Saturday, March 31, 2012

Tip of the day...

When starting out your week review your recipes and calculate what you will need for the week. Ex. 4 total cups cooked brown rice, 2  total cups chopped onions, etc. By preparing ahead all items in one cooking session and then placing  in the freezer you eliminate precious time, allowing for quick preparation of meals.






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Afterglow Cosmetics

I found this new product line of cosmetics that I am sure you will  love! Afterglow Cosmetics bridges the gap between natural and high-fashion cosmetics to bring you a truly natural blend. It's a  bio-active mineral make-up with a fabulous, organic infused, highly pigmented color palette you will appreciate. Their unique natural formulation and focus is on natural and certified organic, bio-active botanical products of the highest quality. It ensures that products are safer for your skin and body. The products also perform better and last longer than traditional cosmetics. Attention to ingredients and detail makes Afterglow Cosmetics the natural choice for all women.
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  • Soy free
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  • Formulated for all skin types
  • Certified green 
  • Gentle enough for sensitive skin 
  • Acne care products 
  • Vegan cosmetic brushes
Check out their site to the right....

Week three weigh in...

Seems like I have been so busy posting product reviews and recipes  that I have neglected to post almost a weeks worth of my daily menus. I am sorry about that. Since this blog is mainly about my progress of loosing my WHEAT BELLY I will let the past daily menus posted be an "example" of what I will continue to be eating with the exception that I have now found a "bread" and will be replacing most  the crackers on those menus with bread.  Do note however that my plan is to have no more than two slices of bread in any given day, as bread of any form does contain quite a few carbs and added calories. I will also be replacing pasta as often as I can with zucchini, eggplant, or the 0 calorie noodles to the right of the blog to help limit even more carb intake because as I mentioned early on ...I do have a sweet tooth! I will also be posting new recipes as I try them.( If seeing the menus posted has helped you and you would like to continue to see the daily menu posted please leave me a comment in the comment box )

Listed  below are my personal results at the end of week three. As you will see, even though the weight stays around the same and the inches aren't rapidly melting off, I have definitely seen results which I am quite happy with. Maybe if I would stay away from those darn brownies from King Arthur Flour....but they are sooooooo good!

Week 1 weigh in:                                            Week 3 weigh in:

Weight         131.8                                          Weight       130.0
Waist            37 inch.                                      Waist         34 inch.
Stomach       40 inch.                                       Stomach     37 3/4 inch.
Hips             38 inch.                                       Hips           37 3/4 inch.

How are you doing???? Leave me a comment and let me know. Till next post....


Friday, March 30, 2012

Wheat free bread at last!!!

"When I woke up this morning, ....you were on my mind......
.
I woke up this morning thinking about the warm slice of toast lathered in strawberry jam that I had promised  myself as a breakfast treat. Bread...bread at last!!! I have finally found the bread I had been searching for since my living wheat free journey began almost three full weeks ago.As most of you who have been reading my blog know I have been in search of that one special bread that could give me that " knock my socks off  kind of feeling. " Well I think I have finally found it.

I had received my gluten free bread mix  from King Arther Flour yesterday and decided with the cold weather outside to do some baking. The directions gave me the option to use melted butter or oil in the mixing process and I used canola oil when preparing my loaf. I used a regular non stick loaf pan which I had greased with shortening. I followed the recipe as directed and was amazed at the rise this wheat free gluten loaf  produced.

After baking the loaf  for just 50 minutes I tested the inside with a instant read thermometer to make sure it had reached the recommended 200-210 degrees. I turned the loaf out of the pan on a cooling rack and then admired the uniform crispness of the crust and the golden color, much like a regular loaf of homemade bread.

If it only tastes as good at it looks...After about 10 minutes of waiting I took my sharpest knife and sliced off the end crust. The texture was as good as any home made bread I can remember from my childhood. It  was soft and pliable, not like so many of the freezer bought wheat free, gluten free brands I have tried over the past weeks.

