Cooking Investments

Wow, its half way through summer already!

Although here in Vancouver, its only seemed like summer for the past week or so! But Im glad its here! Finally able to get out and enjoy the weather, I've been walking, biking (so fun), and I even went for my first run in quite some time. Theres been a lot of new foods I've been eating, and products I've been using, all of which I'll try and get on the site at some point!
Today I wanted to start with some tools Ive been using lately that are just amazing. A-MAZE-ING I say!
The first is the Vitamix. I swear this is one amazing high-powered blender. Since getting it, for mothers day :), back in May, I can say that we use it every single day, usually numerous times. Especially for someone who has allergies, this has been a saviour! Not to mention clean eating, you can make practically anything you want from scratch, and its so fast and easy. Not saying that the unit itself is something your going to run out and buy, its quite an investment-costing about 500$. But again, its an investment that your going to have for YEARS. The warranty alone is I believe 7 years, and the company is great (yes I was silly and broke one of the tampers already, but they sent me a new one right away- free of charge!)

The possibilities of what can be made in this machine are practically endless! Being a wheat-free Vegan, my options seemed quite limited before I got creative with this machine! I have LOVED making frozen fruit ice-cream, hot soups, green smoothies, nut butters, vegan cheese, pasta sauces, you name it! It is so much more than a blender, thats for sure, and did I mention you can make soup (HOT soup) just from the friction in the blades? It is so powerful that it pulverizes anything! Okay I could go on about my lovely Vitamix for days, but honestly, if your big into cooking your own food such as I am, its a saviour.

The next item that I got a while back is called a Spiralizer, made by Paderno I believe. I googled where to buy them here and I found one at a store on Commercial Drive called Eternal Abundance. It was 45$. But 45$ WELL SPENT! Not being able to eat my old favourite (pasta) since my wheat allergies, I haven't had spaghetti or anything like it for years. But after coming across a vegan fettucine alfredo recipe on youtube using this machine, I went out and purchased the spiralizer that day! It comes with 3 attachments, one small noodle attachment, one medium, and one slicer. You can spiralize any veggie almost, I love to use zucchini for pasta, cucumber for greek salad, potatoes for curly fries, you get the idea! 

I'll post some of the foods Ive been making with these two things soon, so you can get an idea of the possibilities!

xx

D

Listen to...Yourself!

TGIF!

Hope everyones having a great Friday!
This last week, I have to say I've been feeling really good, Ive been doing great with the new WW plan, and Ive also been eating tons and tons of vegetables and fruits. Since I started drinking green smoothies daily (well most of the time its more than once a day- I can't help it, they're so good!), Ive just been eating more fruit and veggies in general. Now don't get me wrong, I've always been a huge fruit/veggie eater, but lately I've taken it to the next level and almost based my entire diet off of these foods. Green smoothies, salads, fruit, thats the majority of my food this week, but when I wake up and I feel GOOD for once, its an amazing feeling. I don't feel so weighed down by all the crap I was putting in my body, I feel like I'm on my way to just being a lighter person. I haven't weighed myself (yet) Im trying to not do that during the week and keep it just to weekly WW weigh-ins, but I've woken up a few days just going wow, my stomach is getting smaller! So Im going off of the way I feel, and I think that goes for a lot of things. Ive been reading lots of books, watching lots of videos, and theres a ton of great information out there for eating healthy, vegan, vegetarian, whatever you are doing, but theres also a lot of conflicting information. What I've kind of realized is that as the saying goes, "different strokes for different folks" haha I know it sounds lame, but its true. Everybody's body works in slightly different ways, and you will come to realize just what works for you, and what doesn't. Ive been watching this guy on youtube called Dan McDonald, I think his video's go by the name life regenerator, and he's kind of a hippie but he's great! Of course, you take all information to the degree that your willing to go, but I think he has some great ideas, and he's entertaining to watch! I've almost eaten 100% vegan this week, minus the eggwhites, which, Im almost thinking of trying a week without just to see. And like I said earlier, Im feeling really good right now with the way I am starting to look, feel, etc. There is a lot of toxicity in my body that its trying to get out, and I think this last week Ive been feeling a bit sluggish but my energy is starting to get back up which is exciting because I've been tired and lethargic for MONTHS...
Anyways, I have lots of new recipes I've been trying, lots of new products (mostly vegan) that I'd love to share on here with you guys, including a new type of soy cheese, non-dairy cream cheese(yum) and a few other things I've been eating a lot of. But even with these new products Im trying, it really takes up a small chunk of what Im eating, its really like 90% veggies and fruit, and the other 10% for more heavy foods like almond milk, grains, seeds, avocado, etc.. Im excited and sure of myself that this weekend will not be like any previous weekends.. there will be no binge. There isn't a desire for me to eat that crap. I just feel too good eating the GOOD food. Im super excited to see what my weight loss results will be on Monday as well, like I said I haven't checked how I'm doing, but I'm FEELING good, feeling like I've lost some weight, and I'm just feeling lighter and less weighed down. I think the more I keep this up, the better its going to get!
Anyways, just a little update, as per usual ;)
Hope you have a great weekend and if I can I'll post a few new things in here in the next few days!

