Common Sense Vs. 'The Idiot'

Yes. . . . . that would be me - The Idiot.

Let me explain . . . . no, there is too much. Let me sum up. My mother and my chiropractor have the same irritating habit of always being right. I could present you with a cornucopia of examples, but for the sake of brevity, I shall stick to the two that are currently relevant to my healthy lifestyle.

Example 1: MomK tells me I should give up sugar if I want to achieve the weight loss I've been wishing for since I was 16. Do I follow that advice? Well . . . not for a year and a half after she starts telling me. Even in the face of her amazing success with the GREED-free lifestyle I think that somehow it just 'isn't for me'. Now. . . . as I look back at my own success (not just with weight loss but with the Total Health Makeover I experienced as a result of choosing to live GREED-free) I realize that I should probably just throw in the towel and follow her lead regardless of whether or not I think she's crazy. She's pretty much always right.

Example 2: DrK knows that I detest exercise. But, as it is his responsibility to look out for my health, he frequently tells me that the condition of my hip and back would improve much more quickly if I would just walk (And the man doesn't give up . . . . he's been telling me for four years now). No need to run, climb stairs, or lift weights, just walk. Do I listen? Well . . . . no . . . . not until I started dog sitting a couple of months ago.

Honey is my new room mate. She is a 9-year old shepherd mix that walks me around the neighborhood several times per day. It took me about 3 days to get used to walking; my shins and calves were not thrilled with me at the outset of this change to my daily routine. However, by the end of week one, I realized that the usual aches and pains that I notice were all but gone!

Six weeks into walking the dog, I went to see DrK for my usual Thursday adjustment, and the thermal scan revealed NOTHING wrong my spine, and therefore NO need for an adjustment. I don't usually have a good grip on slang or pop-cultural vernacular, but I believe the present-day term for this sort of occasion would be 'WOOT WOOT!'.

Soooo . . . . . This week's advice is: Don't ignore common sense!

Healthy living is not rocket science. Have you ever noticed that every day in this country brings us another report or study on health, nutrition, weight loss, exercise, or medicine? Despite all the 'knowledge' we are developing; as a society, we are growing fatter, weaker, and sicker and we lean more and more towards dependence on drugs and surgery just to stay functional? There is something wrong with this situation.

Don’t ignore common sense!
Avoid Sugar.

JamiK

Perfectly Palatable Pasta Salad

Mix:
4 cups cooked pasta (I like penne, bow-tie or rotini)
3 cups of chopped fresh vegetables
-(carrots, celery, onion, peppers, tomatoes)
1 cup of Italian Salad Dressing
- I just found Newman's Own 'Light Italian' & 'Olive Oil & Vinegar'

4 Tbsp McCormick Salad Supreme
Refrigerate

This is one of the easiest recipes - I love it that the Salad Supreme has all the seasonings and NO SUGAR! I'm sure that anyone can add their own twist to this and it will be just as good. I think next time I might add some shredded cheese.

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

Drum Roll, Please!!

Okay, okay, okay . . . . I'm a slacker. I have many things to share due to my long absence from bloggerland, so this is going to come in a couple of installments.

I shall begin this post with a confession. Since the beginning of July, I have not been particularly vigilant about the 'GREED' content of my food. July 2010 was literally the busiest month of my life to date. . . .

5 day Trip to Milwaukee to visit a friend. (one of these days was spent on a boat consuming pre-made sandwiches from the grocery store deli, chips & dip, and Summer Shandy followed by an amazing pizza on shore between the sun bathing and the fireworks)
7 day vacation / camping trip in Central Wisconsin (all the usual - hot dogs, brats, baked beans, pasta salad, breakfast bars, granola bars, and who knows what else)
Family reunion in Chicago (fried chicken, pasta salad, and lots of other fixins not prepared in a sugar-free restaurant)
3 wedding weekends (8 days counting travel and additional time at the various locales) . . . . one in Iowa, one in Wisconsin, and one in Indiana. (I can't even remember all the 'terrible' (aka yummy) foods I ate)

For a total of 23 days on vacation . . . . . . . I could get used to this. . . . . .

Now that the confession is out of the way . . . . . . At the end of June, I noted several things regarding my physical condition and then couldn't find my original notes to compare with. Thankfully, the notebook has been found!

