Overcoming Food Addiction

Once upon a time, the photo on the left would have been the way I would have handled a stressful day.  Ice cream eaten right out of the carton (because I was going to finish it anyway!), a couple of cookies, and/or a bag of candy. 

I had lunch with a friend yesterday who lamented that she had tried every diet and could not lose weight.  But she then confessed to me that she could not resist ordering french fries when she took her children to fast food places.  She just loves french fries!  And my heart went out to her.  I used to be in the exact same boat - dipping my super-sized McDonald's fries into a large vanilla shake whenever I ordered my boys' Happy Meals.
 
I think that what it took for me to realize that these types of foods had absolutely no place in my diet was the trickle-down affect associated with consuming them.   Exercising no control over what I ate led me to lack control in other areas in my life, as well.   Suffice it to say that, if you went down the list of the 10 commandments, there were about 4 of them that I struggled with badly, including "you should have no other gods before me."  When it came down to it, I worshipped food.    And the more unhealthy it was, the more I wanted it! 

We talk about addiction to cigarettes, alcohol, or drugs.  And there are rehab centers and programs to help people conquer them.  But for the biggest addiction we face in our society, we offer processed meals in little boxes, pills that promise to burn off fat, and lopsided diets that eliminate entire food groups.  What ultimately worked for me was a self-imposed, divinely-inspired version of the highly successful 12-Step Program originated by Alcoholics Anonymous.   And I didn't even know it at the time!  If you know anything about the Program, and you've been reading my Blog posts, you can probably see why I would say that. 

The first step is to admit that you have an addiction and you can not control it.  Step 2 is recognizing that there is a higher power that can give you strength to conquer your addiction.  Maybe there are 12 step programs out there for food addicts.  But if there are, I have not heard of them.  Tomorrow, I will share with you how God pretty much led me through an inspired version of the "12 Steps"  as a way to kick my addiction to sugar, salt, and fatty foods. 

Until then, happy and healthy eating!

Game Cancelled - Good Intentions Ruined...

A little bit of rain usually does not result in cancellation of a High School baseball game, even when the thermostat reads 36 degrees Fahrenheit.  The fans shiver under layers of coats and blankets, and the boys field and hit with any layering done under their uniforms.  But tonight the boys were sent home and the game moved to Saturday afternoon.   Ooops!  

Why "Ooops"?  Well, even though I love night baseball, what I don't love anymore are the meals at Fast Food Central that follow the game.  I have had one too many Fresco Bean Burritos and am even tired of Popeye's Red Beans 'n Rice.  So I  developed a plan.  It's called "Huge Healthy Game-Day Lunches".  Today, I had some Baba Ganouj (love that stuff!)  with 3 small whole-grain pita's and a wrap filled with Hummus and Tabouleh.  And I washed it all down with a glass of lemonade.  It was wonderful (o.k. - so I didn't quite finish the wrap), and probably contained about 950 calories in total.  I ate it all late in the day (finished eating close to 2:00), so I was substantially done eating for the day.  I had planned to have a non-fat chai and a fiber bar after the game.  But since it was cancelled, my family expected a homemade Lenten dinner, and I did not disappoint them.  Problem is that I ate it, too.  So, add this to the oatmeal I had for breakfast, and total calories for the day were close to 2,000.  And it was a low-exercise day (too cold to walk the trails - just popped in a CD and did some impromptu dancing).  You know what they say about the best laid plans of mice and men...

