Reflections on Healthier Living

This picture reminds me that we need to eat to live, not live to eat!  Embarking on a healthier lifestyle these past few months has opened my eyes to so much!  With the help of Leah, I have been introduced to so many new types of foods and a new way of eating!   I thought I was eating healthy all these years, when in actuality  the foods I was eating were not good for my body and did nothing to help my illness .

Eliminating dairy, processed foods, refined sugars and now gluten from my diet has been a bit challenging, but there are so many tasty alternatives out there that I hardly miss anything!  Except ice cream--still have not found a tasty non-dairy, low sugar option yet...but I am still searching!!

Of course, it was my decision to continue with the elimination even after the 21 days that Leah had asked me to go without was over.  Don't get me wrong, once in awhile I may have dairy or something if I am out of town and there no alternatives available, but generally I try to find something else to eat!

My weight loss is stuck at 40 pounds. I am happy with that number in the 2.5 months since I have had this flare up, but I would like to lose about 60 more pounds!! For health, to decrease my pain, and so that I can shop in any store I want--that is a major goal for me!!  I know I will get there, just have to step up my game a bit!!

I need to exercise more, if my body would just cooperate!! I walk all the time, but I need to add some other exercise as well since water aerobics is over for the season.  The outdoor pool is opening on 6/10, so I want to swim every day if I am able to.  I will be starting a pain management program 6/23 twice a week for 6 weeks and that will involve PT/OT and stress/pain management.  Hopefully by the end of the program at the end of July, I can join a gym again, and then I will be back to work and hopefully my life will return to some semblance of normalcy, whatever that means!!

No one ever wants to get sick, but maybe this flare up was a wakeup call for me to start taking better care of myself!! Well I certainly am awake now!!  These changes that I have made will not end once I am feeling better and able to go back to work.  These will be put in place so that nothing like this happens again, and if I do have another bad flare up, hopefully I will be better equipped to handle it if there is a next time!

The best six doctors anywhere

And no one can deny it

Are sunshine, water, rest, and air

Exercise and diet.

These six will gladly you attend

If only you are willing

Your mind they'll ease

Your will they'll mend

And charge you not a shilling.

~Nursery rhyme quoted by Wayne Fields, What the River Knows, 1990

What's Cookin'? Gluten Free Day Two

Day two not much better than day one, as I still feel like crap and can't really eat much of anything. The nice Dr. and I decided it is "most likely a ruptured ovarian cyst", which I have had many times before and hurts like heck for a few days and goes away.  Nevertheless, I had more blood work, and am scheduled for a Pelvic Ultrasound 6/9 (the day after my yearly GYN exam) and I have to get an abdominal X-Ray when I go out on Friday ( I cancelled my Dr's appointments for tomorrow and am going to rest for the next few days, because it hurts to walk) .  Silly me thought I could call Magee up and get my ultrasound today, ya right!  Sometimes it works, usually it doesn't. I hope they can find my left ovary this time, because the last time I had a Pelvic Ultrasound, it was hiding, and the procedure was VERY painful and took two technicians to complete.  But enough about me and my lovely medical problems...

I made all kinds of interesting food after my trip to the doctors office today, too bad I really couldn't enjoy it!!

I made Veggie Quiche --same variation of the recipe I posted on Mother's day: egg white substitute, spinach, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, Cheddar Veggie Shreds, mushrooms, sun dried tomatoes.  Bake at 400 degrees for 45 min...YUMMY!

Baked Greens--I went to Trader Joe's as I had mentioned, to get my gluten free supplies, and found 5.5 bags of great stuff for 81$ (I am shopping at Trader Joe's from now on--the only thing they did not have was my Veggie/Rice shreds which I will get at GE/RBN when I cook with a recipe that requires them).  Back to the greens, I got a huge bag of mixed greens (Spinach, Turnip, Collard, Mustard) for $3.  There were recipes on the back, but I wasn't equipped with the ingredients, so I baked them in EVOO and Seasoned Salt like I do my Kale Chips--DELICIOUS!!

Finally, I made Veggie Stir Fry with Rice Stick noodles--weird little buggers.  You don't need to cook them, just put them in hot water to soften for 10 minutes.  Were kind of tasty once they were in with the Broccoli, Mushrooms, Baby Corn, Bean Sprouts, Carrots, Water Chestnuts, Bamboo Shoots and Teriyaki sauce!

