Foodie Question

[Michelle]

Not all Pam products I'm sure, but watch your ingredients. Several contain animal fats.

Same with soap. Plenty are vegan, but many are not.


If cancer is a concern of yours avoid products like Pam just on the basis of it being super unnatural and very processed. A drizzle of olive or grapeseed oil will work just as well

lovethis
ok
Thank you
What about coconut oil?

[Willow]

lovethis
ok
Thank you
What about coconut oil?

Ha! On the advice of my yoga detox lady I threw that one in my cart a few months ago. It's supposed to be good for you in many ways but I've heard it burns hotter than other oils which means more splatters and potential for fire while cooking. You'd have to confirm that for yourself as I never looked it up but I've largely stuck to my EVOO and grapeseed for baking and frying.

[daycarediva]

Michelle, I wish I could talk to my dh about anything OTHER than health and fitness! ::

As we speak he is asking "When are we hitting the weights." "It's leg day. Can't skip leg day!"

We do it together, and it's definitely kept us both on course, but maybe your husband will see your results and join you. I wouldn't push him. It's a decision that everyone has to make on their own.

TRUST ME, the energy levels improve. I used to be SO TIRED after a 12 hour work day that I would order a pizza and fall asleep waiting for it. Now I am up at 4:30 to work out, work 12 hours and take my kids to the playground or for a bike ride, or just a walk after dinner.

Dh was a fast food JUNKIE and he even cooks now, since he sees the health benefits! Tonight he made grilled chicken, sweet potatoes and grilled zucchini and yellow squash.

[Cradle2crayons]

Ater I lost 80 lbs in the last year, my husband jumped on board and has lost 40.

As a result I'm not hypertensive anymore. I don't need insulin anymore. Which is weird because I have been diabetic since I was a teenager and not overweight at that point. I have to stay on cholesterol meds because I have familial high cholesterol and I've been on meds since I was 12 for that. As a result to cut my heart risk of high cholesterol I also still have to take a small dose of blood pressure medicine but its not for high blood pressure in my case.

My husband went from 28 units of levemir insulin a day to THREE units a day right now and also is anticipated to be able to get off of it in the next six months.

He was total against the thought he needed to lose weir. And he didn't need to lose much. That extra thirty pounds made him diabetic. That was all it took.

Once he saw my results he FLEW on board.

Michelle, hopefully your husband will see the positive and make some changes too,

My husband thought it took drastic changes. But he found out it didn't.

We don't eat out though and rarely fry anything at all. We never have.

[Laurel]

I have recently watched Forks Over Knives and I have decided to just adopt a plant based way of eating. ( no meat , dairy.. nothing with a face or a mother etc.)

I feel fine and I have lost 8 lbs. in a week... I drink massive amounts of water and eat Tofu for protein.

I have received so much negative comments from my family and friends. " You won't get enough protein" how are you going to get enough calcium?" "You are going to get yourself sick." "you need cholesterol" ... and on and on

I am so confused... everything I have read and heard tells me that I am doing right but people want to blame every sneeze. yawn, or tired feeling on this diet.
I was always tired before this and was anemic before this diet.. but I love this way of eating! What should I tell my family/friends?

No matter what way you eat you'll get the comments so I've learned not to tell people.

That said, have you checked with a doctor about the anemia? I had a severe case. So much so that I had to beg the doctor not to make me go to the ER one day. My other doctor said to call my gynecologist and make an appointment for the next day and to call her back to tell her I made it. Whoa, never had that happen. Turns out it was fibroids making my periods really heavy. Anemia is nothing to fool around with....seriously. Please see a doctor for that if you already haven't.

Just the anemia will make you really, really tired.

Laurel

[Unregistered]

So where does everyone find their receipes to make all their meals?

I need something for all three meals and snacks. I can't just throw something together. I have to have something in mind the week before so that I can make a list for the grocery store.

This is one reason I have trouble putting things together-ideas and time. I seriously am not a mulit tasker so I can't be doing something and trying to make dinner at the same time. I have to strictly be focusing on one thing at a time so preparing thing while I have kids here throws me over the edge. I pretty much have to wait till I am totally done with daycare for the day.