I smothered the warm slice in strawberry jam and took a bite...mmmmmm, now this is a real treat! Although the texture is slightly different than the wheat laden breads on the store shelves, this bread fits most of the qualities a good bread should have. Not only  was it wheat free, it was fresh with no additives. It had a crust which only a homemade loaf would have. It was not grainy in texture. It was moist and pliable  just like a bread should without breaking or crumbling. It makes 16 fairly large serving slices. Although the coloring  was slightly yellow ( I believe from the egg yokes, I will try 2 eggs and 2 egg whites next time to see if this helps in the coloring) the texture and taste were remarkable. Since it will only stay fresh a few days on the counter (lack of preservatives) I waited until the loaf had cooled then sliced it and  immediately put in the freezer in a freezer bag.

I have to admit that the one slice I kept out for my treat this morning was one of the best slices of wheat free, gluten free toast I have had in ages. I would recommend this product from King Author highly and give it a huge thumbs up!


Thursday, March 29, 2012

King Arthur Flour brownie review...

I received my gluten free brownie mix from King Arthur Flour today and was so excited to try them that I headed straight for the kitchen. Oh, did I tell you that brownies are one of my all time favorites?????

King Arthur flour has always been a favorite in my home and I have used it to bake everything from cakes to cookies, breads and pastries. I have always loved the moistness of the results I have gotten. I  wanted to now give their gluten free product line a try since I am now excluding all wheat from my diet. I have tried other wheat free / gluten free mixes and wanted to see how my all time favorite flour company would fair in comparison to the others on the market.

The directions on the box were quite simple, much like any other brownie mix. I followed the directions as directed and popped the baking dish in the oven. I  used a glass 8" x 8" pan so I was sure to follow the directions to a "T"  and set the oven at 325  degrees.

Now I am somewhat of a oven watcher as of late, so on when the oven light, and ever few minutes I would take a peek...After about 10 minutes of watching I started to get a little worried as the brownie mix just seemed to be setting there, not good I thought. After about 15 minutes it seemed as if the mix started to come alive! Whew...

After about 20 minutes the mixture had now risen to the top edge of the pan and was actually looking like brownies, I was even more ecstatic! I checked the brownies with my tester after the 30 minute mark, still a little too moist as the tester did not come out clean. After baking 5 minutes more and the tester coming out clean I took the chocolaty morsels from the oven and set on a rack to cool.

The box states to cool for 15 minutes before cutting. I waited 30 minutes so as to get a smooth clean cut. After sampling just one I have came to this conclusion...This is a moist chocolaty brownie that can stand up to any wheat laden brownie on the market shelves. The flavor and taste is superbly delicious especially the second day.. Next batch I plan on adding chopped walnuts. My family wasn't even able to tell that  they were wheat and gluten  free.

I would recommend this brownie mix to all lovers of brownies, even to those who continue to consume wheat in their diets. Even though they cost a little more they are well worth the price. Enjoy!

Wheat free baked lasagna...


Wow, Wow, and Wow is all I can say about this recipe! I guess since I have not been able to find a wheat free bread substitute yet, that loosing a few noodles in a lasagna dish is the last thing on my mind.
Surfing the net I found quite a few recipes for "noodle free" lasagna's but many versions contained meat as a ingredient.
As I had mentioned at the beginning, I tried the Vegan lifestyle for many months until all that soy sent my hormones off the chart, so although I have Incorporated turkey, chicken and fish back into my diet I try to avoid red meats at this point of my life...Who knows, someday that juicy steak might just have my name on it, but until then I have opted for a meatless lasagna recipe.

I do have a tendency to experiment with recipes from time to time so I took all the recipes that appealed to me and created my own version of this delectable dish. Here goes.

Baked Zucchini Lasagna:

Ingredients.

