decisions, decisions...

we've been toying with the idea of urban homesteading this year. i wonder if i could get away with ducks in the back yard? i mean, we do live in a rural area and there's a rooster across the road/creek that "goes off" at all hours of the day. city girl thought roosters only crowed at the break of dawn. wrong. so wrong. :( i do have some funny stories i could share of when i was in high school and we moved to this rural area and all the stupid things i did. how was i to know? i'm sure i'll be doing many more stupid things. LOL

but the "decisions, decisions..." comes from wanting to re-name this blog and share our veggie life and urban homesteading in one place. Since my business is called Prim Rose Hill i think my husband has decided to name it Prim Rose Hill Homestead.

so if there's any lurkers out there in blogland reading :)
i think i will change the name and web address on Saturday May 19 to......

 primrosehillhomestead.blogspot.com

you can just click and go! :)

Meatless Mondays: Easy Black Bean Soup

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon canola oil
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed
• 3 cups water
• 1/2 cup prepared salsa
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 4 tablespoons reduced-fat sour cream (optional), (vegans use Tofutti)
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and cook, stirring, until beginning to soften, 2 to 3 minutes. Add chili powder and cumin and cook, stirring, 1 minute more. Add beans, water, salsa and salt. Bring to a boil; reduce heat and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in lime juice.
2. Transfer half the soup to a blender and puree (use caution when pureeing hot liquids). Stir the puree back into the saucepan. Serve garnished with sour cream and cilantro, if desired.

Tips & Notes:  Make Ahead Tip: Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Garnish with sour cream and cilantro, if desired, just before serving.

Meatless Mondays: Rainbow Stir-fry

Serves 4

30 minutes or fewer

Kids and adults will love this sweet-and-spicy stir-fry. Serve over brown rice.


Ingredients:

3 Tbs. frozen orange juice concentrate
2 Tbs. hoisin sauce
1 Tbs. low-sodium soy sauce
½ tsp. chile-garlic sauce
2 tsp. toasted sesame oil
½ lb. green beans, halved crosswise
1 cup thinly sliced purple cabbage
1 15-oz. can baby corn, rinsed and drained
1 small red bell pepper, sliced (1 cup)
1 cup frozen, shelled edamame
1 8-oz. can sliced water chestnuts, drained
4 green onions, thinly sliced

Directions:
1. Whisk together orange juice concentrate, hoisin sauce, soy sauce, and chile-garlic sauce in small bowl.

2. Heat oil in wok or large skillet over high heat. Add green beans, and stir-fry 3 minutes. Add 3 Tbs. water; stir-fry 3 minutes more. Add cabbage, baby corn, bell pepper, edamame, and water chestnuts; stir-fry 4 minutes. Stir in green onions and orange juice mixture; cook 1 minute more.

~~Vegetarian Times~~

making environmental (and healthier) changes...alittle at a time

i have included on the right hand side of my blog a new block called "what i'm reading right now" and that happens to be "sleeping naked is green" by vanessa farquharson.  i love the title of this book. and yes, i admit that when i saw the title, i picked it up out of curiousity. ;) the writer shares her daily changes (and the struggles) when she decided to make one little environmental change for an entire year on her blog. wow. i wouldn't have made it through the first month! i find myself reading a chapter or two when i can...i can't wait to find out the next change that she makes. i might be able to make the changes of showering in the dark, or using recyled paper towels (before she completely gives them up), banning all styrofoam (I hate that stuff anyhow and paper plates too!) or even starting a compost bin (although the thought of worms makes me want to throw up). the real problems for me would be giving up my car (i live in a rural area with no public transportation and it's 30 miles one way to work...over a mountain!), turning off my air conditioner in the summer (this one would kill me for sure, as hot and muggy as it gets here), handwashing all my dishes (oh God no, there aren't enough hours in the day now for everything I try to get done), or not using fruit and veggie wash or rinsing things for more than a second (i am obsessed with scrubbing my fruit and vegetables, especially the ones that aren't organic).

But as i read her book i realized that i had infact started to make some positive environmental changes in my life without even realizing it. and that made me feel better. so what have i done that is better?

1. no more paper plates, plastic bowls, cups, utensils, etc. instead i bought a thermos and take my tea in it everyday to work. i also bought a thermos for my soup. no more tupperware! ugh, they're bad for your health anyhow! and yes, i like eating with a "real" utensil. i even bought some reusable sandwich & snack baggies...no more ziploc plastic to throw away.

2. no more bottled water. after watching a documentary on the bottled water industry, i realized what a joke it is to buy this stuff. i remember when bottled water was first introduced i laughed and said "who in their right mind would pay for stuff out of a faucet?" turns out i was closer to the truth than i knew.  in an effort to get rid of fluoride from our water and other nasty stuff, we're buying a berkey.

3. switch to organic shampoo, conditioner, soap. omg, do you really want to know what chemicals are in your shampoo? and the body wash you slather on every morning? do you want to know how many of those chemicals are classified as carcinogens? run, don't walk, to the nearest natural foods/health foods place near you and invest in some organic products!

4.  use only non-toxic, phosphate-free dishwasher detergent. i switched over to seventh generation, no dyes, no fragrances. it's safer for you, your family, your pets, and the environment.

5. cancelled cable. Granted our reason for this was to save $$. i mean honestly though, we're paying $50 a month for 50 channels and i rarely find something to watch. ok, when "the walking dead" season 3 starts again in the fall, i'm going to be crying. but surely i can find it on the internet somewhere. oh please oh please. but for now, i am surprised i'm not missing it. in fact, i'm getting alot more productive "stuff" done! and we are signed up with netflix, so when the urge hits, i can watch a drama, comedy, or more documentaries to piss me off at "the government" and "big business".

6. make sure all the lights are turned off before leaving home. a nice, easy environmental change. ok, we did it to not give an extra dime to AEP. their rates are high enough and they're constantly asking for a rate increase. enough is enough! we're on monthly budget rating and can barely afford that.

7. switched to a natural toothpaste. we did it get rid of the floride and saccharin. two very scary ingredients in anything!

8. use stainless steel rather than non-stick frying pan (takes less time to heat up). and along with the environmental element comes the health issue. teflon is like death in frying pan. ditch those suckers and use the stainless steel only.

9. no more ordering food by delivery. yeah, this is another one of those that you can do for the environment, your health, or your wallet! lucky for us we live in a rural area where there's only like 3 places that deliver and the food sucks at all of them! ;)

10. pick weeds by hand rather than with use a pesticide.  we're going organic, baby! this will be our first year using container/square foot gardening and it's all going to be organically grown. the food prices are outrageous for good, healthy, quality, organic food. it's part of  "prim rose hill homestead" that's in the first stage of developement.

11. use cloth instead of paper towels for household cleaning. great way to use rags (old clothing, t-shirts, etc) or dishcloths/tea towels in the kitchen. we didn't use paper towels when i was growing up. my parents/grandparents thought that was too expensive to just use something you throw away after using one time. we need to get back into that mentality of thinking.

12. use the same fork or spoon you stir with to eat with. seriously, how much easier does it get than this? i mean, this is one of those things that you think sounds hokey, but think about how much we dirty up more utensils when that first one really isn't "dirty" to begin with. my dishwasher will fill up slower and that means less water and electricity  and $$ in the long run. not to mention you're an idiot for stirring your tea and then getting another clean one to eat with. ;)

13. use towels several times before changing them. i've been doing this one for years. i mean, how dirty can it be? you just took a shower!

14. not consuming anything that contains or is manufactured with genetically modified corn (ie. high-fructose corn syrup, corn starch, ethanol, corn-fed beef, most tea bags, etc). this is really a health issue for us. after you watch a few documentaries on corn, you will become a paranoid freak, throwing out everything in your kitchen cabinets that contain any form of corn. yep, if it's not "organic" you can bet it's a gmo. we've gone as far as to not buy anything corn, soy, or canola that's not organic. wow that eliminates processed food in a hurry!

15. Only buy beans dry, in bulk. as two vegetarians, we now eat alot of beans. i do buy some organic ones in the can occasionally, but i've been trying to freeze a few bowls here and there so i always have some cooked and ready to use in the house. much better than buying the heavily-salted ones in cans.

16. drink only organic teas. i LOVE numi teas. they are organic and the tea bags are NOT made from gmo-corn. yeah really. most teabags are not bio-degradable and that's why. so now i am spoiled by their aged earl grey & it's all i will drink.  i like that they are an pro-environment, use only organic teas, and no gmo bags. and the best way to show that is to purchase their products. yep, money speaks louder than words. you vote for a product every time you buy it. you tell that company that you approve of their product and you want them to continue making more. sometimes that's good and sometimes it's not. i'm trying to make it more "good".

