Fitness 2012:  T-62 Days Remaining

5 Pounds. 2 Months. 1 Goal.

It's hard to believe 10 months ago I began a journey to lose 15 pounds.
I ate like a vegetarian.
Stuffed myself with raspberries and yogurt.
Pretended to be French.
Joined MyFitnessPal.com


With each phase of this quest I have learned more about myself as an eater and an exerciser. I answered questions like: Why do I want to weigh a certain number? Who will I be if I weigh less? Can I really achieve this simple goal? Who cares about size? Why do I care?

Surely if I lived in ANY other country my trials would be much bigger than and less engulfed in my body weight. However, being an American born into a family with weight problems (Waite being an actually family name) the goal of weighing less is one of changing my family line and promoting future generations of health.

Sure I can't wait to reach the infamous number.  2012 has revolved around it.

Damn straight I'll be proud to see a number smaller than what I saw my senior year in high school.  Usually we go the other way this side of, ahem, 35!

Most importantly, when I look back at pictures of me at age 35 I want to see a different family tree, to remember health is important, and to continue my quest for a healthy body.



MYFITNESSPAL.COM

MyFitnessPal.com propelled me to great awareness.  It was the boost I needed to understand the simple mathematical calculation of {food eaten - calories burned= weight loss}.  Duh!!! What goes in must come out!  Too much was going in and not enough going out.

Now I know the equation and plan exercise into my day.  Walking has reentered my life, reminding me of walking with Fran H., connecting me better with my friends and showing my kids the joys of moving.

Using myfitnesspal.com helped me get within 5 lbs of my goal.  But something has to change because I'm hovering.   Especially with the looming holidays I'm afraid if I don't take drastic measure Fitness:2012 will become Fail:2012!

To send me over the  5lb cliff I am committing to No Sweets November.


NO SWEETS NOVEMBER!!

{Confession: Today is November 1st. Yesterday was October 31st......you know, National Candy Day.  So as to not feel deprived, ripped off or cheated out of a holiday, I gave myself one day to eat whatever sweets I want. November 2nd will be Day1 of No Sweets November.}

Unsweetened Rules:
1. No candy.
2. No sugary coffee drinks.
3. No donuts. Cupcakes. Pies. Cakes. Cookies.
4. Avoid 'sugar added' foods if possible.
5. No ice cream.
6. No coffee creamer.
7. No cinnamon rolls. (that was hard to write)
8. Read labels.

Sugar is the enemy.  Sugar makes me thirsty. Sugar confuses my blood sugar levels.  Sugar makes me tired.  Sugar keeps me from being balanced on the inside.

During No Sweets November I will conquer my cravings. Control mindless eating. Say GOODBYE to the Final5!

They will laugh at me. Taunt me with treats.  Call me crazy.

But I will taste the sweetness of achieving my goal not the sweetness of pumpkin pie, chocolate covered almonds or caffeine free pepsi.

{Fingers crossed} No Sweets November will push me over the 5lb cliff and get me to my goal.

If not, Do or Die December will be my last chance.

Vegetarian Vacuum

i knew it. i knew it. i'm a natural born vegetarian.

type A's (i mean blood not personalities but it is ironic that mine match) need to live on a vegetarian diet to have optimal health (according to Eat 4 Your Blood Type). the past 2 years have been an experiment in new eating styles involving minimal red meat, some chicken and many veg. recipes. so to do a 3 month vegetarian experiment will be easy to follow -right? the other 3 under my culinary care are accustomed to vegetarian choices:

(tori drinks rice milk)

(sophia usually packs a veggie lunch)

(matt appreciates my meal choices)

i expect it to be easy and accomplish great results. (other times when i've eaten vegetarian or vegan my skin even glows - matt says so himself)

how to fill the vegetarian vacuum and continue fighting the final fifteen?

the plan:

1. make meals from "the kind life diet," whole foods' cookbook, vegetarian times, & Cinch!

