Day 24 & 25: GMO’s and a Garden

Yesterday got away from me. I honestly do not recall what I did after work!

Today I have the day off, and it began early, taking care of personal business so I could get to the fun part of the day. I went to Starbucks and lingered over coffee and tea while I watched Genetic Roulette, a hugely informative film about the GMO issue.

It is available through the end of today for free via the website. I wish I’d watched it a month ago so I could have shouted from the rooftops all month “WATCH THIS FILM!!!”

Those living in California will vote next week on whether or not GMO food sold in that state will be labeled as such. The rest of the country is holding its breath to see if it passes. I’m telling everyone I know to tell everyone they know.

Next I began a book about container gardening. I also did much Internet reading about square foot gardening, herbs, fruits, veggies and non GMO heirloom seed sources. Fascinating stuff.

Yup, I’m gonna start a garden. I’m rather excited. It will be a raised bed garden as the soil in Florida is not ideal. I think I’ve got more sand than soil out back.

A friend is mentoring me, and I can’t wait to get started. I can’t wait to step outside and grab a handful of greens. I can’t wait to be able to grow my own tomatoes. I can’t wait to smell lavender in my yard.

To make a green smoothie with what I’ve grown, that will be an awesome feeling.

Day 23: Support

I’ve been trying to catch up on my blog reading. So many of you have wonderful things to say!

A theme I’ve seen the last few days is support. Whether its being vegan, cutting out sugar or gluten, cutting processed foods, whatever…so many struggle with a support system.

I got sick a while back. Several people told me I should eat some meat/eat something bad for you/if you actually ate real food you wouldn’t be sick, well, you get the idea. What bothered me most is that they were serious! And one of them was my maternal parental unit.

At work there are two camps. One that offers me everything, and one that says “are you still eating THAT way?” when food is ordered in for various events. A few are supportive and encourage me to ignore the “bad food”.

One day we ordered club sandwiches and fries for a large group. Upon returning from picking it up, I realized there was a gal in the group who eats no dairy, gluten, sugar, or processed foods. I asked if she would like to split a salad. She said yes, and I quietly ordered a wonderful salad and shared it with her. Sadly, the highly processed lunch disappeared and no one asked about the salad.

I started down this path for my health. I continue down this path for my overall well-being. I sometimes say I’m a closet almost vegan. I joke, but I hate confrontation and am selective with who I share with.

Someday I’ll be able to not care about that.

Day 22: Recovery

I managed to sleep a lot today. My knee and back are hurting from the last few days of work being so busy.

I also am feeling HUGE, and not in a good way ha ha. My rings aren’t tight but my belly feels crazy full and I have that ug kinda feeling that comes from overeating.

The thing is, I didn’t! I think it’s remnants of yesterday. I had a baked potato for lunch and a salad and tacos for dinner. All on the up and up.

So I guess it may take a few days to get over Saturday.

I’ve also noticed that the calendar states a certain time of month is approaching. Is it possible that hormones added to the mix is making me feel this way? Interesting…

…and there is going to be a fast this week!

Day 21: Lost Day and a Burger Recipe

Three very long, physically taxing days at work culminated in my collapse last night (Day 27). I recall stretching out in the sofa thinking my feet and legs may explode.

Suddenly it was 3:30am. I got up, put my long dead phone on the charger, and waited to fall asleep again. I woke about noon.

Yesterday was challenging food wise. I had my smoothie, a slice of veggie pizza at lunch, a donut. It was what was available on a day when there was barely time to eat. Not a good excuse. I was starving by 5pm.

Thanks to an overwhelming craving for steak, I had dinner at a place in town and had fried green tomatoes and a mushroom cheese burger.

I’m pleased to say that less than half the burger was consumed before I felt an overwhelming need to be ill. Suddenly the smell of it turned my stomach and the site of it as well.

I tried cutting it up but that really made it worse. So I finished the tomato, pickle and mushrooms and sent it away.

Was the craving from exhaustion? Was it really about a need for protein due to little to eat earlier in the day? I’m not sure, but I don’t wish to repeat it.

Perhaps the exhausted sleep was served with a side of guilt.

Next time, I will have to try this Vegan Bacon Double Cheeseburger Recipe from Foodista.

Day 20: Gloomy Gus

Upon getting very little sleep last night, I awoke in a bit of a funk. This set the course for a not great morning.

Just when I was ready to toss in the towel on the day and crawl in the proverbial hole to hide, I got an email.

A gal I know who is vegan, was raw, and has been coaxing me into the amazing plant based world for years was offering to help me set up a raised bed so I can start a garden. She grows a lot of her food and loves going out and grabbing some greens when the mood strikes.

It was the nicest thing I’d seen all week. That one little email. A small act of kindness that has the power to help me grow in my plant based quest, as well as cheer up a gloomy day.

We shall see where this goes!

Day 19: Vegan Day and a Pallooza

Today was a 100% vegan day. Woohoo!