17. signed up with freecycle.org. well, who knows what i can rid of instead of sending to the dump or dropping off at goodwill. maybe we'll find some ducks or composting worms. ;)

18.  Empty lint traps, cleaning filters on a regular basis. ok, this one i got. i always clean the dryer trap before using it. yep, each and every time.


Changes we'll be making within the next month:

1. buy or grow only local (US only) organic produce. much easier to do in the summer months when  the farmer's market are open again. what we don't grow, we can buy locally.

2.  use tote bags, no more plastic bags. really now. i should already be doing this. i bought the bags at wal-mart when i shopped there but kept forgetting to bring them with me every time i went to the store. i tried to put them in the car. then i'd get to the checkout counter and realize the darn bags were still in the car! ugh. i am going to have to get better about this. especially when i'm at the farmer's market or natural foods store.

3. switch to recycled toilet paper and paper towels. how bad can it be? of course, i never have to buy either since my in-laws stock up on both like there's a crisis coming. ;) everytime they come to visit, they've made a stop at sam's warehouse and bought oodles of paper. so when i finally have to buy it, i'm buying recycled! maybe i can convince them to change now...

4. switch to natural deodorant. i am in the process of doing this one now. oh man. i bought this "fresh apricot" smelling deodoarant & thought how wonderful! after about two hours, i smelled like rotten apricots. no joke. ok, maybe next i'll buy the unscented or order one a different brand online. ugh. this is a hard one.

5. find a pvc-free shower curtain liner. surely i can find one online! you can find anything online!

6. quit using nail polish (or nail polish remover). this is hurting me now. i'm trying. really i am. i've been wearing nail polish since i was 13 years old. i think my hands look better with those mauve-colored tips. i know it's bad for me and yes, it takes my breath everytime i paint  or remove the old polish. it makes me feel feminine.  i feel so blahhhh without it. i really hate this one.

7. use "green" and "natural" cleaners. ok, baking soda. vinegar. those are the two biggies i know about. i'll have to some research on green cleaning. one thing i know for sure: better for the environment and better for our health.

8.  no buying plastic ever again.  self explanatory. :)


Changes to make over the summer:

1. find a natural, safe, vegan, cruelty-free cosmetic company that isn't outrageous. this is going to take some time. I've been looking online and doing some research.

2.  compost. yuck. i will have to get over my queasies. i have been saving our tea for the compost pile/bin that jeff will be building soon. i will start saving our food scraps too.

Meatless Monday: Easy Green Coconut Curry

Serves 4

30 minutes or fewer 30 minutes or fewer

Prepared Thai curry paste is available in the Asian section of most supermarkets. If you can’t find green, feel free to use red or yellow. Since the paste is quite spicy, taste a little before you add it and use more or less as preferred. Garnish with chopped roasted peanuts and cilantro if desired.

Ingredients:
1 cup reduced-fat coconut milk
1 tsp. green curry paste
1 ½ lb. frozen mixed Asian vegetables (mixes with peas are good here)
2 Tbs. teriyaki sauce
4 cups cooked brown rice

Directions:
Combine coconut milk and curry paste in wok or large saucepan over medium heat, and bring to a boil.

Stir in frozen vegetables. Simmer over medium heat 10 minutes.

Stir in teriyaki sauce, and serve over rice.

~~Vegetarian Times~~

Meatless Mondays...it's a great start!

I had heard of this movement, but didn't know they had a website until I stumbled across it in another blogger's post.  Meatless Mondays encourages folks to eat vegetarian for one day a week.  I think it's a great start. I remember back 15 years ago when I didn't think I'd make it as a vegetarian, it never occurred to me to try just one day a week. Like 99.9% of all meat eaters, I thought I needed a lot of animal protein or my body would shut down. ;) It seems rather funny now, but that's what our media and USDA have us brainwashed into believing.  I think I will go sign up with this website and start a Meatless Monday posting here. I did notice there are alot of vegetarian and vegan websites listed. :)

I wish everyone could realize the benefits that could come from everyone doing a Meatless Monday even if you can't take the whole plunge. :) Many benefits include our health, our environment, we could support local farmers (love those farmer's markets!), we would need to slaughter less animals and could be more humane to the ones we do, and let's not forget our wallets. Go Veg! :)

Strong scientific evidence shows that eating berries benefits the brain

As we age, one of the functions that can often deteriorate dramatically is our mental function - our brain power, if you will. The good news is, researchers may have discovered a way to prevent this kind of decline: Eat more berries.

That's right. According to research published in the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, eating more blueberries, blackberries, strawberries and other berry fruits may help prevent age-related memory loss and other mental status changes.

In the journal article, Dr. Barbara Shukitt-Hale, PhD, and Marshall G. Miller note that as we live longer on average, there are increasing concerns about the social and monetary costs of treating Alzheimer 's disease and other forms of mental decline. That concern will only grow as the U.S. population continues to age.

Keep your brain healthy and functioning as you age

According to the research, eating more berries can have benefits for the aging brains. "To analyze the strength of the evidence about berry fruits, they extensively reviewed cellular, animal and human studies on the topic," said a press release from the ACS.

A review of the data found that there was strong scientific evidence that berry fruits help the brain remain healthy in a number of ways. For example, berry fruits contain high levels of antioxidants, "compounds that protect cells from damage by harmful free radicals." In addition, research shows that berry fruits alter the manner in which neurons in the brain communicate.

"These changes in signaling can prevent inflammation in the brain that contribute to neuronal damage and improve both motor control and cognition," said ACS, a nonprofit organization chartered by Congress.  "They suggest that further research will show whether these benefits are a result of individual compounds shared between berry fruits or whether the unique combinations of chemicals in each berry fruit simply have similar effects."

'Berry' good benefits

The ACS research isn't the first to suggest that antioxidants in berry fruits are beneficial to your overall health. The Global Healing Center also says berries are high in antioxidants and "have been shown to be some of the healthiest foods on the planet."

The antioxidants in berries and other fruits act as "scavengers" of free radicals, which create a destructive process on the cellular level, causing molecules within cells to become unstable, according to Dr. Edward Group.

"They may even be a big player in the formation of cancerous cells by a 'chain-reaction' effect, causing other cells to become damaged," he writes. "Because of the inherent instability of free-radicals, they try to attack other healthy cells to get stable themselves. This then causes the once-healthy cells to react in the same way, attacking others in [a] never-ending attempt for cellular stability."

Sources for this article include:
http://portal.acs.org/portal/acs/corg/content
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com/natural-health/healthy-berries/
http://www.globalhealingcenter.com

Meal Plans March 4 - 9

Sunday March 4:
B: pinto beans
L:  Curried eggplant & chickpea soup, Ezekiel wrap (MSF cal. turk'y "burger", peppers, mushrooms)
D: 13 bean soup

Monday March 5:
B: 1/2 pita bread (MSF cal. turk'y "burger", asparagus, mushrooms), 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon, cucumber)
L: curried eggplant & chickpea soup, org. blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: chickpea & spinach soup, nut sure salad (mixed greens, apple, walnuts, balsamic vinegar), hummus, jasmine tea

Tuesday March 6:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal w/almond milk, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon, cucumber)
L: curried eggplant & chickpea soup, org. blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: pinto bean soup

Wednesday march 7:
B: 13 bean soup, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon, cucumber)
L:  1/2 pita (hummus, red peppers, mixed greens), org. blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: fishy sandwich, fries

Thursday March 8:
B; 13 bean soup, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon, cucumber)
L: 1/2 pita (hummus, red peppers, spinach), org. blueberries, almonds, tea
D:vegan foccacia pizza (spinach, mushroom, black olives), Red & black bean w/chickpea soup

Friday March 9:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal w/almond milk &banana, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, cucumber)
L:  1/2 pita (hummus, red peppers, spinach), grapes, almonds, tea
D: seitan & veggie curry stirfry over LC Pasta (dreamfields)

Enjoy jasmine and its many benefits

Derived from Chinese Green Tea leaves, jasmine tea has become one of the most popular teas around. Other names it is known by include Xiang Pian or Mo Li Hua Cha. This tea offers many health benefits, ranging from reducing stress to preventing certain types of cancer.

Jasmine tea is also widely known to lower blood pressure, strengthen the immune system, lower cholesterol levels and regulate aging processes in our bodies. It is claimed that drinking jasmine tea can assist those who want to lose weight. It also possesses sedative qualities and is said to help prevent strokes, arterial sclerosis and heart attacks.

A study done at Kansas State University showed that jasmine teas are able to inhibit the growth of bacteria such as Listeria and Salmonella, as well as those responsible for causing cholera, flu and dysentery. Gargling with this tea and/or using it as a mouthwash is said to help prevent tooth decay.

