Fish

I have never been a fish eater. Today I started. Why? Because I've read too many times to ignore, the benefits of getting those omega-3 fatty acids. As I previously wrote, I bought myself some fish oil capsules, only to find out, a day and one dose late, that they are filled with PCBs. I feel that I no longer have any excuses. I've got to eat the stuff. So I encouraged my hubby, who loves eating fish, to start cooking it. Tonight he grilled salmon, and made lots of yummy side dishes. I ate some. It may have ultimately only amounted to about 1/2 square inch total, but I ate it! And my darling son ate it with gusto! Good boy! My daughter, who has discovered that food is weird (think about it, it really is) wouldn't touch it, even though she loves lox. But it's a start. And I encourage him to prepare fish often. We'll get used to it! And we'll be better for it.

Exposure

Sometimes the only way to change a behavior is to expose it...that is to say, if you knew others we watching you, would you behave the same way all the time? Probably not. I realize this sounds as if I'm going to expose this major secret life, but I'm not. Sorry to disappoint! It's just about food.

At the moment I am heating up canned stew for my son and me. Here are the details:

Fat: 10g (per 1 cup)
Sat Fat: 4g (20% RDA)
Cholesterol: 30mg
Sodium: 970mg

There are some good things, but I won't list them.

My son chose this out of the cabinet, and I cooked it. While fixing it, he asked for fruit salad - in this case it was also in a can. Double dammit! I opened it and he ate with gusto.

Sugar: per 1/2 cup 11g

After a while I told him he'd had enough of that and...would he like his stew? Yuck! he said! I went through the panty naming items both good and not so good. DS chose to have plain kidney beans. I need to follow this boy's example!!!

Total fat: 0g
Sat Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0g
Sodium: 250mg
Dietary Fiber: 6g (24% RDA)
Protein: 7g

Smart kid. My punishment for even suggesting and actually serving such crap is to make myself look up healthy recipes for my next two dinner nights (tonight and Sunday.) I have mentioned how I feel about the entire meal process (I'm not a fan) so this really is a punishment of sorts. But I gotta do something. Sheesh.

How Do You Know?

How do you know what is causing your mood?

I am getting seriously grumpy. It started yesterday. I was able to curb my mood by getting us out of the house. Today once again we've been in the whole day so far. I am getting moody again.

Is is diet? I had coffee this a.m. as usual. I made pasta for breakfast. Ravioli for one child, Pasta "Mama" for the other (olive oil, seasoning and black olives.) Too many carbs and no protein? Seems like an obvious thing, right?

Could it be that I got kinda ticked at someone this am?

Could it be that while on winter break we have spent that vast majority of our time at home? I am a people person. Is it that I basically haven't seen anyone all week? Not even for a kids' play date?

Or is it all of those things?

I guess I'll have to systematically go through each thing and do something it about. So why then did I make English muffins with cream cheese? Will that help? Only as a quick hunger fix. Ah, the spiral! That's how it goes, isn't it? I slip with feeding myself properly in the morning, and the spiral begins. I get grumpy, then start cutting corners with everything else. Oh it is hard to be on top of things! SO! RESET!

First, I'll find some protein......peanuts.....high in fat....shoot......then, I'll make a decision about the situation that irritated me this morning....done....now....I will get us out to a play date....done. Ah, let's see if all of this helps.

Hm. Well, getting out was nice. But I realized while in the car that I am tired. I stayed up later than usual last night just because I wanted more me time. I got greedy with it, and the result was predictable. Today I'm grumpy, tired, and less able to manage stuff. The answer would be to go to bed earlier tonight, but chances are I won't. And thus the sleep spiral begins. I'll keep this up until I can't fight the need anymore, than I'll fall asleep with the kids before 8:30 p.m. one night. Perhaps I could try reasoning with myself....

Why?

Why do we crave things that aren't good for us? Why do we know we need exercise, but sit on the couch instead? Why do we stay in when getting out in the sun makes us feel so much better? Why??

