Hi, my name is Nancy and I'm a sugaraholic. Oh, sorry, I was confused for a second there. I thought I was at my meeting... So I am a recovering sugaraholic. Sugar. Sugar. Sugar. LOVE it! And completely hate it too. It's the first thing I think of when I wake up in the morning, and the last thing I think of when I go to sleep. Well, okay maybe not the first thing, but when something sweet is in the house it's really hard for me to not plot out when I'm going to get it. I'm always on the hunt for sugar. Drives me crazy.
I love sugar. But sugar hates me. I feel so good while I'm eating it. Really good. Blissfully happy. In fact, when I was visiting my brother in Maine, we stopped in at the Lindt chocolate factory in Freeport. Well, he was the one who actually went in and bought some of the white chocolate truffles/balls. It was a rainy, gloomy day. We were soaked from walking around all day and getting poured on while eating lunch outside. My husband and kids were great about it, but I wasn't so happy. I was downright grumpy. And because I'm not good at suppressing my feelings or pretending life is wonderful when it's not (it was raining on my parade), my super-brother surprises me with this bag of white chocolates.
Now I'm not supposed to eat these things. They have milk in them. Milk hurts me. Again, love-hate relationship. I used to be addicted to milk B.C. (Before Children), but that's another story for another day. Back to the white chocolate delivery. So my brother shows me this bag that he bought (sounds like a drug deal), and it was if my hands had a mind of their own. Next thing you know I am reaching into the bag, grabbing a "couple" of pieces, hiding them in my purse, walking to a corner of a store while my brother and husband keep the kids occupied, and stuffing my face full of white chocolate heaven! Yes, I have a problem! But oh, those white chocolate truffles were so good in so many ways! Instant happiness. What a mood lifter. They hit the spot. I was soooooooooo happy. Well, what's the problem then? The after-effects. Sugar hates me.
Soon after eating anything containing refined sugar, the good mood turns ugly. I hit a wall. I get extremely irritable and moody. I am just not a pleasure to be around. My oldest son will warn me before I eat a sweet that I'm going to regret it and that I'll be grouchy.... It's like Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. It's like the Incredible Hulk. It's like Popeye when he eats spinach. And I need more of it to get back to that place of 'sugar happiness.' Can you relate?
So what do I do? I'm human after all. I'm going to make mistakes. I'm going to lose a couple of battles in the war against sugar. So I try to think before I take that sweet. I remind myself that the bad mood will be more intense and longer-lasting than the good taste and short-lived good feeling of that sweet that is calling my name. I remind myself how much I love my family and that they deserve a sane Mommy. I play through the scenes of previous sugar disasters and how long it took me to feel better. I list all the ways sugar harms me. And then.... I choose chocolate....
What? Choose chocolate?! I thought you just said that chocolate or anything containing refined sugar more or less makes you crazy. And if mama's crazy, well then everyone is crazy. So choose chocolate?
Yes, I choose chocolate. Actually it's 1 T. of cacao (unprocessed cocoa), 1/2 C. of dates, 1/2 C. of walnuts, and a splash of vanilla that I choose. All mixed together. Pulverized in my Vitamix. You can use a food processor for the same outcome- yumminess. No refined sugar. Just sweetness. I roll mine into "fudge balls." Everyone loves them. This is enough
chocolatey sweetness to satisfy my sweet tooth without the harmful side
effects of refined sugar.
Your body will thank you for the vitamins and minerals in the dates. You will also reap the benefits of the protein, vitamins, nutrients, phyto-chemicals, anti-oxidants, essential fatty acids, and minerals in the walnuts. Cacao? Well, it's considered a super-food, containing anti-oxidants, essential fatty acids, protein, fat, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin C, iron, zinc, copper, calcium, sulphur and magnesium. Health benefits of this mixture far outweigh any refined sweet. You will feel energized and happy knowing you are doing your body good!
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Thursday, October 11, 2012
What's For Breakfast?
We all know or have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There's a lot of pressure to make it count. Nutritional experts say that if you skip breakfast you will have problems with concentration, metabolism, energy, mood and weight loss/gain. Now I have your undivided attention! Unless of course, you skipped breakfast this morning which caused you to have problems concentrating on reading this. Because of your difficulty concentrating, you probably don't even give breakfast a second thought. But you will once that muffin top turns into a full blown pound cake! So I suggest that for the health of you and your purse or wallet (cost of new wardrobe, visits to doctor, etc.) that you eat breakfast daily.
So, what's for breakfast?
For a quick, nutritious breakfast I reach for a smoothie. My favorite smoothie recipe consists of 1 1/2 C. of vanilla rice milk (or coconut milk or almond milk), 1 C of strawberries, 1/2 C. blueberries, 1 banana, 1 C. kale, 1 C. spinach, a pinch of stevia. Sometimes, I add cacao. Yum. Put it all in the Vitamix, and there you have it. Of course, if the kids are around to witness this, I make up a huge story about the Hulk and how this is a Hulk smoothie, and it will make you SOOOOOO strong, not angry, just strong! And they gobble it up, the story and the smoothie!
