Okay, guys. By now you've probably decided whether or not you're going to join us in the 2012 Sugar-Free Revolution. I hope you've decided to do so, because it will most certainly change your life. But it's not going to be easy...especially for kids.
Having changed our family members' diets 5 1/2 years ago (when my oldest was 6 months old), I've had a LOT of time to think about how to navigate the obstacles when it comes to food and eating in social settings. I've had ups and downs, and tried many things. Based upon my experiences, I'll share how I manuever sugar-pushing situations that are specific to children.
1). Birthday parties: I am very selective about how many parties I allow my kids to go to. My oldest is in Kindergarten, and gets a lot of invites. Luckily, though, he doesn't know about all of them. Many times the parents will call me directly or send an invite in the mail. The kids he is really good friends with, I'll allow him to go. He probably attends about two parties each year. As you are aware, almost all parties have cake and pizza. Usually I say have a very small piece of cake and take the cheese off the pizza. I also tell him if they have candy or other treats, to not eat a lot of those "yuckies", which is the word we have used since my son was a toddler to describe junk food. This year, however, I will tell him he has chosen to not have any dessert (which he already knows), and I will either call the mother of the party to ask if I can bring something similar to what they are having, or have a dessert waiting for him when he gets home. It depends on the situation. For example, if it is at a place where he can run and play and doesn't have to sit around while others are eating, I will save the dessert for home. If it is a place where he has to sit and watch them eat, I might provide a dessert for him to take. We'll see.
2). Church: Wow. Who would've thought that church would be such a candy-pusher. Even the nursery for kids 18 months to 3 years sometimes serves questionable food. Think marshmallows. But it's not just the unhealthy food that's the problem at church...it's the sibling rivalry that results in: "Why did he get candy in his class and I didn't?" Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa....
Luckily, I nipped this in the bud and we don't have too many problems...now. (I've had my fair share of ups and downs with food at church.)
When the kids are in nursery, I pack a healthy snack every week and give it to the teacher. Many times, my kids will share their snack with the other kids. And even though I know my kids sometimes eat the nursery food in addition to their healthy snack, it sets the precedent in their minds that healthy food is ALWAYS in the picture. Nursery is not an excuse to eat whatever crappy food they want. Their cucumbers are always there, eyeing them down....lol!!
When they are older and in Primary (for kids 3-12), I have done a couple of different things. At first, for my son, I gave a box of special treats that he picked out and were mother-certified to his teacher. If the teacher was planning on bringing treats for the other kids, she would pick something from the box and bring it for him. I loved the time when he got an Easter egg filled with a Cliff Fruit Rope instead of candy :) This worked for a bit, but then the teachers were changed and we never saw what was remaining of the treat box. So I did things differently this year. I got a bunch of boxes of 100% fruit, fruit snacks at the Health Store that were on sale. My kids never get fruit snacks, so it's a really special treat for them. My son puts his fruit snack in his Blazer pocket and pulls it out if the teacher gives out treats. My daughter, who is only 3, gives hers to her teacher every week. If the teacher has treats for the kids, she hands my daughter her fruit snack. If not, she gives the snack back to my daughter at the end of class. It has been working out great. I've been thinking it's working out so well this year because both know they have chosen to go sugar-free, and will be rewarded later on with money from staying away from the sugary treats their teachers are giving out. But I'm not sure. I feel really lucky they are both so responsible for their own bodies and haven't really said anything about treats in church lately. We'll see what happens throughout the year :)
School: Very similar to church, but actually a little easier. I have the kids pick out approved treats/snacks and put them in a box a little bigger than a shoebox. When I meet the teachers at the beginning of the year, I tell her that we are very healthy eaters, and that we don't eat meat, dairy, or refined sugar, and I give her the box to put behind her desk. I tell her not to feel like she has to be the regulator -- that my children will tell her when they need to choose from the box. When I first did this, I was a little hesistant. But I feel it is so much better if you are confident, and NOT APOLOGETIC, when talking to teachers or care-givers, etc. Don't say, "I'm sorry, I know it's a burden....We're wierd...blah, blah, blah." NO!!!!!!!! The thing is, If you're reading this blog, you probably have at least a smidgen of knowledge or intuition that refined-sugar wreaks havoc on your little person's body. And if we, as parents, know there are better things the kids could receive than candy or other sugar-filled desserts, we should act accordingly!! Don't turn a blind eye! In a time when childhood obesity, Type-2 diabetes, and other diseases are at an all-time high, it's not the cool thing to do anymore! In my opinion, other moms should be apologizing for allowing their children to consume as much junk as they want! The candy-pushing in school is ridiculous, if you ask me. My son doesn't tell me about every time he has to choose out of his box, but every once in a while I ask and he tells me of several instances. I start to feel bad that he's had to go to his box, but he doesn't seem to mind, to be honest. And he'll be healthier and a better person for it :) In a utopic world, schools wouldn't allow food to be given at all. With all of the dietary allergies and preferences these days, it just seems to make sense. And then none of us would have to deal with food issues in school.
--School Holiday Parties: Usually my kids bring their loot home and I tell them they can choose a couple pieces of candy and I take the rest (right to the garbage can). This year, I guess I'll make them some sort of treat at home in exchange for their stash. I like to make them a part of the process, so I'm going to ask them what they want for their candy. Valentine's Day is coming up so I'm already thinking about that. My daughter is giving her Valentine with a glitter tattoo attached. My son is giving his Valentine with a little "sticky hand" or other small trinket from the store. They're both excited.
Sports Games: Ohhhhhhhh....the food at sports games. First of all, when my son was in Pre-School, he started soccer. The games were 28 minutes long, and there was a snack at half-time and a snack after the game, which is stupid in-and-of itself, if you ask me :) In the newsletter from the organization, parents were to bring orange slices or something of that nature, but oh no....orange slices weren't good enough! They wanted to bring Oreo Cookies, those stinkin' High-Fructose Corn Syrup-filled Capri Suns (don't people know they sell ones with 100% juice?), Ho-Hos, Twinkies, Ding Dongs, and whatever your mind can imagine. So, the 3 and 4 year olds would exercise their little bodies for 14 minutes, get a sugar-high, exercise for 14 more minutes, and get another sugar-high. AHHH!! Can I even tell you the frustration I felt? Moreso because it made me be "the bad guy" every 14 minutes, telling my child that these things were not good for him and he wouldn't be able to have them. Or because I had to try and distract him from where the treats were being given out. Or because I had to negotiate and let him have some of it.
My mom took my son to a game one time when I was out of town, and tried to offer him red pepper slices when the treats were being handed out. He loved red pepper slices, but in the face of a granola bar, no way!! She told me everybody was laughing at her because everyone knew she was trying to do what I wanted her to do, but it wasn't working. lol! My poor mom. I'm such a stickler :) But I'm not apologizing for it ! It was worth a try :)
The past fall during soccer season, we encountered the same un-inspiring treat situation. My son, for some reason, was really drawn to the Capri Sun that was handed out as part of the treat. If it had been the 100% juice kind, I would have let him have it. But it wasn't. It was the "yucky" kind. On one occasion, I let him have a few sips. But then I got a coupon for Odwalla juices at CostCo, so we bought a couple cases of those and he chose which kind he wanted for his treat after the game. It worked well because it was something yummy, new, and unusual for him (we usually drink water, not fruit juice). It's more work on the parent's part, but who ever said parenting would be easy?
Movie Theaters: We usually only go to the Dollar Theater with our kids, and we pop our own organic popcorn kernels at home in grapeseed or coconut oil in a non-stick pot, and then salt it. Then we put it in a ziplock bag and bring it to the movie theater. You're probably not supposed to bring your own food into the theater, but it's so much healthier AND tastes better, if you ask me. We also bring some Fruit Leathers or other healthy goodies for the kids. They feel like it's a treat and I feel good giving it to them. As a side note: Don't do popcorn from a microwave bag, just pop it yourself. According to Olga Naidenko, a senior scientist for the Environmental Working Group, the problem is:
Chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), in the lining of the bag, are part of a class of compounds that may be linked to infertility in humans, according to a recent study from UCLA. In animal testing, the chemicals cause liver, testicular, and pancreatic cancer. Studies show that microwaving causes the chemicals to vaporize--and migrate into your popcorn. "They stay in your body for years and accumulate there," says Naidenko, which is why researchers worry that levels in humans could approach the amounts causing cancers in laboratory animals. DuPont and other manufacturers have promised to phase out PFOA by 2015 under a voluntary EPA plan, but millions of bags of popcorn will be sold between now and then."
