Easing off wheat and snacking on guacamole

Lately I have stumbled upon plantain chips.  Plantains are from the banana family, found mainly in tropical islands.  I remember having them with this amazing “green dip” {forgive me that I have no idea what the green dip is…and in fact this was eaten at the airport in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico….} but it was amazing! 

I have been trying to decrease my wheat intake, as I have forgone dairy and feel so much better, but my allergies {read running nose, itchy eyes, and fatigue} are still ridiculous even with taken allergy medicine daily, all year round.  I would like to ditch the medicine, but want to find the cause of the reaction.  Why put band aid over a stab wound…you need to find the origin of the bleeding to make it stop!  So I need to find what is making my body have an allergic reaction in order to make it feel better!

I also feel bloated and unable to loose some weight that I would like.. I am wondering if I have a gluten sensitivity, and with becoming vegan I eat tons of fruits, veggies, and wheat.  I’m hoping if I slowly ease off of the wheat products, even though it is whole wheat, that I will find my body working more efficiently.  I am sadly tired all the time, even though I am more physically fit than I have ever been.  I attribute this to eating something that is not agreeing with my body. 

After having Madaelyn and becoming vegan I feel as though I have become more aware of my body. Being tired all the time is not acceptable and I am not willing to live a life where I am struggling to stay awake.  So the best way to discover an allergy is to completely remove a food from your diet for about 3 weeks then re-introduce it to your diet to see how you react.  I can tell you that if I accidently have a food with dairy, my stomach and skin will let me know. My stomach gets so upset and painful, and my face breaks out!  I am wondering how going off wheat will effect me.

For now I am going to finish using the whole wheat products that I have, because I am not going to throw out food.  I plan on buying quinoa pasta, eating spaghetti squash, rice, and rice noodles as a substitute.  I am going to research breads made with other flours besides wheat, and I have a feeling that Whole Foods has a gluten free loaf. {note: I always buy bread from the bakery and freeze it.  I hate buying processed bread with preservatives.}

I have done pretty well not eating processed foods, and when I do buy prepared foods already it is usually from Trader Joes or Whole Foods, and I can pronounce all of the ingredients, and it is of the refrigerated or frozen kind to decrease preservatives being added.

So back to the plantain chips…I have substituted them for tortilla chips, and dip them in guacamole, it is de-lic-ious!!! My new snack obsession if you will.  I recommend you try it!  Plus avocado is soooo good for you and your brain!



I will keep you posted on my journey to becoming wheat free {aka gluten free} and how it affects my body.
What foods to you steer clear from? What ones do you love?  Any go to snacks?

Be well,
B

Eggplant Parmesan {vegan style}

Eggplant has become a staple in this vegan house.  Both M and I have discovered a love for squash and eggplant. 

{among the other foods we love include hummus, sweet potatoes, and vegan dahl balls}

A vegan twist that I have put on eggplant parmesan, {you could also substitute for a chicken parmesan} has quickly become a weekly meal for M and I with whole wheat pasta.  {I am interested in trying pasta made from quinoa next}  Since chicken and parmesan cheeses are not a vegan option I use eggplant {all of it} with some delicious substitutes.



I place it on a cookie sheet sprayed with organic olive oil. I then spray the tops of the eggplants with the organic olive oil.  Next I sprinkle nutritional yeast {which is a nutty/cheesy topping to use instead of parmesan cheese.  It is loaded with nutritional value and has a high amount of B12 which as a vegan I need to supplement and it tastes great!}  After that I sprinkle some garlic powder and dried oregano on top of the eggplant with the nutritional yeast.  Back for approx 15 to 20 mins at 350 degrees, depending on how think the slices of eggplant are done (tender and warm).

Prepare the pasta you prefer and if you are vegan make sure that the sauce does not have cheese or any milk products {casein and whey proteins included}. 

Plate the pasta with sauce and add the eggplant on top with a little more tomato sauce on top.
It is so delicious!  For more nutrition I also puree spinach and add it to my pasta sauce.
{puree-ing ensures that M eats it.  She is not a fan of the texture of cooked spinach, but pureed in tomato sauce is a hit!}

Let me know if you try it!

Be well,

B

New year, new me.

 

I have been thinking about this post for a while and have felt a little overwhelmed about writing it.  Last year was all about survival for me.  By far 2012 was the hardest year for me yet. 

But I did it.  I made it.  I survived.  And I had quite a few accomplishments as well…

I got to spend the precious time with my beautiful daughter.  I started running,. I have become extremely interested in holistic health and nutrition and became a vegan.  

I put my life back together. 

So this year I am looking forward to making the year about myself, and M of course!

My goals are to run a race a month.  Starting with the PF Chang’s Half Marathon in the Rock and Roll series in 10 days!!    I’m thinking of running a 5k in February and a 10k in March.  I’m hoping to make the lottery for the broad street run in May.  I am hoping to sign up for at least one and maybe two half marathons, including the Philadelphia Half (or maybe a full if I’m feeling really motivated!)  Along with running I want to incorporate more yoga and swimming in as cross training.  I have joined a gym so this should be easier to accomplish!

I’m going to continue my vegan lifestyle (although it’s a little flexible, I do use honey).  I love cooking and feel great about making many of my food from scratch, in particular my hummus!  My diet is a plant based diet.  I’m making smoothies and salads, and eating a ton of veggies.  Sometimes I eat too many grains and feel myself getting sluggish because I need to eat more veggies.  Fruit doesn’t seem to be a problem for me.

My final resolution, if you will, is the most important, to work on being the present with M.  She is the most important part of my life and I want to make sure that we have special times that will always be ours. For instance I have started doing Sunday morning bagel dates on the weekends she is with me.  I love them and I know she does too.  She is growing quickly and learning to appreciate things and is showing her own interests.  I can’t wait to start more traditions with her and work on letting go and seeing the world through her eyes.

{like when we dance outside anytime we hear music.  It is liberating}

So here is to a healthy lifestyle, focusing on balancing my mind and body, and living life in the present.

What are your resolutions?

Be well,

B