[LK5kids]

wow! tofu is genetically modified?
jeez! I had no idea.. on the package it says soybeans and water

Most soybeans in this country are GMO...at least that what the Millions against Monsato report I get on Facebook each day just posted. Look fo a tofu with the non-GMO label.

I have been a Vegetarian most my adult life...a year as a vegan, don't want to do that again, but never say never!

You can easily get non GMO soy milk, but yes there is the plant based estrogen issue to consider.

Just read a lot and ask lots of ?'s.... You will be fine!!!?

[MNMommy2]

Start small! Don't feel like you have to do it all at once, I think it would be too overwhelming. Right now, you could even just focus on being vegetarian (unless you really have ethical reason for being vegan). Get that down first and then try the vegan thing. Next you could worry about organic and non-GMO food. Even if this takes a year or longer, there is no rush to be "perfect" (whatever that means, because there are so many conflicting opinions about nutrition.)

For me, I know I am not getting enough protein right now, but I am trying to focus on cutting out sugar. One step at a time. I have really struggled since opening my daycare, I have had periods of mild depression and I have eaten A LOT of sugar during this time! It has fueled my day, unfortunately.

Anyway, I have been doing a lot of juicing and smoothies. I bought some Dynamic Greens, Standard Process vitamins (not vegan), flax oil, chia seeds, apple cider vinegar... I have been trying to clean myself out. Although some experts say our bodies cleanse ourselves I have been feeling sluggish and these things seem to help with that. Chia seeds are fabulous for energy!

Oh, and nutritional yeast is YUMMY! Like I said, I am not vegan, but I am trying to curb my feta cheese addiction, so I have been putting nutritional yeast on my salads and it is good!

I am trying to think of more, but I am tired from today. I had my "high-energy" dcb today.

[AmyLeigh]

I have recently watched Forks Over Knives and I have decided to just adopt a plant based way of eating. ( no meat , dairy.. nothing with a face or a mother etc.)

I feel fine and I have lost 8 lbs. in a week... I drink massive amounts of water and eat Tofu for protein.

I have received so much negative comments from my family and friends. " You won't get enough protein" how are you going to get enough calcium?" "You are going to get yourself sick." "you need cholesterol" ... and on and on

I am so confused... everything I have read and heard tells me that I am doing right but people want to blame every sneeze. yawn, or tired feeling on this diet.
I was always tired before this and was anemic before this diet.. but I love this way of eating! What should I tell my family/friends?

Good for you! Just listen to your body and your doctor. Obviously you are doing well, since you feel good and have lost weight. Don't worry about what friends and family say. Anytime one does something different from mainstream, they are bound to hear some kind of flack about it.
Thankfully, there is a lot of information about the vegetarian/vegan lifestyle. Have fun doing your research!
happyface

[Cradle2crayons]

I also wanted to mention... Fatigue is not only caused by anemia but also from an under active thyroid. If yu haven't already gotten at checked, I would get that done ASAP and while you are at it, a complete baseline work up.

That way you are sure that you are staying healthy while changing your diet.

Over the last year, my stomach has shrunk to the point I have to now FORCE myself to eat.

When I had my every three month complete work ups done last time (I get monthly blood work but not everything but every three months). Anyway, on my last two, its showing my body is malnourished.

Kind of funny considering I've been overweight my entire life only now to be malnourished but not underweight or even near it.

I find myself skipping meals for more than a day at times, never realizing I forgot to eat until I finally get hungry. Sometimes if you ask me the last time I ate, I wouldn't even know.

Since my doc jumped my case I've been trying to do better.

