Entries from March 2009
I basically love eggs. Every night, before I go to bed, I think to myself…which type of eggs am I going to eat tomorrow for brekky. It’s usually 4-6 egg whites w/ mixed vegetables and sometimes cheese. Or 2 poached eggs w/ a veggie fry up…that’s what I had this morning.
2 poached eggs
1 tomato (cut in half, salt&pepper exposed side before placing into pan. Fry for about 6-8 minutes)
Mushrooms Spinach
-and-
heated mushy banana. One thing I love about my diet (SCD) is that I can only eat mushy bananas. I don’t particularly like mushy bananas but they are great in a frying pan w/ about anything. Honestly they’re fab. AND you get them at reduced prices at the supermarket. (If you’re looking for an amazing banana bread recipe—not diet friendly—this one is to-die-for.)
I drank some of my recently bought Oxfam Organic Free Trade Swiss Pressed Decaf Coffee. I can’t, shouldn’t, have regular coffee on my stomach right now..it just doesn’t work.
Going back to eggs I should state two things:
1. I can’t buy eggs unless they’re free range and I desperately try and find those which are grain fed.
I have recently become aware of the farming practices of animals (my family are farmers) and it makes me sick. I am NOT against meat…I LOVE IT! However, we only ate cattle which we raised, lamb, chicken, etc. Buying chicken at the store where I know they were slammed into cages and pumped full of God Knows What…makes me sick. That goes into my body…I have enough crap in my body. I have vowed to only buy organic meat from now on, which means I will have to cut back on how much I eat, because of course it’s more expensive.
2. Those who eat eggs lose more weight! Thanks Roni for this fabulous article!
A study published online today in the International Journal of Obesity shows that eating two eggs for breakfast, as part of a reduced-calorie diet, helps overweight adults lose more weight and feel more energetic than those who eat a bagel breakfast of equal calories
“People have a hard time adhering to diets and our research shows that choosing eggs for breakfast can dramatically improve the success of a weight loss plan,” said Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Ph.D., lead researcher and associate professor in the laboratory of infection and obesity at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of the Louisiana State University system. “Apparently, the increased satiety and energy due to eggs helps people better comply with a reduced-calorie diet.”
I totally agree with what she’s saying. I don’t understand how someone can eat a bowl of cereal, Special K, and be full. Or even toast for that matter. I am usually starving after eating carb-loaded things..I NEED PROTEIN…
Compared to the subjects who ate a bagel breakfast, men and women who consumed two eggs for breakfast as part of a reduced-calorie diet:
- lost 65 percent more weight
- exhibited a 61 percent greater reduction in BMI
- reported higher energy levels than their dieting counterparts who consumed a bagel breakfast
Categories: Breakfast · food/diet · health · recipes
Tagged: banana bread, brekky, crohns, eggs, organic, SCD, weight loss
I baked tonight…yeah I bake pretty much every night.
Why?
I love it. I love baking. I love baking because it makes people happy.
NOPE
I bake because:
-I want to be able to try something new
-I don’t want to be alone
-I want to feel like I have something to do in the lonely night
-I want to be around something
-My gut can handle one bite
-If I try it then I’ll start tomorrow
As I have posted, I am really trying to focus on the beauty of what I can bring to my life right now. Baking just isn’t doing it for me. Not in the traditional sense. I sit sometimes and think ‘I want to bake.’ Then I sit and think about it more and think ‘Michelle why do you really want to bake? Because I am having a sweet craving’.
I am meeting my doctor in six weeks and I haven’t had a good streak of the diet in probably 2 months…where I can be on the special diet which is suppose to cure my gut problems for more than one day…because I usually give into sugar and baking.
It’s all about comfort.
The baker has to close up shop…for the time being. I need to cleanse myself of this crux and focus on other things which bring me Joy, especially walking into the doctors office in six weeks and saying ‘yeah, all of my signs and symptoms are gone’.
The Baker is out of flour….she will just have to replace it with chicken…call me Chef Michelle.
Categories: thoughts
Hey, I feel like I have so much to talk about today. It’s funny being a blogger there’s some days when there’s nothing to say and then other days when there’s tons to say.
