March 8, 2012

I got on the scales yesterday and came down one more pound. Every pound counts.

I made a lunch/dinner that was mediocre at best. I overcooked the steamed broccoli making it inedible. I roasted a spaghetti squash and it was awful. One good thing is I also roasted a red pepper, a sweet potato, celery, etc. I also made a tomato sauce for the spaghetti squash and that totally sucked. I ate the mushrooms that I put in the sauce, but threw the rest out. I won't kid myself by thinking I will eat it later. So my meal was pretty much gross. I have done better, but this time.. ick...

BUT, I made a delicious juice this evening: Two oranges, peeled; one lime, peeled; and one green apple. It was so refreshing and I really enjoyed it.

I went to a different farmer's market today. This one is also close to my home. I bought a HUGE bunch of collard greens that I had to put in the refrigerator sideways... It must weigh 10 lbs!! All that for $2.50!!! So I will juice the heck out of that!! The kale was puny and ridiculous, so I switched over to collard greens for a while. They also had NICE ginger root for $2.50/lb instead of $4.99/lb.

I got a lot of things I usually don't buy, because I am trying to have variety in my diet and not eat the same things every week. I also want to make some lentils and brown rice, supposed to be a good combination for a complete protein. I will have that with some steamed veggies and try not to steam them to death so they are edible... Maybe for 3 or 4 mins!!

So that is what is new on the food front.

I ordered some surround sound speaker stands which are supposed to be delivered tomorrow. I rearranged my living room and had to move the speakers, so that is my solution for the rear speakers. They sound so good!!

I also ordered a corner breakfast nook bench for my dining area. I will be getting that March 28, photos to follow, but here is the type of bench I am talking about. I love it and the price was right, $250 and free shipping!! Thank you Sears!!

That's it for today, I have to get to bed... Sweet dreams everyone!!

Feb. 28, 2012: New Juicer

First thing this morning I had pear/fennel juice and I eliminated pretty heavy, an intense detox.

Then, my Breville Juice Fountain Elite 800JEXL arrived, and I immediately washed it and started making juice: Apple, Beet, Carrot, and Collard Greens. I got nauseated from the beet, and I think I might have drunk it too fast, or I put too much red beet in it? Who knows, but it hit me the way wrong way... Way wrong... I thought I was going to chuck it... So, I drank some water to dilute the juice that was already inside me. It took a while, but finally the nausea was gone.

I figured I needed to slow down the detox so I roasted some vegetables: Red potato, sweet potato, celery, carrot, red bell pepper, red onion, herbs, garlic, small amount of dressing and some olive oil. Roasted for about 50 mins at 375. That hit the spot and I felt so much better after I ate it, plus it was so delicious. I think I have to really be tuned into my body to know what not to eat, when to stop eating, etc.

Then later, I had a slice of Ezekiel 4:9 sprouted grain bread (no flour!) spread with hummus with black olives and roasted red pepper (from the roasted veggies). I warmed the frozen bread in the toaster oven and spread the hummus mixture on it. That was also delicious!!! Now, I want to purchase the Ezekiel sprouted wheat tortillas and experiment with different stuff, like my favorite Mexican dishes translated into "clean" foods. This should be interesting! There is so much information online that I should not have any trouble finding recipes and ideas.

I sorted through my pants and separated out the smaller size, so they could be grouped together for me to wear. This is so exciting! Soon I will be getting rid of the big sizes, because I don't ever want to go back there.

That's about it for today because it was pretty uneventful and peaceful. I wanted to take a 30 min walk this morning, but that didn't happen.. LOL... tomorrow is another day, but I will play some Wii games later this evening.

Live is good.. and the best is yet to come.

Feb 24, 2012

This is the local market where I shop. I don't know what some of these roots are but I bet I could juice them and find out how they taste. I just looked them up, thank you internet, and they are potato-type root veggies. Of course, I know what a Yam is, but this is a White Yam. Interesting!! They sell "traditional" produce as well, and have a refrigerated room where all the greens, etc. are kept. This will really get a work out in the summer months when it is so hot here in South Florida.

Every day I look forward to making juice. My fridge is stocked and I have something in there that I may or may not like in juice... A sweet potato... I haven't tried it yet, but it sounds interesting. BUT there are probably a lot of carbs in a sweet potato, so it will be an addition, rather than the main feature, of the juice.

I walked into a restaurant and saw some friends I used to work with and the first thing they said was, "You look great." OK.... I know I FEEL great and I seem happier, like I am coming out of a slump...

Today's morning juice was pear/fennel/ginger/lemon/swiss chard for starters.

Dinner juice was Mean Green... Love that stuff, but today for some reason, the juices seemed flavorless. I think I might have gotten a batch of blah apples. Something is different.. BUT it still has the good stuff.