Back to the subject...
It's easy to feel bad for your child when he/she is eating no sugar. You don't want them to feel left out, or feel bad because they can't have what the other kids are having. To a point, I still experience those feelings. However, I've found that it's really helpful to be positive about not eating sugar. This year it's even more easy to be positive because I say, "You're doing your no sugar thing so you can have money, so remember not to eat the yucky food. I'll make you something yummy for when you get home. What would you like?" Then the kids are excited because they're reminded of the money, and they still get to have a dessert when they get home.
Let your kids be successful. Don't hold them back during the Sugar-Free Revolution because you feel like they should at least be allowed to "have a little". Go through your cupboards and throw out the cereals, the snack bars, the salad dressings, and the peanut butter that have sugar, even if it's only a little. Refined sugar is in so many things. Find replacements!! It's worth changing during a year like this, when your kids will be more apt to accept change.
And keep Larabars and a couple other snacks in your purse (or pockets, men) for the unexpected....you can thank me later :)
I want to open this up to you guys. While I've had a lot of experiences with my kids, they are only 5 and 3 (soon to be 6 and 4). I've found the hardest years to be when they were toddlers - around 2 years old. I couldn't reason with them and they didn't seem interested in the educative aspect of nutrition. They just screamed when they wanted something and couldn't have it. But I haven't had to navigate this way of life with older kids. And tactics to eating healthily are always changing with age.
So my question to you is: What works for your family? Any suggestions about how we might handle this year, being totally sugar-free? Neither Annie nor I have ever done this before with our families. If you have any insight, we'd love to hear it!
GOOD LUCK!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
We Be Sugar Free!!!
When I found out about Jenny's kids getting paid to not eat sugar for a year, I called Jenny and we arranged a little trick-a-roonie to get my kids on board. I knew they wouldn't get excited about it if they heard it from me, so I told them to go over to Jenny's. And in the meantime, I told Jenny to tell her kids to tell my kids about it. No. I'm not manipulative. Why do you ask? But it totally worked! They came home and asked me if they could do it too. I acted skeptical just to add a little drama into the mix. I enjoy tinkering with young volatile minds.
That was about 8 days ago. And so far they've kept up their end of the bargain. Time will tell but I'm pretty dang proud of them. We modified it a little bit because, well, I guess because I didn't want to set them up for failure. So I told them that they could have their own birthdays and each other birthdays as free days. I also did that because one of the things I enjoy most about being a mom is making my kids birthday cakes. I just can't give that up. We've come up with some great new recipes and I've LOVED not having them come home from school with candy in their pockets. What's with that by the way???
I found a really helpful article about helping kids be sugar free here. It's short and simple and very much worth reading.
One thing I've had a hard time figuring out is where to draw the line. There are some gray areas that have me a little bit stumped. They've asked me about granola bars and putting jelly on a peanut butter sandwich and stuff like that. Sugary but not technically the type of junk that makes me crazy. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I don't want to bend the rules too much but I also don't want to make my own life more complicated. It's a balancing act.
If you've decided to get on the sugar free bandwagon, this recipe is a MUST!
Almond Butter Rice Krispies
1 cup organic brown rice syrup (I used honey and cut it down to about 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup almond butter (you could use peanut butter instead)
2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I omitted)
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups organic puffed brown rice cereal
Line a baking pan with parchment paper that extends up along the sides. Set aside.
In a saucepan, heat the brown rice syrup (or honey) over medium heat and stir until it begins to bubble a little bit. Remove from heat and stir in the almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extract, and salt. As you stir the mixture it should thicken and become glossy and smooth.
Pour the rice cereal into a large heat-safe mixing bowl. Carefully pour in the warm syrup mixture, and stir to coat all the cereal.
Scoop the coated cereal into the lined baking pan and spread evenly, gently smoothing out the top surface.
Put in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.
When the bars have firmed to the touch, remove them from the pan, gripping the parchment edges and set them on a cutting board. use a large sharp knife to score and cut the squares.
Wrap and chill. Store in the fridge.
Makes 24 squares.
That was about 8 days ago. And so far they've kept up their end of the bargain. Time will tell but I'm pretty dang proud of them. We modified it a little bit because, well, I guess because I didn't want to set them up for failure. So I told them that they could have their own birthdays and each other birthdays as free days. I also did that because one of the things I enjoy most about being a mom is making my kids birthday cakes. I just can't give that up. We've come up with some great new recipes and I've LOVED not having them come home from school with candy in their pockets. What's with that by the way???
I found a really helpful article about helping kids be sugar free here. It's short and simple and very much worth reading.
One thing I've had a hard time figuring out is where to draw the line. There are some gray areas that have me a little bit stumped. They've asked me about granola bars and putting jelly on a peanut butter sandwich and stuff like that. Sugary but not technically the type of junk that makes me crazy. I'm not sure what the right answer is. I don't want to bend the rules too much but I also don't want to make my own life more complicated. It's a balancing act.
If you've decided to get on the sugar free bandwagon, this recipe is a MUST!
Almond Butter Rice Krispies
1 cup organic brown rice syrup (I used honey and cut it down to about 1/2 cup)
3/4 cup almond butter (you could use peanut butter instead)
2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (I omitted)
1/4 teaspoon salt
6 cups organic puffed brown rice cereal
Line a baking pan with parchment paper that extends up along the sides. Set aside.
In a saucepan, heat the brown rice syrup (or honey) over medium heat and stir until it begins to bubble a little bit. Remove from heat and stir in the almond butter, coconut oil, vanilla and almond extract, and salt. As you stir the mixture it should thicken and become glossy and smooth.
Pour the rice cereal into a large heat-safe mixing bowl. Carefully pour in the warm syrup mixture, and stir to coat all the cereal.
Scoop the coated cereal into the lined baking pan and spread evenly, gently smoothing out the top surface.
Put in the fridge to chill for about 30 minutes.
When the bars have firmed to the touch, remove them from the pan, gripping the parchment edges and set them on a cutting board. use a large sharp knife to score and cut the squares.
Wrap and chill. Store in the fridge.
Makes 24 squares.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Sugar-Free Revolution 2012
I'm stoked. STOKED, I tell ya'. I just got home from Sunday dinner with my in-laws, where my sister-in-law, who admits she's addicted to sugar and chocolate, told me she has gotten her entire family (minus her husband, who she is still working on) to commit to a sugar-free 2012. I was shocked, to say the least. One, because she has always been the one who needed a chocolate fix before 9 a.m., and two, because her kids, like most kids these days, usually consume candy and other sugar-laden foods. Why and how did she get them to do it?, I asked. (BTW, I was getting giddy at the mere thought of her family doing this).
The story: My sister-in-law has insulin resistance, and feels much better without sugar, especially refined sugar. For several months, she's been playing around with using almond flour instead of refined wheat flour, and coconut sugar (essentially coconut sap) instead of refined white sugar, in recipes. She has replaced chocolate chips containing refined white sugar with dairy-free, refined sugar-free chocolate chips. And guess what? She feels a LOT better. She says it's amazing how good she feels on a refined sugar-free diet. And she thought her family might also enjoy the benefits of a sugar-free diet....For $150 bucks :)
So she asked her kids (aged 10, 8, 6, and 4) if they would go sugar-free for all of 2012 for $150. She explained that it meant no candy at church, no cake or ice-cream at birthday parties, no treats at school...no refined sugar at all. And guess what? They wanted to do it! And lest you think these kids are abnormal in some way - they're NOT! They are regular, sugar-loving kids. But they saw value (literally!) in not eating those sugary treats. They've only been doing it for a couple of weeks, but already my sister-in-law told me her kids' taste-buds have changed. Muffins and baked goods that she makes out of almond flour and coconut sugar or agave nectar that they previously wouldn't touch, they now like! If they are hungry, instead of searching out some candy or other sugary processed food, they snack on fresh fruit she has around the house. She also says emotionally they are more grounded. IN ONLY TWO WEEKS! Think about what a whole year will do. To say the least, I'm really excited for her family. And to my sister-in-law's credit, she is the catalyst in a life-changing year for her family, my family, and possibly yours! Go girl!!
