Quick update to my tomato soup post:
I was able to make my own organic vegetable broth from the pulp left over after juicing veggies. Just added some water to the pulp, a diced onion, 6 cloves of garlic, some spices and simmered for an hour or so. Strained out the pulp, and ta-da.....Homemade, zero cost, organic vegetable broth! I will say that the underlying aroma leaves a bit to be desired....I think its from the kale pulp......but, it tastes just fine with the addition of roasted & sun-dried tomatoes, and roasted peppers. Extravagant taste for cheapskate price....can't beat it!
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sun Dried Tomatoes-without the sun
I previously posted about my amazing Hot & Spicy Tomato Soup.....its as expensive as it is delicious!
Here's the approximate costs:
4 organic tomatoes = $4
1 organic jalapeno = $1
1 organic bell pepper = $2.50
1 jar organic sun-dried tomatoes = $8
1 carton organic vegetable broth = $4
TOTAL Cost = $19.50
Whooooo....that's some gooood soup! It makes about 4 good size servings....but still pretty expensive.
I've decided the only way I can make this at a reasonable cost is to grow my own veggies (which didn't happen this year) or get a good amount form my CSA (which I did this week).
My CSA box this week contained several bell peppers, a couple of jalapenos, a bag of roma tomatoes....and the best part: she saved a big box of "not-so-perfect" tomatoes for me, because she knows I'll take anything. With these I made my own "sun-dried tomatoes", without the sun!
Here's how:
4 lbs of tomatoes
1 dehyrdrator
Wash tomatoes
remove tough stem end and any bruises
slice tomatoes in approximately 4 equal portions
place on trays in dehydrator
dehydrate until leathery (raisin like) not brittle
How easy is that???
It took about 18 hours in my "old" dehydrator....but, it may only take only 4-6 hours if you have one that can actually regulate temperature, and you set it at 140.
This made a little over a pound of sun-dried tomatoes.....enough for 4 little packets which I sealed and placed in freezer. I will use 1 packet in each soup recipe.....so just saved myself $32. Now, the only thing I will need to buy is the vegetable broth.
My next goal is to make my own veggie broth.......I wonder if I can make it from my leftover pulp???
Here's the approximate costs:
4 organic tomatoes = $4
1 organic jalapeno = $1
1 organic bell pepper = $2.50
1 jar organic sun-dried tomatoes = $8
1 carton organic vegetable broth = $4
TOTAL Cost = $19.50
Whooooo....that's some gooood soup! It makes about 4 good size servings....but still pretty expensive.
I've decided the only way I can make this at a reasonable cost is to grow my own veggies (which didn't happen this year) or get a good amount form my CSA (which I did this week).
My CSA box this week contained several bell peppers, a couple of jalapenos, a bag of roma tomatoes....and the best part: she saved a big box of "not-so-perfect" tomatoes for me, because she knows I'll take anything. With these I made my own "sun-dried tomatoes", without the sun!
Here's how:
4 lbs of tomatoes
1 dehyrdrator
Wash tomatoes
remove tough stem end and any bruises
slice tomatoes in approximately 4 equal portions
place on trays in dehydrator
dehydrate until leathery (raisin like) not brittle
How easy is that???
It took about 18 hours in my "old" dehydrator....but, it may only take only 4-6 hours if you have one that can actually regulate temperature, and you set it at 140.
This made a little over a pound of sun-dried tomatoes.....enough for 4 little packets which I sealed and placed in freezer. I will use 1 packet in each soup recipe.....so just saved myself $32. Now, the only thing I will need to buy is the vegetable broth.
My next goal is to make my own veggie broth.......I wonder if I can make it from my leftover pulp???
Reboot - Day 48
Update on the reboot, before I move on to other things.....
I have not felt any extreme fatigue since I removed lemon rinds form my juicing.....is it coincidental? I don't know....but am happy with the results. I've been alternating: juicing & eating produce for 5-10 days, followed by 2-4 days of incorporating a few other foods.....not eating all day long, but eating a meal or two of meats, bread etc. along with the juicing. I always gain a few pounds when I eat non-produce foods.....but, it seems like after a couple of days of gaining a pound or two, it stabilizes as long as I keep juicing as well, and don't overdo the other items. I even begin to lose again..... and as soon as I switch back to only juicing and eating fresh produce, I begin to lose weight immediately. I feel like I've finally found the secret! And the secret is: don't diet! This is a lifestyle change....not a diet. I guess I needed to be in the right mindset to actually change my lifestyle.....but, here I am and embracing it fully! So far I've lost 26lbs. I've had days where I've actually gained weight, even while juicing and eating produce.......I try to figure out what could've caused this. Usually, I think it is too much fruit. Some days, when I haven't had time to juice the previous night, I end up buying a Bolthouse or Naked Juice from the store. If I drink that all day, with no homemade juices, I tend to gain, as they seem to have too many fruits in them. So, although I still like to supplement with the store bought juices.....I will try to limit it to just 1 -2/day (no more than 1-2 days/wk). For instance, last week I worked 2 days in a row til 6pm and didn't feel at all like juicing when I finally got home....so used the Bolthouse juice, The Bolthouse Green Goodness juice seems to be the best bet, with the most veggies in it. If I choose one of the fruit laden juices, I gain. So, obviously I'm constantly learning & tweaking.....but, what a great knowledge base I'm gaining!
I have not felt any extreme fatigue since I removed lemon rinds form my juicing.....is it coincidental? I don't know....but am happy with the results. I've been alternating: juicing & eating produce for 5-10 days, followed by 2-4 days of incorporating a few other foods.....not eating all day long, but eating a meal or two of meats, bread etc. along with the juicing. I always gain a few pounds when I eat non-produce foods.....but, it seems like after a couple of days of gaining a pound or two, it stabilizes as long as I keep juicing as well, and don't overdo the other items. I even begin to lose again..... and as soon as I switch back to only juicing and eating fresh produce, I begin to lose weight immediately. I feel like I've finally found the secret! And the secret is: don't diet! This is a lifestyle change....not a diet. I guess I needed to be in the right mindset to actually change my lifestyle.....but, here I am and embracing it fully! So far I've lost 26lbs. I've had days where I've actually gained weight, even while juicing and eating produce.......I try to figure out what could've caused this. Usually, I think it is too much fruit. Some days, when I haven't had time to juice the previous night, I end up buying a Bolthouse or Naked Juice from the store. If I drink that all day, with no homemade juices, I tend to gain, as they seem to have too many fruits in them. So, although I still like to supplement with the store bought juices.....I will try to limit it to just 1 -2/day (no more than 1-2 days/wk). For instance, last week I worked 2 days in a row til 6pm and didn't feel at all like juicing when I finally got home....so used the Bolthouse juice, The Bolthouse Green Goodness juice seems to be the best bet, with the most veggies in it. If I choose one of the fruit laden juices, I gain. So, obviously I'm constantly learning & tweaking.....but, what a great knowledge base I'm gaining!
Wednesday, July 25, 2012
Not Just a Reboot - Working With Stones Too!
I've taken a little break from juicing this week. I've still had juice everyday...but, have added in meats & bread, and eating produce as well. I needed something, as I was fatiguing too easily. Now, from everything I've read, you are supposed to gain energy while juicing full time....that wasn't happening for me....so changed it up. I intend to start back on my juice reboot today....but, going forward slightly differently. I decided to re-read my juicing book, just for inspiration, and to remind myself of some knowledge I've gained along the way. One little quip about lemons caught my eye! Lemon rinds contain citral, which can interfere with Vitamin A absorption. I wondered if this could have anything to do with my extreme muscle fatigue.....especially since almost every juice I make has at least 1 lemon in it, rind & all! So, from now on, I will be peeling all of my lemons, and I will report back on how I feel this time around. Hoping its something as simple as this!
Now, for something completely different (thank you Monty Python!):
Now, for something completely different (thank you Monty Python!):
I've finally started working with the beach stones that I brought back from our vacation on the shores of Lake Michigan.
They are so simple, yet simply beautiful in their simplicity!
I haven't done anything extravagant with them yet, tho I have a few other ideas rummaging around in my head. Actually, I have set tiny gem stones inside a few of them....though, I'm not entirely sure I like that concept at all. I had thought it might be complimentary.....adding a little sparkle to something so innately primitive......but, I'm not quite dazzled by it at all....in fact, I haven't even taken any pictures of them yet, so that speaks a lot!
