Enough Already! - Back to Business.

When I posted in August, I committed to being back on track with my GREED-free lifestyle. Well . . . . I didn't succeed in living up to that commitment. I continued to allow special occasions and exceptions clutter up my meals because I just didn't feel like summoning the resolve to say no to foods that I enjoy despite the fact that I know how they will impact my health. The past couple of weeks have strengthened my resolve, and I can confidently say that I am back on track again . . . . for real this time.

What has strengthened my resolve?

1) Mother Nature kicked my derrière this month. I haven't had cramps like that since April.

2) My face looks like a war zone. I had almost forgotten about acne until one day last week when I woke up to a mine field on my chin. Not only does it ruin the aesthetic appeal of my face, it hurts like the dickens too.

3) I am finding it increasingly difficult to get out of bed in the morning - and when I do get up, I have very little motivation to get going.

4) I started gaining some of my weight back . . . made it all the way back up to 170 by the end of September.

I finished cleaning out my refrigerator and cupboards this morning to make sure that I eliminated anything that might cause me to stumble in a weak moment. As it stands, my greatest hurdle for the week will be coming up with ideas for dinner. I admit that I am not the most creative individual in the kitchen. Suggestions are welcome.

As I look back at the past couple of months and consider the things that kept me from my August commitment I realize that my greatest stumbling blocks have been my own lethargic willpower, and peer pressure.

Every time I was met with the decision 'to eat it, or not to eat it?' I found myself facing the age old internal arguments: 'Just a little bit wont hurt', 'My friends eat sugar and they are fit and healthy', 'I'll really get serious tomorrow'. Adding to that, the voices of my friends and acquaintances: 'As long as you eat it in moderation there is nothing wrong with eating sugar', and 'There isn't any reason to be so extreme'.

I allowed my resolve to be swayed by the voices in my head. No more. I'm done.

Now - off to make some sugar free pasta salad.
I'll share the recipe once I make sure the idea in my head is actually palatable.

JamiK

More Results & Analysis

Hello Again!
Some of these notes and stories are a bit disjointed as I am having issues organizing my thoughts today. I hope they make sense.

I still struggle to believe that I have see such a change in my weight, size & health by merely eliminating one ingredient from my diet.




In June, my 'Working in the Yard Jeans' got sent to the Goodwill store. 36 x 32 Wranglers. I struggle to believe these used to fit me.





My Size 14 'Skinny Jeans' became my 'Working in the Yard Jeans'








I am now a Size 10.
A snug size 10, but a 10 nonetheless.















Now, if only I had budgeted to replace my whole wardrobe. It's going to be a while before I can downsize everything.

A month after I had my prescription changed for my left eye, I started getting headaches again. (See post from 03/05/10) I went back to see the optometrist. My regular Dr. was out on vacation, so the Dr. that examined my eyes spent 20 minutes lecturing me on the ignorance of believing my improved eyesight to be the result of my sugar free lifestyle. . . . . after which he gave me a prescription that was one step better than the previously prescribed contact.

I understand that it might not be easy to believe that one can improve one's eyesight by giving up sugar, but I can't ignore the possibility of this outcome. Especially considering the fact that MomK had the same experience when she gave up the inGREEDient.

Some symptoms of ill health that I no longer notice in my life:
1) Difficulty Losing Weight
2) Chronic Bone/Joint pain
3) Cold Hands/Feet
4) Dry Eyes
6) Athlete's Foot
7) Blood Sugar Disturbances
8) Fatigue/Sleepiness after Eating
9) PMS
10) Bloating after meals
11) Tendency to become dehydrated

It wasn't until I allowed sugar back into my diet that I realized how much I don't miss these symptoms. While living without the 'white death', I ate all the time. I would venture to say that I even 'over ate' on a regular basis. Despite this bad habit, I NEVER felt bloated after eating. I don't lose time at work to the 'after lunch sleepies', and I am on cloud nine with the realization that Mother Nature is not nearly as nasty as I once knew her to be.