2 pounds zucchini, sliced (use a slicer to ensure slices are the same thickness)
2 eggs
24 ounce container Ricotta cheese
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 teas. salt
1/2 teas. black pepper
1 teas. dry oregano
1 teas. dry basil
1 teas. dry thyme
1/2 cup grated Romano cheese
1 jar Spaghetti sauce of your choice (Can use the meat kind if desired)
2 cups grated low fat mozzarella cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray. Mix Ricotta cheese, eggs, parsley, salt, pepper, grated Romano cheese, oregano, basil and thyme together.

Place 1/3 of zucchini in bottom of pan with sides touching.Spread 1/3 of cheese mixture on top of zucchini. Spread 1/3 of sauce on top of cheese mixture. Spread 1/3 of grated low fat mozzarella on top of sauce.

Repeat layers twice more ending  with the low fat mozzarella cheese. Cover pan with foil and bake approx 45minutes to  60 minutes depending on thickness of zucchini slices. Remove foil. Switch oven to broil and broil uncovered for approx 5 minutes or until cheese on top browns. Let set for 15 minutes before cutting.

Serves 8


*Note: There will be some juice in bottom of pan from the moisture in the zucchini. Even more delicious the next day!!!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Wheat free menu...Day 13

Breakfast:

Greek Yogurt
12 Cup fresh blueberries

Lunch:

Chili on Rice
Crackers

Snack:

1 small Peanut Butter cup / Newman's Own

Dinner:

Pesto Chicken
1/2 Cup Quinoa
1/2 Cup corn

Snack:
3 Fig Newman's

Wheat free menu...Day 12

Wow what a week. I have been running here and there so eating on a regular schedule has been tough. Thank goodness for "freezer" options!

Breakfast:

Scrambled egg with red bell pepper and mozzarella cheese
OJ

Lunch:

Rice burger
Vegetarian Baked beans
Potato Chips
Pickle

Snack:

Rice & Raisins / with milk

Dinner:

Rice pasta / Mariner sauce
Small salad

Okay...so I cheated a little this week and took a few measurements. Not where I had hoped to be at this point but at least I am staying the same. I need to rethink a few of the items I have been eating....Hummmm. Maybe not so much pasta this week or as many sugary snacks. I guess although they don't have wheat they DO have carbs and sugars. Du! Those second helpings didn't help much either!!! Well as the saying goes..."Try, then try again!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Don't believe what they say about eating wheat...

For years I believed what I was told...that I was of English, American Indian and Irish descent. That is until years ago when I found out I had Dupuytren's Disease which the Doctor told me is mostly  noticeable  in people of Scottish decent. Doing a little family history background I found my fathers family is indeed from Scotland not Ireland...go figure. It really doesn't matter, because at my age I will most definitely never get to see either country unless I am blessed to win the lottery, so until then I will  dream.

To get to the matter at hand...I have also been told for years to eat more wheat. Products on the grocery store isles have packages proclaiming...Whole grain, multi grain. So years ago I started eating more whole grains. I also started gaining more weight around my middle. The rest of my body is still fairly thin but my middle section had me quite baffled!

As I had mentioned in my first post...I have tried Atkins, Jenny Craig, Weight Watchers and various other weight loss programs. I would loose the weight, and inches and then gain it all back again when returning to my normal eating patterns even though the portions were smaller. As you can see from my weigh in today compared to past weeks I have pretty much maintained or fluctuated slightly in some areas but please note that on my past weeks daily menu's I have added quite a few "sweet" snacks. Blame it on hormones or stress if you will, we all will have our ups and downs. Re-reading Dr Davis's book it seems that even by eliminating wheat from ones diet if you replace it with breads, cupcakes, and cookies that cause weight gain, sometimes dramatically even though  "wheat free" or "gluten free" products you will not see as noticeable of a difference in weight loss. Sugar is still sugar, and carbs are still carbs!

