I did it! 30 days of no gluten, dairy, or sugar!!! I can't believe it's over. I mean, I don't even know where to start! I kind of feel like I'm giving up if I eat bread or have a creamy soup. But, I also know that I need to get over it! We made a deal that we would only make our bread from scratch and that we wouldn't just fall into our old habits again. I aim to really do that. I don't want to just eat a sandwich for lunch every day! We've discovered so many other wonderful things to eat, it would be a waste to throw it all away.
The plan is to make a special dinner to celebrate the breaking of our diet. My husband is going to make some hand rolled pasta and I think we'll make some home made ice cream, too. I want to try to make it with honey instead of sugar. I really want to stay away from sugar! It's like a drug for me, I can't stop once I start!
The final tally: 15 pounds! Back to running tomorrow, no excuses! Let's see how long it takes to drop another 5 or 10!
Some people early on asked for recipes. Anyone who knows me, knows I don't use recipes. However, I can wrack my brain and try to recreate the process used to make yumminess! So, in the next week, I will try to compile a list of "recipes" for those who want to try new things.
I hope people enjoyed my journey as much as I did, it has been a great learning experience, and I feel awesome! I may post periodically for anyone who wants to know how the second phase goes: reincorporation of gluten, etc. and how it affects my feeling and weight. Otherwise, I guess that's it! Thanks for hanging with me through it all!
Thursday, December 9, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
Day 29
Tomorrow is officially the last day of my diet! I'm not ready to give it up, though! I've lost 14.5 pounds, which is great, but I want more. I haven't been able to go running since it snowed because I've been feeling under the weather since! I've no doubt my results would have been more significant if I'd kept the running up the entire time. Oh well! I will persevere!
So, what have I learned from all of this? I've learned that I don't need sugar to make me happy! I've learned that I don't need bread to feel fulfilled and that I don't need cheese and cream to make a delicious meal! I now realize how many empty calories I was eating before. I mean, when you're hungry, it's so easy to just grab a handful of chips, or make a quick PB&J, or buy some junk food they sell at the check stand at the grocery store. I'm not saying all these things are bad, but for me, they were. I wouldn't think of those as actually eating, so I would still eat a meal on top of them. It all adds up!
I've also learned that it is possible to eat amazing food without breaking the bank! We spend, as a family of three, about $150 a week on groceries. Not bad! Could we spend a little less? Sure. We could really look for the sales, clip coupons, eat more staples and less fresh produce. We could also buy from a chain instead of our local store, but we don't want to do that! We enjoy supporting a local enterprise, and the produce isn't really significantly more! Some of the meat is more expensive, but the quality is far more superior! And, it's local, humanely treated, hormone and antibiotic free, grass fed. Just better.
Last night, we had chicken breasts stuffed with duxelles with a pan sauce spiked with sherry, rice, and broccoli. Yummmmm!!! The night before we had a delicious stir fry. A few nights ago, we had flank steak with mashed potatoes (butter only) and roasted cauliflower. My husband also made us egg drop soup for lunch yesterday! I'm so lucky!
We have been eating less salads for lunch because it's winter and greens aren't as good and they're more expensive. I do miss eating lots of greens, but it's fun experimenting with different lunch meals! I've also learned that quinoa makes a yummy salad!
So, where do we go from here? Well, I intend to try to stick with the diet. I'm not going to be quite so rigid about it. If we are out somewhere, or at someones house, we will eat what is available. But at home, I will continue to avoid! Although, we are going to try to find some good flour and bake our own bread. No more store bought bread, and definitely not every day!
When we first started this diet, I thought 30 days was going to be an eternity, but it really went by too fast! I feel great and am starting to look how I feel! I want our kids to grow up knowing what real food tastes like and having a mom that sets a good example of how to eat and exercise, to appreciate food, family, and life. And, now I feel like I'm on the right track to do that!
