Thursday, August 19, 2010

Week 3 Weigh In

A little late...

2 more pounds down for a total of 9 pounds in 3 weeks.  Down to 267, and that was with my "cheats" in Sesame Place.  Hopefully an even better report Monday.

Thursday, August 12, 2010

Product Reviews

Over these couple of weeks I have been trying desperately to find some products that will give me flexibility in cooking and eating.  I figured I would give some "reviews" of some of the things I have found.

Earth Balance Soy Free Buttery Spread

THUMBS UP!
With this "butter" I feel like I am eating the real thing.  I have found with non-dairy products, almost all of them use soy to replace the milk they take out.  This soy free spread does the trick.  I have cooked with it, I have spread it on my rice bread, put it on veggies and I have no complaints!  I wish they would make more products...





Rice Vegan Cheese Slices - Cheddar

THUMBS DOWN!
I was so excited to find a dairy free, soy free cheese.  I went to Whole Foods to find another brand I found on the web, and when they didn't have it, I was disappointed til I found this.  Unfortunately when I got it home I was still disappointed.  The taste isn't bad...I actually think it is better than regular fat free cheese (which isn't really hard to do).  But right on the package it says "made for melting" and nothing could be further from the truth.  When I put it on my burger it wrinkled up and started to harden on the edges, and nothing happened in the middle.  Melting it did not do.  I also tried putting it in my scrambled eggs one morning.  It still didn't melt well, but it was better than when  I tried it on the grill.  It also has an "off" taste to it, not like cheddar.  I will continue to use it until the package is done, but I don't intend on buying it again.

Rice Vegan Cheese Slices - Mozzarella

THUMBS UP!
This is the same product as above, but different flavor and what a difference! This cheese tastes close to mozzarella, melts well, and is even "stringy" like real mozzarella.  I also had this on a burger and it was a big difference from the cheddar.  Yummy and melty. :)  Next I have to try the American.





I will continue this over the next few days...this is fun :)  If you follow a similar lifestyle and have some good products to recommend, I am all ears!

Happy Birthday

My birthday was last Wednesday, and with that brought the debate in my head "To have "real" cake or to stay on course?"  A friend of mine had a birthday party a couple of years ago and the cake was really good, when we asked about it she told me it was a gluten free, dairy free cake.  So off I go to Whole Foods.

Well I was disappointed because the bakery had nothing of the sort, so I am guessing it is something you need to order ahead of time.  The baker took me to the frozen area and showed me the "cakes" there - definitely not what I would call birthday cakes.  So I was getting frustrated, I decided to do the rest of my shopping, and was thinking I was going to have my regular ol ice cream cake and forget about it.

As I was walking around I came across Pamela's Classic Vanilla Cake Mix and Cherrybrook Kitchen Vanilla Frosting Mix . So I decided to try my hand at making my own birthday cake.  Not my first choice, but probably the best choice in my situation.

Review:  I liked the cake...it was a little dense, but I am finding that all gluten free baked goods have a similar dense quality.  I also think it needs some kind on frosting or topping, because I don't think I would have liked it plain.  The frosting on the other hand was a different story.  It was way too sweet/oily/buttery.  It was almost all confectioners sugar and you could tell it.  I don't think I would get it again.  It was ok in small amounts so I didn't have to eat the cake plain, but I couldn't take much more.

Here it is:

Week 2 Weigh In

I lost another 3 pounds for a total of 7 pounds in 2 weeks...269 from 276...I'll take it.  I think I was expecting more of a loss each week, but I have to remind myself that this isn't bad at all!  I really have to get into some kind of exercise though...that's the next hurdle.

Ugh!

This is exactly why I hesitated in starting a blog.  I am always so bad in keeping up with journals of any kind.  I am sorry!  I will be home most of the day tomorrow and I plan on catching up...promise to do better :)

Wednesday, August 4, 2010

Family Night

Well all, today was a challenge.  It was more a challenge in time than food, but one affected the other.  I woke up late, which isn't much of a big deal, except that now since I can't eat 30 min before or 2 hours after eating, it affects meals, and water intake, which is honestly a pain in the rear.  There is definitely a domino effect...I didn't get my powdered supplement in, because it goes in my water, which I didn't get all in.

Then we had company and because of the way my water was, I couldn't eat before they got there, and therefore couldn't eat until after they left, which resulted in a hungry Michelle and dinner after 10 pm.  Because of the late dinner I would have had to wait until almost 1 am to finish my water/supplements, and that just wasn't happening, I was pooped!

The other thing I am coming to hate is that powdered supplement itself.  I don't like the way it tastes and no matter how much water I use and no matter how much I stir it, the last sip always has a nasty, vitamin tasting residue that literally makes me gag.  After some internet research I have found out that the same exact thing comes in a pill form rather than a powder, so I will be emailing my doc to find out if I can replace it.