2. continue the offenders list (most are not vegetarian)

3. do pilates 2 x's a month

4. fast once a week (i started this at the end of the French Phase. fasting from lunch to lunch was easy and made my body feel restored.

the easier the plan the easier it will be to feel successful

the 4th of July seems a looooooong way away.

easter. spring break. weekend get-aways. family vacations.

lots will happen in the next 3 months but hopefully one of those events is sucking up some of the fifteen in the vegetarian vacuum:)

The FInal Fifteen:What's next?

three months. no chips. no candy. no soda. (well i cheated a few times on the soda)

it was easier than expected and quicker than projected. once the first month was over it became second nature (or french-like) to skip the chips when i served them to the kids, drink lemonade instead of the sprite with my sweet pork salad, or reduce my portion control.

i felt good. physically could see changes. enjoyed the challenge of the law:) in addition to the avoiding the offenders i did pilates once a week. between the two i saw the benefits. but i didn't achieve what the french woman promised: at least half way to my ideal weight.

i'm sure it was my application of the process she called recasting. maybe i didn't eliminate enough offenders. maybe i didn't exercise . but i still became aware of what i eat and why. it was eye-opening and a good start to a year of Fighting the Final Fifteen.

it's 4 days past the end of phase 1 and i still have yet to decide what to do for phase 2.

Go vegetarian or vegan? Cinch!? pilates?

while pondering this decision i came across a book 'Cook 4 your blood type.' i've heard many people talk about eating for you blood type and this book showcases menus and meals to prepare. i discovered what foods are best for my blood type (A).

What's next in the fight for the final fifteen: Vegetarian!!!

Fitness:2012

I have chosen French Women Don't Get Fat
as my first tool to use for this year's goal of Physical Fitness.

THE PLAN:
{Inventory: 3 weeks in January}
{Recasting: 3 months of avoiding the Offenders found during Inventory}
{Stabilization: Reaching the final weight gain and maintaining}

Phase 1: 3 weeks of food inventory
{Jan 1st - Jan 21st}

Tracking my meals, snacks, and indulgences for 3 weeks has been easier than expected and eye opening as well. I purchased a spiral bound index card...thingy. What are those called?
The goal is to record patterns, foods, habits, etc - Offenders - as author Mireille Guiliano calls them.
My Offenders so far are
1. Soda
2. Chips
3. Candy
4. Portion Control
5. Lack of water
6. Mindless eating/ grazing
7. Coffee with French Vanilla creamer

I have two days left of the Inventory stage. For 3 weeks I have deliberately eaten what I wanted in order catch them in the act. Admittedly I have indulged in things that aren't regulars in my diet in hopes to make the Recasting easier - since I've only been eating them for 3 weeks (or so). But all the indulging has made me tired of eating some of those offenders; I'm more than happy to eliminate them.

Bring on the recasting!

However, it petrifies me to think that this Sunday begins the 3 months of no soda, candy, chips, etc. That seems IMPOSSIBLE!! Boring!!! Lonely!! I don't even eat THAT much of all that stuff, but just the fact that I CAN'T makes me want to do it anyway.


But I just had an Oprah moment....you know what I mean...yes you do...admit it. The ahHA!

Lent is coming. I can use this as a spiritual and physical time of 'recasting' if you will. Setting my mind on things above and not on early things like French Vanilla creamer and another taco. Actually a Spiritual fitness goal was created when I created the Physical fitness goal. I plan on memorizing verses from the New Testament that match my ideal weight. (HYPOTHETICALLY speaking - if I want to be 210 lbs I would pick every {2:10} chapter:verse to memorize.) Seeking first the Kingdom then everything else will fall in to place.

Day by day. Meal by meal. I want to prove to myself that I can do it. Hopefully I'll be able to report inches lost, more energy, a healthier me. If this plan works, 3 months of fasting from foods will be worth the results......beating The Final Fifteen.

Going Down?

(I hesitate to blog because I have discovered I am an introvert at heart and will do anything not to be seen or heard. Funny thing, in a blog I'm neither seen nor heard. So I let myself do it believing that no one will read it except me and the random, accidental tourist in Ardenland.)