Animals eat what they need. (Fat cats and dogs notwithstanding) As I write this, I am eating, and feeding my poor children, easy cheese on crappy crackers. Ugh. Yesterday I had a hummus sandwich on whole grain bread with artichokes, onion, and other totally healthy things. I have a theory that often times very healthy foods simply don't give the full feeling that crap does. For example, after eating my (tasty) healthy sandwich, I could not stop eating my daughter's seasoned french fries. I had eaten plenty, but I compulsively put one fry after the other in my mouth. Eeks! What's up with that?? And at night, almost every night, I eat junk food while sitting on the couch. Now these days hubby and I have been doing Wii workouts before sitting on the couch eating crap, but that doesn't change the fact that the crap junk food is involved in my typical evening routine. So why doesn't the fact that I KNOW it is making me feel like crap, and doing bad things to my body change my behavior? Why are people in general so bad to themselves in that way? And why is it typical of people, and not, say, squirrels? Doesn't the fact that we can think about how to take good care of ourselves help us? Or would we be better off with instinct only?

We sometimes think that convenience is more important than health. But in the long run poor health becomes very inconvenient indeed. But we have to be forced to do the right thing so much of the time.

Why? Why are we reluctant to realize that our moods probably have as much to do with what we eat as with anything else that's going on in our lives? Why are we so clueless about ourselves, but about most other things we think we know it all? Why is it so hard to take care of ourselves the "right" way? Why don't we want to get out and run when we are feeling run down and imbalanced? Why don't we crave spinach when we're iron or vitamin poor instead of milkshakes? Why?

Why? Why when we know these things or have gained an awareness of what we need to do to feel good do we still choose poor options? Why? Why can't it be natural to do the right thing? Why is there ever another option in our minds?

Sighs.

Healing With Whole Foods by Paul Pitchford

I have a feeling I will be blogging a lot about food in the future. I bought myself this book with the hopes of gaining a better understanding of how food effects our moods and our health. The book is huge, and when I first saw I figured I probably wouldn't end up spending a lot of time with it. Two nights ago, during my evening "break" I picked it up and started reading. I spent 45 minutes at it. Wow. Interesting stuff! For example:

Magnesium: "...(An) attribute of foods concentrated in magnesium is their ability to strengthen the structural aspects of the body to counteract conditions such as chronic fatigue syndrome, arthritis, and osteoporosis. ...Excellent research suggests that absolutely no calcium enters the bones without adequate magnesium..." Magnesium rich foods include beans, soy products, peas and lentils.

Milk: "...Dairy with its fat removed may not support the absorption and utilization of the fat-soluble vitamins D and A, which are necessary for maintaining and laying down new bone mass. Thus, calcium may go primarily into the soft tissues rather than into the bones in those who persist with reduced-fat dairy products."

Wow. Food for thought-lol!

Food and Mood

I decided a while back that one key to feeling better, both for myself and for my kids and hubby, is to eat better. Well, duh, right? But isn't it one of the hardest habits to start and maintain? I think so. But I want to....I want to..... So I restart and restart and restart. I joined the local CSA (Community Supported Agriculture-organic farm-fresh produce each week during the growing season) again this year. And I am buying lots of fruits when I get to the store. Which is infrequently, so we go through it very quickly and are then out for a while. And when I make something healthy to eat, the kids love it. SOOOO. What is the problem? I don't like cooking! I don't like shopping! I don't like the process. However, the process is here and isn't going anywhere, so I have no excuse but to make our meals healthier. Maybe these will help:

I was in the mood, a few days back, to buy books. I got these, and some others. I am interested in moving towards a more whole-foods diet, and getting rid of some of the crap that we ingest on a daily basis. But ya gotta see how big the book on the left is: holy moley. I guess I have my work cut out for me! It's supposed to have all kinds of interesting information....maybe it'll scare me into eating better! 

