The Adventure...Weeks 3 and 4

Well, I started out the week with a strange 'flu' that had various joints and muscles inflamed, altho I only had a fever for one day. I enjoyed some quiet time reading, and writing, including writing recipes for the cookbook I am writing for. God is faithful. It turns out that I have strep in my joints, something that is not common and something I need to take care to treat properly, even if I do not like using antibiotics for it. I wasn't even sick, had no sore throat warning at all before I had a slight fever and then swollen joints. I have 'hit or miss' pics of meals. I haven't been eating much but I've stuck to my plant only routine.

leftover ranch cauliflower for lunch

citrus salad was tops

peas and citrus salad for supper

green smoothie with flax

the making of kale chips
for the dehydrator

I'm thankful for

much variety and

good food to eat.

green beans and
ranch cauliflower

mashed potatoes with
cuke/tomato salad

Salad with taco rice and beans

steamed cauliflower
corn chips with seasoned beans
guacamole

strawberry pomegranate smoothie
with ginger kombucha

toast with tomato, guacamole
and Greek seasoning

pomegranate smoothie
and sourdough pretzels

potato/black beans/plant cheez sauce

potato/corn
peas and cauliflower

cranberry apple gelatin dessert my
daughter made for me. I suppose the
gelatin isn't 'plants'. :)

Garden salad with pizza

 That's alot of plant foods, friends and I am SO thankful for them. God is amazing and His food is delicious. I love simple meals. They are easy, and with a little thinking ahead, they make life much less complicated. It's part of how I keep my schedule as uncluttered as I can because I do not do well with frenzy. I need time to think and hear God and do His bidding.

Here's to the first month of my birthday gift behind me! It's been a great one so far (well ,except for the strep business!)

The Adventure...Week 2

It's been a great week. Full of hills and valleys for this lady who cares deeply about the brokenness in this old, sinful world, but God is faithful. I enjoyed a few days in PA with my sister, niece and daughter. And yet still I managed to enjoy my birthday present to myself: plant foods all the way.

Sunday:

Raspberry Chia Pudding with Tru-whip

Vegan Chili, Salad with Italian dressing

We had a fellowship lunch.

I took chili flavored with beef for my main dish,

then had a vegan version for myself. The dessert I took was compliant with my bd gift to myself.

At a bd party for my mother in the PM, I asked my sister-in-law to leave a
pretzel for me not dipped in butter, which she graciously did. I also enjoyed veggies
(there were more on the plate before I remembered to shoot a photo for the blog)
and a little fresh fruit.

Monday:

Grapefruit/spinach salad. YUM!

Corn and Limas 

I have tried, over the past few years, to eat only when hungry. So far, that means for me that I do not eat in the AM til about 11:00. It seems to work for me. It doesn't work this way for every one and I am not in any way saying it should. I just try to follow Dr. Fuhrman's recommendation to eat only when hungry. So that means I eat about 2 meals a day, with maybe a smallish snack/meal. Just thought I'd add that in case you wonder where my 'breakfast' is. And to me, anymore, all plant food is food for any meal. I am not a 'must have eggs/pancakes/granola for breakfast' gal, especially since I went plant-based.

Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday

 are not as documented because I 

was out of town with my sister.

Spinach and grapefruit salad made a yummy addition to
toasted 'sprouted wheat' bagels with almond cheese
for breakfast in the hotel.

 I tried to take some pictures, but well, 

I didn't succeed

 in it all the way. 

I was wowed to come  home and see I had lost a pound,

 even tho I ate bagels, a bread bowl with chili and a veggie sub from Subway. 

My super awesome big sis
made me some super awesome
whole grain bread bowls to go
with the vegan chili I brought.

Not a food related picture, I know, but I couldn't resist adding it
because this is what I saw much of Tues, Wed and Thurs. 

Friday:

I enjoyed a green smoothie with
ginger kombucha for breakfast

Here's a current favorite green smoothie recipe:

(makes 2 quarts, plenty to share!)

1 can Thai kitchen coconut milk 

2 T orange juice concentrate

3/4 avocado 

(I freeze them in fourths)

Fill the 8 cup blender jar with greens

(not packed tho)

add a cup or two of water

Blend smooth.

Add 2 cup frozen mango

2 c frozen pineapple

(I would also add some blueberries

if I have them)

Blend smooth.

Refrigerate for up to three days.

One of my favorite meals 

is mashed potatoes 

a few oven fries. Yesterday I was not very hungry.

topped with 

cucumber/tomato salad. 

It made a fabulous lunch 

this day after cleaning 

the house, thanks to 

leftover mashed potatoes

already in the fridge.