Without further ado....

BREAKFAST
Watermelon (was STARVING before lunch, wasn't enough)

LUNCH
4 slices rice/almond bread with butter substitute
Hummus with Terra chips

DINNER
Chicken breast with fresh salsa
Hot dog with mustard

SNACK
None

Monday, August 2, 2010

Semi Normal Day

Today was the first day that I felt like I wasn't scrambling.  I felt like I had somewhat of a plan, and I was able to actually follow through.  I got all my water in for the first time (yay!) and I took my supplements.  I had 3 meals (for lack of a better term) and a snack.

I am hoping to get to WF soon to make some purchases, and I am trying a new recipe for the 1st time tomorrow.  I am looking forward to something other than a salad or grilled chicken.  This whole dinner thing is still stymieing me.  Tonight it was macaroni and cheese for Connor, chicken casserole with rice for my dad, and grilled chicken with tomato/cucumber salad for me. Takes too much time and makes too many dishes!

BREAKFAST
Peach
Banana
Watermelon

LUNCH
Salad with tuna and seeds (sunflower, sesame and pumpkin - all raw)
"Safe" french dressing
Hummus and cucumber

DINNER
Grilled chicken
Tomato and Cucumber salad

SNACK
Rice Krispies with rice milk

Week 1 Weigh In

Got on the scale today...down 4 pounds to 272.  I was a little disappointed, but then again my "friend" is visiting (sorry male readers!) and I am hoping that is tacking on a few.

No big changes in mood, energy, overall feeling that I can notice.  I can say that I haven't had a migraine, which I usually get at this time of the month. (Hope I didn't jinx it!)  I will always take a migraine free week :)

On to week 2!

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Breaking Down the Weekend

Sorry for the delay everyone, I know you anxiously await my posts every day (ha ha ha).  I am going to try to summarize my meals and activities for the past 4 days as best as I can remember.

THURSDAY
I spent a large part of the late morning/early afternoon at an appointment I had.  I wish I had planned ahead for snacks or lunch.  It isn't good to get too hungry, and I definitely have to get into the habit of carrying water with me. I actually am having a hard time remembering what I DID eat throughout the day...so this report may be a little sketchy.

Breakfast
Peach
Banana

Lunch
Hummus with rice crackers
Almond butter and all fruit jelly on rice bread (the jelly was strawberry, and I'm not supposed to have strawberry...have to get new jelly!)



Dinner
I am racking my brain trying to remember what I had and I just cant...if it comes to me I will come edit...

Snack
Hummus and veggie chips
Rice Dreams ice cream

FRIDAY
We spent the day at Land of Make Believe.  After the fiasco of bringing my food to the beach, I decided to make the best of what I could find there.

Breakfast
2 bananas
2 little boxes of raisins

Lunch
2 hot dogs, no buns, dipped in mustard (not quite gourmet dining...and not exactly low in fat)

Dinner
Salad with turkey and roast beef, with homemade garlic dill dressing

Snack
Not positive, maybe Rice Dreams and nuts

SATURDAY
Went to the Mets game, we left late morning, so dinner was at the park.  I did find out that Citifield has a gluten free stand, so I was looking forward to checking that out.  I didn't make it to the Montclair Farmers Market.  I actually forgot about it until it was too late.

Breakfast
Rice Krispies with rice milk

Lunch
If I had lunch I can't remember...I think breakfast was late (isn't that horrible! lol can't remember yesterday!)

Dinner
2 hot dogs at the stadium on gluten free rolls....one with peppers and onions, one mustard
**As far as the buns go, they were very dense and not great...I think next time I would rather spend less and just not eat the regular bun...or get a grilled chicken salad, which I saw after buying the dogs

No Snack

SUNDAY (TODAY)
I was looking forward to relaxing after church today.  It was a whirlwind week.  I stopped at the Nutley Farmers Market on the way home, but I went there specifically to get eggs from Ken (Havenwood Farms) and he was sold out!  I have to get to Terra Tea in Montclair to pick some up.  I have also been working on grocery shopping since Friday. 

This is the most frustrating thing for me with all this.  I can't find recipes for things I can have, let alone recipes that I can have that I can also adapt for my father so I don't have to make 3 meals every night.  I vented a little earlier, so I wont go into it again, but I just need to stress that I need MEALS.  I feel like I have been nibbling and snacking my way through the day, and I can't continue like that, and I know I won't stay with this if it continues, so I just keep researching....

Breakfast
Peach

Lunch - which on Sundays is dinner in an Italian house!
London Broil
Tomato and Cucumber Salad


Dinner/Snack
Terra chips with fresh salsa
Rice Dreams ice cream
Rice bread with butter substitute
Almonds

I found a great butter substitute...Earth Balance soy free butter spread.  If anyone is looking for something to replace butter, I highly recommend it!

