Friday, December 17, 2010

Nut Flour May Save My No Sugar No Starch Life

Yes, I have an overgrown sweet tooth.  In fact, I think much of my weight issues in life are a result of my love of sweets.  I think I've always (okay, mostly always) eaten quite healthy  - I LOVE veggies and have always eaten a TON of them, I generally don't eat fried foods (only on special occasions at restaurants), I don't eat red meat and I drink diet soda and diet drinks -- never sugar filled drinks -- not even juices.  Noodles and other starches have been occasional, but certainly not a lifestyle.  So it was always sort of a mystery to me why I was having weight issues.  During the last 2 years I have discovered a lot about my health and a lot about how my body responds to different foods.  Noodles and white flour directly impact my mood, water retention, my carpel tunnel syndrome, and my weight!  Also, I've learned that my total weakness is sweets.  I had some every day!  And if I didn't have them, I craved them like crazy and would eventually binge on them!   So I've worked hard to squelch my sweet tooth and get rid of it.  To some degree, I've had a lot of success.  In fact, at home, I rarely crave sweets any more.  Restaurants are no problem either.  Although, I will admit, then when I do start to indulge in sweets that I have out at home, I do struggle to stop and only have a moderate amount.  I've had some success with this minimizing this issue, but am still working on it. 

Also, I don't know if I've mentioned it before, but my husband is trim and has a calorie inferno for a metabolism. He is, quite literally, the same size and weight he was 20 years ago, with no effort in any way to maintain that weight.  And his favorite foods are brats, potatoes, chips, and brownies.  He always needs to have some sweet option at home.  Ugh for me.

Anyhow, I have pretty much learned to shun those things in my house for the most part.  Some days I crave them at home, but for the most part, I've conquered that issue in my (home) life.  However, when it comes to holidays and parties, just the thought of all those goodies makes me panic. If I am in a different environment and sweets are out, I find that it is like being reunited with a prior lover that I never "got over."  Those sweets seduce me and call my name, luring me closer and closer until we become close enough to touch -- that chocolate, those cookies, that candy, whatever it is ---- and suddenly I am caught in a passionate "moment" with it. Just like a secret affair, often I find I am sneaking around, finding time to be alone with a treat, looking forward to that time together,eating more and more, but always out of sight of others.  Of course, in the morning, just like a forbidden love affair, I and am regretful of that secret fling and vow I'll never do it again.  But then when we meet again, I find myself in the same cycle, caught in my lover's trance. 

UNTIL NOW!!!!!

I have recently discovered NUT FLOURS; almond flour, peanut flour, hazelnut flour, etc.  These are simply nuts -- ground so fine that they have become a powder.  I have come across and number of recipes that calls for them instead of regular flour.  Mixed with whey protein, they create wonderful tasting cookies, cakes, and other treats.  HALLELUJAH!  I am saved!!!!  Last night I made chocolate chip cookies -- to die for!   And between the nut flour and they whey protein, the sugar substitute (I've discovered Ideal Sweetener, which is my new favorite) and sugar free chocolate chips- they are all protein and no sugar no starch!  Who knew??? 

You can find almond flour at any health food store.  You can also make your own nut flours, although I have heard that it is a tedious thing.   I recently ordered peanut flour from http://www.proteinplusflour.com/ for half the price of the almond flour I bought at Whole Foods.  I bought a case of it and it shipped immediately.  So I now have enough peanut flour to last me, quite literally, the whole year!

So now, instead of falling victim to the parties and treats during the holidays, I just need to bring my own goodies to share to help create my own "no fail environment" that I talked about in my last blog.  The chocolate chip cookies are definitely a keeper.  I still need to make my peanut butter balls (which also uses nut flour.) 

So.....I think I may survive this no sugar no starch life after all.  Even during the holidays.  And parties.  And my in-law's house.  And I'll still respect myself in the morning!  What more could one woman ask for?


To order peanut flour, click here!

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Makin My Own No Fail Environment

So, here it is... the holidays!  Vacation Time!  Party Time!  COOKIE TIME!

In order for me to ensure I won't fall off the wagon and go knee deep in carbs, I have discovered that I CAN NOT depend on self control, but instead need to always bring things that I can offer to others, as well as have around my own house, that I can endulge in and scarf down, not feel deprived, and yet not want to commit suicide when I step on the scale in the morning.