Another favorite breakfast of mine is a kale omelet. Back in August we bought 9 egg-laying hens. So each day we typically get 8-9 fresh eggs. And believe me it is no problem at all to put them to good use! So I saute one small onion, chopped, in oil. Add 2 C. shredded kale. Saute until wilted. Take about 3-4 egg whites and mix them with one whole egg. Add to skillet. Cook, flipping eggs when set. Yum! Now that's a nutrient dense omelet. I have substituted other nutrient dense greens for the kale. Sometimes I add salsa. Mmmm-mmmm. Now I'm ready to take on the day!
What about those mornings when you are running out of time or aren't that hungry? I know, it's hard to believe that a human being may not be hungry. That never happens to me. In fact, there are many moments in time that I wish I were taller so that I could eat more without worrying about whether or not I'm going to have to unbutton that top button of my pants or change into sweats altogether... Tall people = more food. In any case, a simple breakfast would be to grab about a quarter cup of nuts and a piece of fruit. The nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, protein and other nutrients. They help to lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol." If you are allergic to nuts or simply can't tolerate them, try pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a healthy choice. And fruit? Who doesn't enjoy a good piece of fruit? Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, and anti-oxidants which remove free radicals from the body, and are believed to offer protection against cancers. Fruit also boosts immunity which is extremely important this time of year.
So when you are waking up from your dream land and considering sleeping in for a few more hits of that snooze button, consider the good you could do that temple of yours by simply eating breakfast. That body will thank you and so will the people around you when they notice your newly found focus and energy! Not to mention the boosted mood you will bless those around you with. Most importantly you will be making a healthy choice in your journey to wellness.
All this talk about food has made me hungry.....
What's your favorite, healthy breakfast?
So, what's for breakfast?
For a quick, nutritious breakfast I reach for a smoothie. My favorite smoothie recipe consists of 1 1/2 C. of vanilla rice milk (or coconut milk or almond milk), 1 C of strawberries, 1/2 C. blueberries, 1 banana, 1 C. kale, 1 C. spinach, a pinch of stevia. Sometimes, I add cacao. Yum. Put it all in the Vitamix, and there you have it. Of course, if the kids are around to witness this, I make up a huge story about the Hulk and how this is a Hulk smoothie, and it will make you SOOOOOO strong, not angry, just strong! And they gobble it up, the story and the smoothie!
Another favorite breakfast of mine is a kale omelet. Back in August we bought 9 egg-laying hens. So each day we typically get 8-9 fresh eggs. And believe me it is no problem at all to put them to good use! So I saute one small onion, chopped, in oil. Add 2 C. shredded kale. Saute until wilted. Take about 3-4 egg whites and mix them with one whole egg. Add to skillet. Cook, flipping eggs when set. Yum! Now that's a nutrient dense omelet. I have substituted other nutrient dense greens for the kale. Sometimes I add salsa. Mmmm-mmmm. Now I'm ready to take on the day!
What about those mornings when you are running out of time or aren't that hungry? I know, it's hard to believe that a human being may not be hungry. That never happens to me. In fact, there are many moments in time that I wish I were taller so that I could eat more without worrying about whether or not I'm going to have to unbutton that top button of my pants or change into sweats altogether... Tall people = more food. In any case, a simple breakfast would be to grab about a quarter cup of nuts and a piece of fruit. The nuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, protein and other nutrients. They help to lower LDL or "bad cholesterol" and increase HDL or "good cholesterol." If you are allergic to nuts or simply can't tolerate them, try pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds for a healthy choice. And fruit? Who doesn't enjoy a good piece of fruit? Fruits are rich in vitamins, minerals, micro-nutrients, and anti-oxidants which remove free radicals from the body, and are believed to offer protection against cancers. Fruit also boosts immunity which is extremely important this time of year.
So when you are waking up from your dream land and considering sleeping in for a few more hits of that snooze button, consider the good you could do that temple of yours by simply eating breakfast. That body will thank you and so will the people around you when they notice your newly found focus and energy! Not to mention the boosted mood you will bless those around you with. Most importantly you will be making a healthy choice in your journey to wellness.
All this talk about food has made me hungry.....
What's your favorite, healthy breakfast?
Monday, July 30, 2012
Who Am I?