At the request of several people, I am going to try to post more recipes.

JamiK's Tomato Rosmarina
(I usually make things in large quantities so you may like to half this recipe)

Bring to a boil:
4 quarts Chicken Broth/Stock
(I prefer the homemade kind, but a sugar free variety like Kitchen Basics will do)
1 Tbsp sea salt (only if you use homemade broth)
1 lb baby carrots cut in halves or thirds
3 large stalks of celery chopped
1 large onion chopped
1 Tbsp basil
1 Tbsp Oregano

Once the soup comes to a boil and the vegetables are beginning to soften, add 2 cups of vegetable orzo pasta (the non vegetable variety usually just turns to mush . . . . )

Continue to boil until the vegies and pasta are cooked,
Reduce heat to simmer and add 2 16oz cans of Tomato Sauce

Serve hot.

Thanks for reading along. . . . .I shall post more as I organize the rest of my thoughts:)
I'm having leftover Greed-free Berry Chocolate ice cream tonight.

JamiK

P.S. I would love to hear your thoughts / ideas / recipes

Confessions, Recipes & Results

Confession # 1: I detest exercise. I don't like going to the gym. I don't run, I barely walk, and I can't stand to be sweaty & smelly. I realize this is not good. Exercise is healthy. It promotes a healthy heart, and good circulation. Nevertheless, I place it on the priority list somewhere below picking up dog poop. Yesterday, however, exercise was thrust upon me when I realized that I really needed to go chop up the ice on my driveway (which is approximately 40 yards in length). Needless to say, my arms and shoulders are now killing me.

To boot, my neighbors think I am losing my marbles. Until now, I would have thought the same of anyone I discovered shoveling the snow out of their back yard. There is so much snow already piled up on either side of my driveway, and in the street, and in the front yard, that there was nowhere to dump all the ice I broke up. So I shoveled out a big space in the back yard and used a wheelbarrow to move it back there. Funny Farm, here I come.

Confession # 2: I have never cooked with quinoa. I've been hearing about it for years. I see it on the shelves and in the bins at the organic markets. I know what it is, and I always act like it's something I am familiar with when people talk about it. I don't want to be the only health wacko on the planet who's never cooked with quinoa - so tonight I remedied that particular void in my culinary repertoire.

Mediterranean Quinoa (pronounced KEEN-wah)

Ingredients
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 onions, chopped
1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 yellow bell pepper, seeded and chopped
2 cloves garlic, crushed
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
2 cups vegetable broth or stock
1 tablespoon tomato puree
3 tomatoes - peeled, seeded and chopped
Italian seasoning

Directions
1. Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and red, green and yellow peppers; cook and stir for about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, and cook for about 2 more minutes.
2. Rinse and drain the quinoa. Put it in a pan and dry toast it until a few grains pop. Add the toasted quinoa, vegetable stock, and tomato puree to the vegetables.
3. Return to a boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 20 minutes, or until quinoa grains are soft. Stir in the diced tomatoes and season with Italian seasoning. Cook until heated through, then serve.

Last night, I prepped, and today I finished baking Cinnamon Raisin Bread courtesy of a recipe from one of my favorite bloggers "My Years Without".

Recipe Results: The bread was amazing. I followed the recipe to a 'T', and it rocked.
The Mediterranean Quinoa was good. Different than what I'm used to. Good texture, but not as flavorful as I usually make my dishes. I believe I shall try find some way to make it spicier next time.

Other Results: I have lost 10 lbs since I began this experiment. Let me elaborate - I HAVE LOST 10 LBS IN 7 WEEKS WITH VERY LITTLE EXERCISE, AND I EAT ALL THE TIME.

Eat that, sugar pushers.

Be Brave, Be Weird,
Shovel the Snow out of your yard,
Avoid Sugar.

JamiK