K's personal health journey (members read only): Smart Food Choices that Improve Your Health & Life

[Kätzchen]

Over the last year and a half, I have not been as physically active due to my work related injury. I have learned that, in my case, not being able to walk or be physically active is connected to other health related factors.

For example, I've had to employ critical thinking skills in developing better food choices to aid my health recovery. My doctor asked me last year to keep an journal of all the foods I eat and things I drink. Six months later, via my food journal, we discovered that because of my inability to be as physically active like I used to be, that I had to make better food and drink choices to help heal my body and aid in my physical recovery.

Because of my inability to get physical exercise, my body was not able to process foods I normally used to eat. I learned that I couldn't eat just any type of bread or crackers or types of pasta or types of rice. I also learned that I wasn't getting enough water.

In my case, lack of enough physical activity and not enough water and eating foods which convert readily into sugar has escalated an blood sugar level crisis that I deal with on an daily basis.

So until my mobility improves significantly, my doctor coaches me on things I can do to improve my blood sugar levels, so I don't become diabetic.

Here are a few changes I've made to improve my health:

1) I drink one gallon of water per day. But when warmer weather prevails, my water intake will increase to 1.5 gallons. In extended heat conditions, it has to go up to at least two gallons of water per day, for my body to combat fatigue and because I take special medications, my body needs extra water to help the medications work properly.

2) My doctor recommended that I eat an handful of nuts after each meal. There's something about nuts that helps your body to process foods that convert easily into sugar and keeps your blood sugar from escalating off the charts.

3) Instead of buying major brand peanut or almond butter's, I now go to the health food section of the store and grind my own peanut butter or almond butter. Nut butter's have naturally occurring sugar of less than one gram. Major brand nut butter's have too much sugar.

4) I eat more fresh vegetables and limited types of fruits. I buy organic as often as possible. I buy vegetables that are dark green and all types of colorful sweet peppers and have expanded my tolerance for certain types of cabbage. With fruits, I typically choose blackberries, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries (fresh or with frozen, no sugar added) . I also buy melons when they're in season. Same for squash. Zucchini is an favorite squash I like to buy often, just to slice up and add to my garden salads.

5) I also now eat more types of fish. Baked or smoked, I like salmon, albacore tuna, smoked oysters and sardines. I will only buy chicken that is farm raised where no antibiotics are given to them or hormones. On occasion, I buy grass fed beef-- but red meat is limited to once or twice a month. Eventually, my goal is to get my proteins from plant sources primarily, and only eat fish or eggs moderately.

*********************************
☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆
*********************************

Feel free to share any ideas you think is improving your life or share any articles you come across that has helped you make better food choices. I currently read Diabetic Living because the magazine gives great ideas on making better food choices and the magazine often gives you recipes and menus to try at home.

Here's an link to the website, if you can't find this magazine at your local book store or magazine section at your favorite grocery store:

www.diabeticlivingonline.com

Bon Appétit!

[Kätzchen]

Here's an article from Medscape. It's an commentary provided by Dr. Hansa Bhargava, MD. Her op-ed covers making better food choices.

Title of article: 'Clean' and Healthy Food Eating -- What Does That Mean? (January 22, 2017). There's a video too, as well.

www.medscape.com/viewarticle/874120

[Kätzchen]

http://covers1.booksamillion.com/covers/bam/0/14/303/858/0143038583.jpg

It's been a few years since I read Pollan's book, but I highly recommend his book because he's got a way of showing the reader why making smart food choices not only lowers the carbon foot print, but presents an compelling case for eating clean foods. Pollan educates on the natural history of meals and what we should have for dinner... It's non-fiction, but it's an remarkable read!

[Kätzchen]

If anybody has watched a good food documentaries, please post about it here. I always love to read or watch good films, so feel free to add your recommendations too, okay? :bunchflowers:

Ps/ Hey! Gemme is here, yay! Thanks Gemme!!! :)

[Kätzchen]

da1vvigy5tQ

I have not watched this yet, but my doctor is an naturopath and she recommended watching this TEDx video on reversing diabetes II. I will be watching it this weekend.

[DapperButch]

Forks over Knives

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZb-35oV_7E

"The feature film Forks Over Knives examines the profound claim that most, if not all, of the degenerative diseases that afflict us can be controlled, or even reversed, by rejecting animal-based and processed foods."

It is a whole foods, plant based diet.

[Kätzchen]

Thanks Dapper for that documentary recommendation! That's an really good documentary. I highly recommend watching it too!

Here's an supplemental Huffington Post article on why eating an plant based diet can save your life and reduce your health care costs (see link below).

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/861672


Title of article:

Forks Over Knives: How An Plant-based Diet Can Save America (July 13, 2011).

[Kätzchen]

I'm implementing new habits in my breakfast, lunch and supper ritual's. I'm teaching myself new habits. I like omelet's for any meal, but I find that starting my day off with an power packed protein rich breakfast, with raw form veggies, leaves me in better shape, keeps my energy level stable, and is low impact on my blood sugar levels.

Today I made an three egg (brown, cage free, organic too) omelet. I used 1/8-th cup of water and a tiny splash of low salt soy sauce, instead of milk.

Once I pour the egg mixture into an skillet, lightly greased with grape-seed oil, and cook it using an medium level temperature, I prepare the veggies I want in my omelet. I used one rainbow leaf of Rainbow Chard (rinsed off, patted dry, then torn gently into little bits), an small sprinkling of julienned carrots, three tiny roasted garlic cloves and four walnut halves, and a small sprinkling of sunflower seeds.

Once the omelet is nearly cooked to an matte finish, I laid down an slice of Havarti cheese, piled on the veggies and the sunflower seeds. I covered up the skillet and turned the burner off, so it steamed for a few minutes. Once that's done, I fold over the omelet and placed four walnut halves on top, then drizzled about 3 tablespoons of my homemade Tumeric dressing sauce over the finished omelet.

It was very tasty, slightly crunchy, and simply delish!

I saved half of it back for my breakfast tomorrow morning.

Learning to enjoy more vegetables in their raw, uncooked state is improving my health and I feel satisfied longer because the body works harder to break down all the vitamins and nutrients in vegetables that don't necessarily need to be fully cooked and can be enjoyed in their raw state.

:hk20:

[Dominique]

SNIP:2) My doctor recommended that I eat an handful of nuts after each meal. There's something about nuts that helps your body to process foods that convert easily into sugar and keeps your blood sugar from escalating off the charts.SNIP>Kätzchen

Maybe incorporating a piece of kiwi each day.??!!??


For this moment, let’s talk about the Kiwi fruit. Studies have showed that Kiwi can be consumed by patients having type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Due to its fiber and fructose found in Kiwi fruits, the glycemic index is extremely low (53). This mean that eating this fruit will not increase blood sugar level significantly.
It contains Inositol necessary for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics. It enhances the sensitivity of insulin in the human body which can lead to higher absorption of glucose into the cell that lessens the sugar in the blood stream.
Kiwi fruit is low in fat that aid in gaining weight. The weight of type 2 patients need to be regulated so that their diabetes will also controlled.
It has the ability of protecting DNA from oxygen related damage because Kiwi is high in phytonutrients. Though researchers are not yet certain which specific compounds that give a protective antioxidant capacity, they are convinced that with the help of these varieties of flavonoids and carotenoids act as antioxidant, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.
Vitamin C and A is present that promotes faster healing process and good eyesight.
Besides it will help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease because it reduces the fats and diminishes the risk of blood clot;
Rich in polyphenols, and potassium, which may function individually to protect the blood vessels and heart.

[Kätzchen]

SNIP:2) My doctor recommended that I eat an handful of nuts after each meal. There's something about nuts that helps your body to process foods that convert easily into sugar and keeps your blood sugar from escalating off the charts.SNIP>Kätzchen

Maybe incorporating a piece of kiwi each day.??!!??


For this moment, let’s talk about the Kiwi fruit. Studies have showed that Kiwi can be consumed by patients having type 1 and 2 diabetes.
Due to its fiber and fructose found in Kiwi fruits, the glycemic index is extremely low (53). This mean that eating this fruit will not increase blood sugar level significantly.
It contains Inositol necessary for controlling blood sugar levels in diabetics. It enhances the sensitivity of insulin in the human body which can lead to higher absorption of glucose into the cell that lessens the sugar in the blood stream.
Kiwi fruit is low in fat that aid in gaining weight. The weight of type 2 patients need to be regulated so that their diabetes will also controlled.
It has the ability of protecting DNA from oxygen related damage because Kiwi is high in phytonutrients. Though researchers are not yet certain which specific compounds that give a protective antioxidant capacity, they are convinced that with the help of these varieties of flavonoids and carotenoids act as antioxidant, these phytonutrients in kiwi may be responsible for this DNA protection.
Vitamin C and A is present that promotes faster healing process and good eyesight.
Besides it will help lower the risk of cardiovascular disease because it reduces the fats and diminishes the risk of blood clot;
Rich in polyphenols, and potassium, which may function individually to protect the blood vessels and heart.

oh gosh, that's an EXCELLENT idea about adding Kiwi fruit to one's daily dietary intake. Thanks so much for letting me know, Dominique! I had no idea how Kiwi helps control blood sugars. I am adding this fruit to my grocery shopping list! Thanks so much for sharing! :balloon:

[Kätzchen]

Today I went grocery shopping after I was done with my doctor visit. I bought:

Chia seeds, flax seeds, organic vegetables for garden salads, Sesame Tahini Sticks, Walnuts, and a box of Think Think Caramel Fudge, Marcaspone Cheese, French Sheep Feta Crumbles, and Late July Organic Tortilla Chips, and Plant Milk. Oh, and Kiwi Fruit!

http://shop.latejuly.com/img/products/ljs-000298.jpg

[Kätzchen]

One of the things I've done to change my food choice behaviors is to severely limit my intake of bread (in general). To cultivate and expand my repertoire of making better choices, I now use large leaf plants to make an wrap or sandwich and substitute Sesame Tahini salad stick toppers to satisfy my craving for bread. However, I still sin regularly by having tiny slices (limited to one slice a day) of low carb, high protein artisan bread which has minimal sugar content, zero content if I can find bread without sugar.

Here's what I made for my lunch today. I made Rainbow Chard Albacore Tuna wrap's. I made four of them in advance. I had one today for my lunch, and I'll have the others as the days go by.

Ingredients:

4 washed leaves of Rainbow Chard
1 large tin of Albacore Tuna.
Mascarpone Italian Cream Cheese
Sesame Tahini Salad Stick toppers
Tumeric powder
Fresh Blackberries.
sea salt and cracked peppercorns.
Chopped Walnuts

Recipe directions:

1) wash and pat dry 4 leaves of Rainbow Chard. Cut the stems from the leaves, and save them to toss in with any vegetable soup you might make in the very near future or save the stems and chop them up to put in your garden salad.

2) Smear some of the Mascarpone cheese on to each single leaf of chard. Use an tbsp on each leaf. Spread it around the center of the leaf only because you will stack other items on top of the cheese.

3) sprinkle Tumeric powder on the cheese.

4) lay sections of the tuna on top, next. One large tin of Albacore Tuna divided up between four leaves of chard.

5) Use sesame tahini stick toppers and chopped walnuts and fresh blackberries to finish.

6) If you have an favorite salad dressing you use that is zero sugar and low fat, drizzle some of it over the contents of each leaf, lightly. ( I use my home made Tumeric salad dressing, which is made from tumeric powder, greek yogurt and coconut oil). Then dress the wraps lightly with sea salt, then crack pepper corns over it generously.

7) roll them up like you would when you make an burrito with an flour tortilla.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

Here's an Web link to explore the aspects of The Paleo Diet, for supplementary reading and for ideas on how to make better food choices:

https://thepaleodiet.com/

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

This wrap is low carb, zero added sugar, high protein and is fairly tasty. I'd say it's flavor is more along the lines of an Mediterranean type flavor. Mild, zesty, tasty, and healthy. You can find other ideas for Chard Wraps by googling Paleo Food Recipes online.

Here's what my Rainbow Chard Albacore Tuna Wrap looks like (see picture below):

http://images.ohsheglows.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/IMG_3887.jpg

Bon Appétit! :balloon:

[kittygrrl]

J'aime this thread Kat:stillheart: thank you for wonderful options

[Dominique]

Alongside spinach, cashews and almonds are some of the best sources of magnesium in the human diet. The fact they are convenient, low carb and delicious is just a bonus.