2012 Goal:Fitness.

Sure (wink. wink) It's still January and everyone has a New Year's resolution that has a little fire under it's-er- butt and/or belly. Every year I claim to make it the one where I lose X number of pounds by my birthday in October - 10 months is enough time, right? The goal never happens.

"Why is it my goal every year?" I'm glad you asked.

I like my size. I don't want to buy new clothes. My husband doesn't complain. So why is it on the 'accomplish' list every year? Honestly? Maybe that's just what feels right on December 31st when I plan the yearly goals. Maybe it's one thing that stays on the list every year and I would like to scratch it off. Maybe I fear....obesity.....hiding behind pillows on the couch because my belly sticks out......outgrowing my jeans.....continuing a unhealthy legacy that has plagued my family for at least 3 generations. For me? For my girls? To change my family tree?

I want to believe this year the why is just so I can say I did it. For me. To prove to myself only (and the one or two who may read this out of boredom) that I have the will power, drive, strength, ability, and whatever it takes to do something that I want to do. Out of pride -possibly. Maybe the lack of pride was my demise previously. I'll be able to say "HA! See there Annual Goal List - I did it. Scratch it off."

The goal is not huge and I don't believe I am huge either. A personal, stabilized weight is good for everyone to maintain.
That's what's so ridiculous - some people lose 10x's more weight than I want.
That's what's so possible - losing 10x's less than some people.

"What's the magic number you ask?"
Don't you know never ask a lady her age or weight? I have a number in my head, but as I move down to that goal, I am willing to tweak it lower or higher dependent upon good health.

"Hey introvert! Why blog about such personal topic?" (you sure ask a lot of questions)
I want to keep a record of the process and hope that if it works it might inspire others to go after what they want. I don't want a movie deal out of it. I just want to track the goal of Going down!

Spaghetti Squash Bake

Even the 3 year old loved this one.
It makes a ton, but is really only 4 adult servings.
To stretch it out add a salad or bread.
However, we think you'll love it just that way it is.
Be prepared for no leftovers.

*4 Cups cooked spaghetti squash {350 for 60 mins} {I did 375 for 60 mins & it was perfect}
1 Cup baby spinach- or more if you prefer
1 Cup sliced mushrooms
1 Cup all natural marinara sauce
1 Cup cooked quinoa {Combine quinoa & 2 cups water. Boil. Simmer 20 mins}
1 lb cooked turkey
1/4 Cup Choice of pecans or sliced almonds
Italian seasoning
Parmesan Cheese

Preheat oven 350.
Combine quinoa & squash and seasoning. Stir in spinach, mushrooms, marinara sauce, turkey, and pecans or almonds. Place in baking dish and cover with foil. Bake for 15 mins. Remove foil and bake 5 more mins to toast pecans or almonds.

Serve hot. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

*Note: One spaghetti squash should yield 4 cups

An Easy Vegan Cuisine: Rice Waffle with Vegetable Melange

With or without the veggie melange (mixture) the rice waffles are a great way to get whole grains. My whole family loved the waffles-even with syrup. And surprisingly everyone loved the vegetable mix - 'twas only the adults who ate it on the waffle.


Waffles: Mix and cook
2 cups cooked brown rice
1 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1 T mellow miso mixed with 3 T water (miso is a soybean paste used for flavoring)
1 cup water
** I'm going to make these the next time I have leftover rice. The girls demanded them for breakfast the next day.


Vegetable Melange
Sesame oil(recipe doesn't say how much. I used enough to cover bottom of pan)
1 Cup half moon onion slices
1 Cup seitan, thinly sliced (seitan is a wheat protein)
1 Cup carrots, sliced
1 tsp shoyu (organic soy sauce)
2 Cups broccoli florets
2 tsp dark sesame oil
Sliced black olives (optional)

Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute 2 mins. Add seitan and saute 1 min. Arrange carrots on top of onions and seitan, add 3 Tablespoons water to pan. Cover and simmer for 7 mins, adding more water is it gets too dry. Add shoyu and broccoli to pan, simmer 3 mins. Stir to combine ingredients and remove from heat. Stir in sesame oil.

