I slept in a little this morning and feel refreshed! I’ve got the patio door open, and although the sun is standing me up this morning, at least the birds are chirping and it’s not freezing cold.
Pancakes
I decided to make pancakes for breakfast since my workload is light these next few days. I used a mix I love by Hodgson’s Mill: Whole Wheat Buttermilk Pancake (click on ingredients for nutritional info). It’s kind of cornmealy (it has cornmeal in it!) but I like the texture a lot. I had to alter the recipe a bit for 2 servings, but I used 2/3 cup mix with 1/3 cup skim milk, 1 egg, and 1 tsp vegetable oil (it called for 1 tbsp!). It made 4 perfect pancakes!
I topped mine with almond butter and flax with maple syrup on the side for dipping (= more flavor!)
I also had half a mango 8)
And some coffee
This breakfast was about 420 kcal, 8 grams fiber and 14 grams protein.
I’m headed to the gym in a bit – or perhaps a run. I haven’t decided yet!
A Great Website
Kelly L. shared this website with me and it’s fabulous: Brand Aid
The authors de-code product label ingredient lists and teach readers how to navigate between High Fructose Corn Syrup and Modified Corn Starch. Some of the products you might think are healthy are actually full of these processed ingredients. They also recommend products to choose instead. This site is going to be an R.D.’s dream come true to use with clients! Here were a few I thought were very helpful.
Quaker Weight Control Instant Oatmeal vs. Quaker Simple Harvest vs. McCann’s Irish
Dannon Fruit on the Bottom vs. Stonyfield Farm Yogurt
Just another reason why whole foods – real food – is better!
Fake It!
I’ve received some questions recently on how much effort I have to put into eating healthy. My response is: not much. It has truly become an ingrained habit and part of my lifestyle. I don’t get many cravings for the junk foods I used to love and I am very happy with the way I eat.
Some of you know I LOVE the book Fit From Within by Victoria Moran. She is a genius – she totally “gets” intuitive eating. I had many light bulb moments while reading her book. I think very few people ever achieve the kind of relationship she has with food (I know I’m not there yet!)
Here is one of my favorite passages from the book. I think it explains perfectly how healthy eating, over time, will become part of who you are –
“You get there [intuitive healthy eating] when you’re willing to let your desires reflect your needs. It will take some time. In the interim, do what you know is expedient, whether you want to or not. You’ll sometimes need to say ‘No, I don’t think I’ll have a piece of cake; I’m really full” when you are actually thinking, ‘A slice of cake would be my ticket to heaven right now.’ This is the esteemed tradition of ‘Fake it until you make it.’ Eventually, you’ll hardly ever need to fake it, because your desires themselves will have changed.”
Enjoy your Tuesday!
Romina says
Those pancakes look great! And I love how you cut your mango. =) Enjoying food is so easy when it’s pretty.
I agree with your statement about eating healthy. I rarely crave “junk” foods anymore. It’s easy to keep them out of the house and never eat them. I’m much happier knowing I could probably eat an entire meal instead of just a chocolate bar or some chips.
Annie says
I completely agree with you about eating healthy. Before I changed my lifestyle and way of eating, I always craved cookies, candy, ice cream, all those junky foods. I think once you start eating healthy foods that are good for your body, you almost train yourself to crave those things. Instead of ice cream for dessert, Ill crave some fruit or yogurt. It feels so much better.
eliza says
that quote is perfect!
Lindsay says
Kath ~ I want to thank you for mentioning that book on your blog… it has been such a useful tool for me… Also, your pancakes look so great… Which ones do you like better: the oatmeal pancakes or these?
Laurie says
Kath,
How do you cut your mango? That’s always a fruit I struggle with….along with cutting butternut squash. I just can’t find a good cutting and peeling method for either one of those. Thanks! 🙂
Julia says
Kath what kind of syrup do you use?
GreenTea says
Hello all!
The girls at my work have gotten me hooked on this site!
I have a question for Kath and everyone who wants to answer…
Have you all heard of the belly fat diet? (The one which promotes eating monounsaturated fats at each meal to help decrease belly fat…) Do you think there is any validity to this?
Also, have you heard what resistant starches and do you think there is any validity to this?
Both are from Prevention Magazine and if needed I can provide links.
THANKS!
rhodeygirl says
Thanks for the great words Kath… think I will have to pick up that book! The healthy eating has not been too hard for me- it feels natural, but I definitely have a tough time with running… I think I will apply the “fake it til you make it” philosophy to that!! (telling myself that it is easy and that my 7 milers should be easy etccc)
p.s. we have our first day of spring weather today and it got me thinking… do you guys still eat oatmeal all summer or what do you replace it with?
