We're back at it again! My doctor (who is actually a nurse practitioner) recommended for the third time that I try going gluten-free and sugar-free for at least a month and asked that I document how I feel. I picked the month of June because, leading up to this point, I haven't been feeling so great. I've been sluggish, been getting more headaches, stomach pain in the evening, and my acne has been out of control. So I started on Tuesday with a well-crafted meal plan and a lot of conviction.
Week one has gone pretty smoothly, though not without some ups and downs. On Tuesday, I had a mild headache which I attributed to sugar withdrawal. On Wednesday, the headache morphed into a tension headache - sugar detoxing coupled with high stress from work, a pending storm, and not enough calories in my system? It was the set up for a bad scene. I ended up leaving work early and, after eating a handful of almonds and drinking two big glasses of water, I actually felt a lot better. I'm sure stepping away from work and my computer screen was a big help too. Thursday through today I have been feeling great! I'm not craving sweets and gluten was really easy for me to cut out.
Here's a sampling of our meal plan last week - I started by using other people's recipes so that I can get the hang of it and then begin writing my own!
Tuesday
Breakfast: Wild Blueberry Shake from lunchboxbunch.com
Lunch: Green Goddess Bowl from lunchboxbunch.com
Dinner: Vegan Macro Meal from lunchboxbunch.com
Wednesday
Breakfast: Wild Blueberry Shake from lunchboxbunch.com
Lunch: Green Goddess Bowl from lunchboxbunch.com
Dinner: Bake Stuffed Sweet Potatoes from lunchboxbunch.com - modified, we just topped them with diced tomato, broccoli, and tahini
Thursday
Breakfast: Homemade Shake - 1 1/2 cups frozen mixed berries, 2 Tbsp peanut butter, 2 cups almond milk - Serves 2
Lunch: Green Goddess Bowl from lunchboxbunch.com
Dinner: Celebratory dinner at Green Elephant (it was J's last day of work at his old job!) - I had the spicy green leaves salad with gluten free dressing and brussels sprouts
Friday
Breakfast: Homemade Shake (see above)
Lunch: Lunched at Local Sprouts - I had the fiddlehead salad special with balsamic dressing
Dinner: Sesame Miso Zucchini Noodles & Tofu from Snixy Kitchen
Saturday
Breakfast: Almonds, peanuts, and blueberries (we bused down to Boston and need something easily portable!)
Lunch: Tofu Pad Thai at My Thai Vegan Cafe in Boston's China Town
Dinner: Sesame Miso Zucchini Noodles & Tofu from Snixy Kitchen
Sunday
Breakfast: Sweet Citrus Avocado Dreamboat from lunchboxbunch.com
Lunch: Green Power Tower Salad from lunchboxbunch.com
Dinner: Raw Macro Bowl with Knock-Off Dragon Sauce from Raw Food Recipes
Our snacks throughout the week consist of homemade oil-free hummus with veggies, frozen grapes, apples, and baby carrots.
So far, I've lost 6 pounds. I'm hoping to add at least 20 minutes of walking to my days to continue on this track and I'll keep monitoring the effects of GF/SF eating - maybe you'll want to test it out too? Check out other recipes we're considering on our Pinterest board!
Insights, quips, and queries on the vegan way of life
Showing posts with label Work Life. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Work Life. Show all posts
Sunday, June 2, 2013
Monday, June 25, 2012
I know, I know, I know
I know it's been forever. Sorry buddies! Life's been incredibly hectic since J and I found out we unexpectedly have to move. We think we finally found a place - so fingers crossed!
Since January, I've shed about 15 pounds. At first I was incredibly proud of myself and excited...but now the thrill is gone and I'm remembering that my real goal was to lose about 45 pounds. So back at it we go!
For the next week or so, I'm jumping into a semi-raw diet and excluding bread, any pre-prepared vegan foods other than tofu, and eliminating cooking for the most part. Pintrest has been a huge help in providing inspiration for meals and I've even started "Raw" and "Get Healthy(er)" boards to collect ideas. This morning's breakfast was a Pinterest find and is from food blogger Oh She Glows - Easy Overnight Buckwheat Parfait. It's really delicious - earthy tones of buckwheat, the tapioca like chia seeds sweetened with banana, the fresh strawberries J and I picked at Alewives Brook Farm yesterday, and some blueberries. And no cooking involved! Yay! She gives other incarnations of the parfait to try out just to mix it up and I'm sure I'll test those out too.
I also love how portable this breakfast is. One of my more recent goals is to try to make time for myself to eat breakfast at home in the morning. Not standing over the sink, not taking bites between brushing my hair - but actually sitting down, taking in the tastes, appreciating the work that went into making the food I'm consuming. But honestly, some mornings just don't work out as planned. And this morning, I just grabbed my little juice glass sized Ball jar and headed out the door.
