Starting Over

Today is the day. Today is the day I start over. Today is the day that I retake control of my life.

The biggest part of this is getting control of my eating. I have been on so many diets/eating plans over the years. I have been successful on each and every one of them. Actually, losing weight is pretty easy for me. The problem is, I LOVE food, and more specifically, I love food that isn't good for me. So after I lose weight, I start eating bad stuff, and the next thing you know, I am right back where I started.

So, I am stepping back 2 years and starting the Candida Diet again. Technically this diet isn't a weight loss diet, it is more of a toxin removal diet. But the greatest side effect is the dramatic weight loss.

In a nutshell, here are the things I have to avoid:

• Dairy products - except for eggbeaters and organic butter
• Alcohol - this will be a breeze for me
• Grains - except for brown rice. This is tough, but there are actually some brown rice products that are quite good. I have found tortillas and pasta which totally makes this diet possible.
• Beef/pork/veal
• Sugar in all forms
• Vinegar - weird right? but something to do with the way it metabolizes in your system. This is the single hardest part of this diet. It eliminates all condiments, and I mean all. And I am a condiment girl. The thought of going 3 months without salad dressing and Texas Pete makes me cry. But I know I can do it, I've done it before.
• Starchy vegetables - specifically corn, potatoes and sweet potatoes. And I love all 3.
• Nuts
• Soy products
• Caffeine - so no more Diet Dr. Pepper, or Crystal Light, or tea.

So what can I eat? Almost all vegetables, chicken, fish (wild caught), turkey, and sugar free protein shakes. See this is where the weight loss comes in. Have any of you ever tried to eat 1200 calories a day from this list? It isn't easy.  I have to eat ALOT, and often. And after 22 days, I can add fresh fruit. I'll explain that reasoning later. Oh yeah, I also have to take a boat load of supplements.

So my friends, I will definitely need your support, and prayers, and encouragement. And probably a good kick in the ass every now and then.

I am going to try to share a recipe every now and then..maybe someone else can use the information.

One of my favorite go to meals for the veggie only days is Lentil Stew. Here's the recipe.

Lentil Stew

2 onions, chopped

1/2 cup olive oil

4 carrots, peeled and sliced

4 stalks of Celery, chopped

2-5 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp dried Oregano

1 bay leaf

2 tsp. dried Basil

1/2 cup Spinach, rinsed and thinly sliced

8 tomatoes, crushed, use the juice

4 cup dried Lentils, picked through and rinsed

6 cups filtered water (or organic vegetable stock)

Directions

1. In a large soup pot, heat oil over medium heat. Add onions, carrots, celery; cook and stir until onion is tender. Stir in garlic, bay leaf, oregano and basil; cook for 2 minutes.         

2. Stir in lentils, then add tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer at least 1 hour. When ready to serve, stir in spinach and cook until it wilts. Season to taste with sea salt and pepper. (do not salt prior to cooking, as salt during cooking makes lentils tough).

(this recipe was adapted from one found online at Allrecipes.com)             

 until next time........

You have to have confidence in your ability, and then be tough enough to follow through- Rosalyn Carter.