Getting back in the groove

Here's the funny thing about Eating to Live... while you're doing it, you might not realize what a difference it makes. You certainly feel better. You have more energy and fewer illnesses and aches and pains.

But really understanding what a difference it makes comes as a result of falling off the wagon. I know this because it's what happened to me over the holidays. And with both DH and I working full time and going to school right now, while still trying to keep up with all of our other commitments and activities, eating well has taken a back seat to everything else.

We feel like crap!

And then this week the refrigerator shut down after a power outage, and all of its contents were ruined. What a perfect time to start ETL again! I took it as a sign. So this morning I'm off to Costco to buy lots of frozen berries and fresh greens. And then I'll come home and make some soup. And life will be good again!

Saturday Mornings

Saturday mornings are my favorite time with Maisy. She and I snuggle on the couch! She likes it because she's getting all the attention and the other dogs aren't. I like it because she hangs out with me and smiles. She has the best smile!

Fetch Mac... Good Dog!

Itchy Maisy

Miss Maisy had another trip to the allergy vet yesterday. We had weaned her off the steroids over the previous week and, as usual, she broke out in a nasty rash literally within hours of the last dose.

Turns out she also has a secondary bacterial skin infection. which will require a month of antibiotics.

The good news is we're going to try another medication to see if we can stop using steroids. The new medicine is called Atopica and we'll start in a few days, assuming her bloodwork checks out ok. They won't give it to her if she has any liver/kidney function issues.

Meantime, she and Mac and Suzie are enjoying their winter time walks in the woods!

IceDoods

We've had quie a cold snap lately. The doods are loving it. They can walk on (frozen) water!

White Christmas Lights

We've been a bit lazy about removing the Christmas Lights from the house. It worked out ok - it snowed this week so we turned them back on. So far the neighbors are happy we have them up... that may not be the case if they're still up in June!

Debits & Credits

Well I just couldn't leave well enough alone - I had to go and sign up for an accounting class too. I've never taken any business classes before. DH is taking it with me, and thus far it has been quite fun! Debits and credits! Assets, Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Accounts!

One thing I have learned: It's a bit too hectic when we're both working full time and both in two credit classes in the same term. He started first, so he gets to go first, then it'll be my turn.

Math for Dummies

I am taking a math class! DH is working on his BS degree and I guess I just got jealous of all that studious fun he was having. I'm taking an algebra class, distance learning. I went and got the book at the bookstore today - $98!!! This week I get to do 38 pages of reading and homework problems and then take a quiz.

So far the distance learning thing is cool. There have been 71 discussion posts in the first 36 hours of class! Looks like we all have a lot to talk about... should keep me plenty happy.

Chocolate Cherry Almond "Ice Cream"

Santa brought me a Vita Mix blender for Christmas, and I have been really enjoying learning how to use it. One of our early favorite recipes is Chocolate Cherry Almond "Ice Cream". It's not really ice cream since there's no dairy in it, but it is a lovely dessert!

If I could remember I would take a picture before I ate it all. :-)

Chocolate Cherry Almond Ice Cream
2-3 cups frozen cherries
1/2 cup vanilla soymilk
1/2 cup raw almonds
1 Tbsp cocoa powder
1/8 tsp almond extract

Put everything in the Vita Mix and turn it on high, using your tamper to push everything down in the blades.

DH likes it when I add a few dark chocolate chunks to his bowl. :-)

Strange Curry

Cooking is a little challenging when you have a cold. I started out making minnestrone but I couldn't taste anything and I threw a bunch of strange things in the pot. I wound up with this:

Vegetable Peanut Curry:

4 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
2 cups carrot juice
1 can of no salt diced tomatoes
3 carrots
1 yellow onion
3 stalks of celery
1 leek
1/2 a bunch of swiss chard
1/2 a head of savoy cabbage
3 Tablespoons of red curry paste
1/4 cup of peanut butter
black pepper to taste
red pepper flakes to taste

Simple, spicy and altogether not a bad dinner.

Better days

In recent days, I have come to the realization that I am depressed. When I get depressed, I make poor choices, like eating smores and ice cream all day and watching Live with Regis & Kelly when I should be paying bills or planning for retirement.

I can think of a number of possible causes for a short-term case of the blues:

1. It's winter and this is Oregon
2. I've been under the weather for weeks
3. Another ski trip has come and gone and I spent the time sick, again
4. I've not been exercising regularly
5. I've not been spending an hour a day with my mood light
6. I've not been eating well

And so what to do? Eat right and exercise is an obvious good beginning!

Forget another wasted day, let's talk nutrition!

Being home is boring! Daytime television is just awful. Here it is, January 5th, and I'm watching Live with Regis And Kelly, the HALLOWEEN episode. What gives? Do people actually WATCH this stuff?

Yesterday I watched Dr. Fuhrman's new video, The Greatest Diet on Earth. This is what I learned:

The typical American gets 51% of calories from processed foods, 42% from animal and dairy products, and only 7% from fruits, vegetables, beans, legumes, nuts and seeds. That's sad, because processed foods and animal and diary products are all linked to higher rates of heart diesase, cancer and diabetes.

So what should one do? Eat more fruits and vegetables!

Green vegetables are the king, having the highest nutrient per calorie density of any food.

Cheese and other full-fat dairy products are the worst things you can eat, having the most saturated fat and the lowest nutrient per calorie density.

So what's a girl to do? Eat your vegetables!!!

Under the Weather

I'm really quite ready to be healthy again! I've been sick since before Christmas. First it was a cold, then sinusitis, then severe mold allergies, then strep throat, then a reaction to the penicillin I was taking for the strep throat. Yikes! I'm now on another antibiotic and things are starting to turn around.

I actually wanted to go for a walk today with the dogs but DH said I had to stay home. Such is life.

Meantime, it's snowing like crazy up on the mountain and I am really ready to go skiing again.

Big Mac is growing up!

The ski trip was a really good thing for Big Mac. He's always been a bit on the shy side, and he was quite reserved for the first few days. Then we got smart and sent Maisy off for a day of skiing with dad, while Mac stayed behind with me and went for a walk with some of our cabin mates. Not having Maisy around really forced him to interact with everyone else, and by the end of the day he was a calmer, happier dog.

Another ski trip has come and gone

It seems like it was just yesterday that I was running around like a madwoman getting ready for the annual ski trip... but it has already come and gone! The weather was beautiful, the company was great... unfortunately I spent the whole week under the weather. Fortunately I had great friends and beautiful scenery to keep my spirits high.

Now I can't wait for the trip of 2007-8!