Woke up to the beautiful sunshine…thank you day light savings. Plodded around for about an hour, then went for a run. RUN INTO THE WIND. I felt like a blowing away Seagull. Only cranked out about 2.52 miles (according to mapmyrun) about about 10 1/2 min/mil..sick. Way too slow. I could feel it in my knees today and I am worried that I wont have the body type of run the 1/2 marathon…aren’t marathon runners skinny and light…yeah not me. I think that my body is meant to throw shot puts and saw down trees.
After my crappy run I had to get ready for not 1 but 2 brekkys. I snacked on a banana almond butter sandwhich (cut banana in half longways and spread 1 TB of almond butter on it).
Went out for just coffee w/ my friends and co-workers: Tara and Nicole. I was mentioning to Nicole that I wanted to take pictures for my blog, to which she responded ‘I am all over your blog’. Ok, not exactly..just two posts, now three.
Nicole and I
Nicole and Tara (Tar-a)
I then biked down to another cafe to meet up with someone whom I’ve met on Twitter. The ‘Reluctant Blogger‘ and they’re adorable three boys. They were so cute. We had a little mishap when a full milkshake was spilled all over the table, but nothing that towels can’t fix.
Knowing that I have a crazy gut (which has been acting up. Not too sure if it’s because of the fruit I had for brekky or the two sips of yogurt based smoothie I had), I decided to order the sides menu. So I order: two eggs anyway you want (9.50), spinach, mushrooms, tomato (9.00). 1 tomato for 3.00…are you seroious? I was expecting more than what I ordered for 18.50…oh wait it comes with bread. Guess who can’t eat bread.
I hate going out, I am usually always disapointed. I think it’s also because going out for me isn’t a treat, because I can’t the ‘treats’ that you’d get if you went out. I came home STARVING, and ate and apple and this amazing salad. I mashed 1/2 an avocado w/ 1 TB of almond butter. OMG..if you haven’t tried this you must.
Walked around the markets with some lovely American study abroad students and munched on some grapes. That pretty much sums up my day. I am thinking about my next move in life and trying to think about what I want for dinner…on a bit of a salad kick.
Categories: food/diet · thoughts
Tagged: almond butter, bananas, bike, brekky, crohns, diet, eggs, going out, life, running, SCD, thoughts
Day 5:88
This morning I decided that I would ride my bike (which I haven’t ever ridden by myself since I got my bike in September for my birthday). I peddled up to my old house to pick up some mail. I think that I forgot how many hills there were..but it was good. 35 minutes and some sweat..never killed anyone.
Started the morning off–with a gut friendly recipe of almond meal pancakes w/ a warmed banana, almond butter and honey. However, when I calculated the the points on Weight Watchers I almost died…23 points. OMG. I have 26 for the whole day. Thank God I went biking this morning. So, almond meal pancakes are a once in awhile indulgence. 
It was a lazy day filled with going to the markets and buying tons of fruit and veg which is perfect for starting off a good week. I try and only go shopping once or twice a week. I always go to the Organic stand at the Fremantle Markets…they’re lovely people.
I have come to realise one thing and that is that I am horrible at budgeting. I am trying to save about 9,000.00 by the end of the year so that I can go home and travel around New Zealand. However, that means that I am going to have to live pretty frugally for the next eight months. I have never really tracked the cash that goes in and out..but I am trying to save and pinch my way through each week. Some people are super good at saving, but I am not. I am trying to, because I don’t want to have no play money—spending it on stupid trivial things…like colonoscopies and pathology. jk.
After writing out how much I needed to save, I decided to go and lay outside and soak up as much sun as I could because the weather is going to be changing pretty soon. Fremantle is LOVELY in the summer and a windy/rainy tunnel in the winter. I was looking for my book, ‘The Post Birthday World’–much like the movie Sliding Doors, and I came across this card.
This card was going to be given to someone, but I never gave it to them. Have you ever done that? Written a letter, but then upon thinking it through you decided that it wasn’t appropriate, too sappy, didn’t say what you wanted it to say? Funny. It was interesting to read through the stuff which I wrote, the card was more for me, than for him.