So those were my cooking adventures, probably for the rest of the week, unless I feel up to getting the ingredients for/baking the Gluten Free Banana Bread I posted yesterday.  I think I will save that for next week!

Happy Hump Day Eve!!

My Belly Hurts!!! Gluten Free, Day 1

I think I have the stomach flu, a UTI, or an ovarian cyst...not like I don't have enough problems already, but my stomach/left side has been killing me the past few days! Today I started the gluten-free portion of my diet and here is how it went:

Breakfast-

Nothing.... belly was killing me

Lunch

piece of chicken
apple
celery
lots of water


Dinner

broth
2 pieces of gluten free toast
1/2 tsp of peanut butter
lots of water
banana

Snack

celery
Trader Joe's Natural Turkey Jerky (yummy, no preservatives, no nitrates)
lots of water

Overall, not the best diet day, as usually I eat veggies 3x a day, including a morning smoothie, but I just wasn't feeling it today!  I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow to see what is going on...hopefully nothing serious, as I am so tired of being sick!!

I am looking forward to trying out all kinds of gluten-free recipes that I have found online!  This Banana Bread  looks particularly yummy.  Of course, I will have to make all my substitutions as usual.  I may make it this week and if so, will let you all know how it turns out!

'Health is a state of complete harmony of the body, mind and spirit. When one is free from physical disabilities and mental distractions, the gates of the soul open". --B.K.S Iyengar

Bye, Bye Gluten!

That's right kids!  Not only am I off dairy, refined sugars and processed foods, but we are saying goodbye to gluten as well! At least for 21 days, that is!  I am armed with gluten free items from Trader Joe's that I purchased yesterday.  Since I started this diet, veggies have been my staple, along with chicken and whole grain pasta.  But now, I switched to rice pasta, which Leah says holds the flavor much better than the pasta I was eating, so I am anxious to try it!

Last week I was telling some different friends about my diet, weight loss and foods I had eliminated.  My friend Dave remarked, "If I was eating cardboard, I would lose 40 pounds too."  Of  course we all had a good laugh, but as I have said many times, I do not miss anything that I used to eat.  I have found tasty alternatives for everything...except ice cream.  I tried the Rice milk ice cream, and it was pretty nasty!!   I am still on the search for a non-dairy , gluten free, low sugar alternative to ice cream.  Anyone know of one, let me know!!

I am not sure what I am making this week for dinner...blogging regularly has been hard for me!  I am starting the no-gluten phase tomorrow, so I will try to update as much as I can.  Gluten Free Goddess is one of the blogs I read and she has some yummy posts, so I expect to be making some of her culinary creations! Please remember to send me recipes, especially now if you have a favorite that is gluten free!

The power of love to change bodies is legendary, built into folklore, common sense, and everyday experience.  Love moves the flesh, it pushes matter around.... Throughout history, "tender loving care" has uniformly been recognized as a valuable element in healing.  ~Larry Dossey

I have been a bad blogger!

Sorry loyal readers, I have been a bad blogger!! Life has been crazy lately but to update, I have lost over 40 pounds, 20 of it since I started my new diet.  I cannot say that I notice any decrease in my pain, but I love what I have been eating!  My family is skeptical ( I made a vegan cheesecake and a veggie quiche for mother's day), but they are supportive of my lifestyle changes!

Its been a little over a month since starting this diet.  If you recall, I was initially supposed to go 21 days witout dairy, which I did.  Mothers day weekend, I went out and had dairy Friday and Saturday (12 pudding shots for a good cause Friday night--lol and Saturday there was cheese in the Vegetable Lasagna.) Needless to say, I got very sick from eating the dairy, so I must have an intolerance.  So I am sticking to the Rice milk and Rice Shreds when I make a recipe that calls for cheese!

I had friends over for lunch yesterday and I introduced them to my healthy cooking and they were in love!! I made pasta salad (tri color/whole grain pasta with fat free italian dressing, cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, peppers, salad supreme); kale chips, and 4 types of flat out bread pizza (sundried tomato and mozzarella veggie shreds, red and orange pepper, mushroom and olive and mozzarella veggie shreds, spinach, mushroom and chicken, then a chicken and broccoli, both with mozzarella veggie shreds).  I received many compliments and everyone took leftovers home!  I was so happy to have people to cook for!!