Just to be clear, those little dots on the stone in the 2nd pic are natural inclusions, and not the gem stones I just spoke of.
Another project I have been working on is copper band rings.......I haven't' figured out what I'd like to top them with yet.....so they sit downstairs unadorned....perhaps I'll have another go at that today....see how I get inspired......
I'm off....
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Reboot - Day 23:
The last couple of days I have incorporated eating a peach, along with the juice. Yesterday, I totally broke my fast by eating a piece of bread & butter & a hamburger for dinner, along with my tomato soup. I had been feeling extremely tired the last few days......my legs would just burn after walking upstairs.....my bike ride would wear me out completely, to where it was all I could do to get back to my car. Juicing is supposed to give you tons of energy...from everything I've read.....and at the beginning I did feel as if that were so. But as time has gone on, I feel no energy at all. I have to admit, that I did stop using the spirulina in my juice, as the taste was too overwhelming.....so perhaps the lack of protein is the culprit. The last couple of days I have begun adding chia & sometimes flax into my juices.....these are to up the protein content....but, no improvement in the way I feel as of yet. So, I decided to have a lean, grass fed beef burger yesterday (the bread & butter I just wanted).....and although it went down well.....I literally still feel as if I have a brick in my gut......so I don't think its moving thru me correctly yet. I should have heeded the advice of those who juiced before me....and eased into other foods more slowly. I should have switched back to eating fresh produce along with my juicing for a time before adding in other items. So, now....what to do? I had planned on returning to eating this weekend, while still incorporating juicing in for a couple of meals. My CSA starts Saturday, so I figured I would juice each week until I run out of produce....so each week wold be a mini fast......but then, of course, that would mean no easing into or out of the fast.....doesn't sound ideal. SO, then I thought I could juice during the day & add in a supper of eating lean meats & perhaps a smoothie of veggies & fruits......I think that is the route I will go, and see how long the produce from my CSA will last.
Good news, I did lose another 2lbs, so total lost = 19lbs.
Good news, I did lose another 2lbs, so total lost = 19lbs.
Saturday, July 14, 2012
Reboot - Day 20: Juice Only - day 7
Boy, that last post was not indicative of my juicing journey!
I have done a complete 180 (mentally), and am still juicing.......with results every day!
#1 - I've lost another 2.5lbs, total weight lost = 17lbs (in 19 days)
#2 - My total cholesterol = 171 (was 250 last 2 times I donated blood)
#3 - My blood pressure has normalized to anywhere from 96/65 to 117/78 (was 140/90)
Those are some pretty astounding results after such a short period of time, (3 weeks)!
Just think about all of those people on medications to lower their cholesterol and/or blood pressure.....this is ALL they need to do! (I guess this is just my experience, and may not be universal, but, certainly worth a try! Better than taking prescription meds)
I wonder how these numbers will change when I add back in other foods. I have a freezer full of grass fed beef, which is comparable to chicken in fat content, and highly nutritious, so I don't anticipate that being a factor. I do love bread & butter tho.....and I am thinking that could be an issue.....so I will aim to limit my consumption of breads....perhaps only make my own. Loads to think about and plan....I don't want to negate all the good I have done for myself, so need to have a definite plan.
Yesterday, I decided to make my hot & spice tomato soup.......so technically, that broke my fast.....and boy did I know it! I had only just finished it when I needed to use the bathroom immediately, and repeatedly! Not to be disgusting.....but, just the facts. And the info I've read about breaking a fast tells you just this sort of stuff. One thing it says, is to break the fast by eating fruits & veggies only for a time. Well, my soup is only veggies.....but it still went thru me like a freight train! Oh well......my evening soup fared better.......no bathroom rushes......I still have some soup left for today (which I am going to have as soon as I finish this post).....but, once it is gone, I am going to return to juice only.
Its funny......way back on June 23rd, when I saw the posting regarding the Group Reboot .......5 days seemed intimidating. I wondered if I could really do it! I am not sure I could've or would've if I hadn't had the support of everyone else participating in the Reboot. It was (and still is) wonderful sharing ideas, concerns, recipes, etc, as well as hearing how everyone was coping with the inevitable temptations. Way back then, all I could think about was just getting thru those 5 days, and looking forward to eating steak! Well, I must admit, I still think about steak almost everyday......and the aromas of bar-b-que, that you just can't escape on a summer day when you're out & about, are so tempting! But, at the same time.....I know I can keep going with juicing for as long as I want. I am in control! I still want that steak, but, I know it will be there when I am ready to return to it. As I was telling a friend the other day....it is your mind-set! You know when you are capable of something, and you just do it! If the mind-set isn't there, you are doomed to failure.....or at least feel miserable while you are doing it. If its worth doing, its worth doing right & happily! I can honestly say that I am happy just juicing....even when my stomach is grumbling, and I imagine chewing on a piece of steak.....I am still happy to go and grab my juice and know that I am making such a positive impact on my health!
I have done a complete 180 (mentally), and am still juicing.......with results every day!
#1 - I've lost another 2.5lbs, total weight lost = 17lbs (in 19 days)
#2 - My total cholesterol = 171 (was 250 last 2 times I donated blood)
#3 - My blood pressure has normalized to anywhere from 96/65 to 117/78 (was 140/90)
Those are some pretty astounding results after such a short period of time, (3 weeks)!
Just think about all of those people on medications to lower their cholesterol and/or blood pressure.....this is ALL they need to do! (I guess this is just my experience, and may not be universal, but, certainly worth a try! Better than taking prescription meds)
I wonder how these numbers will change when I add back in other foods. I have a freezer full of grass fed beef, which is comparable to chicken in fat content, and highly nutritious, so I don't anticipate that being a factor. I do love bread & butter tho.....and I am thinking that could be an issue.....so I will aim to limit my consumption of breads....perhaps only make my own. Loads to think about and plan....I don't want to negate all the good I have done for myself, so need to have a definite plan.
Yesterday, I decided to make my hot & spice tomato soup.......so technically, that broke my fast.....and boy did I know it! I had only just finished it when I needed to use the bathroom immediately, and repeatedly! Not to be disgusting.....but, just the facts. And the info I've read about breaking a fast tells you just this sort of stuff. One thing it says, is to break the fast by eating fruits & veggies only for a time. Well, my soup is only veggies.....but it still went thru me like a freight train! Oh well......my evening soup fared better.......no bathroom rushes......I still have some soup left for today (which I am going to have as soon as I finish this post).....but, once it is gone, I am going to return to juice only.
Its funny......way back on June 23rd, when I saw the posting regarding the Group Reboot .......5 days seemed intimidating. I wondered if I could really do it! I am not sure I could've or would've if I hadn't had the support of everyone else participating in the Reboot. It was (and still is) wonderful sharing ideas, concerns, recipes, etc, as well as hearing how everyone was coping with the inevitable temptations. Way back then, all I could think about was just getting thru those 5 days, and looking forward to eating steak! Well, I must admit, I still think about steak almost everyday......and the aromas of bar-b-que, that you just can't escape on a summer day when you're out & about, are so tempting! But, at the same time.....I know I can keep going with juicing for as long as I want. I am in control! I still want that steak, but, I know it will be there when I am ready to return to it. As I was telling a friend the other day....it is your mind-set! You know when you are capable of something, and you just do it! If the mind-set isn't there, you are doomed to failure.....or at least feel miserable while you are doing it. If its worth doing, its worth doing right & happily! I can honestly say that I am happy just juicing....even when my stomach is grumbling, and I imagine chewing on a piece of steak.....I am still happy to go and grab my juice and know that I am making such a positive impact on my health!
Wednesday, July 11, 2012
Reboot - Day 17 Juice Only Day 4
I got nuthin for ya........no answers, no theories..... All I know is my body does not like to lose weight! I have only lost another .5lb since starting Juice Only. 4.5 juices on Monday, 5 juices yesterday..... Plus I've gone for hikes both days....even tho I've been extremely tired (I could've taken a nap! I never nap!)...and pretty hungry most of the day. I'll try to at least finish my 5 days tomorrow......
