Discussion Board

Hey TM, thanks! I am being pretty consistent. In the last 45 days, I've had 4 off plan meals and they were doosies. They did not lead into tailspins of weeks of SAD thank goodness. I did not focus on them either. I just got back on it. I knew eventually I'd look at them closer but it's weird. I was almost afraid of giving them too much energy like when a kid is tantruming and you just let em at it and walk away. Somehow it worked. I'm doing well eating mostly MWL w/ a little regular plan stuff here and there. I don't have big cravings and the longer I go the more I like this feeling of energy and less anxiety. Also I truly love the food most of the time. Planning to do a lot of prep this weekend for next week. Want to make a chopped salad, some kind of veggie stew and maybe some red beans and rice and veg burgers. I'll see what's at the food co-op and farmer's market. And of course I shop at Sav-a-lot too.

Yesterday's food was salads w/ some garbanzos, potato and veggie soup, potatoes.

Today:

Morn: raw veggies, red potatoes, mango

Afternoon: potato and veggie soup

Evening: Eating out w/ friends- brown rice veg sushi, edamame and salad is the plan

Exercise: Hit the gym already (yah) and did some assisted pull ups and dips and bike w/ wind sprints as Covert calls them.

Rock on, Anna! Your menu plan sounds great. What recipe do you use for the red beans and rice, or is the knowledge of how to make it just in your blood? I have made the recipe from fatfreevegan.com and liked it, but I've never had the "real" kind so I have nothing to compare it to.

Toadfood, hey! good to see you. I have to tell you, I have had some really good red beans vegan. Now they aren't my mama's w/ ham hocks I have to say but in their own right they are good. I'm not that great at it but I keep trying. I'm making some tomorrow with a few bay leaves, parsley, onion, garlic, celery, bell pepper, liquid smoke or smoked paprika, some cayenne then tabasco when cooked. I may even grate some carrots in like my aunt used to do. I'll let you know how I like it.

So I went out with the friends last night for sushi and stuck to the plan. Heard some good blues, jazz, etc after. Went home hungry and had my potato and veggie soup. Did the farmer's market this morn and will go to the co-op later and sav-a-lot for the remainder of week's groceries.

Morn: pot and veg soup, hashbrowns steamed.

Afternoon: not sure yet but it WILL be on plan

Eve: probably oats and broc. Wanting that.

Exercise: About to go to the gym for weights and bike. Got my workout clothes on all ready.

I love the smoky flavor in foods, but never was a fan of ham hocks or bacon. I use Liquid Smoke but I've also discovered smoked paprika, chipotle powder (like a smoked chile powder), and smoked salt. All add different dimensions of flavor to dishes.

Now I'm craving my version of my grandfather's southern green beans. He'd cook them with bacon and molasses. I cook them until barely tender, then drain and toss with a little sugar, salt, and Liquid Smoke. Heaven!

Hey Chile! I like those smokey flavors and molasses too. I'm making some greens today. Gotta love those greens.

Feeling good. Poboy cravings last night but I ate my good food instead. So the cravings aren't gone they are just much quieter. I've decided to lay off the beer and such too for a while. Too many calories and don't like the breast cancer risk. I have been drinking too much. Some say any is too much. We'll see.

One thing I have been doing well is exercise. Good workouts with improvement in endurance and strength. I want to keep that up.

Food is mostly good too. I think this is the best I've done - these last 6 or so weeks. Not perfect but good and getting better.


Morn: oats, caulifl and pepper onion mix. So good. Love those savory oats. Soy half caff latte, 1/2 vegan muffin (yah I know but not my addiction- that won't go anywhere)

Afternoon: black eyed peas and brown rice, salad if I get hungry

Even: probably some greens and rice. dang it's hot. Maybe some frozen fruit of some kind.

Exercise: Abs today.

It must be like a sauna down there. Don't know how ya'll handle that heat.

Looks like you are in a good groove. Enjoy it!

Hi, Anna I've been reading some of your journal (not all 97 pages though ) and really like your strength and writing style. I actually teared-up when I read about your work with the homeless. My Dad, who passed away in 2003, spent the last year of his life living "couch homeless" (that was his term for it) in an office on the edge of a junkyard. He was dying of cancer during that year and it was not a good scene. I respect and admire people who work with the homeless and marginalized. When you live on the margins it's like you're invisible to most of society. Because of my own life experiences, I will always feel grateful for running water, shelter, family and health care (if I need it). Sorry to dither on so much but I feel pretty passionate about it. Ok, I'll cork myself now Keep on with the good eating and exercising.

TM, I am enjoying I have to say. I think my relationship with food right now is like that of a long good marriage. The sparks aren't there as much (as with an oyster poboy) but it is satisfying and enjoyable. I have more moments when I don't want to cheat because like in a good long marriage it's just not worth giving up the satisfying life-giving food (relationship).

ShevaunB, thanks so much for sharing your passion. Sorry to hear that about your father. I hear you about the gratitude for the basics. I feel that way. I don't think it couldn't happen to me.

Good eating still and exercise though it probably won't happen today- got a cold coming on.

Morn: oats and broc and peppers. Fruit

Afternooon: br rice, greens, bl eyed peas and veggies

Evening: Leftovers- all good stuff.

Seriously Anna, when are you going to put your talent into writing a book? I'll buy the first copy.

What a way with words you have!

Hey Anna. I hope the cold bypassed you and you're having a great weekend. You're doing so well with food and exercise.

Birdy TM, ok I cheated w/ an oyster poboy and such last night. I really have been doing much better these past 2 months- mostly all good food and I'm posting so I don't take this any further. I'll come back tomorrow and report that I've eaten really good food. Seriously.

No exercise since last thursday. Have been sick. Thinking I'll be back at the gym tomorrow.

Anna,

Good that you are honest. Boy do I know how hard that is!

You know the harm you did to yourself - not just the instant and permanent harm to your tender little blood vessels, but the setback in terms of retraining your taste buds not to even like something like fried oysters (btw oyster po'boy was the ONLY way I liked oysters, and I really loved them once upon a time. There was a killer authentic Louisana bistro a 1-minute walk from my apt and I was a "regular" there).

So hop back on the curb and remind yourself that you are worth the effort of overcoming the desire for those foods. There will come a time that you will think "omg how did I EVER eat that and LIKE it?" You just gotta give yourself the chance to get there, and you're worth it, lady!

Sorry you're not feeling well. Hope that cold moves along soon.

Take care, feel better, & hope today is a wonderful day.

TM, thanks. It's good to be reminded of the damage. I actually felt the acid burn. You know, I'm ok now though. No big cravings. I don't think it sent me back to the beginning. I still want my good food. Ate well yesterday and so far today. I'll start being better about posting my food again. Right now gotta get back to work.

I'm glad to hear that!

And FWIW, I fell off the wagon big time today. Totally unexpected. Even as I was doing it I was hearing my words to you, written just hours earlier. But I chose not to listen to them. So, you know, it... happens.

Tm, yah, I hear you.

Morn: fruit, potato

Afternoon: veg soup I made

Even: veg sushi is the plan w/ the folks who graciously agreed to go out to where I could get some good food

Exercise: plan to hit the gym later