[daycare]

35 years of being a strict vegan and I'm healthy as a horse

[MotherNature]

Coconut oil is amazing-use it in candymaking for raw-ish desserts, as a diaper cream-safe for cloth diapers, it has a gazillion uses.. there's lists online. I was a vegetarian for 5 years and when I was diagnosed with gluten and lactose intolerance, amongst others, like corn, went vegan for a few months. I gave up a lot of the phytic acid stuff like beans and soy as well. There's not a lot to eat as a vegan who can't have wheat, corn, beans, or soy, and as a vegan, am not eating any eggs or dairy. I definitely believe a plant filled diet is beneficial, but personally for myself, due to my food sensitivities, am not able to eat like I once did. I actually eat healthier now though. I made the switch to paleo about 4 months ago & dropped 30 lbs. We use organic, grassfed meats and strive for local stuff. The only sugars I use are raw local honey and maple syrup. I don't eat stuff from a box..i.e. nothing processed, and I eat zero grains. I had a bad reaction when I tried to add rice back into my diet. I'm still experimenting with what I can & can't have, like having the occasional piece of chocolate w/ cane sugar in it, but AI make sure every bite counts & strive for a higher quality of fuel for my body while making sure it tastes good. I'm a former chef & my husband is also a fantastic chef/aspiring culinary student, so we like to cook ehre, which helps. If you need recipes, try postpunkkitchen, herbivoracious, and tastespotting. You can search tastespotting by ingredient or type of dish you want, like pasta, eggplant, etc. It's my fave food **** site. Above all- you know your own body; it'll take a bit to work out th adjustment to your status quo, but stick with it & good luck!

[blandino]

I have found a lot of older generations (and mindsets) have the hardest time understanding it.

My brother and two cousins (one vegan & the rest of us organic/health minded) we're having a conversation with my step-mother (who is the ultimate example of 90's dated health advice ,i.e. believes skim milk is best, diet versions of everything, and doesn't buy organic AT ALL), just couldn't understand why my cousin would be Vegan. The other cousins and I, although not vegan, believe that is most definitely a healthier option. The milk discussion was our biggest issue, the younger kids who all drink almond milk and my step-mother who was trying to sell us on non-organic skim milk because it is good for you.

Personally, I go back and forth on the vegetarianism. I have never tried to go vegan, although I wish I was. Right now, I eat meat (not including fish) 2x a week , and all the rest of my diet is plant based - with a little dairy (i.e. feta cheese, and lemon on my asparagus). I really think that the main cause of health issues in our society, are chemicals/preservatives, GMOs, and the proportions of grains/sugars that we consume. I think anything that is done to correct/limit those, is a good decision.

If you are looking for literature, Kathy Freeston's "Veganist", Food Revolution, and Skinny B**** are great resources. I have read all 3, and incorporated advice even if I don't follow them strictly.

My favorite, most simple, advice is from In Defense of Food,

Eat REAL food, not too much, mostly plants.

[Michael]

It's tough telling friends no to the beer or deserts. They want you to enjoy the bad stuff with them. They all take medications for one thing or another. Stay strong.

I've tried a lot of different diets over the years. As we age our bodies and needs change. I think everyone has to find what works for them. I've gone gluten free, also no sugar, corn or coffee except on Sunday. Never fast food or junk foods. I eat mostly raw now. Also use raw coconut butter as much as I can. It detoxes and tastes good in my tea. Lost 20lbs in the last few months. I also make sure I try to go to the gym a few times a week. I find I don't crave any of those bad foods any more.

[Willow]

So where does everyone find their receipes to make all their meals?

I need something for all three meals and snacks. I can't just throw something together. I have to have something in mind the week before so that I can make a list for the grocery store.

This is one reason I have trouble putting things together-ideas and time. I seriously am not a mulit tasker so I can't be doing something and trying to make dinner at the same time. I have to strictly be focusing on one thing at a time so preparing thing while I have kids here throws me over the edge. I pretty much have to wait till I am totally done with daycare for the day.

If you ever go on Pinterest search "Paleo" or "Clean eating" recipes.

There are loooooooads.

You'd be surprised at just how easy food prep can be when you learn to simplify it. May take a bit for your palate to adjust to not eating all the artificial flavors and preservatives but it does eventually.

I feel sick just smelling some boxed/bagged junk foods now because it comes off as so unnatural.