-------------------01/03/10----------07/01/10--------Difference

Weight:--------------185-----------------162------------23 lbs
Pants size:------------16----------------10/12
T-shirt size:---------Large--------------Medium
Shirt Size:-------------14----------------10/12
Shoe Size:-------------9.5------------------9
Ring Size: I haven't gotten around to actually measuring this, but the size 7 CZ ring I used to wear as an engagement ring to scare off the crazies on the dance floor is now loose on my middle finger.
Measurements
Bust:-----------------42"------------------40"--------------2"
Waist:----------------34"------------------31"--------------3"
Panty line:-----------38.5"----------------36.5"-------------2"
Butt:-----------------44"------------------40"--------------4"
R Thigh:--------------28"------------------25"--------------3"
L Thigh:--------------28"-----------------24.5"-------------3.5"
R Knee:---------------20"-----------------19"---------------1"
L Knee:--------------20.5"----------------19"--------------1.5"
R Arm:---------------14"-----------------12.75"------------1.25"
L Arm:---------------14"------------------12.5"-------------1.5"

I'm feeling pretty darn good about myself right now. (despite the fact that you all now know how big my butt is)

I shall end this post with a committment: I am back to life sans sugar. As of Today, I am once again living inGREEDient-free. I even made some Greed-free ice cream tonight to kick off my return to a better lifestyle. (I totally made this recipe up, so I'm not sure how well the rest of the world might enjoy it)

Blend 1 quart Bolthouse Farms 'Purely Chocolate' Soymilk, and 2 cups of frozen mixed berries. Pour the mixture into the waiting ice cream maker, and churn away for approximately 30 min. Spoon it into a bowl, and place in the freezer for another half hour.

I call it "Berry Chocolate".

Sleep Well folks! I'll have more to share tomorrow:)

JamiK

Short Blurb . . . .

The results are in . . . . . . but I can't find my notebook with all of my pre-experiment notes. . . . . . I'm feverishly cleaning my house this weekend to locate it. . . . . . more to come soon!!

JamiK

As long as I can have cheesecake, I'll be ok.

Dear Greed-Free Friends,

So sorry for my absence. Life always gets hectic for me as the travel increases, and I've recently felt a bit like a chicken running around without its head. I came off of nearly a month straight on the road just in time to prep for my parents and siblings (well, 7 of them anyway) to come visit me for the holiday last weekend. My Mother's side of the family had a sort of reunion over the holiday weekend, and the following hilarious conversation took place:

Uncle: Wow JamiK, you look great - what are you doing?
JamiK: I gave up sugar, just like MomK
Uncle: I need to do that too . . . . but no, there's no way. I need cheesecake.
MomK: Well, then you just have to learn to make cheesecake without sugar.
Uncle: And I suppose you have a recipe for sugar-free cheesecake?
MomK: Actually we do.
Uncle: Well then maybe I will do that. . . . as long as I can have cheesecake, I'll be OK.

Most of us have our excuses for not eating healthy, not exercising, not doing something beneficial due to some personal predjudice that we have. The key to overcoming is to find what we CAN tolerate; start there, then push the tolerance. I detest excercise . . . but I have to mow the lawn and shovel the driveway and weed the garden to maintain my home. . . that is where I started. Now, I am allowing my sister to persuade me to go for bike rides. We'll start small.

My uncle may need to eat a piece of cheesecake everyday for the first week or two of life without sugar. . . . but it's a place to start. Pick a place to start. Start. Then keep going.



JessiK's No Sugar Added Cheesecake Recipe:
This is a very vague recipe. . . . . my sister doesn't usually worry about things like measurments

Preheat oven to 350

Crust: Crumbled Graham Crackers (no sugar added variety) & butter - crumble the graham crackers and mix in melted butter until consistency is good to line a pan with.

Filling: whip one to two packages of softened cream cheese in a medium sized bowl, beat in 1/3 cup honey, 1 egg, 1 tsp vanilla until blended well. Pour the filling into graham cracker crust lined pan and bake for 12 - 15 minutes . . . . ish.

Top with fruit or no sugar added fruit spread if you like. Refrigerate until cold. Enjoy:)

Hopefully I'll be back sooner rather than later this time:)

JamiK