xx
D

Vegan Lasagna!

Happy Monday Everyone!

I hope you all had a great weekend!

A few of you asked I put up the recipe for this, so here it is!

So you guys are going to love this,  not only is it vegan but its also gluten-free and noodle-less! I have never in my life made a lasagna before, and for my first attempt, it was AMAZING. Even my brother liked it and didn't even know the difference! Its savoury and healthy and only 2 WW points per piece! SCORE!

So just to forewarn you it does take a bit of prep/cook time, but so worth it. 

Here is what you are going to need:

"Noodles"

-2 large eggplants

-4-5 zuccini's (preferably large size)

Filling

(while you can add any veggies that you like, this is what I used in mine. You could definitely add some spinach, artichoke (yum), corn, or anything else!)

-1 red pepper

-5 large celery stalks

-About 10-15 mushrooms

-Brocoli

-Onion

-Eggplant

-Zuccini

-Garlic

Other Ingredients:

-1 pack lite tofu (silken) (the kind I get is 4 points for the whole pack)

-2 cups pasta sauce (classico basil is my go-to, as its lowest in points, 1 point per 1/2 cup)

-2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast (this is optional, but adds more of a cheesy-flavor, and some more protein, and 1 point per tbsp)

-1/2 cup Daiya shredded vegan cheese (4 points/half cup)

-7 slices of "canadian slices" soy cheese (1 point per slice)

So the first thing you will want to do is slice your "noodles". Preheat your oven to "roast" at around 450 degrees.( now the temperatures always vary per oven so its best to just keep checking on them throughout) With the eggplant, I preferred slicing it in rounds, and for the zucchini I sliced them in length-wise strips. Try and make them fairly thin, but not too thin that they will decintegrate when you roast them. First you will roast them slightly, so that they are tender and more flavourful! I put them on the roast setting on the oven at 450 and just kept my eye on them (about 10-15 minutes) I put them on cooking paper, sprayed them with cooking oil spray, and sprinkled with some greek seasoning, and garlic plus. (both clubhouse seasonings)

While these are roasting, I stir fried the filling ingredients. I chopped them all up fairly small, used a bit of cooking oil spray, and stir fried them until they where tender, but not overly cooked. 

Once these are done, in a large mixing bowl, place your stir fried veggies, along with the pack of tofu, 1.5 cups of pasta sauce, 1 tbsp nutritional yeast, and 1/4 cup daiya shredded soy cheese. I added some fresh cilantro and parsley, and some more clubhouse seasonings.

Once the "noodles" are ready, you first put about 1/2 cup of pasta sauce on the bottom of your baking dish that you are going to be using. Then, start to place down you noodles. Make sure the bottom is covered, overlapping the strips of eggplant and zucchini. Next, you are ready to put your first layer of filling in. Use about half the filling mix for this layer, as you will be needing the rest for your second layer. Evenly distribute the filling, and begin to place down your second layer of "noodles", again placing the remaining filling on top. With any leftover "noodles" I placed them on top.

The last step is to place your soy cheese on top. But first I put another about 1/2 cup pasta sauce on top. I placed my soy cheese slices over the pasta sauce, and where there where any gaps, i used the remaining 1/4 cup of shredded soy cheese to cover it up. I also sprinkled another 1 tbsp of nutritional yeast on top to add more of that cheesy flavour!