Her kids have already been put to the test several times. For instance, after skiing the other day, her kids were almost ravenous, they were so hungry. She left her kids sitting by her friend while she went to get them food. Her friend, knowing they were hungry, offered them chocolate, licorice, and cookies, to which they all said no. Confused, she asked, "Aren't you hungry??" They replied,"Yes, but we're not eating sugar this year". This was without their mom around, when they could've gotten away with eating sugar without her knowing. When her friend relayed the story to her, she was so proud.
At dinner tonight, my mother-in-law made an interesting point. She said, "This might actually help them to say no to drugs, when confronted with the choice later on in life". I couldn't agree more. In my opinion, it will develop their self-control, something that most people struggle with in many different facets of their lives these days.
After listening to my sister-in-law talk in excitement about her family's sugar-free 2012, I thought, "Why don't I ask my family if they want to do it?" Granted, my kids don't eat much refined-sugar, but when I told my 5 year-old about what his cousins were doing, he really wanted to do it, especially for the money. This incentive-type program appealed to me for several reasons.
1) It takes me away from being the regulator. My kids are actually really good about staying away from sugary, processed food because I work hard at educating them about nutrition and the reasons why they want to avoid those foods. BUT, at times they want that type of food. Depending on what it is, and how big it is, I either flat-out say no (soda pop, Twinkies), tell them they can have a couple of bites, or tell them they can have half. It's always a balancing act. But in reality, I wish they woIuldn't have it at all. If it's their own choice to avoid these foods in return for money, it will empower them to exercise their self-control, and take me out of the picture as the regulator.
2). It will probably be the only year where extended family will be doing this together. After so many years of our family trying to be sugar-free (and sometimes feeling like we were "kicking against the bricks", avoiding sugar in a sugar-filled society), it is so nice to have support and feel like we are involved in a collaborative effort to eat and be healthy.
3). As I previously stated, my kids don't eat much refined sugar, but it will help them to be 100%, at least for one year, and feel satisfaction versus deprivation, for doing it (hopefully!). Also, my husband wants to be involved in a sugar-free 2012. While we don't have sugary treats around the house, when we make our weekly visit to his parents house, he likes to eat what they made for dessert. At a time where his arthritis is not bothering him and his health is good, in addition to knowing he is going to have more stress added to his life as he just started his second-to-last semester of his graduate program while working full-time, he wants to stay "on top of his game" health-wise. A year and a half ago, his body essentially revolted after he started his graduate program due to stress and lack of exercise (from lack of time!). He doesn't want that to happen again.
4). I want my kids to practice exercising their agency, or ability to choose, in a positive light by eating healthily, not because I want them to, but because they want to.
5). It will make us all healthier!
On the drive home, I explained to my 5 and 3 year-olds EXACTLY what being sugar-free would mean in ALL situations for them. My 5 year old was so excited that my 3 year-old got excited and wanted to start eating no sugar "right now!" My 5 year old is old enough to truly understand the program, but I have no idea how my 3 year-old will handle it. I kept asking her over and over again, "Are you sure you want to do it? Do you know what this means?" I guess I will let you know in later posts her understanding and commitment to the whole thing. I have a feeling I might still be involved in her decision-making process since she is so young. I don't think I will have her participate 100% if she really doesn't want to since she eats so little sugar anyway.
The plan: In moderation, we will include raw honey, raw agave nectar, stevia, a bit of evaporated cane juice (in my dairy-free chocolate chips), grade B maple syrup, and coconut sugar for sweeteners. Notice I said, in moderation. All sugars need to be consumed in moderation. Make desserts and sweet foods a true treat, not something you consume daily. Your body will thank you for it.
My Fears: Through the years, I have tried many tactics in trying to get my kids to avoid refined sugar. Some have worked, some tactics have failed. But right now in my life we have a good balance of give and take and I don't want to lose that balance. For instance, my son had to take an oral Spanish exam for entrance into a duel immersion program next year. He was nervous about the whole thing, and was hiding behind me as we walked into the room. But he was a big boy and did wonderfully. I was so proud of him. Afterward, the examiner asked him if he wanted a treat. He looked at me..."Can I, mom?", I saw in his eyes. I took into consideration that he hadn't had a treat in a long time, the fact that they were fun sized packs and said, "How about we split that with your sister?"
Him: "Uhh..."
Me: "Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's split it with your sister."
Him: "Ok".
It may sound like he was sad, but he was so happy, let me assure you, because he knew he was lucky even to get 1/2 of a fun-sized M&M package. And although I wish it would've been something healthier, I was happy that he had a little reward for conquering something that was a challenge for him. Plus, he told me he chose the M&Ms because he thought they had the least sugar :) I told him it was a good choice because they had the least amount of ingredients :)
Anyway, my point is that my kids and I have "stuck a chord" in the music of finding a balance that fits us all. They almost always ask me if they think a treat is questionable, and there's not much whining or fit-throwing when I tell them whether they can have it, and how much they can have. And I feel this is a tactic that can be utilized long-term.
THAT SAID, as my kids get older, the opportunities for getting treats is ever increasing. I am negotiating with them more and more over what they can/can't have in any given situation. There are ways that I ease this burden that I will detail in another post (bringing a box of special treats to school, etc..), but it might be nice to have a year where I don't have to negotiate.
So, I asked and asked and asked my 5 year-old, who really wants to do this, "Are you sure?" I went through the whole year and detailed what each event/holiday would be like. And he said to me, "Mom, I pretty much do it anyway. And this way I can get money!" I laughed, and said, "Okay. If this is what you want to do, you need to take ownership for it. You make sure you think before you eat and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you." And if he can do it, you can!
So let's do it!!!! Ask your kids, husband, wife, and extended family if they want to join you. You might be surprised!! And let me know in the comments! I will regularly post about how our family is doing --any hard times or pit-falls we might encounter, or differences we see in our health -- and I want to know your experiences as well. Having support and someone to talk/vent to makes something like this a lot easier.
Here's to a healthier 2012!
The story: My sister-in-law has insulin resistance, and feels much better without sugar, especially refined sugar. For several months, she's been playing around with using almond flour instead of refined wheat flour, and coconut sugar (essentially coconut sap) instead of refined white sugar, in recipes. She has replaced chocolate chips containing refined white sugar with dairy-free, refined sugar-free chocolate chips. And guess what? She feels a LOT better. She says it's amazing how good she feels on a refined sugar-free diet. And she thought her family might also enjoy the benefits of a sugar-free diet....For $150 bucks :)
So she asked her kids (aged 10, 8, 6, and 4) if they would go sugar-free for all of 2012 for $150. She explained that it meant no candy at church, no cake or ice-cream at birthday parties, no treats at school...no refined sugar at all. And guess what? They wanted to do it! And lest you think these kids are abnormal in some way - they're NOT! They are regular, sugar-loving kids. But they saw value (literally!) in not eating those sugary treats. They've only been doing it for a couple of weeks, but already my sister-in-law told me her kids' taste-buds have changed. Muffins and baked goods that she makes out of almond flour and coconut sugar or agave nectar that they previously wouldn't touch, they now like! If they are hungry, instead of searching out some candy or other sugary processed food, they snack on fresh fruit she has around the house. She also says emotionally they are more grounded. IN ONLY TWO WEEKS! Think about what a whole year will do. To say the least, I'm really excited for her family. And to my sister-in-law's credit, she is the catalyst in a life-changing year for her family, my family, and possibly yours! Go girl!!