Magnesium is an essential mineral involved in hundreds of bodily processes, including blood sugar regulation.

The mechanism of action is unclear, but low magnesium levels is strongly associated with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. It seems to influence insulin secretion, which may be why so many diabetics have low magnesium.

Additionally, clinical trials have shown that correcting low magnesium improves insulin response and lowers blood sugar levels.

[Dominique]

:blink: I can't seem to get the article to post. click the link (sorry)


http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-and-diabetes-curcumin-protect/

[Kätzchen]

:blink: I can't seem to get the article to post. click the link (sorry)


http://naturalsociety.com/turmeric-and-diabetes-curcumin-protect/

Thank you SO much!

Tumeric is my new "savior." That spice is essential to my overall recovery, as well as magnesium rich foods. Thanks for adding really useful ideas and tips to this forum thread, Dominique! :bunchflowers:

[Kätzchen]

Our friend in the community, DapperButch, posted an great resource about the food industry in the .......Zombie :| thread. Thanks Dapper!

If you haven't watched this documentary, I highly recommend watching it. Here's an trailer for the film, and I think you can even watch it for free online (google is very helpful to find it).

What The Health? (2017)

Jf44vLndiRM

[Kätzchen]

While the proverbial jury is still out on giving plant based diets the full stamp of approval, there is strong indicators of proof that plant based diets will not only improve your overall health, but if you have pre-diabetes issues associated with blood sugar levels and how your body produces and uses its own natural insulin, then this article will give you an better understanding of why changing your normal food choices to an Plant Based Diet, could save your life.

I radically changed my diet to be top heavy on Plant Based foods, which in turn has allowed my bodily processes to self correct in natural ways. I am on an medically supervised diet as prescribed by my primary physician. As well as switching to an plant based diet, I continue to lose weight, my heart function improves and before too long, I won't need experimental medication to aid in correcting my blood sugar issues .

Bonus info to other medically endorsed studies discussing Plant Based Diets is included in this scholarly article.

Title of Medscape article:

Vegan Diet Rapidly Improves Type II Diabetes Markers In Adults (Jenkins, K., February 26, 2018).

LINK: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/893125

[Kätzchen]

I will be back next Sunday to update this forum thread with any news or tips or interesting ideas that pertain to eating Smart Food Choices.

And to say thanks to members of the community for sharing your ideas and your thoughtful contributions.

Until then, may the GQQD Juju of Smart Food Choices be with you all! :balloon:

http://weightlossfromwaistips.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/Smat-food-choices.jpg

[DapperButch]

Our friend in the community, DapperButch, posted an great resource about the food industry in the .......Zombie :| thread. Thanks Dapper!

If you haven't watched this documentary, I highly recommend watching it. Here's an trailer for the film, and I think you can even watch it for free online (google is very helpful to find it).

What The Health? (2017)

Jf44vLndiRM

Katzchen, I just floated over to this thread to let folks know of this film. Thank you for posting this because I don't know how to put up videos like the above.

I was saying in the other thread that I had been feeling like utter crap for 4 months. I was so fatigued, felt physically sluggish, was sleeping all day both days of the weekend. I didn't know what was up. I had no idea that it could be about my increase in eating meat (chicken...from once a week to several times a week) and dairy (from no cheese, to cheese 1-2 times a week) and eating processed foods (from very rare, to somewhat common).

Within a couple of days of eating vegan, fresh foods, I started feeling better. I just started this past Tuesday. Now the weekend is over and I had energy from morning until night for both days, with no naps.

Was it Hippocrates who said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"

Katzchen, I have been taking Tumeric since my colon cancer in 2010. I was off point for a couple of years due to cost, but I have been back on it for a while. Chronic disease is all about inflammation and Tumeric is the butt kicker (well that, and a plant based diet)!

[Kätzchen]

Katzchen, I just floated over to this thread to let folks know of this film. Thank you for posting this because I don't know how to put up videos like the above.

I was saying in the other thread that I had been feeling like utter crap for 4 months. I was so fatigued, felt physically sluggish, was sleeping all day both days of the weekend. I didn't know what was up. I had no idea that it could be about my increase in eating meat (chicken...from once a week to several times a week) and dairy (from no cheese, to cheese 1-2 times a week) and eating processed foods (from very rare, to somewhat common).

Within a couple of days of eating vegan, fresh foods, I started feeling better. I just started this past Tuesday. Now the weekend is over and I had energy from morning until night for both days, with no naps.

Was it Hippocrates who said, "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food"

Katzchen, I have been taking Tumeric since my colon cancer in 2010. I was off point for a couple of years due to cost, but I have been back on it for a while. Chronic disease is all about inflammation and Tumeric is the butt kicker (well that, and a plant based diet)!

Yes, I believe it was Hippocrates. What a brilliant physician, right?!?!!

I'm not that overweight, but the foods I thought were so good turned out to be poison. Poison as in: sugar, flours, and most types of meat (bacon, any red meat, white meat, etc), except I can have fish in very small portions. But eventually I hope to be entirely free of meat, any animal meat. I am invested heavily for my own sake in correcting my food choices, permanently. And yes, 100 percent agree with you that Plant Based Food choices leave you in the best shape possible, as well as full of energy! :)

[Dominique]

2Hfq3x0MHEY




Fast forward to 2:39 for the recipe

[Kätzchen]

Thanks Dominique for your post (and the recipe)!

I've been doing fairly well on my anti-inflammatory, plant based diet. I keep losing about a pound and a half as each week rolls by. I'm down 10 pounds since about 5 or six weeks into radically changing the foods I eat.

I have an followup appt in two weeks with my primary care doctor and if my blood sugar count stays below and stabilizes over the next few months, then there's a chance that I won't have to take medication as an intervention in my overall health.

I appreciate all the useful tips and resources that you and others provide. Thanks so very much!

:bouquet:

[Dominique]

I'm going to grow both ginger root and turmeric in my garden this year. Turmeric roots are expensive to buy, and are said to be very easy to grow. You can even grow them in a container! I hope this isn't too off topic :sunglass:

hAUWnNmonEY

mnwHmyiWS-k

[Kätzchen]

Is definitely my new 'savior', my new best friend, for real. I'm actually very interested in growing my own. Sounds like a new adventure and great summertime activity. Thanks for that VERY useful post and no, I don't think it's off topic at all.

Cheers! :bunchflowers:

[Kätzchen]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/aa/29/70aa29d8b5206e46dedf10046b2cd606.jpg

https://www.bolthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/07/48oz_PPMilk_Unsweetened_520x720-190x262.png

I buy non-dairy, vegan, organic, zero sugar yogurt at either Trader Joe's or at my favorite grocery store. I use the plain variety in food prep like when I make my Tumeric salad dressing.

Here's the latest way I make my Tumeric Salad Dressing:

2- 6 ounce single serving cartons of Forager Cashewgurt.
1/2 cup plain Bolthouse Plant Milk
3 heaping tablespoons of Tumeric
2/3 cup flax seed powder (organic)
Generous amount of cracked peppercorns
A splash of Sesame Seed Oil (1/4 cup or less)
Filtered water

Directions: put all of the above ingredients into the blender and blend up until creamy smooth. If your finished mixture is thick, add filtered water until it's in an pourable state. Store in covered glass jars and keep refrigerated.

Here's an helpful video about Forager Cashewgurt:


J0-4ipFMtQk

[DapperButch]

So, guys. I was away at a conference through yesterday morning and the choices of food were limited. I actually didn't have the option to eat vegan, or even vegatarian at some meals (which was surprising, actually). Anyway, I felt like crap for those days. I ate my last meal, lunch yesterday there and I still feel like crap today.

So crazy how much my energy level is impacted by food. I am going to head to the co-op now since the cupboard is empty.

[Kätzchen]

So, guys. I was away at a conference through yesterday morning and the choices of food were limited. I actually didn't have the option to eat vegan, or even vegatarian at some meals (which was surprising, actually). Anyway, I felt like crap for those days. I ate my last meal, lunch yesterday there and I still feel like crap today.

So crazy how much my energy level is impacted by food. I am going to head to the co-op now since the cupboard is empty.

That's the new challenge I face, Dapper. That must have been so hard, not finding the types of foods you need on the menu. Just a few days ago, my friend and colleague from work took us out to dinner. I already knew where we'd go (Olive Garden, her favorite restaurant). So I put some of my own veggies and berries and dry salad fixings (Sesame Tahini sticks, raisins, Chia seeds, and walnuts), and took my own bottle of Tumeric salad dressing. I couldn't have any of the regular Italian cuisine fare on the menu, just their base garden salad and pepperocini peppers. My salad looked awesome and was very filling, after I put my own veggies and stuff on it. Of course, it would have been great if I didn't have to take my own salad fixings, and of course not every restaurant will allow you to do that.

This summer I'm going to be looking for different types of food venues because my favorite places to have lunch or supper, or even breakfast, don't really cater to the vegan crowd.

But, heck yes, I feel better sticking to an plant based diet. The energy one feels is so very uplifting, you feel vibrant and alive.

If you find any good vegan foods at the co-op, I hope you'll share about them here. Happy shopping, Dapper! :flowers:

[DapperButch]

With this conference they had a buffet each day. A very small one. So, it was not like I could tell them to "hold" the cheese in the items, like I could at a restaurant.

[Kätzchen]

With this conference they had a buffet each day. A very small one. So, it was not like I could tell them to "hold" the cheese in the items, like I could at a restaurant.

Speaking of cheese, lol (or not), I've found a few types of vegan cheese at Trader Joe's or Green Zebra, but they're expensive to buy. Instead, i found an Wisconsin based, zero sugar, high protien Mascarpone cheese, but it's dairy and I break.out from eating even the teaspoon of it that i use, infrequently. So .... I found this book by Google search and I plan to get it soon.

There's lots of ways you can make your own vegan fare at home and I plan to learn how to make my own.

Here's the book:

https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTZPcyLLtE6mZQKSBfLM3S19DPBsdIjV DmHvP7MMRwGutHvmwOzaA

Later on, next month, I'll post about a few of the recipes I try and give a short report about how handy this book will be to have on hand.

[tantalizingfemme]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/aa/29/70aa29d8b5206e46dedf10046b2cd606.jpg

https://www.bolthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/07/48oz_PPMilk_Unsweetened_520x720-190x262.png

I buy non-dairy, vegan, organic, zero sugar yogurt at either Trader Joe's or at my favorite grocery store. I use the plain variety in food prep like when I make my Tumeric salad dressing.

Here's the latest way I make my Tumeric Salad Dressing:

2- 6 ounce single serving cartons of Forager Cashewgurt.
1/2 cup plain Bolthouse Plant Milk
3 heaping tablespoons of Tumeric
2/3 cup flax seed powder (organic)
Generous amount of cracked peppercorns
A splash of Sesame Seed Oil (1/4 cup or less)
Filtered water

Directions: put all of the above ingredients into the blender and blend up until creamy smooth. If your finished mixture is thick, add filtered water until it's in an pourable state. Store in covered glass jars and keep refrigerated.

Here's an helpful video about Forager Cashewgurt:


J0-4ipFMtQk


In case you are interested in making your own vegan yogurt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O-0_fyVzjs&feature=youtu.be

[Kätzchen]

In case you are interested in making your own vegan yogurt:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1O-0_fyVzjs&feature=youtu.be

oohhhhh, thanks Tantalizing, I've got your link book marked now. Thanks, so very much!

[Kätzchen]

http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/960x960/4565466.jpg

LINK TO RECIPE:


http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260740/rainbow-buddha-bowl-with-cashew-tahini-sauce/

[PlatinumPearl]

If anybody has watched a good food documentaries, please post about it here. I always love to read or watch good films, so feel free to add your recommendations too, okay? :bunchflowers:


Cowspiracy 2014
What the Health 2017
Food Choices 2016
Forks Over Knives 2011
Vegucated 2011
Live and Let Live 2013
Food, Inc. 2008
Food Matters 2008
Hungry For Change 2012
Okja 2017
Blackfish 2013
Tyke Elephant Outlaw 2015
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 2010 & 2014

[Chained Daisy]

Cowspiracy 2014
What the Health 2017
Food Choices 2016
Forks Over Knives 2011
Vegucated 2011
Live and Let Live 2013
Food, Inc. 2008
Food Matters 2008
Hungry For Change 2012
Okja 2017
Blackfish 2013
Tyke Elephant Outlaw 2015
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 2010 & 2014

That`s an extensive and useful list, thanks for sharing.