I turned the oven to Bake setting, at about 425, and it was in for about 30-35 minutes. I again would keep checking on it, as oven temperatures and times vary!

Using a standard size baking dish for lasagna, this made 12 pieces. Each piece is only 2 points!!!

So healthy, vegan, gluten-free, and so low-cal!

I hope you guys like it and it turns out well! (sorry if it doesn't, this is my first time making lasagna ever, let alone vegan!) When I make it again, I will be sure to add any comments on what might be a better way of making it !

xx

D

Yet another...Update!

Hey Y'all!

So here it is, Im back on Weight Watchers again! I strayed from it for a while, when I was using "MyfitnessPal" to track my calories, but what I  had noticed on that, was that I actually hadn't lost any weight in the 4 or so months that I was using it, and in fact I gained weight. I can't quite say what it is why it didn't quite work for me, perhaps it was just that it was winter time, and I always tend to gain weight then..who knows. But the news it that I'm now back to attending Weight Watchers, and they have a new program called Points Plus 2012. Its been great so far, very easy to follow and allows for lots of flexibility! I'll add some more updates once I get myself a bit more familiar with the plan, and we'll see how I do at my weigh in on Monday (to see how well its working!) 

Ive got lots of new things Ive been eating, new recipes, etc, and Im going to try post some things in the next week! (Before I start back at school, ugh, yes I know, summer classes.. boooo)

Okay so the first recipe Im going to post is coming up shortly because some people have asked for it and its SO delish! Its vegan/gluten free, noodle-less lasagna!!

xx 

D

Just a little update!

Hey All!

So today is officially the end of day 4, and so far honestly, its going amazing. Compared to times in the past where I have done this cleanse, I had felt deprived and definitely had cravings, yet this time, NONE! I do not feel deprived at all, I am satisfied after meals and don't even think about snacking, and honestly I think its because this time Im actually eating the filling foods that I wouldn't have allowed myself before (healthy fats such as avocados, olive oils, oatmeal, chia seeds, hemp hearts, almonds, etc) It seems odd but these things are things that I considered completely OFF LIMITS before! Ive just not been able to stop telling people how amazed I am with myself for all of this because it honestly goes against everything Ive ever believed in (diet wise) and contrary to what Ive always been taught to lose weight. Fat used to be the enemy, and now its something that keeps me satisfied, something that my body actually needs to function correctly, and is not something that keeps you from losing weight, its actually the opposite. Fat is not what makes you fat, SUGAR is what makes you fat!! And I know its only been 4 days but my hair is feeling so soft and my skin tone is improving. And like I said, the most major thing is that Im satisfied (with smaller portions) and not snacking at all. I have no desire!

One other thing I thought I'd mention is how amazing it is to see how eating the proper foods, as I like to say "foods from the earth" only, how you don't need to TRY and get all your servings of this and that or your vitamins etc, you just do. And another thing (that may have contributed to what I post below, is that the sodium intake amount per day has decreased SO DRASTICALLY its incredible, Its hard to believe how much is in everything you eat on a daily basis, and how now Im hardly even coming close to the daily suggested %. Also, your need for certain vitamins (vitamin C, A, etc) Ive found Im already getting so much of this (more than my daily %) just from eating the right foods. So that cuts out the need to take these supplements, which I found out today, the orange flavoured chewables that I used to eat, have aspartame in them (along with a list of other chemicals/bad things). Needless to say they got tossed out!

I could go on and on about this, and probably will in the next few days, as even more changes occur (all of them are amazing and great so far and Im just thrilled!!) I wanted to share the most EXCITING news of all of this! I weighed myself this morning, so that would have been after 3 full days on the cleanse, and I have lost.... wait for it... 8.5 LBS!!!!! In 3 DAYS!!!!! Im so excited, because I had told my mom that my goal for the 12 day cleanse was to lose 10 lbs, and my mom said " dana dana dana you have to be realistic" and after weighing myself and seeing what a drastic loss it has been already Im just super excited to see how much I'll lose by the end of it, and then of course I'm going to carry on the eating of the cleanse afterwards so I hope to get to my ultimate goal weight which would be a total loss of 20 lbs, and its crazy to think Im already almost half there, in 3 days! AH! The power of all natural, clean, healthy foods! Amazing :)
I will go into more detail about what I've been eating, as its quite different from previous times, (some the same, but a lot different) perhaps tomorrow night I'll post some typical days meals, and also some recipes, and pictures :)
Thanks for listening to this, if you have any questions just comment :)

xox Health and HAPPINESS!!!

