the weight loss papers

I’ve been steadily working on some major projects, causing a sort of “unexcused absence” from this blog over the past few weeks. Well, that, and the kids were on spring break April 7-11. I had planned to write some advanced posts for this blog and somehow never had the time.

So, anyway - not much has happened on the weight loss front. I’ve been continuing to experiment with the suggestions in the candida article I read a while back including adding flax seed to my foods, staying away from “white” foods (bread, rice, potatoes, etc), eating no dairy products (except pizza last week for my oldest sons birthday) and drinking plenty of veggie juice and smoothies as well as cutting out sugars.

Although I still have not had any significant success with it, there are some small successes that I’m pleased enough with to keep going on it. I’ve also added some Niacin (aka, Vitamin B3) to my supplements for heart health and have also added a fiber supplement.

One of the things I like best so far are the “blended salads” I’ve been drinking. (I wrote about those in one of my last posts.) I’ve found a concoction that is really tasty -

• A handful of 50/50 Spring Mix (pre-mixed, bagged salad)
• A handful of Baby Spinach
• 1-2 tablespoons ground Flax Seed
• 2-3 cloves minced Garlic
• 1 teaspoon Apple Cider Vinegar
• Half of a medium sized Apple, seeded and cored
• 1 tablespoon psyllium powder (can use a fiber supplement like Metamucil or something)
• 10-12 ounces of water

Every once in a while, I’ll put some horseradish in there to give it some kick. It’s pretty good. I’ve been drinking this once or twice a day. Be warned, though, that if you use extra Spinach (there’s already some in the Spring Mix), you’ll need a pretty high powered blender as the Spinach can get pretty heavy and stringy when it’s wet and has a tendency to wrap itself around the blades. It doesn’t work so well in my Bullet Blender, but it does just fine in my regular, full size, multi-speed Oster.

Ok . . . let’s see . . . what else have you missed?

Oh, I know!

I made an incredibly delicious oatmeal bread last week. Even my picky 10 year old son who only wants to eat white bread, ate it. It was SO good! In fact, I’ve got to make some more soon. I’ll share the recipe later this week. I’d take a picture of it for you, but 3 year old seems have taken off with my SD card for camera and the camera won’t download pics to my computer without it. Hopefully I’ll find it soon. Maybe my 14 year old would let me borrow hers? Hmmm . . . will have to ask. (Unless I get lucky and she reads this post. Can I borrow your camera, sweetie? Please?)

Well, speaking of the 3 year old terrorizer, I hear him messing with something in the bathroom. I’d better go see what mess he’s left for me to clean up . . .

Note to self - don’t scream too loudly.

Til later,
Annie

Last week I wrote a post on an article I’d read about candida issues and what one can eat to help alleviate the problem. The article suggested eliminating certain foods from your diet as well as eating more greens and other healthy foods. In the week since, I’ve been fairly diligent in keeping up with recommended greens and elimination of those problem foods.

I do feel like it’s helping - my nasal congestion seems to be doing better and I hope will be totally gone soon. As a result of that, I can smell a lot better which is something I’ve been having trouble with for quite some time. I also seem to be losing some inches. That’s always a bonus! My pants are a bit more loose. My skin seems clearer as well.

I plan to continue this for another week or so at this point. And I am looking for a good way to get probiotics into my diet without eating yogurt and without  adding more supplements to my daily regimen. So, if you know of something, please do share!

I’ve added ground flax seed to my diet as well. It doesn’t seem to bother me as much as the flax seed oil so I like that a lot. I’m being very careful of the breads and grains I’m eating too, making sure to include whole grains and fiber rich foods.

You know, I think that many of the issues I’ve been dealing with are due mostly to my allergies. I’ve known since I was about 8-9 years old that I have food allergies but they never bothered me much so I continued to eat those foods. But I’m learning that those foods DO bother me, just not in the typical allergic reaction of hives and rashes etc ways.

In addition to ensuring I eat more greens, vegetables and other foods that help support a healthy body, I am eliminating those allergens. Even if they are things that don’t seem to “bother” me - like peanut butter. I really like peanut butter and although I don’t eat it all the time, I’m thinking it’s likely one of the culprits of the whole health and weight dilemma. I  will strive to be much more conscientious of the allergy-causing foods and to stop eating them, even in small amounts.