Her kids have already been put to the test several times. For instance, after skiing the other day, her kids were almost ravenous, they were so hungry. She left her kids sitting by her friend while she went to get them food. Her friend, knowing they were hungry, offered them chocolate, licorice, and cookies, to which they all said no. Confused, she asked, "Aren't you hungry??" They replied,"Yes, but we're not eating sugar this year". This was without their mom around, when they could've gotten away with eating sugar without her knowing. When her friend relayed the story to her, she was so proud.
At dinner tonight, my mother-in-law made an interesting point. She said, "This might actually help them to say no to drugs, when confronted with the choice later on in life". I couldn't agree more. In my opinion, it will develop their self-control, something that most people struggle with in many different facets of their lives these days.
After listening to my sister-in-law talk in excitement about her family's sugar-free 2012, I thought, "Why don't I ask my family if they want to do it?" Granted, my kids don't eat much refined-sugar, but when I told my 5 year-old about what his cousins were doing, he really wanted to do it, especially for the money. This incentive-type program appealed to me for several reasons.
1) It takes me away from being the regulator. My kids are actually really good about staying away from sugary, processed food because I work hard at educating them about nutrition and the reasons why they want to avoid those foods. BUT, at times they want that type of food. Depending on what it is, and how big it is, I either flat-out say no (soda pop, Twinkies), tell them they can have a couple of bites, or tell them they can have half. It's always a balancing act. But in reality, I wish they woIuldn't have it at all. If it's their own choice to avoid these foods in return for money, it will empower them to exercise their self-control, and take me out of the picture as the regulator.
2). It will probably be the only year where extended family will be doing this together. After so many years of our family trying to be sugar-free (and sometimes feeling like we were "kicking against the bricks", avoiding sugar in a sugar-filled society), it is so nice to have support and feel like we are involved in a collaborative effort to eat and be healthy.
3). As I previously stated, my kids don't eat much refined sugar, but it will help them to be 100%, at least for one year, and feel satisfaction versus deprivation, for doing it (hopefully!). Also, my husband wants to be involved in a sugar-free 2012. While we don't have sugary treats around the house, when we make our weekly visit to his parents house, he likes to eat what they made for dessert. At a time where his arthritis is not bothering him and his health is good, in addition to knowing he is going to have more stress added to his life as he just started his second-to-last semester of his graduate program while working full-time, he wants to stay "on top of his game" health-wise. A year and a half ago, his body essentially revolted after he started his graduate program due to stress and lack of exercise (from lack of time!). He doesn't want that to happen again.
4). I want my kids to practice exercising their agency, or ability to choose, in a positive light by eating healthily, not because I want them to, but because they want to.
5). It will make us all healthier!
On the drive home, I explained to my 5 and 3 year-olds EXACTLY what being sugar-free would mean in ALL situations for them. My 5 year old was so excited that my 3 year-old got excited and wanted to start eating no sugar "right now!" My 5 year old is old enough to truly understand the program, but I have no idea how my 3 year-old will handle it. I kept asking her over and over again, "Are you sure you want to do it? Do you know what this means?" I guess I will let you know in later posts her understanding and commitment to the whole thing. I have a feeling I might still be involved in her decision-making process since she is so young. I don't think I will have her participate 100% if she really doesn't want to since she eats so little sugar anyway.
The plan: In moderation, we will include raw honey, raw agave nectar, stevia, a bit of evaporated cane juice (in my dairy-free chocolate chips), grade B maple syrup, and coconut sugar for sweeteners. Notice I said, in moderation. All sugars need to be consumed in moderation. Make desserts and sweet foods a true treat, not something you consume daily. Your body will thank you for it.
My Fears: Through the years, I have tried many tactics in trying to get my kids to avoid refined sugar. Some have worked, some tactics have failed. But right now in my life we have a good balance of give and take and I don't want to lose that balance. For instance, my son had to take an oral Spanish exam for entrance into a duel immersion program next year. He was nervous about the whole thing, and was hiding behind me as we walked into the room. But he was a big boy and did wonderfully. I was so proud of him. Afterward, the examiner asked him if he wanted a treat. He looked at me..."Can I, mom?", I saw in his eyes. I took into consideration that he hadn't had a treat in a long time, the fact that they were fun sized packs and said, "How about we split that with your sister?"
Him: "Uhh..."
Me: "Yeah, that's a good idea. Let's split it with your sister."
Him: "Ok".
It may sound like he was sad, but he was so happy, let me assure you, because he knew he was lucky even to get 1/2 of a fun-sized M&M package. And although I wish it would've been something healthier, I was happy that he had a little reward for conquering something that was a challenge for him. Plus, he told me he chose the M&Ms because he thought they had the least sugar :) I told him it was a good choice because they had the least amount of ingredients :)
Anyway, my point is that my kids and I have "stuck a chord" in the music of finding a balance that fits us all. They almost always ask me if they think a treat is questionable, and there's not much whining or fit-throwing when I tell them whether they can have it, and how much they can have. And I feel this is a tactic that can be utilized long-term.
THAT SAID, as my kids get older, the opportunities for getting treats is ever increasing. I am negotiating with them more and more over what they can/can't have in any given situation. There are ways that I ease this burden that I will detail in another post (bringing a box of special treats to school, etc..), but it might be nice to have a year where I don't have to negotiate.
So, I asked and asked and asked my 5 year-old, who really wants to do this, "Are you sure?" I went through the whole year and detailed what each event/holiday would be like. And he said to me, "Mom, I pretty much do it anyway. And this way I can get money!" I laughed, and said, "Okay. If this is what you want to do, you need to take ownership for it. You make sure you think before you eat and let me know if there's anything I can do to help you." And if he can do it, you can!
So let's do it!!!! Ask your kids, husband, wife, and extended family if they want to join you. You might be surprised!! And let me know in the comments! I will regularly post about how our family is doing --any hard times or pit-falls we might encounter, or differences we see in our health -- and I want to know your experiences as well. Having support and someone to talk/vent to makes something like this a lot easier.
Here's to a healthier 2012!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Days 9 and 10
I'm here. Hi. Sorry. Is everyone still alive? Yesterday I was finally feeling much better only to have my 8 year old come down with the stomach flu. This is the second time in less than 2 months for him so we feel extra lucky. Needless to say, long weekend. Here's the plan for today (Monday, day 9).
breakfast: green shake made with watermelon and kale.
snack: almond, pecan, dried mango trail mix
lunch: cucumber salad with raw dressing
snack: raw granola and avocado slices
dinner: raw cauliflower couscous-recipe here
snack: left over green shake and raw brownie
Menu for Tuesday (day 10)
breakfast: green shake made with peaches and hemp
snack: raw crackers w/tomato slices and pine nut cheese
lunch: zuccinni pasta w/ carrots, macadamia nuts, and lemon juice
snack: raw sweet potato chips w/ omars dressing for dip
dinner: green salad w/ avocados and lemon ginger dressing
snack: raw pizza bread sticks (bought them at Good Earth)
Interesting little nugget of info, Ryan finished his cleanse yesterday. When I got up and made green shake for my breakfast this morning he asked me to pour him a glass. I reminded him that "hell week" was over and that he should just go back to his regular bowl of cereal. He said, "nahhh...I feel better when I have a green shake". I couldn't friggin believe it! Now if I would have said, "here, have a green shake for breakfast", I'm guessing it would have been a different story.
breakfast: green shake made with watermelon and kale.
snack: almond, pecan, dried mango trail mix
lunch: cucumber salad with raw dressing
snack: raw granola and avocado slices
dinner: raw cauliflower couscous-recipe here
snack: left over green shake and raw brownie
Menu for Tuesday (day 10)
breakfast: green shake made with peaches and hemp
snack: raw crackers w/tomato slices and pine nut cheese
lunch: zuccinni pasta w/ carrots, macadamia nuts, and lemon juice
snack: raw sweet potato chips w/ omars dressing for dip
dinner: green salad w/ avocados and lemon ginger dressing
snack: raw pizza bread sticks (bought them at Good Earth)
Interesting little nugget of info, Ryan finished his cleanse yesterday. When I got up and made green shake for my breakfast this morning he asked me to pour him a glass. I reminded him that "hell week" was over and that he should just go back to his regular bowl of cereal. He said, "nahhh...I feel better when I have a green shake". I couldn't friggin believe it! Now if I would have said, "here, have a green shake for breakfast", I'm guessing it would have been a different story.