I also prepared a large pitcher of water with lemons and limes at home and filled my water bottle up this morning to take to work. After I get to the store this week, I'll add cucumber and mint to the water to make "Sassy Water" - which a friend pinned on Pinterest and told me she was drinking for a while while detoxing and it really helped improve her skin health. I'll let you all know how it goes!
Since January, I've shed about 15 pounds. At first I was incredibly proud of myself and excited...but now the thrill is gone and I'm remembering that my real goal was to lose about 45 pounds. So back at it we go!
For the next week or so, I'm jumping into a semi-raw diet and excluding bread, any pre-prepared vegan foods other than tofu, and eliminating cooking for the most part. Pintrest has been a huge help in providing inspiration for meals and I've even started "Raw" and "Get Healthy(er)" boards to collect ideas. This morning's breakfast was a Pinterest find and is from food blogger Oh She Glows - Easy Overnight Buckwheat Parfait. It's really delicious - earthy tones of buckwheat, the tapioca like chia seeds sweetened with banana, the fresh strawberries J and I picked at Alewives Brook Farm yesterday, and some blueberries. And no cooking involved! Yay! She gives other incarnations of the parfait to try out just to mix it up and I'm sure I'll test those out too.
I also love how portable this breakfast is. One of my more recent goals is to try to make time for myself to eat breakfast at home in the morning. Not standing over the sink, not taking bites between brushing my hair - but actually sitting down, taking in the tastes, appreciating the work that went into making the food I'm consuming. But honestly, some mornings just don't work out as planned. And this morning, I just grabbed my little juice glass sized Ball jar and headed out the door.
I also prepared a large pitcher of water with lemons and limes at home and filled my water bottle up this morning to take to work. After I get to the store this week, I'll add cucumber and mint to the water to make "Sassy Water" - which a friend pinned on Pinterest and told me she was drinking for a while while detoxing and it really helped improve her skin health. I'll let you all know how it goes!
Monday, September 26, 2011
Vegan Laptop Lunchtime!
Herb salad mix with cucumber, summer squash, grape tomatoes, yellow bell pepper, assorted seeds, cranberries, and balsamic; some plain hummus; doctored up Tofu Fried Rice from Robin Robertson's Vegan on the Cheap
Monday, September 19, 2011
Vegan Laptop Lunchtime!
Left over tofu scramble from Sunday morning's brunch (lovingly prepared by Justin), Randall's Orchard apple with soynut butter, and some kalamata olives
My latest work snack: Dry roasted & salted edamame. It's really yummy, lower in fat than the pistachios I was eating and look at all that protein! It's the perfect afternoon pick-me-up :)
Monday, September 12, 2011
Vegan Laptop Lunchtime!
Taboule salad, Field Roast Italian "Sausage" with mustard, and an apple picked by yours truly from Randall's Orchard yesterday with some soynut butter. YUM!
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Hospital CEO Blunder
On Friday morning I attended a morning meet and greet with local business people which included a presentation by the President and CEO of a major hospital. He discussed health care in Maine, the hospital's successes, and how to make the hospital run more efficiently. At one point he singled out obesity and smoking as some of the largest factors people end up in the hospital and said we need to combat these things to lower the number of people needing critical care.
All in all, an interesting discussion. My favorite part, or perhaps least favorite, was when a gentleman approached a microphone to ask a question said, "I was recently advised by my doctor to adopt a more plant-based diet so that I can get off of certain medications. I've been doing this and have never felt better. What are your thoughts on the idea that a plant-based diet could improve the general health of people, thus lowering those with chronic disease?" I wanted to stand up and cheer, "Bravo!" for this man's bravery for posing a question like this in a room of 400 business people eating eggs and sausage.
The CEO slightly grimaced before shrugging and chuckling as he said, "Well I'm a meat and potatoes man my self." To which everyone in the room gave a hearty laugh....except for me and probably the man who asked the question. I should have laughed, stood up, and said, "Joke's on you man! Have fun with those clogged arteries that me and this dude will never have to deal with!" He went on to completely skirt the man's question by saying he was glad that the man's doctor took time to talk to him and was glad he found something that worked for him specifically. So in my head I'm thinking these shenanigans are over...but no. One of the share-holders of Barber Foods stands up and says, "I hear eating chicken every day will make you healthier." And the CEO says, "Yes! Chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese!" And again everyone laughs....except for me and probably the man who asked the original question.
I hate situations like these. You feel powerless sitting there as everyone laughs and completely misses the point. The irony of the situation was so palatable for me - here you are talking about how we need to figure out how to keep people out of the hospitals, and you're discrediting one of the most effective ways to do it! But what could I have done. Nothing I could have said if I had approached the microphone would have changed these people's minds. Sometimes it's easier to keep your mouth shut and find other ways to educate people.