Lusting after eating a salad and then going for a later night run tonight. I much prefer running at night or early in the morning..when it’s cold outside. See you tomorrow after going out with a friend I met from Twitter. Just at some apple crisp…my stomach immediatley hurt—I stopped myself. I have realised it’s just not worth it.
Categories: thoughts
Tagged: almond butter, almond meal, banana, biking, crohns, honey, letters, life, pancakes, running, weight watchers
Today I took the day off. WINNER! I love having an extra long Friday…yeah no one can complain too much about being able to enjoy the Friday. I decided that I wanted to just take the day off and marinade in doing whatever I wanted to do..which meant no laundry and/or dishes 
After last nights blog post, I decided to read through my other blog posts. They’re so depressing and so incredibly focused on what I haven’t done right. Yeah tonight I didn’t eat everything that I was supposed to, but I had a fabulous time at my co-workers house. I didn’t indulge myself (which I what I would normally do on a Friday night) and I feel amazing.
In response to my blog post last night I got a pretty amazing e-mail from someone very close to me who wrote about the things which they see and/or appreciate about me. I bawled. For someone to write an e-mail to me, because they cared about my so much, to highlight all of the things which they love/enjoy/notice about me…was a blessing.
As I decided to live in the present moment (that’s the word for the blog I am doing elsewhere) I decided to get a henna tattoo of the Hindi symbol for ‘Love’. It’s about loving myself, feeding my gut with loving food, and embracing everything which I can. I love it.
I am drinking some tea, then headed to bed. Up tomorrow morning for an early morning SPIN class, then off to go around the town tomorrow in Fremantle. Pictures to come.
Thank you to all of you. Remember, give yourself a big hug.
Categories: thoughts
Tagged: blessed, dinner, henna, life, tattoo
Day 3:88
Let’s just say I think I hit the wall last night. In that, each night for the past week I have been keeping a gratitude journal. After reading part of ‘The Secret’ and starting up my other blog: wordspixelated, I realised that life is too hard when it’s always through a negative view finder.
Thus, last night I did two things (warning: I didn’t become a primary school teacher, because I knew I would have the ugliest backboards ever and terrible drawing skills).
1. I drew what I wanted to feel like crossing the finish line of my 1/2 marathon.
2. I wrote down all of the things which I love about myself.
I cried. Here I have been HATING, LOATHING everyday waking up to my fat body. Looking in the windows as I walk down the streets trying to suck my stomach in so I could remember what it felt like to be twenty pounds thinner…when I felt on top of the world.
I have to start loving myself. My body has done amazing things: lost 100lbs, gotten me all over the world, not sick in India (thank god), gotten through sickness in Japan, and has been tolerating my horrible eating the past 2 1/2 months without dying on me.
So give yourself a hug today.
p.s. off to help a friend bake a cake for her dad–apparently she started the other one of fire last night , lunch w/ a friend at my FAV local resturant and then I think 1 hour power yoga and maybe a run.
Categories: food/diet · health · thoughts
Tagged: body, body image, Love
That I miss my ex and thus dealing with my need for someone around I baked. Well well Michelle..what does baking lead to..eating it.
I think it hit me tonight that i am going to go to the doctor in 6 weeks time with all of my old symptoms because I haven’t been committed to my diet. I am going to go to my doctor heavier, because for some reason when I eat something that I shouldn’t I can’t stop—I think it’s because I see it as the ‘last time’…Jesus’ final super. I AM NOT JESUS!
I am stubborn, god damn it. Enough not to have to pay for steriods, enough to prove medical science wrong.
It’s the journey and frankly I am damn proud of myself for getting this far. I am excited that I’ve discovered this at day 2 of the marathon training. Tomorrow morning has a 3 mile run followed by body pump and lunch with a friend.
I feel so much better already. I promise to get some pictures up. I promise.
Categories: health · thoughts
Day 1 of 88 days before my 1/2 marathon.
I got a comment on my last post ‘is this blog over’? I had to really think about that. I don’t want my blog to be about: me losing weight, me bitching because I binged ate, me complaining about life.
Rather I want my life to reflect a new attitude which I am trying to embrace: Joy.