Friday, January 6, 2012
Day 6 - Nori Might Be a Game Changer
We were supposed to go to a concert tonight but it didn't quite pan out. It was all kind of a jumbled mish mash of confusion and I finally decided, screw it. So here I am. Alone. Blogging. On a Friday night. Woe is me. Ryan took my son and his friend instead. But don't go jump off a bridge on my behalf yet. All is not lost. For lo and behold I just so happened to pick up some nori sheets today. I was on my way home with my nori in tow when I called up Jenny and told her of my plans to make raw sushi rolls for myself. She said, "I love nori. I need more nori in my life". And when the J-bomb wants nori, she needn't fret.
Making sushi rolls always seemed too...involved I guess. They looked good but really, why spend the time? Throw it in a bowl and call it salad, right? WRONG! Not only are they fabulously delicious, they are a snap to throw together. And as long as you have some nori sheets you can literally make sushi rolls out of anything you have on hand. They're actually fun to put together. But what I really want to tell you about is the dipping sauce. I knew I wanted a sauce that was gingery and sweet but nothing was coming to mind. So I experimented a little. And the outcome was nothing short of mind blowing!
The sauce looks white in the picture but it's actually more of a yellowish-brown color. Mmmmm. Sounds good eh?
Raw Sushi Rolls with Lemon Ginger Dipping Sauce
This makes about 3-4 rolls cut into 1-1/2 inch sections
2 cups lettuce (chopped - or not - doesn't matter)
3-4 raw, untoasted nori sheets
2 carrots, sliced long and thin
1/2 english cucumber, diced
1 large tomato, sliced thin
1 avocado, sliced
1 large handful sprouts
1/4-1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped super-small
Okay. I'm going to explain how to do this as best I can. First, prepare all the vegetables except the avocado (it'll go brown if it sits there too long) and set them aside. Next, throw the macadamia nuts in the food processor until they're finely chopped.
Take out a nori sheet and set it on a clean, dry surface (I just used my counter top but a bamboo cutting board would be ideal). Spread the chopped spinach across the nori leaving about an inch column uncovered on the side. From there, just lay out the other vegetables in long columns. Slice the avocado and do the same. Place the chopped macadamia nuts in a long column right down the center of your nori sheet covered in vegetables. Spray the strip of nori that was left bare just enough to moisten it and make it sticky.
Now get ready to roll. Starting on the side opposite the one you just moistened, start gently rolling the nori sheet, pressing it together with your fingers. Keep it as tight as you can without ripping the sheet. When you get to the end, the nori should stick to itself and hold well. Give the entire roll a gentle squeeze to make sure the nori has stuck all the way around.
Let the roll set for a moment. Then, with a sharp knife, cut the nori roll into one-inch sections. Bust out the lemon ginger dipping sauce and have at it.
Lemon Ginger Dipping Sauce
1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
4 Tablespoon water (plus a little more to thin)
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or braggs liquid amino's
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 cloves garlic
1-2 Tablespoons tamari (I use gluten free)
1 Tablespoon raw agave, honey, or date syrup (you could even use date water)
1/4 teaspoon 5-spice Chinese powder
1/8 teaspoon fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Throw everything in a blender and blend on high until desired consistency is reached. Add more water to thin.
You can thank me later.
Making sushi rolls always seemed too...involved I guess. They looked good but really, why spend the time? Throw it in a bowl and call it salad, right? WRONG! Not only are they fabulously delicious, they are a snap to throw together. And as long as you have some nori sheets you can literally make sushi rolls out of anything you have on hand. They're actually fun to put together. But what I really want to tell you about is the dipping sauce. I knew I wanted a sauce that was gingery and sweet but nothing was coming to mind. So I experimented a little. And the outcome was nothing short of mind blowing!
The sauce looks white in the picture but it's actually more of a yellowish-brown color. Mmmmm. Sounds good eh?
Raw Sushi Rolls with Lemon Ginger Dipping Sauce
2 cups lettuce (chopped - or not - doesn't matter)
3-4 raw, untoasted nori sheets
2 carrots, sliced long and thin
1/2 english cucumber, diced
1 large tomato, sliced thin
1 avocado, sliced
1 large handful sprouts
1/4-1/2 cup macadamia nuts, chopped super-small
Okay. I'm going to explain how to do this as best I can. First, prepare all the vegetables except the avocado (it'll go brown if it sits there too long) and set them aside. Next, throw the macadamia nuts in the food processor until they're finely chopped.
Take out a nori sheet and set it on a clean, dry surface (I just used my counter top but a bamboo cutting board would be ideal). Spread the chopped spinach across the nori leaving about an inch column uncovered on the side. From there, just lay out the other vegetables in long columns. Slice the avocado and do the same. Place the chopped macadamia nuts in a long column right down the center of your nori sheet covered in vegetables. Spray the strip of nori that was left bare just enough to moisten it and make it sticky.
Now get ready to roll. Starting on the side opposite the one you just moistened, start gently rolling the nori sheet, pressing it together with your fingers. Keep it as tight as you can without ripping the sheet. When you get to the end, the nori should stick to itself and hold well. Give the entire roll a gentle squeeze to make sure the nori has stuck all the way around.
Let the roll set for a moment. Then, with a sharp knife, cut the nori roll into one-inch sections. Bust out the lemon ginger dipping sauce and have at it.
Lemon Ginger Dipping Sauce
1/4 cup + 1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
4 Tablespoon water (plus a little more to thin)
2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar or braggs liquid amino's
juice of 1/2 lemon
2 cloves garlic
1-2 Tablespoons tamari (I use gluten free)
1 Tablespoon raw agave, honey, or date syrup (you could even use date water)
1/4 teaspoon 5-spice Chinese powder
1/8 teaspoon fresh ginger
1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds
Throw everything in a blender and blend on high until desired consistency is reached. Add more water to thin.
You can thank me later.
Thursday, January 5, 2012
Day 5 - Bananas and Awards...Among Other Strange Subjects
Let me start out today by asking you how you're all doing? I was looking at our traffic feed yesterday and realized that most of you who frequent our blog have never commented. Don't worry. I get it. But today, simply because I love you all and I worry about you and I wish I could hold you in my arms and sing to you my twinkle lullaby, I hope you'll leave a comment. You don't have to tell us your life story or anything. I mean, you can tell us your life story if you want to, and we'll read it with great enthusiasm. But we're not demanding it. But you can. But don't feel like you have to. But if you do, maybe we'll send you a basket of avocados and a small bunny rabbit as a thank you gift. Okay I'll stop now.
Yesterday I was feeling pretty effing good. Although I did learn the hard way to stay far far away from the food and drink category on Pinetrest as apparently chocolate cake and massive loaves of french bread are taking over the world. Also, I woke up this morning feeling like a dozen little men were ice picking their way up my throat. I think a lot of the aches and pains I've been experiencing have actually been a head cold setting in. Totally perfect timing. Actually I'm fine. I might hork up my liver or something but no biggie.
Hey, so I have a good story for you. Two actually. But I'll do you a solid and combine them into one. You're welcome.
Several of my close friends have allowed me to brainwash them into participating in this cleanse. Or at least they say they are participating. Maybe they're lying to make me think I'm popular. Whatever. Anyway, one of them texted me late last night and said, "hey, how the heck do I get the peel off a frozen banana?". You guys, I laughed so bloody hard. It was late and granted I get punchy after 9:30 pm, but I couldn't stop imagining her trying to coax that frozen banana out of it's peel. It was only a few minutes later, after I had calmed my spastic diaphragm, that Ryan and I had this conversation:
Ryan: So, how do you choose who gets the prize at the end of this thing?
Me: (long blank stare) Prize? What prize?
Ryan: Isn't there a prize?
Me: For what? For eating healthy?
