Thursday,
February 14, 2013
My Mormon
Lent
I'm a Mormon. As members of the church, we
participate in monthly fasts, but don't practice Lent. However, even before I
realized that Lent started this month, I had been trying to get back on the
plant-based band-wagon for more than just a few days. I just feel SO MUCH
BETTER when I eat plant-based.
Somehow, I
got to thinking about the 40-day fasts in the Bible, and was going to commit to
doing Dr. Fuhrman's Eat to Live
program for 40 days in that same spirit. I started and failed. I was
gearing up to try again, when I realized that Lent started on Wednesday (or
Monday) of this week. So I decided to do my own "Lent."
I meant to
start Monday, and ate plant-based Monday and Tuesday, but definitely had a Fat
Tuesday vegan peanut
butter cookie dough binge. Wednesday then became my official
start day of my Lent, and yesterday (Wed) and today have been wonderful.
I feel like
focusing on the spiritual aspect of plant-based eating is going to help me
commit for the duration of my 40 days. I am excited to draw nearer to God
during this time (I always feel closer to Him when I'm taking good care of my
body) and to show my appreciation of this physical body that He has blessed me
with through nourishing it with plants!
It's amazing
how Heavenly Father puts ideas in our heads and paths. Just yesterday, I
was doing my daily perusal of plant-based fb posts and blogs, when someone (I
think it was someone who had commented on a Happy Herbivore fb post) mentioned the Daniel Fast. I was intrigued by
that, and googled it, and loved the information I found about that, too.
Eating plant-based really does have positive spiritual consequences!
(You think I would remember that more consistently, with the Word of Wisdom).
So whether
you call it giving up something for Lent, the 6 week Challenge, the
Daniel Fast, obeying the Word of Wisdom, or just making a bigger effort to eat
more plants, I am all for it!
As a caveat, I don't mean ANY
disrespect to friends and readers to do participate in Lent as part of their
worship. I think that giving up something to be closer to God is a
wonderful idea, and it is in this spirit that I'm calling my 40+ days of pure
plant-based-ness my Lent.
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Begin Again
This is one of my favorite songs right now. There is a reason why I didn't name this blog "Jo's Plant-Based Life of Perfection." (In addition to the lack of alliteration). I am not a perfect plant-based eater. Sunday and yesterday I binged on non-plant-food. Big time binged. So I'm beginning again.
Today I was crazy and cranky because of my food hangover. I'm already feeling better for having eaten plant-based today.
My new goal is to eat fully plant-based (no sugar or oil and limited flour) until April 2. 42 days.
In addition to beginning plant-focused eating again, I started writing my thesis again today. Yay for beginning again!
Today I was crazy and cranky because of my food hangover. I'm already feeling better for having eaten plant-based today.
My new goal is to eat fully plant-based (no sugar or oil and limited flour) until April 2. 42 days.
In addition to beginning plant-focused eating again, I started writing my thesis again today. Yay for beginning again!
Wednesday, March 6, 2013
The Lamentable Lassi...and other lessons learned lately.
I'd been doing plant-based 100%, (low fat not so much...lots of peanut butter) when we went out to India Palace Monday night. Our waiter gave me a lassi along with Beth's. And I drank it. So began the binge. I then proceeded to buy and eat 2 kinds of ice cream and white chocolate lindt balls. And to eat them all. After 2 dinners.
Lesson learned: Don't start. It's too hard to stop, because you are addicted.
Today I was all geared up to eat only ETL foods and only when I was hungry. I threw away the ice cream that I bought last night and the remnants of my huge jar of peanut butter in the name of giving away all my sins to know God (I don't think ice cream and peanut butter are sins. I do think that they way that I've been abusing my body by binging on them is.) And then Whitney gave us cookies this afternoon. And I ate all three without a second thought. Well, there were second thoughts when by the second cookie the buttery refinedness wasn't tasting as great as the first bite, and I could feel my arteries clogging. But that didn't stop me from finishing all three. But I did decide not to eat the starburst I unwrapped with the intent to consume. And tonight, Beth helped me not give in to J Dawg's or pizza. And I didn't overeat for the first time in days.