I suppose I shouldn't be so obsessed with the scale. My blood pressure is normal!!!! Better than normal!!!! That is an enormous health improvement, even if I hadn't lost a pound! So, obviously....there is something to be said for this lifestyle. But, at the same time, I should be able to lose weight. I am donating blood tomorrow, so am anxious to see if my cholesterol has improved as well.
I am all out of green veggies, except for 1 pepper, and a couple of jalapenos. I've still got a bunch of carrots and celery.....apples & lemons.....so we'll see how far that goes......but costs are getting a bit prohibitive too. I've been debating joining the CSA, as I think the share may be reduced due to the extreme hot & dry summer we are having. I don't have the luxury of wasting money.
I'll reevaluate tomorrow.....but, I think I will resume eating food this weekend, and just add in a juice or 2 each day.
Tired of thinking and re-thinking this so, just gonna get on with it.....later....
I suppose I shouldn't be so obsessed with the scale. My blood pressure is normal!!!! Better than normal!!!! That is an enormous health improvement, even if I hadn't lost a pound! So, obviously....there is something to be said for this lifestyle. But, at the same time, I should be able to lose weight. I am donating blood tomorrow, so am anxious to see if my cholesterol has improved as well.
I am all out of green veggies, except for 1 pepper, and a couple of jalapenos. I've still got a bunch of carrots and celery.....apples & lemons.....so we'll see how far that goes......but costs are getting a bit prohibitive too. I've been debating joining the CSA, as I think the share may be reduced due to the extreme hot & dry summer we are having. I don't have the luxury of wasting money.
I'll reevaluate tomorrow.....but, I think I will resume eating food this weekend, and just add in a juice or 2 each day.
Tired of thinking and re-thinking this so, just gonna get on with it.....later....
Monday, July 9, 2012
Reboot - Day 15: Juice Only
To heck with all of my theories! I got stuck in a rut, and strict adherence didn't seem to help. Although, the heat did keep from exercising several days....so......
Anyhow....Yesterday I started my complete juice fast (although I did finish up the last of my tomato soup....not juice)....went for a leisurely bike ride....and posted a 2.5lb loss this morn! Yeah....that's what I like to see! I am also going to change up my exercise a bit. Instead of biking every single day.....I am going to start hiking again......and alternating. Your body can get used to one type of exercise, so changing it up, giving it something different to do, can kick it back into gear.
Day 2 - here I come!
Anyhow....Yesterday I started my complete juice fast (although I did finish up the last of my tomato soup....not juice)....went for a leisurely bike ride....and posted a 2.5lb loss this morn! Yeah....that's what I like to see! I am also going to change up my exercise a bit. Instead of biking every single day.....I am going to start hiking again......and alternating. Your body can get used to one type of exercise, so changing it up, giving it something different to do, can kick it back into gear.
Day 2 - here I come!
Wednesday, July 4, 2012
Reboot - Day 10
My first day testing my theories was quite successful! Tuesday, I adhered strictly to my rules, and so, yesterday I posted a 2lb loss!
So, yesterday I also decided to change it up a bit......I decided to add in one of my forbidden fruits - raisins. Heck, I was starving in the afternoon, and it seemed like a good idea. But, it would also help in testing one of my theories. Of course, as far as theory testing goes, I rather negated the whole thing by going for another bike ride in the evening. I have to admit, I was really hungry all day yesterday.....which is why I found myself eating cherries after supper (another forbidden practice). Considering that I incorporated 2 theories in the same test, the results will be meaningless. However, I did post another 1lb loss this morn. Oh, I almost forgot.......I also began incorporating spirulina and chia in my juices. Somehow, I had missed this area in my research, or actually had forgotten it. Although, all vegetables & fruits contain some protein, albeit in mostly incomplete &/or limited quantities......Spirulina & Chia are both complete protein sources......and protein is obviously something we need, as well as being very helpful in keeping the body satiated. I am hoping that my incorporation of these natural supplements will help with the hunger factor I have been experiencing, as well as increase my energy.
As I go forward, I am contemplating switching over to strictly juice for a period of time, probably 5 days. I am thinking that when I run out of cherries & bananas, that would be a good time to start. This may happen by the weekend. I am excited to try juicing only as I should be able to experience all of the true detoxing effects!
So, yesterday I also decided to change it up a bit......I decided to add in one of my forbidden fruits - raisins. Heck, I was starving in the afternoon, and it seemed like a good idea. But, it would also help in testing one of my theories. Of course, as far as theory testing goes, I rather negated the whole thing by going for another bike ride in the evening. I have to admit, I was really hungry all day yesterday.....which is why I found myself eating cherries after supper (another forbidden practice). Considering that I incorporated 2 theories in the same test, the results will be meaningless. However, I did post another 1lb loss this morn. Oh, I almost forgot.......I also began incorporating spirulina and chia in my juices. Somehow, I had missed this area in my research, or actually had forgotten it. Although, all vegetables & fruits contain some protein, albeit in mostly incomplete &/or limited quantities......Spirulina & Chia are both complete protein sources......and protein is obviously something we need, as well as being very helpful in keeping the body satiated. I am hoping that my incorporation of these natural supplements will help with the hunger factor I have been experiencing, as well as increase my energy.
As I go forward, I am contemplating switching over to strictly juice for a period of time, probably 5 days. I am thinking that when I run out of cherries & bananas, that would be a good time to start. This may happen by the weekend. I am excited to try juicing only as I should be able to experience all of the true detoxing effects!
Monday, July 2, 2012
Reboot - Day 8
I have discovered a few things in the past few days.....which I will now put to the test.
So after my last post I did go biking, and the next day I had lost a couple more pounds. Awesome, right? You betcha! Then on Saturday I went berry picking with Heather in the Dells for most of the day. I brought plenty of fruits, and bought a couple of Naked Juices to stay on track....however, when I bought her lunch at Culver's, I couldn't resist the temptation of the aroma of the buffalo tenders she'd ordered. Bad me...I know! I only took about 4 bites total.....so not the end of the world....especially since I plan to go back to eating meat eventually..... But, then on Sunday, I woke up having gained 1 pound! I blamed it on the little bit of chicken....tho that seems pretty ridiculous....after all....how do 4 bites of chicken equate to 1 pound? A friend suggested, perhaps it was simply water retention, as the chicken most likely was high in sodium, as most fast food is. I agreed that this could in fact be the case. So, Sunday came along......I went for my usual 10 mile bike ride. Very good! Here's what I ate or drank:
8am - banana
8:30 - juice
11:30 Naked Juice on the way to biking
12:30 apple after biking
2:30 raisins (just bought at the store, I don't think this was a good idea)
4:40 Hot & Spice roasted tomato & red pepper soup (recipe below!!)
6:30 apple sauce
8:30 cherries
10:30 cherries (my stomach was growling!)
Not horrible, right?
One thing you may notice, is an awful lot of fruit......and late at night as well. This, I believe, is one prominent reason I woke up this morning having gained another 1.5 lbs! Though, I certainly didn't eat 1.5lbs of fruit! I don't have all of the answers....but, these next few days, I will test my theories. My other theory, regarding my weight gain after Saturday's excursion: no exercise=weight gain.
So going forward, I will do the following:
Limit fruit eaten during the day (perhaps 3 total servings)
No dried fruit
No fruit after 6pm
No fruit heavy juices in the evening (veggie heavy only)
Exercise every day (always push a little farther/faster)
So far today I have had:
7am Juice
9am Banana 1/2 way thru biking
10:30 juice after biking
11:30 1/2 green juice while making new batch
12:45 grapes while starting this post
The rest of the day:
3:00 juice
6:00 Tomato soup
Possibly small peach this afternoon
I rode an extra 4 miles on my bike trip, and pushed to the top of a hill I normally turn around on!
I will update with the results of my theory testing:
As promised, here is my recipe for :
Hot & Spicy Roasted Tomato & Red Pepper Soup + Jalapeno
4 organic tomatoes
1 organic red bell pepper
1 organic jalapeno
1 jar of sun-dried tomatoes-rinsed
1 carton of organic, low sodium vegetable broth
Roast the tomatoes & peppers in the broiler, rotating every 3 mins til browned on all sides
Place rinsed, sun-dried tomatoes in the blender and pulse & chop
Add in roasted tomatoes & peppers, and grate & chop, occasionally stirring with a spoon to get all pieces down to the blades. Combine until it reaches a somewhat smooth consistency.