So this week I am going to try substituting my snacks for healthier less sugary items and see if I notice a difference next weigh in. If you are on this adventure with me I would love to hear your results and how you are doing. Please also share your personal recipes that are helping you on your way. Till next post....Happy wheat free living...

Weight: 130.4
Waist:   34 1/2 inches
Stomach:  38 inches
Hips:        37 3/4 inches

Note*  I have noticed a significant inch loss in my breast area even though measurements are not posted. This is the  area I usually loose inches in first.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Wheat free living menu...Day 11

Note*  My walk was great today. I saw a huge frog the size of my hand at the pond, and several geese floating across the water. It seems this time not only relaxes me, but rejuvenates me as well...


Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex cereal
1/2 banana
OJ

3 mints

Lunch:
Rice Pattie / tomato /onion
Pickle
Chips / Onion dip
Water


Square dark chocolate

4 fig Newman's

Dinner:
Lentil soup
Crackers

4 fig Newman's

Note* Today was one of those all stressful days...As you can see I had quite a few snacks. Personal situations do arise from time to time, and I refuse to kick my self while I am down! Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. On the lighter side....EVERYTHING I ate was definitely WHEAT FREE !

Wheat free menu...Day 10

Note*
I have started walking for 15 minutes as soon as I wake up in the morning these days. I hope this not only starts my day off to help with my wheat free living physically, but also mentally....Stop and smell the roses today!

Breakfast:
2 slices french toast / sugar free syrup
OJ

Lunch:
Baked potato / sour cream
Small salad / vinegar & oil
Glass water

Snack:
2 Fig Newman's
Almond milk

Dinner:
Mac n cheese ( leftovers )
Steamed mixed veggies / butter
Water

Snack:

Handful of raw Almonds


Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wheat Free menu...Day 9

Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex cereal
Banana
OJ

Snack:
Brownie  ( recipe in prior post)
Almond milk

Lunch:
Chicken salad ( made from leftover grilled chicken breast )
Sliced tomato
Pickle

Dinner:
Baked Mac n Cheese ( recipe at bottom of post )
Canned beets
1 slice butter bread
Water

Snack:
2 Ginger Snap cookies ( Trader Joe's brand )


Baked Mac n Cheese:

1 box  Supergrain Quinoa  gluten free pasta
1/2 cup Sour cream
1 cup milk
1 Tbs Cornstarch
9 oz Sharp cheddar cheese, grated
2 Tbs. Butter
12 Blue Diamond nut and rice crackers, finely crushed

Pre - heat oven to 350 degrees.
Cook the pasta in boiling water for 6 minutes. ( will finish cooking in oven ) Drain and set aside. Melt the butter on med low. In a  small bowl mix the cornstarch  with milk. Add the cornstarch mixture to the butter and cook untill thickened, stirring constantly. Add chedder cheese to sauce and cook slowly untill melted, stirring constantly. Add the sour cream, add salt to tastee. Combine with the cooked pasta. Pour mixture  into casserole dish.  Cover the top with the crushed crackers. Dot with butter. Bake at 350 degrees untill lightly browned, about 30 minutes. It serves 4 easily.




Monday, March 19, 2012

Wheat free... Day 8 menu

Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs with broccoli & chives
OJ

Lunch:
Quinoa stuffed green pepper ( leftovers from freezer )
Brown rice

Snack:
Brownie  ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Almond milk

Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast
Cauliflower with butter

Snack:
2 Dark chocolate mint creams (Trader Joe's )

Brownie recipe:

1/3 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
6 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup Coconut flour, sifted  ( Let's Do...Organic Coconut flour )
1 cup Chocolate chips, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium saucepan over low heat melt butter and cocoa until creamy and thickened. Remove from heat, cooling.
In a separate bowl , mix the eggs, sugar and vanilla. Blend this into the cocoa mixture. Stir in the coconut flour until no lumps appear. Add the chocolate chips if desired. Bake in a pre-greased 8x8 baking pan for 30-35 minutes.
These were more of a cake like brownie, but heavenly! One of my biggest downfalls in life are warm brownies fresh from the oven but I found that just one....okay, so one and a half, satisfied my sweet tooth...Hope you enjoy them as much as I did!

