Plant-based and starch centered...

[strivn2bhealthy]

Feeling vulnerable by leaving so much posting "out there" or "out here" or wherever this space and place is...
I've copied off all of my postings to a private journal. I will still post here and be as open as I have been. I will not leave my posts up quite so long, though. I'm updating this original post as a reminder to when I first found McDougall. I actually started mid-February of 2014.

[strivn2bhealthy]

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[nayasmom]

Yay for you and your daughter!!!
I was doubtful in the beginning, too, but jumped in because I believe when I'm given a sign, I do something about it. Haven't looked back, and am enjoying the ride. I've lost 4 lbs in 5 weeks, which for me is awesome because all last year no matter how much I exercised, I never lost even one ounce. I had lost 20 lbs from being very ill and hospitalized, and after that... standstill.
So just keep the faith, keep believing that if you're being told you're doing the right thing, then you're doing the right thing!!
Robyn

[strivn2bhealthy]

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[Chile]

I spent $56 at our local health food store, yesterday. At first, it bothered me because everything I purchased was for me. But, when I really looked at it, I purchased enough starch staples to get me by for at least a month, if I had to rely solely on what I bought in that one trip. The huge pot of soup might have cost me $10 (eight ingredients of things already on hand) and I have already had 7 servings and my daughter has had 4. It looks like about 16 servings total. As I build up more staples of rice, other grains and peas/beans, I will be able to focus more on sale prices to drive the cost lower and build up a greater reserve. Too bad I am not able to grow those staples.

One way to save money stocking up on staples, especially the starchy ones, is by buying in bulk. At one of the natural food chains here (Sprouts Farmers Market), they give a 10% discount on case purchases. This includes unopened bags of bulk items. When I need beans, I talk to the bulk manager and have her order me a 25# bag of them. I get a discount AND I don't have to go shopping as often. To prevent spoilage or insect infestation, I store the beans in food grade buckets with tight lids or half-gallon jars with tight lids. With a vacuum sealer and the canning lid attachment, I can even vacuum seal the jars. (Even the cheap Ziploc vacuum bag tool works to seal the jars if used with the canning lid attachment! If anyone's interested, I'll find the link with details & pics.)

I also buy my rice in 25# bags from the local Asian grocery store or Costco. It's much cheaper than buying in smaller quantities. The only catch is brown rice has to be stored in the freezer. White rice does not have to be stored in the freezer, but of course does not have quite as good a nutritional profile as the brown.

[strivn2bhealthy]

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[scooterpie]

Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) can cause hypertension. Have you been screened for it?

Inability to lose weight can also be tied to OSA. Many people suffer with it, don't know they have it and never get diagnosed or properly treated.

[strivn2bhealthy]

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[nayasmom]

I find that if I eat fruit at all, I get tired and sleepy. Try cutting back to one piece of fruit per day and see if that makes a difference for you.
Robyn

[strivn2bhealthy]

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[strivn2bhealthy]

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