Lessons learned: If you have it, you will eat it. So don't buy it or keep it if you know it's a temptation.
Lesson learned: Don't start. It's too hard to stop, because you are addicted.
Today I was all geared up to eat only ETL foods and only when I was hungry. I threw away the ice cream that I bought last night and the remnants of my huge jar of peanut butter in the name of giving away all my sins to know God (I don't think ice cream and peanut butter are sins. I do think that they way that I've been abusing my body by binging on them is.) And then Whitney gave us cookies this afternoon. And I ate all three without a second thought. Well, there were second thoughts when by the second cookie the buttery refinedness wasn't tasting as great as the first bite, and I could feel my arteries clogging. But that didn't stop me from finishing all three. But I did decide not to eat the starburst I unwrapped with the intent to consume. And tonight, Beth helped me not give in to J Dawg's or pizza. And I didn't overeat for the first time in days.
Lessons learned: If you have it, you will eat it. So don't buy it or keep it if you know it's a temptation.
Monday, March 11, 2013
The Precious Gift of Agency
I was so tempted to eat sugar today. So tempted. But it's amazing how things work out when you're trying. I did eat 2 pieces of bread (going to try to not to tomorrow), but I didn't eat the doughnuts, cookies, lemon bars, and cheesecake that were available at home and FHE, nor did I go to the store for "healthy sugar" in the form of granola and soy milk, or not definitely not healthy vegan caramel stripe cookies.
I sure was contemplating it, but then President Smith's FHE lesson was about agency, and listening to the prophet. The parts I liked best/helped me most came from this talk by President Monson.
As the prophet Isaiah promised, “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”3
My beloved young sisters, you have the precious gift of agency. I plead with you to choose to obey.
I love the idea of CHOICE. I am choosing to not eat sugar and other addictive substances. The word that I've heard in my ears is that I need to work on being healthy, and I know I can do that by avoiding sugar and refined carbs and eating LOTS of plants, (and not overeating like I did today).
The importance of choices hit home again this evening, when I learned that a friend in the ward's father had a stroke on Sunday, and that they don't want to operate because he's got heart problems. I know that diet can't fix everything, that there are problems that are inevitable because we're mortal. But I do feel like I need to do my very best to be as healthy as possible. I am so grateful for the precious gift of agency. One step closer.
I sure was contemplating it, but then President Smith's FHE lesson was about agency, and listening to the prophet. The parts I liked best/helped me most came from this talk by President Monson.
As the prophet Isaiah promised, “Thine ears shall hear a word … saying, This is the way, walk ye in it.”3
My beloved young sisters, you have the precious gift of agency. I plead with you to choose to obey.
I love the idea of CHOICE. I am choosing to not eat sugar and other addictive substances. The word that I've heard in my ears is that I need to work on being healthy, and I know I can do that by avoiding sugar and refined carbs and eating LOTS of plants, (and not overeating like I did today).
The importance of choices hit home again this evening, when I learned that a friend in the ward's father had a stroke on Sunday, and that they don't want to operate because he's got heart problems. I know that diet can't fix everything, that there are problems that are inevitable because we're mortal. But I do feel like I need to do my very best to be as healthy as possible. I am so grateful for the precious gift of agency. One step closer.
Tuesday, April 16, 2013
60 day insanity transformation? Let's try a 42 day sane one! :)
I saw an ad for the Insanity workout program, plugging a 60 day transformation. Looking at before and after pics, some of the people who used the program did make a ton of progress. Some, not so much.
I get the not so much progress thing. How many times have I said that I'm going to go hard core ETL, really do the 6 weeks?
