GO PENS!
Ok, with that out of the way, I'm hoping to be able to write/edit/post this entry before the third period of the game starts. The game is tied now and I don't know how I'm going to sit here through 20 more minutes of anxiety... I guess the fact that they are showing this game on a channel I actually have (finally) is a double-edged sword in that way.
This morning, I got up, went to the health food store and then the grocery store. I bought raw sunflower seeds and almonds along with some juices and frozen organic berries at my first stop; cherries and the makings for a salsa verde (recipe below) at my second.
Today was much better overall. I didn't feel any more hungry than normal, the result of having some fat in my food I believe. I did have a cup of decaf green tea this afternoon when I felt like I was getting a headache. The 2 mg. of caffeine seemed to do the trick because I felt fine after that. I snacked on watermelon and all the other fruits and veggies from yesterday along with some salsa and a smoothie made with a banana, half a bag of the frozen mixed berries and a splash of juice. It was delish.
I worked in my garden for a bit but found that I got tired pretty easily. Also, the discovery of a snake in my compost pile made me ready to stop almost immediately. After some research, I’m pretty sure he’s (I've named him Sunny, since he’s kind of yellowish) not poisonous. I’m thinking he’s a worm snake but won’t be attempting to get much closer of a look. Definitely makes me realize that it’s time to put my compost into the tumbler and get rid of snake habitats in my yard (outside of the huge patches of ivy, which I’m happy to share).
Tomorrow, I'll be getting ready to start the work week. Monday night is dinner out with the girls and a viewing of Sex and the City. So, I'm pretty sure I'll be eating some cooked stuff then; but I'm going to try to stick with veggies and no processed anything (read: no bread, pasta or desserts made with sugar... hmmm). Guess every change comes with some challenges/adjustments in the beginning.
Salsa Verde
1 lime
1 avocado
1 large shallot or a small onion
6-8 tomatillos
2-3 hot peppers
Cilantro (optional)
Salt
Cut and juice the lime into a large bowl.
Cut the avocado and toss with the lime juice.
Mince the shallot or onion.
Peel and chop the tomatillos.
De-seed and dice the peppers.
Roughly chop the cilantro.
Throw everything into the bowl, toss, and add salt to taste.
Enjoy with extra crispy tortilla chips.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Day One
I'm tired... and a bit hungry. But, I guess that is to be expected.
Today was full of strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, carrots. It was nice eating all that fresh produce but I did have an empty feeling in my stomach for most of the day.
Tomorrow, I definitely need to go buy a few more things at the grocery store. I want to find some raw almonds or other nuts and some avocados. I need some fat and protein to make me feel a bit fuller after I eat. I'm also planning on cutting into the watermelon I bought last night: my first of the season.
Depending on the amount of energy I have, I'm hoping to get some of my vegetable plants into the ground. It shouldn't take too long; I just want to make sure to put down some garden fabric first so I don't have to spend so much time fighting the weeds, etc.
Not much more to say tonight; maybe tomorrow will be more eventful (I'm thinking caffeine withdrawal symptoms will kick in full force by afternoon). I did see yet another reason why I should be doing this all, trying to take more care with what goes into my body: the scale. I've been avoiding it for a couple weeks and this morning I weighed: yeah right, like I'm going to say that here. I will say that this morning's weight will be considered 100% and I'm going to keep track of how that changes as I cut out all the junk in my diet.
Here's hoping for the best as the summer continues.
Today was full of strawberries, tomatoes, peppers, bananas, carrots. It was nice eating all that fresh produce but I did have an empty feeling in my stomach for most of the day.
Tomorrow, I definitely need to go buy a few more things at the grocery store. I want to find some raw almonds or other nuts and some avocados. I need some fat and protein to make me feel a bit fuller after I eat. I'm also planning on cutting into the watermelon I bought last night: my first of the season.
Depending on the amount of energy I have, I'm hoping to get some of my vegetable plants into the ground. It shouldn't take too long; I just want to make sure to put down some garden fabric first so I don't have to spend so much time fighting the weeds, etc.
