So, I kind of missed breakfast. And my mid-morning snack. And I sort of missed lunch. Well, I had breakfast for lunch. I woke up around 1-2.
However, I had another really, really deep solid sleep with a lot of very active, involved and interesting dreams that were very hard to wake up from. I had no problems getting started this morning-
especially after I had a super-duper juice for breakfast!
Juice This!
2 large carrots
1 orange
1 cup strawberries
1 pear
It came out of the juicer frothy and light and foamy and super good. A+
Go ahead, make one now. I'll wait. I'll have a banana.
....
OK.
It occured to me in the shower that it was really funny that on a raw food diet, I've only had one actual salad this entire time. Then of course I immediately wanted a salad for lunch (which happened around 5) Well, no sooner said than done, and I came up with this beauty.
1 cup baby spinach
1/2 mango, cubed
2T diced cilantro
1 cup broccoli
1/2 cup celery
1 mushroom burger patty, cut into strips
sprinkling of dehydrated herbs: parsley, oregano, tarragon.
Dressing: 1T apple cider vinegar, 1T lime juice, 1tsp home made mustard, sprinkling red pepper flakes, pepper.
Problem Solved! (If your problem is not having a delicious salad. Other problems need not apply).
The other day I figured out that raisins are pretty high carb and low fat. Guess who has a new favourite snack on this diet? This girl!! I love me some raisins. Enough that I had a bunch after my salad, and then a bunch with dinner.
For dinner, we decided to walk down and see a movie- a nice 10km round trip walk, with a movie in between. Instead of dinner, we took some snacks to the theatre (We're such rebels!) so I had a banana, more raisins, and some strawberries and blueberries. I vetoed the celery sticks. (CRUNCHCRUNCHCRUNCH).
Speaking of crunchy things, I MAKE FLAX CRACKERS! Super, crazy simple except for having to anticipate 18 hours in advance when you would like them. Being on a raw diet makes me want a time machine to sit on the counter next to my juicer, blender, dehydrator and food processor.
2 cups water
2 cups flax meal
any and all spices you'd like.
(I used 2T garlic powder, 2T dehyd onion, some cayenne and 3 diced spring onions).
mix the water and the flax meal and spices, let it sit until it's gelatinous- about 15 minutes or less. Mix in the spring onions, and spread it onto the teflex sheet (s) in your dehydrator, and do at 115 for about 12 hours.
I think I had too much goo, as the initial spread was really thick. If I'd had a second sheet I would have divided it into two. This is why it took so long to dry, for sure. I also very carefully lifted it with a flipper and turned it half way through, as the top was good but the bottom was gooey still.
 |
| So Flax-y! |
I tried to work out today, but I was pretty low energy most of the day. The walk perked me up, and I'm going to have more juice which will surely hit that button too. I'll try again tomorrow to life heavy things. My shoulders and biceps are still sore from the few reps I did today. I am pretty much chronically not getting enough protein on this diet, and it shows in this, if nothing else. I'm getting about 5-8% instead of 10, which is really too low. I'm not sure how to rectify this without jacking my fat way too high, since nuts are a good source of protein but way high in fat. I'll have to focus on high protein vegetables this week, I can't do without weight training!!
I weighed myself this morning, and clocked in at 168 lbs. At this rate I'm going to need new trousers.
Here's what I ate today! Cracker Party
Mmm that salad looks delicious! I love salad! I eat a huge one every night (usually 1-2 lettuce, 1 cucumber, about 5 tomatoes, some celery (for saltiness) and some fruit..last night was a pineapple and a green pepper... Also green onions and herbs :)
ReplyDeleteJust a thought that occurred to me.. Obviously I am no expert, but from personal experience I find calories are what make the difference on this diet, and I can't help but notice that you are getting 1000 less than the recommended .minimum. (2500 for woman, more like 3000 if active). Maybe the problem isn't lack of protein so much as lack of calories? After all, human breast milk is less than 5% protein and babies double their size and strength on that in no time ;) Thriving on this diet in the summer (before shit hit the fan and I gave up for a few months what with being semi homeless and all) I went from flabby to ripped (working on the farm.. kinda like crossfit.. I called it 'barn fit' lol). Anyway, I was eating about 3-4000 cals a day and probably about 5% protein...This is where 10+ banana smoothies come in :) Right now I am fairly sedentary, and not doing much more than a daily walk, but I am still eating probably about 3000 cals a day and losing the weight I gained falling off the wagon, just more slowly than if I were working out, of course. At any rate, I am definitely not gaining, and I also feel really good, which for me is really the point :)
Anyway, just my two cents..keep up the awesome work! I'm thoroughly enjoying all your (and Johnny's) gourmet recipes.. very creative and also delicious sounding :)
-Ais
I'm sure you're right, I feel like I should be eating more but it's hard for me to literally put that much food into my body. I'm working up to it but, wow. Are smoothies the thing that you rely on the pack away the calories?
ReplyDeleteProbably could be the smoothies, but I am also a big eater, LOL, so it's not hard for me. I understand that it is for most people though. Not sure about how I do it, will have to look at my cronometer. When I started, I went right for the 10 banana smoothies. Mangoes, and dates, are also good.
DeleteI dunno, I have this feeling that most people are used to eating heavy things, where they can't eat very much til being full, so their stomachs aren't big enough to eat enough... Or they are used to counting calories and portion control, and have trained themselves/shrunk their stomach enough to be full on less.
I'd think one might have to just 'overeat' a bit and risk feeling very full a few times to get used to consuming the needed quantity. The full feeling from raw fruit and veg doesn't last nearly as long. I usually have 2 suppers, lol. Anyway, working up to it is also good ;)
TBH, I don't think about calories at all really (other than in vague 'get enough' terms)... Too many years counting. I only did some tracking when I started, just to make sure I was getting enough (at least 2500), but I don't bother now. I'm not sure I get my RDA of everything every day, but I think it balances out if one gets a decent variety. I don't eat protein-fats most days, hardly ever lately. I do like an avocado once a week or so, but haven't had one for a couple of months at least... mostly just due to lack of funds.
Anyway, I'd rather eat a whole avocado once or twice a week than be bothered to muck about with thirds or that sort of nonsense. Portioning like that make no sense to me.
Everything else is pretty much the perfect ratio, so I just try to consume a decent quantity, and other than that I don't worry about it!
best of luck with the feasting :)