Yesterday was my first day (again!) of 6 weeks of ETL. Beth is on board with me (and turned down home-bottled peaches at J and J's because she wasn't sure if they had sugar or pineapple juice. GO BETHIE!
Today I ate too much peanut butter and nuts to be strictly ETL, and too many bananas. Plant-based nuerotoxins a few too many bananas are better than a package of hotdogs and way too many desserts, right?
If I would stick to ETL for just 6 weeks, I would have a transformation too. No insane workouts required. I'll try to do better tomorrow than I did today. I think more sleep will help.
I get the not so much progress thing. How many times have I said that I'm going to go hard core ETL, really do the 6 weeks?
Yesterday was my first day (again!) of 6 weeks of ETL. Beth is on board with me (and turned down home-bottled peaches at J and J's because she wasn't sure if they had sugar or pineapple juice. GO BETHIE!
Today I ate too much peanut butter and nuts to be strictly ETL, and too many bananas. Plant-based nuerotoxins a few too many bananas are better than a package of hotdogs and way too many desserts, right?
If I would stick to ETL for just 6 weeks, I would have a transformation too. No insane workouts required. I'll try to do better tomorrow than I did today. I think more sleep will help.
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Day 1: Pray like Crazy.
Today was day one of my 6 weeks of REAL Eat to Live. I can do it. I am doing it. It's amazing what happens when you decide something for real. Several times today, I thought briefly about eating candy, then realized that I'd decided to do ETL for real. And when I remembered my decision, it was easy to say no to the sugar.
I'm saying yes to lots of prayer. I need help from Heavenly Father. I have issues galore with over-eating and food addictions, but I know that God can heal my heart, my mind and my health. I love Him and am so grateful for His help and guidance. I know He has a plan for me, and feel like ETL and superior nutrition and good exercise habits are a part of that plan. I know that I feel better, happier, and stronger when I do what I know: essentrics, running, Eating to Live.
Today:
W: 152.2 lbs
E: 2.57 mile run (ran up el cerro de la muerte sin parar!), essentrics a/a...feeling stronger and leaner already!
am: banana
lunch time: banana + lots of gum...something to work on.
5:30 ish: a banana, spring mix, 1/2 can fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, palta, mushrooms. Delicious! I thought about eating more, but I didn't really need it, or want it, so I didn't.
I'm saying yes to lots of prayer. I need help from Heavenly Father. I have issues galore with over-eating and food addictions, but I know that God can heal my heart, my mind and my health. I love Him and am so grateful for His help and guidance. I know He has a plan for me, and feel like ETL and superior nutrition and good exercise habits are a part of that plan. I know that I feel better, happier, and stronger when I do what I know: essentrics, running, Eating to Live.
Today:
W: 152.2 lbs
E: 2.57 mile run (ran up el cerro de la muerte sin parar!), essentrics a/a...feeling stronger and leaner already!
am: banana
lunch time: banana + lots of gum...something to work on.
5:30 ish: a banana, spring mix, 1/2 can fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, palta, mushrooms. Delicious! I thought about eating more, but I didn't really need it, or want it, so I didn't.
Thursday, May 2, 2013
Day 2: Feeling Fitter Already! :)
It's amazing how just a couple of days can make SUCH a difference. Between the running (or in today's case, walking), essentrics and ETL, I'm feeling fabulous! To the point where I'm surprised that my pants are still tight! I washed that pair of pants yesterday, and it's only day two, so I think I'll be fine :)
I LOVE how I feel when I take care of my body. I feel lighter, brighter, happier, more in tune with the Spirit, a myriad of great and important things. I want to do this forever. Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.
Today:
W: 150.8
E: 37 minute walk with my bestest, Bethie, essentrics l/b
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, mushrooms, chili, fire-roasted tomatoes (blessed to get everything I needed to done!)
D: banana
I LOVE how I feel when I take care of my body. I feel lighter, brighter, happier, more in tune with the Spirit, a myriad of great and important things. I want to do this forever. Nothing tastes as good as healthy feels.