Using Jasmine tea can also assist with relieving headaches and respiratory problems. It helps to balance fluids in the body, making it a good choice for those suffering from water retention caused by PMS or any other medical condition. It has been claimed to have aphrodisiac qualities because of the fact that it contains linalool, jasmon, Indole and benzoic acetate (all of which are utilised by herbalists when preparing aphrodisiac remedies).

Preparing different types of jasmine tea:

Many people prefer to simply purchase the ready-prepared varieties, although you can also prepare the tea yourself from scratch using the following tips.

Iced tea can be made by using the green and white varieties of jasmine tea. Ensure that it is properly cooled before adding ice to it though. The green and white varieties of jasmine tea also contain higher concentrations of antioxidants than the oolong or black varieties.

Black: Boil some water and pour 1 cup (250ml) over a teaspoon of loose leaves. Cover and steep for 3 to 5 minutes. Strain and enjoy.

Oolong: Pour 1 cup (250ml) boiling water over a teaspoon of loose leaves. Cover and steep for 2 to 3 minutes. Strain and serve.

White: Bring water temperature to 185F and pour 1 cup (250ml) over 2 teaspoons of loose leaves. Cover and steep for 5 to 8 minutes. Strain and serve.

Green: Bring water temperature to 160F and pour 1 cup (250ml) over a teaspoon of loose leaves. Cover and steep for 1 to 2 minutes. Strain and serve.

The reasons for different steeping times is that should it steep too much or too little, it can cause the tea to either be too weak or become bitter.

Pregnant women should exercise caution and not consume too much jasmine tea. It should also not be consumed on an empty stomach as it can cause raised levels of acidity in the body.

Sources:

http://www.liveandfeel.com/medicinalplants/jasmine.html
http://www.ehow.com/facts_5009088_health-benefits-jasmine-tea.html
http://www.syl.com/travel/jasmineteahealthbenefits.html

Meal Plans Feb 26-Mar 3

Sunday Feb 26:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L/D: pinto beans, rustic italian bread

Monday Feb 27:
B: Kashi Heart to Heart cereal/soymilk, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L: 1/2 pita (lettuce, pepper, hummus), blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: eggplant curry soup, red cabbage slaw, seitan & mushroom burger

Tuesday Feb 28:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal/almond milk, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L: 1/2 pita (lettuce, pepper, hummus), blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: seitan & mushroom burger w/red cabbage slaw, red bean & mushroom soup

Wednesday Feb 29:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal/almond milk, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L: salad (mixed greens, green pepper, carrot) w/italian dressing, pistachios, blueberries, tea
D: hummus w/pita points, seitan & mushroom burger

Thursday Mar 1:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal w/almond milk, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L: 1/2 pita (lettuce, green pepper, onion, hummus), blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: tomato & corn chowder, hummus w/pita points

Friday Mar 2:
B: pinto beans, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon)
L: 1/2 pita w/mixed greens, green peper, onion, humus, blueberries, tea
D: bbq tofu & veggie stirfry, tea

Saturday Mar 3:
B/L: pinto beans, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon,spinach)
D: blackened crab-stuffed tilapia, broccoli florets, salad w/ranch dressing

No need to be so snarky, Paula

From Yahoo!TV news....Paula Deen is shrinking. The queen of Southern cooking looks noticeably smaller, and told People magazine she’s dropped two pants sizes.

The Food Network star, who is not shy with butter and frying up anything, came under fire when she revealed she had been living with type 2 diabetes for the past three years but continued to promote unhealthy cooking on her show (one of her dishes is a burger between two doughnuts). The condition is in part caused by obesity and an unhealthy lifestyle.

But Paula seems to be finally embracing a healthier outlook -- and it shows. The chef told the magazine that her new regimen includes walking for 30 minutes every day and cutting her portion sizes in half. She has also said she is easing up on sugary treats such as cake and sweet tea.

Paula still doesn’t know how much she weighs, telling People, "We don't own a scale in our house.” She adds, "Every six months I go for a physical and find out. Now it's time to see the doctor. She'll be so happy if I've lost weight."

The 65-year-old, who has teamed up with a drug company, Novo Nordisk, on a website called Diabetes in a New Light, promised to introduce lighter versions of her Southern-style food.

Paula told the Associated Press, "I am who I am. But what I will be doing is offering up lighter versions of my recipes." Just don’t expect a vegan menu: "I'm Southern by roots. I was taught (to cook) by my grandmother and nothing I can do would change that."

* ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *~  * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ *

And here comes my rant....Paula, I greatly resent the fact that you have hid your diabetes for the last two years while continuing to push your artery-clogging food. Really girl. What's up with that? Now you choose to lose weight after it finally comes to light about your diabetes. Don't you realize why people don't sympathize with you? I am very glad that you are losing weight because, as a diabetic, I too know the risk we put ourselves at with being overweight...AND CONTINUING TO EAT WRONG.

But I have to tell you, I greatly resent your comment. No, I don't expect to see you eating a vegan diet (although that would greatly improve your diabetes). But don't go saying that the reason you cook the way you do is because of your southern roots! I am a southern girl too and we never ate anything like you cook. For those of you from other parts of the country, NO, we do not cook pork fat & a pound of butter in everything (unless you're my mother-in-law, but that's another story). I never grew up eating that...and yes, I too, learned to cook from my grandmother. I had never heard of pork fat in beans until I was older and eating at a friend's house (and oh, yes, my body rebelled after eating it too. Believe me, it did!) Sure we used butter in moderation & we ate "sweets" on occasion, but I assure you, Paula Deen's cooking does not accurately represent the South.

Yeah, I am embracing a vegan lifestyle now and after 1 month my total cholesterol (as a pescatarian) dropped from 166 (which was good anyhow) to 137!! For the first time in my life, my HDL and LDL are great.

The last thing vegans and vegetarians need are for someone to be throwing snarky comments around about our food choices. We've made the choice to EAT TO LIVE, not LIVE TO EAT.

And I have to honestly say, I have never eaten this good before and I am loving the vegan choices I make now.  So keep chowing down, Paula, and throwing the lbs. of butter and fat in your food. As for me, I am looking forward to the day of being healthy and thin and not taking Metformin or sticking a needle in myself every day. And if eating healthy and making the right decisions is what it takes, I'm up for it. How about you?

Harvard study: Pasteurized milk from industrial dairies linked to cancer

The truth has once again shaken the foundation of the 'American Tower of Babel' that is mainstream science, with a new study out of Harvard University showing that pasteurized milk product from factory farms is linked to causing hormone-dependent cancers. It turns out that the concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFO) model of raising cows on factory farms churns out milk with dangerously high levels of estrone sulfate, an estrogen compound linked to testicular, prostate, and breast cancers.

Dr. Ganmaa Davaasambuu, Ph.D., and her colleagues specifically identified "milk from modern dairy farms" as the culprit, referring to large-scale confinement operations where cows are milked 300 days of the year, including while they are pregnant. Compared to raw milk from her native Mongolia, which is extracted only during the first six months after cows have already given birth, pasteurized factory milk was found to contain up to 33 times more estrone sulfate.

Evaluating data from all over the world, Dr. Davaasambuu and her colleagues identified a clear link between consumption of such high-hormone milk, and high rates of hormone-dependent cancers. In other words, contrary to what the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), and the conventional milk lobby would have you believe, processed milk from factory farms is not a health product, and is directly implicated in causing cancer.

"The milk we drink today is quite unlike the milk our ancestors were drinking" without apparent harm for 2,000 years, Dr. Davaasambuu is quoted as saying in the Harvard University Gazette. "The milk we drink today may not be nature's perfect food."

Meanwhile, raw, grass-fed, organic milk from cows milked at the proper times is linked to improving digestion, healing autoimmune disorders, and boosting overall immunity, which can help prevent cancer. Though you will never hear any of this from the mainstream media, all milk is not the same -- the way a cow is raised, when it is milked, and how its milk is handled and processed makes all the difference in whether or not the end product promotes health or death.

American government seeks to further perpetuate the lie that all milk is the same with egregious new provisions in 2012 Farm Bill
Of particular concern are new provisions in the 2012 Farm Bill that create even more incentives for farmers to produce the lowest quality, and most health-destroying, type of milk possible. Rather than incentivize grazing cows on pastures, which allows them to feed on grass, a native food that their systems can process, the government would rather incentivize confined factory farming methods that force cows to eat genetically-modified (GM) corn and other feed, which makes them sick.

As it currently stands, the government already provides incentives for farmers to stop pasturing their animals, instead confining them in cages as part of a Total Confinement Dairy Model, aka factory farms. But the 2012 Farm Bill will take this a step further by outlawing "component pricing" for milk, which involves allowing farmers to sell milk with higher protein and butterfat at a higher price.

Allowing farmers to sell higher quality milk at a higher price provides an incentive for them to improve the living conditions on their farms, and milk better cow breeds. But the U.S. government would rather standardize all milk as being the same, and create a system where farmers continue to produce cancer-causing milk from sick cows for the millions of children to drink.