Thus, I have purchased some almond butter. I tried this years ago and didn’t like the taste but I found some organic almond butter when I went grocery shopping this weekend. It doesn’t contain any of the things I’m allergic to nor any junk like high fructose corn syrup and the like.

I put some in my “blended salad” that I’ve been drinking the past few days and it’s very good. It adds a light nutty flavor to it that doesn’t overwhelm the greens. I also sprinkled in a little ground flax seed. I think I may experiment a bit more by adding other vegetables, fruits and perhaps some spices like garlic or cayenne.

If you drink smoothies or other liquid “meals,” what do you put in them? Feel free to post in the comments or write a post on your blog and link back here if you’d like.

Until next time,

~ Annie

This is a recipe of my own concoction. Can’t promise the flavor is good, but it’s not horribly bad either. One of those flavors I can live with.

Combine and mix in blender the following:

• 1-2 teaspoons Flax Oil (I suppose you could use ground flax seed as well)
• 1 scoop of HealthyGreens (or an equivalent product)
• 1-2 teaspoons Fresh squeezed Lemon Juice
• 1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper
• 2 tablespoons MLO Vegan Brown Rice Protein Powder
• 8-12 oz cold, purified water
• 1/4 - 1/2 cup plain or vanilla yogurt (optional)

You can adjust to suit your taste but not much is going to make it great, I don’t think. Like I said, it’s certainly not delicious but it won’t make you puke, either. At least, I hope not. If you use yogurt, I would suggest not using a flavored one - it tastes worse! Plain or vanilla is best and will tone down the taste of the HealthyGreens which can be overpowering and although tastes a bit like licorice, is not that wonderful. I think it’s the texture more than anything that makes it that way.

In any case, enjoy! Let me know if you try and what you think.

~ Annie

Chili Potato Wedges

Makes 4 servings

These spiced-up potato wedges are oven-baked, so they’re crispy but very low in fat. They’re high in energy-boosting carbs, though, packing 5 grams of fiber per serving. What a dish!

Ingredients:
4 baking potatoes, cut lengthwise into 12 wedges each
1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground paprika
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper

To Make:
Preheat the oven to 450°F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray. In a large bowl, combine the potatoes and oil. Toss well to coat. In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, cumin, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and red pepper. Sprinkle the spice mixture over the potatoes, tossing well to coat.

Arrange the potato wedges in a single layer on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes. Turn the potatoes over and bake for 15 to 17 minutes more, until crisp.

Per serving: 109 calories, 12 g carbohydrates, 5 g protein, 5 g total fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 6 g dietary fiber, 610 mg sodium

I have not tried this yet but it sounds so delicious! I plan to try it very soon. Will let you know what I think of it. And let me know if you try it and what you think, too.

Enjoy!

~ Annie

Spring is my favorite time of year. Everything is beginning to grow, the sun starts shining a little more often and of course, days get longer. It means I can get outside more. Sometimes being stuck inside due to bad weather all winter is mighty draining. I welcome Spring with open arms!

Today it’s relatively nice here in the Pacific Northwest, albeit a little cold. At least the sun is out. Walking when the sun is out and the air is a bit chilly is refreshing. I walked twice day, as usual. Once this morning to take my kids to school and then again to pick them up this afternoon.

I still have not gotten back to the strength training, though. The last time we all got sick back in February, it really just took a lot out of me and then the time change a few weeks later didn’t help any. The time change always royally screws with my inner clock and although I can usually shake it off within a few days, I haven’t been so lucky this year. But as soon as I can get to back it without causing any adverse health effects for myself, I plan to do so. Hopefully it’s sooner than later.

Anyway, I’m still not seeing much effects from the veggie juice yet. Today I haven’t followed the suggestions all that well - I had a pita sandwich with spinach and chicken for lunch. I must say, though, that my nose doesn’t seem quite as stuffy as it has been for the last several weeks and I can smell better. Maybe it’s having some success? I’ll keep trying it and find out.

Hope you’re enjoying your day!

~ Annie