Today:
W: 150.8
E: 37 minute walk with my bestest, Bethie, essentrics l/b
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, mushrooms, chili, fire-roasted tomatoes (blessed to get everything I needed to done!)
D: banana
Friday, May 3, 2013
Day 3: Check-list girl
I've long loved a check-list. I've been known to add something that I've already done to a check-list, just so that I can check it off! Such a feeling of accomplishment!
Tara Stiles and the Tone It Up girls, Karena and Katrina have posted calendars lately for their respective workouts. I've saved both calendars, wanting to complete their challenges and then decided to create my own to fit what I feel like I should be doing right now. I keep track of all these goals on my monthly goal sheet, and have started to here on the blog too, but one more place to check off is a bonus!
The pic on the calendar is from a google search ("Yes, I googled!") and is a road in Texas. I love that it's out in the country, but the telephone lines create some interesting lines, and are a good grounding reminder. This road I'm traveling on isn't always going to be perfect, and it's going to be hard work to keep going and not give in to temptation sometimes, but it is and will be so worth it.
Here's my calendar/check-list for the next few weeks. Use it if you want, or create your own!
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Day 4: CHOOSING ETL (with banana bread cookies!)
I LOVE eating to live. And I love that I can CHOOSE to do it under any circumstances. Things have a way of working out when you commit to do something good. Heavenly Father blesses me so much.
I got to talk to my Mama while I walked/hiked this morning, then went to the temple with the ward, and then to the Sisk's for lunch...Salads! Of course I left out the tortilla, cheese, meat, chips, etc. But I did have extra guacamole and later ate several of my new favorites: what I've termed "banana bread cookies." So good, and so legally ETL. So blessed to be able to make this choice.
Today:
W: 146
E: 1 hour and 10 minutes of walking and hiking the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Essentrics l/b while listening to Mountains to Climb :).
B: banana and walnuts
L: lettuce, black beans, guacamole, and lots of salsa.
D/S: banana, 2 cookies worth of dough, plus five more cookies. When they're totally sugar, fat, and flour free, they are totally legal! Love them!
The cookies were on someone's facebook post. Don't know who to attribute them to. Whoever came up with them is a genius, though. Totally plant-based, and no non-normal-jo stuff like medjool dates, coconut sugar, or food processors involved!
"Banana Bread Cookies" (my name for them, they didn't come with a name)
3 mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup applesauce (I use my Mama's home canned stuff!)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
The first time I made them, I didn't add raisins. I did today, and highly recommend it. Also, I didn't measure my cinnamon today, just shook it in until I thought it had enough, tasted it, and added some more! Added some nutmeg too. Try these! :)
I got to talk to my Mama while I walked/hiked this morning, then went to the temple with the ward, and then to the Sisk's for lunch...Salads! Of course I left out the tortilla, cheese, meat, chips, etc. But I did have extra guacamole and later ate several of my new favorites: what I've termed "banana bread cookies." So good, and so legally ETL. So blessed to be able to make this choice.
Today:
W: 146
E: 1 hour and 10 minutes of walking and hiking the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Essentrics l/b while listening to Mountains to Climb :).
B: banana and walnuts
L: lettuce, black beans, guacamole, and lots of salsa.
D/S: banana, 2 cookies worth of dough, plus five more cookies. When they're totally sugar, fat, and flour free, they are totally legal! Love them!
The cookies were on someone's facebook post. Don't know who to attribute them to. Whoever came up with them is a genius, though. Totally plant-based, and no non-normal-jo stuff like medjool dates, coconut sugar, or food processors involved!
"Banana Bread Cookies" (my name for them, they didn't come with a name)
3 mashed bananas (ripe)
1/3 cup applesauce (I use my Mama's home canned stuff!)