[Kätzchen]

Cowspiracy 2014
What the Health 2017
Food Choices 2016
Forks Over Knives 2011
Vegucated 2011
Live and Let Live 2013
Food, Inc. 2008
Food Matters 2008
Hungry For Change 2012
Okja 2017
Blackfish 2013
Tyke Elephant Outlaw 2015
Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead 2010 & 2014

My favorite documentaries are Forks Over Knives, What The Health, and Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. Thanks for your additional listing of food documentaries, Pearl. :rrose:

That`s an extensive and useful list, thanks for sharing.

Thanks for dropping by, Daisy. :rrose:

[Kätzchen]

Today I dropped by my.primary doctor's office for my check up. I'm down five pounds, since last month, for a total loss of 17 pounds since the first week of March. :cheerleader: :cheerleader: :cheerleader:

I dropped by my favorite grocery store to buy a few groceries, mostly plant based foods, all organic, and got a great price on Plant Milk, by Bolthouse Farms.

I am now a firm believer in eating an 99 percent plant based diet. I add to my dietary intake of extra protein by using Think Thin bars (one per day, for dessert after supper ), and I also sparingly use fresh salmon, albacore tuna and mackerel or smoked oysters..... very sparingly, throughout the month. Organic cage free eggs too, sparingly.

Eventually, I will replace fish with fish oil Omega 3 vitamin supplements.

I love the weight loss I've encountered by adhering to an primarily Plant Based diet. :)

[DapperButch]

Platium Pearl! Thank you so much for this list! :thumbsup:

Katzchen, have you also noticed an increase in energy since you went plant based?

I am wondering if anyone can suggest any vegan cookbooks? I am looking for easy to make meals that also freeze well.

Thanks

[Kätzchen]

Platium Pearl! Thank you so much for this list! :thumbsup:

Katzchen, have you also noticed an increase in energy since you went plant based?

I am wondering if anyone can suggest any vegan cookbooks? I am looking for easy to make meals that also freeze well.

Thanks

Ohhhh, gosh, yes..... the energy I get from eating plant based diet foods is incredible! So far, I've yet to experience any food coma from eating plants. Which is a sure fire sign that your body is getting the BEST nutrition because plants scrub your body free of toxic elements. No meat based diet will ever scrub your body free of toxicity. No more coma land for me, thank heavens.

I have to ask why you're interested in freezing up your fresh foods. Is it because you are short of time to prepare your food? Or is it because you want to take your meals to work or carry with you in case of needing to eat elsewhere?

I can see why a person might want to freeze prepared meals ahead of time, but I was thinking it might not be such an kosher idea because food prep should be fresh. Plants should be fresh. Your time spent in preparing a fresh meal adds toward the time spent to sit down and enjoy a fresh meal.

I don't know though..... maybe someone in our community has experience with freezing fresh foods. I know you did not ask for my own personal take on freezing foods, but consider this:

Fresh food is by far better than consuming food that is not fresh. Also, fresh food is time worthy investment of your time well spent in creating better food behaviors and making better smart food choices. You could prepare an extra salad to take to work with you. If you make some awesome food creation that has a few left over servings, like an vegan casserole or vegan pizza or vegan soup, I could see refrigerating it for a couple of days, but the benefits of eating fresh foods outweighs the need to freeze or refrigerate.

But I think this is an worthy discussion to have because it's an examination of sorts which requires us to hold ourselves accountable to making better choices, eating fresh foods vs foods that are not freshly made, and it's good to sort out important matters to help create and foster an environment that supports smarter food and health behaviors.

I have yet to buy the vegan cookbook I featured in another post, but tomorrow is the day I plan to go by Powell's bookstore, to see if I can find a good vegan cookbook, at an good price.

Dapper, let's keep talking about time related issues as it concerns Plant Food Diet choices.

If I find a bunch of resources for you tomorrow, I'll post about them, ok?

Cheers,
Kätzchen :)

[DapperButch]

I have to ask why you're interested in freezing up your fresh foods. Is it because you are short of time to prepare your food? Or is it because you want to take your meals to work or carry with you in case of needing to eat elsewhere?

I have yet to buy the vegan cookbook I featured in another post, but tomorrow is the day I plan to go by Powell's bookstore, to see if I can find a good vegan cookbook, at an good price.



Oh for certain fresh is better than frozen! I have a surgery scheduled for June, and I need to have prepared food, so I can just microwave it while I am recovering. I know it is not the best, but it is what it is!

I forgot you posted that book!

[Kätzchen]

Oh for certain fresh is better than frozen! I have a surgery scheduled for June, and I need to have prepared food, so I can just microwave it while I am recovering. I know it is not the best, but it is what it is!

I forgot you posted that book!

oh, well that makes sense! So, I Google'd for helpful tips on how to make your own frozen Vegan.or Vegetarian meals. I will read it too because I guess time really can be of an beautiful essence.

LINK:

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/our-guide-to-freezer-friendly-meals-to-make-life-easier/

[DapperButch]

oh, well that makes sense! So, I Google'd for helpful tips on how to make your own frozen Vegan.or Vegetarian meals. I will read it too because I guess time really can be of an beautiful essence.

LINK:

http://www.onegreenplanet.org/vegan-food/our-guide-to-freezer-friendly-meals-to-make-life-easier/

Wonderful! Thank you!

[Kätzchen]

Wonderful! Thank you! You're Welcome!

Hey, I clicked on the highlighted names of meals and it gives you the recipe and directions, so be sure to check them out. I'm brand new to doing this, so it gave me a few ideas for tasty meals.

[LeftWriteFemme]

For my infusion this week I will be having a blended mix of strawberries, almond milk, almond meal and a very ripe avocado then put in the freezer. I am hopeful that this will help me get through my allergic reaction to my infusion.



.

[Kätzchen]

For my infusion this week I will be having a blended mix of strawberries, almond milk, almond meal and a very ripe avocado then put in the freezer. I am hopeful that this will help me get through my allergic reaction to my infusion.


I don't know what an infusion is, LeftWriteFemme. Is the term infusion synonymous with smoothie?

I hope you feel better soon :bunchflowers:


In other news: My youngest brother has been on an Avocado Oil kick. He bought an HUGE bottle of it at CostCo. He said he likes using avocado oil better than EVOO. I personally like coconut oil, but want to spend some time trying to figure out what differences exist between retain types of oils (coconut, avocado, evoo, grapeseed).

Yesterday I forgot to buy baby zucchini for my daily dose of salad. I also want to get a few avocado's, mangoes, and some chili peppers......so I can make an salsa tonight, to go with my Late July corn chips, for supper. I can't have tacos anymore. So it's Salsa Tuesday, in my world today.

[kittygrrl]

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/70/aa/29/70aa29d8b5206e46dedf10046b2cd606.jpg

https://www.bolthouse.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/4/2017/07/48oz_PPMilk_Unsweetened_520x720-190x262.png

I buy non-dairy, vegan, organic, zero sugar yogurt at either Trader Joe's or at my favorite grocery store. I use the plain variety in food prep like when I make my Tumeric salad dressing.

Here's the latest way I make my Tumeric Salad Dressing:

2- 6 ounce single serving cartons of Forager Cashewgurt.
1/2 cup plain Bolthouse Plant Milk
3 heaping tablespoons of Tumeric
2/3 cup flax seed powder (organic)
Generous amount of cracked peppercorns
A splash of Sesame Seed Oil (1/4 cup or less)
Filtered water

Directions: put all of the above ingredients into the blender and blend up until creamy smooth. If your finished mixture is thick, add filtered water until it's in an pourable state. Store in covered glass jars and keep refrigerated.

Here's an helpful video about Forager Cashewgurt:


J0-4ipFMtQk

you know i bought this yogurt about a month ago hearing it was amazing...seriously YUK! I couldn't get through a spoonful of it..maybe i got a batch batch?!?!
I still find soy yogurt the best(so far) and it makes a nice smoothie..also quite interested in making my own tofu...found (what looked like) an amazing recipe for silken tofu..if it turns out well i will definitely let you know.

[Kätzchen]

you know i bought this yogurt about a month ago hearing it was amazing...seriously YUK! I couldn't get through a spoonful of it..maybe i got a batch batch?!?!
I still find soy yogurt the best(so far) and it makes a nice smoothie..also quite interested in making my own tofu...found (what looked like) an amazing recipe for silken tofu..if it turns out well i will definitely let you know.

I'm glad you brought up the little known fact that nut-based yogurt products are NOT the same as dairy, soy or rice based products.

I use Cashewgurt because of the zero sugar content and I don't use it as an yogurt replacement to traditional dairy based yogurt. I'm at a place in my health where I can no longer eat or use any product that has any whiff of sugar cane or converts to sugar in the blood stream.

I use Cashewgurt in my salad dressing recipe, only.

I can't have too much soy products, either. Except twice a month I can have tofu based products as long as they are zero base sugar content.

Zero sugar + zero sugar food conversion = better, smarter health outcomes for me.

Thanks kitty! :rrose:

[kittygrrl]

I'm glad you brought up the little known fact that nut-based yogurt products are NOT the same as dairy, soy or rice based products.

I use Cashewgurt because of the zero sugar content and I don't use it as an yogurt replacement to traditional dairy based yogurt. I'm at a place in my health where I can no longer eat or use any product that has any whiff of sugar cane or converts to sugar in the blood stream.

I use Cashewgurt in my salad dressing recipe, only.

I can't have too much soy products, either. Except twice a month I can have tofu based products as long as they are zero base sugar content.

Zero sugar + zero sugar food conversion = better, smarter health outcomes for me.

Thanks kitty! :rrose:

omygosh Kat, I didn't know you were going zero sugar..that's amazing..i would love to do that, but i'd miss fruit too much..tell me your secret?:tea:

[Kätzchen]

omygosh Kat, I didn't know you were going zero sugar..that's amazing..i would love to do that, but i'd miss fruit too much..tell me your secret?:tea:

LMAO (or not, lol) my secret is not succumbing to diabetes. Outwitting sugar scenarios and sheer will and self determination are key factors to success.

If I continue to test below A1C markers in my blood labs, then my primary physician will count my plant based, zero sugar diet as legitimate means criteria to discontinue experimental medication to inhibit the diabetic downward spiral most people contend with if they're not willing to give up sugar or not give up eating foods that convert readily into sugar in the blood stream.

My ultimate goal is to create smarter food behaviors which lead to increased health outcomes for not becoming diabetic.

So say for example I couldn't and refused to stop eating dairy based foods or couldn't stop eating pasta or breads or rice, which convert readily into sugar, then I'd become an full fledged diabetic.

I refuse to become diabetic.. ...so I've given up sugar and refuse to eat any food that converts readily into sugar.

For The WIN :cheerleader: :cheer: :hk20:

***** Purrrrrr *****

PS/ The only fruits I can have are berries, cantaloupe, apples or kiwi. :)

[Dean Thoreau]

http://images.media-allrecipes.com/userphotos/960x960/4565466.jpg

LINK TO RECIPE:


http://www.eatingwell.com/recipe/260740/rainbow-buddha-bowl-with-cashew-tahini-sauce/

I would prefer this to a steak any day!
Thank u Katz for the link.

[homoe]

My favorite documentaries are Forks Over Knives, What The Health, and Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. Thanks for your additional listing of food documentaries, Pearl. :rrose:



Thanks for dropping by, Daisy. :rrose:

PlantPure Nation (2015)
This documentary continues where Forks Over Knives left off. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, his son Nelson and Kentucky State Representative Tom Riner join forces to spread knowledge about the scientifically backed health benefits of a whole food plant-based diet. The film is all about empowering people to make healthier, scientifically based decisions to fuel their bodies the best possible way despite corporate lobbies disseminating skepticism and trying to prevent change.
I know other movies as well and will be back to post soon!

[DapperButch]

I can't have too much soy products, either. Except twice a month I can have tofu based products as long as they are zero base sugar content.



This is a problem for me. I can't really eat much in the way of soy. That really impacts what I can eat vegan-wise.

[Kätzchen]

PlantPure Nation (2015)
This documentary continues where Forks Over Knives left off. Dr. T. Colin Campbell, his son Nelson and Kentucky State Representative Tom Riner join forces to spread knowledge about the scientifically backed health benefits of a whole food plant-based diet. The film is all about empowering people to make healthier, scientifically based decisions to fuel their bodies the best possible way despite corporate lobbies disseminating skepticism and trying to prevent change.
I know other movies as well and will be back to post soon!

