Discussion Board

I'm starting a new journal and letting my training journal sleep for a while. That "training" word in my last journal puts a bit of pressure on me I'd rather not have at the moment.

Decided to record my every eatings:

B ~ 1/2 can chickpeas with a little garlic salt
L ~ 1 Russet potato with honey and nutritional yeast on it, 1 cup of Dr. McDougall's split pea soup, and some more of the chickpeas.
snack ~ Trident gum which has xylitol which helps clean your teeth (have orthodontic issues at the moment)
D ~ probably a can of Eden beans and rice or... something else I come up with.

I've been running again here and there but my endurance is no longer what it was. But at least I'm getting out. I'm going to try to get it done each morning or in the evening. Last night I went out jogging/running/walking and it was cool. The wind had finally died down and I didn't have a full stomach, any cramps, etc. The only thing was I got tired and walked a lot of it. It'll be nice when I can keep going the whole way. I was even able to go faster in spurts too. Appreciated my Champion shoes last night. Hopefully, in time, my running will keep improving.

I'm sick of this cold weather and ready to swim ( ) when the sun comes out. Still have the 10 swim tickets to use but no sun to go with them.

I've been without a car for a while since mine's in the shop and getting pummeled by the wind around here has me seriously thinking of relocating south.

Oh! I also bought what must've been the cheapest treadmill on the planet. They might still have some at overstock.com. It's manual, which means it must be at a slope for it to work well, and you adjust the tension with a little tiny screw thingy. It's not super loud but it's loud enough that I can't use it when I most want ~ late at night or early in the morning when it's cold out. Don't want to wake my roommate. But anyway, I still love it. It's Sunny brand, in case you're interested. I've rigged a thick scarf on the handles so I can put my Kindle in it and read as I walk. Awesome! I was debating joining a gym again but decided not to for the moment since most of the gyms feel far away to me now that I'm living and working in the same neighborhood. It was different when I used to work downtown and take the express bus each morning to get to work. That worked well, but it feels like I have to go too much out of my way now. Anyway. I'll have to do more research, see what's out there..

I joined a gym today, Club One. They're the closest gym with swimming and have the best hours and most reasonable rates. YMCA is a little cheaper but they're much farther away. The Club One pool is also warm and unlike the YMCA pool, there are no windows with which to encourage zealous staff to open and let in cold, windy air.

For dinner tonight I had vegetable ravioli (not that great, too plain) with salsa (I tried) and a tofurky dog (mistake) with whole wheat roll (ketchup and mustard) and almond milk to wash it down. Not McDougall-true but I'm finishing up some of the "bad stuff" to get rid of it. I have 2 more tofurkey dogs left. I had thought freezing them might help me but now I don't think so. They only take a minute to cook in the microwave when frozen. Better to not have bought them in the first place. Emotional eating.

Let's get back to the positive news. Yes, I joined a gym. I'm excited about it. The Rossi pool tickets I bought ages ago just don't get used because of their stupid lap swim times or the crappy weather. Now I've solved that problem. Even when I don't feel like running it's likely I'll feel like swimming and swimming/running keeps me in "healthy mode" as I call it. I think exercise helps me be a strict McDougaller.

Club One is about what I was paying for YMCA back when I belonged to them except I don't get a locker and Club One is much, much closer. YMCA is clear across town and only worked so well for me because I used to take the Express bus in the morning downtown for work. Now I work almost in my own neighborhood so going all the way downtown seems too far.

That's about all she wrote at this point. Have a smurf.

All right. Decided to trash the veggie dogs. Everything else I have is McDougall-legal and acceptable. I don't want the veggie dogs hanging over my head, tempting me or causing me to be less than I could be as a good McDougaller. I'll donate the whole wheat rolls to my roommates. (Plan to be more MWL than regular McDougaller.)

Go Carroveggie go!!!!!!!!!!
f1jim

Thanks!

This morning I woke early so I went out for a run but didn't have the best energy. I kept slowing down to smell the roses so to speak. I ended up taking a really long walk with breaks of jogging in between. Oh well. One must build up one's endurance. Also, I'm out of shape now. When I'm lighter and more fit doing my usual run (down to 6th and back) will be a lot easier and more enjoyable. That's why I'm glad I joined the gym. Swimming is a fun way for me to get in shape. The Club One pool is pretty warm, I tested it.

B ~ I had Dr. McDougall's Miso soup (with noodles). My coworker had broth envy. I'm also having green tea.

So my goal is to be McDougall compliant, and try to lean toward the MWL side, but obviously convenience trumps MWL sometimes.

For lunch I'm having either a nuked potato with honey and nutritional yeast or a can of Eden's cajun rice and beans or a little of both.

Not sure what's for dinner, but I have plans to go to the gym anyways. I want to swim tonight.

These are sweet and savory mashed potatoes that I just invented at lunch.

You too can enjoy this delicious, healthy meal:

1 Russet potato
honey
nutritional yeast

I peeled and sliced the potato and microwaved it for 5 minutes in a small casserole.