2 cups oats
1/4 cup almond milk
1/2 cup raisins (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp cinnamon
Bake at 350 for 15-20 minutes.
The first time I made them, I didn't add raisins. I did today, and highly recommend it. Also, I didn't measure my cinnamon today, just shook it in until I thought it had enough, tasted it, and added some more! Added some nutmeg too. Try these! :)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
Day 5: Blessed Sunday
I sure do love Sundays. They are the best day of the week. Today was fast Sunday (as a Latter-day saint, I fast at least once a month to draw nearer to God and to donate the money I would have spent on the meals to help those in need) and we had a "break the fast" meal together with those in the ward after church. I was totally able to stick to my game plan of Eating to Live!
Playing and visiting with family after break the fast and a GREAT CES fireside was a highlight as well. So blessed.
Today:
W: 145.4
E: am yoga
B and L: fasting
D: lettuce, refried beans, salsa
S: 4-5 banana bread cookies
Playing and visiting with family after break the fast and a GREAT CES fireside was a highlight as well. So blessed.
Today:
W: 145.4
E: am yoga
B and L: fasting
D: lettuce, refried beans, salsa
S: 4-5 banana bread cookies
Monday, May 6, 2013
Day 6: Gotta keep your head/chin up.
Today was full of ups and downs. I gained a tiny bit from yesterday, which was a little discouraging compared to the days of 2 lb. weight loss, but I know that this is what I'm supposed to be doing right now, regardless of whether or not I lose weight. I feel leaner, stronger, and happier eating and living this way. And I've decided that cookies (even ETL cookies!) are out for me for the duration of the 6 week challenge. I just eat more than I should of them. Every. Single. Time. And I need to make sure not to do snacks. Don't need 'em.
I also stress ate a little bit this afternoon. I could NOT find the cord to my incubator, and 42 little chicken lives and the hopes of 24 students relied upon me finding it. I prayed, and searched and searched and prayed. I felt calm after one prayer, and just kept going, trying to find solutions. Eventually I found the cord, and I'm here at school (it feels so late! I often stay up this late at home, but it just feels late at school), waiting for the incubator to reach its set point.
My friend Jordan shared some of his experiences and lessons learned from breaking his neck last summer, in a talk in church last Sunday (not yesterday) and said that he learned that we heal better when we keep our chin up. I agree.
So here's to being so blessed with miracles of incubator cords, only one egg broken, and trying again. Because the fact that I kept my chin up today and kept trying, and the fact that I get to try again tomorrow, are miraculous.
Also, here's a theme song for the day! :)
Today:
W: 145.6
E: 36 minute walk with Beth, essentrics a/a
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, 3 tangerines. About 1/2 hour later: pineapple, grapes, strawberries
D: banana. About 1/2 hour later: 2 more bananas with walnuts
I also stress ate a little bit this afternoon. I could NOT find the cord to my incubator, and 42 little chicken lives and the hopes of 24 students relied upon me finding it. I prayed, and searched and searched and prayed. I felt calm after one prayer, and just kept going, trying to find solutions. Eventually I found the cord, and I'm here at school (it feels so late! I often stay up this late at home, but it just feels late at school), waiting for the incubator to reach its set point.
My friend Jordan shared some of his experiences and lessons learned from breaking his neck last summer, in a talk in church last Sunday (not yesterday) and said that he learned that we heal better when we keep our chin up. I agree.
So here's to being so blessed with miracles of incubator cords, only one egg broken, and trying again. Because the fact that I kept my chin up today and kept trying, and the fact that I get to try again tomorrow, are miraculous.
Also, here's a theme song for the day! :)
Today:
W: 145.6
E: 36 minute walk with Beth, essentrics a/a
B: banana and walnuts
L: spring mix, fire-roasted tomatoes, chili, 3 tangerines. About 1/2 hour later: pineapple, grapes, strawberries
D: banana. About 1/2 hour later: 2 more bananas with walnuts