Wheat free menu..Day 7

Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex / Almond milk
OJ

Lunch:
Chili ( recipe to follow at bottom of post )
Nut & Rice crackers  ( Blue Diamond )
Glass water

Snack:2
 Fig Newmans  ( Wheat free -  dairy free but NOT Gluten free ) Delicious !!!!!
Almond milk ( Blue Diamond unsweetened brand )

Dinner:
Chicken/ Sweet Italian Style sausage link ( al fresco brand ) Found these at my local Giant Eagle. Truly amazing!
Cucumber / tomatoes with oil / vinegar

Snack:
Simply organic french onion dip mixed with sour cream
Fresh veggies

Chili recipe:

This recipe calls for 1 packet of Hol-Grain Chili Seasoning ( I found it at our local Raisin Rack )
You may follow the recipe on the package and it is totally delicious if you like a thick chili. I however prefer more of a "sauce" and like to cook my chili for a much longer period of time to incorporate all the flavors.
The packet gives you the choice to use either tomato sauce or diced tomatoes, I used the diced tomatoes. So for my personal recipe I followed the the original recipe except that added 1 extra can of tomatoes and 1 can of water and let the chili simmer for approximately 2 hours. Wow this was totally awesome. It had just the right amount of spices and texture and  was a big hit the whole way around.

Miracle Noodle's Anniversary sale...



15% discount on all products until Saturday March 24th!!
imageIt  is their anniversary!!   This week in 2006 Miracle Noodle started their business!!  6 years have gone by so fast it is hard to believe!!  In celebration they are holding a 15% discount on all products all week long.   The coupon expires on Saturday night at Midnight EST.  

The coupon code is 'mar15'  If you enter that on the checkout page you will get 15% off you order.    

Saturday, March 17, 2012

Slow and steady wins the race...

Today is weigh in and measurement day. I am a little nervous to say the least but here goes...Is my wheat free living paying off?

Day 1:                 Day 7:
weight...  131.8             129.8
waist.....    37 in.              34  1/2 in.
Stomach..  40 in.             38   1/4 in.
Hips:          38 in.             37   3/4 in.

Wow! I know that doesn't seem like a huge difference , only 2 pounds, but if you have ever dieted in your life you know that an average of a pound a week is a safe healthy way to loose.
What amazes me most is the inches I have lost...Maybe this time I am on the right path. I will continue to keep you posted on my weekly progress and also new wheat free products I will be trying and reviewing. Stay tuned for more....


Day 6 menu...

Breakfast:
Chocolate Chex cereal /Almond milk
Banana

Lunch:
Sweet Italian chicken sausage ( gluten free)
Sliced Cucumbers with onion / oil & vinegar

Snack:
3-4 Dark Chocolate mint creams ( Trader Joe's )

Dinner:
Stuffed quinoa green peppers
mashed cauliflower

Snack:
Fresh Veggies
French onion dip ( Simply organic french onion dip mix / sour cream )

Day 5 menu...

Breakfast:
Scrambled eggs / with onions and mushrooms
"Mock" lemon tea
Fresh blueberries

Lunch:
Tuna fish with Blue Diamond crackers
Diced tomatoes and cucumbers with oil & vinegar dressing

Snack:
Handful of raw almonds

Dinner:

Stuffed quinoa and green pepper (leftovers from freezer)
Mashed potatoes

Snack:
Cup Almond milk
Chocolate cupcake


Bob's Red Mill Chocolate cake mix...