To learn more, visit:
http://www.anh-usa.org/healthy-milk-what-is-it/

Sources for this article include:

http://www.anh-usa.org/healthy-milk-what-is-it/

http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/2006/12.07/11-dairy.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/035039_raw_milk_pasteurized_CDC.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035081_pasteurized_milk_cancer_dairy.html#ixzz1nbMJwhhz

Curcumin in the war against prostate cancer and dementia

Curcumin, the active anti-inflammatory compound found in the Indian spice tumeric, has gained an impressive reputation in the fight against many deadly forms of cancer. New evidence released in the journal Cancer Research finds that the natural phenol can slow prostate tumor growth by blocking receptors used to propagate cell tissue growth.

Additional research published in the journal PLoS One explains the precise mechanism exerted by curcumin molecules to target the amyloid fibrils associated with the unnatural progression of protein-like plaque tangles that are characteristic in Alzheimer's disease patients. Adding curry spice to your healthy diet or supplementing daily with a standardized curcumin capsule will help win your individual war against cancerous proliferation and Alzheimer's dementia.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common forms of the disease, with more than 250,000 diagnoses in the US each year. Any natural compound that targets the proliferation of prostate cancer cells would provide a significant remedy compared with the allopathic methods of radiation, surgery and chemical agents. To conduct the study, researchers subjected prostate cancer cells to hormone deprivation in the presence and absence of curcumin with 'physiologically attainable' doses.


Curcumin blocks prostate cell receptors to thwart cancer progression
The researchers found that curcumin blocked two genetic receptors necessary for prostate cancer advancement. These receptors have been shown is past studies to predict cancer incidence and rate of growth of existing tumors. They noted that the spice extract was "a potent inhibitor of both cell cycle and survival in prostate cancer cells."

The lead study author, Dr. Karen Knudsen and her team found that other cancer cell lines multiply by a similar receptor mechanism and may also be inhibited by the curry compound. She commented that curcumin "also has implications beyond prostate cancer... in other malignancies, like breast cancer. In tumors where these play an important function, curcumin may prove to be a promising therapeutic agent."

In a separate research body, scientists found that curcumin prolongs life and enhances activity of brain neurons, acting as a neuroprotective shield against Alzheimer's disease advancement. The research team determined that curcumin acted to prevent the damaging accumulation of amyloid fibrils around the nerve synapse. Amyloid tangles are known to prevent normal electrical and chemical transmissions required to form memories and maintain cognition.

Scientific research models continue to extol the virtues of natural spice and herbal extracts such as curcumin to help prevent and treat many deadly diseases that kill countless millions each year. Incorporate curry spices as part of your healthy diet or include a daily supplement (250 mg to 500 mg standardized curcumin extract) to significantly lower cancer risk and support healthy brain function.



Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/035076_curcumin_prostate_cancer_dementia.html#ixzz1nXwnIT3n

Meal Plans Feb 19-25

Sunday Feb 19:
B: scrambled tofu, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, spinach)
L: tofu & mushroom miso soup,sea salt bagel chips
D: poptarts

Monday Feb 20:
B: Kashi golean cereal w/almond milk, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon)
L: baby carrots, blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: LC pasta w/broccoli/mushroom/seitan/garlic


Tuesday Feb 21:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon)
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: Lentil thai soup, salad (mixed greens, apple, walnuts, balsamic dressing)

Wednesday Feb 22:
B: oatmeal w/pecans/raisins/dates, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon)
L:  Blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: tomato bisque soup, tofu stirfry thai

Thursday Feb 23:
B: oatmeal w/pecans/raisins, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon)
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: Tofu gado-gado

Friday Feb 24:
(no breakfast, fasting labs)
L: cream of broccoli soup, smoked tofu on foccacia
D: moroccan chickpea soup, bbq tofu & veggie stirfry

Saturday Feb 25:
B: Kashi GoLean cereal, soymilk, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon)
L: cream of cauliflower soup, 1/2 pita (lettuce, pepper, hummus), pistachios
D: indian-cooked chickpeas, veggie &seitan curried stirfry w/rice

How To Make Newspaper Seed Pots

Go Green & save some $$!!  Click Here: How To Make Newspaper Seed Pots

Health Benefits of Turmeric

Turmeric (Curcuma longa) is a culinary spice that spans cultures - it is a major ingredient in Indian curries, and makes American mustard yellow. But evidence is accumulating that this brightly colored relative of ginger is a promising disease-preventive agent as well, probably due largely to its anti-inflammatory action.

 

One of the most comprehensive summaries of turmeric studies to date was published by the respected ethnobotanist James A. Duke, Phd., in the October, 2007 issue of Alternative & Complementary Therapies, and summarized in the July, 2008, issue of the American Botanical Council publication HerbClip.

 

Reviewing some 700 studies, Duke concluded that turmeric appears to outperform many pharmaceuticals in its effects against several chronic, debilitating diseases, and does so with virtually no adverse side effects. Here are some of the diseases that turmeric has been found to help prevent or alleviate:

1. •Alzheimer's disease: Duke found more than 50 studies on turmeric's effects in addressing Alzheimer's disease. The reports indicate that extracts of turmeric contain a number of natural agents that block the formation of beta-amyloid, the substance responsible for the plaques that slowly obstruct cerebral function in Alzheimer's disease.
2. •Arthritis: Turmeric contains more than two dozen anti-inflammatory compounds, including sixdifferent COX-2-inhibitors (the COX-2 enzyme promotes pain, swelling and inflammation; inhibitors selectively block that enzyme). By itself, writes Duke, curcumin - the component in turmeric most often cited for its healthful effects - is a multifaceted anti-inflammatory agent, and studies of the efficacy of curcumin have demonstrated positive changes in arthritic symptoms.
3. •Cancer: Duke found more than 200 citations for turmeric and cancer and more than 700 for curcumin and cancer. He noted that in the handbook Phytochemicals: Mechanisms of Action, curcumin and/or turmeric were effective in animal models in prevention and/or treatment of colon cancer, mammary cancer, prostate cancer, murine hepatocarcinogenesis (liver cancer in rats), esophageal cancer, and oral cancer. Duke said that the effectiveness of the herb against these cancers compared favorably with that reported for pharmaceuticals.

 

How can you get more turmeric into your diet? One way is via turmeric tea. There are also extracts in tablet and capsule form available in health food stores; look for supercritical extracts in dosages of 400 to 600 mg, and take three times daily or as directed on the product.

 

And, of course, one can simply indulge in more curried dishes, either in restaurants or at home. However you do it, adding turmeric to your diet is one of the best moves toward optimal health you can make.

 

Turmeric Tea

 

•Bring four cups of water to a boil.
•Add one teaspoon of ground turmeric and reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes.
•Strain the tea through a fine sieve into a cup, add honey and/or lemon to taste.

 

Some people like to add a teaspoon of ginger along with the turmeric. While ground versions are more convenient, it's worthwhile to experiment with freshly grated turmeric for a more vibrant flavor. These distinctive, deep-orange roots are increasingly available in American grocery and natural food stores. Enjoy!

 

~~Dr. Weil.com~~

Yerba Mate Tea in the News

A recent scientific study found that yerba mate tea induces death in human colon cancer cells. Scientists discovered that in vitro cancer cells died when exposed to the bioactive compounds present in one cup of the beverage long valued for its medicinal properties by South American traditional healers.

Caffeine compounds cause cell death
University of Illinois associate professor of food chemical and toxicology Elvira de Mejia stated "The caffeine derivatives in mate tea not only induced death in human colon cancer cells, they also reduced important markers of inflammation." Mejia observed that this is important since inflammation can lead to cancer progression. Her study was published in Molecular Nutrition & Food Research in latter part of 2011.

In the in vitro study, de Mejia and former graduate student Sirima Puangpraphant first isolated, and purified, then treated human colon cancer cells with caffeoylquinic acid (CQA) derivatives from mate tea. As the scientists increased the CQA concentration, cancer cells died. "Put simply, the cancer cell self-destructs because its DNA has been damaged," de Mejia said.

Inducing apoptosis, or cell death, is one of the tactics medical researchers have been trying to create through pharmaceutical anti-cancer drugs. However research has also discovered that natural medicines also possess this capability. The new University of Illinois study now demonstrates that yerba mate is one of those substances with this cancer-fighting power.


Yerba mate stops inflammation
The study suggests that the mate tea compounds not only have potential as anti-cancer agents but may also be effective against other diseases associated with inflammation. However, since the colon and its microflora play a major role in the absorption and metabolism of caffeine-related compounds, the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of mate tea may be most potent against bowel cancer. "We believe there's ample evidence to support drinking mate tea for its bioactive benefits, especially if you have reason to be concerned about colon cancer," de Mejia noted.

