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Healthy Habits 3.12

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

I did my daily squat and bench, but this week was tougher than others--flying and being away from home, noticeable weakness, poor nutritional choices, etc. When I'm in my groove, I'm very set, but when I'm out of it, it's really difficult for me to get back into established routines. Feeling rather uncomfortable in my body at the moment and am hopeful that come next Sunday, that won't be the case.

I made some low carb holiday food this week after a long baking hiatus. These included triangular pastries flavoured with halva pastry cream and chocolate chips, bourbon salted caramel pecan, and pistachio rose. I used some of the dough to for the mixed berry tart. Inspired by Anne, I concocted a high protein salted bourbon caramel ice cream. Yes, everything in moderation, but making nutritious treats that serve my macro goals is a fun challenge.

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16 replies

Latest reply was from elpgal

Joy

Veteran

I would love your recipe for low carb dough! Is it a nut base?

Anonymous

OMG. I love food. Your pictures make my mouth water.

I am actually doing pretty well. I found a great training routine on the internet and I started it last Sunday. It must be working because I am bordering on exhaustion (the time change did not help my cause). I hope that in the next few weeks I will acclimate to the additional physical load.

I can't say much about diet. After having given up added sugar for Lent I seem to been gorging on pasta. I made a scallop and shrimp pasta dish on Friday. I ate most it over the weekend.

Now that I came to realize I have just substituted one carbohydrate for another, I am trying to monitor my carb intake.

Anonymous

I have been following this thread for a while, and decided to jump in and participate this week.

I am currently trying to drop a few pounds - enough to fit comfortably into a snug special occasion dress so that I don't have to buy another one. Terrible motivation, I know - but it is what it is. Vanity and $ are both powerful incentives.

I decided to try eating low-carb-ish for the next several weeks as a starting point to curbing my appetite. My problem is definitely portion control. Low-carb eating is a pretty big change for me, since we are near-vegetarian at home and typically eat a lot of whole grains and legumes along with fruits and veggies. It's especially difficult to eat lower carb and maintain the amount of fiber that I am accustomed to, and need to, eat. Also, I have the complication of making meals that can accommodate my husband who doesn't need or want to drastically change his diet just because I am doing so temporarily. Anyway, I have tried three recipes that incorporate a lot of veggies, since that is our preferred way of eating. All of them got an A+ from both of us, and will go into our regular rotation. I adapted each of them to be somewhat heavier on veggies and lighter on animal protein than written. Two - the shrimp and the fish - have the added plus of being super easy and quick.

Spicy Roasted Green Beans and Shrimp
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2.....ns-or.html

Asian Fish in a Packet with Mustard Greens
href="http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/member/views/asian-fish-in-a-packet-1208047">http://www.epicurious.com/reci.....-1208047 (I omitted the rice for myself)

Cauliflower Rice and Greek Chicken Bowl
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2.....-bowl.html (I cooked the chicken in the oven on low heat rather than use a slow cooker)

On the exercise front, I almost exclusively rely on Megaformer workouts. The classes at the facilities near me fill up pretty quickly, so I had fallen into the habit of only actually making it there twice a week on average. I am recommitting to actually attend 3x per week and maybe even try an every-other-day schedule for a while, though I inevitably find that I really need a second day off sometimes after a bit.

gradfashionista, your goodies look amazing! I am not a big sweets eater, but those would tempt me for sure.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

I got off the sofa and walked several times this week. I didn't count, but I know I've walked in the beautiful sun the last 3 days.

Barbara Diane

Veteran

Gradfashionista, may I have your recipes? There are lots of interesting fillings available now but yours are by far the most interesting sweet ones I've seen. I'm about to date myself, but there used to be only 3 choices, poppyseed, prune, and apricot.

shedev

Veteran

Gradfashionista, recipes please.
Holding strong on whole 30. I have a little issue with their SWYPO description. Since I was diagnosed with Celiacs in 2010, I have had to eat many foods that are made with alternate ingredients. It is my normal. The whole 30 example of pancakes is a good example. Mine will always be made of something else. I'm not eating junky things made paleo during whole 30, but I wasn't eating a lot of them before. I was eating a fair amount of gluten free bread.
I've discovered that I may be allergic to apples. I've been having itching along my jawline since early in the year. I eat apples on a regular basis. I had about a week where I was eating up the oranges and cantaloupe, ate an apple yesterday and started itching again. I'm bummed.

MsMary

Veteran

I'm doing well with Whole 30, too. The scale has stalled out a little but that's okay because I'm not supposed to be weighing anyway! LOL Today is Day 16 so we're past the halfway point!

We got a box from Sun Basket with three paleo meals to cook and that worked out well. Two out of the three were very good indeed and the third was just fine. We'll be getting a box this week and next to get us through the Whole 30.

I did two sessions with the trainer and two group classes at the gym last week so I'm on track there.

Lovely Husband and I talked about it and we would definitely do Whole 30 again. We're thinking it would be great to do it when we get home from a big trip, which inevitably involves a lot of eating and drinking!

shedev

Veteran

Ms Mary. Your meal service sounds awesome.