Today I tried a chocolate wheat free, gluten free cake mix from Bob's Red Mill. Since I personally prefer cupcakes over cake because they are less messy, I followed the directions and baking time for the cupcakes as apposed to the cake.The package said it made about 18 cupcake but I actually got 20 from the mix.
 The mixing directions were spot on and I found it to be a fairly thick batter, similar to a mouse, which made using a ice cream scoop to drop the batter into the paper cupcake liners quick and easy.
The dough raised surprisingly high, like a normal cup cake in fact, and the aroma filled my kitchen to the fullest.
The texture of the cupcakes were almost exactly like those of commercial flour cupcakes except just slightly denser and courser.
The  flavor was that of a deep dark chocolate and quite appealing to a chocolate lover like myself.
Although the texture of the flour in my mouth was definately not what I have not been use to over the years the taste was quite satisfying.
I would recommend this product to those who are new to eating a wheat free diet with the simple warning that although the  texture will not be what you are use to with commercial  refined wheat flours, the taste will out weigh the difference when you need a tasty chocolate fix.

Day 4 menu...

Breakfast:
2 rice cakes / peanut butter and jelly
"Mock" lemon tea

Lunch:
Vegetable pizza ( recipe from Dr Davis's book)
Unsweetened applesauce cup

Snack:
Homemade chocolate cupcake / cup Almond milk

Dinner:
Rice pasta with Marinara sauce
Small salad / oil and vinegar

Snack:
Handful of raw almonds dipped in Peanut butter

Day three menue:

Breakfast:
Rice Chex cereal / Almond milk
Fresh strawberries
Warm "mock" lemon tea

Lunch: 
Egg salad  /  16 Blue Diamond nut and rice crackers
Large dill pickle

Snack:
3 Dark chocolate  mint creams  from Trader Joe's

Dinner:
Grilled chicken breast
Baked potato  / butter and sour cream
Small salad with oil / vinegar

Snack:
2 ginger snap cookies ( Trader Joe's brand / gluten free )


Thursday, March 15, 2012

Wheat withdrawal...

Today I will tell you  about some of the withdrawal symptoms I have personally experienced on my new wheat free living plan. The first few days I had feelings of tiredness throughout the day. Not a exhausted kind of tired, but a kind of sleepiness that made me want to cuddle up with my cat and take a nap.I guess you could say it was more of a extremely relaxed kind of feeling, like a being in a fog. About the third day  most of this tiredness had lifted except until around four in the afternoon. Instead of giving in to the sleepiness I would do a few chores or run errands and it would pass.( remember...I am retired )

Now I am all for sleeping when I am tired as I have had quite a history of having trouble falling asleep over the  past few years.  Financial stresses, crises with family, or even everyday experiences would keep me awake for hours after retiring with thoughts of everyday problems whirling through my mind. I would count  sheep, think good thoughts, take a warm shower, sing peaceful songs in my mind, you name it I have tried it!

I have found since day one of eliminating wheat from my diet that I have virtually "slept like a baby" as the saying goes. It is almost as if I were asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. Okay, so I have been awakened on occasion by that nighttime bathroom run, of by a thunder storm, yet I would immediately fall back to sleep. All in all, these past few nights have been the most peaceful and restful nights sleep I have had in years!

If you venture on this wheat free living journey with me I suggest you keep a log of your withdrawal symptoms. Not only do I sleep better but I also awake better. My body is awake and ready to go after just eight hours of restful sleep, as apposed to having to force myself out of bed. Food tastes so much better and I have learnt to appreciate the tastes and textures more. I eat slower because I enjoy every bite, and I seem to stay full longer. My cravings for sweets is not so strong and I find that even a small piece of chocolate satisfy's me as much as a whole candy bar use to. Wow....I am really coming to like this new me!

Wheat and your arteries...

Did you know that when you eat whole wheat products, they actually help SHRINK the LDL particles in your bloodstream making them far more likely to stick to your artery walls and trigger the possibility of heart attacks and strokes?

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Day Two...