Ryan: Yeah. Like, some sort of award.
Me: Are you serious?
Ryan: Well, maybe you could pick the person who drank the most green shakes or ate the most celery or something...
Me: uh, what???
Tell me, can anyone relate to this? Is it men in general who need everything in life to incorporate the element of competition, or is it just the one I'm married to? It's like he needs a blue ribbon to pin on his lapel for being "the best" at breathing in and out every day. I calmly explained that the prize is feeling good. The prize is being healthy. The prize is not having to depend on a sugar fix to get him through the day. And he said, "what kind of prize is that?"
Right when I start thinking he's made some progress...
So, I know you just read several paragraphs of useless crap but I wanted to check in with you all today and let you all know that I've stayed on track so far. And to ask you how you are holding up? And to tell you that I'm siiiiick. It could be worse though. Take an ostrich for example. How bad would it suck to be an ostrich with a sore throat? Half the length of your body would feel like it was being bathed in steel wool. I would be one pissed off bird.
Oh wow. I've resorted to the topic of large birds. I win the prize for "most bizarre blog post".
Menu for Friday
breakfast: green shake, raw granola & berries (almond milk for Ryan)
snack: veggies and Omar's dressing for dip
lunch: left over zucchini noodles with raw marinara
snack: apple and raw chocolate pecans (recipe coming)
dinner: roasted vegetables and brown rice for Ryan, large green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, sprouts, and cilantro dressing for me
snack: banana almond shake
Yesterday I was feeling pretty effing good. Although I did learn the hard way to stay far far away from the food and drink category on Pinetrest as apparently chocolate cake and massive loaves of french bread are taking over the world. Also, I woke up this morning feeling like a dozen little men were ice picking their way up my throat. I think a lot of the aches and pains I've been experiencing have actually been a head cold setting in. Totally perfect timing. Actually I'm fine. I might hork up my liver or something but no biggie.
Hey, so I have a good story for you. Two actually. But I'll do you a solid and combine them into one. You're welcome.
Several of my close friends have allowed me to brainwash them into participating in this cleanse. Or at least they say they are participating. Maybe they're lying to make me think I'm popular. Whatever. Anyway, one of them texted me late last night and said, "hey, how the heck do I get the peel off a frozen banana?". You guys, I laughed so bloody hard. It was late and granted I get punchy after 9:30 pm, but I couldn't stop imagining her trying to coax that frozen banana out of it's peel. It was only a few minutes later, after I had calmed my spastic diaphragm, that Ryan and I had this conversation:
Ryan: So, how do you choose who gets the prize at the end of this thing?
Me: (long blank stare) Prize? What prize?
Ryan: Isn't there a prize?
Me: For what? For eating healthy?
Ryan: Yeah. Like, some sort of award.
Me: Are you serious?
Ryan: Well, maybe you could pick the person who drank the most green shakes or ate the most celery or something...
Me: uh, what???
Tell me, can anyone relate to this? Is it men in general who need everything in life to incorporate the element of competition, or is it just the one I'm married to? It's like he needs a blue ribbon to pin on his lapel for being "the best" at breathing in and out every day. I calmly explained that the prize is feeling good. The prize is being healthy. The prize is not having to depend on a sugar fix to get him through the day. And he said, "what kind of prize is that?"
Right when I start thinking he's made some progress...
So, I know you just read several paragraphs of useless crap but I wanted to check in with you all today and let you all know that I've stayed on track so far. And to ask you how you are holding up? And to tell you that I'm siiiiick. It could be worse though. Take an ostrich for example. How bad would it suck to be an ostrich with a sore throat? Half the length of your body would feel like it was being bathed in steel wool. I would be one pissed off bird.
Oh wow. I've resorted to the topic of large birds. I win the prize for "most bizarre blog post".
Menu for Friday
breakfast: green shake, raw granola & berries (almond milk for Ryan)
snack: veggies and Omar's dressing for dip
lunch: left over zucchini noodles with raw marinara
snack: apple and raw chocolate pecans (recipe coming)
dinner: roasted vegetables and brown rice for Ryan, large green salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, sprouts, and cilantro dressing for me
snack: banana almond shake
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Plans Are Meant to be Broken
I totally ditched the plan for dinner last night and went with my craving. Raw pasta with marinara, and ice cream for dessert.
Let us all pause for this moment of deliciousness...
Raw Marinara Sauce
1 roma tomato, chopped5-6 sun dried tomatoes (I use costco's)
2 dates, pitted
1-2 garlic cloves
small wedge of onion
1/4 - 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1-2 teaspoons cold-pressed olive oil
juice of 1/2 lemon
1 teaspoon sea salt
Blend in blender or food processor. Mine heats it up but as far as I know, it's not exactly cheating. Heh! I could be wrong.
Normally my sauce is a little bit more red but I had to use grape tomatoes tonight and they seemed to give it more of an orange look. Didn't matter though, twas excellent!
Creamy Raw Banana Cinnamon Ice Cream
2 cups cashews, soaked
2 bananas
1 cup almond milk
4 dates, soaked
juice of 1/2 lemon
1-2 Tablespoons raw agave or honey
1/8 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of sea salt
Blend everything in vitamix or blendtec until SUPER smooth. Pour into ice cream machine and let it run for around 20 minutes. Place in freezer for an additional 20-30 minutes until hardened. Top with almonds and serve.
Maybe even serve a top one of those raw brownies. Um, yes, I think so.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
Raw Sour Cream, Omar style
So I don't have a pic, but I wanted to help y'all out with the raw sour cream you may or may not need for the raw tacos Annie posted that you may or may not be eating during your detox....yeah.
Anyway, these measurements are based off of close observation during Omar's culinary tutorial. They're not exact, but they will give you a base recipe to work with.
Raw Sour Cream
2 cups cashews or macadamia nuts
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Splash of date water*
About 1 cup (to the top of mixture) water
2-3 tsp. salt (Start with 2 tsp. and add as needed)
Combine in a powerful blender and let 'er rip!
*Omar had a container of dates soaking in water to soften them. He used a splash of this slightly sweetened water to the sour cream mixture to give it the taste he liked. You can do the same, leave it out, or add a touch of agave or other sweetener, if you like. If you are on a detox, however, you might want to leave the sweetener out :)
Anyway, these measurements are based off of close observation during Omar's culinary tutorial. They're not exact, but they will give you a base recipe to work with.
Raw Sour Cream
2 cups cashews or macadamia nuts
Juice of 1/2 lemon
Splash of date water*
About 1 cup (to the top of mixture) water
2-3 tsp. salt (Start with 2 tsp. and add as needed)
Combine in a powerful blender and let 'er rip!
*Omar had a container of dates soaking in water to soften them. He used a splash of this slightly sweetened water to the sour cream mixture to give it the taste he liked. You can do the same, leave it out, or add a touch of agave or other sweetener, if you like. If you are on a detox, however, you might want to leave the sweetener out :)
Day 3 - Exactly What I Expected, but BEHOLD the Chocolate Milkshake
Yep, I knew it. I knew I'd be feeling it by today (actually it set in late last night). Headaches, sore muscles and joints, brain fog, tiredness, bagel cravings, it's all having it's way with me. I can't drive past Einstein's Bros. Bagels without salivating profusely. Neeeeeed staaaaaaarch! And I'm not even going to mention that picture I saw yesterday on Pineterest of the chocolate chip cookie with an Oreo inside. Inside!!!
Last night, Ryan and I were both collapsed in a heap on the couch complaining relentlessly about our sad cleansing side-effects when we had a brief moment of clarity at exactly the same time. I said, "if this is how we feel when we're eating healthy..." And he finished my sentence by saying, "it's scary to think about how totally fine we feel when we're pounding the crappy stuff". It really is scary to think that in our culture, our bodies have become so used to being fed processed sugars, sodium, preservatives, food dyes, artificial sweeteners, trans-fats, saturated fats, and processed grains stripped of all their nutrients, that we actually feel sick when we eliminate them from our diet. You guys, not to be a nervous nellie or anything but, OHMYGOSHWE'REALLDOOMEDIFWEKEEPTHISUP!