Place a waffle on the plate, topping with a heap of sauted veggies. Sprinkle on olives if using.


Miso, seitan, shoyu can be found at Whole Foods, Raley's Organic aisle, etc)

(Recipe taken from The Kind Diet by Alicia Silverstone)

Finding Grace in Karate Kid II

I confess (it's good for the soul) that I wanted to take karate, move to Fresno, marry Ralph Macchio, visit Okinawa, and sing Glory of Love with Peter Cetera all because of Karate Kid II. Don't misunderstand me, the first installment of the trilogy had me at "hello Reseda." But the landscape and love stories captivated my pre-adolescent heart. I still remember sitting through the credits at the theater just to hear Peter sing the song...(You can imagine the disappointment I experienced during college when Peter was not at the Chicago concert I saw. No one told me he had left a decade before.)

I've been reliving that old flame again as I watched parts I & II this week.
(An attempt will be made to watch part III, but I remember a lot of disappointment with that one.) My memory served me correct in most places - except that Daniel never wanted to move to Fresno with his mom. After all these years, dreams of seeing Fresno...dashed!

However, there was theme that had flown over my head in 1986: the destruction of ungrace & the power of grace

Grace in the Karate Kid?
I know, I know...I never saw it. Sure the two old guys were at odds because of a love interest. Yeah, Sato's 'honor' had been tainted. But I never saw the fight between grace and ungrace.
Mr.Miyagi was an agent of grace, while Sato (closest childhood friend) was the victim of ungrace.
While Mr. Miyagi lived in peace - sad yes - but in peace, Sato lived in constant hatred - taking it out on his village. The former taught and exemplified "principle over passion" while the latter left a legacy of "no mercy."


......Part I...... {staying true to Karate Kid form}

Nobel Peace Prize Idea ( if I do say so myself)

A year ago I thought I'd be smart and plan a month of meals - the goal being to eliminate planning each week to just once a month. The menu only included supper because who really maps out breakfast, lunch and dinner? At the end of the month I realized I was a genius. (OK, you caught me. I already thought I was - cuz I'm a firstborn.)
What was my idea worthy of a Nobel Peace Price?
Use the menu three months--creating a seasonal meal plan system.
Fall: September - November
Winter: December - February
Spring: March - May
Summer: June - August

The biggest headache of meal preparation is the thinking,deciding and list making. With every meal decided, grocery shopping is a cinch. With my three month plan, I only have to think 4 times a year!! (now you're thinking I'm a genius too! and a QVC personality) I've added breakfasts and lunches - which are usually the same for every season.

Why even care enough to plan tomorrow's meals- led alone next month's? I have an internal drive to create an eating experience with every bite my family takes. When food/meals are esteemed, flavors are relished, and the act of eating is enjoyed, I believe we will
*learn to appreciate the "hands that prepare it"
*know when to say when
*enjoy a great variety of foods
*and much more

Personally, I feel its my role to be the best chef of Ardenland that I can. In fact, it's become a hobby to learn new recipes and attempt new cuisines.

But in all honesty, the best part for me is TIME EFFICIENCY. The time I save by thinking four times a year - instead EVERY DAY - allows me to do other things with my life BUT still provide a quality food service for my clientele. :)

The peace of knowing what's for supper at 9:00am is noble indeed!

TO DIE FOR Oatmeal Pancakes

We got a gift of Great Harvest Oatmeal Pancake for Christmas. Matt loved it so much he challenged me to find a recipe. I found this somewhere in lala-land.

The easiest pancake mix ever. I sometimes combine the dry ingredients in the evening to make it faster in the morning. I could make them everyday and my family wouldn't complain.