Not sure what I am cooking this week, but will post updates when I do!  Thanks for reading and remember to send me some of your favorite recipes!!!

Two Weeks In and Not Looking Back!

A friend messaged me on Facebook to see how my week was, so I thought it was a good time as any to check in and update everyone on my progress.  I have lost 14 pounds since I started this diet almost two weeks ago, 35 total since my late Feb/early March.  I don't miss the dairy, sugar, or processed foods at all!! I snack on fruits, veggies, nuts, drink a lot of water, feel full quickly, and am not missing any of the junk!! If I go out to eat, I have been sticking to salads or vegetarian options, just to be on the safe side.  If I eat meat, it is boneless, skinless chicken and lean ground turkey.  I am really happy with my progress so far and I don't believe that I will be returning to my former eating habits again!


Here is what I am making next week:


Split Pea Soup


Low Fat, Low Cal Spinach Quiche

• substitution--no cheese--I have cheddar and mozzarella rice shreds--pretty good for fake cheese :)
• no eggbeaters-I use egg white substitute
• no ham -I have turkey bacon in the freezer
• shockingly, I have no broccoli, but I have a ton of other veggies, so I am sure there will be more than spinach in my quiche!

Chicken Vegetable Casserole

• I will be adding my own combo of veggies and fake cheese, but using the recipe as a guideline :)

Kale Chips

I am going to try this recipe.  This is completely different from how I made them last time.  We shall see which one we like better!

Quinoa Primavera



Leah introduced me to Quinoa on our last visit and I found this recipe and I am going to try it!  I do not have fresh garlic or peppers, but I will make due with what I have!


I will be giving away a jar of Better N Peanut Butter and a package of Flat Out Bread to the first person submitting a recipe that I make and will feature on my blog!  So, get those recipes in!!!


Have a great weekend everyone!

"One of the very nicest things about life is the way we must regularly stop whatever it is we are doing and devote our attention to eating".  ~Luciano Pavarotti and William Wright, Pavarotti, My Own Story

Fraggles like Radishes, and So Do I -- Days 7-8

Fraggle Rock was one of my favorite television shows growing up!  Did anyone else watch it?  While babysitting our 3 year old nephew Giovanni a few weekends ago, we tried to show him the DVD, but he was not that enthused by it.  My dad, Chris, and I, on the other hand, started talking about the show, remembering our favorite characters, and it brought back great memories from my childhood!


I bought an enormous bunch of fresh radishes yesterday, hence the Fraggle Rock reference. As you may recall from the show, the Gorgs were not big fans of the Fraggles, because they were constantly stealing the radishes from their garden! But enough about Fraggles...

My second meeting with Leah yesterday went quite well!  She was impressed with my progress, my attitude, and my desire to reach all of my goals that I had set forth to accomplish!  I told her what a positive response I had been getting from my blog, which, in all honesty, I had never expected!  I started this blog initially for myself and Leah, as a second part to another blog, to document the journey that I have been on to take control of my life and my health over the past few months.  With this particular blog, however, I hope to  inspire others to at least think about making some positive changes in their own lives, if not vicariously through my changes, and help me celebrate my successes, failures, and try some new foods in the process!


I got some great things at the store yesterday, and I am going to be cooking more, instead of just eating salads and smoothies :) So instead of telling you what I am eating every day, I will start sharing recipes of what I am cooking, and asking you to contribute your favorites as well!  I will also start giving away prizes for my favorite recipes that I make from what is submitted, so make sure you participate!


Here is what I am making today:


Dinner will be Chicken and Veggie Stir Fry--
no recipe-just boneless chicken and whatever veggies I feel like throwing in ( I have fresh celery, carrots, red cabbage, water chestnuts, green beans, spinach, radishes, kohlrabi-probably will be some of all of these)  and some type of sauce ( I will probably do something creative here with what I have on hand - I have peanut butter, Teriyaki  sauce, soy sauce, Honey BBQ sauce and French dressing--should be interesting :0)


I am also making Turkey Stuffed Cabbage Leaves with the following modifications:

• I use 99% fat free ground turkey breast from Giant Eagle, which usually comes in 19 oz packages, so I will be using the whole package (as soon as hubby brings it from the store:)
• I bought red cabbage yesterday, so that's what I am using--never had stuffed red cabbage--should be interesting :)
• I don't like/have onions, so won't be using onions
• I also have a sensitivity to eggs, so I will be using an egg white substitute I bought yesterday, not Egg Beaters though

Lastly, I am making Extra Lean Turkey Meatloaf (Chris LOVES my meatloaf) again with the following modifications:

• egg white substitute
• no onions, green peppers or mushrooms (I do not have these and he does not like them :)

Do you have a favorite recipe for any of the above dishes? I would love to hear them!  Once I am done cooking, I will post some pics!


