Good thing to remember...

If you're looking for motivation, listen or read the article on this link: http://www.precisionnutrition.com/motivation-master-your-fear

The above link summarizes a major shift I went through when I was in high school. 
I saw a cool car with a for-sale sign on it when I was riding around with my friends.  We were pulling out of the cul-de-sac and I said 'how sweet it would be to have that ride!'  Steve said,"I'll turn around so we can get the phone number." I resisted and said that I would just come back with my dad later.  He turned and looked at me and said very plainly, "why don't we just get the number now so you don't have to come back?" 
This was such an easy answer, how come I'd never thought of it before? Maybe I didn't want to inconvenience my friends, or maybe I just hadn't thought it through.  But I am glad he said that to me because a week later I was tuning up that very car.
Learning to take action in life serves us well.  Especially if we apply it to our health as the article linked above alludes to.

Protein shakes. Love 'em or hate'em?

I really try to JERF, but it's hard to get enough protein in my diet that way.  I don't eat a whole lot of meat.  Sometimes I'll supplement with a whey protein powder, but I know it in no way resembles whole food.  Stuck in a health/moral bind...

What's your take?

Who knew being responsible could be so fashionable?

I finally ordered a medical ID bracelet.  Something I should have done a couple of years ago.  Having a serious allergy or disease can have its scary moments.  Hopefully I won't have to go through any ever again, but this is life and it happens!

Too Many Omegas?

Last week Dustin was reading something on his iphone and then said to me, "I think I'm going to try this Bulletproof coffee thing."

My eyebrow raised a little.

"It's low-toxin coffee with butter and coconut oil in it."

Okay, now I raised both of my eyebrows.  I was thinking, what? and why mess with a good thing? Cafe au lait is a good thing!

Upon explanation I learned the reasoning behind it.  Anyone familiar with the 'Warrior Diet?'  Basically it's fasting until early afternoon, doing an exerting workout in a fasted state, then eating for the remainder of the evening.  It's based on the idea that our ancestors had to hunt for food and then fight to kill it, then brought it to homebase and feasted in the evening.

Another diet, I say.  Not one I should try considering my recent hypoglycemic episode in Vegas (ask me later if you really want the details).  Good for those who don't like choking down a cup of oatmeal and raisins first thing in the morning.  The coffee drink still has a meal's worth of calories in it, but will not feel like it. 

Alas, we are now buying grassfed cow's butter from Trader Joes that's $6/lb., plus extra virgin expeller pressed organic coconut oil for D's coffee.  The claims are that the omega 3 to omega-6 amounts in this butter is a 1-1; which is supposedly the perfect balance.  I think we're advised not to have too many omega-6's (think vegetable oils or margerine) in our diet.   I will admit that I really like this butter for its flavor and it's really yellow!  Remember old pictures of butter?  We put the Kerrygold butter on the dish next to the generic store-brand butter and wow!  The difference in hue is great, and if it offers some health benefit.
So this raises the question; how much is too much omega?  Fish oil, flax seeds, cultured butter.  Where does it end and what constitutes too much?  What can I say?  We are trying to nourish our bodies the best way we know how.   And... the coffee tastes fine.  I had to try it!!  Has the mouthfeel of a creamy cup of coffee, but is still rich in roasted flavor.  Definitely worth the experience if you are a coffee lover.  I still prefer my whipping cream in coffee :P

Tofu Smoothie Success!

I was pretty impressed with this morning's smoothie experimental outcome.

The flavor was mild but pleasant, filling, not too sweet, and none of the ingredients seemed to overwhelm.  The only change I would make to this morning's smoothie would be to leave out the almond butter or sub it for a creamier version.  I usually stick to the Trader Joe's raw almond butter.

Here's my variation:

1/3 cup extra firm tofu

1/3 cup whole milk

1/2 banana, frozen

2 Tbsp flaxseed meal

1 Tbsp almond butter (optional)

1/4 cup wild blueberries, frozen

1/4 cup chopped spinach, frozen (you would never be able to guess this was in there!)

1/4 cup water

3) et Voila!

First, grind the flaxseeds if you haven't already.  I did this with a clean coffee grinder and it only took 10 seconds.

Step 1

2) Whir it up 10 seconds

First measure out your tofu, milk, flaxseed, almond butter (if using) and put them all in the blender with the banana.

Mix it all up!

Scrape down the sides of the blender and add the blueberries and spinach.  Blend it until smooth adding water as needed.
* I did add the full 1/4 cup of water since my blender is not like those high powered Vitamix.  Sure I wish I had one of those babies!



Pretty and Purple, I had my breakfast on-the-go!

So pretty!

There it is.  Among the last bits of my homemade kraut, colorful and various shaped leftover containers

 is the tupperware with the green lid, 

on the second shelf, 

hiding behind the foil-wrapped bowl.  

The unconsumed remainder of tofu.

I have been struggling with the idea of tofu lately.  I read that it is a good protein source when meat isn't an option, but then I have also read that too much isn't good for you because it is a phytoestrogen (can screw with your hormone levels).  I read that organic is okay, but what you really want to look for is non-GMO sourced soybeans.  Then I saw a video that claims any soy isn't good for you unless it is in the fermented forms of tempeh or miso.

AAAAAAAAaaaaahhhHHHHHHH!

How am I supposed to know what is right?
And here I am faced with another conundrum: Dustin likes tofu and we used a little bit last week, and now if it doesn't get used in the next couple of days it's going to go bad.  I HATE wasting food.  Sooooo, I had the bright idea of blending it (I don't care for the texture of the firm) into a breakfast smoothie.  Don't give me credit just yet; I'm planning on making it tomorrow morning.
here's the recipe I found from an old blog called 'Brownies for dinner' (cute name):

• Breakfast Smoothie (adapted from The UltraSimple Diet)

  1/4 cup silken tofu
  1/4-1/3 cup unsweetened soy milk
  2 tablespoons ground flax seed (optional)
  1 tablespoon almond butter (optional)
  1/2 banana, sliced (frozen if possible)
  1/4 cup frozen cherries
  1/4 frozen blueberries
  1/4 cup water (or more depending on your preferred thickness)
  1. Put tofu, soy milk, and banana into the blender with flax seed and almond butter if using, and blend on low until it’s mixed up.
  2. Add berries, cherries, and water. Blend starting on low and working your way up to high until everything is smooth.
  3. Enjoy!
  4. Nutrition Information:  With almond butter: 266 calories, 11g fat, 9.7g protein, 33.5g carbohydrates (7g fiber)                           Without almond butter: 171 calories, 6.2g protein, 30.5g carbohydrates (5g fiber)

Sounds good enough, right?  I'll let you know when I make it how it turns out.  I have to go grind some flaxseeds now.

<jumping for joy>

Reaching for those... Chips, cookies,CHOCOLATE (you fill in the blank)

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/rr-calorie-restraint-fat-loss
Check out this link above.  It's an article from John Berardi and if you like health then get to know his name! He founded Precision Nutrition which seems to me like an amazing organization.  I only get the weekly newsletter, but this is one piece of electronic mail I don't immediately junk. There's lots of research behind his work, so I geek out on that (since I have a social science background).
If you are interested in the topics, but don't want all the technical info from the research it's easy to jump around the research bits.

Hope everyone has a lovely Easter.  Don't eat too many candy eggs!!!