Today is my second day of wheat free living. Whew...got through day one. Hey, giving up wheat is a little easier than I had imagined it would be. Now don't get me wrong...I do miss the bread for the sandwiches for lunch and that Italian bread to scoop up my spaghetti sauce with, but until I find that wheat free bread that makes my mouth reel with delight, my wheat and gluten free crackers will have to do.With that said we will move on to my second day of meals.

Breakfast:
2 scrambled eggs with onion.
1 Rice cake

I know...a rice cake does not make a great bread substitute, but it was enough of a filler that I maintained until lunch. As I said, I am still searching for that perfect wheat free bread!

Snack:
1 small 8 oz glass Almond Milk (Trader Joe's brand)
2 Ginger Snaps  ( Trader Joe's  brand which are Gluten Free) A little to much ginger for my taste buds,  but over all just 2 cookies quenched my sweet tooth and carried me into lunch. If you like a stronger taste of ginger then these would be ideal for you. 5 cookies are 140 calories.

Lunch:
1/2 can Tuna mixed with onion, mayo and 1/4 of a diced apple  This combo helped me satisfy my sweet tooth with the sweetness of the added apple.
16 nut and rice crackers  (Blue Diamond brand)
Small side salad with olive oil and vinegar

Dinner:
Mashed potatoes
Quinoa  and turkey stuffed Green Peppers   (recipe found in Dr Davis's Loose The Wheat book ) Wow is all I can say to this recipe. I love stuffed green peppers and this one really set my taste buds on fire! I think I could have eaten the whole 9x13 pan of them but just one whole serving was all it took to satisfy my hunger.


Night time snack:
Handful of raw almonds


I was really amazed at the end of the day what little I had really eaten at each meal, and yet I felt satisfied and full. I guess when Dr Davis states that 'Wheat is an appetite stimulant"... he wasn't kidding. Without all that wheat in my system my cravings for more cookies, bagels, soft drinks and other wheat laden products are slowly disappearing.



Note*  Since your daily regulations will change by eliminating wheat as with any diet change, be sure to get adequate amounts of water daily. I personally have found drinking a mixture of very warm water, a squeeze of fresh lemon and 1 pkt of Splenda makes a very nice MOCK" lemon tea which I enjoy at least 3 times a day to help in daily regulation.



Day one of Wheat Free Living for me:

I received my copy of Lose The Wheat, Loose The Weight  from Rodale written by William Davis MD in Thursday's  mail. I must admit that once I started reading it I found it quite hard to put down. All the information I had known about the benefits of wheat grain flew out the door...
Now I have to admit I am easily convinced and so that is the reason for this challenge to myself. If I was to be sure this wheat free eating plan was going to work for me I knew from past "DIETS" that the first thing I must do is weigh myself and take measurements. Taking this information in the morning  upon first waking  is the best time to do so. Also, weighing in only once a week at  the same time and day is important.  Weighing  yourself every day will only discourage you if you don't see immediate improvement. As with any eating plan there is usually no  any noticeable progress for at least a week.

 Before day one of my new eating plan these were my weight and measurements.:

Weight: 131.8 pounds ( unclothed )
Waist: 37 inches ( where waist is suppose to be )
Stomach: 40 inches ( around fullest part )
Hips: 38 1/2 inches ( Around fullest part )
Now to some of you these measurements might seem a bit funny and wonder why I am putting forth such effort,  but as I said before...for my height I look to be in my seventh month with child! Not funny to me.

Now on to my days intake of food for day 1 / Friday. Please remember that I just received the book and haven't had ample time to grocery shop for all the items the recipes in the book call for so I am 'making do" with what my local store offered on such short timing.

Breakfast:
 2 sodium free rice cakes with peanut butter (Mother's brand)
Cup of tea with 2 pkt. Splenda

Snack:
Handful of raw  almonds

Lunch:
Apple/Cranberry/Grilled Chicken salad from Burger King (took my own dressing of olive oil, vinigar and lemon juice)

I was too full  to eat dinner so I had  a handful of nut and rice crackers later in the evening ( Blue Diamond brand, wheat and gluten free ) These are absolutely delicious, a pleasant surprise!

