GOSSIP FROM THE GIRLFRIEND GATHERINGS

Learning from YOU to empower ME !

Get A Grip on Change – Greta Grypp Report #4

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SuperChgWomanGreta and I have collaborated FANTASTICALLY for the month of April.   On March 23rd I started the Virgin Diet and as of the date of this blog post I have lost 19 lbs.   Please note that I did not do any exercising during that period.   My success was all because I changed the food that I ate each day.   However, I know that in order to continue to have this success I need to reincorporate daily exercising again.

As I mentioned in last month’s post, I eliminated corn, soy, dairy, eggs, gluten, peanuts, and sugar/artificial sweeteners from my food intake.    The past two weeks, I reintroduced dairy and eggs to my diet.   Also, I had a couple of meals with friends that were non-organic even though I ate foods that were on the eating plan.   I did experience a negative reaction to this change and the weight loss did slow down.   So, I am reverting back to eliminating dairy and eggs again for several more weeks as suggested by the Virgin Diet.   It is apparent that I do have some food intolerances which evidently caused my weight gain.   I can never go back to eating eggs and dairy in the manner that I have for most of my life.

The next step is to keep eating organic and clean.    Even though the food costs more it is so tasty!   The fruits and vegetables are scrumptious.   I am eating a lot of wild fish and pasture-raised chicken with the occasional grass-fed rib-eye steak (I am a Texan).   I use spices and seasonings from Penzeys (http://www.penzeys.com) to switch up my taste buds so that I don’t get bored eating the same thing.   I have discovered that because the food is so tasty I don’t need to eat as much to feel satisfied.

There is an organization I want to follow that promotes “food as medicine” which I now believe is the purpose of food.    We human beings have re-purposed food into something that has made a lot of us sick.   Now that I have experienced the benefits of a few weeks of change, I want to move forward and I think following Ali Miller, RD, LD, CDE of Naturally Nourished (http://www.naturallynourishedrd.com) is the best next step for me.   I plan to attend one of her speaking events at the Urban Harvest Farmers’ Market that is scheduled several times a month.   I am also interested in some of her cooking classes.   Check out the website for some great healthy recipes.

Overall, I feel great.   I have lots of energy.   I am not dragging out of bed each morning.   I am not “foggy” in my thoughts.   The best benefit is that I still have enough energy at the end of my work day to come home and write.

QUESTION(S):

What do you think about the “food as medicine” philosophy?

 

NaBloPoMo #8 – Five Items in My Refrigerator That Make Me Feel…….

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NaBloPoMo November 2013Women Having Coffee

This topic made me take a close look at the items inside of my refrigerator to determine which ones generated any feelings within me.    I was surprised to realize that I did have feelings about some of the items and the top five are listed as follows:

  1.  Sweet Leaf Natural Stevie Sweetener – I have apprehension about this item.   I am addicted to sugar and I am trying to transition to a healthy alternative to use as a sweetener.   I know there is Equal, Splenda, and Truvia but even those impact the glycemic index.   Sweet Leaf does not.     Even though Sweet Leaf is tasteful my palette leans more toward Splenda.   However, I am determined to transition to Sweet Leaf and have set a date as to when I will no longer purchase Splenda.   I keep Sweet Leaf in the refrigerator because it must be stored in a cool place.
  1. Blue Diamond Almond Breeze Original Unsweetened Almondmilk – I am excited about this item.   Recently, I discovered I have food allergies/sensitivities.  So I am trying to reduce/eliminate dairy, gluten, soy and corn from my diet.   Using this product as a substitute for dairy milk has proven to be a very tasty change.
  1. Organic Cage Free Brown Eggs with Omega 3 – I am excited about this item.   I switched to using these eggs because the chickens are fed a vegetarian diet and no hormones.    This is another healthy food choice that I have made to address my food allergies/sensitivities and to implement my eating management plan.
  1. Van de Walle Farms All Natural Picante Sauce – I am excited about this item.   I am a Texan and picante sauce/salsa is a staple in my refrigerator for eggs, burgers, chips, hotdogs, etc.    We, Texans, are loyal to our home grown Pace Picante Sauce but I discovered this brand which is also made in San Antonio.   It offers me a healthier version of picante sauce that is gluten-free and all natural.
  1. Nicolas Hermen Rheinhessen 2010 Germany Sweet Red Wine – I am sentimental about this item.    Every Saturday night, when I am home, I have a glass of red wine as a memorial to the joy, laughter, and love I shared with a special man.   I always keep a bottle chilling in the refrigerator.

Now that I have taken this impromptu tour of my refrigerator I realize the items in it fit my style – eclectic.