has been good. Back to Christmas.

It was all fine and dandy until a few days before Christmas when my little dude got sick. He got really sick. I mean no joke that boy was sick. To make a long story short after a 5-hr wait at the emergency room he is diagnosed with the barfy flu. Dear God, have mercy. Christmas Eve comes around and down goes the hubs (the man of steel who NEVER gets sick). During the wee hours of the morning the rest of us got sick. Christmas Day was spent with a lot of moaning and groaning. It took about 5 days for us all to get over it and be mostly normal. Not the Christmas I was dreaming of.

 Fast forward to January 1. I am not big on New Year resolutions. They are going to fail. I am not being negative I am being very positive here. I am positive they are going to fail. If you can't get your act together at any other time during the year then why would  that day be any different? I can remember year after year promising myself that this would be the year I would get healthy and lose all this weight.This was to be my year my moment. But year after year nothing happened. I got sicker and fatter. Some people set such high unobtainable goals on New Years that when they can't reach them they are defeated. They see themselves as such failures that will not be able to accomplish anything. But that is a lie and if you leave that lie unchallenged it will soon become your truth.

I didn't start being successful on my journey to better health until I made a lifestyle change. I didn't go on a diet. I have been on enough of those to last me a lifetime. I found things to do that I enjoy. I love yoga. Not just any yoga. I love DDP Yoga. It is a form of yoga that caters to people that, for whatever reason, have been injured and can't do a whole lot. It has done amazing things with my body and I am so thankful I found it. And secondly I found and eliminated all the foods that were still making me sick and learned a new way of eating. It has been a journey, but man has it been worth it.

The holidays are over. The cookies are gone. I am no longer sick and I am back on track. It was with much trepidation that I stepped on the scale this morning. I was positive that it would have gone up drastically. Much to my surprise it would seem that being sick was a great benefit to my body. I not only lost weight but my stomach was able to shrink back to its smaller size and I was able to get my portion sizes under control immediately. See there is a bright side!!

I do have goals and plans set up for this year. All I can do is take it day by day. Keep making healthy choices and decisions on a daily basis. Afterall I am in control of my own destiny. From where I am sitting my future is bright and full of endless possibilities!!

A New Recipe: Tuscan Chicken Skillet

This past month has been a time of trial and error in the eating department. After we finished the 30 day experiment,we decided that certain food groups were not going back into our diet. I also decided that we would try to have dessert only one time on the weekends. That didn't work out to well for me. I started to feel the sluggish, heavy, tired feeling coming back. At my monthly weigh in the scale agreed with what my body was feeling. So now we are back on track with the "Whole 30" way of eating. I am starting to feel good again and that is something I don't want to lose. No piece of cake or bowl of ice cream is worth the way I feel after I eat it. My health has to consistently be my top priority.

With that said I really wanted to share what we had for dinner tonight. It was one of those slap-your-grandma meals. I found this recipe on another blog and the only thing I changed about the recipe was the beans--I just totally left them out because that is a food group we have eliminated. The family loved it and I had enough left for the hubs to take for lunch. We had this Tuscan Chicken with some acorn squash, mashed cauliflower, and salad. Perfect meal!

 Here is the link to the recipe!

Health Experiment Step Two: Reintroduction

This past week we have done the reintroduction of certain food groups back to our diet. The way you're supposed to do this is by picking a food group such as non-gluten, gluten, dairy, sweets, or legumes. Add that to your eating plan for a few meals for 2-3 days. Keep a very close watch on what your body is feeling during this course of time. Do you feel bloated, achy, have a headache, tired, irritable, or no effect at all. After this test run you need to go back to plan and eat only the veggies and protein for 3 days. This allows your body to reset to a healthy state and then you can safely add back the next food group to test. Follow this procedure till you have tested all the groups.

Before we started doing this experiment I knew that there were already some groups that my body just could not handle and therefore I had already taken them out and don’t plan to reintroduce them.

Non-gluten

My first reintroduction was non-gluten foods. I chose to uses white rice, corn tortillas, and corn chips. I made recipes that I have always used so I could gauge much more accurately how I was feeling. To me the chips had a very metallic taste. I seem to be the only one who had that issue. Within 30 minutes of eating these, my stomach felt like a blown up balloon. I was so uncomfortable all night. A survey of the rest of the family showed that we all had the same experience with this.

The next day I made a enchilada lasagna with the rice and tortillas. To me it had a mushy texture and I was very aware of how hungry I still was after 1 small piece. Glad I made salad and an extra side of veggies to go with it. After this meal I had the same blown up feeling and felt extremely tired as well. I am the only one who had a bad experience this time but I am also super sensitive to any kind of change taking place in my body. Everyone else loved the meal. My taste has totally changed during these 30 days of real food so the extreme of that which I liked before just tastes bland now.

Sugar/Dairy

During the middle of week I made a batch of chocolate chip cookies and added some ice cream to them to make sandwiches. This was a good way to see where we stood on the sugar and dairy phase. I am really not surprised by the result of this one since the issues were the same before and after the experiment. I could only eat half of a  cookie before the sweetness made me sick to my stomach. I already new I had an intolerance to dairy so the upset tummy and thick-feeling throat were no surprise.

