Food, glorious Food!

About a year and a half ago, I lost 15 pounds. Didn't mean to, I was just trying to eat better after the health crash, so my body would have one less thing to fight. I've had several people ask me how I did it, and how I maintain my weight.

The book I based and continue to base my diet on is Eat to Live. Notice I used the word 'base.' I like this meal plan for several reasons, but I do tweak it. What I like about it:

It's simple. No measuring, don't have to worry about 5 snacks a day, or eating every 2-3 hours. Not my style. Eat three meals a day, as much of you want of most foods, because the foods are so good for you.

Nutritionally, it makes a lot of sense to me. The text was written with an eye towards disease prevention and regression. Nothing outrageous or outlandish about the program, one doesn't even need to take a boatload of supplements.

I am LDS (Mormon) and we have been given health code guidelines. This is the first eating plan that falls pretty much in line with those guidelines. My guess is no matter what religion, one can tweak it for their guidelines as well.

How I tweak: I do eat meat/dairy occasionally. I have dessert every so often, now that I am at my goal weight. One can have one big dessert say every 2-4 weeks, or one could have a small treat every couple of days. (Chocolate truffles anyone?)

My husband has been on this basic plan for several months now and has lost 20 pounds. Without much extra exercise.

So, what do I eat? This post is to answer that question. I highly rec the book to anyone, it is mostly research which can be quite motivating, and then you get to the guidelines.

So, here goes! Breakfast, which I rotate according to my mood:
1. Oatmeal (from whole oats, not processed) cooked with some water in the microwave. My husband likes his cooked the old fashioned way on the stove. And yes, he cooks his own as the microwave doesn't seem good enough for him, lol. Told you I like things simple. To the oatmeal I add Costco frozen berries (strawberry/blueberry/raspberry blend, but a cup of whatever fruit you have on hand will work, too), a small handful of walnuts (great for Omega 3s), and a titch of vegan butter or brown sugar if I am in the mood. We are just talking a titch!

2. Berry smoothie and nut butter: In a decent blender, mix 1/2 c. rice or soy or almond milk, 1/2 c. water, 3/4 c. frozen berries, and a handful of fresh or frozen greens. You can add a banana or an ounce of fruit juice or a T of fruit juice concentrate if you want added sweetness. Blueberry pomegranate juice is really good, and good for you. The nut butter? I love almond butter, and I eat it (2 tsp) right off the spoon. Decadence! My husband likes his spread on sprouted grain bread. We only eat sprouted or sourdough bread these days. It's delicious and filling and gluten sensitivities don't seem to be an issue with it. BTW, to freeze greens: We buy ours at Costco or Trader Joe's, buying spinach or kale (baby or regular), or other mixes, say with mustard greens, then throw in gallon ziploc bags and freeze. Wash and dry before freezing as needed. The greens freeze in a dry manner, vs. buying the store type of frozen greens, which are often soggy.

3. Chocolate smoothie: I buy Spirutein chocolate shake mix and add a banana and 2 tsp. nut butter. I may get away from this one, as the spirutein is made with soy protein isolates, and I have read that this is not the best for folks. Better to eat soy in more whole food forms, such as edamame, tofu, soy milk, etc ...

So, tht is all for now Will write more later with my lunch and dinner parts of the plan.