Eat to Live

Hello, hello! Happy Tuesday... well almost Wednesday. Either way, happy day!

So, I have been striving for a healthier life for some time now, mostly since I lost a bunch of weight in high school. But I have been bettering my life with nutrition and exercise and definitely doing a lot of experimenting with different ways of eating. So far, I have tried pretty much every diet out there. I have done Weight Watchers (well, just going along with what my mother was doing at the time), low, low carb, high lean proteins, all raw, etc., etc. Well, this experimenting is tiring, especially when you're not seeing the results you would like. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that none of these work, or that I need to change my body, but I would like to find the perfect way of eating that let's me enjoy what I am eating and maintain a healthy weight. Wouldn't we all.

In lue of the research I have done, and different eating plans, I'm adding another challenge to my diet... I have been reading Eat to Live by Dr. Joseph Fuhrman and let me tell you, this book is interesting. There is so much information in this book, good information at that. Through his research and years as a doctor, he has helped thousands of people lose weight, start exercising, and get healthy; mostly when they thought they would never have the opportunity for any of these.

I have just a bit more of the book to go but so far I have enjoyed it. One thing that I dislike about the book is that he is a little bias. By bias I mean he thinks that animal proteins should not be eating and that, well, pretty much you can never be too skinny. I do not agree with either of these, but I do think that animal proteins are not for everyone and that we, as Americans, eat way too much animal products, when we do not necessarily need this for a complete protein source. Just my opinion. Dr. Fuhrman also talks a lot about Cancer prevention. Good stuff. His research has led him to the conclusion that Cancer and heart disease is almost always preventable.

The magic cure... greens! Vegetables and fruits are natures way of keeping us vibrant, healthy, and young.

So, where is all of this going...? Well, he has a way of eating, a diet, that he promises will help you shed the body's unwanted and unneeded weight, and keep you protected from illnesses. Well, sure, I'm up for the challenge! I have been vegetarian (and all raw) a few times before and I like the way I feel when I eat mostly raw, unprocessed greens and foods, with some cooked veggies mixed in. Dr. Fuhrman suggests having 90 percent of your calories come from vegetables and fruits, half cooked, half raw. And really, you are getting plenty of protein, carbs, vitamins, minerals, nutrients from these. So, why not. I'm lookin' to get healthier and get a little rest from the holiday foods. Back to my squeaky clean eating.

To start out my Eat to Live meals, and keeping up with my curry cravings (not really sure why I'm craving Indian food...), last night I made this:

Cauliflower Curry Salad

1 small head of cauliflower
1 cup cooked chickpeas (I used chickpeas and red beans)
1 tbs garlic, minced
1 tbs shallot, minced
2 dried apricots, diced
2 dates, diced
4 leaves kale, chopped

Chop all and place in bowl. Set aside.

2 tbs olive oil
1 tbs nama shoyu
1 tbsp curry marsala mix
2 tsp cumin seed
1 tsp fresh tumeric root
1 tbs cilantro
1 tbs fresh mint
1 jalapeno, minced

Mix the rest of the ingredients in a bowl and add to the cauliflower mixture. Toss and eat or dehydrate or bake until desired consistency or warmth.

And here it is for my work lunch with a green salad and a lentil onion mixture on top. So delish.

The last couple of mornings I have been making my huge good sized green smoothies. These ones contain lots of spinach or parsley (yes parsley, and it's delicious!), a small tangerine, another piece of fruit, either a pear, banana, or berries, ginger, tons of cinnamon, and boiled red beans and chickpeas. Yes, I know, that sounds, well, awful. But the beans provide for a lot of protein and since they are blended, they are easily digested. And for the greens, I highly suggest trying a simple green smoothie... Parsley and pear. Simple, elegantly colored, cleanses the palate and breath, and tastes so fresh and fantastic! Promise! Just try it.

During the day I have been eating a lunch of dinner leftovers and a salad. And for snacks, fruit. I feel good and full all day long. And I have actually been forgoing my desserts at night and my chocolate during the day. (Yeah, I know, I love my sweet stuff. Healthy sweets but still sweets.) But since I have been reading and taking to heart, and stomach, the words of Eat to Live, I have not been craving the sugar. It's great not to crave these.

Aside from reading nutritional books, I just starting The Time Traveler's Wife and so far it's really good. A little on the sad side, but good.

Hmmmm, tonight, green salad with Raw Asian Cesar dressing... and a couple of recipes tomorrow! Have a good night!