Laurie says
Also, can anyone recommend a good veggie/fruit peeler? Like one that you can use that can easily peel a butternut squash with? Thanks!
Betsy says
i’m a syrup dipper too! i’ve been that way all my life. i HATE when pancakes and waffles get soggy from sitting in syrup, i don’t understand how people can enjoy that!
thanks for the bit from “fit from within”. I’ve recently started to understand my body’s hunger cues and agree that “faking it” sometimes is the way to get there! I’ll probably be buying this soon too.
Katers says
I looooove Fit from Within! Thanks for the quote – you’ve inspired me to reread it (again)!
Melissa says
Thanks for the great Bandaid link.
After, you suggested Fit from Within, I browed through it at BN, and I recently bought Victoria Moran’s new book, Fat, Broke and Lonely No More, on half.com. I figured i may as well tackle my problems with a 3 fold approach!
grace says
I think it’s amazing how many great resources are on the Internet these days, including your blog. I remember a few years ago it was difficult to find reliable, healthy information. Then again, it was the low-carb phase.
I’m also impressed how many people have read The Skinny Bitch. It’s awesome that so many people are willing to open their minds to read it. Sometimes, we all get stuck on text book information and it’s important that we question it and hear other view points.
Mariposa says
I have a question for anyone who would like to answer. I have struggled in the past with disorded eating, but since reading this blog, I have tried to incorporate more healthy eating into my daily schedule… and have since gained 6 pounds. sooooo would this be considered my happy weight? i was quite happy with my weight before! it was just a struggle to keep it there for longer than a few months at a time…
My usual amount of calories for meals averages between 300-400 calories (3 meals) with 2 200 calorie snacks… i’ve been eating bigger breakfasts (400-500) cals and more snacks, workouts are the same though.. strange? this happen to anyone else?
Patricia says
I love Fit from Within!!
I’m reading French Women Don’t Get Fat (also a great read) and it reminds me a lot of Fit from Within.
Have a great day!!
Kath, your pancakes look delicious! I think I’m going to make them tomorrow.
Amanda says
Pancakes look amazing! Panackes on a Tuesday? Your husband has it good!
Where do you buy the almond butter?
Nadia says
quick question about the pancake mix that you used. I noticed that the eatlikeme blog mentioned Hodgson Mill’s blueberry muffin mix and I wanted to go out and buy it but unsure where their products are sold. I looked on the website but too lazy to fill out all that info they want before telling u where to buy their products lol so does anyone know if whole foods or trader joes would have it? Thanks!
Kristie says
has anyone tried the hodgsen mill buckwheat pancake mix? seriously my favorite breakfast ever when you add blueberries! 🙂
Kristie says
nadia — i think pretty much anywhere has it. there are no whole foods or trader joes where i live (michigan), but all our local places (meijer and walmart) carry hodgsen mill brand stuff. i can usually find it with the baking stuff (flour, sugar, etc.). hope that helps!
Karen says
Thanks so much for posting the information on BrandAid. I just bookmarked it! Fascinating.
edamame22 says
to Ange-
Regarding your post yesterday, can you tell me where you learned (hopefully from a credible source) that artificial sweeteners can cause a spike in your blood sugar. There has been recent research that aspartame can cause you to eat more sweets, but it seems thermodynamically impossible that something calorie free could affect your blood sugar. If you could post a link or cite the article or source, that would be great. Just want to learn more…
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
I just saw all the Pittsburgh comments from yesterday, and I live there too!! I’m 22, and live in Shadyside… I go to Giant Eagle Market District on Centre Ave. for all my food (Whole Foods is too expensive!) But GE has great stuff. I rarely go out to eat so when I do I splurge… I love Pizuttis (off of Walnut st) or Enricos (on Ellsworth). Gotta love good Italian!
All the Pittsburgh girls should meet up!
Caryee says
oooh i love pancakes! great chance of pace, kath!
i just bought Bob’s Red Mill 7-Grain pancake mix. anyone try those? i’m thinking of adding thinly sliced banana and a few walnut pieces…deeeelish!
i bought Fit from Within from amazon after reading this book and found some tips to be extremely helpful!!!! i highly recommend it. athough not every tip is applicable, there IS something useful in it for everyone.
for example, i implemented eating only 3 times a day and no “mindless eating” between meals. this has helped me greatly with my energy levels (no eating big meals to “stock” up or save time, no non-stop snacking to ruin my appetite).
one more thing i’d like to share: many people agree that French woman aren’t fat, but i would like to bring up Japanese/asian women as well. When I was on vacation in Tokyo a few years ago, the tour guide mentioned it is cultural for women (and society in general) to allow 4 HOURS of digestion time between dinner and sleep. I’ve been doing this fairly consisently for the past few months and have definitely leveled out my blood sugar and lost 5 lbs while i was at it! i love going to bed really satisfied but EXCITED for breakfast 🙂 makes it a nice way to start the new day!
have a great one, y’all!