So, what have I learned from all of this? I've learned that I don't need sugar to make me happy! I've learned that I don't need bread to feel fulfilled and that I don't need cheese and cream to make a delicious meal! I now realize how many empty calories I was eating before. I mean, when you're hungry, it's so easy to just grab a handful of chips, or make a quick PB&J, or buy some junk food they sell at the check stand at the grocery store. I'm not saying all these things are bad, but for me, they were. I wouldn't think of those as actually eating, so I would still eat a meal on top of them. It all adds up!
I've also learned that it is possible to eat amazing food without breaking the bank! We spend, as a family of three, about $150 a week on groceries. Not bad! Could we spend a little less? Sure. We could really look for the sales, clip coupons, eat more staples and less fresh produce. We could also buy from a chain instead of our local store, but we don't want to do that! We enjoy supporting a local enterprise, and the produce isn't really significantly more! Some of the meat is more expensive, but the quality is far more superior! And, it's local, humanely treated, hormone and antibiotic free, grass fed. Just better.
Last night, we had chicken breasts stuffed with duxelles with a pan sauce spiked with sherry, rice, and broccoli. Yummmmm!!! The night before we had a delicious stir fry. A few nights ago, we had flank steak with mashed potatoes (butter only) and roasted cauliflower. My husband also made us egg drop soup for lunch yesterday! I'm so lucky!
We have been eating less salads for lunch because it's winter and greens aren't as good and they're more expensive. I do miss eating lots of greens, but it's fun experimenting with different lunch meals! I've also learned that quinoa makes a yummy salad!
So, where do we go from here? Well, I intend to try to stick with the diet. I'm not going to be quite so rigid about it. If we are out somewhere, or at someones house, we will eat what is available. But at home, I will continue to avoid! Although, we are going to try to find some good flour and bake our own bread. No more store bought bread, and definitely not every day!
When we first started this diet, I thought 30 days was going to be an eternity, but it really went by too fast! I feel great and am starting to look how I feel! I want our kids to grow up knowing what real food tastes like and having a mom that sets a good example of how to eat and exercise, to appreciate food, family, and life. And, now I feel like I'm on the right track to do that!
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Day 24
We are well into our fourth week, and I truly can't believe how fast it's gone by! When we first talked about doing this diet, I thought it was going to be a constant struggle to resist temptation. I do find myself thinking longingly about pasta, fresh baked bread, and cheese occasionally. But, it passes, and I feel so good right now! Part of that feeling is pride in my ability to stick it out, but a big part of it, is just feeling healthy, lighter, refreshed.
Earlier this week I made a quinoa salad with broccoli, red onions, carrots, and red leaf lettuce. Tossed it all in a mustard vinaigrette. It was so light and delicious! My husband went on another cooking spree and made a stir fry with chicken and tons of veggies. Another dish he made was a Mexican-style "salad" with ground beef and veggies cooked in a tomatillo sauce with cabbage and served over rice. He also roasted a pork shoulder and served it up with braised fennel and an apple-potato mash. None of these things take a super long time to prepare either. With a little planning, it could even take a novice only 1/2 hour to get everything ready.
We are feeling a little under the weather, so I made a chicken and vegetable soup yesterday from our own chicken stock.
Also, I have been bringing my own breakfast to work with me so I don't feel tempted by all the fresh baked goods, pancakes, waffles, and biscuits and gravy! Sometimes the smells drive me mad! But, I manage, and I feel satisfied with my oatmeal or polenta, and apples. I know deep down, if I gave in and ate one of those things, I would only feel regret.
Exercise has been spotty, I tried to go running, but am feeling a little sickly, so it didn't go so well! But, I am back to having lost 13 pounds! I am trying to work on my portion size now that I have gotten used to eating this way. Salads can be as big as the moon, but breakfast and dinner, I am trying to eat a little less.
Christmas is coming up, and we've decided to kind of "let go" a little. I don't mean shovel in the mashers, gravy, and pie, but to let ourselves indulge a little. We will also help with the cooking I'm sure, so we can add our own healthy influence to the meal. Plus, by then it will have been almost 2 months!
So, one more week to go of the official 30 day diet. Then we will start thinking of ways to incorporate gluten and dairy back into our lives without going back to the way things were. We have learned so much, it's amazing! I am looking forward to carrying the learning to another level!