The scientists will also soon publish the results of a further study on yerba mate and colon cancer. The new study compares the development of colon cancer in rats that drank only mate tea against a control group that drank only water.

Sources:

ScienceDaily

http://www.patexia.com/feed/compounds-in-mate-tea-induce-death-in-colon-cancer-cells-2306

http://zeenews.india.com/ayurveda/yerba-mate-brew-bumps-off-colon-cancer-cells_1032.html

Learn more: http://www.naturalnews.com/034806_Yerba_mate_colon_cancer_caffeine.html#ixzz1nBRERRUl

Meal Plans Feb 13-18

Monday Feb 13:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, kale, lemon)
L: pistachios, chick'n & wild rice soup, tea
D: chipolte/tomato/garlic soup, salad (mixed greens, apple, walnuts, feta, balsamic dressing), tea

Tuesday Feb 14:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, kale, lemon)
L: pistachios, grapes, tea
D: tomato & chedar soup, 3-cheese grilled sandwich**
  ** see post: Farewell to cheese

Wednesday Feb 15:
B/L: Kashi golean cereal, almond milk, 10 oz. fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon)
D: pinto beans, mexican corn muffin

Thursday Feb 16:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz. fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon)
L: pistachios, grapes, tea
D: tofu gado-gado, green tea

Friday Feb 17:
B: kashi heart to heart cereal, almond milk, 10 oz fresh juice, (carrot, apple, lemon)
L: chick'n & wild rice soup, mexican corn muffin, pistachios, tea
D: cream of broccoli soup, Reed's "extra ginger" ginger ale

Saturday Feb 18:
B: oatmeal w/raisin/pecans/almond milk , 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, spinach)
L:grilled cod sandwich with steamed broccoli
D: Amy's veggie burger, salad w/ranch dressing

Recipe: Scrambled Tofu

 Ingredients:
1 red bell pepper, diced
2-3 green onions, diced
1 c. mushrooms, sliced
2 cloves garlic, minced
14 ounces tofu, (firm or extra-firm) pressed/drained and crumbled
2 tbsp. of Bragg's liquid aminos
1/4  tsp. turmeric
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
additional salt & pepper, to taste

Directions:
1.Heat a non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red pepper, green onions, and mushrooms...cook until the mushrooms begin to soften. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.

2.Add the tofu and sprinkle it with the turmeric, then the Bragg's. Cook, stirring constantly, until fragrant and the tofu is hot.

3.Reduce the heat to medium. Add the spinach and stir. If the mixture seems dry, add a tablespoon or two of water. Cover and steam, stirring every minute or so, until the spinach softens, about 3 or 4 minutes. Stir in the nutritional yeast, check the seasonings, and add salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Cook for another minute or two until heated through.

Serves 4.

Farewell to Cheese

Last night Jeff and I had dinner at a small cafe, Wildflour. I had eaten at the original restaurant years ago and thought this cafe was like that one. True, it was originally started by the same owners, but was sold a few years ago to new buyers.  It was not as good as the original I have to admit.  I think in the future I will go to the original Wildflour.  It was not a bad meal by any means. They do have vegetarian options on their menu.

I'm not sure what I was thinking when I ordered the tomato soup and grilled cheese sandwich. Well, other than, "oh yum, my favorite comfort food".  Or atleast it used to be. The grilled cheese sandwich was a cheese-fest! And as if that wasn't enough cheese, they loaded cheese into the tomato soup.  Now a few months ago I would have said YES! BRING IT ON!  But my food choices have dramatically changed, especially in the last two months. 

What possessed Jeff to order the same thing is beyond me. He has certainly had more than his fair share of issues with dairy in the past. We'll just say this was quite a learning lesson for the both of us.

I began to feel sick before I got out of the restaurant. :(  I went next door to JoAnn Fabrics to look around, and my stomach rebelled at the gobs of cheese. Thank goodness JoAnn's has a bathroom!  Ugh. Not going into details, let's just say I'm finished with cheese.  But I got off rather easy compared to poor Jeff.

He woke me up an hour after we had went to bed with the most incredible pain of his life. I got him to the ER and told the Dr's that I thought it was from the cheese-fest we had for dinner. After all, he has been eating rather "clean" for the last month on his new vegetarian diet.  I hate it when people "poo-poo" me like I'm an idiot, especially those in the medical profession. Sometimes I just feel like screaming.  I dispise the attitude that people give me--they act like since the number on the scale is obviously so high, my IQ must be so low!

But I digress...after several tests, they concluded that it was a gall bladder attack and he had eaten too much fatty cheese. (oh shock!) After giving him: a GI cocktail, nexium in his IV, and a shot of morphine, he was finally able to get some relief.

The conclusion is:  Adios Cheese. You have not been a good amigo. We have tolerated your issues for too long and this was the final straw. No longer will we worry about the animal protein that is clogging our arteries & jacking up our cholesterol levels. No more will I have to keep extra toilet paper in stock for your visits. You have hereby been banished from our house and from our dinner plates. Have a nice life someplace else.

Happy One Month Anniversary!

Today is the day! Jeff has lasted one month as a vegetarian! I have to admit, I find it hard to believe that a man who could have once been the president of the cattlemens' association because of his high intake of beef, could last 30 days as a vegetarian without a breakdown. ;) He has pretty much consistently eaten the same thing that I have, except for the seitan and tofu.  Although he did eat scrambled tofu for the first time yesterday at breakfast and actually liked it. shhh, honey. I won't tell anyone I promise!

Amazingly I had nothing to do with his convert to vegetarianism. We watched a film on Netflix called Sick, Tired, and Almost Dead...that was the beginning. After realizing it would cost us about $400 a month to go on a juice fast (that's for one of us, NOT both! and that's not even organic produce), we gave that idea up quickly. However, if we happen to win the Mega Million, it would be a great plan. :) He then moved on to Forks Over Knives & Food Matters.  Next thing I knew, he was declaring his meat eating days were over. I have to admit, I was a bit skeptical at first. After all, he had been eating meat for over 50 years with no slowing down in sight. But he seems to have breezed right through the last 30 days and I am really quite proud of his accomplishment!

Meal Plans Feb 5 - Feb 12

Sunday Feb 5:
B: spinach quiche, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, spinach, cucumber), tea
L: veggie chili
D: veggie chili, grapes, pistachios

Monday Feb 6:
B: egg whites w/spinach, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, spinach, cucumber)
L: Athenos wrap (tofu, artichokes, spinach, feta, black olives)
D: cherrios, soymilk, pistachios, apple

Tuesday Feb 7:
B: cheerios, soymilk, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lime, kale, cucumber)
L: Pistachios, hummus in pita w/onion & mixed greens, sweet potato and white bean soup, green tea
D: Kashi GoLean honey flax cereal w/almond milk

Wednesday Feb 8:
B: oatmeal w/almond milk/raisins/pecans, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, spinach)
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D:  indian eggplant and parsley soup, garbanzo bread

Thursday Feb 9 (at home sick with respiratory problems):
B: creamed brown rice w/soymilk/pecans/raisins/honey, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon), tea
L:  mashed cauliflower, veggie chili
D: Kashi GoLean honey almond flax cereal w/almond milk

Friday Feb 10:
B: kashi GoLean honey almond flax cereal w/almond milk, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, spinach, lemon)
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: tofu and mushroom miso soup, hummus/lettuce/onion pita

Saturday Feb 11:
B: 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, kale, lemon)
L: chick'n and wild rice soup, tea
D: salad (mixed greens, carrot, cucumber, italian dressing), black bean burger in 1/2 flatout bread w/pesto sauce

Sunday Feb 12:
B: scrambled tofu, 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, kale, lemon)
L: pinto beans, tea
D: LC pasta w/broccoli/mushroom/garlic/italian dressing/nutritional yeast

Tomorrow is my rabbit's birthday :)

No, not really. I wish I had a cute little bunny or two but we don't. That's actually what Jeff said to the cashier as we bought a 25 lb. bag of carrots last night.   She smiled and looked at him like he was nuts. ;) I had seen these gigantic bag of carrots before but I couldn't imagine who would buy such a thing. Welcome to the world of juicing. :)

I have fell in love with carrot juice. I totally expect to have an "orange" tan from eating so many.  Atleast after we polish off this bag of carrots we should! I'm tired of buying several of the little 2 lb bags every time we go to the store.  Think of how much we're saving!  Well, I laughed and said atleast we knocked it off our bucket list: buying the 25 lb bag of carrots no one can lift. And, oh yes, it DOES takes up the entire bottom shelf in the fridge.