This week I made Christmas Cut Out Cookies.  They are pretty amazing!  I used almond flour to make them and sure enough they taste like real cookies - but all they have in them are protein.   Who knew?!  I only made a small batch because, to be honost, the almond flour is a little expensive and I didn't want to waste it if they tasted horrible.  I discovered the secret to soft cookies, like soft sugar cookies, of course it to make them thick and take them out just a little early.  If you like them crunchy and more like a ginger cookie, make them very thin and turn off the oven and keep them in for a few extra minutes.  Very tastey.  I'll be making more and having them around the house during this Cookie, er I mean Christmas, Season.  Next on my list are peanut butter balls - my personal holiday favorite!

Saturday, December 4, 2010

Sa-weeeet!

ideal products familyI recently discovered Ideal Sweetener.  I seriously LOVE this stuff.  I can't believe how good it is, and no after taste.  I don't think anyone would know that you used something other than sugar in a recipe that you used Ideal Sweetener for. 

Ideal is made out of Xylitol.  According to the Ideal website, Xylitol has been used worldwide in foods for over 40 years, having received FDA approval as a food additive in 1963.  You’ve probably seen it in foods like sugar-free gum, lozenges, puddings.


Xylitol is a natural sweetener that is:
  • As sweet as sugar with fewer calories
  • Safe for pregnant women and children
  • Endorsed by dental associations* and other medical professionals
  • Not safe for pets, especially dogs
I've been using Ideal in desserts, sugar free chocolates, hot chocolate, and anything else that calls for sugar.  It measures the same as sugar too. 

Check out the website: 
http://idealsweet.com/


To order Ideal through Amazon, click here.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

37 and Living Large? Nope, 37 and Living Small!!

This is me at the Texas Roadhouse for my 37th Birthday.  Yep, I'm on the saddle.  Symbolic, don't you think, since I feel like these days I'm "back in the saddle again!"?  My kids loved this experience of watching me sit in the saddle.  I loved sharing it with them.  I hope they can view me as a heatlhy, strong, life loving, family commited mom, ready to embrase all of life's challenges.  And, as far as my eating goes, going to the Texas Roadhouse was a perfect fit, as I was easily able to eat a no sugar/no starch meal and not feel deprived -- AT ALL!


37!!!!!   Does this put me in my "late 30's" or am I still in my "middle 30s"? 

I'm excited about 37.  Mostly because I feel like I have a new lease on life.  I feel healthy and that I am thriving more than I've ever thrived before.  I think it's because I feel like I've got my focus, my groove, my mojo.    I am working towards a healthy and strong lifestyle -- one that keeps God first, family next, service to others (which I can accomplish during my work day and beyond), and lastly serving myself.    I've noticed, though, since I've gotten this perspective, that they all easily intermix.  When I feel like I am spiritually full, then it is easy to be patient with my family and spend focused time with them and not worry about the other things that need to be done.  It is easy to want to serve others and to look for ways to serve.  I'll admit, it isn't always easy fitting in all I want/need to. Being a full time working mom isn't easy.  I'm so thankful for a husband who does more than his share and is supportive of me in all my endeavors.    My cup truly overflowith.

Lastly, when it comes to "me" - I have found that being free from the temptation (for me the BONDAGE!) of food, the obsession of weight, and the dwelling thoughts that serve my selfish issues (how do I look?  How are others viewing me?  Do people like me??) frees up so much energy and time and provides additional time to focus on my top 3 priorities.   And believe it or not, since being free from this, I feel even more beautiful and attractive than I ever felt before when I was working so hard to be beautiful and attactive!  How did that happen?  Am I truly free from my bondage of food and my selfish thoughts?  That's easy to say right now as I am coming closer to a weight I am happy with (nope, not there yet).  Will I be able to maintain that mentality if I start to gain weight?  Will my weight directly impact my feelings of adequacy?  Will I be able to keep my perspective?  I hope so.  Time will tell.

So anyway, I have a lot of goals for 37.  And believe it or not, I'm already excited for 38!  And even more excited about 40!     I know it's going to be a good year.  It will be a challenging year.  I can see lots of roadblocks lingering.  For example, my mother is sick.  I will likely be taking my children and having long extended stays in Michigan to help her and spend time with her.  Keeping my priority list God first, family next, and then serving others, this is not intimidating or stressful task, but instead something I know is a part of this jouney.   Something I am, in some strange way, looking forward to.  Not my mother being sick, but for the opportunity to seek God out during the process, serve her and bond with her during this time,  watch my girls bond with her and watch God's hand in all of it as we go.

So this is what 37 looks like in the saddle again.  Hang on!  37 is going to be an eventful ride! 

Giddy up!