Tuesday, March 06, 2012

new in the kitchen

i am amazed at how much i have been enjoying 'eating healthy' over the past couple of weeks. that NEVER happens. i think in the past i have equated healthy eating to severe rules and restrictions, and missing out on things i really love to eat. then, i start to crave those things i miss, and then, i fall off the wagon about 3 days after i start.


so, i'm doing it differently. NO DIET. i seem to be getting enough food to feel satisfied. here's a look at the program i'm following. the usda recommends these breakdowns:

carbs 45-65% total calories; protein 10% - 35%; fat 20 - 35%

that seems like a lot of wiggle room, but actually i've never ever eaten enough protein consistently. the daily smoothie has really helped to balance out my eating in a way i've never been able to do before. and since the carbs are not based on tons of bread and sugary things, i seem to be feeling more 'full' than before. thankfully, i love veggies and fruit. i think it would be tough if i did not.

Carey told me about this stuff. WOW! it's real peanut butter in powder form. no added anything. i kind of want to sit down and eat it with a spoon! ha. but instead, it goes into a choc banana smoothie. sooooooooooooo good.

I bought some almond milk last night! yum! i get plenty of protein/calcium from homemade yogurt and milk for the smoothies, so this is just a way to shake things up. it's spendy, but very tasty. going to try coconut milk next.

i have never eaten a brussel sprout! ever! until tonite, i'm going to roast them with olive oil and garlic and sea salt. kind of exciting ;)

i really love being in my kitchen, and cooking really relaxes me. it helps to make eating fun and interesting rather than rote or mindless. i'm finding that planning is kind of big. i have to go the grocery store more. but since i mostly stock up in the produce section, it's still a quick thing.

you know, i think the biggest thing in being healthy has to do with honoring God by living with things in the right perspective. food is a necessity, and a gift, and i want to put it in its rightful place in my life. not too much focus, but with joy and mindfulness.

thank you God for helping me to restructure the way i live! happy tuesday, guys!

LORD, you are my God;
I will exalt you and praise your name,
for in perfect faithfulness you have done wonderful things,
things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1

8 comments:

carey said...

yay! just wait until you get to use your own garden to feed you with. i will have to come over and steal some things...not brussel sprouts, but maybe a tomato or two :)

Lisa said...

I tried brussel sprouts for the first time a couple months ago and loved them. I've been roasting them just as you described. In fact, I'm roasting almost all of my veggies now as they taste so much better.

Unknown said...

i heart pb2, amazon is much more expensive but I don't have to drive 35 miles to get it.

I sliced sweet potatoes in my food processor for supper last night. I served them right along the turkey sloppy joes and the kids gobbled them up. I can't believe how much them like them. I may never buy frozen french fries again :) Have yet to try brussel sprouts, but they are on my to try list as well as making kale chips. Let me know how they turn out for you, the sprouts I mean :)

Unknown said...

what spell/grammar check?

bobbione8y said...

okay, the brussel sprouts were INSANE...so yummy!

i am pretty convinced you could put olive oil and sea salt on a bedspread and roast it, and it would be delish.

Karen said...

1. I need that PB2

2. I do not like brussel sprouts

3. I do love roasting

4. I have eaten (dark chocolate) Chex Mix and coffee today...

Karen said...

Oh!

5. I LOVE vanilla almond milk!

cherk said...

Brussel sprouts rock, they are one of my new faves!