No.. I didn't take a 30 min walk today. Was busy in the morning, then went to meet friends and we ended up going for a nice long lunch. It is so great being retired and able to do whatever, whenever.

That's about it for today. Maybe I will do something interesting tomorrow... haha

Day 15 of Reboot (Quick Start)

OK I did a 15 day Reboot... Now where do I go? I think the next thing, after I have soup and some hummus, is to do a 5 Day Juice Only... Then maybe a 10 Day Juice Only. If I only drink juice and feel fantastic, then why wouldn't I continue on that road? I would love to do a 30 day juice only Reboot, so I need to talk to my doctor to see what's what.

I made Vegetable Soup from recipe on www.jointhereboot.com (they are having to upgrade because they have so much internet traffic.. something about "web hosting platform"), so I don't think you can go there to see the recipe.. I put a red bell pepper in it and the soup sort of sweet and savory, tarragon, thyme, oregano.

Then, this evening I made Hummus using NO OIL whatsoever.. not sure why you would use oil because the texture and flavor of the hummus without the oil is very good. I used chickpeas, tahini, garlic cloves, lemon, paprika, but I need to add a smidge of cayenne pepper. Be careful!! That cayenne is very HOT... Then I cut red bell pepper strips and ran them through the hummus. I had my own little bowl of hummus, no double-dipping!! Very good, and very filling...

If I stay out of the restaurants, continue with 2 qts of juice a day, then have one meal and maybe some snacks, I think I will do okay. I love the fruits and veggies and am trying to stay away from the sweet fruits, or use them moderately... Also have to watch the carrot and red beet juice intake. Those are very good for you but very sweet and probably because of that, a lot of calories.

I am keeping track of my eating, weight, and activity on the Weight Watchers site where I belong. Today I did a little bicycle ride, but I really like walking, and so far this week, since Sunday, I have walked or rode the bike every day. OK so this is Tuesday, alright, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday.. Only 3 days, but, Hey, "the journey of 1,000 miles begins with the first step."

I have all these nice appliances and a new kitchen, so I am well-equiped to take on this challenge. I am the luckiest gal in the world!

How do they say it? "I never had it so good, and the best is yet to come."

Day 13 of Reboot (Quick Start)

Day 13 of 15 Quick Start Reboot. Today I started out with chamomile tea, then went to a dear friend's memorial service. It started at 11am and I was there until 1:30pm, so I was really hungry. They had table after table of desserts, which I looked over and I saw fat, sugar, flour, dairy and it kind of hit me that it was disgusting. This, from a lady who went to a pot-luck and sampled two tables of desserts... So the reboot really has changed my taster.

After I left the memorial service, I went to my favorite produce market and first thing, I went to the juice bar and got an apple/carrot juice to hold me over til I got home. Then I shopped for my goodies. I am trying to get new things because I read that different minerals, vitamins, and amino acids are in different greens. So I am trying to do a variety of greens. Today, I got collard greens, some other green lettuce, mint, parsley... This place has the best quality stuff and the price is right... The stuff at the grocery store is so "plastic" looking, now that I am seeing stuff that is "real."

I made Mean Green juice and put a red beet in it for a change. I love that stuff!!!

Tomorrow, Sunday, morning is weigh in. I am excited to see how much I lost this week.

I took my blood pressure yesterday and it was 123/70, which is so good for me.. My next visit to the doctor will be in April and he will do blood work. I am anxious to see what my cholesterol levels are. In November, I was getting in trouble with my doctor about my cholesterol levels, and he said I needed to change something or he would have to put me on medication... It was my wake up call, so from then until Jan 30, I lost 10 lbs, eliminating dairy and trying to watch what I ate.

But then, I saw "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead," and I knew if I wanted things to be different, I had to be different.. "Nothing changes, if nothing changes." So, on Jan 30, I started to drink veggie/fruit juices and foods, and since then I lost 7-8 lbs (or more). This juice, raw foods thing really works.

My friend ordered a Breville juicer, but is not sure when she will get it. She said it was on back-order at Williams-Sonoma. So, I may have a Reboot buddy that is in the same town as me.

More later.... Happy Juicing, everyone!!!

Day 7 of Reboot (Quick Start)

Day 7 of quick reboot for total of 12 days in Reboot...

First of all, I think it is very brave of a person to take these photos. That shows that I have a lot of hope for change.

This morning I started out with 2 pints of juice, and when I weighed myself I was 187.2 and I started at 205 last November. In the past 12 days since I started juicing and doing a reboot, I lost 7.2 lbs, so I am very happy with that. I am wearing size 16 instead of 18, and my belt is 2 notches tighter.

