Weigh In - Week 22

I was a good girl this week and stuck to my diet and danced around my house for exercise.  I didn't do a lot of walking - only once did I get out of the house for a quick power walk. Luckily, my body is in weight-loss mode and I'm still dropping pounds.  The thing I'm finding most difficult right now is staying motivated to walk.  This summer, when I began this journey, my husband was home in the mornings with the kids and I could just walk out the door.  Now, its pitch dark at 7am and I've only got 30 minutes before we need to be heading out the door for work and school.  I'm hoping that when daylight savings begins at the end of this week, I'll have some early light to walk by.  But I know better than anyone... that is just an excuse.  Excuses, excuses.

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 37

The "I Did It" List

adhered to a healthy eating plan

drank lots of water

bakes a batch of cake balls (52) for a party and only ate two

enjoyed a beautiful guilt-free dinner at a nice restaurant with my husband

Happy Halloween to everyone and 

I hope you have a safe and spooky holiday!

My bras don't fit...

...and I'm so happy!  

I've cinched the hook and eye closures one, two and then three times.  I've pulled the shoulder buckle tighter and tighter.  Now, the cup is starting to bag on top, leaving little scrunch lines under my shirt.  I wore all of these bras for the past four years, while pregnant and then while nursing two babies.  They have always fit and been very comfortable.  But now, 36 pounds lighter, I may require some new under-gear!  I'm so excited.  I haven't been bra shopping in a billion years.  Sure, I've bought a bra here and there, but I always just walk in and say "This is the size I need and this is the style I need."  I don't even try them on.  So, I'm saving my pennies for a few new bras.  Maybe I'll grab some pretty panties to go with them.

Weigh In - Week 21

This was a great week.  I tried out lots of new raw recipes and also got some good exercise by dancing in my home with my three-year-old.  I like hosting my own little 30 minutes discos.  The music is always good and there is plenty of room to move around.

Pounds lost this week: 3

Total pounds lost: 36

The "I Did It" List

Got more exercise than I usually do.

Substituted water for most beverages.

Tried out some new (more involved) raw recipes.

Enjoyed my anniversary without eating a lot of rich food (my usual habit.)
Helped a client deliver a healthy baby girl on Monday!

Got some good sleep.

Yoga - The Sun Salutation

This is by far my favorite EVER exercise!  It reinvigorates my mind and body, while giving my muscles a great stretch.  I repeat it as many times as I have time for.  If I want an extra strenuous workout, I slow it way down and move through the positions in slow motion.  Doing it out of doors in a park or in my back yard only improves the experience. Here is a quick depiction below:

Write it Down - Raw Recipes

My new quest is to convert all my favorite raw recipes to index cards. Every time I need a raw recipe, I end up digging through big bulky books. It's time to get serious and embrace the fact that if I'm going to be preparing raw food, I need to have the recipes at my fingertips. Today, I made this lovely creation.  It is so delicious.  I like to spread it on zucchini that has been cut into chip shapes.

Here is a photo of my finished product.  You really must give it a try!

Raw Dining on my Anniversary

Yesterday was my wedding anniversary!  Yay for us!  Instead of going out, we put the kids to bed and had a late raw meal all fancy-like in the dining room with music and candles.  My husband, Jack, is a meat and potatoes kind of man, which makes his participation in my raw diet all the more incredible.  So, to show him that I respect his roots, I prepared a meat and potatoes kind of meal from one of my favorite raw cook books, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen.

Here is the recipe - Portobello Steak with Brazil-Broccoli Mash and Mushroom Gravy.  It was so yummy, and pretty darn easy to prepare now that I have a blender that can process food as well.

Steak
4 portabello mushrooms, stems removed
1/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/3 c Nama Shoyo (raw soy sauce)
1 tbsp finely chopped rosemary

To make steaks, in a large bowl, coat mushrooms in oil, Nama Shoyu, and rosemary. Set aside for 2 hours or more to marinate and soften.

Brazil-Broccoli Mash
1/2 clove garlic
1 pinch ground black pepper
1 tsp sea salt
1 c Brazil nuts
2 c broccoli (or more), chopped

Process the garlic, pepper, and salt into tiny pieces. Add Brazil nuts and process into a powder. Empty this powder into a bowl and set aside. Next, process the broccoli while slowly adding the Brazil nut powder back in.

Mushroom Gravy
1/3 c extra virgin olive oil
3/4 c mushrooms, you can use any kind but I like Shitake best
1/3 c water
1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 tsp sea salt

Blend olive oil, mushrooms, water, vinegar, garlic, and salt until smooth. Pour gravy into a bowl.
To serve, slice each mushroom into 4 or 5 thick strips and serve on top of a scoop of Brazil-Broccoli Mash. Drizzle with Mushroom Gravy, garnish with a sprig of rosemary before serving.
Will keep for one day. Store portobello steaks separately to keep for two days. Mash and gravy will keep for several days in the fridge when stored separately. Makes 4 servings.