Heat veggie broth over medium flame until hot. Add in the tomato/pepper mixture and stir well, continuing to heat for several minutes.
Ladle into large bowls and enjoy!!!!
Friday, June 29, 2012
Reboot - Day 5
Today is the first day I haven't enjoyed my juice. Not sure if it was the combination of veggies: spinach, chard, bok choy, beets, carrots, ginger, only 2 stalks of celery, apples, only 1 lemon and blueberries. It could be the beet greens that altered the taste? or perhaps the ginger? Not sure, but I have 2 more servings already made that I will need to drink today.
I did not lose even a smidgen of weight yesterday!
I added up all of the calories including all of the fruits/veggies I ate.....and it was a few hundred less than my daily allowance (according to my Loseit app.)
I feel like my blog has turned into a complaint log.....so lets remedy that.
Today I will go to Good Harvest and stock up on some more produce. I am out of greens.....but perhaps I will also pick up some squash......and maybe the watermelon that everyone has been raving about. I don't like watermelon (one of the very few fruits that I don't like, along with pineapple & coconut), but it contains alot of nutrients, not only in the pink flesh but also in the rind! I had no idea! The skin is not good to eat or juice as it may cause stomach upset, but the rind & even the seeds are loaded with nutrients, including: Citruline (an amino acid), Vit C, Beta Carotene, Lycopene, , along with lesser amounts of: Vit A, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Niacin, Vit B6, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium & Zinc.
I just learned that the yellow fleshed watermelon is richer in nutrients than the traditional pink fleshed....so definitely worth seeking out! And the deeper the yellow, the better!
Unfortunately, for me, exercise has fallen by the steaming wayside this week, as temperature outside have climbed to uncomfortable levels.....near 100 yesterday and pretty darn close to that today! I am going to muddle thru tho....and at least venture out for a bike ride. Biking always seems a little more cooling as you glide thru the air with the greatest of ease.
So that is the plan......get inspired in the produce section and exercise. If I don't settle comfortably into a routine of juicing and exercise BEFORE I return to work full time....it sure won't happen after!
Unfortunately, for me, exercise has fallen by the steaming wayside this week, as temperature outside have climbed to uncomfortable levels.....near 100 yesterday and pretty darn close to that today! I am going to muddle thru tho....and at least venture out for a bike ride. Biking always seems a little more cooling as you glide thru the air with the greatest of ease.
So that is the plan......get inspired in the produce section and exercise. If I don't settle comfortably into a routine of juicing and exercise BEFORE I return to work full time....it sure won't happen after!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Reboot - Day 4
I've decided I really need to expand my repertoir of juices! I tend to just juice everything together...whatever I've got in the fridge, goes in my juice. As such, all of my juices tend to taste about the same. I really need to start minimizing my jucie ingredients.
For instance....the juice I made last night (to drink all day today):
carrots, celery, spinach, chard, ginger, lemon, apple, strawberries, blueberries
The berries and ginger add a nice touch, to my usual recipe....but still pretty similar.
My goal for tonight will be to come up with some easy recipes in order to change up the routine. Its hard to look forward to drinking the same thing 5 times/day! Especially when its always the same dull brown colour!
Plus....I only lost another .5#.
I plan on continuing with my juice fast for the forseeable future, so obviously I need to make it more interesting. Just enduring is not going to take me there!
Orange: carrots, oranges
Green: spinach, chard, broccoli, celery, kale - add lemon & apple
Purple: beets, blueberries, strawberries
Lunch break is over so will have to think more later!
For instance....the juice I made last night (to drink all day today):
carrots, celery, spinach, chard, ginger, lemon, apple, strawberries, blueberries
The berries and ginger add a nice touch, to my usual recipe....but still pretty similar.
My goal for tonight will be to come up with some easy recipes in order to change up the routine. Its hard to look forward to drinking the same thing 5 times/day! Especially when its always the same dull brown colour!
Plus....I only lost another .5#.
I plan on continuing with my juice fast for the forseeable future, so obviously I need to make it more interesting. Just enduring is not going to take me there!
Orange: carrots, oranges
Green: spinach, chard, broccoli, celery, kale - add lemon & apple
Purple: beets, blueberries, strawberries
Lunch break is over so will have to think more later!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Reboot - day 3
After 2 full days on my reboot, I am down 6.5#. That.....is very motivating!
Last night's supper of tomato soup was not everything I'd dreamed of....but, at least it was a little different:
4 organic vine tomatoes
1 jalapeno (my revision)
1/4 cup cashews (I used mixed nuts, primarily cashews)
Cream all together in a blender.
I also added a little warm water, as it was too thick. I added the jalapeno because it was just too bland without it. The nuts help to add the creaminess....but what it really needs is sun dried tomatoes! I plan to try this again tonight with that addition, and hoping it will have more of that tomato flavor I am looking for! I don't think I was supposed to have the nuts during my reboot....but, truthfully, I didn't even think of that until I was actually eating (drinking) it. I think I will leave them out tonight and find a substitute for creaminess.
Yesterday, I made a big batch of juices that would carry me thru today. This is a huge time saver and motivator! I had read that it is best to drink the fresh juice right away because as soon as it is exposed to oxygen, the nutrients begin to leach out. That is a fact! However, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees....... I was shown the light by a fellow blogger. He pointed out that convenience is certainly a huge help in maintaining any kind of diet plan, let alone something as time consuming as juicing! And although the juice does lose some nutrients in storing, it is still infinitely more nutritious than anything I could buy at a store. I can minimize nutrient loss by storing in an airtight container, preferably away from light (ie: wrap a clear jar with foil). So, this is my new mantra.....and will most definitely be a great factor in being able to continue drinking juice when I return to work.
So,,,,,,for breakfast this morn, I have a lovely brown juice (most of my juices end up being brow, as I tend to throw everything but the kitchen sink in them).
4 organic vine tomatoes
1 jalapeno (my revision)
1/4 cup cashews (I used mixed nuts, primarily cashews)
Cream all together in a blender.
I also added a little warm water, as it was too thick. I added the jalapeno because it was just too bland without it. The nuts help to add the creaminess....but what it really needs is sun dried tomatoes! I plan to try this again tonight with that addition, and hoping it will have more of that tomato flavor I am looking for! I don't think I was supposed to have the nuts during my reboot....but, truthfully, I didn't even think of that until I was actually eating (drinking) it. I think I will leave them out tonight and find a substitute for creaminess.
Yesterday, I made a big batch of juices that would carry me thru today. This is a huge time saver and motivator! I had read that it is best to drink the fresh juice right away because as soon as it is exposed to oxygen, the nutrients begin to leach out. That is a fact! However, sometimes we can't see the forest for the trees....... I was shown the light by a fellow blogger. He pointed out that convenience is certainly a huge help in maintaining any kind of diet plan, let alone something as time consuming as juicing! And although the juice does lose some nutrients in storing, it is still infinitely more nutritious than anything I could buy at a store. I can minimize nutrient loss by storing in an airtight container, preferably away from light (ie: wrap a clear jar with foil). So, this is my new mantra.....and will most definitely be a great factor in being able to continue drinking juice when I return to work.
So,,,,,,for breakfast this morn, I have a lovely brown juice (most of my juices end up being brow, as I tend to throw everything but the kitchen sink in them).
Apple, lemon, strawberries, blueberries, carrots, celery, spinach, chard
Its pretty darn yummy,.........looks can definitely be deceiving!
Yesterday I was awfully hungry quite a bit...especially in to the night. As I am doing the modified reboot (I eat raw fruits & veggies along with juicing), I think I relied too much on eating fruits, and didn't drink enough juice. I will try to be more conscious of that today, and make sure I drink at least 5 juices today.
I will say, however, that I woke up feeling great today! Full of energy, almost acheless, and very committed!
In the documentary, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead, Joe talks about his commitment very early in his fast. He is drinking his juice, and realizes that nothing will derail his commitment to juicing. Not people eating around him, nor the delectable aromas of food.......he is committed to his plan and that's that! I must say.......that I feel that same way! You know when you start a diet....and then go to work, and they have a birthday cake for someone......and you are easily persuaded to have a slice? I've been there too many times to count! But, when you are truly committed.......it is almost easy to refrain from those kinds of temptations. Although, I do think it helps a tremendous amount that I incorporate eating fruits & veggies! Especially, when you're out & about & run out of juice.....much easier to run in the store & grab some fruit!
