High Fructose CRAP syrup & Genetically modified produce

Yeah...that is what I said.  High Fructose Corn Syrup is in everything including dill pickles and hot dogs.  Here is a video of how it is made...notice the gas masks.

After seeing this video it only confirmed that I really did not want to ingest HFCS.  This is the largest source of sugar for most Americans.  It has NO nutritive value and its final product after liver processing is fat and uric acid.  YUCK!  And for diabetics its a double whammy...HFCS is fructose and sucrose.  Yes fructose is fruit/veg sugar which is usually acceptable in clean eating but in this case the fructose doesn't come with the fiber that is found in fruits and vegetables which slows the body's absorption of the sugar.  Watching the video by Dr. Robert Lustig's video Sugar: The Bitter Truth with completely explain how HFCS is unhealthy and even dangerous. Here is link to the video which is an hour long, but worth the watch:  Sugar: The Bitter Truth

Another thing I look out for is Genetically Modified Produce (GMO).  I avoid it altogether and here is why:  They are messing with perfection!  Ok ok...there are more reasons and here is my biggest reason.  Let's take corn, for example, that has been modified; it is modified to produce its own pesticide which in turns makes for larger crops because of less loss due to pest and thus the selling price is dramatically cheaper.  NOW...lets re-read that - 'it produces it own pesticide".  Of course the amount produced is only sufficient to kill corn-hating pest, but over the course of a summer how much corn do you eat?  Some forms of pesticides can build up in the human body and kill our good bacteria and flora and cause inflammation and other problems.  I wouldn't spray my dinner with a small shot of Raid or Black Flag....so why would I eat GMO produce.  There is A LOT wrong with GMO and if you just Google it you can find a reputable site for info!  Here is how to find out if what you are buying is Organic, traditionally farmed or GMO...Organic or GMO.

Now I am not a hard-nosed fanatic about these things.  If I am at a function where is food is available...I look for the best choices and then eat a very small amount of anything I find in contrast with my eating style.  If it is a celebration - have a piece of cake!  A small piece and skip ice cream...but life is for living.  A half slice of cake won't hurt you if its something you do rarely.  Today I had a petite-four during a meeting to plan my kiddo's bridal shower...we were having a wonderful time and it WAS a celebration.  I enjoyed eating it and it was scrumptious.  I also had chicken salad and raw veggies too.  Balance is the name of the game.

Janet's Favorite Things

This is nothing like Oprah's Favorite Things...so don't bother looking  under your chair and you will NOT be getting one just like...oh yeah...and no new cars will be given away, LOL.

 Kelp Noodles by Sea Tangle are great!  I ordered two bags of these noodles from Amazon.  Kelp Noodles on Amazon  They are made from seaweed and are almost all fiber and do not need to refrigerated until opened either.  They are taste neutral...meaning they have no taste and basically take on the taste of whatever is mixed with them. Since they are almost all fiber they are VERY low calorie and filling.   I found them to have a very slight salty taste when eaten alone but that was masked by the tasted of the stewed tomatoes I mixed with them.  You don't cook or heat them.  I just put them in a bowl and used my kitchen scissors to trim them...they are rather long...and then poured my heated sauce over them.  I can say that I prefer them over real pasta.  My husband said he didn't mind them but they were not like pasta in his opinion.  For the price they are worth a try if you want to avoid pasta.

 I gave up Aspartame.  My reason for doing is the FACT that it causes increased hunger.  Science has found this to be true.  My alternative to sugar and aspertame is Xyitol.  Xyitol is derived from tree bark and the human body also manufactures Xyitol as well.  It is well tolerated and even good for your teeth.  Xyitol on Amazon

It looks and taste like sugar.  I carry some in my purse and car so when I scoot into Sonic for a Route 44 UnSweet Tea...I use my Xyitol.  It is afforable and there are larger boxes of packets available as well as bags of loose Xyitol.  Its great on raw fruit too!

 My next find is Gourmet Select Garlic Sea Salt with grinder top.  I found mine at luckyvitamin.com  I just checked and they are out, but I am sure other retailer may have it.  Amazon has several other brands of the same thing.  This stuff is great on tomatoes salads!  It is a pungent garlic flavor and very little is needed.  I will definitely be keeping this in stock for my pantry. 

 

I have had a lot of folks ask if I take supplements.  Well, I do.  Here is my philosophy on supplements.  They do not cure anything.  They are helpers.  You have to provide it with a good working environment and this is done by eating well and some exercise.  Supplements cannot work if the person  taking them eats only junk.

Also...the price doesn't necessarily reflect quality.  Check the ingredients and research the maker.  Look into how they are processed.  Read the labels to see if they use any fillers that are not needed or negate the health benefits.  Some supplements like fish oil and seaweed should be researched.  These can be made from sources that are polluted with mercury or other heavy metals. No need to add that to your diet.