I'll share what I learn...for now, I just need to get cracking with a meal list and a shopping list for the rest of the week. Gotta get some good stuff in this house. We're still working on two birthday cakes....I think I'll save reading about the evils of sugar until next week! ;)

Ah geez. All I did was pick up the book on the right and randomly flip to some pages in the middle. Geez. =(

Here's a random weird food thing. When I eat cold foods, I get cold. It's almost instant. I just ate some cold pasta. Not that much. And I'm freezing. Yeeks.

Hats off to Suzanne!

I have gotten reconnected with someone I knew years ago when I was a kid. She and I rode the school bus together. Her older brother and I were good friends. She and I have reconnected through Facebook. As I get to know her as an adult, I'm simply amazed at how much we have in common! I thought I would share with you some of the work she does. Her name is Suzanne. Suzanne has a website  on which she explains how she came to enjoy working with people to help them live more healthy and balanced lives:

"Often, life is so busy that it is challenging to find time to prioritize your needs, and especially your health needs.  I work with clients to simplify the process of making healthy choices and to help them find the time in their busy schedules for needed change."

Suzanne writes a monthly newsletter, with simple suggestions ("nuggets") for readers to help them on their path. It's short, easy to digest, and suggests simple tasks to help keep balance in your life. (i.e. this month's newsletter reminded us that we should take the time to stretch each day.) She also works with people one-on-one, and from comments left on her website, it sounds as if people truly appreciate how she works and the advice that she gives.

 One person wrote: "I feel much better, and I am in control of feeling better." Another said: "Working with Suzanne as a Holistic Health Counselor helped me to change my whole outlook on the direct relationship between my health and what I eat."


I'm sharing this because I think what she does is cool. And I think she's cool! I wish I lived close enough to attend her informational meetings on holistic topics. So check out her website. Nothing ventured, nothing gained! 

Scary foods article

A friend shared this on Facebook. 7 foods to avoid in the New Year:

http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2009/12/29/The-7-Foods-Experts-Wont-Eat.aspx?sms_ss=facebook

The more ya know.....

Progress...feeling good =)

I don't have anything new to add so far today, no new green efforts or discoveries, no new recipes, ..... I simply feel like updating and musing about my progress. I am feeling kind of good today. I am tired. That hasn't changed. But, at least at this moment, I am not grumpy, feeling sorry for myself, cursing anything, or dreaming about going to a spa for the weekend. (well.......) I believe that my efforts toward feeling better are working. I really do. While cooking healthier adds its own stress to the situation (it takes much longer than opening a can and heating something, which throws our eve. schedule off a bit) every other aspect is great. I made the garden salad that I posted yesterday and everyone loved it. I feel good b/c everyone is eating well. I'm not getting outside as much as I feel I should, but I have a reluctant toddler, so there's not much I can do about that during the week. I encourage (but could even do more of that.) I've done yoga twice in the past week, and *my kids did it with me!!* And of course I continue to seek ways to be less toxic and kinder to the environment and ourselves. I am seeing the effects of my efforts on my family right away, as well as interest from those around me. That definitely helps to keep me on the ball and motivated. I am also pleased with my efforts to reduce stress when possible. I have done my Christmas shopping and ordered the cards. (better late...) And so on. It's good to feel good. =)

Garden Pasta Salad

I made this salad tonight and everyone LOVED it. I did not add basil or sugar, as I am not particularly fond of either flavor in a salad, but otherwise I made it as written. Yum! Both kids loved it also, but both picked their favorite ingredients out and ate those. Well worth it. =)