Saturday:

Well, today was a day to be sickish. I guess I need a day of rest. Here's what I had today, kind of leftover from yesterday. I will crawl into bed for a nap and enjoy quiet.

mashed potatoes and tomato/cuke salad

green smoothie with
ginger kombucha

I am enjoying eating this way.

I find I have great energy,

don't struggle with any

of that phlegm that

is soon present if I eat 

dairy,

and certainly do 

not lack for 

interesting and wonderful foods to eat!

I close with a quote:

As I enjoy my birthday gift to myself

(eating plants for one full year),

I find it an amazing journey, even tho

I'm just one week into it.

I do this to cross it off my 'bucket list'

but also to honor my dad who is

doing a doctor-prescribed plant-based diet

for his cancer,

and to show others how fun it can be

to eat food from the Garden.

Love and blessings to all,

Marcia

The Adventure: Week One

If you recall, I shared in this post my birthday present to my self: eating only plants from my 40th birthday til my 41st birthday. As I passed the Great Divide between the thirties and the forties this week, I have begun my adventure as well. So far, it's working great. As I promised to document my journey with photos, I've been trying to remember to take pictures of what I've been eating.

I kicked off the adventure with a breakfast green juice
mixed with ginger kombucha, thanks to my dear friend,
Marie who juiced it for me.

a beautiful edible arrangement,
thanks to my sisters!

On my birthday, I was surprised by two of my sisters-in-law who chose to make the day about me! They took me out to P. F. Chang's for lunch and I enjoyed having great options on the menu for my adventure.

sharing 'good girl moonshine' to celebrate 40 yrs for me

Coconut stir-fried veggies with a bit of fried rice,
courtesy of P.F. Chang's and my sisters 

Green bean crispers,  not a treat to eat every day
because of the oil, but enjoyed on my birthday
from P.F. Chang's

My sweet daughter, Brenna made me
a Starbucks copycat lemon cake for my birthday cake
I enjoyed it with coconut vanilla chia pudding

Vanilla Chia Pudding

1 can Thai Kitchen unsweetened coconut milk

1 can soy milk or milk of choice

Aunt Cia's green smoothies were
ordered for breakfast before they
started their trek home to PA

then there was the 2 slices of whole wheat bread
that I ate with some Earth Balance on the morning after
my bd. I mean, who can pass that up if someone bakes
it specially for you?!

2 T maple syrup or sweetener of choice

1 T vanilla extract 

pinch salt

scant 1/2 c white chia seeds

Mix all together except seeds. Sprinkle seeds as  you 

slowly whisk them in. Cover and refrigerate four hours 

or overnite.

then there was a bd party to go to 1 1/2 hr away
I made it work by packing some soup for on the way home.

I finished up the week by eating 'lightly fried'
 potatoes with guacamole for Saturday brunch.

and later in the day, some more birthday cake.

I know that I will add

more greens to my

diet as the normal

in the weeks to come.

This week was not quite 

normal, with birthday 

celebrations, etc

but I made it work

and I do not plan

to stress out about

raw versus cooked

veggies,

starch versus non starch,

etc.

I plan to on a normal basis

set up my plate so that

there is a good mix of

raw veggies,

steamed veggies,

healthy starches

(we're not talking donuts here!)

nuts, seeds, etc.

So far, I'm having a grand time.

Of course, it would be tempting

to dive into the beef flavored chili

the family will be having tomorrow at fellowship lunch, but

I made my own version for me with crumbled tofu in it. 

Stay tuned for pics next week.

PS
This was a three day post.
Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

PSS
This adventure has also received a new reason to do it:
in honor of my dad who has cancer and is doing a
doctor-prescribed plant-based diet as part of the
healing process for that.

Dusting Off the Blog...

Hi friends. I have not posted in this blog for a long, long time and for good reason. I've had much to walk through in life in 2014/2015, with responsibilities leaving me little time to keep this up. I am happy to see a return to more normalcy in my family and exciting things on the horizon, as the Lord tarries. Feel free to browse the blog. I plan to do a few different things here, from time to time, but currently, it will be used mostly as a journal to record my adventure of 2016.  I share it publicly because I figured why not let myself be accountable 'out loud' and so that I can hopefully inspire you from the pictures and recipes of my meals with how fun, varied, simple and tasty plant strong eating can be.