Dana

Day 1+2: Success

Hi Everyone!

Well after my last post which was mainly complaining about my current state, I have some fabulous news! Day 2 of the Wild Rose Cleanse has now come to an end, and Im honestly feeling SO much better about myself! I'll admit that Im feeling really quite tired (as you tend to on the first few days of the cleanse) but Im not sure if I can really blame this, as I did have a weekend long birthday fest with little sleep, a few too many drinks, and I've also developed a cold :P

I have to share the most amazing video I've seen in a while, its called Hungry for Change and their website is http://www.hungryforchange.tv/online-premiere . It was funny that the day that I had purchased the cleanse, and was about to start it the next day, that I watched this video that same evening. I stayed up so late that night I just couldn't turn it off! This movie is an amazing motivational video of all the things that you already know, or perhaps some that you don't, that we all tend to not pay attention to- but we really should. So watching this as I began my cleanse really added an extra bit of motivation for this new way of eating, and man is it better than all the crap I was eating before.

I think I liked to believe that I ate healthy, but when I think back now, I had so many unhealthy habits that I really just didn't even realize. First of all, I didn't eat any fat. Seriously. When I would go back and review the day of what I've eaten, usually it would be about 1-2 grams a DAY. Recommended on a 1200 calorie a day diet *this is to LOSE weight* the fat is set to 40 grams a day. So considering I wasn't having any, (and as a dieter this is what you are programmed to believe is the best thing to do) it was surprising that I wasn't really losing any weight, and also how come I was binge-eating so severely on such a frequent basis. I just didn't get it. I was eating so much in volume, yet never felt satisfied or full, so I'd just keep eating. And as we all know, this leads to weight gain..

I feel like Im jumping the gun in having this revelation on day 2 of the cleanse/healthy lifestyle change, but honestly this video along with just being fed up with my current state has really got me just so ready to make this change. Again, WATCH THE VIDEO! you can watch it for free online for I believe 3 more days. (Also, if you are interested in this type of thing, a great book I've read many times that is the same kind of idea, is called Skinny Bitch)

Now I got a bit off topic but I was going to explain the whole "fat" thing. So previously I was eating none, and when I did eat some, it was the BAD fats that I would consume out of binge-eating. I would avoid real oils (healthy oils) such as olive oils, flax seed, etc, as they had "too many calories and fat". I also would avoid healthy fats found in foods such as avocados, nuts, and seeds. Again, due to the fact that they had "too high fat and calories", and why would i "spend my calories on that". So what I've done since I've started the cleanse, is to COMPLETELY CHANGE the way I eat. And what I can tell you 2 days in, is that I'm already proven my old theories to be Wrong!!

Ive had an avocado on both days, Ive had REAL olive oil (not butter flavoured oil-like spray) and you know what, I've stayed EASILY within my 1200 calories, and the best part? I used to feel hungry all the time. And I can say, eating all these all natural foods, simply whole nutritious foods from the earth, nothing processed, that after a meal, Im not hungry. Im not even wanting to snack. I am completely satisfied until the next meal. It is filling me up the way that food should. Perhaps this is not a shock to a lot of you, but to me, this is a completely different way of viewing the way I eat food. These fats and oils are GOOD fats and oils and are actually essential for your body. It all kind of is making sense why I may have been having so many health problems in the last 6 months.. I suppose more time of this new lifestyle will truly test this theory. Was the food I was eating what was making me sick? I'll obviously keep you posted on the progress.
I know this entry is all over the place, but what I wanted to get across is that Ive never felt so strongly about eating right. and it makes SO much sense. Its hard to believe I ate all of the things I did with absolutely no care in the world that it could literally be killing me. I got out every single box of diet jello, sugar free gum, diet pop with aspartame, sugar free candies and mints, ANYTHING with an artificial sweetener, and they are now gone from my life. For good!
 If you want to kickstart your motivation or just a reminder on why you should eat healthy natural foods, again above I have added the link to watch the movie, Hungry for Change, and post any comments I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
Ps. Ive been taking some pictures and what not of the meals I've been eating and snacks that are all cleanse friendly so hopefully I'll have the time to add some of them this week !