I went on an errand and instead of eating out, I came home and had a nice veggie salad with red beets and walnuts. I really enjoyed the salad.. Now I am drinking 1 quart of juice, one pint at a time. This juice is so good and had some bite to it... Three handfuls of spinach, 4 stalks celery, 1/2 small cabbage, 5-6 skinny carrots, a red beet, and ginger root. When I drink cabbage juice I get gassy, but that means it is probably a good thing..

Next time I need carrots I will get the bulk carrots at my favorite Green Market... They are huge and look really good. The other ones I got were bagged and very skinny...

Yesterday, I went to lunch with a friend and had some focaccia bread... It was so good, but I am glad we shared it because I would have eaten all of it... Not good on a reboot.. My friend said she was going to buy a juicer like mine. I hope she does, then, she can get healthy too.

Today, I took some photos of myself, front and side. When I look at myself in the mirror I look great, but when I look at the photo, it is how I really look... That's so weird that my mind plays tricks on me.

So tomorrow, I go to the market again, and will try to stock up on some different greens. I read that different greens have different nutrients, and to rotate them, or mix them up is very good, and to only drink one type of green is not good in the long-run... you can get an overload of one thing and not enough of another. Variety is very important, but I tend to stick with the things I like and with the familiar... I hope to keep an open mind tomorrow while I am shopping.

I was eating peanut butter on a banana or celery during my reboot, but found out I need to wait until after the reboot, when I go to mostly raw foods, and then I want to experiment with making nut butters. I saw a video online of a woman making almond butter... That looked really good and I bet it tasted good. She said you can add salt, or not, and I am sure I will NOT add any sweetener. Our tasters have been so adulterated by unnecessary additions to our food.

I just think of my grandparents who were born in the late 1890's, who ate out of their gardens or from their farms, make their own jellies and "canned" their produce for the winter. I remember their "cold cellar" and my mom's aunt/uncle who had a spring house for their water and to keep food cool, and also had a water pump. I know my grandparents did not have processed foods as they were growing up, so I try to think of how they ate (minus the meat and dairy), and if it grows in the ground or on a tree, then I know it is okay for me to eat.

Juicing packs in a lot of servings of vegetables and fruit into one item. I am so lucky to have found this way of life again. In the 1970s I ate raw foods and juiced and exercised and I was very fit and happy, of course that was 40 years ago!!! LOL But optimal health is my goal.

I need to start moving and exercising to really get the toxins out of my system. Maybe tomorrow ???? lol

Happy juicing everyone!!!

Day 2 of Reboot (Quick Start)

I did the weigh-in this morning and am down 6.4 lbs since January 30, 2012. I think this is awesome, an average of 3.2 lbs per week!!

I had a kale salad and tomato florentine soup. I will say the kale salad was not something I would go nutzo for, but I didn't hate it:

Kale Salad (enough for two):

3 cups of kale torn up and large stems removed

1/2 of an avocado squished through the kale

1 lemon juiced and poured over the kale and avocado

some red onion

some red peppers

salt/pepper

I should have added dried cranberries and or almonds or black olives, whatever.

I started with chamomile tea and lemon today, then had juice: Pineapple, pear and ginger root. It was so creamy and delicious, then lunch, then had Mean Green.

I found the exact perfect bowl to soak the Breville screen/cutter while I wash the other components, so I would say that's about 5 or 10 minutes, and I use an OXO dishwashing brush, the kind that has a place to put dishwashing liquid inside, to clean the screen/cutter... So the clean up is going really well, and faster each time...

It was a beautiful 50 degree day here in South Florida today, and I should have gone outside and enjoyed it but I was doing laundry and resting... Tomorrow is supposed to be pretty much like today, so I will have another chance!! Until then, I can play Wii games. I love tennis best...

I am loving my kitchen and realize I have all the stuff I need for the plant food way of life. Thirty years ago I was doing juice and eating mostly raw foods for probably 2 or 3 years. Anyhow I am very stoked about going back to a lifestyle I loved and I was very happy living!!

That's all for now... Hope you are all doing well and enjoying your adventures, whatever they are!!!

Day 1 of Reboot (Quick Start)

Day 1 of Quick Start Reboot: For some reason I woke up at 7am after going to sleep around 3am, so I got on my cruiser bicycle and went for a short ride, going against the wind on the way home. whew!!