As I am starting to get hungry again...(been 2.5 hours since my morning juice), gonna go grab some cherries!
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Reboot (not just the name of one of my fave cartoons!)
Its taken me a couple of months, but I am finally embracing my juicer's full capabilities!
After watching that documentary many months ago, I began following Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead on Facebook. Their website is a wealth of information for those about to juice! or who would like to learn more about such things. Check it out! Its all about "rebooting" your life through a juice fast. Proponents of juicing claim that a juice fast will detoxify your body. Just think about all of the poisons ingested through commercial produce, meats or processed foods. Juicing for a period of time, will allow your body to excrete all of the built up toxins, and begin functioning at an optimal level again. Thats what I'm aiming for! A posting last weekend on Facebook announced a 5 day group Reboot to begin Monday. I joined immediately! Its fine to think about doing something.....which I have been for a couple of months now......but, the camaraderie of fellow Rebooters was just what I needed to actually implement this huge change! I, along with some 800+ other Rebooters, began the journey on Monday. It is now Tuesday, and I have survived thus far! If I can get thru 1 day.....I know I can do many more. In fact, my plan is to NOT stop after 5 days. I'd like to go for 30 days before taking a break. But 1 day at a time. I should also mention that I am doing what they call a "modified reboot", meaning that along with juicing, I also eat raw fruits and veggies. Perhaps, one day, I will limit myself to strictly juice....but, for now, this is the path I will follow.! I must admit, I am craving something more food like, so tonight I will make a raw tomato soup. I love tomato soup, so I am hoping it will satisfy my craving. Anyhow, after 1 day, I have lost 2.5#, and I am happy with that!
After watching that documentary many months ago, I began following Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead on Facebook. Their website is a wealth of information for those about to juice! or who would like to learn more about such things. Check it out! Its all about "rebooting" your life through a juice fast. Proponents of juicing claim that a juice fast will detoxify your body. Just think about all of the poisons ingested through commercial produce, meats or processed foods. Juicing for a period of time, will allow your body to excrete all of the built up toxins, and begin functioning at an optimal level again. Thats what I'm aiming for! A posting last weekend on Facebook announced a 5 day group Reboot to begin Monday. I joined immediately! Its fine to think about doing something.....which I have been for a couple of months now......but, the camaraderie of fellow Rebooters was just what I needed to actually implement this huge change! I, along with some 800+ other Rebooters, began the journey on Monday. It is now Tuesday, and I have survived thus far! If I can get thru 1 day.....I know I can do many more. In fact, my plan is to NOT stop after 5 days. I'd like to go for 30 days before taking a break. But 1 day at a time. I should also mention that I am doing what they call a "modified reboot", meaning that along with juicing, I also eat raw fruits and veggies. Perhaps, one day, I will limit myself to strictly juice....but, for now, this is the path I will follow.! I must admit, I am craving something more food like, so tonight I will make a raw tomato soup. I love tomato soup, so I am hoping it will satisfy my craving. Anyhow, after 1 day, I have lost 2.5#, and I am happy with that!
Tuesday, June 12, 2012
Yes, it was bound to happen......I got busy, and then summer vacation arrived, and amazingly enough I've been making sales on Etsy....customized items, which of course has kept me hopping.
Check out some of my new items! My plain upcylced leather bracelets have been adorned with hand stamped copper tags or in some cases, antique silverware handles. I'm trying to find new ways to incoporate all of the olde odds & ends I accumulate......
I have thought of plenty of topics to write about it, but haven't taken the time to sit down and do it. Besides being busy creating uncommon adornments.....I've been outside hiking, or more often biking, every single day! Good for me, you betcha~! We leave on our annual family vacation on Friday, so I may not settle into a good summer routine til after that.....but, I do plan on waking earlier, and biking in the cool morn....then having the rest of the day for chores, creating and blogging about creating......that is the plan!
So please check back in a week or so.......I'll have lots to share!
Check out some of my new items! My plain upcylced leather bracelets have been adorned with hand stamped copper tags or in some cases, antique silverware handles. I'm trying to find new ways to incoporate all of the olde odds & ends I accumulate......
I have thought of plenty of topics to write about it, but haven't taken the time to sit down and do it. Besides being busy creating uncommon adornments.....I've been outside hiking, or more often biking, every single day! Good for me, you betcha~! We leave on our annual family vacation on Friday, so I may not settle into a good summer routine til after that.....but, I do plan on waking earlier, and biking in the cool morn....then having the rest of the day for chores, creating and blogging about creating......that is the plan!
So please check back in a week or so.......I'll have lots to share!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Dandelion Jelly
Now, I've heard of Dandelion Wine, and I know that Dandelion leaves have great nutritional value and can be added to salads or even juiced (tho I haven't tried that yet)......but, I'd never heard of Dandelion Jelly.
I made my first foray into jams & jellies last year, and am, by no stretch of the imagination, (not even in my own head) any sort of expert. I am, at most, an eager & optimistic novice. But, that's never stopped me before, nor now! So I quickly went out in the yard (in my jammies even) and gathered all of the little yellow flower heads I could find.....which, unfortunately was not as much as I had hoped for. After lawn mowing last week, I had tons of the fuzzy tops popped up all over the yard, but the yellow ones were hard to come by. After 2 trips around our little acre, I had about 4 cups of dandelion heads.....which luckily, was just about enough for the recipe I had found online (trimmed petals came to about 2 cups).
If you've never made jelly.....you may not know that pectin is required to make it jell. Or maybe you do know that, if you've been reading your jelly labels. However, the first jam recipe I made was from a magazine article, and of course I wanted to make it "right now". I didn't have any pectin in my kitchen as I've never used it before, but I did have tons of berries & sugar on hand so I didn't let the absence of pectin stop me. I will find a way! So I started searching on the internet to see if it was possible to make jam without pectin. It was in this search that I became aware of what pectin is: its naturally derived primarily from the skins (cell walls) & cores of tart, under ripe or citrus fruits. That part is great! However, the commercial processing of pectin leaves a bit to be desired. And here, there's lots of room for debate, opinion, etc........but, for me.......the idea of processing & washing with alcohols, ammonia, calcium salts, etc. does not sound appealing. Some will say that these are all "natural" and the finished product is simply a usable form of the original pectin.....and they may very well be right. But....for me.....I prefer minimal processing, and prefer to do any necessary processing myself. Which is why I refused to go out and buy pectin!
My triple berry jam of last year, turned out amazing! However, the more I'm reading about pectin, it could be a hit or miss with low pectin fruit jams. Maybe I got lucky with my berries, as they are not exceeedingly high in pectin. Or maybe I just cooked it long & hard enough to jell.
Saturday, April 28, 2012
When Your Soap Isn't Soap
He asked me, "What's wrong with store-bought soap?"
So, it occurs to me, that the majority of people do not know or realize that there IS something wrong with store-bought "soap". First and foremost, your store-bought soap, though enticingly fragranced and perhaps beautiful to behold, is actually......not soap at all!
Soaps are made from oils, either animal or vegetable. Lye and water are added to these oils and "saponification" takes place. You have a bar of soap!
Sometime, during one of the world wars, as oils became scarce....manufacturers needed to find new ways to make cleansers, and soon, synthetic detergents were created. Loads of chemical lathering agents, synthetic colors and fragrances give a deceivingly soap like presence, but your skin knows the difference. In addition, other manufacturers began removing the beneficial glycerin that is produced during the saponification process, in order to increase profits by selling it to other manufacturers.....replacing it with artificial ingredients or chemicals. These detergents and chemicals strip your skin of their natural moisture, (oils) and require you to slather on lotions and moisturizers....never realizing that you are creating the problem. Even more alarming than the drying effects is the fact that your skin absorbs the chemicals from these cleansers, and they are then stored in your fat cells or other organs. Over time they build up, and as any other toxin you might ingest, have the capacity to cause great illness. Its really no different than eating pesticide laden produce. You should know that these chemical additives are not exclusively found in cleansing bars, but also in most other mass-produced bath & body items, ie: conditioners, shampoos, lotions, even toothpastes. Don't get me started on antiperspirants/deodorants!