Anyhoo, on a more positive note, let's talk about shakes. I don't know if you're with me on this but some mornings my green shake is hard to even look at let alone drink. In fact, I had a friend email me this morning saying that she might actually come paint ball my house if I didn't give her some alternatives to the standard green shake recipe (which usually includes a variety of fruits mixed with mostly spinach). And let me just tell you, I take this woman at her word as I have known for, like...ever (seriously, since we were about yea big - hands placed about 12 inches apart). Not that having my house paint balled would make it any less attractive at this point considering I ran my own car into the front of it a few weeks ago. Yes I did. Wait, technically my car ran itself into my house right after I got out and left it in DRIVE! I completely agree. I need counseling. Okay, where were we? Green shakes, right. I downloaded this list off some website (can't remember which one) a few years ago to give me some ideas. I make some variation of at least one of these every day and I usually add in a few extra ingredients such as hemp seed, avocado, chia seed, lemon zest, ginger, lime juice, parsley, cucumber, wheat germ (one of my favorites), cinnamon (it's good I swearz), shredded coconut, or ground flaxseed. Not all of those together - blech! Just two or three. I know Jenny has a few things she likes in her shakes that aren't on my list. But I can't think of them right now. Sorry. Brain fart.
Good Green Shake Bases:
Watermelon Smoothie 10 strawberries
1 bunch spinach
1 cup water.
One half small seeded watermelon, peel and all
And if you're just sick and tired of green shakes, consider trying this bad boy (thanks again to my iphone). It's PACKED with protein.
Raw Chocolate Milkshake Miracle (original recipe from My New Roots)
1/4 cup hemp seeds (or use soaked almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds)*
2 heaping Tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 avocado
1 very large frozen banana (or 2 small)
2 Tablespoons raw agave or honey
dash sea salt
2-3 drops stevia
3/4 - 1 cup water
4 ice cubes
*Hemp seeds have a bitter, no, nutty, no...hempy flavor I guess. I like it with hemp seeds but if you aren't accustomed to the strong taste, use almonds instead.
I'm achey and a little lethargic today but I'm hoping it fades over the next few days. Yesterday I was telling Ryan of my woes and he said to me, "hun, you can't run with the big dogs if you pee like a puppy". I don't know what he was trying to say but I thought I'd share that tid-bit of Ryan wisdom with you.
Oh Jenny, I'm sorry for my crudeness. It's Ryan's fault.
Last night, Ryan and I were both collapsed in a heap on the couch complaining relentlessly about our sad cleansing side-effects when we had a brief moment of clarity at exactly the same time. I said, "if this is how we feel when we're eating healthy..." And he finished my sentence by saying, "it's scary to think about how totally fine we feel when we're pounding the crappy stuff". It really is scary to think that in our culture, our bodies have become so used to being fed processed sugars, sodium, preservatives, food dyes, artificial sweeteners, trans-fats, saturated fats, and processed grains stripped of all their nutrients, that we actually feel sick when we eliminate them from our diet. You guys, not to be a nervous nellie or anything but, OHMYGOSHWE'REALLDOOMEDIFWEKEEPTHISUP!
Anyhoo, on a more positive note, let's talk about shakes. I don't know if you're with me on this but some mornings my green shake is hard to even look at let alone drink. In fact, I had a friend email me this morning saying that she might actually come paint ball my house if I didn't give her some alternatives to the standard green shake recipe (which usually includes a variety of fruits mixed with mostly spinach). And let me just tell you, I take this woman at her word as I have known for, like...ever (seriously, since we were about yea big - hands placed about 12 inches apart). Not that having my house paint balled would make it any less attractive at this point considering I ran my own car into the front of it a few weeks ago. Yes I did. Wait, technically my car ran itself into my house right after I got out and left it in DRIVE! I completely agree. I need counseling. Okay, where were we? Green shakes, right. I downloaded this list off some website (can't remember which one) a few years ago to give me some ideas. I make some variation of at least one of these every day and I usually add in a few extra ingredients such as hemp seed, avocado, chia seed, lemon zest, ginger, lime juice, parsley, cucumber, wheat germ (one of my favorites), cinnamon (it's good I swearz), shredded coconut, or ground flaxseed. Not all of those together - blech! Just two or three. I know Jenny has a few things she likes in her shakes that aren't on my list. But I can't think of them right now. Sorry. Brain fart.
Good Green Shake Bases:
Kale-Orange
1 bunch dino kale
2 oranges
6 strawberries
1 cup of grapes
1 bunch dino kale
2 oranges
6 strawberries
1 cup of grapes
Kale-Strawberry-Peach
1 bunch green kale
1 pint strawberries
3 small peaches
2 cups water
1 bunch green kale
1 pint strawberries
3 small peaches
2 cups water
Peach-Spinach
6 peaches
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 cups water
6 peaches
2 handfuls of spinach leaves
2 cups water
Apple-Kale-Lemon
4 apples
½ lemon juice
5 leaves of kale
2 cups water
4 apples
½ lemon juice
5 leaves of kale
2 cups water
Pear-Kale-Mint
4 ripe pears
5 leaves of kale
½ bunch of mint
2 cups water
4 ripe pears
5 leaves of kale
½ bunch of mint
2 cups water
Strawberry-Banana-Romaine
1 cup strawberries
2 bananas
½ bunch romaine
2 cups water
1 cup strawberries
2 bananas
½ bunch romaine
2 cups water
1 bunch spinach
1 cup water.
One half small seeded watermelon, peel and all
Orange-Mango-Banana Smoothie
1 bunch dandilion grens (if you don't like these, use some kale or green leaf lettuce)
1 bunch dandilion grens (if you don't like these, use some kale or green leaf lettuce)
2 1/2 cups spinach
1 orange remove orange part of peel with knife, leave the white as it is high in calcium
1 mango
1/2 banana
1 orange remove orange part of peel with knife, leave the white as it is high in calcium
1 mango
1/2 banana
And if you're just sick and tired of green shakes, consider trying this bad boy (thanks again to my iphone). It's PACKED with protein.
Raw Chocolate Milkshake Miracle (original recipe from My New Roots)
1/4 cup hemp seeds (or use soaked almonds, cashews, or sunflower seeds)*
2 heaping Tablespoons raw cacao powder
1 avocado
1 very large frozen banana (or 2 small)
2 Tablespoons raw agave or honey
dash sea salt
2-3 drops stevia
3/4 - 1 cup water
4 ice cubes
*Hemp seeds have a bitter, no, nutty, no...hempy flavor I guess. I like it with hemp seeds but if you aren't accustomed to the strong taste, use almonds instead.
I'm achey and a little lethargic today but I'm hoping it fades over the next few days. Yesterday I was telling Ryan of my woes and he said to me, "hun, you can't run with the big dogs if you pee like a puppy". I don't know what he was trying to say but I thought I'd share that tid-bit of Ryan wisdom with you.
Oh Jenny, I'm sorry for my crudeness. It's Ryan's fault.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Day 2 and a Recipe Gold Mine
Normally by day 2 I start feeling a little sluggish and foggy. For some reason I feel great. Ryan? Not so much. He's trying to be a good sport but holy cow, this is a BIG change for him. I'm hoping to avoid being served with divorce papers by the end of the week. Pray for me.
Here are three of my FAVORITE raw recipes. Honestly, even if you're not a fan of the whole raw thing, you'll like these. I swear.
Raw Tacos
2 cups walnuts
1 Tablespoon grapeseed oil
1 Tablespoon Nama Shoyu or tamari
1 1/2 teaspoons cumin
1/2 teaspoon chili powder (plus a pinch or two)
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 teaspoon salt
juice of 1/2 lime
1/2 red pepper, finely chopped
2-3 green onions, finely chopped
5-6 green cabbage leaves
Process walnuts with spices in food processor until desired consistency (be liberal with the cumin and chili powder - more=better). Be sure not to over process or you'll end up with taco cake. Remove blade and stir in grapeseed oil, Nama Shoyu, lime juice, red pepper, and green onion. Mix well. Serve in cabbage leaves. Top with raw sour cream, avocado slices, tomatoes and fresh salsa.