Drizzle honey on the slices, mix them up, and then drizzle more honey.

Sprinkle generous helpings of nutritional yeast.

Use your fork to mash the potato and then a spoon to eat them.

Delicious!

Turns out I don't like the Eden's cajun rice and beans. Most of that went back into the fridge... where I found 2 apples I forgot about.

So lunch is my yellow mashed potato invention, the little bit rest of chickpeas from yesterday, a couple bites of the rice and beans, and an apple.

I'm reading other people's journals right now.

I love the spirit of exercise! Let the spirit flow. Spring is in the air here finally.

(Not to put pressure on you or anything) That treadmill sounds great. I wish I had gotten mine fixed since I had no excuse not to walk when I had it. I hope the swimming is wonderful too!

Thank you Starchbeet!

Yes I went swimming but not for that long. I told myself to do 20 laps but whatever I did was not 20. However, I did get exercise without over-pushing myself. Then I visited the jacuzzi.

After I showered I checked out the treadmill/stationary bike/etc. room and jogged a little on the treadmill. But I get bored too easily just staying in one place (at least there I do, at home I have my Kindle to read) so I tried a stationary bike. I adjusted the seat too close and then it wouldn't adjust back out so that was it. Walked and bused home, the whole time thinking about dinner; I wanted brussel sprouts.

Well brussel sprouts were not going to happen, unless I wanted bacon with my brussel sprouts because that was my only choice at Fresh N Easy. Instead I picked up 2 bags of greens; 1 of a mix of collard greens, kale, turnip greens, and mustard greens; and 1 of rainbow chard. I just finished a nice bowl of combo greens - all mixed together, just cooked 'em in a bit of water and then added a little lemon juice and Herbamare. Cheap and really good. I want more but I have a McDougall soup cup (vegan chicken ramen) waiting and eh, I'm too lazy to cook 'em. Imagine if cooking greens required actual work.

On the schedule/menu tomorrow:

Wake early, try the regular jog down to 6th again; cook some mix greens to take to work, McDougall cup, can of something; basically more of the same.

I used to cook more than I do now but I have a lot of stock to get through. So nothing too exciting for a while, just quick, cheap, easy convenience McDougalling here.

I had some more mashed yellow potato to finish up dinner.

I watched the new testimonials on the star mcdougallers page so I'm going to send the link to my parents. My mom has Type 1 and doesn't believe me enough to change her diet much at all. But maybe this will have some influence!

Woke up super early so I went to the gym which opens at 5:30am. I swam a little and did a little treadmill, and some other contraptions. Then I went into the spinning room and spun which I liked because I was alone and really broke a sweat in there. So I got a little workout in.

B ~ split pea soup cup
L ~ yellow mashed potatoes & greens cup
D ~ not sure yet

I got busy and slacked off on journaling. So I'll start again today:

B ~ Dr. McDougall's Chinese Noodle Soup cup
L ~ will be potato and McDougall split pea soup cup
D ~ not sure but probably something I already have at home since my cupboards are full!

Exercise: This morning I slept in since I stayed up late reading last night. Tonight I'm going to see Hunger Games late and tomorrow I have a screenwriting workshop for most of the day, so if I go to the gym it'll be Saturday evening.

I wonder what my numbers are. I've had to take time off work for the orthodontist/oral surgeons a lot so I haven't wanted to visit a doctor and get my numbers done. I know that would motivate me but at the same time I want to be satisfied with the numbers once I finally learn them. So I think I will wait some and try to stick like glue to McDougalling so whenever I do get them done I can be proud.

I've been hanging around the website a lot, lurking, and reading journals. Lots of good ones out there. It keeps me motivated. I know some McDougallers in the area but of my personal friends, activities, work environment, etc. I am the only one I know who eats this way. I think the better I am at McDougalling the more my words will have an impact when I tell others about it.

I think I'll just plan a swimming session for Saturday evening. The gym can't be that packed on a Saturday night. It's certainly crowded in the evenings after work. Not too bad, but it was much calmer the time I went so early in the morning. Maybe I can make a habit of that. Have to do it 21 times in a row and then I'm good.

My boss's boss, we'll call him Mr. Spaghetti (rhymes with his real name), is a really nice guy who always brings me and the other admin a pastry when he visits. Which I think is a really nice gesture but I've been secretly giving it to coworker admin (who is all for it) and haven't had any of them. (Er, there was one... one I had part of a while ago.. ..a long while ago.. a very small part of..)

So these pastries sit on my desk so I have to put up with an apple turnover looking at me until Mr. Spaghetti is out of sight and coworker finishes his pastry and has room for another one.

I think it's time I very clearly told Mr. Spaghetti that I won't eat any more pastries, that I'm on a special diet, and if he wants to get anything, fruit will be OK. He doesn't seem to get my hints. I don't want it to be like I'm ordering fruit from him but he brings the pastries each time he visits like clockwork. I really don't want him to bring me anything actually because I bring my own breakfast that's tasty and healthy.