Health and Happiness!

Goodnight :)

Back at it

Hello everyone!
Im back after yet another hiatus, my apologies! I know people have been asking me to post more, but I've been quite busy with school and life in the past month, and will continue to be for the next month or so, but I want to try and update this more! I will definitely attempt to post regular recipes etc once school is done.
The reason I thought I'd post is that once again ( I believe this will be the 4th time) I am doing the Wild Rose Cleanse. If you look back to the beginning of my posts, thats actually what I first started writing about. The reason Im doing a cleanse, is because honestly there is no better time than tomorrow.
My eating has been absolutely horrible in the past month or so, and I've gained quite a bit of weight.
When I get into these bad eating cycles, its hard for me to stop. I have a history with binge eating, and its something I have struggled with for some time, and Im finally ready to tackle my issues and get started again on a healthy path.
I think the most upsetting thing is definitely the weight gain, since the beginning of September I've put something close to 20lbs on.. Its really embarrassing to admit it, but I guess thats the first step in change, is admitting your problems. I just feel not only unattractive and gross, but just so unhealthy. What I should do is listen to my own words of wisdom and re-read my own blog! ( That'll teach me for not posting regularly!)
Over the weekend I just celebrated my 25th Birthday (its hard to say that number, thats ONE thing I DONT want to accept :p) and I partied and indulged just a little bit.. okay a lot :) but I had a fabulous time. I think it was a real eye opener looking at my birthday pictures from this weekend, and realizing that this weight gain is NO JOKE! My weight has always fluctuated up and down 8 lbs over the last 4 or so months, but now its seemed to creep up and up and I've just let myself go.
As I said though, its kind of depressing dealing with looking at myself in the mirror right now. Not only have my terrible eating habits lately caught up with me, but there is going to be several things my body is going to be detoxing from.
First, and most obviously, is the food. Over eating, bingeing, and eating unhealthy foods has got to go. That in itself should help a lot with indigestion, bloating, skin problems, and weight gain. I know its going to be a hard 12 days, but I actually want to continue the eating portion of the cleanse (minus the pills) after the 12 days, and slowly re-introduce some of the other foods back once I'm done.
Secondly, smoking. Yes, I know, its terrible, and has been a long time disgusting habit. Its my 25th year and I just figure for gosh sakes I have to stop! Its so unhealthy, gross, makes you ugly, and its just unattractive. Its just been a hard one to quit. Each time Ive done the cleanse though, for some reason, Ive managed to stop for those 12 days, so I figure I'll quit all these things at once.
The third thing is aspartame and artificial sweeteners, processed foods, etc. I had quit drinking diet pop for a while, and switched to Zevia, but somehow got back onto it in a big (bad) way. I started drinking diet drinks, sugar free gum, and mints etc that all contain the deadly additive. I know its a horrible thing and this as well I am going to quit.
Next is alcohol. Definitely not allowed this on the cleanse, and thats fine. Once its over I will have it in moderation, and trust me I don't want to see the stuff for quite some time after 2 nights of craziness. Lets just say Im still not feeling too good and its midnight haha.
I think my body is going to be in shock tomorrow because this weekend was BY FAR one of the worst binge/unhealthy/drinking/smoking weekends Ive had in some time and today I completely let myself go. I had every single food item i wanted and things that I would NEVER normally eat, knowing that Im starting the cleanse tomorrow, I figured I'd "have them for the last time". I honestly feel so absolutely disgusting, I can't WAIT to start feeling happy and healthy and thin again.
Okay this is kind of just a rant about this I just wanted to check in let you guys know where Im at, and I will definitely be updating on the status of the clenase and hopefully some good recipes/tips that I come across during the process. Wish me luck on my 12 days to health!!
(also, just a PS, I am thinking of starting back at Weight Watchers, more to come on this after I go back to my first meeting)
Any motivation/suggestions/tips are always welcome in the comments :)
xo Good night all!
Health and Happiness are on their way!!! Positivity!!!