I've gone through a lot of phases with food the last few years. For a while I was really into couponing- it really was amazing to spend so little & get so much, even if it was mostly garbage. I was hoping that we could store it & use it bit by bit for school lunches. Of course the kidos figured out where it was, and over time my stash disappeared. That phase lasted about a year until Albertson's grocery store sold out to Fresh Market, and I couldn't find as many screamin' deals.
I switched to a program called Deals to Meals, where they would plan out your weekly menu, and also tell where to get the foods on your shopping list for the lowest price. I really liked this program, and the recipes were EXCELLENT. We're talkin' make your mouth water, everyone wants seconds and thirds types of comfort food. I loved that I had a shopping list ready to go, and that I fed my family food they enjoyed. I felt like the best cook ever. I just cancelled my subscription this month. The food just wasn't healthy.
In both programs I mentioned, there was emphasis on finding the best deals. Getting the most you can for the least amount of money. Now that has all changed. Now that I'm trying to buy as much organic, natural, whole foods as possible, my thriftiness has gone out the window! Last month I just eked by, and my food budget went to pot. This month I tweaked a few things with the budget, but it's still looking I'll be way over.
When I get this all figured out, I'll be sure to let you know how I did it. I've seen a few whole food blogs where they say they feed a family of four, or a family of five on $500-600/month for food. But I think that they were blogs where they still use wheat- they just soak it first. Wheat is cheap! Almond flour is not! I'm sure there are more tips out there. I'm anxious to find them & will keep you posted.
Monday, October 10, 2011
Friday, October 7, 2011
GAPS Diet
Have you ever heard of the GAPS diet? I hadn't a month ago, but the more I hear, the more intrigued I am. Here is the first video of six that give background and explain it. I recommend watching all six videos. They talk about autistic children, but it also applies to children with ADHD, and other behavioral problems.
I have a son with ADHD, and we face challenges every day in working through it. I have a nephew who is autistic. If this works, then why doesn't everyone do it? In first looking at the diet, it's overwhelming! It is a lot different from how we normally eat, and takes a huge lifestyle change. I asked my son if he knew that eating the way I do would help him be able to concentrate and not take his medicine anymore would he do it? And he said no way. That surprised me, because his ADHD causes a lot of stress. He loves his treats, though, and it seems like torture for him to take them away.
The more I read about GAPS, though, the more convinced I am that we need to do this as a family. I found a blog called Health Home Happy, and there is so much great information! My favorite resource is the monthly GAPS diet meal plans with shopping list. I had been using a similar service, but the food wasn't healthy, so I cancelled. I loved the convenience of having it all planned out for me, though, so I'm really glad that I found a resource for this.
The GAPS diet is very much like what I now eat. There is an even more restrictive diet that is necessary for those who have severe issues, which is called the GAPS introduction diet. You're supposed to do that for one to six or more months, depending on the severity of the problem. It helps heal the gut, which is the basis for these mental problems. Then you would do the regular GAPS diet that isn't as restrictive.
I've ordered the meal planning for one month, and am going to try it for my whole family. My husband is ready to hop on board & eat healthier, too, so this will be a way that we can all eat together rather than me with my meals separately. I think this will be a good starting point for us, and then maybe in January I can start the Introduction diet with my hubby & a few of my kids. I'm pretty sure I'll need that more intensive program. OKAY! Monday we're in!
I have a son with ADHD, and we face challenges every day in working through it. I have a nephew who is autistic. If this works, then why doesn't everyone do it? In first looking at the diet, it's overwhelming! It is a lot different from how we normally eat, and takes a huge lifestyle change. I asked my son if he knew that eating the way I do would help him be able to concentrate and not take his medicine anymore would he do it? And he said no way. That surprised me, because his ADHD causes a lot of stress. He loves his treats, though, and it seems like torture for him to take them away.
The more I read about GAPS, though, the more convinced I am that we need to do this as a family. I found a blog called Health Home Happy, and there is so much great information! My favorite resource is the monthly GAPS diet meal plans with shopping list. I had been using a similar service, but the food wasn't healthy, so I cancelled. I loved the convenience of having it all planned out for me, though, so I'm really glad that I found a resource for this.