Almost midnight...time to get some zzzzzzzzzzs!

I'm Here

I haven't dropped off the face of the earth!  These past few days have been non stop!  Baseball games, amusement parks, doctors appointments....either haven't had time or energy to post at night.

I have been staying on plan and doing what I am supposed to.  I hope it pays off because it isn't easy.

Right now I just came to vent a little. I am almost in tears with frustration and confusion in trying to find recipes, figure out products I can have, and then where I can buy them. I am feeling like a hamster on a wheel, getting lots of information and not knowing how to process or use it to the best of my ability.  I look things up on the internet and feel like I get nowhere.  I find something...a product or a recipe that looks good...I scroll through the ingredients and BAM, inevitably there there is something  I can't have (coconut and soy most commonly) and I am back to square one.

OK, vent over, I am tired and need a nap :)

Wednesday, July 28, 2010

Mish Mosh

What a whirlwind day!  Seems like summer is all about flying by the seat of my pants, which I am not always the best at!  Example:  I forgot to take my iron supplement this morning, and I haven't taken my "Red Lightning" stuff yet either.  Not good.  I still have time to take the second iron and the powder...as long as I stay up a couple more hours.

Which brings me to my next big challenge - water.  I can't drink anything 30 min before or 2 hours after I eat.  I am supposed to drink 64 - 88 oz of water every day.  I just don't find the time to do it!  I guess I need to chug?  Not a fun thought for someone who isn't a fan in the 1st place.

Today's food was a mish mosh as my title intimated.  I think this is basically how the rest of this week is going to go until I figure things out better and get a menu plan in place.  I had friends over today, and they were so considerate!  When we get together, it's usually a potluck type affair.  One friend brought rice pasta with homemade pesto that was SO yummy!  (Thanks Sonja!) and another brought a veggie frittata (thanks Linda!) that were all gluten free, dairy free, and all that other fun stuff.  I thought that was so nice and everything was so good!

I also made another trip to Whole Foods today.  Now that I have talked to some others out there in similar situations, and have forgone the "prepackaged" menu for the week I wanted to check out some options.  $40+ later here is what I decided on...rice/almond bread, rice pasta, Rice Dreams carob almond ice cream, agave nectar, almond milk, dairy free butter substitute, terra chips, almond butter, french dressing that is ok for me, hummus (my new addiction), Italian tuna that my friend recommended, and rice crackers.  So of course I want to try everything to see if I like it, lol, adding to my mish mosh meals today :)

Another challenge is dealing with cooking for a picky toddler.  Today I made him grilled cheese (with mozzarella cheese no less!) and he didn't eat it cause "he doesn't like white cheese".  Now there is a perfectly good off limit sandwich that is tempting me, so then I had to make him "peanut butter bread"...think about how many times you subconsciously lick your fingers or take a nibble!  All things I really like that I can't have.  It is going to be tough, but I will be ok.

Well without further ado...here is the mish mosh menu...hope I can remember it all!

Breakfast:
Peach
Watermelon
Banana

Lunch:
Pesto rice pasta
Veggie fritatta
Hummus and carrots

Dinner:
Terra chips
Rice pasta with sauce (homemade gravy - think there was too much meat in it)
Slice of rice/almond bread with almond butter

Snack
Rice Dreams (ice cream) - thats whats planned at least - if I don't like it its out the window.

I need more protein, but I can't have grains and meat together - too much rice pasta today!  Hoping things will start gelling tomorrow.  Have to start working on next week's menu too.  Night :)

Tuesday, July 27, 2010

Progress Not Perfection

Day two was much smoother than day 1, but there are definitely kinks I need to work out.  Making 3 different dinners was definitely not fun.  I also need to figure out how to get all the water in when I am not supposed to drink 30 min before or 2 hours after a meal.  Seems nearly impossible to me.

My next mission is to try to find something I can use in my coffee other than rice milk, because that just didn't cut it this morning...blech...too watery!  I need something creamy....

I want to say how grateful I am for the help I am getting from other wf, df etc friends for all the tips and tricks.  Especially Krista...I text her for salad dressing help and she texts me right back and next thing I know I am having an amazing garlic dill dressing on my salad for lunch!  I so appreciate it!

I emailed my doc today with a bunch of questions about things like sweetener, protein with my fruit in the morning, can I have goat cheese (conflicting info in handouts), and stuff like that.  I'll let you know how I make out.

One thing I notice is that I feel like I am just snacking and not having a "meal".  I know that will change when I am more comfortable and I find more recipes, but it is kind of scattered right now...