Meal Plans Jan 29-Feb 4

Sunday Jan 29:
B: egg whites w/spinach, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, lime, kale), tea
L: beans & greens (white beans & kale) soup, green tea
D: salad (mixed greens, carrot, cucumber, italian dressing), gardenburger w/guacamole in LC tortilla w/sprinkle of cheese, apple, pistachios

Monday Jan 30:
B: egg whites, vegetarian ham, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, lime, kale), tea
L:  tea
D: foccacia (individual serving size) "pizza" w/spinach/feta/mushroom, green tea

Tuesday Jan 31:
B: egg whites, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lemon, lime, kale), tea
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea, soy latte
D: bbq seitan & veggie stirfry w/organic brown rice, green tea, 2 banana/walnut/choc chip cookies*
      *UGH...have not eaten "flour" or "sugar" products in a while and I was sick after eating 2 small cookies!

Wednesday Feb 1:
B: egg whites, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, lime), tea
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: tomato & red lentil soup, salad (mixed greens, apples, bleu cheese, balsamic dressing), green tea

Thursday Feb 2:
B: egg whites w/diced veg. 'ham', 10 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, mint, lime)
L: blueberries, pistachios, tea
D: 1/2 c. potato habanero cheddar soup, paco taco (very few tortilla chips, beans, salsa, lettuce, jalapenos, sour cream, guacamole)

Friday Feb 3:
B: egg whites w/diced veg. 'ham' & mushrooms, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, mint, lemon, ginger, kale)
L: blueberries, pistachios, water
D: tofu gado-gado

Saturday Feb 4:
B/L: spinach quiche, 12 oz fresh juice (carrot, apple, lemon, spinach, cucumber), tea
D: salad (greens, cucumber, carrots, italian dressing), black bean burger on ezekial wrap

(from Food Matters)...Used to Get High for A Living....John Butler Trio

I used to get high for a living

Believing everything that i saw on my tv

I used to get high for a living

Eating all the bullshit food that they sold me

I used to get high for a living

Thinking that my destiny was out of my control

I used to get high for a living

There's lots of different reasons and i'll tell you so

Super size, large fries, big mac, coca cola

Go on man, pick your poison

Speed, weed, ecstacy, LSD

Man, it don't bother me cos we're all on something

Caffeine, cigarettes, alcohol

You know i'm clawing at the walls trying to get my fix

Prozac, ADD tablets, coke, smack

Now you know i am turning tricks cos

I used to get high for a living

Believing everything that i saw on my tv

I used to get high for a living

Eating all the bullshit food that they sold me

Yeah, that they sold me

Escape, can't wait all trying to get away

From this place man that we're feeling

Can't deal, can't feel what's real

All trying to conceal all this time we're stealing

No doubt, the route you're on

Can't find the clout that you've been needing

'Til then my friend you must contend

With the monster that you're feeding

I used to get high for a living

Believing everything that i saw on my tv

I used to get high for a living

Eating all the bullshit food that they sold me

I used to get high for a living

Thinking that my destiny was out of my control

I used to get high for a living

There's lots of different reasons and i'll tell you so

Got links of the cheney

Getting crazy, getting lazy with their foreign relations

Starting wars, closing doors

Trying to bring about one quicker, man, revelations

Economic rational calling fouls with the workers

Just trying to make it pay

Cost cutting, head butting

Big business do what they like and you do what they say

What's wrong get along, just prolong all the thoughts

You got going on, on the inside

Appease, stand at ease, just try to please

All the apathy that you're trying to hide

How now brown cow

Did we get from this standing place......

And now we're kneeling

'Til then my friend you must contend with the monster that you're feeding

I used to get high for a living

Believing everything that i saw on my tv

I used to get high for a living

Eating all the bullshit food that they sold me

I used to get high for a living

Thinking that my destiny was out of my control

I used to get high for a living

There's lots of different reasons and i'll tell you so

Meal Plans Jan 22-28

Sunday Jan 22:
B: egg whites w/spinach, fresh juice (apple, carrot, kale, lemon, lime), tea
L: celery + hummus + baked LC pita ("chips"), 1 c. veggie chili, water
D: grapes, pistachios, water

Monday Jan 23:
B: egg whites w/spinach & pesto, orange juice, tea
L: brussels sprouts, teriyaki seitan stir-fry, pistachios, green tea
D: thai black bean soup, bbq seitan stir-fry, tea

Tuesday Jan 24:
B: egg whites w/spinach & pesto, tea
L: salad (romaine, salmon, pepper jack cheese, cucumber, italian dr), fresh mixed fruit (blackberries, blueberries), pistachios, green tea
D: 10 oz fresh juice (apple, lemon, carrot, kale), alfredo* pasta (dreamfields), black bean patty
  *I have been eating so "clean" the past 3 weeks...I became terribly ill after eating the alfredo and I think it was the fat content.  I also had a slight allergic reaction which makes me wonder about dairy.

Wednesday Jan 25:
B: egg whites, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, lemon, carrot, kale), tea
L: salad (greens, walnuts, bleu cheese*, apple, balsamic dressing), asian mushroom ginger soup, small piece chickpea bread, tea
  *once again, sick after eating dairy...I think my body is trying to tell me something!
D: grapes, pistachios, water

Thursday Jan 26:
B: egg whites w/spinach & pesto, 10 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, spinach, cucumber, lemon, lime), tea
L: salad (mixed greens, cucumber, lite honey mustard dressing), fresh fruit (strawberries, blred beanueberries), pistachios, green tea
D: bbq seitan & veggie stir-fry, red lentil & veggie soup, tea

Friday Jan 27:
B: egg whites w/spinach & pesto, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, cucumber, celery, spinach, lemon, lime), tea
L: carrots w/hummus, fresh fruit (blueberries, strawberries), pistachios, water
D: salad (mixed greens, walnuts, apple, bleu cheese, balsamic dressing), red bean soup

Saturday Jan 28:
B: egg whites w/spinach & pesto, 12 oz fresh juice (apple, carrot, cucumber, spinach, lemon, lime), tea
L: moosewood bean soup w/avocado
D: moosewood bean soup w/avocado, apple, pistachios

Ordered a New Juicer!

I am very sad today. My juicer "cracked" and broke yesterday when I was cleaning it. The grinder that fits onto the "thingy" that spins it with the basket cracked off. OMG. I thought I was going to cry. I am seriously addicted to my fresh juice now. ;) I called every store I could think of who sold a Breville around here & even 50 miles away! No one had it in stock. In fact, they are all sold out. Hmmm...that's weird. I can only guess that I am not the only one who watched "Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead". What an awesome documentary. I have had a Jack Lalanne juicer for years. I started seriously juicing a few years ago "before Jeff" and was getting into the whole health thing. Since we watched the documentary about a week and half ago, I have juiced every morning since then. I LOVE fresh juice.

This morning I had to endure Tropicana 50, which is supposed to have half the calories, half the carbs. It's been sitting in the fridge for 10 days since I started juicing. I wasn't crazy about it 10 days ago. I thought it tasted like watered down orange juice, you know, like that 50 meant it was 50% water. ;)  Today I tried to drink some, thinking oh well, atleast it's some kind of juice. OMG. Awful. Just awful! I swear after 10 days of drinking the "real" stuff, this tastes like a glass of sugar with orange flavoring. I could not believe how awful it was. WOW. Was I really drinking this 10 days ago thinking that it tasted like flavored water?

The new juicer I had rushed with one day day shipping so it should be here tomorrow when I get home from work. UGH. Another morning without my juice. I hope I can make it. One thing I know for sure. I'm having juice for dinner tomorrow night. :)

Meal Plans Jan 15-21

Sunday Jan 15:
B:  egg whites w/spinach, fresh blackberries, tea
L:  1 1/2 c. veggie chili
D: 3 oz. tilapia, 1 c. colcannon (LC Mashed Cauliflower + cabbage)

Monday Jan 16:
B: egg whites w/spinach, strawberries & blueberries, tea
L: 1 c. tomato soup, mixed fresh fruit (strawberries, blackberries, blueberries), 1 c. cabbage, pistachios
D: minestrone soup, tuna on salad (no dressing)

Tuesday Jan 17:
B: egg whites w/spinach, 8 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple), tea
L: 1 c. veggie chili, mixed fresh fruit (blackberries, blueberries, raspberries), pistachios, 1 oz cheese
D: salad (mixed greens, carrot, green pepper, Gardein chick'n, cucumber, sprinkle of cheese, italian dressing)

Wednesday Jan 18:
B: egg whites w/kale, 8 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple, lemon), tea
L: 1 c. veggie chili, strawberries, pistachios, 1 oz cheese
D: blackened tilapia, salad (greens, onion, cucmber, ranch), 1 c. tomato basil soup, "fried" pickles