Earlier this week I made a quinoa salad with broccoli, red onions, carrots, and red leaf lettuce. Tossed it all in a mustard vinaigrette. It was so light and delicious! My husband went on another cooking spree and made a stir fry with chicken and tons of veggies. Another dish he made was a Mexican-style "salad" with ground beef and veggies cooked in a tomatillo sauce with cabbage and served over rice. He also roasted a pork shoulder and served it up with braised fennel and an apple-potato mash. None of these things take a super long time to prepare either. With a little planning, it could even take a novice only 1/2 hour to get everything ready.
We are feeling a little under the weather, so I made a chicken and vegetable soup yesterday from our own chicken stock.
Also, I have been bringing my own breakfast to work with me so I don't feel tempted by all the fresh baked goods, pancakes, waffles, and biscuits and gravy! Sometimes the smells drive me mad! But, I manage, and I feel satisfied with my oatmeal or polenta, and apples. I know deep down, if I gave in and ate one of those things, I would only feel regret.
Exercise has been spotty, I tried to go running, but am feeling a little sickly, so it didn't go so well! But, I am back to having lost 13 pounds! I am trying to work on my portion size now that I have gotten used to eating this way. Salads can be as big as the moon, but breakfast and dinner, I am trying to eat a little less.
Christmas is coming up, and we've decided to kind of "let go" a little. I don't mean shovel in the mashers, gravy, and pie, but to let ourselves indulge a little. We will also help with the cooking I'm sure, so we can add our own healthy influence to the meal. Plus, by then it will have been almost 2 months!
So, one more week to go of the official 30 day diet. Then we will start thinking of ways to incorporate gluten and dairy back into our lives without going back to the way things were. We have learned so much, it's amazing! I am looking forward to carrying the learning to another level!
Saturday, November 27, 2010
Day 20
Oh my gosh! Where has the week gone? There has been just so much going on with my new job and Thanksgiving... So, my awesome success hit a snag this week. Snow. It snowed early in the week and I haven't been able to run since. I just tried, and fell down, there's so much ice! I've gained 2.5 pounds. My husband says it's muscle! Maybe he's right, I did do some yoga and a cardio video, so not all has been lost this week!
I also started working this week. I have been bringing my own food, so I haven't faltered on the diet thus far! It's so tempting, too! They have fresh baked sticky buns and coffee cake every day! Also, waffles and pancakes. But, I forge forward and don't give in!
Our Thanksgiving was low key, just our little family, no extended. My husband made an amazing dinner! Roasted chicken legs, acorn squash risotto, roasted vegetables, with a simple pan sauce. He also made a delicious potato leek soup! We gave ourselves a small luxury in the form of some shaved aged cheddar in the soup, but very little. Yum!
With the blizzard that we had (a foot in one day!), my husband went into "prepare" mode and made a ton of food! He smoked a pork shoulder and some chicken breasts. He also made soup, stock, and a yummy apple cranberry chutney. Well, we've been eating it all week. So awesome! He also made a roasted poblano pepper and pumpkin seed hummus. We've been putting it on and in everything! Add it to a soup, and it's a soup transformed! Dip veggies in it, put a dollop on your salad.
We only have 10 days left, and it seems like it's gone by so fast! We have agreed that we will continue to keep the stuff out of the house, but that if we go somewhere, or it's a special occasion, we will allow it. And, if we do eat bread, it will be homemade, and not the preservative-loaded stuff they sell at the store! I have also decided that I will continue to share my experiences beyond the 30 days, especially concerning what it will be like when we re-introduce dairy and gluten into our lives (I intend to stay without sugar!). Since we've never done this before, it's a mystery to us!
I do not feel discouraged by the slight weight gain, it could just be a fluctuation (I do kind of obsessively weigh myself too often!), and besides, the important thing is that I FEEL good. I have more energy, I feel more alert, and just better in general! So, here's hoping the darn ice melts soon, so I can get back to running! I sure do miss it!