It's late and I'm getting tired, so let me post my menu for the day and regroup :)

Breakfast:
Slice of watermelon
Peach
Banana

Lunch:
Really yummy salad:
Romaine, spinach, red pepper, cucumber, carrot, homemade garlic dill dressing, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and sesame seeds, chopped chicken

Dinner:
Salmon (lemon and dill - leftover from yesterday), garlic dill dressing, walnuts, pecans and almonds

Snack:
Hummus cucumber and tomato

The Best Laid Plans

I got on the scale yesterday.  I need a starting point right?  It's been a while, and when you see the number, you'll know why.  I debated on whether or not to post the number because I was embarrassed.  I decided on full disclosure, because it's likely if you're reading this you know what I look like anyway, and the only way to celebrate where I'm going is to acknowledge where I've been.  So I am starting this journey weighing 276 pounds, the heaviest I have ever been.

Well day 1 can be summed up in one phrase..."learning experience".  I did, for the most part, stay on plan...but it was a little frustrating.  If you remember, because I was so overwhelmed with planning, I decided to use the sample menu I was given.  There are two big lessons I learned.

1. WHEN STARTING AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY OF EATING, DON'T TRY TO EAT FOODS YOU KNOW YOU DON'T LIKE
On my menu for day 1 were things like figs, dates, and prunes...all of which I don't like.  I also had a vinaigrette with my salad and every since I was pregnant I can't eat sour foods like vinaigrettes, pickles and such.  Also, not every green in the world has to be in my salad...if parsley isn't a main ingredient its ok :)  I was choking down foods just to get them in, and that shouldn't be happening if i am going to do this for the rest of my life.


2. WHEN GOING TO BE OUT FOR THE DAY, ESPECIALLY AT THE BEACH, KEEP IT SIMPLE NO MATTER WHAT THE MENU SAYS.
I was so determined to "do good" my 1st day, and follow the menu perfectly.  I planned ahead, I prepped the day before, juiced my juice, made my salad, my dressing, baked my yam, got everything together and packed it all up.  Well I learned that eating a cold yam on the beach is disgusting, and the thought of eating that salad out there just didn't didn't sit well with me.  The juice...the thought is turning my stomach as I type...lets just say I left a nice pile of pink sand in  Ocean Grove :)  It would have been smarter to keep it simple and eat for the beach and not for the menu.

So overall I stayed true to the diet, but not true to the menu.  I think that is what I am going to be doing from here on in.  My salad in the evening had a salad dressing that had some sugar but that was the worst of it.  

So day 1 here was my menu:
Breakfast: 
Slice of watermelon
1/2 pint of raspberries
3 dried figs
3 prunes
1 date
15 raisins
banana


Lunch:
A very little bit of carrot/beet/cucumber juice
Bite of a yam
(lunch was pretty much a bust)


Dinner:
Baked salmon with lemon and dill
Some almonds
Salad with sesame ginger dressing (wheat free, dairy free but not sugar free)


Snack:
Hummus and cucumber

Monday, July 26, 2010

What Was I Thinking?!

I am very excited about this journey...but what the heck made me start it the week my father is on vacation?  This means lots of day trips and extra planning and prep...ugh!

We are going to the beach tomorrow so I just finished getting my breakfast and lunch together.  I will give menu details tomorrow, but I just got lots of fruit cut and counted, had my first adventure with the juicer, baked a yam and made salad with homemade dressing.  It is now almost 12:30, I am completely exhausted and I have a super messy kitchen to clean.  And did I mention I have to go buy a little cooler to bring all this stuff to the beach tomorrow?!

Night all!

Sunday, July 25, 2010

Rules and Regulations

OK...tomorrow is the big day.  Time to start getting healthy.  Here is somewhat comprehensive list as to what it is I am actually trying to follow...

Suggested Lifestyle Changes
  • Eat for your blood type
  • Proper food combining
  • Avoid all wheat products
  • Avoid all dairy
  • Avoid drinking with meals
  • Avoid all soy products
  • Avoid all carbonated beverages
  • Avoid all chocolate (!)
  • Diet should consist of minimum 50% raw foods
What does "eating for your blood type" mean?  I am Type O, so for me, in general, it means:
  • Eat lean, chemical free meat (high protein/low carb)
  • Do not attempt to be a vegetarian
  • Cut out wheat and most other grains
  • Engage in vigorous aerobic exercise
Some specific things I need to avoid because of my blood type, that I am going to miss are:
  • Pork
  • Cashews
  • Peanuts/Peanut Butter
  • Corn
  • Eggplant
  • Mushrooms
  • Olives
  • Blackberries
  • Strawberries
  • Coconut
  • Oranges/Orange Juice
  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Vanilla 
My body is also acidic, so I need to try to eat more alkaline foods...won't bore you with that list but there is a lot of overlap.

I think that's just about all my guidelines.  Menu is planned...time to start prepping!