I made a green smoothie today, which I am calling Green Berry Pallooza. It was tasty! Using all frozen ingredients and water, I got a very thick pitcher of smoothie, which looks like it will get me at least three 32 oz servings. I have to thin it with water just to pour it!

I spent last night prepping. I set up a station in front of the tv and went to work cutting, measuring and bagging. I made six packs that I can grab from the freezer and make easily. Well worth the prep time, as I am NOT a morning person.

My local grocer was out of Kale. Yes. Out of Kale. I blame Dr Oz 😊 I got spinach and collard greens instead. So there are lots of greens plus a variety of fruit in each pack.

I broke out recipes and deliberately tried new things like mango and pineapple, so I could get out of my rut.

Below is a photo of my smoothie packs and today’s recipe.

I also ate my leftover lunch from yesterday for lunch and dinner. The chipotle hummus got about 99% hotter over night. Soooo good!

Green Smoothie Pallooza
Makes 48+ very thick ounces when using all frozen ingredients
4 cups spinach
2 bananas
2 cups blueberries
2 cups frozen mixed berries
A good size tablespoon flax seed powder
32 ounces of water, or enough water to make it blend and pour

Day 18: Veg Lunch Out

I took some advice today for getting back in my groove and invited a friend out to lunch. We went to Meze 119 in downtown. They are an awesome vegetarian place with a number of vegan options. We started with Moraccan Mint Iced Tea with sugar cane and Chipotle Hummus and wheat pitta. Mmmmmm.

I had ordered a sandwich and soup…my soup arrived first and I gasped. A HUGE bowl of veg chili. With cornbread on top. Amazing.

The rest of our lunch came. My friend got “Meatballs” over rice with a spicy feta sauce. The waiter said “if you’re vegan, skip the sauce.” We’ll she dug in because she’s not ha ha!

I had the Falafel Sandwich stuffed with with Israeli salad. By far the best falafel I’ve ever had. We both also had a side of their baked fries.

We each took home leftovers, and discovered that they are open for dinner AND serve wine. Oh yes, we will be back!

Meze 119 – St Petersburg, FL

Day 17: Fight the Bordom

I am developing my plan to fight, nay, DEFEAT the boredom.

What causes the boredom? My penchant for eating the exact same thing, day after day, week after week. Usually it’s the exact same breakfast and the exact same lunch. There is usually tiny variety in dinner.

Yes. I ate my way into a funk. When I couldn’t look at another bowl of spinach salad or another container of hummus or another green smoothie, I fell off the wagon. And not gracefully.

There has been chicken. And not the hormone free, happy free range kind that never see the inside of a crate. There has been turkey. I’m not even a big fan of turkey. There has been cheese. A LOT of cheese. There has been bread. And not healthy happy bread. And there has been…dare I say? Potato chips. Many, many, potato chips. And there has been grape soda. High Fructose Corn Syrup Poison artificial everything grape soda.

What has happened???? BORED. All of this in two weeks. Heavy sigh.

I had a shopping list. It lives in my iPhone. I just turn back on all the same things, and poof there’s a list. Last night I deleted the app. The list had to go.

Today I went in search of a perfect meal planner. It doesn’t exist. But I’m planning, looking at recipes, and making a new list.

I am also going to watch a few favorite inspirational videos. They should knock me back up on that wagon.

Lastly, I started taking the vitamin B12 I bought two months ago and forgot about. I don’t like the taste (it’s liquid), so I had set it aside. It’s now out in full view.

Tomorrow I meet a friend at a veg restaurant for lunch, and then I grocery shop. With my new list.

And if I create the perfect menu planner/shopping list, I’ll let you know.

Day 16: Random Thoughts on a Monday

I woke at 6am with a horrible headache. Yes, my fourth migraine in as many days. As I wait for meds to kick in, I thought I’d capture my thoughts.

Four in four days. I blame me. Yes. I take full responsibility for being lazy and eating out of convenience. I must eat for health. Today is Meatless Monday and I’m planning my “Chipotle-like” salad for lunch/dinner.

I have figured out the cravings. I’m bored. Yup, bored. I tend to latch onto one thing and run with it until I can’t stand it. So I’ve thrown away my shopping list, broke open the books, and am menu planning with new things.

I’ve never understood Pajama Jeans. I just don’t get it. Ya wear pajamas, or you wear jeans. Period. Personally I’m a yoga pants kind of gal. But for the last 28 minutes, I’ve been seeing (not necessarily watching) a Pajama Jeans Infomercial. A whole 30 minutes dedicated to “the fashion sensation that is sweeping the nation”. HUH???? Why? Why ruin jeans, the perfect item of clothing? This makes me want to hug my favorite red jeans and say “it’s ok, you’re safe.”

Day 15: Tonight’s Reading

Just started a new cookbook, Supermarket Vegan by Donna Klein. If the appetizer section is anything like the rest, it’s pretty good.

Revising shopping list…