Garden Pasta Salad Ingredients 1/2 pound (225 g) uncooked small shell macaroni  1/2 pound (225 g) fresh green beans, cut diagonally into 1-inch lengths  1 pound (450 g) tomatoes, diced  1 can (15 ounces - 425 g) red kidney bean, rinsed and drained  1/4 cup finely chopped red onion  1/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves  3 tablespoons naturally brewed lite soy sauce  3 tablespoons white wine vinegar  3 tablespoons vegetable oil  1 clove garlic, pressed 1 teaspoon sugar  1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon black pepper  Directions 1. Cook macaroni according to package directions, omitting salt. Drain and rinse immediately under cold water to cool. Drain well. 2. Cook green beans in steamer basket over boiling water in covered saucepan about 10 minutes, or until tender. Cool beans under cold water. Drain well. 3. Combine macaroni, green beans, tomatoes, kidney beans and onion in large bowl. 4. Add basil, lite soy sauce, vinegar, oil, garlic, sugar and black pepper into a jar with screw-top lid. Cover and shake well. Pour over macaroni mixture. Toss gently to coat all ingredients. 5. Cover and refrigerate 1 to 2 hours to blend flavors, tossing occasionally. Yield Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Lentil-Bulgur Salad

I've been doing some searching on the internet for healthy "holistic" recipes. I found one on (I'm almost positive) 1stHolistic.com that I just made, and am munching away on as I write this. It's very earthy and requires a love for grains, but I like it a lot, and will most likely be eating most of it myself. =) My dear son and daughter both had a bite, but that was it. My hubby wouldn't take a bite, but he doesn't like feta cheese....

Anyhow, if anyone is interested in a recipe for a grainy, herby salad with tomato and onion and pepper and of course, feta cheese, let me know, and I'll type in the recipe here. Other than the feta cheese, which is high in saturated fat, the salad is very healthy!

A failure and a victory

Well, today I completely fell off the green Christmas card band wagon. I started to make one online, and I'm just not clever enough to make it look cool. And hubby has offered to address all of the envelopes (yeah!!) So, I have chosen a photo card online. Yeah, I feel a bit guilty, but I'm going a little easy on myself. It's December, which is a busy and stressful month, and as an attachment parent to two, I simply don't have time to figure the online thing out in time. Lame? Yeah, maybe, but my path to a more green and more holistic way of life is a PROCESS. So...

I am feeling really good about my meal plan and recent grocery shop. Lots of fruits, veggies, beans, grains and the like. Very little junk (salami and cheese.) I have plans to make lentil-bulgur salad! Sound like cardboard? Nah. It's got lots of yummy stuff in it that will make it palatable. I'll let you know how it is. There are other recipes, too. 

But the kids' program has ended (tv is another topic for another day....) so .... good night, all!

On a better food path.....

...if only in my mind. But I really want to be better. I have been so very lazy when it comes to feeding us. My kids are familiar with fast food, I am loathe to admit. Sometimes it's just so convenient! Is that an ok excuse? No, of course not. But shoot. It's hard! Anyhow...so I am vowing, again, to try. I have read a little about what it means to eat holistically. Wow. No dairy (goat cheese is ok), no beef, no sugar, whole grain everything....my work is cut out for me! My diet, and again I'm embarrassed to share this, includes daily doses of caffeine with sugar and half and half, pasta with store-bought sauce, and other no-nos. So where to begin. Well, I try to make one shopping list each week, along with a plan for all the meals for the week. So that's it, then. I need to make my meal plan healthier. Easy, right? Sighs...... It's a pain in the neck to make a meal list at all. At least for me. I dread the chore, and it takes me forever. However, without a plan, I'm even less happy, as I have two kids here who are hungry all the time, and it's frustrating to try to put something, anything, together on the spur of the moment. (Let alone something healthy and balanced!) So I do it. Every weekend. SO...out come the Moosewood cookbooks and others that have healthier options. It has been proven again and again that if I make something healthy, the kids eat it with gusty. What other motivation do I need? So it's a little more difficult and time consuming in an otherwise busy and hectic evening....it's worth it. So here I go, I'll try again. First meal planned .... tomato curry over (brown!!) rice. Oh, and lentil and bulgur salad (looks better than it sounds...it's like tabouleh salad, which I love) I'll let you know how it goes... Oh, and I vow to have fresh fruit or veggies or both at EVERY meal. I served pasta with sauce and cut apples for lunch. The kids went crazy over the apples, and had a little pasta. Hm!