Thursday Jan 19:
B: egg whites w/ spinach, 10 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple, lemon, lime, orange), tea
L: 1 c. cabbage, 1 c. colcannon (mashed cauliflower + cabbage), strawberries, pistachios, 1 oz cheese
D: BBQ seitan & veggie stirfry + 1/3 c. organic brown rice

Friday Jan 20:
B: egg whites w/spinach, 10 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple, lemon, lime, orange), tea
L: 1 c. cabbage, 1 c. colcannon (mashed cauliflower + cabbage), mixed fresh berries (blueberries, blackberries, raspberries), 1 oz cheese, pistachios
D: chinese buffet (string beans in garlic, shrimp, spring roll)

Saturday Jan 21:
B: egg whites w/pesto, 10 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple, lemon, lime, orange), tea
L: salad (greens, cucumber, cheese, red pepper), honey mustard dressing, 1/2 pear, pistachios
D: brussels sprouts, teriyaki seitan stir-fry

Sunday Jan 22:
B: Egg whites w/pesto, 10 oz fresh juice (kale, carrot, apple, lemon, lime, orange), tea
L: celery, hummus, 1 LC pita baked ("chips) + 1 c. veggie chili
D: grapes, pistachios

Lifestyle Changes

I'll be the first to admit that lifestyle changes are not easy. It really takes major commitment to change things that you've done day after day for 30, 40, or 50 years or more! When I first became a vegetarian, it was quite accidental. Yes, really. I had been sick on and off for most of my life but never made the connection to eating meat. By the time I was 30 I had so many digestive issues, I never considered animal products to be part of the problem. It was about 13 years ago, one December after Christmas, as I was trying to think of my New Year Resolution (always a new diet!) for the new year, that I stumbled upon vegetarianism. My heart immediately went out to the animals as I have always had a tender spot for animals. Like most people, I just never made the connection of the animals I loved to the animals on my plate. I laughed to myself and thought, "yeah, I could lose all this weight BEFORE I could ever become a vegetarian!" I was really praying for some health changes and wanted to become healthier and lose weight in the process too.

About three weeks into the new year, I realized that I was feeling much better and my stomach and digestive issues were so much improved it was amazing! I had been eating out of health food store for the last three weeks as I tried to improve my diet. 13 years ago there wasn't alot of natural or organic foods in places like Wal-mart. Still not alot today, but better than it was! I thought it must be the wheat I quit eating and had replaced it with rice and spelt products. I went back over my food journal I had been keeping to see what was missing from my diet that was possibly the answer to my digestive issues.  Image my surprise when I realized I had unconsciously eliminated meat from my diet! There wasn't any type of meat on those pages for the past three weeks! I was still praying for God to give me the strength and desire to make changes in my diet and lifestyle that would improve my health. It was at that moment I realized that God had a sense of humor. ;) I remembered oh so clearly how I had stated that I could easy lose all this weight before I ever became vegetarian. And here I was three weeks later and feeling better than I had felt in years.

It's funny how changes always come about in my life when I've really been praying and asking for guidance.  I'm not a religious person, but I think I am spiritual. I do believe in God and I do consider myself a christian. I don't announce it to the whole world or have personal taglines after my name on emails, facebook, etc declaring my christianity. I guess I believe people should see a difference in me as compared to non-believers and acknowledge that perhaps I am a spiritual person. God doesn't send angels with 3 trumpets blasts to announce changes he wants in my life, although once in awhile I'm so hard-headed I believe that would be easier for me than the stumbling around I do. For me it's always those quiet nudges that send me in the right direction. I really felt like this was one of those times. So I continued on and here I am 13 years later still a vegetarian.

Lately, I've felt another nudging. Perhaps a request to clean-up my eating habits and become healthier eating whole foods and juicing. I lived alot of those years eating vegan cookies and "natural" sodas. And I have the weight gain to prove it.  There are many vegetarians that are quite healthy and eat a bulk of produce and veggies. Sadly, there are many who do not eat that way and I have been one of those. And so now I feel like it's time to move on over to that direction and get this weight off for good. Lately I've been thinking that being diagnosed with diabetes has been the best thing in my life. It has forced me face the fact that I'm not going to live forever & if I don't straightened up my eating habits, death will be sooner and not later. I don't want a life full of health issues and dr visits.

Meal Plans Jan 8-14

Sunday Jan 8:
B: 3 eggs puffs (egg whites in "cup" of tofurky with cheese, baked in oven in muffin pan, recipe HERE)
L: 2 c. cream of cauliflower soup
D: LC pizza with vegetarian pepperoni & cheese

Monday Jan 9:
B: 1 c. cream of cauliflower soup
L: 2 c. cream of cauliflower soup, strawberries, 1/4 c. pistachios
D: salad (spinach, grilled shrimp, onion, almond slices, ranch)

Tuesday Jan 10:
B: 1 veggie burger patty, 2 MSF "soysage" patties, sprinkle of cheese
L: LC wrap (tofurky, swiss, ranch on flatout bread-net 6 carbs), 1/2 c. fresh fruit
D: salad (mixed greens, onion, cheese, ranch), "fried" pickles

Wednesday Jan 11:
B: 2 MSF "soysage" patties w/sprinkle of cheese, tea
L: 1 c. (dreamfields) pasta salad (cheese, olives, red pepper, italian dressing)
D: crab-stuffed tilapia, broccoli florets, salad (lettuce, cheese, onion, ranch)

Thursday Jan 12:
B: scrambled egg whites w/veggies & sprinkle of cheese, tea
L: tuna salad, 1/2 cucumber, strawberries
D: salad (mixed greens, onion, cheese, sunflower seeds, carrot, ranch), fresh fruit

Friday Jan 13:
B: scrambled egg whites with veggies, tea
L: salad (mixed greens, cheese, italian dressing, 1 pouch pink salmon), strawberries, celery w/alouette cheese spread
D: taco salad (mixed greens, cheese, salsa, sour cream, veggie burger crumbles with taco seasoning/ onion/pepper) 

Saturday Jan 14:
B: scrambled egg whites with spinach, tea
L: 1 c. veggie/lentil soup, 1 LC cheese quesadilla w/salsa & sour cream, cucumber
D: LC veg. pepperoni & veggie pizza

Recipe: Low-Sodium, Sugar-free TACO Seasoning

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon Chili Powder
2 teaspoons Onion Powder
1 teaspoon Ground Cumin
1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 teaspoon Paprika
1 teaspoon Ground Oregano

Directions:
Mix all ingredients together.

If you are cooking for someone on a low sodium diet or low carb diet, you can use this recipe instead of taco seasoning. This recipe is the equivelant to one package of taco seasoning (or 3 tablespoons.) Adjust the strength of any ingredient to your taste.

Recipe: Low Carb Angel Food Cake

http://www.thespec.com/living/food/article/651508--angel-food-cake-with-devilish-difference

J.M. Hirsch
Mon Jan 09 2012


"It seemed impossible. I wanted to make a zero-sugar, low-carb version of a cake that is made from almost nothing but sugar and carbs.

And it took just twenty-something attempts. But after many disappointing — and some downright disgusting — versions, I finally managed to bake an amazing and sweet angel food cake that rises beautifully and has the same delicate, almost spongy texture as traditional recipes.

My motivation was simple — Mom. A longtime vegan, she has lived without her (and my) favourite cake for decades. But she recently started eating egg whites again, which put angel food back on the table. Except she isn’t eating sugar and is trying to limit carbohydrates.

Angel food cake has three primary ingredients — egg whites, sugar and flour. Egg whites and sugar are whipped until they form a thick, airy batter, then flour is gently folded in. Could I make a cake with only one of the key ingredients?

From the start, structure was the challenge. Using egg whites and the natural sugar alternative known as stevia, I was able to bake up cakes with the proper taste. And they would rise beautifully in the oven. But as soon as they came out, they wilted into near puddles of cooked dough.

To get the structure I needed, I turned to two ingredients popular in gluten-free baking — guar gum and xanthan gum (available in health food stores). Most baked goods get their lift and structure by working the gluten (a type of protein) in wheat flour until it forms bonds that trap air. People who avoid gluten need to find a way around this, so they use other ingredients to replicate those bonds.

The cake still needed dry ingredients, and for that I turned to more egg whites. A blend of powdered egg whites and egg- or whey-based protein powder was a good start. A bit of almond flour completed the dry mix, giving the cake a bit of extra body.

This cake is easy to love because it is fast and simple to make, is delicious and is great for dieters. It makes a standard size angel food cake, but has just 133 calories, 3.5 grams of fat, 23 grams of protein and 2.75 grams of carbohydrates per quarter of the cake. That’s right. Per quarter of the cake.

A couple things to keep in mind:

• Traditional angel food cake is made from a very delicate batter. This is why the flour is gently folded into the whipped egg whites by hand. The batter in this version is much sturdier and easily stands up to using the mixer to add the dry ingredients at the end.