I also started working this week. I have been bringing my own food, so I haven't faltered on the diet thus far! It's so tempting, too! They have fresh baked sticky buns and coffee cake every day! Also, waffles and pancakes. But, I forge forward and don't give in!
Our Thanksgiving was low key, just our little family, no extended. My husband made an amazing dinner! Roasted chicken legs, acorn squash risotto, roasted vegetables, with a simple pan sauce. He also made a delicious potato leek soup! We gave ourselves a small luxury in the form of some shaved aged cheddar in the soup, but very little. Yum!
With the blizzard that we had (a foot in one day!), my husband went into "prepare" mode and made a ton of food! He smoked a pork shoulder and some chicken breasts. He also made soup, stock, and a yummy apple cranberry chutney. Well, we've been eating it all week. So awesome! He also made a roasted poblano pepper and pumpkin seed hummus. We've been putting it on and in everything! Add it to a soup, and it's a soup transformed! Dip veggies in it, put a dollop on your salad.
We only have 10 days left, and it seems like it's gone by so fast! We have agreed that we will continue to keep the stuff out of the house, but that if we go somewhere, or it's a special occasion, we will allow it. And, if we do eat bread, it will be homemade, and not the preservative-loaded stuff they sell at the store! I have also decided that I will continue to share my experiences beyond the 30 days, especially concerning what it will be like when we re-introduce dairy and gluten into our lives (I intend to stay without sugar!). Since we've never done this before, it's a mystery to us!
I do not feel discouraged by the slight weight gain, it could just be a fluctuation (I do kind of obsessively weigh myself too often!), and besides, the important thing is that I FEEL good. I have more energy, I feel more alert, and just better in general! So, here's hoping the darn ice melts soon, so I can get back to running! I sure do miss it!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Week two winding down
I can't believe it's been two weeks already! We have already decided 30 days isn't enough, we want to keep going! The strangest thing to me, is how I don't miss sugar. I mean, you're talking about someone who could down ice cream like it was water! I don't even really think about it, or miss it. I think I will stick with the no sugar thing even when I'm ready to slowly reintroduce gluten and dairy.
So, after two weeks, I've lost 12.5 pounds! Before we started, I dreamt that I lost 14 pounds in the first two weeks, and I thought, "yea right!" Who would've thought I'd actually get close to that number?
Tonight, we are making pan-seared sole with lemon and capers, served over a watercress salad with a lemon vinaigrette, and roasted brussels sprouts. Oh yea! Tomorrow night, my husband is going to smoke a pork shoulder and make a cranberry-apple-honey glaze.
Also, tomorrow is my first day of work. I am anxious on a number of different levels, one being: what can I eat there? What if they want me to taste things I'm not supposed to eat? I'll have to, but I will do as little as possible, and spit out when I can. I don't want them to think I'm nuts on my first day!!!
The thing I really wanted to talk about today, is how strangely people view food in this country. Even with the rise in popularity of the Food Network and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, people still think it's a waste of money to spend "a lot" on food! People think they're getting ripped off if they have to pay $2 for a head of local organic lettuce. Why can't it cost the $1.30 like at the super market? What's even crazier to me than that is that people will spend hundreds of dollars on special pet food for their animals to make sure they don't get filled up on "fillers" that cheaper foods use. But, they go to the super market and buy food made from "fillers" for themselves! Guar gum, dextrose, xantham gum, corn syrup, anything with -ase at the end. All preservatives and fillers made from processing corn and soy. They trick us into thinking it's yummy and that we're full. Even store bought bread is full of these things!
What is the solution? I'm still trying to figure it out. I realize not everyone gets to stay home with their children and cook all day, but there must be some middle ground! The only answer can't be "I don't have time, so I'm going to buy this." Maybe it starts here, with us, creating simple, easy to reproduce recipes to share with everyone. We aren't the only ones! There's information out there, I am just trying to share how easy it is and can be. How much better you feel when you eat this delicious, healthy food. How much better you feel to actually KNOW where your food came from! Stick with me, and I hope you will see.
So, after two weeks, I've lost 12.5 pounds! Before we started, I dreamt that I lost 14 pounds in the first two weeks, and I thought, "yea right!" Who would've thought I'd actually get close to that number?