I will post tomorrow for day two. Until then, Happy Living!







Tuesday, March 13, 2012

My personal challange...

Okay...here goes. I have created this blog as a personal diary of sorts. First  I will tell you a little about myself and why I am taking on the Wheat Free living challenge.
When I was in High School I weighed in between 107 - 112 lbs pretty much consistently. At only 5'2 1/2 inches I was pretty slim. I use to get teased that if I turned sideways I would look like thermometer! Those were the good old days!
Okay...so I am now in my beginning sixties, and although I don't expect to have the shape of a model,  I do expect that I should feel good about myself. Right?
I use to love to shop for clothes and pretty much felt good about the shape I was in until I reached my 40's then the weight around my middle seemed to suddenly appear from no where.
First, while in my late 40's,  I tried the Adkins Diet. After about 3 months on it, although I did loose 12 pounds of  weight,  I was only to find out that my cholesterol levels had shot up dramatically.
Second time around I tried Jenny Craig..I did loose 16 pounds here and actually became a Consultant with the company for awhile. Yet after beginning  once again to eat regular meals the weight slowly reappeared.
Okay...so I held my own for about 10 more year weighing in between 127 and 148.Well if that's what you can call holding your own. What I was holding was extra weight...
Five years ago I did the Jenny thing again and got down to 136 -138. Up - down..up - down...Wow I was beginning to feel like a yo-yo!
Last year my husband joined Weight Watchers at his place of employment. He is a diabetic, but he is also Italian and was raised on bread and pasta. I decided to go along for the journey so we figured out my points and watched as the pounds slowly came off. He lose much faster and much more so needless to say I was just a little jealous! Once again when I began to eat regular meals with regular breads and pasta's the weight slowly came back.
The past few years have been like a roller coaster ride...watch what I eat and get down to a size 8. Slack off and get back up to a size 12.....
7 months ago I decided to try a Vegan diet. After about 5 months on it I finally realized something in a faint flicker of sanity...All of this soy was doing something to my body as well as my emotional state. I was gaining even more weight around my middle, crying at the least little thing, or getting angry at the stupidest things..WOW! Talk about a hormonal roller coaster ride!!!
Two weeks ago I went shopping for a pair of dress slacks and when I looked in the mirror, reality finally hit. I was still slim in all areas of my body except for my waist and stomach...I actually looked like I did when I was approximately seven months pregnant with my children.  Now this is a dose of reality! Needless to say I left the store empty handed...
Now I am not saying these diets don't work for some people. They work...until you go back to a regular eating plan for most that is, at least for me anyway.
One day as I was moping around feeling sorry for myself I was browsing through the mail and came across a booklet describing how you can loose weight by loosing the wheat in your diet. Yea sure I thought as I tossed the pamphlet aside. Later that week I found it laying on the table as I was cleaning house and decided to give it a read through. It was quite  interesting and after much consideration I decided to order the full book "Loose The Wheat, Lose The Weight, written by William Davis MD. who happens to be a top Cardiologist in his field.
Now I must admit I was skeptical about purchasing another "diet" plan, but this is not a diet...it is a life change. I was surprised what I have learnt about wheat and its history. Seems it is not as good for you as they try to make you believe. Okay so now I have the book in hand loaded with information and facts and think I will give it a go...
So as to be fair I must now explain that I have been eating wheat free for just five days now. I am sleeping much better and have definitely dropped my sugar cravings significantly. Yes I still eat sweets in moderation EVERY day but I definitely am seeing and feeling results.
In my next post I will be posting my measurements starting on day one up till now and foods that I have eaten on each of those days.
It is a learning experience for me and through my posts I will keep you updated on my personal challenge results.So until my next post...Happy living!

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