I'll let you in on a little secret. In a few weeks, I'll be leaving my thirties behind and entering my forties. As a present to myself for my 40th birthday, I decided that I am going to eat only plants for the entire year that I am 40. What a present, you may exclaim with incredulous looks (as some of my friends and family have looked as I've shared the plans for this adventure with them the past few months). I know. A few years ago, I could not have imagined this myself. But after eating at least 75% plants for the past 7 years, I am ready. I love veggies. I really do. When I go through a buffet line at a potluck, I am happiest to find the veggies. So, I see the past 7 years of being 'forced' to eat this way because I was dealing with serious disease (and I should have been anyway, to prevent those diseases in the first place and to take care of my body, God's temple, with thanksgiving for His gift), as preparation for 2016. I am ready. I am excited. I'm going to take the plunge and I see it as a grand adventure, not a hardship.

If you, my friend, happen to take me out to lunch or invite me to your house in 2016, please do not freak out or worry what you will feed me. If you would like to know, please feel free to ask and I'd be happy to share with you. If you would like to simply serve what you plan to serve, I will certainly not be offended. I will just bring along my own little meal and happily fellowship with you. Social life does not need to be around food for me to feel complete.

In 2016, as I walk this journey, I plan to record my meals here. I will try very hard to do it every day. I really want to. BUT I will start out once and see how it goes. I know it will require dedication. If you want to pop in here now and then, I would welcome you gladly. I hope that you find inspiration on your own journey to eating for health.

I do not plan to be elaborate most of the time. Responsibility will prevent that.

And, in case you wonder if I will be feasting on vegan junk in 2016, the answer is NOT CONSISTENTLY. "Oreos" are vegan, I'm told. (Vegan simply means the absence of animal products). I do plan to try to eat the majority of my meals as nutrient dense (check out Dr. Fuhrman's explanation of this if you care to here.) I plan to eat a few treats along the way, but I'm hoping to keep things as low sugar, low oil, as possible. The way I do that currently is by allowing one treat a week that is not necessarily no oil, no sugar, but within reason (to me).

So hop along for the ride. It's going to be a great adventure. I just know it. And if you should decide to join me for part or all of this journey in your own life, please do! I would love that.

~To health,
Marcia

PS
So why are you doing this, you may ask? I guess if I were to answer that, I'd say:

1. Plants were the first things God invited Adam and Eve to eat. So, I figure why not give that gift to myself. He knew it when He created them that plants are the building blocks of good health and disease prevention.
2. Discipline. We live in a world full of terrible food-like substances that people all around us enjoy in large quantities. I once was a food addict (to these food-like substances) and I have sobered in the past seven years as I see what 33 years of abusing my body with food had done to me. It took faith and repentance and much reliance on God (even now!) to walk away from that abusive lifestyle into the freedom and good health that God had waiting for me, which I enjoy today. Even so, I am still faced with decisions every day (most days in my own house, those decisions are easy because of how my larder is stocked), and I figured that a decision I make for a whole year will be good discipline for me.
3. I would like to give my body the cleansing and nourishing benefit of plants at a level I have not known up until now. I look forward to seeing what changes take place in my health in 2016. I'm sure it will be good.
     I expect that I will take pleasure in giving my husband's wallet a greater rest as my grocery bill decreases. It is much cheaper to eat a sensible, whole food, plant based diet than any other diet there is (if you are talking buying meat/cheese, or paying the doctor eventually).

PCOS...

Altho I have not officially been diagnosed, but after years of struggling, and of finding some relief but not totally, I have stumbled upon PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). I cannot say that I have it, but I am pretty sure I do...and am pursuing more understanding on the matter for myself.

Since this is a food and health blog, I decided to post this because many women struggle with PCOS and do not understand what it is. I found a simple and easy to understand explanation for PCOS here:

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/ART03160/Polycystic-Ovarian-Syndrome-PCOS.html



Altho there are many different things a person can do to help with this problem, it seems the general consensus is that diet and exercise are the biggest things to focus on. Many of us ladies do not eat as well as we should, and we do not move as much as we should. It's hard. I know. We are busy, we are bombarded with junk food on every side in this land supposedly flowing with milk and honey (yes, I have an attitude and I am not really apologetic about it!). There are stresses from many places and we find ourselves pressed on many sides to try to find a balance.

I have just come through a very long and difficult summer that has been extra filled with stresses that have me fighting depression and weight issues and other health problems that I have not had to deal with for several years since I have switched to plant based eating.

Which led me to PCOS, and looking at how it affects us.

I tell you, I am not a normally depressed person. I am normally a 'glass half full' kind of girl. I see hope in many situations that others do not...normally.

But after this summer, I was wondering what in the world was happening to me! I felt like I was falling apart on many fronts and I wondered why because I have not changed in who I am with God, the most important relationship in the world. But I know that physical imbalance can make a person really struggle too, so I went asking for answers! And I'm glad I did.