I also feel that if I take supplement 'x' and it helps me improve 5%....and supplement 'y' helps another 3-5%...and eating clean helps 65%...exercise another 15%...the combination can help me feel better!  Should you come across a seller that claims a supplement CURES anything - please ignore them.  A good site for advice is Dr. Mark Hyman and UltraWellness Center.  Do your research!  Here are some good, reputable sites to look up:
The Mayo Clinic
John Hopkins Research
Nat. Institute of Health

Ok...Over and out for this week!  Thanks for reading!

Eating is always a decision, nobody forces your hand to pick up food and put it into your mouth.

Albert Ellis, Michael Abrams, Lidia Dengelegi, The Art & Science of Rational Eating, 1992

Another change along the way...

So how clean do you eat?  Why does it matter?  Think about each meal you ate this week and try to recall how many fresh greens were on your plate.  The green spectrum of the food world helps our bodies clean themselves from the inside, they keep our cells in tip top shape, are chocked full of antioxidants, and make us feel full.  Unfortunately in this day and age we have a lazy palate.  Processed food is full of flavor enhancers, fake sugars, and stuff that isn't even food.  We have grown to crave these processed foods and steer away from anything fresh.

So while I was busy changing my choice in food, I decided to read some labels and rid myself from ingredients that do not belong in my diet.  Like I have said in earlier posts, I made changes slowly over a course of a couple of weeks each.  At around 6 weeks in my change I decided to add fresh veggies and fruits.  No more canned veggies.  This way I could control how it is cooked and what is added to it.  The first thing I tried was Acorn squash.  I had NEVER eaten it ... EVER.  So I googled it for a recipe and found out it was easy breezy to prepare!  I sliced it in half, placed face down on a plate and microwaved for 7 minutes!  Took it out of the microwave, added an Italian blend of spices and a bit of REAL butter (never margarine).  It was awesome.  Once your sugar cravings are over you start to notice the different flavors and begin to enjoy them too!

One comment I get regularly is that it is expensive to eat healthy.  What are you worth?  I can honestly say I get my food on the cheap.  We go to a store here in  Houston called 99cents Only store.  We purchase zucchini, squash of all type, cucumbers, lettuce of all types, tons of tomatoes, peppers, bananas, watermelons, cabbage, among other goodies.  All for 99 cents or less. More amazingly is the fact that over 80% of what we buy is organic!

My second favorite grocery store is Hong Kong market.  This is where I found beautiful veggies at a very reasonable price.  I have my phone with me and look up recipes on the fly.  Additionally these veggies are so fresh and clean.  I am always impressed with the quality of food when I visit the store near my home.  

My next least expensive food source is my backyard.  Each summer we grow tomatoes and bell peppers, but next summer I am expanding.  I have researched space saving ways to garden and see more peppers, different tomatoes, and lots of onions in our future.  Anyone can grow a tomato plant in a bucket...a bell pepper plant is just as easy.  

What's on my Menu?

Tonight I decided to have some greens.  I chose Bok Choy since I have never tried it and have heard it is less bitter than other greens.  With Bok Choy you use the stalk too.  You gather the leaves and slice them in about 1/2 inch ribbons till you get to the stalk.  Then take the stalk and slice thinly lengthwise.  Leaving the stalk whole is almost un-chewable!  Sliced stalks will cook quickly, add body to a vegetable stock, and taste and feel great.  They cook very quickly so add them last.  I browned some sausage and raw Roma tomatoes then added celery and onion.  When it was about 10 minutes from finished I added the greens and stalk pieces.  Stir a couple times, set on medium heat, cover and check every few minutes.  You want your greens to have a vibrant color and still have a bit of crisp to them.  Our dish was very tasty!  Next time I will add some cayenne pepper and garlic.

LEFTOVERS?

I had a bunch of Collard greens I need to use or lose!  I visit a blog called One Hundred Dollars a Month.  They showed how they dehydrate greens to use during the winter or whenever.  I had the identical dehydrator and VOILA' - dried greens and stalks.  I also dry leftover squash, tomatoes, and fruits.  If I have too much I offer my hamsters and guinea pigs a treat!  Great way to store organic perishables.

Guess who found a sale on organic tomatoes, mushrooms, peppers and garlic?  I decided to can some sauce that I like to add to pots of veggies.  I love tomatoes and I added mushrooms, wax and bell peppers, celery, garlic, onions, and a few sheds of carrot.  I bought the Kerr Jar Blue Book to make sure I was processing it by the letter!  You have to be very careful when canning, but the rewards are satisfying.  I look forward to trying other veggies like green beans and fruit like berries and apples.  It's a sure fire way to make sure you know each and every ingredient in your food!  

