All Manner of Grain

Well, call me fickle. But I never claimed to be an expert or know-it-all. It's a journey.

Three days of low-carb was just fine, but by day 4--today--I felt starved for grains and fruit. I really couldn't stand it. I think my body NEEDED grains and fruit, because I was just fine for a few days. Then all of a sudden, all I wanted was an apple and the whole grain corn bread I made last night.

So I had some. Then I ate Tessy's leftover chili (which I made last night). Then I had a whole wheat slice of bread. It felt like water to a parched throat.

Then I got online and read about grains at grainmix.com (I have a wonderful recipe/information book from Grainmix that I love called "Cookies for Dinner"). I immediately placed an order for 2 bags of 5-grain mix (barley, brown rice, rye, millet and oat groats). I felt ravenous for whole grains, so I picked the two bags up in Orem this afternoon, followed by a trip to the bulk section of the health-food store. There I bought amaranth, spelt, quinoa, and a few other grains/seeds.

I came home, added the amaranth, spelt, and quinoa to my 5-grain mix, making it an 8-grain mix, then ground some of that with wheat to make the Chia Flax Bread on Grainmix.com. It just came out of the oven and is Oh-so-good! It's very moist and satisfying. My family loves it!

I made turkey sandwiches on that bread tonight. We ate them with apple slices. I feel so satisfied and well-fed tonight.

I think tomorrow for breakfast I will make a hot cereal with the 8-grain mix and eat it with blueberries. I also want to make some 9-grain tortillas. Yum.

We need balance. Extremes aren't good. Chalk it up to another learning experience.

I did resist sugar tonight. During an hour and a half meeting I attended there was a bowl of girl-scout cookies an arm's reach away--two of my favorite kinds! They were calling my name the whole time, and I did consider eating a couple. I'm so glad I didn't. None is better than some. I kept thinking about my wonderful grains and honey. So much better for me. They make my body happy.

Cutting Carbs

Last week was rough. Each morning I told myself I would be really good, stay away from sugar, and eat healthy. By evening I had fudged, giving in to the cravings. Every evening I told myself, "Okay, tomorrow's a new day with no mistakes in it. I'll do better tomorrow." I'd exercise, feel great, start off well, and then crash again!!

I wasn't sure what to do with myself! Here I am spouting off inspirational epistles, and certainly not walking the talk! I didn't write about it, because frankly, I was discouraged, uninspired, and feeling hypocritical.

Then my cute sister-in-law Susy came along with a bit of inspiration (sometimes the Lord saves us through other people!). Her fitness guru friend, Sherry Fernandez, had suggested to Susy that she cut carbs out for 2 weeks and see what happens. By carbs, I mean grains, sugars, starches, fruits. Basically focus on protein and veggies. I wasn't sure if I could do that. I was VERY addicted to my carbs! But Susy inspired me and I decided to jump on the bandwagon with her.

I started on Saturday and have already dropped 7.5 pounds (in 2 days)!! The best part is I feel fully satisfied on 3 meals a day and never hungry! I'm still exercising daily and I feel great! The other best part is I don't crave sugar! Or any carbs for that matter--Hallelujah!

Here are some delicious things I've eaten so far:

• egg omelet full of veggies, topped with avocado (Maho makes the BEST omelets!)
• Fajitas at Chili's--I got the trio with beef, shrimp and chicken. I ate it with guac and pico de gallo, nixed the tortillas, beans and rice. Heavenly. Yum.
• Baked Salmon with spinach salad--for the salad toss together spinach, mushrooms, green onions. Dressing: 2 T red wine vinegar, 2 T soy sauce or Bragg's, 2 T olive oil, 3 packets Stevia.
• Tuna mixed with mayo and shredded carrots over a bed of greens.
• Maho made me chicken and shrimp fajitas today for lunch and I made a pico de gallo with avocado in it to go with. Better than Chili's!!
• Limeade: squeeze 1/2 a lime into a tall glass, add 3 packets Stevia, cold water and ice.
• Fresh veggies with zucchini hummus

Does it look like I'm suffering?! Not a bit! I don't know that this is healthy to do long-term, because we need grains. And I LOVE fruit. And so much meat is probably wrong. But I really feel like this is helping break the sugar addiction. And I'm getting back down to where I was before I inhaled a truck-load of carbs. Yay.

Here are some meals I have planned:

• Roasted chicken with steamed broccoli
• Tilapia with steamed asparagus
• Beef Roast with roasted veggies (non-starchy ones, of course)
• Soup with leftover beef roast and veggies
• Pulled pork (on rolls for the fam, wrapped in lettuce or cabbage for me)
• Taco salad (nix the chips)
• Portobello Alfredo (made with cream cheese and butter) over steamed cauliflower and broccoli

Looks like a lotta good eatin' ahead. :)