The recipe for tonight's dinner was sent to me by a good friend and it was delicious!  It was Better-N-Beef Bourguignon.  It is good enough to pass along, so here goes:
Ingredients:
4-6 seitan medallions OR 4-6 Portobello mushrooms
6 sliced carrots
1 lg. onion, sliced
1 bottle dry red wine
1 cup vegetable broth
1 garlic clove, minced
1-2 Bay leaves
1 T. cornstarch (to thicken broth)
salt & pepper (to taste)
fresh parsley (for garnish(
Directions:  Saute seitan or mushrooms in a small amount of oil for 2-3 minutes on each side, then remove from pan; add garlic and saute 2 minutes.  Add wine and broth, carrots, onion, and Bay leaves and bring to a boil.  Simmer for 30 minutes with lid half on so wine mixture reduces a bit.  Add seitan (or mushrooms) to vegetables and simmer with lid on for another 30 minutes.  Remove seitan and shrooms and place on a serving plate.  Mix cornstarch with 1 T. water, add to veggie mixture, stirring well to thicken.  Pour sauce over seitan (or mushrooms).  Sprinkle with parsley and serve over noodles.

I hope you will try this recipe.  I made it with Portobello mushrooms tonight, which I cut into thirds because they were huge.  I plan to try it with seitan next time.  Until we meet again, happy and healthy eating!

The Starvation Diet

No, this is not something I am promoting, but after reading the March 28, 2011 article in the Wall Street Journal, "The Starvation Vacation", I had a revelation.  People fork over $5,600 to spend a week at a Malibu, California ranch to exercise 6+ hours and eat less than 1,500 calories per day.  The diet is Vegan except for an occasional egg for breakfast (kind of like the diet I hope to maintain after Lent.  Well, except for the desserts and red wine that I allow myself now and then...).   The meals are actually prepared by a renowned chef, but are described as "small", "teensy" and  "toy-sized", and include a lentil cake on a disc of spinach, and an artichoke with fava bean puree.  As a pick-me-up during a strenuous hike, campers are allowed 3 almonds and 2 cashews to keep them going,   The author of the article who was obviously a participant, did a tremendous job of walking the reader through the initial frustration, anger, and obvious hunger she experienced.  But it was the way she ended it that provided the impetus for this Blog post. 

After a week of strenuous exercise and fasting, she had lost over 6 pounds and a few inches off her waist and lower quads.  Moreover, she found that the food cravings she had experienced the first few days had vanished and that, instead,  she craved exercise.  Even though she was an avowed carnivore, her first meal after returning home was not the hamburger she had been dreaming of, but sushi.  She did not want to ruin what she had accomplished.  

I have often mentioned that eating healthy requires ridding oneself of old habits and re-accustoming one's palate to new foods.  And exercise is something you just have to get out there and do.  At first you are forcing yourself, but after a while, like the author of the Wall Street Journal article, you begin to crave it.  The people who go to this Malibu ranch pay $5,600 to have someone help them to change their eating habits and to get them moving.  For me, it took a serious illness.  What will it take for you to make the changes necessary to give your body what it needs to function at its best?

I am not advocating 6 hours of exercise a day with only 1,100 to 1,500 calories to supplement it.  6 and 1/2 pounds is, frankly, too much to lose in one week.  Without strict supervision, such a "diet" could have deleterious side-affects.  Duirng the first hike, several of the campers were vomiting because their blood sugar was too low.  But I like the idea of kick-starting healthy eating and exercise with a friend or a group of friends.  See my earlier posts on how many calories you should consume for your age and activity level, and establish a goal for yourself.  If you want to maintain your weight but need to exercise more, adjust your diet accordingly.  If your goal is to lose weight, remember that a 500-calorie a day reduction should equal a loss of a pound a week.  If you increase your activity level as well, the calories do not have to be reduced as much. 

I have attached the link to the article at the bottom of this Blog.  If it does not inspire you to at least try to make some healthy changes to your lifestyle, it will make for some very entertaining reading.   

Until next time, happy and healthy eating!

What's The Skinny On Breakfast?

Breakfast.  Some people feel it is the most important meal of the day and really make the most of it with eggs, meat, toast, and potatoes.  Some start their day with cereal.  Others grab a cup of coffee or two.   And still others - many others - skip it altogether.

Skipping breakfast is not a good idea.  After a 12 hour or so fast, the body needs nutrients to function optimally as it faces the demands of the new day. But should breakfast be high in protein (i.e., eggs)?  Or high in soluble fiber (oatmeal)?  Is a shake made with some type of milk, a banana, and yogurt a good way to start the day?  In Japan, breakfast often consists of miso soup and rice.  Is this healthy?  For American children, it is a sweetened, but highly fortified cereal.  What's up with that?