What would you have done?
All in all, an interesting discussion. My favorite part, or perhaps least favorite, was when a gentleman approached a microphone to ask a question said, "I was recently advised by my doctor to adopt a more plant-based diet so that I can get off of certain medications. I've been doing this and have never felt better. What are your thoughts on the idea that a plant-based diet could improve the general health of people, thus lowering those with chronic disease?" I wanted to stand up and cheer, "Bravo!" for this man's bravery for posing a question like this in a room of 400 business people eating eggs and sausage.
The CEO slightly grimaced before shrugging and chuckling as he said, "Well I'm a meat and potatoes man my self." To which everyone in the room gave a hearty laugh....except for me and probably the man who asked the question. I should have laughed, stood up, and said, "Joke's on you man! Have fun with those clogged arteries that me and this dude will never have to deal with!" He went on to completely skirt the man's question by saying he was glad that the man's doctor took time to talk to him and was glad he found something that worked for him specifically. So in my head I'm thinking these shenanigans are over...but no. One of the share-holders of Barber Foods stands up and says, "I hear eating chicken every day will make you healthier." And the CEO says, "Yes! Chicken stuffed with broccoli and cheese!" And again everyone laughs....except for me and probably the man who asked the original question.
I hate situations like these. You feel powerless sitting there as everyone laughs and completely misses the point. The irony of the situation was so palatable for me - here you are talking about how we need to figure out how to keep people out of the hospitals, and you're discrediting one of the most effective ways to do it! But what could I have done. Nothing I could have said if I had approached the microphone would have changed these people's minds. Sometimes it's easier to keep your mouth shut and find other ways to educate people.
What would you have done?
Friday, September 9, 2011
Vegan Laptop Lunch!
Apple with soynut butter, taboule salad, and half of a left over bean burrito with Daiya cheese
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Laptop Lunchtime!
Yellow bell pepper and zucchini with hummus, tabouli, strawberries, and Sunday Supper Frittata from Robin Robertson's Vegan on the Cheap
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
Laptop Lunchtime!
Herb salad mix with tomato, summer squash, crimini mushroom, kohlrabi, sunflower sprouts, and balsamic; amazing pasta creation made by Justin last night (recipe will follow this evening); fresh local blackberries from our landlady's friend's backyard.
I've told you guys about Laptop Lunchboxes before, yes? Well, I'll repeat myself and say that this is one of the best investments I've made in the last year. It's small and easily transportable, comes in a variety of colors, has awesome little containers so you can make more interesting lunches, cuts down on lunch trash (no sandwich bags or disposable utensils), and it's BPA-free! Win! I think it ran me about $20 at Whole Foods during back to school season (which is coming up...) and after a year it's still good as new. There are many other lunchbox/bento options and Laptops has a million different designs and color choices. You can order them online or find them locally. Think about investing in one and cut down on your lunchtime trash!
Monday, June 13, 2011
Kudos to you!
We all have days at work when we feel under-appreciated. Whether you're a CEO at a bank, a bagger at the food store, a manager of an insurance company, a self-employed consultant - you have days when you just feel down in the dumps, as though everyone around you is out to foul you up in some way.
Back when I was working for my alma mater, we started a "kudos board" as a morale booster. Everytime we received praise via email/letter, we were to post the praise on the board. At first, I must admit, I scoffed. "This is really cheesy," I thought. But as the comments were posted and there was literally a visual representation of the good our department was doing, I couldn't help but smile every time I walked by.
Now maybe you work in an office where it's not possible to have a kudos board, or maybe you're just too shy to suggest it. In that case, just open up a Word doc on your desktop - you can save it there instead of your company's server so that it can be private - and start saving every positive comment you receive or hear. You'll start to see the list grow and when you're feeling down or frustrated, open up that document and read through the comments praising your work. You'll find yourself smiling in no time :)
Back when I was working for my alma mater, we started a "kudos board" as a morale booster. Everytime we received praise via email/letter, we were to post the praise on the board. At first, I must admit, I scoffed. "This is really cheesy," I thought. But as the comments were posted and there was literally a visual representation of the good our department was doing, I couldn't help but smile every time I walked by.
Now maybe you work in an office where it's not possible to have a kudos board, or maybe you're just too shy to suggest it. In that case, just open up a Word doc on your desktop - you can save it there instead of your company's server so that it can be private - and start saving every positive comment you receive or hear. You'll start to see the list grow and when you're feeling down or frustrated, open up that document and read through the comments praising your work. You'll find yourself smiling in no time :)
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