Have a great day!

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you what you are." -- Anthelme Brillat-Savarin

Days 5-6...Weekend Recap and Grocery List for Monday

I hope everyone had a great weekend, because I know that I did!! Friday night was a blast, and I managed to find food that fell into the diet plan.  Yesterday, I spent most of the day at the laundry mat, washing blankets and clothes that needed given away, etc. It felt so good to get caught up on everything so that we could start fresh and go to bed with clean, fresh smelling clothes!!!  Today, I just walked around Bellevue and enjoyed the sunshine, had some great tea and yummy hummus, found some wonderful items to redecorate our apartment with, and I am about ready to take a nap!!  Life is good!!

So, what did I eat yesterday and today? Not a whole lot!! I have not been very hungry to tell you the truth.  I have lost about 10 pounds since last Monday's doctors appointment ( again, my scale could be lying, but I have been steadily losing weight since February or March about 30 pounds total so far).  Two of the medicines that I am on can suppress your appetite and cause you to lose weight and one can cause you to gain weight, so between the three of them, drinking lots of water, walking a lot and this new diet, the weight is coming off rather quickly.

Saturday

Breakfast


1 c multi grain cheerios
1 c almond milk
1 banana

Lunch


wrap w better n peanut butter
banana flax walnuts
lots of water

Dinner

Grilled Chicken Strawberry Salad --from Eat N Park (so yummy--but I did not like the dressing)
lots of water




Sunday

Brunch


Hummus and Pita from Affogato
pot of almond cookie tea
bottle of water

Dinner will be TBD, probably a spinach salad or something.  I need to get smoothie ingredients and more veggies, thats why I did not have smoothies or many greens this weekend.  I will stick to everything but the smoothies on the weekends, then go back to normal on Monday.

Grocery List

I meet with Leah again on Monday at Right By Nature and I need:

1. kale (but I need to look for a different kind, the last one was great but a bit too bitter)
2. bananas
3. spinach
4. parsley
5. apples
6. hummus
7. pasta
8. ground turkey
9. frozen blueberries
10. flat out bread
11. sprouts
12. broccoli
13. snap peas
14. tofu
15. green beans
16. plums
17. tomatoes
18. celery
19. whatever else I may see  that looks interesting:)

Enjoy the rest of the weekend everyone!!!

"The wise man should consider that health is the greatest of human blessings. Let food be your medicine." 

- Hippocrates

We Have a Winner! --Day 4!

After four days of making the morning smoothie, I think I have perfected it to my liking!!!

Breakfast
Smoothie
-new ingredient 1 slice silken tofu because I was not getting enough protein in my diet according to Leah
-also added a few of these for interest Omega 3 Munchies Bananna FlaxSeed Walnuts ( really good--also found during my trip to Market District


Lunch


flat out bread wrap
2 tsp of my favorite peanut butter replacement Better 'n Peanut Butter (found this stuff at Trader Joe's a few years ago and LOVE it--I actually introduced Leah to it on our trip to Right by Nature--guess we can learn from each other :)
1 small squeeze of organic raw honey
1 banana
1 c almond milk (cannot have a peanut butter sandwich without milk, even though it is not the real thing, but just as good, and better for you :)

Snack

2 apples
leftover kale chips

Dinner 
TBD
Today is William Shakespeare's 446th birthday, and since I love him, and love to act, I will be eating at Te Cafe tonight for Shakespeare Sonnet O Thon/ Bring Your Own Bard

Gotta run now folks!! Have a fantastic weekend!!!

Look What I Found At the Store Today and It Is YUMMY!!!!--Day 3

So my faithful followers, its day 3 and I am still going strong!  My scale says I have lost 4 pounds since my doctors appointment on Monday, but my scale tends to be on crack, so you never can tell!! But other than being tired, cranky and in pain (which is my normal lately), I am so excited about this diet and really enjoying the taste of everything I am eating!!!