• Whey or egg white protein powders are widely available in the grocer’s natural foods or protein bar sections. Look for a brand that doesn’t contain sugar.

• Powdered egg whites are exactly what they sound like. They are sold in the baking aisle.

• The recipe was written to be gluten-free. If you aren’t avoiding gluten, it also can be made substituting 1/4 cup (60 mL) cake flour for the 1/4 cup (60 mL) almond flour called for.

• Want to make a chocolate version? Substitute 1/4 cup (60 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder for the 1/8 cup (25 mL) powdered egg whites called for.

• If you purchase packaged liquid egg whites at the grocer, be sure they are appropriate for whipping. Some brands will not whip; the cartons usually are marked to indicate this."

Low-Carb, Gluten-Free Angel Food Cake

12 egg whites, about 2 cups (500 mL) of liquid egg whites

1 tsp (5 mL) cream of tartar

1 tsp (5 mL) xanthan gum

1 tsp (5 mL) guar gum

1/4 tsp (1 mL) baking powder

8 packets stevia sweetener

1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla extract

1 tsp (5 mL) almond extract

1/4 cup (60 mL) vanilla egg OR whey-based protein powder (at health food stores)

1/4 cup (60 mL) almond flour

3 tbsp (45 mL) powdered egg whites (at health food stores)

Heat the oven to 350 F (180 C). Generously coat a large flute pan with cooking spray on the fluted centre and bottom only, but not on the outer sides of the pan.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine egg whites, cream of tartar, xanthan gum, guar gum, baking powder, stevia and both extracts.

Beat on low for 30 seconds, then increase mixer to high and beat until very stiff peaks form, about 4 minutes. The mixture will be airy, voluminous and quite thick.

Into a small bowl, sift together protein powder, almond flour and powdered egg whites. Sprinkle half of the dry ingredients over egg whites. Run mixer at medium for 5 seconds or just until dry ingredients are incorporated. Sprinkle remaining dry ingredients over egg whites and mix again just to incorporate.

Increase mixer speed to high and run for another 5 seconds.

Use a silicone spatula to scrape sides of bowl and gently fold mixture together once or twice. Transfer half of the mixture to the prepared pan, then use spatula to smooth top. Repeat with remaining mixture. Firmly tap pan on counter to help eliminate air bubbles.

Bake for 35 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and overturn the pan and cool upside down. When cool, to release the cake, run a paring knife along the outside of the pan.

Makes 8 servings.

Approximate nutrition per serving: 80 calories, 2 g fat, 14 g protein, 4 g carbohydrates, 1 g fibre

100 reasons to remind me why I want to lose weight...

1. To feel good about myself
2. To be able to stop worrying about my weight issues
3. So I won't think people are laughing or talking about me
4. To buy clothes in a normal store and actually get clothes with some style to them that fit correctly
5. To have more energy
6. To be able to tie shoes/paint toenails
7. To be able to sit on a floor and get up gracefully
8. To wear a bathing suit
9. To cross my legs or sit Indian style
10. To fit into an airline/theatre/bus/whatever seat without spilling over and without having to see "that look" from the person who has to sit beside me.
11. So my ankles won't swell
12. To fit into a booth at any restaurant
13. To not need an extension to a seat belt for my car OR on an airplane
14. To not worry about being decapitated in my car with my seat belts on if I should be in an accident
15. To not turn beet red after moderate exertion
16. To be able to pick something up off the floor
17. Panty Hose that fit (enough said!)
18. To go to an amusement park and ride the rides
19. To be able to sit in any chair without worry of breakage
20. To not have to apologize when caught in a narrow aisle and someone needs to get by
21. To go dancing, sky diving, bungee jumping....(ok, maybe not bungee jumping!)
22. To be able to go horseback riding or ride a bike
23. To not worry about rashes and sweating
24. To not have to listen to "caring" people ask why I don't diet or worse still... "gee you have such a pretty face"....MY PERSONAL PET PEEVE....
25. To not worry about spilling food, sauces or gravy down the front of my blouse/dress/shirt when eating
26. To not have to think up some excuse for not doing something because I know my weight will impede me
27. To not have my tummy hit the steering wheel and to be able to fit comfortably in the driver's seat WITH THE SEAT BELT ON (and no damn extension!)
28. To have a bra fit comfortably and to have pretty underwear and lingerie
29. To not have to worry about the weight limit of step stools, ladders, exercise equipment, horses, rides etc.
30. To not get stuck in a turn style
31. To not wake up feeling achy in the back..or to have ache-free legs and feet
32. So the bathroom scale won't creak and groan when I step on it
33. To be able to leave the tablecloth on the table at a restaurant ...instead of dragging it with me as I get up
34. So I won't look the other way when I see myself in a monitor where they have security cameras
35. To never be embarrassed about my size
36. To not count tying shoes as daily exercise
37. To not have to wait for the handicap stall when there are plenty of other stalls available in a public bathroom
38. To not be more out of shape than seniors or those on oxygen
39. To not break toilet seat when leaning to one side (yeah! it's happened!)
40. To be able to put on wedding rings that don't cut into my fingers
41. To try to make a double chin and fail!
42. Buy clothing bargains..to fit the next year and they do!
43. Not to have to worry about plastic zippers or having zippers break
44. Normal waistbands rather than elastic OR real pants, not stretchy ones
45. To wear knee socks correctly instead of worn like slouches
46. To look good in a tee shirt
47. To try on slacks or jeans and have the pant leg actually fit over leg
48. To be able to get close to sink and not come away with a wet front
49. To get out of a stuffed chair GRACEFULLY and not look down to see if the chair has come up with me
50. To not worry if the hairdresser's smock will fit, not be afraid to ask which hairstyle suits my face, and actually be able to sit in the stylist chair!
51. To not be self-conscious about eating in front of others
52. To be able to buy a sexy pair of boots that zip over my calf
52. To not have people checking me out after looking in my grocery cart
53. To be able to have more than one sexual position
54. To have my friends NOT be embarrassed to be seen with me
55. To get promotions/hired or close that sale
56. Pants that stay up because my waist is smaller than my behind
57. Average sized chest and hips
58. Wearing shorts or tank tops without fear of being too revealing
59. To not have the fear of being rejected
60. To successfully flirt and not have to be the life of the party to make up for not feeling good about how I look
61. To not worry about how to get in and out of the back seat in a two door car, or bucket seats in the front
62. One size fits all and it fits me
63. To have a lap
64. To not have the car I ride in slant in my direction.
65. To be able to use toilet paper as it was meant to be used and not to have to invent ways to "get the job done"
66. To not have to watch TV news reports on fat people knowing that I could easily be one of the people photographed
67. To be able to get between cars in a parking lot without wiping the dust off my front and back
68. No more heat rashes and chafing in the upper thighs
69. So that the cloth in the thigh area doesn't wear away long before the rest of the slacks do!
70. To meet a friend online and not be horrified to have to send a picture of myself
71. To not take fat references and fat jokes personally
72. To know I can go anywhere because wherever I sit I CAN be comfortable and look at ease.
73. To shop at the mall and not have my back ache from lugging my own extra weight around after just a few minutes
74. To be able to stand still, carrying nothing and still look poised
75. To be able to cross my arms across my chest without them resting on my stomach
76. To have my feet get smaller and wear pretty shoes
77. Using my mouth to taste and chew food rather than as just a route to get the food inside
78. Blood pressure and blood sugars returns to normal
79. To avoid other health complications from being overweight
80. To be able to borrow a co-worker's jacket for an important impromptu meeting
81. To meet someone for the first time and their eyes don't pop out of their head with amazement...because I'm so fat
82. To see my reflection in a mirror or store window without turning away
83. To wear a watch with a regular length watch band
84. To look in the mirror when getting your hair cut without thinking I have the biggest face in the world
85. To not mind getting my picture taken
86. To not avoid going to the doctor because I have to get "weighed" in
87. To wake up each morning feeling energized and ready to go
88. To not even worry about squeezing into small spaces
89. To not have to enter an elevator and check the weight limit
90. To look in my closet and have problems deciding which stylish outfit to work since I have so many that look good and fit well
91. To not have to lie perfectly still in bed at night for fear of breaking the bed
92. To buy tie shoes instead of slip on's
93. To be able to walk any distance without looking for a bench to sit on
94. To look forward to shopping and just trying on clothes
95. To be able to drive by any fast food place without it taking over my thoughts
96. To be able to shop at the same store for food instead of having to remember where I shopped last night for the junk food so I can avoid that store for a few days
97. To not feel lower than low when an innocent child remarks about my size
98. To not constantly be thinking of where my next morsel of food is coming from
99. To talk about maintenance when I reach my goal and to encourage others on!

And the 100th reason to lose weight is.......................I'M WORTH IT!