A friend of mine who is studying to become a naturopathic doctor, shared with me that essential oils can help with PCOS as well. I am looking into that, as well as trying to keep my diet clean. By that, I mean make the focus of my food the vegetables, and add a few good starches per day, such as brown rice, potatoes, beans, and whole grains/whole grain flours in moderation.

I am taking time for 'me'. Yes, it sounds selfish, but in the long run, I am doing my family a favor if I exercise, and take the time for extra rest, Scripture and prayer, and if I take the time to make sure I plan and prepare meals that are a benefit to our health. Stress often can cause PCOS to flare up and even though a person is trusting God, we live in finite bodies that do cave under pressure at times.

I have had to cut out things I normally enjoy doing...for now. Some of these things I hope to be able to do again one day, but for now, I need to get better.

That's a little personal update on me, with the intention that I might raise some awareness about PCOS, and hopefully help some other women who may be struggling with this.

I am happy to know that I have seen results with the diet and exercise thing and that I have just encountered a little set back. I will see the positives in this:

1. I get to go a little deeper in my study/understanding of the affect of diet and exercise and stress on our bodies.
2. I get to rely on God more fully through a difficult time when I didn't know what was happening and why I was feeling so depressed and out of normalcy!
3. I get to relate to others who are knowledgeable and can help me through my struggle.
4. I get to discipline my body to say no when others often say yes to foods that are abundant in this land. :-)
5. I get to wait on the Lord and be of good courage, and He has certainly strengthened my heart.
6. I get to learn how to say no where I am not accustomed to saying it! I guess there is a time and a season for many things and sometimes this has to be, for the greater good of all involved.

I hope this finds you all well, and enjoying autumn.

PS
I wrote this post a few weeks ago, but never got it published. So here is a little update before I do that. I am feeling much better with a slower life pace, and with being very vigilant about my food and exercise routine. Several major, sad things have touched me indirectly the last few weeks, but I was able to breeze through them with the grace of God sustaining me, and not be too physically affected. I am so happy about this! I write, not necessarily to talk about me, but to say that often times good results come when we put some diligence into taking care (I am not speaking of life threatening or terminal illnesses here, although they can often be bettered, too) of our bodies.

Of Autumn and Caramel Pudding...

Since my plant-based journey has begun, I have wondered how to replace my mom's delightful caramel pudding recipe. I tried using almond milk but it just separated as I boiled it. Plus it is full of sugar and butter, so I knew that I needed to lay that recipe aside for now.

Well, until now. I am so stoked that I just had to share this with you. I now have a caramel pudding recipe that rivals my mom's dairy-filled one! It's smooth. It's creamy. It's delicious!

Originally, I browned a little butter to carmelize the sugar,

 but I don't think it's necessary and for true McDougall/Fuhrman followers, 

this step is out.

So here's the recipe:

Aunt Cia's Caramel Pudding

1 block any firmness Silken Tofu

1 or 2 T molasses

1/3 c raw sugar or maple syrup

1 pinch salt

1 T vanilla extract

2 cups plant milk
2 T browned butter, optional

Blend til smooth. It may be thinner than pudding consistency after mixing, but refrigerate for a few hours, and it becomes this spoonable, delectable dessert.

Use it to dip apples...

or mix in a few bananas and a crumbled graham cracker...

or top a black bean brownie with it...

The possibilities are many.

I hope you try it and it delights your tastebuds like it has mine.

Winter is Coming...

Winter is coming.

 Less Vitamin D, lowered immunity = more colds and flu. 

I strongly urge you to keep the 

sugar, meat, dairy, salt and oil consumption 

to a minimum, 

and eat lots of whole plant foods.

 Take a good whole food boost daily~ like Juice Plus, 

to keep your immune system consistently fed what it needs 

to fight off the nasty stuff. 

Tumeric is a great whole food antibiotic. I make sure I give that to my family several times a week. Garlic is great. I have in my fridge Dr. Christopher's Super Garlic Immune Formula (Amazon is a great place to buy it). I also mix up my large batches of immuniTea (which includes echinacea, rose hips, elderberry, mint, cinnamon, ginger, and more) and we drink that throughout the winter. I rarely need to treat colds and flu in my house, for which I am grateful, but I know that it takes vigilance on the mama's part and also faith in God for good health and for wisdom in knowing how to be the keeper of the family's health. 

Happy autumn, everyone. 

Enjoy cozy firesides and lamplight shining in the windows. 

Move every day and get some fresh air in your lungs.

And eat well!