MsMaven

Veteran

Today it was 85° and off came the layers, revealing what I've been trying to ignore so far this year. I've got a ways to go, but I'm very motivated now. I have an event in a month and big evenings always inspire me to look my best.

With the warmer weather I have been moving around more and working outside. I've almost eliminated refined sugar from my diet. I wish I could eliminate caffeine as well, but one step at a time.

I need to get back to the regular exercise routine this next week. With the changing season I'm eager to find some new recipe variations for healthier meals.

Anonymous

Ryce -- Happy to see you here.

I was interested in your comment regarding low-carb eating. My doctor informed my that my A1C was high and that I needed to veer toward low-carb and watch my portion control. To be honest, I am at a loss as to how to even begin. It seems to run contrary to everything I was taught growing up. I will try the recipes you posted this weekend.

Anonymous

I'm here to cheer you on!

MsMary

Veteran

Shedev, we love, love, love the meal services. We were a tiny bit disappointed with the first Sun Basket meal but after that they have all been great. Last night was Thai ground turkey in lettuce wraps and it was fabulous!

Sterling, if you really want a jump-start you might want to consider a Whole30. I did it because several people I know said it would really re-set my relationship with food and it is definitely doing that. And it's as low-carb as you want to make it.

Anonymous

Sterling, take a look at the Kalyn's Kitchen website. I can't remember how I stumbled upon it years ago. I get most of my recipes from food blogs. We have been mostly vegetarian at home for decades, or meals with a small amount of meat for flavor ("meat as condiment" is how Jane Brody described it ages ago). But I've had trouble regulating my appetite for a year or more, so thought I'd try lowering my carb intake for a bit to "re-set". For me that means adding back some meat and fish, because dairy and nuts don't agree with me except in limited quantities.

Anyway. Back to Kalyn. She's a very unlikely food guide. A retired Utah schoolteacher who lost 40 or 50 pounds some time ago on the South Beach Diet. So she started this blog and rates her recipes by how low carb they are (Phase 1, Phase 2, etc). It's not as slick and professional as a lot of the other blogs I follow, but good lord this woman knows food! She posts a recipe most days, as well as linking to other bloggers and resources, so really provides an intro to a world of good food, much of which is low carb. I cannot recall ever being disappointed by one of her recipes - and I'm a tough critic!

In recent days i've made these dishes:
Peanut Sesame Slaw with soba Noodles (I substituted shredded chicken for the Soba noodles)
http://cookieandkate.com/2014/.....a-noodles/
Zucchini Noodles with Tuna and Green Olives
http://www.kalynskitchen.com/2.....lives.html

Mary and shedev are probably right that Whole 30 would be a good way to reset, as well. We crossed that bridge of eating whole foods pretty long ago, and know our sensitivities, so that program is just not something I've looked at in depth. One big advantage of doing what 's popular at the moment is there is a lot of company and support.

anne

Veteran

Thanks for the shoutout re icecream inspiration GF! I have updated my thread on that finally.

I do find the whole30 endlessly interesting - I get the newsletter. Haven't even actually committed to one though, but last year did my very modifed version, and am doing it again now (as of yesterday). My modifications are to allow legumes, cottage cheese and yoghurt and a little leeway if eating out. So not really whole30 at all! A good reset though. However I lost 3 kg in 2 or 3 weeks on that last year, and would like to drop 2-3 again.

I've mostly kept up my plan of 3 runs a week (with long run of an hour) and 2 gym sessions. I have also done a pilates session each week, first time with the reformer machine. However I have dropped a run and a gym session this last week, mostly due to time commitments but also due to low energy.

I found out this morning that what I has suspected was the case was true: that my iron levels had dropped again for the 3 months I had trialled (on doctor's orders) doing without the iron tablets. They had gone down from 38 to 20 in that time, which is still normal, and better than I was some time ago, but isn't a good trajectory to be having! And I'm sure my run times have been suffering too, as well as my energy. So back on the tablets, and off to the gastroenterologist to get it investigated.

Anonymous

I have heard only very vaguely about the Whole 30 (probably from this website). I will research it today. Thank you for the suggestion.

No sugar or natural or artificial sweeteners. [Doing this now so I should be ok]

No booze. Make dry January great again! [Doing this now so I should be ok]

No smoking. We mean weed too. [Never smoked. Hate smoking]

No grains. Time to empty your jar of quinoa. [Oh, got a little harder]

No beans or legumes. No chickpeas, no peanut butter. [OH NO, NOT BEANS and PEANUTS!!! How can beans be bad? They are SUPERFOOD]

No soy. Tofu is a goner. [Should be ok]

No dairy. Cheese is dairy, guys. [Will eat the cheese that has been purchased and is currently in my fridge. Won't not buy any more]

No processed additives. Carrageenan, sulfites, MSG. [Will learn to read labels]

No fake treats with Whole30-approved ingredients.

elpgal

Veteran

I have what's great things about Whole30 from my friends. I would be totally on board except for the beans. It's hard being a vegetarian. I used to eat meet but just can't anymore.