The GAPS diet is very much like what I now eat. There is an even more restrictive diet that is necessary for those who have severe issues, which is called the GAPS introduction diet. You're supposed to do that for one to six or more months, depending on the severity of the problem. It helps heal the gut, which is the basis for these mental problems. Then you would do the regular GAPS diet that isn't as restrictive.
I've ordered the meal planning for one month, and am going to try it for my whole family. My husband is ready to hop on board & eat healthier, too, so this will be a way that we can all eat together rather than me with my meals separately. I think this will be a good starting point for us, and then maybe in January I can start the Introduction diet with my hubby & a few of my kids. I'm pretty sure I'll need that more intensive program. OKAY! Monday we're in!
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Oh, This Was GOOD!
Short on time, but this was my juice this morning:
Ginger Root Boost
1 inch slice ginger root
Juice from 1 fresh lemon (I used 1/2 because I was almost out & needed the other 1/2 for my lunch salad!)
6 carrots with tops (Mine didn't have tops... they were already cut off.)
1 seeded apple (I used a Granny Smith)
This was SOOOOO good! You're right Kristen, the ginger was awesome! I didn't add quite an inch because I was being cautious, but I'll add more next time. Yum.
Ginger Root Boost
1 inch slice ginger root
Juice from 1 fresh lemon (I used 1/2 because I was almost out & needed the other 1/2 for my lunch salad!)
6 carrots with tops (Mine didn't have tops... they were already cut off.)
1 seeded apple (I used a Granny Smith)
This was SOOOOO good! You're right Kristen, the ginger was awesome! I didn't add quite an inch because I was being cautious, but I'll add more next time. Yum.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
THE BIG 2-0!
It's hard to believe. It hasn't quite sunk in- I've now lost 20 pounds since I started this journey the beginning of August!
Woo Hoo! Oh Yeah! (Doing the Happy Dance!)
It feels great. I'm get lots of comments all the time now. It is a bit surreal, though, considering how much of my life has been spent stressing about weight, and here I do it in 2 months? What in the world took me so long?!!! You know what it took? It was my blasted appendix. Having my appendix out back in July was a blessing in disguise. That whole experience was enough to knock me to my senses & give me the desire to do all I can to keep my body healthy, which IS NOT BY IGNORING GOOD NUTRITION!
I've always loved to exercise regularly, but was so-so with my diet. I thought I was doing healthy things by drinking skim milk, grinding my own whole wheat flour for homemade bread, buying low-fat mayonnaise, and using butter instead of margarine. I thought that my only problem was "snacking". HA. I can hardly believe how wrong I was- AND I WAS A HEALTH TEACHER/PROFESSIONAL!!!! How embarrassing. And I'm just scratching the surface! Oh well. No looking back now. I'm going to take this new knowledge I have & take off running. Love it!
Some people say to me "Well, I'd rather be fat and happy than do what you're doing" (meaning my diet). That blows me away. Sure, it's been hard at times (just go back and look at some of my previous blog entries, especially at first!) But now it's starting to feel great! One thing that I love the most is how good things taste. Simple things like my creamed buckwheat cereal. That is totally a dessert to me now! And I LOVE it! I'm not deprived! The other day when I did the luncheon at my house I served apples and dip for dessert. IT WAS AMAZING! I'm not deprived! Those larabars I made my family a few days ago... AWESOME! No- not deprived! But 20 lbs lighter, full of energy, and mentally clear. Yep, this is the way to go!
I need to get some pictures for before/after. I'm usually the one that hides behind the camera & taking pictures of everyone else, avoiding my own being taken. It might take me awhile to get over that. Maybe I'll post some when I reach my ultimate goal, in 10 more pounds.
Woo Hoo! Oh Yeah! (Doing the Happy Dance!)
It feels great. I'm get lots of comments all the time now. It is a bit surreal, though, considering how much of my life has been spent stressing about weight, and here I do it in 2 months? What in the world took me so long?!!! You know what it took? It was my blasted appendix. Having my appendix out back in July was a blessing in disguise. That whole experience was enough to knock me to my senses & give me the desire to do all I can to keep my body healthy, which IS NOT BY IGNORING GOOD NUTRITION!