What can you do? Inform yourself. Make your own soap, or find someone who does. You may pay a little more for that soap, but you'll find it lasts a lot longer than store bought cleansers, AND you won't spend a lot of extra money on moisturizers!
What real soap can do for you? Restore your natural skin balance and eliminate the need for moisturizers (or at the very least decrease the need). Really? Really!
My favorite soap is a simple, olde fashioned bar of Castille, or Olive Oil soap. Its the only soap you need!
Saturday, April 14, 2012
Organic Beef? Not Always What You'd Expect!
I've been buying organic meat at the grocery store for some time now. Organic beef ranges from about $5/lb for ground beef to $10-$20/lb (or more) for other cuts.....when you can find it. This can quickly become prohibitively expensive, particularly when you really love beef! So when a co-worker told me of her "organic" beef supplier that sells whole, halves or quarters for about $2.69/lb.....I was amazed and intrigued to say the very least! Unfortunately, when I finally got around to calling the supplier, she said she already had a full load coming to Illinois in June (this is her drop-off point), so could only accept orders for the next trip, which would be in August. I was extremely disappointed, but this is definitely a case of bad news turning into good news! Just wait!
So, I proceeded to ask for more information from the supplier, and expected to go ahead and place an order for August. Well, as it turns out, her beef is not organic. She calls it natural, or as close to organic as you can get without being organic. She went on to tell me that the cost of organic feed is too expensive, and would more than likely quadruple her price. She also quoted me a similar cost as my friend had mentioned, but explained that the cost could vary depending on the price of corn this summer. Hmmmmmm....so she feeds her cattle corn. Haven't I heard alot about "grass fed" cattle? Is it alright to feed your cattle corn? I decided to do some research when I got home, to find out if corn is an acceptable feed for cattle, and also, what exactly is the difference between organic, natural and grass fed? Do I have to buy organic? Is it good enough to buy beef that has simply been raised natural, but not necessarily certified organic?
Let's start with commercial cattle. Their story is not a pretty one, and I won't linger too long. They spend a few months after birth grazing on grassland, but are soon transferred to a commercial "feed-lot" where they are stuffed into stalls and fed almost exclusively grains in order to speed growth, not to mention the growth-enhancing antibiotics, hormones, feed additives, etc, etc.
So, what about organic cattle? This is where my paradigm shift comes!! Organic cattle are raised without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation or bio-engineering....this we all know. But, did you know that organic cattle are not necessarily "free-range" or "grass-fed"? In fact, they may indeed be transferred to feed-lots and fed organic grains to "finish" them up before slaughter. Although, to be certified organic, they must be certified "humane"....the USDA's opinion of humane and mine may differ greatly.
So, now its getting a little tricky.
What about grass-fed cattle? Is grass truly better? Yes it is!
Cattle are not meant to eat grains. Their natural diet is grass. A diet of grain is one of the primary reasons beef is considered unhealthy today. It is true. Grain fed beef can have nearly 50% of its fat as saturated, whereas, grass fed beef usually has less than 10% saturated fat.
Comparing grass fed beef to grain fed beef:
Alright....I'm convinced......grass fed beef is the way to go.
I found this great website, Eat Wild,......has lots of info and maps with links to grass fed cattle ranches in your area. You can read all about each ranch to see if it really fits in with your ideals.
I found quite a few close by to me, some organic, some not, but all stressed that they don't use antibiotics, hormones, etc. and their cattle graze freely in pesticide-free pastures.
Some are more expensive than others......and some are already sold out for early summer delivery.....so I expanded my search area, and clicked on a little ranch in Poynette WI. They don't have a website, but I emailed them to ask for a brochure. The little quip that showed up on the map stated that they are a "husband and wife operation dedicated to providing our customers with all naturally-raised meats on top of being good stewards to the environment. Our Galloway cattle are rotationally grazed on lush, rolling pastures. In winter, they are fed hay produced from fields on our farm. All our pastures (grasses and legumes) and hay are grown without chemical herbicides and pesticides. The cattle receive no grain. All our animals are treated humanely and do not receive any growth-enhancing antibiotics, steroids or hormones. The combination of quality food, humane treatment and a stress-free environment contributes to a lean, tender and flavorful meat."
Best news coming up now:
The gentleman replied right back to me......he is sending a brochure, but let me know that the deadline for ordering for early summer delivery is May 15th and the cost is $2.30/lb plus butcher's fee of course.
This is definitely where I am ordering my beef! I actually did a search of this little ranch, Rainbow Hill Farm, and turned up some interesting tidbits.
I found an article that actually offered more info then the quip on EatWild. The highlight of this article states that the owners attend the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference each year and strive to follow their mandates, as well as meeting all criteria for being listed as an organic, sustainable farm.
I'll do a follow-up after we actually get our meat, but, if you live in the area, I would already highly recommend that you check them out.
Let's start with commercial cattle. Their story is not a pretty one, and I won't linger too long. They spend a few months after birth grazing on grassland, but are soon transferred to a commercial "feed-lot" where they are stuffed into stalls and fed almost exclusively grains in order to speed growth, not to mention the growth-enhancing antibiotics, hormones, feed additives, etc, etc.
So, what about organic cattle? This is where my paradigm shift comes!! Organic cattle are raised without antibiotics, hormones, pesticides, irradiation or bio-engineering....this we all know. But, did you know that organic cattle are not necessarily "free-range" or "grass-fed"? In fact, they may indeed be transferred to feed-lots and fed organic grains to "finish" them up before slaughter. Although, to be certified organic, they must be certified "humane"....the USDA's opinion of humane and mine may differ greatly.
So, now its getting a little tricky.
What about grass-fed cattle? Is grass truly better? Yes it is!
Cattle are not meant to eat grains. Their natural diet is grass. A diet of grain is one of the primary reasons beef is considered unhealthy today. It is true. Grain fed beef can have nearly 50% of its fat as saturated, whereas, grass fed beef usually has less than 10% saturated fat.
Comparing grass fed beef to grain fed beef:
- Two to four times richer in heart healthy omega 3 fatty acids.
- Higher in "good" unsaturated fats and lower in "bad" saturated fats.
- Three to five times higher in CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) content.
- Loaded with over 400% more of vitamin A (as beta carotene) and E.
- Virtually devoid of risk of Mad Cow Disease.
Alright....I'm convinced......grass fed beef is the way to go.
I found this great website, Eat Wild,......has lots of info and maps with links to grass fed cattle ranches in your area. You can read all about each ranch to see if it really fits in with your ideals.
I found quite a few close by to me, some organic, some not, but all stressed that they don't use antibiotics, hormones, etc. and their cattle graze freely in pesticide-free pastures.
Some are more expensive than others......and some are already sold out for early summer delivery.....so I expanded my search area, and clicked on a little ranch in Poynette WI. They don't have a website, but I emailed them to ask for a brochure. The little quip that showed up on the map stated that they are a "husband and wife operation dedicated to providing our customers with all naturally-raised meats on top of being good stewards to the environment. Our Galloway cattle are rotationally grazed on lush, rolling pastures. In winter, they are fed hay produced from fields on our farm. All our pastures (grasses and legumes) and hay are grown without chemical herbicides and pesticides. The cattle receive no grain. All our animals are treated humanely and do not receive any growth-enhancing antibiotics, steroids or hormones. The combination of quality food, humane treatment and a stress-free environment contributes to a lean, tender and flavorful meat."
Best news coming up now:
The gentleman replied right back to me......he is sending a brochure, but let me know that the deadline for ordering for early summer delivery is May 15th and the cost is $2.30/lb plus butcher's fee of course.
This is definitely where I am ordering my beef! I actually did a search of this little ranch, Rainbow Hill Farm, and turned up some interesting tidbits.
I found an article that actually offered more info then the quip on EatWild. The highlight of this article states that the owners attend the Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service Conference each year and strive to follow their mandates, as well as meeting all criteria for being listed as an organic, sustainable farm.