Well who am I? Nancy is my name and eating is my game. I LOVE to eat. I LOVE food. I LOVE pretty much all food. So what? What's wrong with that? Well, there are a couple of things that may rain on one's food festival parade when one enjoys food as much as I do. First, I am only 5' 3" tall. I wish I was taller. Let's say 6 or 7 inches taller. No, not so I can play basketball or see over the crowd at a concert or reach things on a high shelf or even become a famous wrestler. Nope, none of those reasons. I truly wish I was taller so that I could eat more. I want to eat more. I could easily eat more. A lot more. But I don't want to weigh more. I want my clothes to fit. You see, I not only love food, but I am also extremely health conscious. I have to be. I have 3 active food-allergic children and a very active husband. I want to be here for a long time for them. With that in mind, I try to fuel my body, our bodies, with the most nutrient-dense foods I can so that I/we can feel great and have lots of energy. I don't want to create any undue health problems. You know what I mean? Obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, inflammation, etc.
The other factor that rains on my food festival parade? I have multiple food allergies/intolerances. I LOVE food, but not all food loves me. Gluten doesn't like me, nor does dairy, nor does soy. But it wasn't always like that. I remember days of long ago.... Way back in the 1900's..... B.C. (Before Children) ..... I could eat anything (and I did) without getting sick, without having stomach pains, without worrying how I was going to feel after eating the delicious culprit. To make a long story short, with the birth and nursing of each child, I had to eliminate common food allergens from my diet. I chose to do this to stop the painful G.I. symptoms my babies were experiencing. When the third child was weaned I tried unsuccessfully to re-introduce each offending food to my diet. My body rejected dairy, gluten, and soy. Ugghhh! Sigh... Life, as I knew it, was never going to be the same. My love affair with my favorite foods was over!
Fast forward 12 years of eating gluten free, soy free and dairy free. Fast forward 12 years of planning allergen-free meals for my family. Yes, my children still have food sensitivities/intolerances. No, not each one is intolerant of the same food. That would be too easy! My husband is gluten-free and dairy-free by default. Oh and did I mention that I get "little reminders" when I cheat or accidentally ingest something that contains one of my fave allergens? Yes, it can drive one crazy! But that's okay, because I was crazy before! I look at it as a blessing in disguise. We are forced to eat healthy. I am forced to plan ahead and be extremely organized and work hard at budgeting my time and money. I also changed careers. I took my experiences of being an elementary school teacher and middle school guidance counselor and my passion for health and nutrition and furthered my education to become a certified holistic health counselor. I love helping my clients create healthy lifestyles. I love helping people add nutrient dense foods to their diets. And I love hearing how great people feel when they make simple changes.
So now here I am blogging about my experiences, recipes, challenges, struggles, successes and experiences on this journey of healthy living. My hope is that my sharing will help you on your journey toward wellness. Maybe it will help motivate you, encourage you, inspire you. Maybe you'll just get a few laughs out of this. Maybe you'll just think I'm crazy and how could anyone possibly live this way! That's okay too. In any case, I hope you enjoy the journey! Please feel free to give me some feedback. Thanks!
The other factor that rains on my food festival parade? I have multiple food allergies/intolerances. I LOVE food, but not all food loves me. Gluten doesn't like me, nor does dairy, nor does soy. But it wasn't always like that. I remember days of long ago.... Way back in the 1900's..... B.C. (Before Children) ..... I could eat anything (and I did) without getting sick, without having stomach pains, without worrying how I was going to feel after eating the delicious culprit. To make a long story short, with the birth and nursing of each child, I had to eliminate common food allergens from my diet. I chose to do this to stop the painful G.I. symptoms my babies were experiencing. When the third child was weaned I tried unsuccessfully to re-introduce each offending food to my diet. My body rejected dairy, gluten, and soy. Ugghhh! Sigh... Life, as I knew it, was never going to be the same. My love affair with my favorite foods was over!
Fast forward 12 years of eating gluten free, soy free and dairy free. Fast forward 12 years of planning allergen-free meals for my family. Yes, my children still have food sensitivities/intolerances. No, not each one is intolerant of the same food. That would be too easy! My husband is gluten-free and dairy-free by default. Oh and did I mention that I get "little reminders" when I cheat or accidentally ingest something that contains one of my fave allergens? Yes, it can drive one crazy! But that's okay, because I was crazy before! I look at it as a blessing in disguise. We are forced to eat healthy. I am forced to plan ahead and be extremely organized and work hard at budgeting my time and money. I also changed careers. I took my experiences of being an elementary school teacher and middle school guidance counselor and my passion for health and nutrition and furthered my education to become a certified holistic health counselor. I love helping my clients create healthy lifestyles. I love helping people add nutrient dense foods to their diets. And I love hearing how great people feel when they make simple changes.
So now here I am blogging about my experiences, recipes, challenges, struggles, successes and experiences on this journey of healthy living. My hope is that my sharing will help you on your journey toward wellness. Maybe it will help motivate you, encourage you, inspire you. Maybe you'll just get a few laughs out of this. Maybe you'll just think I'm crazy and how could anyone possibly live this way! That's okay too. In any case, I hope you enjoy the journey! Please feel free to give me some feedback. Thanks!
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