I've always loved to exercise regularly, but was so-so with my diet. I thought I was doing healthy things by drinking skim milk, grinding my own whole wheat flour for homemade bread, buying low-fat mayonnaise, and using butter instead of margarine. I thought that my only problem was "snacking". HA. I can hardly believe how wrong I was- AND I WAS A HEALTH TEACHER/PROFESSIONAL!!!! How embarrassing. And I'm just scratching the surface! Oh well. No looking back now. I'm going to take this new knowledge I have & take off running. Love it!
Some people say to me "Well, I'd rather be fat and happy than do what you're doing" (meaning my diet). That blows me away. Sure, it's been hard at times (just go back and look at some of my previous blog entries, especially at first!) But now it's starting to feel great! One thing that I love the most is how good things taste. Simple things like my creamed buckwheat cereal. That is totally a dessert to me now! And I LOVE it! I'm not deprived! The other day when I did the luncheon at my house I served apples and dip for dessert. IT WAS AMAZING! I'm not deprived! Those larabars I made my family a few days ago... AWESOME! No- not deprived! But 20 lbs lighter, full of energy, and mentally clear. Yep, this is the way to go!
I need to get some pictures for before/after. I'm usually the one that hides behind the camera & taking pictures of everyone else, avoiding my own being taken. It might take me awhile to get over that. Maybe I'll post some when I reach my ultimate goal, in 10 more pounds.
Monday, October 3, 2011
Recipe Review: Powerbars (Reverse engineered Larabars)
Last week I bought an ebook from Kitchen Stewardship.com called Healthy Snacks to Go. I'd been looking for some good whole food snacks that I could have my personal chef make for my family when she comes next time, and this seemed like it would be a great book.
It was only $6.95, so I bought it. It has 21 recipes of things that are fairly easy to make, and good to have on hand. I've quit buying junk food, and I want to have healthy snacks on hand for my family. If they enjoy them, even better. I want to show them that eating healthy isn't torture, it can be great, and worth the trade off.
On Saturday I bought the ingredients for Power Bars (Reverse engineered Larabars). [I have no idea what "reverse engineered Larabars" means in the title. If any of you know, let me know.] I made them that afternoon, and they were a HUGE hit with me & the kids! Jimmy, not so much (he doesn't like that dark chocolate taste).
Here are the instructions & ingredients:
In food processor, grind & add together: (I don't have a food processor, but it's now on my wish list. I used my Vitamix, and it worked just fine. They don't recommend doubling the recipe if using a blender, but I did with no problem).
1/8 c. walnuts
1/4 c. almonds
Add
1/2 c. dates
1/8 c. raisins
Stream in
1 Tbs coconut (I used flakes)
4 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 Tbs coconut oil
+ pinch of instant coffee (We don't drink coffee so we left this out... It was fine!)
optional: 1/2 tsp mint extract (I didn't have any, but sounds really good!)
Form the final product. You can form them into bars, or balls. I made them into smaller bite-sized balls.
I give this recipe 5 out of 5 stars! They were SO good. I didn't tell my picky eaters that they were eating blended dates & raisins. They tasted the chocolate, and knew that they were eating a yummy treat. My 12-year old thought they weren't sweet enough, but she did go back for seconds (she knew they were made out of dates & was more hesitant). Oh, and by the way- I'm not supposed to eat most of the things in these power bars, but just HAD to try them. I'm starting to do that a little more here & there.
I've ordered some bulk nuts from Azure Standard, and when my order comes the next type of bars I'll try is Coco-shew bars. They're made with cashews, coconut, raisins, and a little vanilla. I think Jimmy will like something like that.
Have you tried Larabars before? What's your favorite flavor?
It was only $6.95, so I bought it. It has 21 recipes of things that are fairly easy to make, and good to have on hand. I've quit buying junk food, and I want to have healthy snacks on hand for my family. If they enjoy them, even better. I want to show them that eating healthy isn't torture, it can be great, and worth the trade off.
On Saturday I bought the ingredients for Power Bars (Reverse engineered Larabars). [I have no idea what "reverse engineered Larabars" means in the title. If any of you know, let me know.] I made them that afternoon, and they were a HUGE hit with me & the kids! Jimmy, not so much (he doesn't like that dark chocolate taste).
Here are the instructions & ingredients:
In food processor, grind & add together: (I don't have a food processor, but it's now on my wish list. I used my Vitamix, and it worked just fine. They don't recommend doubling the recipe if using a blender, but I did with no problem).