1 C wheat flour (whole wheat pastry flour makes them good too)
1 C old fashioned oats
1/4 C wheat germ (opt if you don't have)
1 T brown sugar (optional: sugar)
1 tsp baking soda
2 egg whites (accidentally used 2 eggs once and turned out fine)
1 egg (option #2: replace with flaxseed meal: mix 3 T water w/ 1tsp flaxseed meal. Sit for 1 minute.)
2 C milk
1/4 C canola oil

Stir dry. Stir wet. Mix.
I usually double this for the four of us plus some leftovers. Enjoy.

Let me know what you think. Were they to die for?

Homeade Crackers

At $3.00 a box, crackers are a big expense, but necessary ingredient, on my shopping list. I just found this recipe and will try it this week. I think the girls will enjoy participating in making the snack they love best.

http://www.choosingvoluntarysimplicity.com/the-easiest-crackers-i-have-ever-made/

Moses or God's Wife?

Tori: "Why is Moses out there? Why is Moses out there?"
Sophia: "That's not Moses, Tori. That's God's wife - right mom?"

A recent debate on the way to church about the statue in front of the Catholic parish. Unfortunately, neither child had the identity correct -- it was Mary. Needless to say there was a theology lesson the rest of the trip.
I was a little proud of my girls for recognizing a figure and utilizing their Bible knowledge. They surprise me sometimes at what they learn, remember, and repeat.

Homeade Granola - Great as a cereal, yogurt or ice cream topper

6 C quick oats
1/2 C maple sugar (for you non-vegans use regular sugar:)(no I'm not vegan -just the recipe)
3/4 C wheat germ
1/2 C cocunut
1/2 C sesame or sunflower seeds
1 C chopped nuts
1 C raisins
1/2 C safflower oil (highly recommended, but can use other oil)
1/3 C maple syrup (sweet) OR 1/3 C brown rice syrup (found at Sunflower or Raley's)
1 1/2 tsp vanilla

1. Spread oats on baking pan - bake 10 mins. Transfer to mixing bowl. Add sugar, wheat germ, cocunut, seeds, nuts, raisins. Mix well. Add oil, syrup, vanilla. Mix until moist.

2. Spread half mixture on baking sheet. Bake 5 mins. Stir. Bake 5 more mins - until browned evenly.
Cool on pan. Transfer to bowl. Bake other half of mixture the same way.

My culinary skills have come a long way since becoming the head chef in Ardenland. I've learned to experiment and be adventurous. It's my pleasure to share with you my messes and success for your dining pleasure.

elephants in the bathroom sink

We've (more like I've) been battling an army of ants in our bathroom sink. The origin seems to be from the overflow drain in the back of the sink.
Yesterday as I sprayed them with biodegradable spray - not trying to be PETA friendly, it's just the closest thing that stops them in their tracks - Sophia exclaimed that "We don't like ants in the bathroom and we don't like ELEPHANTS in the bathroom either."

HUH??? Could two animals of distinct size and ability be that closely related in a 3 year old's mind. I firmly agreed with her that "no, we don't like ants or elephants in the bathroom sink. (Frankly my bio spray wouldn't be as affective on an elephant.)

Just in case, I'll be on the look out for dumbo.

V30X....instead of P90X

Day 2....everyone obeyed the rules. Sophia loves the tofu sour cream - she didn't flinch, even wanted to still lick the spoon. Victory. Matt enjoyed a dairy free shrimp burrito --not missing it a bit.

We're both finding that we're not hungry in the afternoon like we usually are around 3pm. Is it possible that the veggies keep you fuller longer than all that meat???? Is it possible that the usual sugar intake causes us to have more need for intake sooner?

I've already decided that if my thighs disappear this 30 days I'll forever be a vegetarian. AND I'm going to start my own weight loss program ---V90X. Who wants to work out for one hour a day and bust their butt on P90X, when you can enjoy FABULOUS food, workout average, and still loose your butt?

The most difficult obstacle right now is getting the girls to eat the menu. Sophia does a good job, but Tori - who has always been picky - may be starving. Well, we won't let her starve, but she's not getting much variety. Maybe she'll learn to eat what's given her after V90X.

