Day 41

If you will notice, this is a horrible picture. I quickly took it not thinking I would really use it. But, I am going to be honest. This is what I ate tonight. I will lead you through the thought process that caused this culinary event. As I mentioned yesterday, I went to a family party. It was lots of fun, and enjoyable to visit with everyone. As we sat outside and talked, my blog and my new way of eating came up in conversation. Midway through the conversation with my brother, there was barely an innuendo that I may not be eating enough protein. Well, that was all I needed to start obsessing about it.  Today, I was weak, hungry and a little frightened that I may not be eating enough protein. Now, keep in mind, I have been doing this for 40 days, and feeling great. Still, that little whisper in my head kept telling me I may be doing something unhealthy. That was all I needed tonight to say, "forget the salad, let's order take out!"

I ordered a classic chicken burrito from Poquito Mas, (I know, I could have just added chicken to my salad)  and I felt like I was in heaven! I added a small amount of salad from Tony's order, and I felt totally satisfied. I won't be as excited as I usually am to get up in the morning, but going to sleep on a full stomach for a change will be worth it.

Day 40

I'm pretty tired tonight. It could be for several reasons. 1) I went out last night and got home much later than usual. 2) I went to a birthday party for my cute great nephew, Leo, and there were lots of kids in costume running around. (a couple without) 3) I ate watermelon for breakfast, Swiss chard soup (G-BOMBS) for lunch, and 3 grapes for a snack. By dinner time I was quite hungry and a little weak. Thank goodness my neighborhood Whole Foods store saved the day. I stopped by and made a large multi-veggie salad. I sprinkled a few seeds on it. When I got home I ate it accompanied by a large glass of water. I was too lazy to make my delicious oil-free dressing so I sprinkled balsamic instead and it was really a little boring. I may have to treat myself to something a little heartier tomorrow.

 

Day 39

 I had every intention of being the dutiful daughter to my 90 year mother. My sister, who lives with my Mom is in New York visiting her daughter. Mom loves to go out, so I was planning to be her escort for the evening. Unfortunately, the battery in my car died. After work, I had to call AAA and get a jump start. By the way, they are great and worth every penny. Anyhow, I got my car home, but I still need a new battery. All of that is besides the point. Long story short: I had no car, my husband is out of town, and my daughter got home relatively early. Anne had plans to go out, and she asked me to go with her. We went to Hollywood to listen to Anne's friend sing an amazing repertoire of songs. Taylor Greenwood will definitely be famous one day. We arrived a little early and walked  a few blocks to Mousso Franks. I looked at the menu, I was starving, and I couldn't imagine eating a salad without dressing. So, instead I chose the lobster cocktail appetizer. It felt like a splurge, but calorie wise it wasn't! I didn't have many nutrients, but I didn't have many calories either.   And...I didn't feel at all deprived.

Day 38

G-BOMBS are Dr. Fuhrman's secret weapons! Well, not so secret. They are Greens, beans, onions, mushrooms, berries, and seeds. These 6 items are super foods that strengthen our immune system and help fight disease. We should have some every day! They not only lower the risk of illness, but they also aid in weight loss. I actually thought I'd be creative today and use all of these ingredients in a soup. I chopped everything, added garlic and basil and slow cooked them in vegetable broth. It wasn't the most aesthetically pleasing soup but it was filling and it didn't taste half bad. However, I recommend finding ways to incorporate them into your daily eating plan separately.

Day 37

I know I've mentioned my love of watermelon before, but I think it actually deserves it's own post. I have always been someone who eats breakfast. When I think of all of my favorite breakfasts that I have eaten throughout the years, it's no wonder I have a weight problem. When I was young, I loved the "strawberry international" from the International House of Pancakes. In high school, Norm's steak and eggs were often on my plate. I also  have fond memories of Sunday mornings when my Dad would drive to Canters and bring home a feast of lox, bagels and cream cheese. He would also buy chocolate chip rolls for dessert. After I married, cereal or eggs became my "go to", except the three times that I was pregnant. Then, I would eat doughnuts almost everyday because I figured I was going to be fat anyway, why not enjoy it? Well, my eating habits did improve as I aged, but quite honestly, I still yearned for something warm and starchy in the morning. A croissant or English muffin usually did the trick. However, since I started "eating to live" I enjoy watermelon sprinkled with flax seeds almost every morning. I don't get tired of it. The little seedless personal melons are so easy to cut up and so naturally sweet, I look forward to getting up every morning. Granted, a bagel with lox still sounds tempting, but I would never be satisfied with only one.  And that, my friends, is the difference between an overweight person, and a person that does not have a problem with food.

Day 36

I was pleasantly surprised today. I discovered that my son loves pomegranates. I never knew this about him. Why? I've only bought them once or twice in my life. I love them when my sister puts them in her salad at Christmas, but I have never considered them worth the trouble to seed them myself. Recently, I have been trying to eat as many different vegetables and fruits as I can. I have gone out of my way to try and buy new produce. I watched a cooking show the other day that featured an easy trick to seed pomegranates without getting the juice everywhere. You core the fruit and submerge it in water. Then you pull it apart with your hands and all of the seeds fall to the bottom. You strain them and you are done. Brilliant! I seeded one fruit and sprinkled the beautiful little red seeds in my salad last night. They were sweet, crunchy and a perfect new addition to my Nutritarian dinner!

Day 35

In the past, when I had been counting points, drinking shakes or eating Wasa to lose weight, I would still dread Monday mornings. Inevitably I would have "failed" over the weekend. I no longer feel this way as a Nutritarian. Since I started this  program on a Tuesday, I have been using Monday as the day when I summarize how I am doing and how I feel. It has been 5 weeks today, and I feel great. I definitely can say with confidence that I feel a difference. Although my digital scale fluctuates, I know I have lost weight. It's quite hard to believe that I am entering my last week of the 6 week plan. I know many of you have been wondering what happens after the 6 weeks are finished. Well, the lifestyle continues but it will be a little less strict. I think the idea is to get accustomed to feeling good, and to have created healthy habits that will continue. I will have finished the 6 weeks without eating one piece of red meat. This is a huge accomplishment for me. I pretty much stayed away from all animal products. (twice a little chopped chicken, once a piece of shrimp, and once lobster bisque) I was so used to eating eggs prior to this diet and for the last 5 weeks I haven't eaten one!  Moving on to the "life plan" permits animal products if I really want them. Still, 90% of my diet should remain plant based.  I'm not sure yet how I will be handling the program after day 42. But, I must admit, with only one week left I'm pretty confident I will finish the 6 week plan successfully!