Raw Sour Cream
cashews
lemon juice
date water
salt
water
I don't know the exact measurements. I just throw the cashews into my blender and start adding the other stuff until it tastes right. It should taste almost EXACTLY like sour cream.
Raw Brownies
2 cups walnuts
1 1/4 cups medjool dates, pitted*
1/4 cup dried cherries*
1 cup raw cacao
1 cup raw unsalted almonds, roughly chopped
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
dash of vanilla or raw vanilla bean
Place walnuts in food processor and blend on high until the nuts are finely ground. Add the cacao, salt, and vanilla. Pulse to combine. Add the dates one at a time through the feed tube of the food processor while it's running. You should end up with a mix that appears rather like cake crumbs, but that stick together when pressed. If mixture does not hold, add more dates. Stir in the almonds. Press mixture into 8x8 inch pan and place in the freezer. Store in fridge or freezer until ready to serve. These are MUCH easier to cut when frozen.
*Any type of dates work as long as they're pitted. Make SURE they're pitted or you'll be out a food processor.
*The original recipe only calls for 1 1/2 cup dates, but one time I used some dried cherries because I was short on dates. The result was incredible! Kind of like red velvet brownies. Cherries are a bit pricey when out of season so a good substitute might be dried cranberries. Or just go with the dates. Either way, they rock.
Day 3 Menu
breakfast: green shake & almond butter on raw crackers (maybe a banana too - I need a big breakfast...obviously)
snack: fresh berries and handful of sunflower seeds
lunch: Ryan - sunshine burger w/ black beans and red peppers, Me - big green salad topped with red peppers, carrots, cucumbers, sesame seeds, and jenny's asian dressing
snack: remainder of green shake and handful of almonds
diner: Ryan - coconut brown rice w/ side of broccoli and fresh pineapple, Me - raw coconut pasta with side of broccoli and fresh pineapple
snack: raw brownies...duh
Day 3 is always the hardest. Stick with it yo!
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Rockin Detox Day 1
Don't hate me for my killer iphone photography. I had to just make due today. I wanted to show you the splendor of pine nut cheese but the camera on my phone doesn't really do it justice. I promise it's SO good. I added a little bit of Trocomare and some extra garlic today. It was awesome.
I always feel great on day one. My motivation level usually gives me a bit of a euphoric feeling so I pretty much just sail through the day. It's been funny to watch my husband (Ryan) today though. He wasn't very happy with this whole ordeal until I made him an orange-berry shake this afternoon. For some reason that tickled his fancy and bettered his mood. Maybe it was the smidgeon of vanilla bean I added.
Here's what I have planned for tomorrow.
Day 2 menu
breakfast: green shake and a handful of raw granola
snack: blueberries and almonds
lunch: lemon, pomegranate, and pine nut salad
snack: remainder of green shake and maybe some celery sticks with pine nut cheese
dinner: another giant salad with kale, collard greens, carrots, tomatoes, pea greens, sunflower seeds, and Omar's dressing. I'm making my husband some organic brown rice with lightly sauteed vegetables.
snack: raw almond butter spread on banana slices
Aforementioned raw granola is in the dehydrator right now. It smells good. Like, REALLY good.
Happy Detoxing!!!
Oh, and happy new year too. I almost forgot.
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Are You "Rawdy" To RUMBLE!!!
How bout that title? I know. I try.
Here's my menu for tomorrow and some recipes that might help get you started. I plan to throw in a little meditation just to get myself in the groove (MEDITATION, I know - total geeksville). Consider trying it. You might be surprised.
breakfast: Green shake
snack: Raw crackers smothered in cilantro parsley dipping sauce (recipe below) and topped with tomato and cucumber slices
lunch: Huge green salad with Omar's dressing.
mid-afternoon snack: Another glass of green shake & a handful of raw almonds
dinner: Raw tacos (I'll give you the recipe and then you'll want to make out with me - for real). They are SO incredible.
late snack (because I like foooooood): Blackberry-orange smoothie (recipe below)
Cilantro Parsley Dipping Sauce
1 1/2 cup cilantro
1/2 cup parsley
juice and zest of 2 limes
4 Tbs. cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
pinch of sea salt
2-3 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 tsp. raw honey
Wash and dry herbs well. Roughly chop herbs, garlic, and jalapeno, then put them in a blender with remaining ingredients. Pour into a serving dish and enjoy.
Asparagus Cream Soup (tried this today and loved it)
6-10 tender asparagus spears
1/4 cup raw cashews
juice of 1/2 lemon
sea salt to taste
pepper to taste
Trim asparagus stems. Cut off tender tips and squeeze lemon juice all over them. Cut remaining spears and put into blender with cashews. Cover with water and blend until smooth. Taste and add sea salt and pepper if desired. Cut tips into small pieces and stir into soup with remaining lemon juice.
Lettuce, Pomegranate and Pine Nut Salad
3 Tbs. pine nuts
2 handfuls of baby spinach
5 cups green lettuce, torn or chopped
1/2 Tbs. Olive oil
1/2 an avocado, diced
1/4 cups pomegranate seeds
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
salt to taste
Combine lettuce and spinach in a salad bowl. Drizzle with oil, season with salt, toss to mix. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, avocado and lemon juice.
Blackberry - Orange Smoothie
1 cup blackberries
1 banana, peeled
1 small orange, peeled
2 cups fresh spinach
1 Tbs. hemp seed
4 ounces filtered water
ice
Put all ingredients in blender.
Raw Pine Nut Cheese
1 cup raw pine nuts
1/4 cup water 1 clove garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or Real Salt
Process all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.
Here's my menu for tomorrow and some recipes that might help get you started. I plan to throw in a little meditation just to get myself in the groove (MEDITATION, I know - total geeksville). Consider trying it. You might be surprised.
breakfast: Green shake
snack: Raw crackers smothered in cilantro parsley dipping sauce (recipe below) and topped with tomato and cucumber slices
lunch: Huge green salad with Omar's dressing.
mid-afternoon snack: Another glass of green shake & a handful of raw almonds
dinner: Raw tacos (I'll give you the recipe and then you'll want to make out with me - for real). They are SO incredible.
late snack (because I like foooooood): Blackberry-orange smoothie (recipe below)
Cilantro Parsley Dipping Sauce
1 1/2 cup cilantro
1/2 cup parsley
juice and zest of 2 limes
4 Tbs. cold pressed, extra virgin olive oil
pinch of sea salt
2-3 cloves garlic
1 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 tsp. raw honey
Wash and dry herbs well. Roughly chop herbs, garlic, and jalapeno, then put them in a blender with remaining ingredients. Pour into a serving dish and enjoy.
Asparagus Cream Soup (tried this today and loved it)
6-10 tender asparagus spears
1/4 cup raw cashews
juice of 1/2 lemon
sea salt to taste
pepper to taste
Trim asparagus stems. Cut off tender tips and squeeze lemon juice all over them. Cut remaining spears and put into blender with cashews. Cover with water and blend until smooth. Taste and add sea salt and pepper if desired. Cut tips into small pieces and stir into soup with remaining lemon juice.
Lettuce, Pomegranate and Pine Nut Salad
3 Tbs. pine nuts
2 handfuls of baby spinach
5 cups green lettuce, torn or chopped
1/2 Tbs. Olive oil
1/2 an avocado, diced
1/4 cups pomegranate seeds
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
salt to taste
Combine lettuce and spinach in a salad bowl. Drizzle with oil, season with salt, toss to mix. Sprinkle with pomegranate seeds, pine nuts, avocado and lemon juice.
Blackberry - Orange Smoothie
1 cup blackberries
1 banana, peeled
1 small orange, peeled
2 cups fresh spinach
1 Tbs. hemp seed
4 ounces filtered water
ice
Put all ingredients in blender.
Raw Pine Nut Cheese
1 cup raw pine nuts
1/4 cup water 1 clove garlic, peeled
2 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon sea salt or Real Salt
Process all ingredients together in a food processor until smooth.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