The truth is, all of the above examples have some merit.  If you are an athlete (or are as active as one), eggs can make sense.  For the child who would otherwise skip this meal, a fortified cereal with some type of milk is just fine.  The American palate may cringe at the thought of miso soup, but it contains soy protein and is easy on one's stomach.  Oatmeal with some kind of fruit (banana, blueberries, or dates) is my personal favorite because of its cholesterol-lowering qualities.  But all the other examples have had their place in my life at one time or another.  As long as it is balanced, like the protein shake with skim, rice, or soy milk, your favorite yogurt, and 1/2 of a frozen banana, even a "liquid" breakfast can be good for you.

The truth is, we know our bodies and what it is that they are craving after the night's fast.  As I said before, on most mornings I eat some form of oatmeal, generally with fruit.  But there are certain mornings when I crave protein and, on those days, I'll make an egg-white omellette with low-fat cheese and some vegetables in it.  On the side I'll have a slice of whole grain toast. 

If you have high or borderline cholesterol, oatmeal really is your best choice for breakfast.   And it doesn't have to be monotonous.  You can have old-fashioned oats with brown sugar and raisins; steel cut oats; oats with wheat germ and sliced banana on top; and even baked oatmeal.   If you are in a hurry, or are someone who prefers cold cereals, a high protein, high-fiber one like the Go Lean cereals by Kashi are outstanding.  But whatever your situation, the important thing is to start your day with breakfast.  Studies have shown that people who skip this all-important meal tend to actually eat more throughout the day, and later in the day when the calories are harder to burn off. 

So...that's the skinny on breakfast!  Until next time, happy and healthy eating!

Just A Dusting (with A Date Coconut Cake To Celebrate)

The forecast went from 1-3 inches, to 1 inch of snow for last night and this morning.  And this is what we got (see photo on left).  It's what we call a "dusting".  And you can see why.  Just looking at it makes me hungry for a nice chocolate cake with that sprinkling of powdered sugar on top.  It's kind of pretty and the daffodils weren't even phased by it.  By noon it was completely gone.  And, as much as I love snow, I am so glad.  We have a big game tomorrow night against what will more than likely be our toughest opponent.  Of course I am referring to my son's baseball team.  I love March Madness and was thrilled to see VCU make it to the Final Four, but my spring sport is and (hopefully) always will be baseball.  Preparing to satisfy the other side of my brain, my other son is at an all-day play rehearsal for Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat, which opens next month.  What, you may ask, does this have to do with Nutrition?   Not much.  But on a beautiful day like today, do you really want to hear about GMO's?  They're in the news again and are very much on my mind. 

I did make an absolutely delicious cake today.  In the December 2008 issue of Cooking Light magazine (see photo and link on the right) is a recipe for Sticky Date and Coconut Cake and it is goo-ood!  Substitute the butter with a vegan margarine, the egg for Egg Replacer Powder, and the 2 teaspoons milk for plain soy milk and you keep it Lenten/Vegan and you lose nothing in overall flavor.  

Dinner tonight was Indian food.  We had Potato Pea Curry and Masoor Dal (one of the recipes I include in my "Bean" Blog post) served over basmati rice with a bit of saffron. 

I do hope you have enjoyed your weekend.  Until next time, happy and healthy eating!

Spiritual Food

I've had a rough time focusing on the spiritual aspects of Lent this year.  I'm ashamed to say that I got side-tracked, distracted, and bogged down with various issues, worries, and concerns.  It's not the first time that has happened either.  But it's the first time that one night - one wonderful evening of fellowship - could help get me back on track, especially after having sunk as low as I had.  I mean, I have been worried sick (no pun intended) about my health, the problems in Japan (we have relatives in Fukushima Prefecture), and my youngest son's baseball fundraiser (I completely lack the "selling" gene).   

