Vegetarian/Vegan

This past June/July my physician told me about this evidence based diet by Joel Fuhrman...he has two books...Eat to Live and Eat for Health. I purchased his Eat to Live which transforms your current diet to more of a vegetarian diet. I did it for a month or two and was shocked by how I didn't feel "bloated" and was shocked by how people noticed I was dropping weight!

The other great thing about his book is that it relates our "American" diet to disease. His main point is how eating by his diet can reverse Type II Diabetes. As a nurse, I'm skeptical about this...but hey....give it a try!

I lost about 10lbs following his vegetarian diet and felt amazing!

My skin was clear...my hair was shiny...had more energy...

Here is the basics of his diet....aka lifestyle change!

Remember, the salad is the main dish; eat it first at lunch and dinner.

Eat as much fruit as you want, but at least four fresh fruits daily.

Variety is the spice of life, particularly when it comes to greens.

Beware of the starchy vegetable.

Eat beans or legumes every day.

Eliminate animal and dairy products.

Have a tablespoon of ground flaxseed every day.

Consume nuts and seeds in limited amounts, not more than one ounce per day.

Eat lots of mushrooms all the time.

Keep it simple.

A month or so after, I reintroduced meat into my diet...and haven't been eating well at all...and I feel awful...so here is my best attempt to get back on the wagon! I will say that my vegan/vegetarian lifestyle choice is health based and I do love a good piece of steak and I WILL eat that on occasions. I joke with people at work saying I'm a modified vegan! Hehe!

You can't go vegan overnight...think of how many things you eat that have eggs and milk. Yeah....Subways veggie sandwich--bread has eggs! It takes time and learning to read labels to find foods that are "Vegan".

This morning on The Early Show, they had Kim Barnouin on the cooking segment, showing off her new cookbook, Skinny Bitch. I was happy to hear she is vegetarian and trying to move vegan! It's the new thing people!!!

I also subscribe to a VEGATARIAN magazine...which featured a winery in CA that is a organic vegan winery! They pride on their sulfite free wine!! It's Frey's Vineyard...check it out!

If you're skeptical....try it! I followed Joel Fuhrman's diet and was amazed at how easy it was to drop 5-10lbs!!!!

Don't throw out the bananas!!!

Don't you hate it when you buy bananas and they seem to go brown before you can eat them!!! I normally don't have this problem since I put them in my smoothies...but on the occasion I do have brown bananas in the house!

Instead of pitching them....

Put them in the freezer and save for BANANA BREAD! Just defrost and mash them up for your bread!!! I have a loaf in the oven now!!! Banana bread is super simple to make too....here is a recipe I used today...

Jancie's Banana Bread

3 bananas, well mashed

1 c. sugar

2 eggs, beaten

1/2 c. vegetable oil

2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup nuts (I used Pecans)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mash bananas in mixing bowl. Add sugar, eggs and oil, mixing well each time. Sift dry ingredients together and add to banana mixture. Pour in greased 5x9 loaf pan and bake 55-60 minutes.

Ta-daaaa.....BANANA BREAD!

Trip to China anyone?

From Kyla's blog--->

China: the ultimate destination

I was reading my usual list of blogs today when I came across something that is too great not to share. What if you wanted to know how to get from Japan to China? Well, you would probably Google Map it right? Okay, you probably would not do that but if you DID this is what you would get. See step #43.




Anyway, this started me thinking. I really wanted to go to China I would obviously start from the United States and not Japan. More specifically I would start from Chapel Hill, NC. So I googled directions from my house in Chapel Hill to China. Please see below

There you have it! Anyone interested in going with me? It will only take38 days and 17 hours!!!

Read her blog @ http://adventureswithkyla.blogspot.com/

Ok...so I lied....

I couldn't resist starting the scarf....who said you have to study 24/7 anyway!!! Here's a start...almost finished!!!

I have a few more patterns to try!!! I'll post finished pics!

Scarf!

New pattern I want to try....but not until Chemistry is done with!!!! Maybe this will be a Christmas present or two!!!

I'll let you know how it turns out! :-)

Free Crochet Pattern: Fast and Easy Scarf

By Rachel

It’s no secret that all you need to make a really fast, really easy scarf is super bulky yarn and a giant hook. Since bulky yarn is so thick and dare I say it, bulky, it is really fast to make something with it! Not only that, bulky yarn looks great in very simple patterns. You don’t need to show off your fancy stitch work when all you need to do is show off the cool yarn it’s made with. So here is a really fast and really easy crochet pattern to use your really cool bulky yarn on! Skill Level: Finished Size: 4 ½” (11.5 cm) wide, 46” (117 cm) or as any size you want it to be Note: to alter the size, follow directions within crochet pattern

Materials: Super Bulky Weight Yarn (approximately 80 yards) Crochet Hook N (10.00 mm)

Crochet Pattern: Scarf
Start by chaining 87 or a chain as long as you want your scarf. The amount of chains must be an odd number.

Row 1: ch 2, dc in third ch from hook, (ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next ch) across: 44 dc
Row 2: ch 2, dc in first dc, (ch 1, skip 1 ch, dc in next dc) across: 44 dc

Repeat row 2 three times or until scarf is as wide as you desire.

Found @http://www.crochetspot.com/free-crochet-pattern-fast-and-easy-scarf/

Fall!

I'm assuming Fall is officially here!!! The past few days have been chilly requiring at least a sweater! YAY! I was beginning to wonder what was going on when September 22nd rolled around and we were still having warm days!

I didn't pack for chilly days when I went to Alexandria last week! That just meant I had to go shopping for a new sweater or two and a scarf! :-)

I just peaked at the weather and it looks like lows are going to be dipping to the mid 30's at night the next 10 days!! Wowzers!!

A few things I love about Fall:

Seeing the leaves change to pretty orange/brown colors!

Sunny/cool days!

Wearing pretty scarves!

Buying pumpkins and Mums!

Buying Halloween candy for kids (but no trick or treaters means candy for me!)

Pumpkin Pie! (Made my first Pumpkin Pie last night!)

Christmas is right around the corner!

I just love it!

Josh is such a TEASE!

Here is another brief look into the new album Josh Groban is putting out November 15th!

For all the times I tried for this
And every chance at you I missed
I've been known to go my way but I confess
It made me miss you more

I drew my line across the sand
And set my flank in no mans land
But here I am the one man band
With a song that's meant for two

And there is a light
From a higher window
Shining down on you tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
Bringing an easier time.
And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do
Just don't tell that it's too late
For me to love you.

How perfect we were meant to be
Our warm and silent symmetry
It's times like these when all
All we need is to be reminded
And I have flown a thousand miles
To empty rooms and crowded aisles
And we went from cathedral bells
To show and tell and wish you wells

And I still look at you
And I am blinded.
I am blinded

For all the times I tried for this
And every chance at you I missed
I've been known to go my way but I confess
It made me miss you more

I drew my line across the sand
And set my flank in no mans land
But here I am the one man band
With a song that's meant for two

And there is a light
From a higher window
Shining down on us tonight
And the music floats on the breeze
Bringing an easier time.
And all of our cards are on the table
Tell me what you want to do
Just don't tell that it's too late
Don't tell me that it's too late now
Just don't tell me that it's too late
For me to love you.

Can't wait!!!!