Okidoke, homoe, sounds good..... I'm adding your film to my Must See Soon Movie List. Tyvm :rrose:

This is a problem for me. I can't really eat much in the way of soy. That really impacts what I can eat vegan-wise.

I think I understand and relate to your having a problem with soy. Allergies (?), or maybe that it collides with an pro-environmental political point of view (?) ...... I'm not up to speed on either except to say that it's partialy both, for me. Which way is it for you, Dapper?

I often steer toward Tempeh.... Especially the wild whole grain types. I like to soak them in an marinade, then stir fry them with veggies.

Like this....Ginger Sesame Tempeh Stir Fry (see photo below):

http://onthedm.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/stirfry3.jpg

See Recipe to dish above, featured in: The Direct Message Blog (see LINK below):


http://onthedm.com/lifestyle/saucy-sesame-ginger-tempeh-stir-fry/
....

[kittygrrl]

LMAO (or not, lol) my secret is not succumbing to diabetes. Outwitting sugar scenarios and sheer will and self determination are key factors to success.

If I continue to test below A1C markers in my blood labs, then my primary physician will count my plant based, zero sugar diet as legitimate means criteria to discontinue experimental medication to inhibit the diabetic downward spiral most people contend with if they're not willing to give up sugar or not give up eating foods that convert readily into sugar in the blood stream.

My ultimate goal is to create smarter food behaviors which lead to increased health outcomes for not becoming diabetic.

So say for example I couldn't and refused to stop eating dairy based foods or couldn't stop eating pasta or breads or rice, which convert readily into sugar, then I'd become an full fledged diabetic.

I refuse to become diabetic.. ...so I've given up sugar and refuse to eat any food that converts readily into sugar.

For The WIN :cheerleader: :cheer: :hk20:

***** Purrrrrr *****

PS/ The only fruits I can have are berries, cantaloupe, apples or kiwi. :)

Thank you for your thoughtful response. You inspire me(f)

[Kätzchen]

Thank you for your thoughtful response. You inspire me(f)

It's been a long and winding road to recovery, for me, personally. Once my mobility was impaired due to my work related injuries, one thing after another affected my overall health. It has taken my PT & Nursing team to zero in on complicated trajectories, but at every "fork in the road" we've come to, I've zeroed in on what I could do personally to rectify areas of my life, to advocate for my own health and safety. Changing the foods I eat has become the biggest game changer. I'm glad I can act on my own behalf and do what it takes to prevent being overcome by choices I can change.

Changing my food behaviors has helped so much. My PT & Nursing team is in awe of the radical change which is now saving my life.

Thanks kitty, for your compliment and your supportive attitude and comments. :rrose:

[Kätzchen]

I've been daydreaming about Banana Cream Pie, for weeks now. So, I thought I'd google for non-daiey cream pie recipes. I'm going to use the Cashewgurt for the pudding part of the pie, by adding banana eztract, using cornstarch, a couple of organic cage free eggs, sea salt and pureed bananas. For the crust, I'm using rolled oats, crushed walnuts in an meringue of eggs whites.... smoosh it into a pie dish and bake it, first. Then line the cooled crust with sliced bananas, pour some cashewgurt banana pudding on top of it, then slice up more bananas for the top. Refrigerate it, until it's an chilled set. Then make a 'creamy' non-dairy topping to finish the pie.

I'm using Raw Stevia powder by Truvia for the sweetener, rather than other types of sugar options, because I can't have real sugar. Just, Raw Stevia (by Truvia).

Here's where I got parts of ideas for how to make the dairy free Banana Cream Pie (3 links):

https://minimalistbaker.com/banana-cream-pie-vegan-gf/

https://www.google.com/search?q=dairy+free+banana+cream+pie&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&source=android-browser&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ9Lmb3v7aAhWE3lQKHcBMD8QQ_AUICygC#imgr c=TnSNkMIKvOu8BM:



https://www.mastercook.com/app/Image/8651661/2761322.jpg

Here's an recipe, too, from Lovingitvegan website:

https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-banana-cream-pie/

[DapperButch]

I've been daydreaming about Banana Cream Pie, for weeks now. So, I thought I'd google for non-daiey cream pie recipes. I'm going to use the Cashewgurt for the pudding part of the pie, by adding banana eztract, using cornstarch, a couple of organic cage free eggs, sea salt and pureed bananas. For the crust, I'm using rolled oats, crushed walnuts in an meringue of eggs whites.... smoosh it into a pie dish and bake it, first. Then line the cooled crust with sliced bananas, pour some cashewgurt banana pudding on top of it, then slice up more bananas for the top. Refrigerate it, until it's an chilled set. Then make a 'creamy' non-dairy topping to finish the pie.

I'm using Raw Stevia powder by Truvia for the sweetener, rather than other types of sugar options, because I can't have real sugar. Just, Raw Stevia (by Truvia).

Here's where I got parts of ideas for how to make the dairy free Banana Cream Pie (3 links):

https://minimalistbaker.com/banana-cream-pie-vegan-gf/

https://www.google.com/search?q=dairy+free+banana+cream+pie&client=ms-android-hms-tmobile-us&source=android-browser&prmd=sinv&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjZ9Lmb3v7aAhWE3lQKHcBMD8QQ_AUICygC#imgr c=TnSNkMIKvOu8BM:



https://www.mastercook.com/app/Image/8651661/2761322.jpg

Here's an recipe, too, from Lovingitvegan website:

https://lovingitvegan.com/vegan-banana-cream-pie/

Looks fantastic!

[Dominique]

https://guideimg.alibaba.com/images/shop/86/11/07/5/vegetable-spiral-slicer-spiralizer-bundle-with-cleaning-brush-and-recipe-e-book_331785.jpg


This is a picture from the Walmart site (free shipping) Its a vegetable spiralizer. Instead of pasta, I use zucchini. OMG! Delicious. It makes the best oven potatoes too.

https://tastespace.files.wordpress.com/2011/07/dsc_9786.jpg

[homoe]

Cooked (2016) Netflix

Michael Pollan has done a lot of deep dives into our food and the culture around over the last few years. This all culminated in the landmark series that looks at what we eat, why we eat, and how we can all eat better. There is no gimmick here. No one’s trying to hawk some fad or trendy foodstuff on you. It’s just an examination of what ‘good food’ means and how to make it a bigger part of your everyday.

Give this a look see as well Miss Katz!

[Kätzchen]

Here is an interesting article from an Physician's medical journal which talks about the benefits of an plant based diet, constructed in Scholarly format (abstract, methods, data, and sections explaining the entire way the study was conducted).

LINK:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3662288/

[Kätzchen]

Version no. 3 (Tumeric Salad Dressing)

Here's my latest attempt to make my own Tumeric salad dressing. It's pretty good! It's also protein and fiber rich.

Recipe:

1 16 ounce tub of Firm Tofu (plain).
1 bottle of Garden goddess dressing (see pic).
1 cup organic plain yogurt
1/3 bottle of Organic Mustard (see pic)
1 cup plain hummus
1/4 cup grapeseed oil
3/4 cup flax flakes
3 tablespoons of flax seeds
1/2 cup water (add extra water accordingly if it's too thick).

Put cubed tofu in blender, along with all ingredients. Blend until creamy (about 5 minutes).

It's a titch on the tart side, but if you can have honey (I can't, but this will work), put about a half cup of honey into your batch to mellow out the tang of the mustard (which is basically Tumeric and vinegar, but cheaper than Tumeric powder).

Here is a few pictures of the ingredients I used. The yield from this batch was Two -16 ounce jars, and Three -10 ounce Mason "jelly" jars. Just a little over a gallon of dressing.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81JcMUsUuqL._SL1500_.jpg

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ff/d7/12/ffd7121bae74e3e9baeef95a51a27794.jpg

http://2hqhnn2tjedth2irohmvcork.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Tofu-Extra-Firm.png

[Kätzchen]

I substituted the plain yogurt, in my recipe last night, and used csshewgurt because I have milk allergies.

(FYI) :bow:

[Kätzchen]

One of the most useful things about switching to an plant based diet is that vegetables spoil quickly; so it's nice to shop for, and buy, fresh veggies often.

Today I walked next door to the locally owned farmer's market to buy fresh produce and another package of gmo-free Tofu (firm), to make another round of homemade Tumeric salad dressing.

The only thing I wish they'd supply at their market is dairy free "milk" products, like Unsweetened Plant Milk by Boathouse Farms..... or any plant milk by other non-dairy makers.

I visited my primary care doctor and we logged another round of weight loss. I'm down about three or four pounds, since last time I saw my doctor.

The biggest benefit (for me) is the low impact on my blood sugars, which hopefully leads to discontinuing taking any medication. That's the goal I want to achieve: not so much weight loss, but helping my body to work like it's supposed to, without the help of medication.

That's all I've got for today and I hope this finds all of you well. :bunchflowers:

[Dominique]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412HT22cY2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

This is where it all began for me. I love this water! It's extremely
pricey but OMG, so good. And supposedly a very good thing for your body.

Mindlessly I was reading the nutrition facts and I saw that sodium bicarbonate was an added ingredient. :| Is this a marketing hoax? sodium bicarbonate is baking soda

s7KKost6a34&t=

[Dominique]

https://www.livestrong.com/article/498701-what-are-the-benefits-of-drinking-alkaline-water/

[Kätzchen]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/412HT22cY2L._SL500_AA300_.jpg

This is where it all began for me. I love this water! It's extremely
pricey but OMG, so good. And supposedly a very good thing for your body.

Mindlessly I was reading the nutrition facts and I saw that sodium bicarbonate was an added ingredient. :| Is this a marketing hoax? sodium bicarbonate is baking soda

s7KKost6a34&t=

oooOoOohhhhh, Thanks for posting about water with an alkaline pH ..... I sometimes buy an brand of this type of water and it's very good for the body!

Excellent idea to post about, Dominique! :)

[Kätzchen]

Today, it's very cold and chilly, so I'm out in the kitchen working on an organic stir fry medley.

1/2 of an package of organic Tempeh
1 Tofurkey Italian Link Sausage (cut up in slices)
3/4 cup of shredded cabbage and carrots
A few cloves of roasted garlic cloves
3 mini organic peppers (red, yellow, orange, cut up)
1/2 organic zucchini (sliced up into rounds)
Fresh organic romaine leaves
Vegan Blue Cheese Organic dressing

Directions: place tempeh, tofurkey, and cabbage carrot mix in an pre-oiled skillet, turning contents over quickly, so nothing gets burned or sticks to the pan. Once your tempeh, tofurkey veggie stir fry is thoroughly cooked, turn off the burner and cap up the skillet. Place freshly chopped Romaine lettuce on your plate, then ladle about and cup of the stir fry on top of the lettuce. Drizzle vegan blue cheese dressing on top. Finish by sprinkling Chia seeds and Sesame sticks on top. Enjoy!

It's an high protein, low carb meal that is simply delicious.

[homoe]

Miss Katz you may want to check out the documentary Eating Animals produced by Natalie Portman. She was interviewed on Friday's on CBS This Morning.
“Eating Animals,” an urgent but uncertain documentary that amplifies and expounds upon the argument Jonathan Safran Foer laid out in his 2009 book of the same name.


Eating Animals opens in theaters today Friday, June 15.

[DapperButch]

Ok, guys. So, I shared I was having some surgery at the beginning of June and wanted to make sure that I was eating super healthy during healing. I decided to go with a food delivery service.

I am absolutely blown away by how fresh frozen food can be. It is hand prepared, then flash frozen and sent the same week. So, I guess this is the reason. The vegetables taste as fresh as if you just bought them fresh at the store. Of course it is organic, GMO free, preservative free, etc.

The food is out of this world. Amazing. I mean, it is ridiculous how good the food is. You can buy the food a la carte or do a subscription. The subscriptions are listed as "weight loss" plans, but you certainly don't have to do it for weight loss. You can customize all of your deliveries. This means that I can pick every meal that I want. I am essentially doing "a la carte", but at a lower price since I am going through a subscription (which you can cancel at any time).

Although it is broken down into 3 day, 5 day, 7 day meal plans, it is best to think about it in terms of how many meals over 14 days that you want. So, I got the 5 day plan, as it is 30 meals for 14 days. My breakfast is always steel cut oatmeal with strawberries/blueberries, so I don't worry about that meal. Since I don't always want a "meal", and just desire a simple peanut butter sandwich, it is fine if I don't have the corrrect number. If I was doing a weight loss plan, then I would stick with the program.