I'll do a follow-up after we actually get our meat, but, if you live in the area, I would already highly recommend that you check them out.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Juicing.....Organics & Other Ramblings
No....not steroids....but another kind of healthy growth enhancers! My juicer has arrived and we just completed out first juicing session. I am so much more than thrilled! Even though I have been touting the benefits of juicing, and researched the juicers, ordered and anticipated the arrival of said machine.......underneath, I still had my doubts about whether or not I could actually stomach the drinking of VEGETABLE juices. Now those fears have been subdued as I just drank a big glass of orange-carrot juice. It was incredibly delicious! So, I now know I can at least drink carrots.
As you can see here, I've got tons of other veggies to try, so hopefully they go as smoothly. I'm still trying to find a good book with recipes. I may have to go out & buy one.
At any rate.....this is my plan.....to go thru these veggies one by one and create palatable flavor combinations so I not only tolerate, but actually enjoy what I'm drinking.
I should mention that all of these veggies (with the exception of the bag of Cuties) are organic. I can't stress enough the importance of buying organic.
Perhaps I should once again start at the beginning of my adventure. When I decided to embrace a more natural lifestyle, I began by eliminating preservatives and such in processed foods. I particularly watched for Partially Hydrogenated Oils AND High Fructose Corn Syrup. These poisons are everywhere, but especially in commercially prepared baked goods (cookies, crackers even supposedly fresh baked breads from your local grocery's bakery section. Read one of their labels!). I thought I was doing great!
But then again.....one thing leads to another.
Read that label again.
wheat flour, sugar, butter, salt
All natural ingredients, right? Not always so much......did you know that if an item states "sugar" as an ingredient, it probably includes a combination of sugar cane AND genetically modified sugar beets. In fact, nearly ALL sugar beets are now GMO. The only way you can be sure you're not getting GMO sugar is if the ingredient label states "pure cane sugar". What about wheat? Ask yourself, how was it grown? Commercially grown grains (as well as nearly all vegetables, legumes, fruits etc) are inundated with chemicals during the growing process, including poisonous pesticides & herbicides. Ok....butter sounds good, right? In fact, that butter probably came from a cow that received regular injections of drugs, hormones, & antibiotics, not to mention the forced feeding plans, and animal by-products in their feed. Add to that specialized breeding plans, and its nothing like nature intended.
What about simply washing fruits & veggies with a mixture of vinegar & dish soap? Well.....that may help a little, on some thicker skinned produce....but, in fact, pesticides are absorbed into the fruit and can't be completely washed away. Thinner skinned fruits & veggies like tomatoes & strawberries are particularly vulnerable, as well as root vegetables which absorb all of those pesticides so well as they grow in the soil.
So now.....we not only have to avoid preservatives in our foods, but we also have to avoid "natural" foods that have suspect growing methods. Pesticides, herbicides, GMO,, etc.
To make a really long story a wee bit shorter.......I've decided to simply BUY ORGANIC.
That's the simplest solution. Oops....one more thing.....even organic veggies can be tainted if they are packaged in a can with BPA laced lining. Tomatoes, again, are most susceptible to absorption of BPA.
I am shocked at how many organic companies package in BPA lined cans? Why don't they simply use jars? or BPA -free lining, as Eden Foods does?
DON'T BUY ANYTHING IN CAN'S UNLESS LABELED BPA-FREE!
I'll do another more detailed post soon regarding GMO. I think ts something most people don't really realize exists! They may have heard of it, but don't understand what & where it is.
Now....my next, personal step is growing my own vegetables. I don't even want to say how much I spent on that load of veggies up top (& it was from a discount type supermarket).
I do have one concern: how healthy is my soil? are there contaminants in it?
That will be my next research project.
Friday, March 30, 2012
Putting it All in Motion
My new juicer is on its way!
Now I need to find some juicing recipes to camouflage the vegetable tastes. Did I mention that I loathe vegetables? I simply can't stomach the taste. I literally gag. Wish there was a Sneaky Chef book for juicing!
The good news is: I truly love fruits.....so, I'm sure I can hide most anything!
Next step: New running shoes. Not that I am a runner.....but, I have enormous ambitions! At any rate, I needed a good pair of shoes for walking & working out.....with great faith that they will eventually lead me to running.
I decided to, finally, actually find out what kind of foot I have, in order to buy the appropriate shoe.
First off....to find out the state of my arch (which I have always thought was high), I dipped my foot into a pan of water and stepped onto a brown paper bag(flattened). It turns out my arch is somewhere between normal and high.
Next....I stood in front of a mirror to determine my pronation.
I have neutral pronation.
Now, there are lots of shoes out there, and I'm sure many have wonderful attributes....but, I decided on Saucony, as I'd read tons of reviews by avid runners exclaiming the virtues of many a Saucony shoe.
Choosing just one was a difficult decision. My main priority was versatility. I want to be able to walk or run on multiple surfaces, ie: road, trail, treadmill, as well as general work outs.....Plus....I wanted something lightweight, minimal so I would still be happy wearing them in the middle of the summer.
I decided on the ProGrid Peregrine, which features a "minimalist low profile" and multi-directional lug sole for traction on uneven surfaces, ie trails!
Can't wait for their arrival!
Thats enough spending for one day!
I'm off to the Library (imagine that in this day & age) to find some books on juicing, as well as Ed Begley's book on simple living.
Now I need to find some juicing recipes to camouflage the vegetable tastes. Did I mention that I loathe vegetables? I simply can't stomach the taste. I literally gag. Wish there was a Sneaky Chef book for juicing!
The good news is: I truly love fruits.....so, I'm sure I can hide most anything!
Next step: New running shoes. Not that I am a runner.....but, I have enormous ambitions! At any rate, I needed a good pair of shoes for walking & working out.....with great faith that they will eventually lead me to running.
I decided to, finally, actually find out what kind of foot I have, in order to buy the appropriate shoe.
First off....to find out the state of my arch (which I have always thought was high), I dipped my foot into a pan of water and stepped onto a brown paper bag(flattened). It turns out my arch is somewhere between normal and high.
Next....I stood in front of a mirror to determine my pronation.
I have neutral pronation.
Now, there are lots of shoes out there, and I'm sure many have wonderful attributes....but, I decided on Saucony, as I'd read tons of reviews by avid runners exclaiming the virtues of many a Saucony shoe.
Choosing just one was a difficult decision. My main priority was versatility. I want to be able to walk or run on multiple surfaces, ie: road, trail, treadmill, as well as general work outs.....Plus....I wanted something lightweight, minimal so I would still be happy wearing them in the middle of the summer.
I decided on the ProGrid Peregrine, which features a "minimalist low profile" and multi-directional lug sole for traction on uneven surfaces, ie trails!
Can't wait for their arrival!
Thats enough spending for one day!
I'm off to the Library (imagine that in this day & age) to find some books on juicing, as well as Ed Begley's book on simple living.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
More BPA!
WARNING! This post jumps around a bit...as I was researching as I was writing it.....
Didn't I just say that when you begin researching...you realize how much more there is to learn? One thing always does lead to another...... So, I was researching juicers.....discovering the differences of which I'd had no idea.
Hold on.....Let's start at my beginning:
My sister-in-law Carla posted a link to watch Hungry for a Change, by the producers of "Food Matters". So then I watched "Food Matters" too. Mostly they talk about things that I already know.....to get quickly to the point - about the amount of poisons in commercially processed foods. I have been expounding on the virtues of organic foods for over a year now....and slowing moving towards a complete organic lifestyle. (talk about one thing leading to another.......). The films also exhort on the benefits of juicing. Eating fruits & vegetables is fine & good....but they require digestion. Juicing, on the other hand, delivers all of the nutrients of the produce in a form that can be quickly assimilated by your body.....literally within 15 minutes, those nutrients are usable by all of your bodily systems. Amazing!
I learned so much more from these films, but that will have to wait for another post. So, on to my immediate search for a juicer!
1st.....There are several different types:
centrifugal
masticating(single gear/single auger)
upright masticating(even more versatile)
triturating(twin gear)
I had pretty much decided on the Omega J8003 masticating juicer. Masticating juicers are capable of juicing everything, including leafy green vegetables and wheatgrass. (centrifugal juicers cannot). The Omega is at the upper limit of my price range @ $229, but rated excellent, even better than some more expensive models. I was all ready to order one from Amazon.....but, wait! I thought I'd do a search to see if I could find one locally....no waiting!