Weigh In - Week 20

Wow.  I can't believe I've been at this for 20 weeks.  Amazing.  June first seems like a million years ago.  This week went pretty well.  I stuck to a mostly raw eating plan and did a some exercise as well.  My hope is that in the following weeks I'll be able to establish a more regular walking schedule.  Family life has been a little hairy and every time I put time aside for myself, it seems to get lost in the shuffle.  Here is the one bit of exercise I can always count on: dance party in my living room with my 3 year old.  Its a great 30 minute workout and lots of fun for both me and Walker!

Pounds lost this week: 1

Total pounds lost: 33

The "I Did It" List

made healthy food choices

danced until I dropped during my own living room dance party

tried some new raw food recipes

drank lots of water

stayed away from Starbucks

And just for fun, here is my new favorite dance tune by Swedish pop sensation, Robyn:

Keep Going

It's been a good week so far.  I know that the weekend lies ahead and that premature back pats might be asking for it.  But really, its been a great week.  I've been eating 90 percent raw meals - all of them well combined.  I've been breathing deeply and drinking lots of water.  I haven't been able to walk as much as I'd like due to some heavy rain.  But the weekend weather report is looking good.  I'm already down one pound this week and I'd like to drop one more before my weigh-in on Monday.  So cheers to a great start and cheers to maintaining through the weekend!

Raw Tomato Tahini Soup

Another yummy raw soup recipe to share!  Jack and I just finished devouring this amazing raw soup, which I made with my new handy dandy Vitamix!  This soup is stupid good.  The original recipe called for 5-6 tomatoes and did not have carrots in the ingredients list.  I supplemented the carrots because, frankly, that's all I had in my fridge.  I left a little 1/2 cup to the side and mixed it with some rice meal for my baby.  He lapped it up faster than we did!  This is some good eatin' people.


Raw Tomato Tahini Soup

Ingredients:

• 2-3 medium-sized ripe tomatoes (heirloom would be awesome!)
• 3 carrots peeled
• 6 sundried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup + 1 tbsp raw tahini
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• juice of 1/4 lemon
• 1/4 tsp sea salt

Directions:

1. Cut tomatoes and carrots into chunks.
2. Combine all ingredients in a blender and puree, starting with a pulse and building up to higher speed. Add water if needed to keep the mixture moving, but if you begin with a few pulses, you shouldn’t have a problem.  I added about 1/4 cup of water to the blend.
3. Pour and enjoy!

Makes 4 cups/3-4 servings

source

Vitamix

My life has changed forever.

Yesterday, my mother-in-law bought Jack and I an awesome wedding anniversary gift. 

My $19.99 Cuisine Art purchase from 2005 had blown out the day before, so this amazing super-duper blender came just in time!  I use my blender at least twice everyday for raw food prep, smoothies, soups, etc.  I can't live without it.  I just took my new Vitamix on her maiden voyage and made a banana, mango smoothie.  Its perfect.  Its the most perfect thing I've ever had. 

Dessert in the Raw

Last night, Jack and I finished our meal with a beautiful and tasty dessert.  I quartered some figs and tossed them with raw walnuts and raw blue cheese.  Then I drizzled them with raw honey.  It was so delicious.  I know that this isn't a perfectly combined meal, but it was yummy and easy on the digestion and lots better than a big creamy fatty bowl of ice cream!  Here's a quick, badly lit photo of my creation:

Weigh In - Week 19

I had another stalled week where I ate out a few times and consumed a little more food and wine than I had planned.  I still ate healthy foods even though I was only partially eating raw.  I over did it on the wine and also enjoyed an evening out with my husband, which ended with a creamy coffee drink and a peanut butter cookie.  Ah well.

What does this mean for my weight?  This morning, I hopped on the scale expecting a slight gain.  I was pleasantly surprised to see that I had not gained or lost anything.  I was still holding steady for the second week in a row.  Why is this?  Perhaps its because I started walking again?  Perhaps its because I was still eating relatively healthy food and portions.  Whatever the reason, I'm grateful.  This week, I plan to kick my weight loss back into high gear.  Its back to my 80% raw meals and walking 5 days this week!  Here I go...  I'm starting right now.... I'm going...  see me going?

Pounds lost this week: 0

Total pounds lost: 32

The "I Did It" List

I took three 2-mile power walks this week.

I ran a mile during one of my walks.

I continued to make good food choices even though I was eating out a lot.

I drank more water than usual.

Drink More Water

It sounds so simple.

Drink more water.

But this one little thing

will help me change my body.

Elimination will be easier.