The cost with a 5 day plan is $279 for 30 meals, which equals out to $9.30 per meal. I also just got a $25 off coupon for my next order.

The other thing to consider is that it is a way to eat healthy when traveling. You can get it sent to any address. so, lets say you are going somewhere and are getting an Airbnb. You don't want to spend your time cooking, but you want to eat healthy. This is an option.

https://www.veestro.com/

[Kätzchen]

Thanks Dapper for that documentary recommendation! That's an really good documentary. I highly recommend watching it too!

Here's an supplemental Huffington Post article on why eating an plant based diet can save your life and reduce your health care costs (see link below).

https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/861672


Title of article:

Forks Over Knives: How An Plant-based Diet Can Save America (July 13, 2011).

While the proverbial jury is still out on giving plant based diets the full stamp of approval, there is strong indicators of proof that plant based diets will not only improve your overall health, but if you have pre-diabetes issues associated with blood sugar levels and how your body produces and uses its own natural insulin, then this article will give you an better understanding of why changing your normal food choices to an Plant Based Diet, could save your life.

I radically changed my diet to be top heavy on Plant Based foods, which in turn has allowed my bodily processes to self correct in natural ways. I am on an medically supervised diet as prescribed by my primary physician. As well as switching to an plant based diet, I continue to lose weight, my heart function improves and before too long, I won't need experimental medication to aid in correcting my blood sugar issues .

Bonus info to other medically endorsed studies discussing Plant Based Diets is included in this scholarly article.

Title of Medscape article:

Vegan Diet Rapidly Improves Type II Diabetes Markers In Adults (Jenkins, K., February 26, 2018).

LINK: www.medscape.com/viewarticle/893125

Since early March of this year (2018), I began to transition to an all plant based diet because of the capacity for plant based diets to reduce and/or correct my bodies' capacity to produce its own insulin and to aid in the recovery of my health.

Since March, I have slowly weaned myself from eating animal based products.

I do not regret choosing to become vegan.

It's the best decision I've made and it's one of the best outcomes I could ever imagine.

For me, it's not about weight loss. It's about NOT becoming diabetic.

I visit my primary doctor next week to continue tracking my progress. If my blood labs come back with data proving that my commitment to not eat foods that spur diabetic outcomes, and proves that I won't need medication intervention, then I will have won an very important battle in saving my own life by sheer will and self determination.


Here is what I feel is the best documentary, which argues effectively for renouncing animal based diets and investing in an Vegan Plant Based Dietary Lifestyle : Forks Over Knives.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZb-35oV_7E

Dapper? Thanks so much for sharing that link you provided earlier today. (f)

--K.

[Kätzchen]

Today, since it's fairly brisk outside, I thought I'd make an batch of soup, which can be enjoyed as hot or cold soup.

I used the following vegetables:

Carrots, Butternut squash, sweet mini red bell peppers, sweet onion and chickpeas.

I pulsed the carrots, squash, chickpeas, chopped sweet onion and red bell peppers, so it's half creamy, yet somewhat chunky. To season: I added powdered ginger root, a couple tablespoons of Chia seeds, and a titch of sea salt.

Once it has simmered on the stove for about an hour, on low heat, I'm going to have a bowl of hot soup, and use Sesame Sticks and Roasted Peas as an garnish on top, which will enhance the soup's protein content.

Here's the link to the recipe I adapted my soup recipe from, it's fairly easy to make and it's tasty.

http://frugalfeeding.com/2014/01/03/spiced-butternut-squash-chickpea-soup/

Yesterday I roasted an bag full or organic peas, which I bought at the grocery store.

https://images.freshop.com/00032601025083/8342502e4fbf8f1b7aa7928637e70b2f_medium.png

[candy_coated_bitch]

I'm vegetarian, but not vegan. I try to eat as much plant based meals as I can but I have SUCH a weakness for cheese. How do you get past the cravings? Do they go away after a while,? I was vegan in college for a year but don't remember feeling remarkably different.

What advice would you give someone who wants to move to a more plant based diet but struggles with being strictly vegan? I'm convinced it's healthy I'm just not convinced I can do it.

[Kätzchen]

I'm vegetarian, but not vegan. I try to eat as much plant based meals as I can but I have SUCH a weakness for cheese. How do you get past the cravings? Do they go away after a while,? I was vegan in college for a year but don't remember feeling remarkably different.

What advice would you give someone who wants to move to a more plant based diet but struggles with being strictly vegan? I'm convinced it's healthy I'm just not convinced I can do it.

That's a really good question, CCB; but I can only tell you that it's not been easy for me.

In my case, my work related accident impaired my ability to be mobile in ways like I used to be (I rode my bicycle to and from work, 22 miles daily, on top of the vigorous exercise my job duties required of me). Plus before this happened to me, I began to experience allgeric reactions to milk based products (I'd break out in hives).

So, I'm not sure I'd say that I'm strictly vegan or vegetarian, but I mostly consume only plants now. By switching to an plant based diet, I turned the tables on becoming diabetic. My mobility impairment placed me at huge risk to become diabetic if I refused to give up foods that my body can no longer process (ie, meats, milk, cheese, pasta, rice or even certain vegetables that I'm allergic too, like tomatoes or any nightshade plant like potatoes or eggplant, etc).

I've since learned to use nut based or plant based products to replace milk or butter or yogurt or cheese. They don't taste the same, but for me it's not about taste as it is about not succumbing to diabetes.

I was never at risk for diabetes until the accident impaired my mobility. And because I can't be as mobile as I once was, I decided to tackle my prediabetic condition by radically changing the types of foods I consume.

So my primary doctor set up an consult with an staff registered dietician, who gave me lots of research to read and made recommendations on how to create new food behaviors and choices.

I stick to the food choices the dietician and doctor recommended to me, to help combat blood sugar issues arising out of my post-accident condition.

I see my primary doctor this month for an blood draw to test my A1c levels. If my blood labs come back clear and free, and below the A1c test scores, then I won't have to take experimental medication to keep me from slipping over into an full fledged diabetic state.

I changed my food choices to directly tackle that health issue. So while sometimes I wish I could have meat or cheese or foods that rapidly convert to blood sugar in the blood stream, I stick to my plant based diet, so I won't become diabetic. I've got two brothers who areally full fledged diabetic and they have to take insulin shots several times a day. On top of it, insulin is terribly expensive and not covered by my insurance. So I took corrective action on what I could do to not become diabetic.

One of the benefits of making a choice to do this, has been the unexpected outcome of weight loss. Since March 3rd, of thia year, I've dropped nearly 40 pounds. Another gift directly related to changing how I eat foods is that I'm creating a way for my body to heal by not consuming foods that put me at huge risk to become diabetic.

I feel better. I've lost some weight. And there's a huge chance I won't have to take experimental medication anymore, if the corrective measures I've taken leads to an medication free life.

My story about utilizing an plant based diet might not be the same for others, as to how or why people choose plant based diets over consuming food in ordinary ways.... But it's working for me, and I'm grateful for the gift of wellness, by rectifying my choice of foods.

K. :bouquet:

[Kätzchen]

Today, while shopping at an nearby discount grocery retailer, I found an amazing buy on Burt's Bees Protein Powder.

This can of protein powder is made of plant protein, has less than 1 gram of naturally occurring sugar (in some cases, it's 0-zero), is Non-GMO, Gluten-Free, and an Non-Soy product. It usually retails for between $33-43 dollars per can, but the discount grocer had an pallet of this protein powder at the front entrance of the store, with the bargain basement price of $9.75/can. I bought several.

Here's three pictures I found online, so people can see what it looks like, and pictures of the protein powder contents too. One serving of this product grants you 15 grams of Plant Based protein and as well, you get 4.5 servings of fruit and vegetables, and it's fortified with 25% daily value of recommended vitamins and minerals.


I feel like I got super lucky on my shopping trip today! :balloon:

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51QQCKUZqFL._SY300_QL70_.jpg

https://cdns.webareacontrol.com/prodimages/1000-X-1000/1/e/1372017369Bees-Plant-Based-Chocolate-Daily-Protein-Shake-ig2-Burts-Bees-Plant-Based-Chocolate-Daily-Protein-Shake-IG.png

https://www.shophealthy.in/image/cache/data/image/data/scraper/Burts-Bees-Plant-Based-Protein-Powder-Gut-Health-Organic-Non-GMO-Pea-Protein-Probiotics-and-Prebiot-792850897359-1-1000x1000.jpeg

[nycfem]

How do you roast the peas? Sounds good.

Today, since it's fairly brisk outside, I thought I'd make an batch of soup, which can be enjoyed as hot or cold soup.

I used the following vegetables:

Carrots, Butternut squash, sweet mini red bell peppers, sweet onion and chickpeas.

I pulsed the carrots, squash, chickpeas, chopped sweet onion and red bell peppers, so it's half creamy, yet somewhat chunky. To season: I added powdered ginger root, a couple tablespoons of Chia seeds, and a titch of sea salt.

Once it has simmered on the stove for about an hour, on low heat, I'm going to have a bowl of hot soup, and use Sesame Sticks and Roasted Peas as an garnish on top, which will enhance the soup's protein content.

Here's the link to the recipe I adapted my soup recipe from, it's fairly easy to make and it's tasty.

http://frugalfeeding.com/2014/01/03/spiced-butternut-squash-chickpea-soup/

Yesterday I roasted an bag full or organic peas, which I bought at the grocery store.

https://images.freshop.com/00032601025083/8342502e4fbf8f1b7aa7928637e70b2f_medium.png

[Kätzchen]

How do you roast the peas? Sounds good.

I'm glad you asked because I only learned how to do it, several years ago, when I attended an family Thanksgiving dinner, with an dear friend in college.

I roast both Peas and Brussell Sprouts, the same way. They're delish!

To Roast Peas:

Take an small bag of frozen organic peas and break them apart from each other, in a good sized bowl.

In another bowl, mix up about a 1/4 cup of EVOO, a dash of sea salt and a splash of Modena balsamic vinegar. Pour over the frozen peas. Mix up the peas until they are coated well.

Line an cookie sheet with heavy foil, matte side up (shiny side down). Place all the coated peas on the cooking sheet and place in oven.

Turn oven on to 500 degrees.

Set timer for 20 minutes.

Open oven and rotate all the roasted peas, so the other sides of the peas can be roasted.

Set timer for 8 minutes.
Check your peas and see if they're roasted enough. If not, roast for a few short more minutes. Once finished, they should resemble an carmelized appearance and be dark green in color (the edges will be more carmelized looking).

Turn off oven: Serve once they've cooled off for about five minutes or so.

Roasted Brussell Sprouts:

Take about 15 or 20 freshly picked brussell spouts and wash them and then dry them off. Cut off the very bottom of the brussell spouts, so you can peel each leaf free of the bloom pod. Place all the brussell spout leaves in an big bowl. Use the same blend of roasting oil (EVOO, sea salt, and Modena Balsamic Vinegar) and pour it over the leaves and make sure they're all coated.

Roast the brussell spouts with the same timing and temp procedure, as above.

It only takes about an half an hour, not much longer, to roast frozen Peas or fresh Brussell sprout leaves.

The peas have a certain crunchiness to them, but they're not as crunchy as left over eats. However, the same holds true for roasted Brussell Sprouts. They only retain the roasted quality for an limited time. Plus, they're so tasty that they're usually all gone, so you won't worry about left overs.

Bon Appétit! :)

[Kätzchen]

Just an quick update tonight:

Today I had my cardiology appt, and had my pacemaker data read and downloaded. They also took my weight too, as the last time they saw me was last February, and I was over 300 pounds. I began my plant based diet, the first week of March.... based on my primary care physician's advice and the advice of the Registered Dietician and Nutritionist I had an consult appt with.

I have dropped over 50 pounds, nearly 60 pounds, since March of this year.

I am Vegan, not vegetarian. I purposely quit eating all types of meat and eggs and stopped consuming Dairy products and quit eating anything that is filled with Starch (potatoes, breads, rice or pasta).

But the reason I feel compelled tonight to share about my health status is that my work related accident impaired my mobility. Before my accident, I used to bicycle to work, daily, for an estimated 22 miles per day, and more miles on the weekend (for leisure).