Lentil Soup on International Steroids

BAM! First dinner made under new management rules and I knocked it out of the park. Sweet Potato Lentil Stew---had the flavor of an Indian cuisine. The smell as I was cooking it told me it was a winner.

Everyone obeyed the rules EXCEPT there was communication glitch and company for dinner. Blaine brought thin mint cookies for dessert, which the girls saw. Matt gave them one while I was at bunco BUT he abstained!! Yeah for abstinence. So at least 2 out of 4 get the gold star for the day. I'll probably give the girls one too because it wasn't their fault contraband was brought into the house.

If the decision was based on taste, flavor and quality, after tonight's supper there's no going back!
Tomorrow.....Clean Mean burritos.

Day 1 of Eating Experiment

To kick of the month long experiment, I made cinnamon mochi puffs.(look it up-mochi) Well...more like flats instead of puffs. I didn't cook them long enough but they were still devoured. With a little vegan butter they were 'tas-TY.'

Lunch was tricky. Served the girls vegan hot dogs, cucumbers, orange, & pumpkin seeds. Although Sophie gobbled her hot dog up, she said she didn't like it -mixed message:) Enjoyed healthy graham crackers as dessert. And crossed off another successful meal.

For this week, we can't have any milk products...butter, milk, sour cream,etc. I'm anxious to see if Matt followed the rules for his lunch.

Feeling good. Don't know if it's my veggie wrap or just mentally think I'm healthier after 8 hours!!! Mind over matter!

Stay tuned to see how the Sweet potato lentil soup turns out tonight.

More Tofu Than We Can Chew

I hope we're not biting off more tofu than we can chew! The experiment doesn't start until March, but....

Today I introduced a smoothie with tofu and soy milk ( with a little yogurt needing to be used up.) Matt thought it was the best smoothie...sweeter than normal - probably because of the soy milk. We also made rice treats with Brown Rice Syrup, Vegan chocolate chips (the girls thought they were too sweet by themselves- but they were actually bitter), natural PB, & EnviroKids rice crisp cereal. They turned out really good. Drawback - a tad pricey. BUT cheaper than a trip to the dentist due to sugar!

I'm sensing the hardest thing will be replacing dairy. We consume a lot of cream cheese, sour cream, and butter. To replace it all is going to be expensive. I need to decide if I will replace or reduce our consumption. At some point -maybe for 1 week- I want to see if a non-dairy diet affects Matt's allergies and Tori's skin condition.

Obstacles to Overcome for the March Menu:
** What to do with our cream cheese/sour cream addiction.
**How to help Matt find items to eat at restaurants for lunch.

**What to fix for lunches.
** Final "rules" for the Arden Experiment

The Arden Experiment

I think the only visitor to Ardenland is my good friend Shelly. So, for her entertainment and reading pleasure, I'm rekindling the writing fire. The absence of posts is mainly due to my notions that no one cares, what I have to say isn't important, and I have other things to do with my time. But then I think... I could make money off this!!! Julie (of Julie and Julia) did. Mostly it's because I don't have anything to write about. But right now I do.

Recently I invested in books about healthy eating...mostly a plant-based diet. They are revolutionizing my lifestyle in the way of eating. I've read so much that the other night I dreamed about a plate full of beans and other non-meat proteins. In my slumber I kept thinking "am I going to be full enough?" & " I need some water."

Still trying to graft in these new ideas to our current eating habits (which already resemble a plant based diet), I am preparing our family for a month long eating experiment in March. Details are still being worked out, but some include no dairy, no meat, lots of greens, new recipes.

Rebooting this blog is going to be a way for me to document the effects of the experiment.
Will Tori's skin clear up?
Will Matt be able to breath better?
Will I loose weight?
Will Sophia be able to survive on non-dairy sour cream and cream cheese (hardest one of all)?

I figure ....it won't kill us. At least March will have a bit of excitement in it.

So...Shelly....thanks in advance for reading.