Tonight, we are making pan-seared sole with lemon and capers, served over a watercress salad with a lemon vinaigrette, and roasted brussels sprouts. Oh yea! Tomorrow night, my husband is going to smoke a pork shoulder and make a cranberry-apple-honey glaze.
Also, tomorrow is my first day of work. I am anxious on a number of different levels, one being: what can I eat there? What if they want me to taste things I'm not supposed to eat? I'll have to, but I will do as little as possible, and spit out when I can. I don't want them to think I'm nuts on my first day!!!
The thing I really wanted to talk about today, is how strangely people view food in this country. Even with the rise in popularity of the Food Network and Jamie Oliver's Food Revolution, people still think it's a waste of money to spend "a lot" on food! People think they're getting ripped off if they have to pay $2 for a head of local organic lettuce. Why can't it cost the $1.30 like at the super market? What's even crazier to me than that is that people will spend hundreds of dollars on special pet food for their animals to make sure they don't get filled up on "fillers" that cheaper foods use. But, they go to the super market and buy food made from "fillers" for themselves! Guar gum, dextrose, xantham gum, corn syrup, anything with -ase at the end. All preservatives and fillers made from processing corn and soy. They trick us into thinking it's yummy and that we're full. Even store bought bread is full of these things!
What is the solution? I'm still trying to figure it out. I realize not everyone gets to stay home with their children and cook all day, but there must be some middle ground! The only answer can't be "I don't have time, so I'm going to buy this." Maybe it starts here, with us, creating simple, easy to reproduce recipes to share with everyone. We aren't the only ones! There's information out there, I am just trying to share how easy it is and can be. How much better you feel when you eat this delicious, healthy food. How much better you feel to actually KNOW where your food came from! Stick with me, and I hope you will see.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Day 13... What?!
I can't believe two weeks is already winding down! Where has the time gone? Well, it's been a busy week. As you may recall, it was my husband's birthday, and I wanted to make him something special. I was going to try to make a sugar-free sorbet, but I forgot to put our ice cream maker in the freezer! Whoops! What did I make? Well, he wanted steak, so I pan-seared some NY strips, roasted broccoli and cauliflower, and made a coconut-cilantro rice. I used about 2 TBSP of light coconut milk, just to give the rice a little creaminess. I also made a cilantro compound butter for the steaks (only a little bit, though!). The whole dish really came together and he was so happy!
My mom came to visit her grandson yesterday and was dying to know how to make some of the things we've been eating. So I made us a yummy dinner, hoping she'd see how easy it is to pull off. I made a bolognese sauce, sauteed kale with pearl onions, and polenta. Rich, tangy, hearty (it's so cold outside!), and delicious!
When we first talked about doing this diet, we were worried we'd be spending a lot more money, buying so many fresh ingredients. But, I think we are at least spending about the same, maybe even a little less! I mean, we're not spending $5 on bread every few days, we're not buying anything pre-made (which is always more expensive than doing it yourself), milk and cheese are spendy. So, instead, we're spending a few bucks here and there on fresh greens and fruit! And, the local store sells their own raised beef and chickens (I think their lamb and pork are local, too), and it's the same price or better than the super market! Of course, not everyone has this amazing country store where they live, but, it's still economical. I am saving our receipts to see actually how much we spend each week, so I'll let you know.
Weight loss, you ask? Oh yes! I have lost 10.5 pounds!!! It's incredible. I really didn't think it would be so easy. I know, at some point the dramatic numbers will taper off, but I am so thrilled at the success so far!
The next challenge: I am going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for the last year. How will it be to be in a restaurant every day and not fall off the diet? How will it effect my exercise? Or will being so busy actually help? I don't know! I certainly am going to try hard!
Also, the weather is changing, it's even snowing right now! I must persevere, though, right? I can't let a little cold and wet stop me from reaching my goal, right? Right! I will push on, just like the postal service...
Next, I will try to address Thanksgiving and how to cope with all the glutinous, dairy, and sugar-filled foods that day brings!