But I can tell you one thing, and I am sure it is more intimate info than you will want know about me,   this diet is definitely good for the uh, plumbing...if you know what I mean :)

Day 3

Breakfast
Smoothie
-frozen blueberries were added to replace the fresh blackberries of the first two--much better!!
 --Note to self, be near a bathroom if doing the smoothie then running around in the am.  I was so lucky I was at Market District Giant Eagle to get some stuff before my appointment at the pain clinic, or I may have been in trouble :(  Luckily, the check out lane I was in when my stomach started acting up was directly in front of the ladies room!!


Lunch
Flat Out  Healthy Grain Honey Wheat Low Fat Wrap
1/2 tsp roasted red pepper hummus
leftover chicken and spinach salad
bean sprouts
apple
bottle of water
-i found these wraps today at Market district.  Here is the skinny on them: 100 cal, 2 g fat, 20 carbohydrates, 7g fiber, 8 g protein....and DELICIOUS!!!! I had all the other stuff at home, but was salivating on the bus, thinking of how great this was going to taste all together, and I was right!!  This is going to be a great source of fiber carbohydrates and protein for me I think and an easy thing for me to carry around when I am running around!


Dinner


leftover spinach pasta
leftover kale chips
apple
2 bottles of water
blackberries

I know that many people were watching Food Inc. last night, and while I did not catch it, I was watching Law and Order SVU (one of my favorite shows).  The topic was the murder of a woman who had gone undercover to expose the seedy side of the meat packing industry.  Anyhow, my point of bringing this up is about the quality of our food in general.  We never know what may be in the food that we eat, who is preparing in in a restaurant and what they might be doing to it, what might be used to grow vegetables/feed animals from pesticides, to antibiotics, to chemicals, etc.  Just like we have no idea how our bodies will react to a certain medicine, we also do not know how our bodies will react to all foods (besides obvious things).

In 2006, I had my gallbladder removed and have had GERD since I was little, and  I know that I really cannot eat greasy or spicy foods, or much red sauce, or my belly will be very unhappy ! A few years ago, I started noticing that eating eggs upset my stomach, but eating egg beaters, or egg whites do not seem to bother me. I am learning that listening to your body when it comes to pain, sensitivities to food, etc is very important.

Last lesson for the night, eating well is more costly than eating cheaply--DUH!  If healthy foods were less expensive, the obesity problem probably would not be as great as it is today. Many people are in such a hurry and lead such busy lives (myself included), that we do not sit down and actually take the time to enjoy a good, healthy, home cooked meal!

Right now I am not as active as I am used to because of the fibromyalgia.  But as I begin to get my illness back under control and get back to a normal routine, I really am going  to focus on putting these ideas I am talking about into practice for the rest of my life!!!

I love Kale!

Day Two--much more successful than day one!!! The morning smoothie is very filling.  Alterations will be made for tomorrow's smoothie, however,  because I bought fresh blackberries instead of frozen berries.  The smoothie was good, but too seed filled for my liking.  Tomorrow's will be better!

Breakfast
Smoothie

Lunch
Spinach Salad (see yesterday's dinner)

Dinner
spinach pasta with olive oil and spices
cucumber and tomato salad with Italian salad spray, garlic salt and pepper
apple
Baked Kale Chips (these are SOOO good)!

I have noticed this diet makes me full very quickly and I am not even hungry between meals!  I really love vegetables to begin with, and am glad to be introduced to some new ones, as well eliminating foods that are not healthy for me.

My husband, who is a picky eater, also liked the kale chips and has begun to make smoothies for himself as well!!  I am so happy that he is supporting me on this journey, because as we approach our first year of marriage on August 29, we want to continue to have a long, healthy, happy life together!!

Healing My Body with Healthy Foods-Anti-Inflammatory Diet Overview and Day 1

Yesterday was my second meeting with my holistic health counselor, Leah . We met at Right By Nature, in the Strip District.  I am not going to go into everything that was discussed, but basically, I was put on an anti-inflammatory diet to help with my fibromyalgia first and foremost and weight loss will come naturally with healthier eating. We will meet twice a month from April-October and hopefully by the end of that time, I will be able to see decreased pain and weight loss as well!

