The White Stuff

As some of you may know, I've given up the "white stuff"!  It's been about a week now, without it.  I have my good days and my bad days.  Overall, I think I'm doing really well!

If you're wondering what the "white stuff" is....well, it's just that....anything white.  Primarily, pasta (oh the humanity), rice, sugar, potatoes & flour.  I've also eliminated almost all dairy and, for now, grains.  Are you shocked?  Does it seem extreme?  Well, you should be and it is.  However, I'm at the point where I've really got to do something pretty drastic.  For one thing, I've had GI issues for as long as I can remember.  I had my gallbladder out in 1996 and things got MUCH better.  But over the past decade, things have gotten out of hand again.  Although I'm not a sweet eater, I have an addiction to high fat items.  Things like cheese, pasta and bread.  These things are really good for you...in moderation.  And trust me, THAT is where the disconnect lives.

I've talked before about my mom's alcoholism.  My sister followed in her footsteps.  Thankfully, I don't have that problem, BUT, I have an addiction that's all my own....FOOD.  See, you can go through a 12-step program for alcoholism and never touch the stuff again!  The thing with food is that you HAVE to eat to survive so it isn't as easy as just avoiding what you're addicted to.  **PLEASE KNOW THAT I AM IN NO WAY IMPLYING THAT IT IS EASY TO DEAL WITH ALCOHOLISM!  I'M VERY AWARE OF THE FACT THAT IT IS A DISEASE** 

Anyway, I'm sharing this because I'm excited that I made my first batch of pancakes without white flour!  I made ALMOND FLOUR PANCAKES this morning.  Very interesting...and very delicious.  You'll need to get over the texture difference in order to truly enjoy them for what they are!

Almond Flour Pancakes

1 cup almond flour (meal)
2 eggs
1/4 cup water
2 TBSP coconut oil
1 TBSP sweetener (I used Sucanat)
2 TSP cinnamon

The batter will be much thinner than what you're used to and there won't be any bubbles to let you know it's time to flip them over.  It may take a couple of pancakes before you get it.

I served them with some organic butter and agave nectar.  Honestly, they were delicious!

My diet consists mostly of fresh fruits, vegetables and lean meat.  I've enjoyed shopping at the local farmers market and using a new cookbook that I bought called Everyday Paleo!  Here are some pictures from the last week!

fresh, organic produce from local farms

fresh strawberries from Starke, Florida

Fresh blackberries...I cooked them down.

made a nice syrup for ice cream...it kinda looks like blood...doesn't it?  I can assure you, it's all blackberries!

stuffed zucchini and mushrooms

baked chicken and veges

Please ignore the disgustingly dirty oven.

I'll be sharing more about this new way of eating as it unfolds for me.  This is new and hopefully life changing...but in a good way.  In the weeks, months and years ahead, we will expand our small garden and hopefully be able to grow some yummy things to help supplement this VERY EXPENSIVE way of eating.  I think it's terrible that the most affordable things at the grocery store are the processed foods full of chemicals.

Anyway, I'd appreciate your prayers and any ideas that you may have.

Have a great week!

Yet again!

I hesitate to even mention this on my blog...mostly because of pride, but here goes anyway....
I've started Weight Watchers for the umpteenth time! I've been very inspired by the book I'm reading called Walk Away the Pounds! Since chemo started and since I have begun the Arimidex, I think I've gained about 12 pounds! That's a lot of weight to gain in 7 months!
I bring this up mostly because I feel like, if I tell you about it, perhaps I can be more accountable. Does that make any sense?

W.W. is definitely not cheap! We don't have a lot of extra money laying around so this decision was well thought out. However, the registration is free right now and you get free E-tools. Dan and I decided that being healthy is a high priority for me right now. The healthier I am, the less chance for the cancer to return. I'm not going to do any before or after pictures for you.....too embarrassed (there's that pride again) for you to see the way I look. Perhaps you've noticed that there have been exactly TWO pictures of me on this blog! If and when I reach my goal weight....maybe I'll post a picture. Don't count on it though!

I am going to keep a running total of the weight that I lose on my sidebar. Encouragement and chastisement are both welcome! If there is anyone out there who wants to join me in this, just let me know...we can encourage each other.

I should probably be arrested!

Seriously. I've been home all afternoon....not doing much of anything really. I folded some laundry and straightened up a bit...nothing major. So, tell me why I didn't plan better for dinner! This is what I ended up feeding my family tonight.....feast your eyes on this:

Up first is.......canned french cut green beans.

Next we have boxed, frozen pierogies sauteed in olive oil and butter.

And...drum roll please....packaged, microwaved kielbasa.

I wonder what the fat content of this meal is. Or, for that matter, what the nutritional value is. What I'm embarrassed to tell you is that, we were in a rush this morning as I had something to take care of at church...so they had pop tarts for breakfast. And....since they were with me at church for almost three hours without fussing very much....I treated them to McDonald's for lunch. I wonder if I'm actually treating them to a future heart attack? I know that if I planned better, I could serve my family more nutritious and healthy meals. In all honesty, Dan and the kids loved dinner and I must admit that the pierogies were pretty darn good...frozen or not! There are recipes out there for fresh, home made pierogies.....like Bethany's. Still, I feel guilty for not doing better in this area. I mean, I'm a little worried about the eating habits that I'm teaching my children. I shudder to think of the other habits they're learning. Why is it that pre packaged foods are so much more economical than fresh or "organic"?

When Dan and I visited Rome last year, we noticed that most Romans go to the grocery store everyday. They buy the ingredients that they need for just that day. Honestly, I just don't have the time or the inclination to go every single day. On the other hand, fresh fruits and vegetables don't last all that long and I find that sometimes, these things go bad before I can use them. I guess I justify my pre packaged purchases with the thought that it is less wasteful.

Well, whatever my motives or excuses...I'm going to make a real effort to become a healthier wife and mom and to try and take better care of my family.