Detoxing will be easier.

Skin will be clearer.

I'll shed weight faster.

It's really too good to be true.

 

My goal is to drink 2 liters of water every morning 

in addition to my green lemonade.

Non-Dairy Recipes

I had a very sweet email from a reader asking that I post some recipes that might be appropriate for a vegan diet.  Obviously, I'm not vegan nor am I an expert on veganism.  But I am eating lots of raw foods, which often tends to land me a vegan category when it comes to food prep.  Here are two of my favorite dairy-heavy, dinner-time side dishes re-envisioned for a vegan diet: Mashed Potatoes with Sour Cream and Asparagus with Hollandaise Sauce. These two recipes are from Ani Phyo's wonderful book, Ani's Raw Food Kitchen.  And here is her website for more vegan and raw recipes and tips: www.aniphyo.com.

Cauliflower Miso Mash

This mash is thickened using psyllium powder (Whole Foods).  

It has great flavor and is delicious on it's own too.

1 clove garlic

1 head cauliflower, chopped

2 tablespoons white miso

1/2 cup virgin olive oil

Juice of 1 lemon, about 2 tablespoons

1 1/2 teaspoon of psyllium powder

1 teaspoon poultry seasoning

Using a food processor, process garlic into small pieces.  Add the cauliflower in small batches and process.  Ad remaining ingredients and process until smooth.  Serves four.

Cashew Sour Kream and Chives

1 cup cashews

Juice from 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons

Pinch of sea salt

1/4 cup water, as needed

2 tablespoons chives, chopped

Blend cashews, lemon juice, salt and just enough water to blend into a smooth kream.  Put sour kream in a bowl and stir in chopped chives.  This will keep in the fridge for up to four days and serves four.

Asparagus with Cheezy Sauce

Asparagus:

1 bunch asparagus

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

Cheezy Sauce:

2 cloves garlic

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 cup sunflower seeds

Juice of 1 lemon, 2 tablespoons

1 teaspoon tumeric

1/4 cup of water, as needed

To prepare asparagus, trim off the bottom inch of each stalk.  Cut the thicker stalks in half.  Toss in sea salt and olive oil, and set aside.

To make sauce, process garlic and salt until smooth.  Add sunflowers seeds and process into a powder.  Add lemon juice and tumeric and mix well.  Gradually add just enough water for a creamy cheezy sauce texture.

To serve, place asparagus on four plates and drizzle Cheezy Sauce over each.  This will keep in the fridge for two days and serves four.

Running

Today, I went out for a power walk.  I took my baby, popped him in a jogging stroller that we picked up second hand, and headed out the door.  I usually do a big loop around our neighborhood.  The first part is mostly downhill and the second half is uphill.  Since I was using a jogging stroller, I thought, "Hey - how about jogging for a change?"  So I did.  I ran the first half, which is almost a mile and then power walked the uphill portion until I got home.  It was the first time I've tried running since early July.  And all in all, it felt great.

On the iPod today? Mel Torme.

Weigh In - Week 18

Fitness-wise, this week was pretty bleak.  That's why I woke up this morning, bright and early (thanks to a fussy baby) and went for a serious power walk.  My October pledge is to reignite my walking regimen.  I walked for almost 7 weeks straight through June and July.  Now that the weather is cooler here in Dallas, there is no excuse.  Once again, I'll be walking 4-5 mornings a week thanks to my awesome husband who will be on kid duty while I'm gone.

This week, I also stuck (mostly) to our 80% raw eating plan.  The one BIG splurge this week is that I had 3 beers during the week.  Once for an Oktoberfest gathering, once on my porch with my family and once when I had some company over for dinner.  But I'm still very very happy with the juicing, which I do every morning and my raw food plan.  I love making raw meals because its quick prep, very little clean up and I don't have to turn on a stove or an oven, which heats up my house.  The one thing I really need to keep better track of is how my food is being combined.  I try to mostly eat fruit alone but it doesn't always happen.  I try to mostly eat food categories on their own without mixing but it doesn't always happen.  Re-committing to proper food combining will be key in the coming months.  When I properly combine my food, the weight drops off very easily.

This week, I didn't lose any weight.  I didn't gain any either.  So I'm holding steady at a 32 pound loss since June first.  Jack, my husband, has joined me on my juicing and raw eating plan as well.  He also started drinking 2 litres of water every morning.  With only these two changes, Jack has lost 25 pounds since June first.  Amazing, right?  I'm so happy for him!

Pounds lost this week:  0

Total pounds lost: 32

The "I Did It" List

Mostly stick to my raw eating plan

Juiced 6 out of 7 mornings

learning how to buy organic veggies for less by shopping at more than one location

reignited my walking regimen

helped my husband drop 25 pounds this summer