Not much more to say tonight; maybe tomorrow will be more eventful (I'm thinking caffeine withdrawal symptoms will kick in full force by afternoon). I did see yet another reason why I should be doing this all, trying to take more care with what goes into my body: the scale. I've been avoiding it for a couple weeks and this morning I weighed: yeah right, like I'm going to say that here. I will say that this morning's weight will be considered 100% and I'm going to keep track of how that changes as I cut out all the junk in my diet.
Here's hoping for the best as the summer continues.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
The Last Few Days
Today, while in the grocery store at lunchtime, I thought and thought and finally came up with what I would consider to be one of the most processed foods in the world: Easy Cheese. I then proceeded to the cracker aisle, picked up some Wheat Thins and a can of that glorious, orange, non-refrigerated, cheesy substance. Now, why would I be buying this stuff after listing off the kinds of foods I want to be eating this summer in my last post?
Well, starting this Friday, I'm hoping to start an all veggie and fruit detox for a few days. I want to eat only raw stuff for about 4 days, slowly add back cooked produce and then start with my goal of no processed foods for the rest of the summer. I figure that this will give my body a head-start on cleaning out all the toxins, etc. that are in my system.
Next week, I will get my first crate of organic produce from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) I bought a share from. For anyone who has never heard of a CSA, below are a brief description and my own personal experience with one in my area.
A CSA represents a model of farming which produces (usually organic) food items for a set of customers who buy a “share” of the farms output. The share is usually purchased prior to the beginning of the season with a deposit and a couple more payments are made throughout the summer. This buys the customer a portion of what is grown and harvested. It does not represent a set number of pounds or pieces of fruit, etc.; it is only a promise of a portion of what actually grows that year. In this way, some of the risk normally faced by the farmer is passed onto the customer. In return, the customer receives high quality items, usually picked within a day of receipt.
I have joined the same CSA once prior to this year and it was a wonderful experience. I got to try some new items and enjoy some of the best produce I’ve ever tasted. This CSA also provides recipes in their weekly newsletter, which really helps with the items I don’t know how to prepare. They also partner up with several farms to provide chicken, coffee, beef and cheeses at additional costs.
A good place to start, if you would like to learn more about CSA’s, is the Dept of Agriculture’s website: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml. They have several links to databases where you can search for a farm in your area.
Earlier this evening, I planted some strawberries in my backyard, after pulling out the ivy covering that area. And, now, I will dream of my weekly produce deliveries and enjoy my last can (ever?) of Easy Cheese.
Well, starting this Friday, I'm hoping to start an all veggie and fruit detox for a few days. I want to eat only raw stuff for about 4 days, slowly add back cooked produce and then start with my goal of no processed foods for the rest of the summer. I figure that this will give my body a head-start on cleaning out all the toxins, etc. that are in my system.
Next week, I will get my first crate of organic produce from the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) I bought a share from. For anyone who has never heard of a CSA, below are a brief description and my own personal experience with one in my area.
A CSA represents a model of farming which produces (usually organic) food items for a set of customers who buy a “share” of the farms output. The share is usually purchased prior to the beginning of the season with a deposit and a couple more payments are made throughout the summer. This buys the customer a portion of what is grown and harvested. It does not represent a set number of pounds or pieces of fruit, etc.; it is only a promise of a portion of what actually grows that year. In this way, some of the risk normally faced by the farmer is passed onto the customer. In return, the customer receives high quality items, usually picked within a day of receipt.
I have joined the same CSA once prior to this year and it was a wonderful experience. I got to try some new items and enjoy some of the best produce I’ve ever tasted. This CSA also provides recipes in their weekly newsletter, which really helps with the items I don’t know how to prepare. They also partner up with several farms to provide chicken, coffee, beef and cheeses at additional costs.
A good place to start, if you would like to learn more about CSA’s, is the Dept of Agriculture’s website: http://www.nal.usda.gov/afsic/pubs/csa/csa.shtml. They have several links to databases where you can search for a farm in your area.
Earlier this evening, I planted some strawberries in my backyard, after pulling out the ivy covering that area. And, now, I will dream of my weekly produce deliveries and enjoy my last can (ever?) of Easy Cheese.
Thursday, May 15, 2008
A New Farmers' Market
This afternoon was the first Farmers' Market of the 2008 season and the first one that I know of in Greentree since I've lived in Pittsburgh. Ah, the fresh flowers, fruit, herbs, bread, jams, even some greenhouse tomatoes and cucumbers.