1/8 c. walnuts
1/4 c. almonds
Add
1/2 c. dates
1/8 c. raisins
Stream in
1 Tbs coconut (I used flakes)
4 tsp cocoa powder
1/2 Tbs coconut oil
+ pinch of instant coffee (We don't drink coffee so we left this out... It was fine!)
optional: 1/2 tsp mint extract (I didn't have any, but sounds really good!)
Form the final product. You can form them into bars, or balls. I made them into smaller bite-sized balls.
I give this recipe 5 out of 5 stars! They were SO good. I didn't tell my picky eaters that they were eating blended dates & raisins. They tasted the chocolate, and knew that they were eating a yummy treat. My 12-year old thought they weren't sweet enough, but she did go back for seconds (she knew they were made out of dates & was more hesitant). Oh, and by the way- I'm not supposed to eat most of the things in these power bars, but just HAD to try them. I'm starting to do that a little more here & there.
I've ordered some bulk nuts from Azure Standard, and when my order comes the next type of bars I'll try is Coco-shew bars. They're made with cashews, coconut, raisins, and a little vanilla. I think Jimmy will like something like that.
Have you tried Larabars before? What's your favorite flavor?
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Chocolate. Really?
Well, my suspicions were confirmed today. I decided to give dark chocolate another try as a little guilty pleasure, but I suspected that I am allergic to it. Well, I think it's been 3-4 weeks since I last had chocolate, and tonight, after having a few small squares of 85% cocoa chocolate I have an itchy throat.
When I first started this diet the thought of cutting out chocolate kind of freaked me out, but now I just like... Hummmph. Too bad. (but not too stressed about it). What I'm finding is that I can totally find other healthy options that totally satisfy me.
So now my list of allergies are: coconut oil, chocolate, hazelnut, gluten, pasteurized dairy (raw seems to be okay). I have my follow-up appointment with my naturopathic doctor in about a month, and I can't wait to see how my blood work results have changed.
When I first started this diet the thought of cutting out chocolate kind of freaked me out, but now I just like... Hummmph. Too bad. (but not too stressed about it). What I'm finding is that I can totally find other healthy options that totally satisfy me.
So now my list of allergies are: coconut oil, chocolate, hazelnut, gluten, pasteurized dairy (raw seems to be okay). I have my follow-up appointment with my naturopathic doctor in about a month, and I can't wait to see how my blood work results have changed.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Lesson I Learned with Soba Noodles
One of my family's favorite meals that I make is homemade chicken noodle soup. It's not that difficult- I use Organic Better Than Bouillon (Reduced Sodium) Chicken Base, 2 1/2 quarts of water, carrots, onions, celery, chicken breast, and seasoning salt, and Country Pasta (a yummy egg noodle). I realize that some might think these ingredients are too processed, but one step at a time, right? I have these in my cupboard & I'm going to use them up. Anyway, earlier in the week I decided to make this soup for my family, with a few adjustments for my diet. I started off with Kirkland Organic Chicken Stock, and added the vegetables & chicken as normal.
When the veggies were tender I took enough for me out of the pot & put them in a bowl. In a separate pan I boiled some Buckwheat Soba Noodles to add to my soup, while in the main pot I added more water and some of the OBTB Chicken Base. When it came back to a boil I added the Country pasta to their pot, while I added the soba noodles to my bowl when they were tender. We ate together as a family, basically eating the same meal. It was great!
Now, fast forward to Thursday. I had arranged a small luncheon for a few ladies in my home, and I decided to make the soup again since it worked so well before. I thought it would be nice that I wouldn't vary that much from what they were eating, so it wouldn't draw attention to myself.
This time I decided to save a step, and instead of boiling the soba noodles in a separate pot, I threw them in with my chicken broth & veggies, just like I do with the Country Pasta. Well, instead of cooking up nicely, it turned into a grey, gloppy mess.
I have no idea why the chicken stock & veggies caused such a reaction! What a change! And no, I didn't throw it out! Are you kidding? This one small pack of Soba Noodles cost a fortune! My kids said it looks like I'm eating prison food. Yuuuuummmm. Lesson learned: Cook Buckwheat Soba Noodles in water.
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