I took issue with the Cardiology doctor's notes on my case today, because it's never been like me to consume too many calories or eat very much. I only eat what I feel led to eat, which is primarily small to medium sized portions at meal time. I have one main meal a day (Salad, usually around 5 pm). For breakfast, I have whole grain cereal (Quinoa or Steel Cut Oats, but only a cup of cereal is all I eat). For extra protein, I consume Think Thin bars (20 mg protein per bar, zero sugar) and I use my new found Burt's Bee's protein powder for an afternoon smoothie made with Berries, Coconut Milk and a packet of Stevia.


I push water intake, the most. I drink up to two gallons of water per day.

The body needs water to help medication work properly and to also help the body to utilize food sources properly. So drinking enough water is critical to my own success, as well as sticking to eating an Plant Based diet.


Next month, if my A1c level is lower than the reading I had this past July, then my primary care physician will discontinue the experimental Glipizide medication I've been taking since March 1st. I'm already NOT diabetic anymore, so I'm looking forward to saying "Good Bye" to Glipizide.


I was just telling a dear Femme friend, that if I drop another 50+ pounds by the time I see the Cardiologist next March (on the 1st), that I'm going to ask specifically for the cardiology doctor to amend his notes from today, because it's not calories that caused my weight gain. It was being immobilized by the work related accident, for nearly an year after it happened, that caused the weight gain.


Also, I think it's imperative to not let nay-sayer's have any room in your head when you choose to give up meat, dairy and starches. My mother and siblings have not been supportive of my choice to become an Vegan. IN their minds, they think I'm not getting enough protein. Well, I've got proof of my health status and blood samples that are collected every other month, that proves differently. I wish they could stop eating meats, dairy products and starches because my three Diabetic brothers refuse to do that, yet the insulin shots they need on an daily basis is not cutting it. My mother is working herself to death to cover their medical expenses. She's not happy either that I won't recant my Plant Based Diet position, even after I show her medical proof that saved my life and kept me from becoming diabetic.


So, to those of you out there that are thinking about eliminating meat, dairy and starches and all forms of sugar from your diet (including foods that convert to sugar in your bloodstream -- example, rice, pasta, bread, etc), then don't let them control your own health success. Saving your own life is vital, even if you get push-back and flack about it from people in your life.


Cheers,

K. :bouquet:



PS/ Remember, I was able to do this on the advice of my primary physician and an Registered Dietician and clinic Nutritionist. I am grateful to them for explaining to me how NOT eating meat, dairy products and starches could save my life and prevent me from becoming Diabetic.

[Kätzchen]

I recently had an doctor visit to follow-up on another blood sugar fasting lab draw and the news was not entirely good, but good in the way that at least my blood sugar has not exponentially sky rocketed. Instead of being at the coveted status of less than 5.7, I came in at 5.8, which led my doctor to reinstitute the interventional use of Glipizide, to help stabilize my body's way of not being able to fend off an diabetic trajectory. So, for another six months, I will take half a tablet twice a day and keep working on mobility impacts I face, because I cannot bicycle 22 miles a day anymore, much less walk for more than half an hour (etc). I keep at it though.

Since last March (of this year), when I radically changed my behavioral choice of food intake and implemented a strict plant based diet, I have lost over 60 pounds. Not bad, right? Especially since I cannot exercise at levels I was previously accustomed to doing. But I will get there, even if it takes time and tremendous, painstaking energy.

My meal for today is exceptionally untraditional. LOL. :blush:

Today, I made a 'cheese' sandwich on two slices of gluten-free bread (I can only have this type of bread, rarely, anymore). The 'cheese' I used was by Field Roast: Regular Creamy and Tomato (which is very zesty). I also used an veggie burger-like patty, too. To drink: I have a bottle of L'Orange Perrier Mineral Water, a cup of decaf coffee with NON-dairy creamer and two packets of Truvia (stevia sweetener). And a quart of clean water, to drink.


In other health related news: I finally was able to hire an SS Disability attorney, after she looked at specific health documentation I have on record. My attorney feels that we have a chance to win on an disability appeal in January, but I won't be discouraged if I am not approved for SS Disability. I won't invest all my time in effort trying to secure this type of economic reprieve, because at least one physician sitting on my health care case feels I can handle part time work placement, which I will vigorously pursue. My goal is to be employed by Spring of 2019. To wit, I am actually vying for an government job (Census Bureau). I hope I am hired for this particular job, but if not, I am sure the perfect job awaits me in the near future.

I am wishing everyone a beautiful day of holiday celebrations.

Happy Thanksgiving :bouquet:

[Kätzchen]

I recently saw my primary doctor and we reviewed my progress, which is still progressing in a positive direction.

My A1c blood sugar fasting labs came back with a good reading (5.7 or less).

Over the past year, by changing my dietary intake to consist of mostly plant based, fresh organic foods, I have maintained my 60+ pound weight loss ( a direct result from excising meat, processed foods, etc. from my daily diet).

It's still a challenge for me to get ordinary exercise that most people can accomplish, but I get better as time goes by. My return to work will increase the way I meet my daily need for exercise by walking, lifting small amounts of weight (outside my own weight) and such, which I feel good about.

I have narrowed in on something that is making a difference for me, concerning portions of food consumed. I've taken steps to eat less, yet eat foods which are dense in plant protein and reduce or eliminate foods from my diet which don't really help me at all: For example, I rarely consume pasta or breads or starchy foods and limit my salt intake (which is helping so much).

Lately, since it's so cold, my main meals consist of clear broth, homemade vegetable soups using a variety of winter vegetables or incorporating certain types of beans (ie, Northern beans, Navy beans) or by adding quinoa or cous-cous to my soups, for extra fiber content and nutrition.


When melons and berries and watermelon are in season, I plan to have more of these types of fruits and berries in my diet. I read an health article the other day about using Mango in oatmeal and combining peanut butter in the hot cereal, as well as coconut flakes (unsweetened, organic variety).

I just take one day at a time and remember to eat simple foods and simply prepared foods, which I think has helped me so much.

:bunchflowers:

[Kätzchen]

This Bar Saves Lives (https://thissaveslives.com/)

I recently found nutritional bars, chock full of seeds and veggies :jester: : They're gluten free, and in some cases, some bars have limited sugar impacts. They come in a variety of flavors: PB&J, Maple Pecan, S'mores Blast, Blueberry & Pistachio, Dark Chocolate & Cherry, and the best one of all, IMO, is the collagen DEFENSE bites, which are filled with nutrients to help build up your immune system by incorporating Tumeric powder, Strawberry, Ginger and Honey. I couldn't find pictures of them on the web, but the website will provide pictures and product information.

They're pretty yummy and I buy them by the boat load so I can have some sort of silent hand in making sure compromised communities of children have access to nutritious food that obviously will save their lives.

And of course, as a adult, it's saving my life too.


https://mondrian.mashable.com/2014%252F10%252F14%252F5c%252FThisBarSave.8d0a7.jp g%252F950x534.jpg?signature=_lq9LwV8HovqUUAvrLQ7PC nIsps=


http://campfire-capital.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-shot-2013-07-05-at-10.49.27-AM.png



From their website: FAQ's

How does this bar save lives?
It's simple. Every time you make a purchase, you send life-saving food to a child in need. That means that when you buy one of our classic snack bars, for example, then you're also sending a packet of life-saving food to one of our international NGO partners. Those partners then deliver that life-saving food to children who need it most, anywhere from Haiti to Somalia and beyond

Do you help kids in the US?
Yes! We’re committed to helping children thrive all over the world, including in our local communities. We have worked with Feeding America to provide healthy meals through their food pantries all over the US. To date, we have provided over 275,000 meals to Americans in need.


Product Information: :)

Our snack bars are Non-GMO Project Verified, gluten free, kosher, and ridiculously delicious. Our kids bars are made without nuts, free of the top 8 allergens, and they have fruits and veggies that your kids won't even taste! Our collagen bites have a variety of ingredients with different nutritional benefits, visit our collagen bites page to learn more!

[Kätzchen]

It was back in March of 2018 that I consciously made the decision to stop consuming any food products which elevate a person's natural blood sugar levels. I stopped eating any dairy products; I stopped eating bread products; I stopped eating certain rice and pasta products; because the aforementioned food product choices were elevating my blood sugars, due to mobility issues I have faced since November of 2016.

At any rate, since excising dairy, bread, rice and pasta and any food that converts readily into sugar (glucose) in the blood stream, and sticking to a Whole Foods and Plant Based Diet, I have lost over 75 pounds since March of 2018. At first I lost nearly ten pounds per month. But nearly a year later, after my body acclimated to the Whole Foods Plant Based Diet, I still find I am losing weight slowly -- just not as rapidly as in the beginning, when I first decided to not partake of foods that put my health at greater risk for diabetes.

I still take half a tiny tablet of Glipizide, as well as Losartan (for blood pressure). I also take an prescription strength dose of Vitamin D (10K units, once per day).

My physical transformation has really impressed close friends. So much so, that my sister-in-law now buys the quarterly Forks Over Knives magazine, which teaches people how to cook delicious meals, which some recipes take less than an hour to make - others, like say, making your own nut milk or nut based yogurt or such, take a couple of days to produce. Overall, it's a healthier way to consume plants and plant-based food products with relative ease of time and cost. Investing in ones own health is a rewarding process because you eventually see positive physical results which stays with you as long as you daily commit to put your health first.

I was just sitting here, watching The Marvelous Mrs Maisel episodes on my sister-in-law's TV, and browsing the latest issue of Forks Over Knives Magazine and there are some awesome easy-to-make, do-it-yourself recipes for breakfast or dinner or even for a take-to-work lunch. Which definitely saves you time and money because who can get a fabulous lunch or dinner on quick notice, when you might not have a lot of time to dine out or go get take-out?

Here are some of the recent menu ideas I found for breakfast bowls: Quinoa with chocolate and freshly slices pears; Tamale-in-a-bowl (polenta or grits with avocado, fresh salsa and black beans); I Heart Cherries (hot kasha cereal with hemp hearts and frozen cherries and a splash of almond milk); Oatmeal Lemon pancakes with Raspberry Date syrup; Banana Buckwheat pancakes with blueberries and other sliced fresh fruit toppings; Sweet Potato Pancakes with Strawberry Gazpacho sauce.

Here are some dinner menu ideas: Quinoa Burrito Bowls with Strawberry Salsa; Buffalo Cauliflower Pockets; Sweet Corn Tostadas; Chana Gobi soup (which is Hindi for chickpeas and cauliflower) spiced with Indian spice blends that they teach you how to make; Thai Spring Noodle Soup; Middle Eastern Quinoa Bowls with Vegetables; Spinach Apricot Salad with Spiced Lentils; and... Cauliflower and Black Bean Burritos -- which I want to pair off with a homemade Peach & Pear Chutney.

Anyhoooo…… my sister-in-law and I take turns buying the latest issue of "Forks Over Knives" magazine, but what I want to do - and it's on my wish list- is to buy the cookbook. Both the quarterly magazine edition and the cookbook has awesome recipes and photos of what each meal looks like. I buy the magazine at a local book seller that has the best price (sometimes it's Barns and Noble, sometimes I find a good price at Powell's).

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51V%2BbdS%2BpwL._SY344_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

Here's to better health and wellness for all,
Cheers :bunchflowers:

[Amulette]

I never found myself attracted to Kombucha until a friend brought over a big bottle to share. My first thought was BLEH another good for you moldy thing. Once I got over that it was really quite refreshing and I do like bubbly things. Actually it tasted really good. Making it (https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/how-to-make-kombucha) is all the rage and I do believe I will try it. Especially if I can do it with herbs and things, I find that a bit exciting. *twinkles*

https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Pouring_Kombucha.jpg?width=600&name=Pouring_Kombucha.jpg

How to Flavor How to Flavor Kombucha & 3 Herbal Recipes (https://blog.mountainroseherbs.com/flavoring-kombucha?utm_campaign=b_flavoring_kombucha_2019&utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR0VC2HUXAVqanG_NS0ftqwYjOrMn6Sc3POZfjWx9 mk-ogtz826kED0E_is)

[Kätzchen]

Hi there,

I cannot advocate any Kombucha product (home made or commercially made) because I had an allergic reaction to it, which landed me in the hospital.

I know it's branded as a health product that is saturated with probiotic potential, but there isn't any way I'd ever advocate utilizing this type of food product for any way to improve ones health. It didn't improve mine, at all.