Joy with food, Joy with exercise, Joy with people. Bringing about the most amount of things which bring joy into my life. I have realised, and have blogged about before, that I have an abusive relationship with food. I think that I see food as either the enemy or as a comfort. I RARELY eat out of joy for the meal. Either I eat because it’s: there, fastly, or the least ‘amount of points as possible’. Horrible.
I want to eat because I have been dreaming up a fantastic meal and eat with joy for the food. With that being said, eating food that brings joy to my body.
Food which brings joy to my body. Not crap which makes me sick, which makes me feel bad about myself after it, that I eat in a conscious way. It think it’s an interesting thing. Especially for someone who has been struggling with their weight for awhile…many times people will say that food comforts them. But really it’s not about joy. At the end of shoving ice cream in your face (my choice) it’s not about joy. It’s usually a tear-filled evening of ‘tomorrow I’ll start’ and ‘why did I do that’ and ‘you’re so fat’. Frankly, I have had enough of using food in a non-joyful way.
The same goes for excercise. Who really wants to wake up early to go running in the freezing cold? Well, I have come to realise that exercise and working out (especially yoga) brings Joy to my life. It balances out my day, I feel mentally better about myself and I harness the strength to push myself further then I thought I might be able to do.
I guess all of this was brought on by the book ‘The Secret’. It’s an interesting idea of what whatever thoughts you project out into the world, is how your life will be fulfilled. Focusing on ‘can do’ and positive thoughts brings about the most suspended and honest changes in life.
So Day 1 of 88:
Ran 3 1/4 miles in 30 minutes: 9:30minute miles–this if from a girl who couldn’t run a mile about 8 years ago
Yoga for 20 minutes after running
1 hours of pilates tonight
I am filled with joy in that I know that life is a good as you think it will be. Yeah, things will come along, but it’s my choice to fill it with things which bring me joy or not bring me joy.
Categories: exercise · food/diet · thoughts
Today was the day when I carted by large rear to the WW meeting. I knew that if I didn’t…i would be gaining tons more weight. I am tired of having terrible nights and days with eating. I am tired of looking at my body and hating it. I want to be in control again.
I am 190.8lbs. Yes kids..that’s right! 22lbs heavier then I was six months ago almost exactly.
I told the leader briefly my story and she goes..focus on what you’ve done and you’ll get it off. I really like her…she’s not so hooky.
Anyways, so start my first offical week off back at WW I have to bake five desserts..isn’t that awesome? I have already tried all of them — hence me being so heavy– so I am not going to try any of them today. I must get going. I will post a huge blog about the dessert war tomorrow night. I can’t post any right now b/c I know that they’re checking my blog for secrets…this is war.
Shopping, Baking, Running—staying OP.
Hi My Name Is Michelle, and I am back At WW!
Categories: food/diet · thoughts
I just have to post a blog about my co-worker. One she is pretty much the most amazing person I have ever met. She’s this cute Singaporian lady who keeps me grounded every single day. I am 5′10″ and she’s 5 foot on a good day. I call her midget (I know it’s terrible) and she calls me giant (I know terrible). It’s enduring I promise.
Anyways, she probably has the healthiest relationship I have ever seen with her husband and they both inspire me to find someone whom I feel the amazing connection that they share together.Yeah I know this isn’t about food..but relationships impact food and frankly finding someone who brings joy to your life is beyond amazing.
It was recently their 8th anniversary and here is some excerpts from their blog….amazing! This post is ‘We’re Eight‘ E- co worker CS- her husband
Eight ways I know you love me – by E
2. You always want to hold my hands when we are out.
3. You always tell me ‘I love you’ before you go to sleep.
8. You get anxious even when I have small cuts or bruises.
Eight ways I know you love me – by C.S
1. You write me love messages in little heart shape cards.
3. You accompany me to look at cars whenever I ask you to.
7. You buy clothes for me.
Eight ways I show “I love you” - by E
3. I exchange sweet-nothings with you over the emails.
4. I go to car showrooms with you and listen to you talk about cars.
8. I learnt how to cook just for you.
Eight ways I show “I love you” - by C.S
2. I bring you your contact lens casing before you go to sleep.
3. I go shopping with you.
8. I say “I love you” everyday.
Categories: thoughts
Tagged: Love
