No more wavering

Thank you lady at the grocery store for telling me about this delicious yet simple salad! 

I've been wavering over my veganism lately. Did some reading, some soul searching. Came across an article on the subject that said listen to your brain,..and your body. 

Today I ate nothing but processed in no way vegan food.... I am so sick!!!!  My body is kicking my ass over it!!

Putting this together with what my head knows I won't be wavering anymore!

Back to the salad. I have a big bowl of it in my frig. Planning ahead for tomorrow.  Suddenly excited about vegan food again! Got my vegan cook book out as well as another one on its way to my mailbox from mouthwatering vegan! I can't wait! 

I'm finally getting my head together a little at a time. Still heartbroken over my dogs. But I'm trying to heal.

Time for bed. Wanna be up and refreshed in the early morning shift. 

Peace.

 

Happy Day

A yummy start to a great day! Strong hot coffee and a yummy breakfast of browned shredded potatoes with kale, mushrooms, onions, garlic and tomatoes. Ezekiel sesame toast. Mmmm!

Then off to Columbus Zoo with our kids Sarah and Michael, his friend Amanda and of course the hubby. What a great day! I hate seeing the animals in captivity but I feel there is a need for these programs. The day started off with petting and feeding the stingrays. I loved it!

 There were so many fabulous moments I cannot even begin to share! Needless to say I can't wait to go back. The day ended on such a positive note and I'm definitely in a happy place. 

Oh yeah! Stuck to my WW points today as well! Lol.... Peace.

Nothing like a Sunny day

   Beautiful day and here I am at work!  Ah well shift is almost over and then it's home to the hubby and lots of little things to make our home, well, homey!

  The day didn't quite go like planned. Truck didn't arrive. Was so tired when I got home I slept until 8!  Prepared the hubby a big dinner and once he fell asleep I made my dinner too. Oh it was so yummy! Browned shredded potatoes with corn, mushrooms, onions and tomatoes with Daiya cheese. Then a toasted cheese sandwich as well on Ezekial bread. Mmmm!

The hubby was quite busy outside today and our yard looks beautiful. Motivates me to want to do more myself.  Gonna get my plants this week and get them in.  Think it's time to get those bulbs out too!

 Stayed within acceptable WW points today but want to do better not using up my extra points so quickly.  I'm determined to be successful. It should not be so difficult to be a reasonable weight being vegan!  If I can get rid of 50 lbs I hope to be more mobile. My legs hurt so much!

  That about sums up the day. Goodnight for now. Peace!

shiny as a new penny...

The woman I see.

 

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Hi!  

How to start ...? 

Well... I'm fat.  Not plump, not "thick", not chubby. I'm fat.  I hate it. My knees and ankles hurt. I feel uncomfortable in my own body. 

I was doing great for awhile. Working out at the gym. Became vegan. Then my physical problems started. Couldn't work out anymore . Some serious family crisis occurred. Been so depressed. 

  I just don't want this anymore. 

  No more diets. 

  No more recriminations.

Welcome to my journey back...

For now it's about simplifying.

It's about really living a life I feel good about. 

Today I'm on a day off from my job as Presentation Manager at PetSmart. I've worked here 9 years and I really do enjoy it.  Some days are difficult right now due to what happened with my dogs, but some days it really keeps me going.

Breakfast with McDougall

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     Here I am again! It's shameful the way I've neglected a perfectly good blog.  I once again have committed to developing this blog.

Today's subject dear readers is my complete conversion to a Dr. McDougall lifestyle.  Ill be discussing this in more depth in a later blog but this morning I'm sharing.... Breakfast! Yum!
If my photos have loaded properly you should see not only my finished product, but a few steps along the way.
When I found out that following Dr. McDougalls plan I could eat all the potatoes I want I nearly swooned! Ahhh now here is a workable life diet!
This morning I started by boiling my days potatoes. I used to do them in the microwave but found that I preferred the added moisture from boiling them.
While my delectable potatoes were boiling merrily along I took out my wok type skillet, sprayed it lightly with cooking spray, ( Dr. McDougall advocates not even using cooking spray but sometimes I still use a bit.) I heated it up sufficiently to begin sauteing some minced garlic. Not too hot or it will be bitter. As soon as the garlic begins to release its fragrance I add in some freshly cleaned kale. Ahh kale! My favorite superfood!  To the kale I added slivered Vidalia onion to taste, seasoned with lemon pepper, sea salt and a bit of crushed red pepper. It's important to stir frequently and when it gets too dry add small amounts of water or veg broth till its cooked to your desired doneness. I like it when the onions have gotten semi-clear.
Once the kale is about done slide it up to one side of the pan. Now I crumble some pressed Nasoya lite none GMO tofu into the pan. I let the little bits from marinating the kale flavor the tofu as well as add some turmeric and just a bit of Tamiri soy sauce. Saute long enough for the flavors to absorb and heat through.
Now for the moment of truth! Assemble on a nice plate, add potatoes to your hearts content! I scoop the kale and tofu up on the potatoes a bit. I also added some diced olives w/pimento and normally a sliced tomato.
Good Eats!!

A new week in 2012, vegan style!

I know it's only day 5 of the new year, but I'm feeling pretty good about things so far.  Getting back to the weight watchers plan and being more dedicated to delicious dining vegan style has made me feel better already.  It didn't take a New Years resolution to convince me I want to be vegan, but dedicating to eating a HEALTHIER vegan lifestyle, (cuz nachos can be soooo vegan!), was a smoooooth  move!

How did I handle the New Year holiday and that fantastic traditional meal?  So easy!  I simply prepared the sauerkraut by itself, which I might add tastes so much fresher when you don't cook it to death with a pork roast!!  With that we had black eyed peas, smooshed taters and turnip greens.  All prepared vegan style of course!  It was excellent!!   While I couldn't convince the onmi's to forego the pork as well, they did enjoy the rest of the offering.  Small step, small steps...they still get you somewhere!

My diligence is paying off in other ways too!  Day 5 and I've lost a lb.!  Yay me!  I've been focusing on family friendly, healthier vegan meals and I've found some real keepers that have been getting me through the week and given me a better outlook for future reference.  My new breakfast favorite is a Tofu Breakfast Sandwich.  Man is it good, and so versatile.  I've included a picture of this mornings feast.  I did have a browned potato on the side that isn't pictured here.  Yummy.!  

      This is the second version I tried.  It has the fried tofu, asparagus, apple slices and Dijon  style nayonaise on toasted whole grain bread.  It was a very filling sandwich for only   4 weight watchers points!

On a less that thrilled side, I have worked out but not the way I want to.  I am not giving that direction up and when done fulfilling my internet addiction for the evening I'll be attending to that as well.  I also have plans to  join the local gym within the week and I'm really looking forward to that.  Wish me luck!