I was told to all avoid processed foods, refined sugars and dairy because they are unhealthy for fibromyalgia sufferers and contribute to acidity and inflamation in our bodies.   The first two were not going to be a big issue, but I love dairy!! Skim milk, cottage cheese, low fat yogurt, low fat ice cream...I was sad at first and not sure how I would be able to give up dairy.  Leah showed me some alternatives to milk (Rice, Almond, etc), Kefir instead of yogurt, etc.  She wants me to give up the dairy for 21 days, which I should be able to do--I am hopeful!! The only things I usually had every day were milk and cottage cheese, so as long as I get some kind of milk substitute and replace the cottage cheese for breakfast, I should be fine!.

She also wanted me to add greens to my diet three times a day. My diet should consist of 50% greens, 25 % protein, 25% whole carbohydrates, but the greens need to be first!

For breakfast, she wants be to make drink a smoothie daily with the following:

1 celery stalk
1 bunch fresh parsley
1 c spinach
1 banana
1/4 c frozen berries
1/4 c juice
3/4 c water
and some type of protein to be added at a later date

Sounded kind of odd to me, but she is the expert, so I bit!


She also suggested two supplements:

• natural calm, a relaxing magnesium supplement (which I can put in water or in my smoothie two teaspoons daily)
• super critical omega (supports heart, mood, joints, and immunity --I need all the help I can get in these areas--lol)

That was basically our meeting in a nutshell!  It was a lot to take in, but I know I made the right decision!!

Afterwards, I went home, thought about our meeting, ate a lunchable, some cheese and some turkey pepperoni (just to get the desire for dairy and processed foods out of my system), and that was it. No more of this junk for me!

 I broke up with everything last night I am not allowed to have on my Facebook page :


Dear dairy, processed foods and refined sugars....I regret to inform you that our relationship is over! Starting tomorrow, I will begin a new love affair with protein, whole carbs and lots of greens that will hopefully heal my aching body! But tonight, I will enjoy a few last tender moments with cheese and a few other things I am not allowed to have anymore, then it is over!!

Going without dairy, refined sugars and processed foods isn't going to kill me.  Not to say that I ate a ton of these foods on a regular basis anyway, but I actually am looking forward to changing my eating habits and feeling better, first and foremost and losing weight in the process.

I remember a conversation I had with a friend, who is also overweight, and I remember saying to her " if someone told me exactly how I needed to eat to help will all of my health conditions, I would do exactly what they told me to". Well, I got what I asked for! Not that I would wish the pain I have gone through in the past two months on my worst enemy, but obviously my body was pissed off and it was letting me know that I needed a wake up call, and I sure got one!

I started the anti-inflammatory diet today, but did not go full force.  I had to get up at 6 am for doctor's appointments and was out until 2 and I did not eat enough, I did not start the supplements because I wanted to clear them with the doctors (which they approved) and I was in a lot of pain, grouchy and needed a nap and ended up missing lunch because I went right to sleep when I got home.  I know--stop whining and suck it up, right? Lol!

Day One

Breakfast
1 c Multigrain Cherrios
1/4 c almond milk (its actually good, wasn't sure I would like it and its dairy free)

Lunch (was supposed to be my snack, but was out much longer than anticipated today)

apple
1/4 c dry endamame
1 bottle water

Dinner


1 c spinach
1/4 c chicken
1/4 c grape tomatoes

1 bottle water

Tomorrow is another day of doctor's appointments, but I am better prepared, my smoothie is made and food is packed for the day and my meal is planned for dinner, so it should be a much better day food wise!

With the bunch of Kale I bought yesterday, I am going to make:
Baked Kale Chips 

• 1 bunch kale
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 
  
  
  

  
  

• 
  
  
  

  Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a non insulated cookie sheet with parchment paper.
2. With a knife or kitchen shears carefully remove the leaves from the thick stems and tear into bite size pieces. Wash and thoroughly dry kale with a salad spinner. Drizzle kale with olive oil and sprinkle with seasoning salt.
3. Bake until the edges brown but are not burnt, 10 to 15 minutes.

Just one final thought--Lifestyle changes are not quick fixes, because they are processes put into place to correct years of bad habits and ways of doing things.  I am looking forward this next part of my journey to living a happier, healthier life!!