We had a guest speaker at our church tonight - a wonderful man of God named Peter Gilquist, who spent several years seeking for the  church that he could call home.  His journey from his days in Campus Crusade to the Orthodox Christian faith was enlightening, sometimes humorous, and always quite riveting.  With over half the fast left, it was the incentive I needed to refocus, and re-evaluate my priorities.

Between our Vespers service and Fr. Gilquist's testimony, we all enjoyed a Lenten meal provided by the members of our parish.  Of course everything was Vegan (except the shrimp) and it was perfectly delicious in it simplicity.  We had shrimp with cocktail sauce, homemade hummus with pitas, stuffed grape leaves in a lemon sauce, tempenade with TLC crackers, guacamole with tortilla chips, bowls of fruit, and a chickpea and pepper salad.  I didn't have any dessert, but it looked so good - more than likely provided by "My Vegan Baker", whose link is in the right column of this Blog.  Anyway, tonight's spread gave me ideas for those nights when we've either had a big lunch or just want to munch on some finger food while watching the final 4 duke it out during March Madness.  Hope you all stay warm during this rather cold weekend (snow is still in our forecast for tomorrow!).

Until next time, happy and healthy eating!

The Bears In Our Lives

We all have what I have come to call "bears" in our lives.   Just like we all have our ball field - the place we go where we are able to forget all our worries and pain.  This past summer while my husband and I were hiking in the Shenandoah, a bear suddenly appeared on the narrow, rocky path in front of us.  I foolishly made eye contact with it and then, even more foolishly, ran.  No, the bear did not come after me, but I ended up in the Emergency Room of the local hospital anyway.  I sprained my ankle, tore a tendon, and bruised some bones because, in trying to run on a steep, rocky trail,  I tripped and fell.  As for my husband, he did what you are "supposed" to do - kept his eye on the bear and slowly backed away.   I love to hike, but the thought of hitting one of my favorite Shenandoah trails again turns my insides to ice.  

Why, you may wonder, am I talking about this now?  On this Blog?

Well, I feel like we all have that "bear" in our lives that keeps us from stepping outside of our comfort zone when it comes to food, too.  It is completely irrational for me to be afraid of bears.   Realistically, the chance of running across another one on one of our hikes is probably close to nil.  But I know I will have a hard time the first few times my husband and I hit those trails.  And, frankly,  a lot of what we choose to eat or not eat is just about as rational as my fear of running across another bear.  

I spoke to a friend today who said she was making dinner for a friend of hers who could not stop picking at the cheese she had grated for the recipe.  He thought it was the best thing he had had in a long time.  But as soon as she told him that the secret ingredient in it was horseradish, he would no longer touch it.  He hated horseradish!  The Vegetarian Moussaka I made the other night was a huge hit with all my guys until I told them that the ingredient that looked and almost tasted like meat was bulghur wheat.  My youngest son could barely finish it after that.  And I can't get him near my favorite Vegan restaurant.  He knows that everything on their menu that looks like meat is either seitan, tofu, or tempeh and he just can't stomach that.  And I know he is not alone.  People have irrational fears of eating things that are "new" or, God forbid, healthy!  

Especially (but definitely not exclusively) for my Orthodox friends who still have almost 30 days left of the Lenten fast, I challenge you to face that bear on your trail and try those recipes that are just outside of your comfort zone.  You may find, like I did some 10 or so years ago, that fish and scallops can be incredible, tofu surprisingly good, and things like seitan and bulghur wheat, delicious, if prepared properly.  Some of you have been sharing recipes with me that fall into these categories and I thank you.   I do have a request - a few years back someone made a tofu and broccoli quiche that was outstanding.  For the life of me, I can not find the recipe.  Nor can I remember who gave it to me.  If you have this recipe, please pass it on to me!  I can't wait to make it, not tell my guys what is in it, watch them "ooh and aah",  then pass it on to the rest of you!

Until next time, happy and healthy eating to you all!