Recipe Help!

8/22/2013

At 30, I'm not old by any stretch of the imagination. I've never been one to care about age. That being said, though, I've noticed in the last year some significant changes in my body that have hinted that, although I'm not "old," I'm certainly getting older.

My metabolism, for example, has slowed down considerably. Where I could once scarf down a buffet-worth of lunch and not gain an ounce, I can't sneak a french fry without gaining twenty. My digestive track doesn't always tend to work as seamlessly as it once did, either. I could typically eat like a goat and my tummy had nary a thing to say. Now, however, it grumbles in protest should I try to indulge in something spicy.

Little things like that have been catching up with me for a while now. As a result, I've gained more weight than I care to admit, my posture has taken a hit, and my energy level is constantly sapped. I've been wanting to jump start a change in lifestyle to compensate for the fact that I'm not 18 anymore. I think I've finally got the motivation to make the commitment.

Mind you, I'm not worried about body image. While it'd be nice to look slimmer, I don't fancy myself "fat." My doc informed me last year I was close to overweight. With the pounds I've added since that visit, I'm likely over the line, but I don't care so much given I wear it pretty well. I'm curvy and my body-shape allows for extra pounds. However, I'm doing this more because I'm noticing my energy level being near nothing at the end of the day. I want to have the energy to take Vince to the park and out biking and such instead of feeling the need to collapse on the couch.

So I'm going to take this as my motivation to answer the changes in my body while getting myself more in tune with that whole "your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit" business. The first step of this process is to clear out the temple. I'm going to kick fast foods, fried foods and junk foods from my diet. I'm also going to "fast" three times a week - Mon, Wed and Fri will be my "no meat" days.

Thus, the point of this blog entry.

I know a lot of you out there have great vegetarian recipes. Please, please, please share them with me (unless they are soup because, for the most part, I don't actually like soup).

Plus, I figure this will be a good way to have a daily offering for a few special intentions I've got floating around. I've been meaning to work on my ability to fast, and I guess now is as good a time as any. This venture begins the day I get back from vacation (Sept. 4). I figure I should have a good stockpile of recipes and such by then.

Thanks in advance! <3

13 Comments

Nicole P.

8/22/2013 01:01:27 am

I had planned on getting into healthier eating this year as well, so I have a small stockpile put together. Is it wrong that I saw my pregnancy as a loophole to avoid it for just a little longer? :)

The Vegan Stoner is a website that has simple recipes that look easy enough to pull together without a lot of searching for specialty ingredients- http://theveganstoner.blogspot.com/

And I have found a butt ton of healthy and vegetarian recipes on Pinterest (sadly, I usually just pin the desserts).

In all seriousness, when I go through my "clear out my system" phases, I just try to adapt my tried and true recipes, e.g. when I make lasagna, I use whole wheat noodles, black beans and mushrooms instead of meat, and low fat cheese. It's hard, for me at least, to get used to new recipes and it makes it easier to transition to healthy eating and keeps Rigo from turning his nose up at dinner :)

Laura

8/22/2013 01:33:00 am

In the 1970's big food destroyed wheat. They hybridized it with grasses creating an untested for human consumption plant. Cut out wheat and gluten. You will feel better, be less hungry and weight will come off effortlessly. Did you know that this "wheat" is addictive? Do you know that people who stop eating wheat consume 400 fewer calories a day? This is because the "wheat" stimulates your appetite. Read Dr. William Davis (a Wisconsin cardiologist). If the thought of giving up wheat has you repulsed than you know you are a wheat addict.

Gina

8/22/2013 03:36:48 am

Hrm - that's a really interesting point. I'll definitely look into this. Thanks, Laura!

Gina

8/22/2013 03:36:07 am

Ooo - that's a good idea, Nicole! Simple switches really would be an easy way for me to "ease" into things.

Do you find it more expensive, however, to "eat healthier?"

Gina

8/22/2013 03:36:26 am

Oh - and use the pregnancy!!! I'd've done the same thing. Ha ha!

Nicole P.

8/22/2013 04:02:36 am

Since I normally replace the meat with other filling proteins or greens (beans, spinach, mushrooms) there isn't too much of a sticker shock. Especially if you have the time (and patience) to use dried beans, you can get a 5 pound bag for 3 bucks, and one cup is a serving for 2-3 people, depending how much you eat. The most expensive meat substitute I buy is portobella mushrooms, but since the rest of the stuff I use is a staple in my house, it's already figured into my food budget.

Veggie Mary

8/22/2013 01:30:42 am

I have about 54,049,703,202,378,632,407,862,306 recipes I could give you. Granted there's alot of "pinches" "some of" "add until you feel like it" terms involved but still delicious.

For example - Tuesday night I threw together a carrot, apple, ginger soup with a side of chick peas with spinach and parsley in a lime dressing.

Can I come over and cook stuff with you? I'm pretty cheap...payment will simply be hanging with my godson....you're cool too.

Mary Again

8/22/2013 01:32:16 am

Just saw your thing about soup. Forgot that about you (unless it's of the sausage bean variety).

Gina

8/22/2013 03:38:29 am

Yes. Please come cook. I really do need to do a better job of cooking better, anyway, and you were the first person to pop into my mind.

As for soup, it's true. I like tomato soup, I like the sausage soup, and I like a sausage soup my mom makes. But soup, in general, is just not that appealing because it doesn't feel like I'm eating something substantial (which is probably why the sausage ones get a pass).

Dom

8/22/2013 03:12:43 am

Oh my lord, woman. As a card-carrying (mostly) vegan, I could go on for hours...

First off, tell us specifically what you like and don't like. That'll make it easier.

Gina

8/22/2013 03:40:39 am

Ooo - valid point.

I love most veggies. Onions, broccoli, eggplant, carrots, squash, mushrooms, etc.

I don't know how to properly prepare eggplant or squash (though my mom's tried to show me several times).

I don't really know how to "use" quinoa, though I've been told it's not super difficult.

I've never tried kale, but I've always wanted to.

Um... does that help?

Gina

8/22/2013 03:45:10 am

Oh, and this might be a picky thing, but I've had tofu several times (maybe a dozen or more) and I've hated it EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

Korean, Vietnamese, BBQ'd, you name it. It's been unappealing every single time I've tried it, so I think I've just gotta discount that from the menu.

Anabelle link

8/29/2013 09:53:58 am

I can't tell you how much I would have wanted a curvy figure and I find it funny when my husband calls me a "large woman" teasingly. Good for you fasting beyond the call of duty. Our Lady must be so happy. My fave veggie recipe is cutting up squash and mushrooms, sprinkling olive oil and salt and putting them in the barbecue basket to smoke them.

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