You Are What You Eat

Here are things I enjoy eating by category:

Vegetables

• celery
• lettuce (all kinds except for iceberg)
• radishes
• carrots
• potatoes (all kinds)
• brussel sprouts
• broccoli
• peas
• endamame
• bean sprouts
• cauliflower
• peppers (all types except very spicy ones)
• olives
• tomatoes (especially grape and cherry)
• cabbage
• corn
• pickles (not really a veggie but..)
• cucumbers
• beans (all kinds)
• water chestnuts
• mushrooms

I am sure there is more but that is all I can think of at the moment :)

Vegetables (very few) I don't like

• zucchini (unless its breaded or baked into bread)
• squash (unless its made into a soup)
• eggplant 
• artichokes
• onions (unless they are red or green)

Vegetables I have never tried but would like to:

• kale
• bok choy

Fruits

• all melons
• strawberries
• grapes
• apples (especially green)
• plums
• pears
• mandarin oranges
• blackberries
• clementines
• pineapple
• kiwi
• grapefruit
• bing cherries
• blackberries
• rasberries

Fruits I don't like:

• blueberries

Fruits I have never tried but would like to:

• starfruit
• kumquat
• pomegranate

Meat/Protein that I like:

• ground turkey
• boneless chicken breast
• lean roast beef
• lean boneless porkchops and pork loin
• turkey
• lean ham
• turkey bacon
• lean steak (once in a while)
• turkey smoked sausage and kielbasa
• turkey burgers
• turkey meatballs
• peanut butter
• red beans 
• hummus

Meat I don't like:

• ribs
• fried chicken/wings
• ground meat (unless it is 94-99% fat free)
• hot sausage
• pork bacon
• not a big fan of tofu, but If i knew how to cook it right i may be :)

Fish

Only eat canned tuna--thats as far as I will venture into fish and seafood besides occasional Gortons

Dairy

• Skim milk
• low fat/fat free ice cream/frozen yogurt
• low fat cottage cheese
• low fat string cheese 
• low fat/fat free yogurt

I eat a lot of dairy, cheese is a weakness, but I do try to do low fat and fat free when I can!

Breads and Pastas

• only eat whole wheat/multigrain bread, pasta and brown rice

Snacks (at home or in packed lunches)

• fruits and veggies
• string cheese
• 100 cal packs
• granola bars
• yogurt
• sugar free pudding
• sugar free popcicles
• sugarfree jello
• pretzels
• occasional chocolate and candy bars ( usually only during THAT time of the month)
• cup o soup/soup at hand

Drinks

• Water
• Skim Milk
• Diet ginger ale
• diet soda (not often)
• light juice
• Low sodium V8
• wine (occasional)

Whats in the Pantry Now:

• cereal
• brown rice
• pasta (orzo, whole wheat, spinach and tri color)
• mashed potato flakes
• pasta sauce 
• parmesan cheese
• peanut butter
• better n peanut butter
• soup
• multigrain crackers
• sun chips
• tuna fish
• pineapple
• mandarin oranges
• spices
• olives
• barley
• granola bars
• 100 cal packs
• flour
• olive oil
• pam cooking spray
• crystal light 
• bottled water

What's in the fridge/freezer (I need groceries):

• milk (skim for me and 2 % for hubby)
• light country crock spread
• cucumbers
• tomatoes
• celery
• kellogs protein shakes
• multigrain bread
• sugar free jelly
• condiments (mustard, light mayo, etc)
• eggbeaters
• V8 Splash
• Wine
• vanilla vodka  
• potato vodka
• chocolate liquor

Freezer

• boneless chicken breasts
• spinach
• peas
• green beans
• pizza (husband's)
• anytizers (husbands)
• eggo waffles (husbands)
• turkey bacon

So, thats what I like, what I don't like, and what I have in the house currently!  I am sure this will drastically change as this part of the journey unfolds!  Looking forward to expanding my palate and my cooking skills!!

Getting Healthier from the Inside Out

Nutrition is the next phase I am working on in my journey to a happier, healthier, more fulfilled life as documented in my other blog, Deconstructing Danielle.  I will use this new blog as a food journal, as a place to record my successes, and finally as a way to check in with my nutritionist on my progress.  I am so ready to make some much needed changes in my diet!!! Bring on the veggies!!!