Gluten

The final group for us was the gluten products. For me I had the same results as the no-gluten. I look back at how we used to eat and almost have laugh at how I thought we ate so healthy. My lack of knowledge in some areas was causing me to make some poor food choices. Seeing how my body has dealt with some of these foods being added back, it is really no surprise I was feeling so heavy and slow all the time.

I think for now my best option to get were I need to be in my health is to stick to what I have been doing these 30 days. I have not felt this good in a long time and I am finally starting to see some positive changes in my problem areas. I will allow some wiggle room for an occasional treat but honestly I love this way of eating and am happy with the changes I see in me and my family.

We did it! Concluding the experiment

Today is it! Day 30. We have successfully completed the first half of this health experiment. It has definitely been a learning process and at times a challenge but overall it has been worth it. Let me share some thoughts and changes that we have seen.

The hubs and I took a weight and inches measurement on day 1 just to see how this experiment would affect that aspect. I am very happy to say we saw some very positive results. I lost 6 lbs and 2 ½ total body inches. The hubs lost 11 ½ lbs and 4 ½ total body inches. That by itself made this worth doing.

I asked the hubs if he has noticed any changes over the past 30 days that he can pinpoint to this experiment. He said the biggest change is that he doesn’t feel ravenous all the time. You have to take into account that this man works a very physical job of 12 hour shifts at least 6 days a week. I used to load his lunch box with a enough food so he could have a mini-meal at every break. He was always starving at break time and also ate another meal when he got home at night. I could never figure out how he could always be hungry with that much daily food intake. During the experiment, I sent him a container for lunch and dinner with whatever meal I had made as well as a salad for each meal. That’s it. He’ll eat a big breakfast at home and then what I sent him with no snacking in between. The amazing thing is he is not starving anymore! He is eating less food than before, but now he is eating good, healthy, whole food that is keeping his body fueled for a longer time. He  has noticed an increase in his energy levels. He has always loved the taste of coffee, but with the hours he works the caffeine had become a crutch to get him through the day. Since we eliminated the caffeine for this experiment he is noticing that his energy levels are up naturally. His sleeping pattern is changing as well. He is  starting to wake up earlier and is actually feeling rested. His body is working much more efficiently to the point that he does not require so much sleep That is pretty awesome.

I am definitely noticing a difference in my sleep pattern. I am staying asleep for longer intervals. No more of this waking up every 2 hrs nonsense. Now I seem to be going about 4 hours at a time and I am finding it really easy to fall back asleep. I am also seeing a big change in the shape of my body. I had hit a point where my body was just so bloated and I felt horrible most of the time. I wish I had taken a before picture because I am sure it would be a more startling change than I realize. My clothes are actually loose again and my stomach is much less distended. What an amazing feeling to not feel yucky all the time!

My teenage son told me the biggest change he noticed is that he is not having diarrhea every morning. Amazing how your body can give a warning that there is a problem but we just ignore it. With the changing of the food his body has been been able to heal and balance itself out. He has also noticed that he is actually hungry when it is time for the next meal; he used to have a snack at certain times of the day just because. He wasn’t hungry; he was just eating to eat. Since we did away with that, his body is actually being given the time to digest one meal at a time and use the food properly before adding more.

My daughter told me the biggest change she noticed is that her ability to stayed focused has drastically improved. She is able to get a lot more accomplished during her school day.

I have also noticed some positive changes in my little dude. He has gotten to the place where he is not constantly asking for food. He doesn’t get stressed out when I tell him it is time to do school. He is able to stay focused during his classes and is also grasping concepts that he struggled with before this experiment. I have also noticed that his sleep pattern is changing. He still goes to bed at the same time but he is waking up about an hour earlier and is totally refreshed and happy. No more grumpy mornings around here.

It is just amazing how much your body can heal and change itself when you stop feeding it all the harmful chemicals that are found in our food today, and start feeding it real food. Not only do you look better and feel better physically, but you're able to think more clearly. You can stay focused for a longer amount of time and you emotions don’t seem to be so out of control. Your sleep patterns start to change which results in body healing itself even more. What a great way to live!

Like I said at the beginning this was just phase 1. Phase 2 is where you start to reintroduce certain food groups back into your diet in a controlled way. You pick the group you want to start with whether it is gluten, non-gluten, sugar, dairy...you chose. Add that back for 2 days and take careful note of how your body responds. Do you get a headache, bloating, or achy joints? After 2 days you need to go back to only the whole foods for 3 days so your body has time to eliminate all that you added back. Then you do the same with the next group of food. After all the whole point of this experiment is to find out what foods are affecting your body in a negative way so you can avoid them. This is not a process to rush through just because you would love chocolate chip cookies. Cookies have sugar and gluten (flour) in them which is two separate categories you adding back. If you have a negative reaction how will you know which caused it: the gluten or the sugar?