I started out with Chamomile tea with lemon and later, had one quart of Mean Green juice. YUM!! Then I met a friend who is visiting the area before she goes back home. I was so hungry by 1:30pm that I decided to go out to a restaurant to eat. I headed out to Wellington to eat at California Pizza Kitchen (they have great salads), but realized I was very close to Whole Foods!! I had a wonderful self-made veggie salad with red kale, spinach, romaine, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts (not the ones in oil), broccoli with raisins, and an asian cabbage salad with sesame seeds. I meant to add some dressing to the greens, but it was too late to go back after I had paid ($6.00!!!), so I had it with the flavors from the other salads.... It was awesome!!

Then home to rest... later in the afternoon I had 1/3 of a fresh pineapple with some strawberries. That was tasty and nice to have something sweet. Later I made a carrot, celery, apple, ginger juice. I love me some ginger!! It adds some heat to the juice.

Anyhow, the world of veggies and fruit is opening up to me after a 30 year absence from that lifestyle. I am starting to feel 30 years younger, and the mind-set of those days is coming back, the good part, that is.... haha...

I will be juicing and eating veggies and fruits for 9 more days, for a total of 15 days. I want to do a juice only fast for about 10 days, see how that goes, then possibly for 30 days. I will see how I feel and where my head is at by then... I also have to see my doctor to get his OK before doing a juice fast, so I don't get into trouble.. lol.. .

I am excited to think that I could be 50-60 pounds lighter.. a day at a time.. For today, I am very happy with the progress and am feeling great and very upbeat....

Day 4 of Reboot (Express)

Day 4 was uneventful, but awesome! I started with Star Anise herbal tea with lemon. Very nice.... Then I juiced endive, celery, fennel stems, carrots, apple, lemon, and ginger root. What a great combination, but I think it was too sweet because the carrots are high in sugars. I only drank one quart of juice today, and the elimination stopped!! So my experiment shows I need to drink at least two quarts of juice each day.

I went to dinner with friends tonight and had a small dinner house salad with a teaspoon of balsamic vinegar on it. Also had a cup of tomato florentine soup... was probably Campbell's tomato soup with some spinach chopped into it. Very BLAH and very BAD... I should have stopped after the first spoonful. Now, I want to find a Reboot type tomato florentine soup recipe for after the reboot.

SO, I am doing a 5 day Reboot (Express), immediately followed by a 10 day Reboot (Quick Start)... Hopefully, after that I can start a juice only Reboot.

The point of all this is to get the toxins out of my body, to be able to stop taking medications, to lose weight. I have to start exercising, too. That is really holding me back. The 5 day Reboot I am currently doing is a warm-up for better things to come, sort of like I am getting my feet wet...

I love my juicer, love the juices coming out of it. The greens aren't bitter and nasty, as I remember drinking years ago, but very palatable and tasty because if the apple and lemon added to it. I also found the benefits of lemon by doing a search on Google. So I am trying to use more lemon in the juices and also in the tea I drink first thing in the morning, and last thing at night.

Happy, happy, off to a good start, but I have a long way to go... One Day at a Time comes to mind.

Happy Juicing, everyone!!!

Day 2 of Reboot (Express)

I started out today with herb tea, then baked apples with dried cranberries (this was so good), then impatiently waited for my juicer to arrive. I had a banana and some strawberries while I waited. and waited. and waited. LOL but finally, after having my nose pressed against the window glass, the mail lady came and I met her and a couple of the others who were waiting for their mail. My juicer had arrived!! I brought it into the house and started unpacking... actually, the packaging reminded me of how Apple packages their stuff... I washed everything and started juicing! I have been watching videos on YouTube on the specific juicer I purchased, the Breville Ikon Multi-Speed juicer, model BJE510XL.. This juicer has a 900watt motor and it zips right through kale, ginger, and really hard stuff. It has variable speeds from 1 to 5, 5 being the hardest. I can't even tell you how delicious the Mean Green juice was today. OH YES I CAN.. The Mean Green juice today was so delicious!!!

Later I made a Mean Red juice. LOL.. strawberries, apple, red beet, endive, and I got the celery out but forgot to add it. The main thing, I am told, is to balance the juices as 80% vegetable and 20% fruit. I am not feeling the effects of the juice today, but I probably will tomorrow..

My sleep patterns are starting to change and instead of getting to sleep at 3am and getting up at 11am, I am getting to sleep a little earlier and this morning woke up at 8:30am, refreshed and energized, so I guess I am feeling the effects of the juice in a subtle way.

Each day, I will get with the program more and more. I just got stalled out, waiting for my juicer to arrive, and now that it's here, I have to stock up on some goodies...

This is very exciting!! Plus I am losing some weight. I weigh in every Sunday morning, and last Sunday I had lost 3.8 lbs from the week before.

I know I can be a normal sized person and not overweight and obese. I know I will feel better and be able to move around again. I am hopeful and know if I do the work, I will get the results... If I don't, I won't..

More tomorrow!!!