Also, for the first time since I can remember (maybe 20 years or more), I ate rhubarb and loved it. When I was little, someone in my family had a patch in their yard. I can't remember for the life of me who it was; but, I do remember picking the long stems and biting off some of the extra tart, crunchy stem and pulling off pieces of the stringy peel. I would eat stem after stem.
As I got older, the taste lost its charm. It was too much some how. But, I bought a bunch on the way home tonight, after recently reading about how to make rhubarb compote. While my Cajun blackened cod was broiling, I sliced the rhubarb. I tried a tiny piece and remembered why I stopped eating it years ago. But, I figured I should go through with the compote. I dumped the slices into a pan, squeezed in the juice from the lemon I already cut for my cod, sprinkled in some sugar and topped it off with three pats of butter. Then, I watched as the rhubarb became mushy and gave off its own syrup. I tasted it... and, wow, I now understand why some people are so in love with this vegetable. The compote is tart and sweet and something I can't even describe. I can't wait to spoon it over some Greek yogurt for dessert.
This shopping and cooking adventure has gotten me into a more optimistic mind set. I can't wait for the veggies from the CSA I joined to start being delivered. I can't wait to see what else shows up at the Farmers' Market. I can't wait to see if the wild turkey, rabbits and deer will leave me any tomatoes this summer.
I am planning on starting an experiment this summer, not that it’s really much of an experiment since it’s already been done countless times over the years. I want to eat only real food for the whole summer. By real, I mean stuff that is naturally occurring (not manmade or man-altered). Things that grow out of the ground or were alive at some time would all fit.
I’m curious about several things that pertain to this:
- will it cost much more to eat only un-refined, organic and local (or as much of these as I can find and buy in my area)
- will I feel very different physically, emotionally or in any other way when the processed stuff is taken out of my diet
- will it be harder or less convenient to eat this way
- how many things do I eat that are full of fake, non-food, manmade substances.
I want to keep track of how things go, the recipes I try, the things I like and the things I don’t. That’s why I’m starting this blog. Maybe this will lead to a lifelong change for me… Only time will tell.
Also, for the first time since I can remember (maybe 20 years or more), I ate rhubarb and loved it. When I was little, someone in my family had a patch in their yard. I can't remember for the life of me who it was; but, I do remember picking the long stems and biting off some of the extra tart, crunchy stem and pulling off pieces of the stringy peel. I would eat stem after stem.
As I got older, the taste lost its charm. It was too much some how. But, I bought a bunch on the way home tonight, after recently reading about how to make rhubarb compote. While my Cajun blackened cod was broiling, I sliced the rhubarb. I tried a tiny piece and remembered why I stopped eating it years ago. But, I figured I should go through with the compote. I dumped the slices into a pan, squeezed in the juice from the lemon I already cut for my cod, sprinkled in some sugar and topped it off with three pats of butter. Then, I watched as the rhubarb became mushy and gave off its own syrup. I tasted it... and, wow, I now understand why some people are so in love with this vegetable. The compote is tart and sweet and something I can't even describe. I can't wait to spoon it over some Greek yogurt for dessert.
This shopping and cooking adventure has gotten me into a more optimistic mind set. I can't wait for the veggies from the CSA I joined to start being delivered. I can't wait to see what else shows up at the Farmers' Market. I can't wait to see if the wild turkey, rabbits and deer will leave me any tomatoes this summer.
I am planning on starting an experiment this summer, not that it’s really much of an experiment since it’s already been done countless times over the years. I want to eat only real food for the whole summer. By real, I mean stuff that is naturally occurring (not manmade or man-altered). Things that grow out of the ground or were alive at some time would all fit.
I’m curious about several things that pertain to this:
- will it cost much more to eat only un-refined, organic and local (or as much of these as I can find and buy in my area)
- will I feel very different physically, emotionally or in any other way when the processed stuff is taken out of my diet
- will it be harder or less convenient to eat this way
- how many things do I eat that are full of fake, non-food, manmade substances.
I want to keep track of how things go, the recipes I try, the things I like and the things I don’t. That’s why I’m starting this blog. Maybe this will lead to a lifelong change for me… Only time will tell.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)