Anyway. Breakfast now includes a split pea soup cup. I had to counteract the effects of the apple turnover.

Woke up pretty early so I tried running but it's raining out and I decided I need to get my endurance up using a treadmill. I'll go to the gym this evening perhaps to do some testing and see where I'm at. A long time ago, when I first started running, I just started with the treadmill at the YMCA because I went in little 1 minute increments until I got hold of the couch-to-5K program which I highly recommend. Just don't want to do it over again, but build up my endurance with the treadmill and then by adding a block each time I go out.

Well this morning, you can blame the rain (or maybe I do), but I only jogged 2 long blocks! That was it! My, how things change. But I am determined to get better and we'll see how I do "just starting out again" using the treadmill.

I'd use my own but it's 5 in the morning or something and I don't want to be too loud. The treadmill makes a bit of noise. My room shares a wall with my roommate so I don't want to wake him.

I'm going to a screenwriting workshop today which I'm excited about. It'll take up most of the day. I'm going to bring 2 McDougall cups and a cooked potato with a little garlic salt on it. That should tide me over. I'm sure I can get hot water somewhere. Well, let's hope I can!

I've taken quite a liking to those McDougall cups. They're super convenient for me, they're healthy, and here are the ones I like (no particular order):

Miso Noodle Soup
Split Pea Soup
Chinese Noodle Soup
Pad Thai Soup

Very occasionally I like the Tamale Soup and the Vegan Chicken Noodle Soup, and the Black Bean and Lime cup.

Maybe I should plan out dinner. I'll look at some recipes maybe.

Now I'm going to get showered, dressed, and do some chores. Maybe learn a little French.

Have a good day

I watched the Carnism presentation which is on the front page of this website. It's called Carnism: The Psychology of Eating Meat by Melanie Joy, Ph.D. (in case it's not on this website you should be able to find it on youtube).

I want to re-commit to veganism in all facets of my life now. Vegan shoes, no leather, no cheese "once in a while", and be honest and clear about where I stand with others.

When I first found this website and learned about the health advantages of McDougalling, I changed my diet soon after because I wanted to be vegan for the animals. I was just ignorant and held all the myths people have including protein, calcium, etc. ~ without being really conscious of it. I had that gap Dr. Joy describes that I think everyone (pre-McDougalling) has.

I always felt I was an "animal" person, someone who loved cats and had even saved some stray animals before (including taking care of three blind baby mice) so learning the truth about the vegan diet (that it fulfills all your nutrients easily and that it's easy and enjoyable) was the impetus I needed to change my diet.

Watching this presentation this morning re-inspired me because honestly since I first changed on my 28th birthday until now I have not been a good, 100% committed role model for those around me that I want to be.

Here are my thoughts...

~ Eating: 100% no oil whole plant food vegan
~ make all my own meals ahead of time
~ learn more recipes
~ when I do eat out, eat McDougall, not just vegan
~ pass on dairy (in the past I have had it on occasion)
~ pass on treats, cakes, etc. (in the past I have had a small portion to blend in for instance on someone's birthday at work, etc.)
~ find some more McDougall types in the city to hang out with (at least I'm seeing some more fine folks this month for Vanilla Orchid's get-together but it'd be nice to find a health buddy I could meet up with more regularly)
~ find vegan shoe replacements for my leather shoes... which I still have.. This is pretty hard since most vegan shoes are either uncomfortable or expensive, but I'll do my best.
~ share the McDougall and humane message with others instead of being quiet to not rock the boat. I think if I'm a 100% McDougaller and have better health numbers and look better my message will have more punch.
~ jog, swim, or bike everyday.

~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Today I'm getting my car back (finally, what a saga that was), having lunch with a friend at Sweet Tomatoes, where I expect I'll be able to put together a yummy McDougall meal, and working on this alphabet scrapbook for another friend's baby (due pretty soon).

I'm not hungry so I think I'll just have lunch as my first meal of the day. I'll head back to SF for dinner. Probably have a potato, greens, and lentils or sweet potato and broccoli for dinner. Depends what I have for lunch and what I feel like having.

The screenwriting workshop was both really helpful and completely disconcerting. Basically I now have the start of an outline for a screenplay (yay!) for a movie I'm not sure I want to write (...uh.) The instructor provided helpful info and explained everything well. But I'm keeping my brain open for new, different ideas that work better (like, that I want to write!)

Time to get up and start my day. I'm going to go out for a little jog or bike ride to get my exercise over with. Hope it's not constantly pouring like yesterday. I have my windows blacked out at night so I can't tell yet.

I went down to 6th and back, my old route, and jogged a good deal of it! Much more than what I've been able to do in a while and what I used to do quite regularly, before all those injuries. I think I'm much more careful now. Now I just stop and walk or end the workout if I may be hurt, rather than thinking I could push through.

I also just joined the Forks Over Knives meetup group: http://www.meetup.com/starchavores/ which I found on giddyupgin's journal: viewtopic.php?f=21&t=23468

Best get to the East Bay. Have a good Sunday.