My doctor explained further to me, once I recovered and followed up by seeing her after being hospitalized, that Kombucha is primarily made from fermented yeast, sugar and it basically not a stable product to consume for health purposes. I've even done my own random research about this type of health drink and it's got mixed reviews not only by consumers who have used it, but also by the medical community (western based or naturopath based practitioners) who are highly reluctant to put any official seal of approval on it because side effects can range from severe reactions to basically harmless but with no real way to measure toxic side effects among humans who consume this so-called health product.

I appreciate the post you made, but consuming Kombucha will not be something I ever consume -- for my own health.

Thanks again for your post,

K. :rrose:

[nycfem]

I've never had Kombucha (but certainly know of it), but your story reminded me of a natural health trend that I had a bad reaction to many years ago which was goji berries! I started having them every morning and getting bad stomach cramping, and it took me awhile to figure out that it was the goji berries! Then recently I took iron supplements because I had my iron tested as part of my physical and it came out low, so I thought I could correct it with supplements. I never knew how dangerous it is to get too much iron until the excess supplements made my level too high, and I got quite sick for a long time. Health is a complicated beast!

[Amulette]

I've never had Kombucha (but certainly know of it), but your story reminded me of a natural health trend that I had a bad reaction to many years ago which was goji berries! I started having them every morning and getting bad stomach cramping, and it took me awhile to figure out that it was the goji berries! Then recently I took iron supplements because I had my iron tested as part of my physical and it came out low, so I thought I could correct it with supplements. I never knew how dangerous it is to get too much iron until the excess supplements made my level too high, and I got quite sick for a long time. Health is a complicated beast!

I agree it is complicated, and there are so many opinions about what is best. It's good that you listen to your body, I'm coming to believe that is the most reliable source. :) I hope you are all past the iron adventure and that you feel really good!

[Kätzchen]

I've never had Kombucha (but certainly know of it), but your story reminded me of a natural health trend that I had a bad reaction to many years ago which was goji berries! I started having them every morning and getting bad stomach cramping, and it took me awhile to figure out that it was the goji berries! Then recently I took iron supplements because I had my iron tested as part of my physical and it came out low, so I thought I could correct it with supplements. I never knew how dangerous it is to get too much iron until the excess supplements made my level too high, and I got quite sick for a long time. Health is a complicated beast!

I once had a client who tried to convince me that Goji berries was helping her to lose weight (It was a major ingredient in some health care scheme business, she was involved in), but she had a massive rash all over her face and down her arms. She was experiencing a distressing health reaction to the Goji berries, but it never occurred to her that eating them was causing her allergic reaction. She eventually ended up in the hospital. Weeks later when I saw her, she told me how it scared her so much and that it was like a wake-up call, like placing a reality check on her situation.

I have to say, had I not ended up in the hospital due to the allergic reaction to Kombucha, I would not have believed it could make me so sick.

I'm really glad you've recovered from the iron supplement thing. I was worried for you, due to stuff like that happening to me too.

You're so right tho, health is a complicated beast!

[ksrainbow]

I was introduced to this supplement mixed with almond and then coconut milk as a daily meal supplement. I was given a 7 day meal trial and am not certain I can commit to the cost. Overall I liked the taste and result of being *full*.

Have any of you tried it and if so may I ask for your experiences pro/con?

Ks-

[Kätzchen]

I was introduced to this supplement mixed with almond and then coconut milk as a daily meal supplement. I was given a 7 meal trial and am not certain I can commit to the cost. Overall I liked the taste and result of being *full*.

Have any of you tried it and if so may I ask for your experiences pro/con?

Ks-

I created this forum thread as a way for me to document my recovery process, in addressing my own diabetic concerns, since my work related accident back in November of 2016. I never created this thread as a forum thread where people could ask for advice about foods or such. It's mainly my own personal thread and about my own health recovery.

So, No, I couldn't know anything about what you talk about in your post.

Thanks for you inquiry, though.

Mostly this personal forum thread is about smart health food choices that have helped me to make better food choices during my own health recovery.

There might be another thread out there, where you might could ask other members about your specific question. Or another member might come across your post here and leave a message for you.

But basically I started this forum thread to document my own health recovery process.... and making smarter food choices, based on a private medical conversation between my own private physician and registered dietician and myself. It's my way of sharing about my own health recovery... with the membership.

K :rrose:

[nycfem]

I agree it is complicated, and there are so many opinions about what is best. It's good that you listen to your body, I'm coming to believe that is the most reliable source. :) I hope you are all past the iron adventure and that you feel really good!

Thank you, I AM feeling really good right now, but it took a few months to heal! I agree with you that listening to our bodies is key.

[Amulette]

Hi there,

I cannot advocate any Kombucha product (home made or commercially made) because I had an allergic reaction to it, which landed me in the hospital.

I know it's branded as a health product that is saturated with probiotic potential, but there isn't any way I'd ever advocate utilizing this type of food product for any way to improve ones health. It didn't improve mine, at all.

My doctor explained further to me, once I recovered and followed up by seeing her after being hospitalized, that Kombucha is primarily made from fermented yeast, sugar and it basically not a stable product to consume for health purposes. I've even done my own random research about this type of health drink and it's got mixed reviews not only by consumers who have used it, but also by the medical community (western based or naturopath based practitioners) who are highly reluctant to put any official seal of approval on it because side effects can range from severe reactions to basically harmless but with no real way to measure toxic side effects among humans who consume this so-called health product.

I appreciate the post you made, but consuming Kombucha will not be something I ever consume -- for my own health.

Thanks again for your post,

K. :rrose:

I'm so sorry you had that reaction Kätzchen. It must have been pretty scary. I wonder if you are sensitive to other fermented products?

I know that Kombucha is a very ancient drink, and that I liked it. Beyond that I can't defend it's benefits. Mere intrigue especially with the herbal additions. It seems like making a magic potion and that makes my witchy side tingle.

It is interesting how we all react differently to different foods. Myself I'm allergic to eggs, and wheat, along with many beans. I don't do great with grains. It really takes a chunk out of food choices. I seem to do best with a Paleo-ish diet. I do poorly on a vegetarian-diet which I tried and tried for years. Grains and beans, are yummy but not for my tummy.

Here's to our health and knowing what our particular bodies want and need! May it be easy :)

[Kätzchen]

I'm so sorry you had that reaction Kätzchen. It must have been pretty scary. I wonder if you are sensitive to other fermented products?

I know that Kombucha is a very ancient drink, and that I liked it. Beyond that I can't defend it's benefits. Mere intrigue especially with the herbal additions. It seems like making a magic potion and that makes my witchy side tingle.

It is interesting how we all react differently to different foods. Myself I'm allergic to eggs, and wheat, along with many beans. I don't do great with grains. It really takes a chunk out of food choices. I seem to do best with a Paleo-ish diet. I do poorly on a vegetarian-diet which I tried and tried for years. Grains and beans, are yummy but not for my tummy.

Here's to our health and knowing what our particular bodies want and need! May it be easy :)

Thanks for leaving your posts in this thread and sharing your perspective on what you feel is important for you. Best wishes to you, --K. (f)

[ksrainbow]

I created this forum thread as a way for me to document my recovery process, in addressing my own diabetic concerns, since my work related accident back in November of 2016. I never created this thread as a forum thread where people could ask for advice about foods or such. It's mainly my own personal thread and about my own health recovery.

So, No, I couldn't know anything about what you talk about in your post.

Thanks for you inquiry, though.

Mostly this personal forum thread is about smart health food choices that have helped me to make better food choices during my own health recovery.

There might be another thread out there, where you might could ask other members about your specific question. Or another member might come across your post here and leave a message for you.

But basically I started this forum thread to document my own health recovery process.... and making smarter food choices, based on a private medical conversation between my own private physician and registered dietician and myself. It's my way of sharing about my own health recovery... with the membership.

K :rrose:

My apologies for posting my inquiry in your personal thread/space. Good luck in your journey to better health!

Thank you for responding-

Ks-

[Amulette]

I created this forum thread as a way for me to document my recovery process, in addressing my own diabetic concerns, since my work related accident back in November of 2016. I never created this thread as a forum thread where people could ask for advice about foods or such. It's mainly my own personal thread and about my own health recovery.
K :rrose:

I wasn't aware of this, sorry to barge in! I saw the title and thought it was a group discussion on healthy foods.

A side note on Goji berries: They are actually considered a medicine (Chinese) that builds up your blood and energy. They are used to tonify the body. I use them, 5-8 berries in a pot of chicken soup or a few in tea, or smoothy but not as a snack..... I think they have been taken out of their cultural context.

Blessings on your healing journey K!

[nycfem]

I wasn't aware of this, sorry to barge in! I saw the title and thought it was a group discussion on healthy foods.

A side note on Goji berries: They are actually considered a medicine (Chinese) that builds up your blood and energy. They are used to tonify the body. I use them, 5-8 berries in a pot of chicken soup or a few in tea, or smoothy but not as a snack..... I think they have been taken out of their cultural context.

Blessings on your healing journey K!

I had them as dried goji berries in yogurt with granola for a morning breakfast. They tasted good but I just reacted to them. That's interesting how you use them and makes sense about taking things out of their cultural context.

[nycfem]

Good to know. And you post really great stuff on it (appreciate your sharing). I'm going to change the title so that it doesn't lead to any confusion among members. I don't think anyone wants to interrupt a thread that is more for reading by other members :bunchflowers:

I created this forum thread as a way for me to document my recovery process, in addressing my own diabetic concerns, since my work related accident back in November of 2016. I never created this thread as a forum thread where people could ask for advice about foods or such. It's mainly my own personal thread and about my own health recovery.

So, No, I couldn't know anything about what you talk about in your post.

Thanks for you inquiry, though.

Mostly this personal forum thread is about smart health food choices that have helped me to make better food choices during my own health recovery.

There might be another thread out there, where you might could ask other members about your specific question. Or another member might come across your post here and leave a message for you.

But basically I started this forum thread to document my own health recovery process.... and making smarter food choices, based on a private medical conversation between my own private physician and registered dietician and myself. It's my way of sharing about my own health recovery... with the membership.

K :rrose:

[Kätzchen]

Good to know. And you post really great stuff on it (appreciate your sharing). I'm going to change the title so that it doesn't lead to any confusion among members. I don't think anyone wants to interrupt a thread that is more for reading by other members :bunchflowers:

Thanks so much for the support and right back at cha! :bunchflowers:


******______******______******______******______** ****


Here is an update concerning my own health progress:

Last week I had a clinic visit scheduled for a fasting blood lab and an specialized EKG. Both Lab Techs called out sick, so my appt got moved to next week, which is fine with me.

Both tests will determine if I can be weaned off of Glipizide (an experimental treatment I've been on for about a year now) and to be weaned off of Blood Pressure meds. If I pass both tests with flying colors :jester: Then I will have successfully addressed the mobility impacts to my health by radically changing my dietary intake choices. For example, I strive to consume basically everything I find tasty via a plant based diet. Once in a 'blue moon', tho, I find myself craving Albacore Tuna, Smoked Salmon, or BBQ'd Pork Chops. LOL, it's like "Kung Fu Fighting", this daily pursuit of not eating any meat products or consuming any dairy products, dairy-based cheese, or bread of any kind.

I'd say that's the hardest thing about my plant based life style now. Bread is super hard on a person's digestive system and it makes one's body work too hard to get rid of something that, what? Is supposed to fill you up? LOL, if people realized how hard bread is on your body, meat and dairy products too, then we'd be a Vegan-Vegetarian 'nation' by now. :rubberducky:

I limit sinning with bread (I stick to a quarter slice of Garlic Nan, twice a month). I also have hard, non-negotiable limits on dairy products. My body cannot abide dairy product rashes or health related setbacks, because dairy products convert instantaneously into highly toxic blood sugars, once a person ingests dairy based products. I know, because I am allergic to dairy products and once you've had a near fatal close call at an ER, you just give it up because who wants to die an early death, right?

SoooOOooOOooOooo, I'm kind of excited about a plant based ice-cream that I read about, recently. It's not that plant based ice cream that has been at stores for about two years now... The Halo brand ice cream. Not that one. It's not a soy based ice cream either. It's an Ice Cream called …. tada…

Eclipse. It's owners live in California and I like their mission statement and drive and focus on helping society realize that consuming plant based foods can be nutritious, body-safe, and improve ones health in seriously smart ways.

And who wants "Ice Cream" now? Ha Ha Ha. Of course, I do, but only if it's ~~~>>>>>>> E C L I P S E (https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/eclipse-foods-ice-cream-trnd/index.html).