My mom came to visit her grandson yesterday and was dying to know how to make some of the things we've been eating. So I made us a yummy dinner, hoping she'd see how easy it is to pull off. I made a bolognese sauce, sauteed kale with pearl onions, and polenta. Rich, tangy, hearty (it's so cold outside!), and delicious!
When we first talked about doing this diet, we were worried we'd be spending a lot more money, buying so many fresh ingredients. But, I think we are at least spending about the same, maybe even a little less! I mean, we're not spending $5 on bread every few days, we're not buying anything pre-made (which is always more expensive than doing it yourself), milk and cheese are spendy. So, instead, we're spending a few bucks here and there on fresh greens and fruit! And, the local store sells their own raised beef and chickens (I think their lamb and pork are local, too), and it's the same price or better than the super market! Of course, not everyone has this amazing country store where they live, but, it's still economical. I am saving our receipts to see actually how much we spend each week, so I'll let you know.
Weight loss, you ask? Oh yes! I have lost 10.5 pounds!!! It's incredible. I really didn't think it would be so easy. I know, at some point the dramatic numbers will taper off, but I am so thrilled at the success so far!
The next challenge: I am going back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for the last year. How will it be to be in a restaurant every day and not fall off the diet? How will it effect my exercise? Or will being so busy actually help? I don't know! I certainly am going to try hard!
Also, the weather is changing, it's even snowing right now! I must persevere, though, right? I can't let a little cold and wet stop me from reaching my goal, right? Right! I will push on, just like the postal service...
Next, I will try to address Thanksgiving and how to cope with all the glutinous, dairy, and sugar-filled foods that day brings!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Day 9
I am officially in my second week, now, and it is no longer new! Don't get me wrong, I'm still loving this diet experiment (especially the results: 8.5 lbs!!!), but now we will need to dig in and think of more creative ways to eat, so we don't get bored.
Yesterday, my husband made a delicious salad with hard boiled eggs, red onion, thinly sliced London broil, and a creamy (made w/ egg yolks) mustard vinaigrette. I could eat a salad like that every day! Jazz it up with nuts, or add a fresh herb to the salad dressing. Switch out the meat, add avocado... The variations are nearly limitless!
For dinner, we had a simple roast chicken with vegetables roasted right underneath the bird. Delicious! Do I say delicious too much? I don't care! The food is too yummy. Simple as that.
Tomorrow is his birthday, so I am going to wrack my brain for some clever ways to make something special for him without cheating on our plan. I would describe some of my ideas, but I know he'll read this.... So, nice try honey!
I can honestly say, I feel a difference now in my hunger. I don't feel like I'm starving all the time anymore, my stomach is adjusting to the new routine. I find that I can trick my stomach, too, by drinking some water, and then having a small piece of fruit or a handful of peanuts. I'll be satisfied and can hold off until my next meal.
I will keep everyone posted as to the success of the birthday dinner. Especially if I can come up with a half-way decent dessert! In the mean time, happy eating!
Yesterday, my husband made a delicious salad with hard boiled eggs, red onion, thinly sliced London broil, and a creamy (made w/ egg yolks) mustard vinaigrette. I could eat a salad like that every day! Jazz it up with nuts, or add a fresh herb to the salad dressing. Switch out the meat, add avocado... The variations are nearly limitless!
For dinner, we had a simple roast chicken with vegetables roasted right underneath the bird. Delicious! Do I say delicious too much? I don't care! The food is too yummy. Simple as that.
Tomorrow is his birthday, so I am going to wrack my brain for some clever ways to make something special for him without cheating on our plan. I would describe some of my ideas, but I know he'll read this.... So, nice try honey!
I can honestly say, I feel a difference now in my hunger. I don't feel like I'm starving all the time anymore, my stomach is adjusting to the new routine. I find that I can trick my stomach, too, by drinking some water, and then having a small piece of fruit or a handful of peanuts. I'll be satisfied and can hold off until my next meal.
I will keep everyone posted as to the success of the birthday dinner. Especially if I can come up with a half-way decent dessert! In the mean time, happy eating!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)