Once we are done with the add-back stage I think we are going to keep eating like this with an occasional treat on the side.  Besides the food is awesome!!

Health Experiment Days Twenty-four and Twenty-five

Day 24                                                  Day 25       

Breakfast

Veggie omelet Sausage Blueberries

3 over-easy eggs sausage kale medley strawberries

Lunch

sloppy joes roasted spaghetti squash raw sugar snap peas salad

mini meatloaves mashed potatoes roasted butternut squash salad

Dinner

mini meatloaves mashed potatoes roasted acorn squash salad

chicken seasoned with tandoori spaghetti squash mashed sweet potatoes cauliflower salad

For more information on this experiment, check out my introduction here!

Here for the Party (Day Twenty-three)

Have you ever had one of those days where you just want to throw in the towel? Just say screw it; I am finished; I have had enough. You start asking yourself Is it worth it? What good is this doing me? Why do I bother seeing this through to the very end, when I know nothing is really going to change? I am never going to lose the rest of this weight!

You’re just having yourself a grand old pity party. You spared no expense! You pulled out all your past failures and celebrated each one. You  convinced yourself that you really were destined to be overweight and lifeless. There is no way you're going to be able to change your life in the short term so you can live better in the long term. Let the party begin! You cut yourself a nice piece of self-loathing, smothered with a good portion of give up. Let’s not forget to add some I can’t and I will never to that plate. Finally, we will wash it all down with a big glass of low self-esteem.

You look around to see if all your guests are enjoying the party. But hold on...Wait a minute. You're the only one there. Nobody else showed up to your pity party. Well that is just rude! I told them all how I had started this new weight loss plan. I told them I was going to the gym again. I told them this time it was gonna work.They should have known I would fail just like I always do.They should be here to help me wallow in this latest tragedy.

I know this sounds a little dramatic but it is true for all of us on some level. How many times have you tried and tried to get healthy? You have bought every single weight loss aid that is available.You have bought into the lies of those money-grabbing people who prey on the hurts and desperation of overweight people. You give it your best and do good for a little while only to crash and burn. What did you do wrong? What did you miss? Well I'm glad you asked!

The first key to successful weight loss is to have a reason--a good reason--a reason that will stand up to the test of months, sometimes even years. Some might say I want to lose the weight for a class reunion or a wedding. That is great short term goal not a great reason. A great reason needs to carry you past the goal, past a time limit and circumstance. A great reason should be something you have to change your entire life for. Something that is really important. Something that is so special that it is hard to utter it without getting a little emotional. That is a great reason.

The second key is to forget about a diet. They don’t work. Depriving yourself of food triggers a mental reaction which triggers a physical reaction. You will get to the point where eating only cardboard and paper is just too much! You will have a mental reaction that says I can’t gag this down anymore! So you inhale a hamburger or a chocolate bar-- a physical reaction. In order to lose weight and keep it off you need to have a plan that you can stick with for the rest of your life. Notice I said a plan not a diet. A plan will give you some guidelines to follow that are easy to maintain, easy to shop for and easy to prepare. You need food that tastes good and is a joy to eat and share with others because food is meant to be celebrated and enjoyed, not feared or misused.

The third key is exercise. Yes, you have to exercise. It is a must! Your body has got to be given the opportunity to stretch and move on a daily basis. You need to get your joints moving and those muscles stretched out. It is very very important! You have heard the phrase if you don't use it you will lose it. This is especially true when it comes to exercising your body. You have to move to keep things well-oiled and free from injury. I have found that if I don't do my yoga as soon as I get up, my spine feels like a squeezed-in accordion. I hurt all day and can barely walk. If I do do my yoga ,my spine is stretched and everything is aligned. The blood is able to freely flow to all parts of my body to bring nourishment and healing. Find something you enjoy whether it is tennis, swimming, weight-lifting, or even just a wonderful walk. Just do something!

I have spent the past 10 years battling chemical issues with my food, and in the process I have learned a lot about what really is good and safe for my body. I have had to make some extreme changes to my diet. I know what works for me won’t work for everybody. Everyone has different need and issues with their own health. But with the three keys I just gave applied to fit your own life I feel confident you will find the right path for you. Have a good reason, enjoy a healthy diet, and pick up a pleasurable exercise!

Breakfast

sausage

3 eggs over-easy

kale medley

blueberries

Lunch

Salisbury steak

mashed potato

roasted acorn squash

salad

Dinner

Sweet potato hash

roasted butternut squash

salad

For more information on this experiment, check out my introduction here!

Health Experiment Days Twenty-one and Twenty-two

Day 21 Day 22

Breakfast

veggie omelet                         3 eggs over easy

sausage                                     sausage

raspberries                                   kale medley

                                                    blueberries

Lunch

veggie soup                            Ground turkey with salsa

salad                                Salad

Dinner Day 21

Spaghetti squash

meatballs with marinara sauce      salad

Dinner Day 22

roasted butternut squash
 baked chicken

sugar snap peas

Here is the week four grocery list!

For more information on this experiment, check out my introduction here!