Cheers,

:bunchflowers::bunchflowers::bunchflowers:

[Kätzchen]

Good news no.1: Today I went for my six month check up. My A1c range is still good (5.4), I lost a few pounds (16), and I still remain on the same dose of meds (Glipizide and Losartan) until next summer. By next summer, if I can show improvement in mobility and a reduction in weight (lose 55 pounds by June) without rocking the A1c 'boat', then my doctor will consider weaning me off both meds I have been taking since a year ago.

Good news no.2: I went grocery shopping again today and while wandering the aisles of my favorite discount grocery store, I saw little packages of Philadelphia Cream Cheese type veggie dips. So an idea formed in my head on how to make an alternative veggie dip without using dairy milk products. I am not allergic to organic Feta (goat cheese), so I bought a top shelf Feta cheese and bought some Red and Yellow and Orange sweet peppers and a jar of minced garlic. I have a Ninja food processor, so I set about cleaning and slicing the sweet peppers and processed them into a paste. Then I added all of the Feta (12 ounces), then processed it again after adding several teaspoons of minced garlic. I also added a dash or two of organic coconut cream and as it was processing, I stopped to add a bit of coconut flour and freshly squeezed lemon juice. After pulsing the entire concoction for about three minutes, I taste tested it and Oh My Goodness, it was ….

D e l i s h !

I also found a good buy on heads of organic cauliflower and a few stalks of celery and found a few organic beets (to roast). I cleaned up the heads of cauliflower and dipped buds of cauliflower in my newly made Feta/Sweet Pepper veggie dip. mMmmMmmMmmMMmmm. Soooo good!

When I roast beets, I clean them and cut them into quarters, then soak them in a pickling spice solution OACV, which I sweeten with Stevia drops. I soak them for 48 hours, in a covered container in the fridge. After they've absorbed the flavor of pickling spice mixture for a couple of days, I place them in a ceramic Dutch oven and roast them for a few hours in the late afternoon. The house smells divine and it's a yummy treat to serve on the side with organic salads I make on my own.

Cheers,

K. :bunchflowers:

:hk20:

[Kätzchen]

It has been about 4 months since I last shared about my health progress.

During the past couple of months, since the Covid-19 outbreak, my primary doctor's office closed and my therapists office closed, so getting my blood labs for my A1c check and staying connected with my medical team has been troublesome. But both teams (primary doctor and therapist) teamed up to do tele-visits by private phone connections. My primary doctor got me into a private lab for my fasting blood labs and we got good news, that my A1c is stable and going down in range, as they adjust the experimental medication I've been taking for the past year and a half (glipizide). My doctor plans to wean me off it, after other criteria demonstrates that it is possible to not take it anymore. I think that is dependent on the mobility issues I have been working on, for the past 3.5 years.

I faced my fears of falling off my bicycle and rode it for the first time, on December 28th. My sister-in-law gave me a fit bit for Christmas and when I select "Exercise" then click on the bicycle icon, it maps your ride and gives you other interesting details - like your sustaining heart beat, calories burned, how many miles you rode, and a picture of what that looks like. That day, the picture was like a big circular doodle, because I only rode around the parking lot of my sprawling neighborhood complex. When I rode that day, it dawned on me that because I don't have the typical brakes, the kind where you squeeze them on the handle bars? That I had to factor in time to stop because I only have the brakes that you use with the pedals. That can be dangerous, stopping, because I have some agility, but only with more practice will my agility improve.

Like this past two weeks, being home due to the "shelter in place" (stay at home, save lives), I have ventured out for more rides. The first time I went out of the neighborhood was last week, I think. I rode for about 4.8 miles. It took me awhile because it is hilly around here and I can't always pedal up a hill -- it's too hard on my lower back. So I'd get off and walk my bicycle up hills and sometimes down hills because the grade index is too steep. In once case the the grade was about 6%, so I walked my bike up the grade and came home a different route. On the fit bit, it won't record the steps you walk while you are in exercise bicycle mode. The picture of the map shows red lines where you bike, but big gaps if you have to walk your bike. Two days ago, I bicycled 6 miles to a destination that takes about 20 minutes by car. That took 3 hours to do on my bicycle. One way. LOL, I had to take the bus home, that day, because my legs were jelly.

Yesterday and today, I pushed myself to do the complete round trip, even if I had to intermittently walk my bicycle, while riding my route. It took me 6 hours to do a round trip. I am building up my strength still, so I think I will not do that round trip unless I give myself time to acclimate to the rigor of riding that trip. Roundtrip, it's approximately 13.6 miles, altogether. Before my work related accident in 2016, I was riding 22 miles per day (11 miles to work, 11 miles return trip home; 11 miles in one hour; one hour to work, one hour to get home). So, you can see that I am not even doing what I used to do and in the same amount of time, either. But I am working at rebuilding muscle and my ability to tolerate longer rides, little by little. At the rate I am going, it might be next summer before I can do what I used to do before. I am happy with what success I have managed to do on my own. Slow and steady, is the way I am committed to my recovery of health.

Tonight, on my way back home, we had a gorgeous sunset in the west, but as one looked east? We had lenticular clouds hovering over the Cascade range of mountains and the spaceship clouds were pink, as they mounded upward over the snowcapped range of mountain tops. I forget what lenticular clouds mean, but I think it means a change in weather, since we've had beautiful clear skies lately... Maybe in the morning we will have a bank of clouds move in and maybe it might be foggy. But the lenticular clouds were spooky looking tonight, yet so beautiful.

Thanks for sharing the journey with me as I continue to make progress. :)

K. :bunchflowers:

https://volcanocafe.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/lenticular-clouds-4.jpg

[Kätzchen]

It's been a few months since I have posted about my health progress.

I recently started incorporating short sets of yoga moves into my daily activities. I think it is helping me out, a lot.

Have you heard about or read about ...

The 5 Tibetan Rites (https://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17551/fountain-of-youth-5-tibetan-exercises-you-should-be-doing-every-day.html)?

These brief exercise routines have been making a difference in my health and in my ability to improve my mobility issues.

I can only do a few of them, without too much effort, but other yoga poses are sort of hard on me to do. I count it as a success if I can do one or two of the more difficult poses.

Just thought I'd share about doing this yoga routine.

Where I have found the most success in helping me address mobility issue related problems is performing extended walking exercises and bicycle rides. I get moderate levels of exercise at work, but I spend my weekend time or late evenings (during good weather) working on getting more exercise in because ... Even though I have been staying away from meat and dairy based products, I found that my plant-based dietary intake was still calorie rich and in order to burn off excess calories and keep my calorie burn burning into the late hours of the day, I had to step up on what types of physical activities I could do, in order to flatten the calorie curve and melt some of the fat off my body and improve my muscle structure.

I've still got a ways to go, but I'm making progress. :)

Here is wishing every one a beautiful summer ahead,
And thanks for keeping me company along the way.

~K. :bouquet:

[Kätzchen]

Lots has changed for me over the past two years, since implementing many vital changes with food choices, meds, and exercise routines.

I have lost so much weight, since last time I shared. I actually had a syncope incident, where I fell down on the pavement, due to my blood pressure being too low, two days ago. The ER physician pinned my syncope attack on the blood pressure medication, which should be lower in strength than it is. I see my Cardiology doc today, so she can adjust my dose to a lower strength and make sure my pacemaker is working like it should. The ER doc thinks that my weight loss over the past two years puts me in a different medication strength category, so I won't be facing another syncope event which endangers my body and such.

Anyway, I am proud of my weight loss (I've lost about 75 lbs., overall weight loss is nearer to 100+ lbs.). I'm several sizes smaller and I feel more energy not being so over-weight; plus, my mobility issues are improving (somewhat). I still have hip and knee (on my right side) issues, but hopefully these matters will improve over time.

Lately, when I prepare meals for myself or my fiancé Rico, I keep it super simple. I use only fresh organic-grown vegetables; I stay away from dairy products (as much as I/We can); and we do not indulge too often in bread or pasta.

One thing I have learned is to take each day with a renewed perspective and to make choices which will enhance my overall health. For example, I might could have not endured a syncope event had my cardiology clinic known that my weight is not the same as it was when they first assumed my cardiology care. Now, after knowing that my weight loss is directly associated with Rx strength, I am sure when I see my heart doc that she will either take me off the blood pressure med or reduce the strength and elect to see me more frequently until they get a better base line to make decisions.


As always, please know that I appreciate where I once was and where I now stand, concerning my weight loss. And thanks for sharing the journey with me as I continue each day, relearning important food choices and how it all connects to my overall health.

Sending my heart felt best wishes to all,
~K. :balloon: :bunchflowers: :hk2:

[Kätzchen]

It has been nearly two years since Rico passed away and then shortly after, I became my best friend's love interest and we mesh so well.

But the update I have today is more about the daily commitment of making sure I do not over eat or stray far from the 'magic' formula diet I have been sticking to and mostly that is about not consuming any dairy products of traditional types of bread or enjoying pasta like I used to.

Mostly today, I cook our meals at home and most meals nowadays are summer salads served free of calorie rich dressings. We choose squeezed limes of lemons or oranges for dressing a salad.

But... for breakfast, we do a three-egg omelette with a wasa-bread cracked topped off with freshly ground almonds or roasted peanuts which gives us around 35-40 grams of protein to kick start our lives on the right note.

Souping is a great way to lessen caloric intake yet revs up our dietary liquid intake (water or water based soups) which also aids our digestion and meets hydration requirements.

Oh, and not overdoing exercise. We do weight lifting or add weights to our exercise routine and it helps to build and maintain muscle mass.

Be healthy, be happy and take good care until next time!

:blueheels: :kissy:

--K.:rrose:

[Kätzchen]

I've done fairly well over the past 5 years at adjusting the way I eat and the foods I consume. I'm within 45 pounds of my weight goal, after being grossly overweight for nearly two decades. One of the latest changes I've made to my daily meal routines is to eat one whole avocado and I eat it at breakfast time, at the beginning of each day, so I don't feel deprived of tasty meal foods and to help my body as I age (gracefully :bow:).

Here is a great article, found here (https://www.eatingwell.com/article/8026117/avocados-benefits/), about the many benefits of Avocado.

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/fc/79/36/fc793645795de0d51d08b90c370ff813.jpg



Cheers,

:hk20:

[Kätzchen]

I’ve struggled this past year with weight gain when I literally limit what I eat and stick to a vegetarian type diet. What I discovered is that my exercise routine was causing me to gain weight because my muscle mass was increasing due to my exercise routine. Walking tons of steps doesn’t really help me because my right hip and pelvis area is consistently out of alignment and my knees being ‘bone on bone’ doesn’t help with my gait challenges.

So my weight trainer / exercise coach at my local gym is having me try out a yoga routine, and implementing the yoga routine with my water aerobics class.

It’s been so incredibly hot here (we have massive fires all over our state) so I’ve been upping my water intake and journaling my food intake (limits and time periods etc) for my coach and doctor.

Maybe by next spring I will have developed new habits that will keep me lean and strong and finally master my yo-yo weight issues.

Be safe and keep fighting the good fight,

— K.

[Kätzchen]

So, I’ve been faithful to go to my gym three times a week; and in concert with the gym routine, I get more than 16k steps at work — I’m at work about six hours each day I go to work.

I’m down 59 pounds since last summer, but I still have body work to do. This year I hope to lose about thirty pounds before the first of next year. If I’m able to accomplish that goal, then I will transition to a transitory goal of weight management via exercise achievement (s).


One of the small food goals I kept the past few months is to have an avocado each day: half of one for breakfast, the other half for lunch. Having avocado in my dietary schedule helps satiate my hunger for more food. Eat half of one, drink 12 ounces of water; have breakfast or lunch after letting that small avocado boost takes effect on my body. I’m loving that part of my routine for eating breakfast or lunch.

Another goal I’ve upheld too is drinking enough water. Your body works much better when it has proper hydration, so this part of my dietary routine is vital to my health and is lifting me up by correcting my food and hydration choice behaviors.

I’m becoming who I was during my young adult life (slender and toned muscles). And this is what I do daily to help correct the downward spiral I was on, for many years (which led to a pre-diabetes outcome), but now I focus on food and hydration choices which is helping me to achieve the goal of not needing medication support to mitigate my pre-diabetic condition that settled into my life after a near fatal work related accident.

I’m almost there, to my before- accident health status. If I can maintain my goals and improve all the tiny sectors that have improved already, then by next spring I hope to be free from taking medications (glipizide & losartan).

:bouquet:
—K.