I ended up stumbling on another review site......which listed some juicers I hadn't previously researched, and with capabilities I hadn't previously seen, ie: soy milk. The upright juicers can actually make soy milk! Amazing! So I started looking at those.....and they are at least $100 more expensive. Is the ability to make soy milk worth that extra dough? I had just about ruled that out.....but happened to start reading the description of the Kuvings Silent Juicer....
and here's where we're going with this....
"The Silent Juicer is the first of upright juicers to offer all BPA-Free Juicing components, including juice and pulp cups".
We've all heard about the BPA in baby bottles....and in receipts as I shared yesterday.....and I now avoid ALL canned goods unless they are BPA free. Yet, I had never made the link to small kitchen appliances which are constantly coming into contact with the food we eat. If you have a small appliance made with polycarbonite...it probably contains BPA. My food processor bowl probably contains BPA......my hot air popcorn popper probably contains BPA(did I mention that heated foods exacerbate the leaching of BPA?) And now.....most juicers probably have BPA in their juicing components! What is the point of buying organic produce, juicing for quick assimilation of nutrients into the body....only to contaminate those nutrients with our preparation method?!
UPDATE:
There is not a whole lot of info out there regarding BPA and juicers....except that the Kuvings version is BPA free. I have seen some claim that "the amount of time your produce spends touching the plastic surfaces of the juicer is minimal, and that the benefits far outweigh the perceived dangers"...but then they also show how the plastic augers of some juicers become scratched over time.....scratched, meaning another object has come into contact with the auger, and removed minute particles leaving a scratch in its wake. Minimal as it may be......it is a contaminant!
Do I want to compromise the integrity of my juice, and ultimately my health?
And do I want to spend $350 on my new juicer???
That is my BIG question today.
Oh....my research on plastics has revealed that ALL plastics leach into foods, particularly when they are reused and exponentially when they are heated, ie: water or soda bottle left in a hot car all day. (I have an "emergency" water bottle in my car...guess where that's going?) And pretty much ALL are endocrine disrupters as well.
Again....one thing always leads to another....
Its pretty tough to completely avoid plastics today.....especially if I want to juice! There may be juicers out there that are entirely stainless steel....but, I can't afford them.
So, we start here: " avoid those (plastic items) marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, or the letters PC, as these varieties are most likely to contain BPA".
And avoid exposing any plastic to heat.
Switch to jars and tetra packs where you can.
I know I'm going to check all over my house, and see what turns up. As for my juicer......I've made the decision to not compromise when it comes to "known poisons", ie: pesticides, BPA, etc....but, is this "BPA free" juicer really safer than the others? or are they all equally safe/unsafe?
My Bottom Line:
I think the centrifugal juicers may be slightly more unsafe, as they do produce some heat when they manipulate the food at high speed. Masticating juicers, on the other hand, work at a much lower speed, and maintain the cool temperature of the food. I'm also not happy with some of the reviews I've read regarding the Kuving's Juicer. SO.....I think in this instance, I am going to go with the Omega....at least until I can be assured my money is actually purchasing something more beneficial.
Didn't I just say that when you begin researching...you realize how much more there is to learn? One thing always does lead to another...... So, I was researching juicers.....discovering the differences of which I'd had no idea.
Hold on.....Let's start at my beginning:
My sister-in-law Carla posted a link to watch Hungry for a Change, by the producers of "Food Matters". So then I watched "Food Matters" too. Mostly they talk about things that I already know.....to get quickly to the point - about the amount of poisons in commercially processed foods. I have been expounding on the virtues of organic foods for over a year now....and slowing moving towards a complete organic lifestyle. (talk about one thing leading to another.......). The films also exhort on the benefits of juicing. Eating fruits & vegetables is fine & good....but they require digestion. Juicing, on the other hand, delivers all of the nutrients of the produce in a form that can be quickly assimilated by your body.....literally within 15 minutes, those nutrients are usable by all of your bodily systems. Amazing!
I learned so much more from these films, but that will have to wait for another post. So, on to my immediate search for a juicer!
1st.....There are several different types:
centrifugal
masticating(single gear/single auger)
upright masticating(even more versatile)
triturating(twin gear)
I had pretty much decided on the Omega J8003 masticating juicer. Masticating juicers are capable of juicing everything, including leafy green vegetables and wheatgrass. (centrifugal juicers cannot). The Omega is at the upper limit of my price range @ $229, but rated excellent, even better than some more expensive models. I was all ready to order one from Amazon.....but, wait! I thought I'd do a search to see if I could find one locally....no waiting!
I ended up stumbling on another review site......which listed some juicers I hadn't previously researched, and with capabilities I hadn't previously seen, ie: soy milk. The upright juicers can actually make soy milk! Amazing! So I started looking at those.....and they are at least $100 more expensive. Is the ability to make soy milk worth that extra dough? I had just about ruled that out.....but happened to start reading the description of the Kuvings Silent Juicer....
and here's where we're going with this....
"The Silent Juicer is the first of upright juicers to offer all BPA-Free Juicing components, including juice and pulp cups".
We've all heard about the BPA in baby bottles....and in receipts as I shared yesterday.....and I now avoid ALL canned goods unless they are BPA free. Yet, I had never made the link to small kitchen appliances which are constantly coming into contact with the food we eat. If you have a small appliance made with polycarbonite...it probably contains BPA. My food processor bowl probably contains BPA......my hot air popcorn popper probably contains BPA(did I mention that heated foods exacerbate the leaching of BPA?) And now.....most juicers probably have BPA in their juicing components! What is the point of buying organic produce, juicing for quick assimilation of nutrients into the body....only to contaminate those nutrients with our preparation method?!
UPDATE:
There is not a whole lot of info out there regarding BPA and juicers....except that the Kuvings version is BPA free. I have seen some claim that "the amount of time your produce spends touching the plastic surfaces of the juicer is minimal, and that the benefits far outweigh the perceived dangers"...but then they also show how the plastic augers of some juicers become scratched over time.....scratched, meaning another object has come into contact with the auger, and removed minute particles leaving a scratch in its wake. Minimal as it may be......it is a contaminant!
Do I want to compromise the integrity of my juice, and ultimately my health?
And do I want to spend $350 on my new juicer???
That is my BIG question today.
Oh....my research on plastics has revealed that ALL plastics leach into foods, particularly when they are reused and exponentially when they are heated, ie: water or soda bottle left in a hot car all day. (I have an "emergency" water bottle in my car...guess where that's going?) And pretty much ALL are endocrine disrupters as well.
Again....one thing always leads to another....
Its pretty tough to completely avoid plastics today.....especially if I want to juice! There may be juicers out there that are entirely stainless steel....but, I can't afford them.
So, we start here: " avoid those (plastic items) marked on the bottom with the recycling label No. 7, or the letters PC, as these varieties are most likely to contain BPA".
And avoid exposing any plastic to heat.
Switch to jars and tetra packs where you can.
I know I'm going to check all over my house, and see what turns up. As for my juicer......I've made the decision to not compromise when it comes to "known poisons", ie: pesticides, BPA, etc....but, is this "BPA free" juicer really safer than the others? or are they all equally safe/unsafe?
My Bottom Line:
I think the centrifugal juicers may be slightly more unsafe, as they do produce some heat when they manipulate the food at high speed. Masticating juicers, on the other hand, work at a much lower speed, and maintain the cool temperature of the food. I'm also not happy with some of the reviews I've read regarding the Kuving's Juicer. SO.....I think in this instance, I am going to go with the Omega....at least until I can be assured my money is actually purchasing something more beneficial.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Has It Really Been That Long??
My last post was nearly 3 years ago???? I can't believe it! But dates don't lie....
Anyhow...here I am again.
I'm still creating as inspiration moves me.....
but I think I may primarily use this site to share my knowledge and learning regarding my transition to a more healthy lifestyle. I've had some urging from friends to share what I glean as I move along my path. I've recently been inspired by my sister-in-law Carla and her new blog.....check it out! Receipts & BPA. She talks about the dangers of BPA in a most unexpected place. I was aware of this, but not to the depth she covers. The more you learn...the more you realize how much more there is to learn! One thing always leads to another, and so forth, and so on......
Stick with me......I'm looking into purchasing a juicer....so I think my first definitive post will be about juicing and all of it benefits. Look for it in a day or so. (not sure if I can keep up with a daily blog...but we'll see)
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