Food Wisdom

"Those who think they have no time for healthy eating will sooner or later have to find time for illness."
- modified from : Edward Stanley (1826-1893) from The Conduct of Life

How I started

So it was January 2012 and I decided something had to change.  But when and how?  I also understood that the human species are fairly resistant to change, but i felt if done a bit more slowly and with a complete understanding as to why you are doing it then it may successfully become a habit. 

For my first week I decided to give OBVIOUS sugar.  You know them...the obvious ones...like Twinkies, Eclairs, Red Velvet Cake, Blue Bell Moolenium Ice Cream, and the like.  Also during this week I would research how much sugar was in other types of food I was eating.  I was surprised!  Processed food is teeming with hidden sugar.  Since I was still requiring 30+ units of insulin per meal (Yes...I said 30 or more) I decided to start reading all labels and learn the different names used for sugar.  This is when I realized that I would need to eat more fresh food and stop with the processed foods.  I did this for 2 weeks and lost 15lbs.  I was flabbergasted and amazed. 

My next step was brought about by something I saw on TV.  On a Sunday 60 Minutes was playing and I had not even intended to watch it.  They announced a segment about sugar and High Fructose Corn Syrup by Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF Professor of Pediatrics in the Division of Endocrinology.  His presentation was spot on.  I understood every word the man said and it made sense.  He backed up everything he said with incontrovertible science.  The next morning I watched his lecture on YouTube  Sugar: The Bitter Truth.  I was now off table sugar and HFCS. 

These were my first two big moves.  Every two or so weeks would include another tweak to my eating.  I have to mention this also - I still did NOT count a single calorie.  My sugar cravings were intense the first 3 days and waxed and waned for about 3 weeks.  Today I don't have any cravings for sugar and actually crave tomatoes, grapes, oranges, and nuts for snacks.

Quick Side Note:

You can eat out and eat clean:

My husband and I visited a small restaurant on the NW side of Houston/Tomball called Kabab Kahani.  I had the Mixed Grill with very lean beef, Tandoori chicken, and veal kababs and instead of rice I had double salad (fresh cabbage and greens, fresh tomatoes, fresh herbs) drizzled with a creamy garlic sauce.  Very tasty :) !

Eating better:

Be Nutty!  The right nuts can help improve you health.  Mayo Clinic: Health and Nuts

Ok...over and out.  Remember to ask yourself if you "are worth it?"

“Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food”

― Hippocrates

Just the beginning....

Since the beginning of 2012 I have been eating clean.  I gave up refine sugar, high-fructose corn syrup, potatoes, white rice, breads, and corn.  It wasn't a New Years resolution.  It just happened to that time of year when my Rheumatologist told me that if I wanted to keep killing my brain I only needed to keep eating sugar and let my diabetes run rampant. 

I suffer from an autoimmune disease called Central Nervous System Vasculitis.  The quick and dirty description of CNSV is that the vessels that supply oxygen to my brain and spinal cord become inflamed and over time my brain and spinal cord receive less and less oxygen.  This wreaks havoc on a person!  I was on a chemotherapy drug called Cytoxan for several months and massive doses of Prednisone, but I kept relapsing.  It was then that my doctor told me to get my nutrition in line or die.

Well we have all heard of those folks who are warned by their doctors to straighten up or pay the price and they keep on drinking, eating, or smoking and get sicker or worse.  I am not that person.  I have stuff to live for!  My son is getting married, my two younger kids are in college, my nieces and nephews are always on my mind and I love just being with my husband...plenty of reasons to get on board.

Its now August 2012 - 8 months later - and I have lost 68 lbs so far and I haven't started exercising yet.  I have not counted a single calorie.  Best of all...if I am hungry I eat!  Occasionally I have day where I will eat just veggies and nuts throughout the day or a day where I will visit the fridge several times.  But I only put good food in my body now.  Big difference.

When I started in January 2012 I just simply avoided sugar.  By Feb I learned about High Fructose Corn Syrup after watching Dr Robert Lustig on 60 minutes.  What an eye-opener!  With all my 'refinements' to my nutrition I am now eating clean.  I still eat some lean meat and fish, tons of low glycemic veggies, and fruit.  I do have real cheese from time to time and will start the next phase of decaffeinating myself and lowering my salt intake.

So...as this is just the first post on my blog...I will share more from here on in.  Stay tuned...if I can do it so can you. 

This weeks grocery haul: $67 bucks...that included a $10 bag of multi-grain dark Asian rice.

 And for dinner:  A Veggie Lentil Stew....started with roasted peppers and garlic.  I browned onions, more garlic, chives, green onions, and mushrooms for a nice thick stock.

 And Voila' ... dinner is served!  Includes: Onions, pablanos, jalapenos, wax peppers, bell peppers, garlic, green onion, fresh chive, fresh mushroom, yellow cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, yellow squash, snow peas, fresh green beans, fresh roma tomatoes.  Seasoned with oregano, sage, bay leaf, cayenne, and my evil salt.

A nice side note:  I made enough for 2 or 3 days!