Sarah says
rhodeygirl—I eat oatmeal all year long, into the summer, BUT, I prepare it differently. I like mixing the oats with the milk, cinnamon, nuts, fruits, etc, the night before, keeping it in the fridge overnight, and adding in some low-fat yogurt in the morning to make it all thick, creamy and delicious. 😀 It’s great for those warmer mornings when hot oatmeal is the last thing you could think about eating…:)
Kath says
Lindsay,
I don’t think you can compare oatmeal pancakes to these! They are just so different. But if I had to choose, I’d go with oatmeal because they are easier to make and more filling, in my opinion.
Laurie,
I think Roni at Green Lite Bites has videos for both mango and butternut squash: http://greenlitebites.com/
Julia,
Harris Teeter brand Grade A Dark Amber Maple Syrup.
GreenTea,
Welcome to KERF!! I don’t believe in diets, so I don’t really know anything about the belly fat diet. Nothing is going to make you lose belly fat other than burning more calories than you’re taking in. But monounsaturated fats are great for health in general, so it doesn’t sound like a bad diet per say.
I haven’t heard anything about these resistant starches either. But when it comes to trends – the less processed foods you eat the better, so that’s the only “rule” I live by when choosing foods.
rhodeygirl ,
I do eat oatmeal in the summer but less often because we don’t use our air conditioner much and it’s pretty hot and humid in our house! We like it that way though 🙂 I eat a lot more yogurt with fruit and stuff, but we’ll have to see this year because I love oatmeal more than ever!
Laurie ,
We have an OXO veggie peeler and love it. It has a nice rubber handle and is very sharp.
Mariposa ,
There are so many factors that influence weight gain that it’s hard for any of us – R.D. or not – to form an opinion of your weight gain over the internet. If you were underweight and are eating normally it’s highly possible that your body has settled in at a happier weight, but you also might be eating just a little too much! My best advice would be just to keep your eye on portions and keep up your activity levels and see if the weight gain continues. If it does, I’d just cut back a little from what you’re eating now. If you’re really concerned, you would probably really enjoy meeting with an R.D. to get specific feedback.
Kath
Robin says
Thanks for posting those links, Kath. Super useful info there!
Katers says
That’s a great idea Sarah! I’m definitely going to try that this summer!
Ashley H says
I agree with that quote. I never crave certain foods like I used to and some foods I thought I loved I dont even really care to eat anymore because of how I feel after. Certain things about eating healthy like looking at menus and grabbing a piece of fruit with my sandwich just comes naturally.
Heather K says
Betsy in Pittsburgh- yes we should!!! I go to a giant eagle in the North Hills, and I like it. They do have a lot of healthy stuff, but I would love to go to Whole Foods at least once! So, it’s a Market District Giant Eagle?? Is that different from a normal Giant Eagle or is it the same thing?
Laura says
Thanks for the Brand Aid link! I didn’t know maltodextrin was an artificial sweetener! I went to the pantry to check and found several things that I had that had that ingredient. Fortunately, I hadn’t had any of them lately. I’ll have to make another run to the food bank with them!
encouragement says
laurie–
i learned to cut mangoes while in africa.
i cut around (lengthwise) the mango, pull apart the two halves and take out the pit. then i make tic tac toe like incisions (maybe 3 lengthwise and 2-3 widthwise). then i hold onto the edges and pop the mango meat up. the mango meat will look like little boxes resting on the peel. you can easily cut it off like this, or just take bites with minimal mess (that was the objective where i was!).
Tina O. says
If anyone is interested, there is another website like the BrandAid. (which I am very excited to check out!)
It’s by ‘environmental working group’ and its for personal & beauty products-it is Fascinating! Just enter in any product you use, like lip balm, sunscreen, any makeup, shampoo, etc. and it will show you what risks each ingredient carries-such as cancer and other diseases. It’s quite eye-opening to sit down with a bunch of products and see how harmful they are! I threw away 2 Target bags full of products. (Yes, I almost cried!) Sorry for rambling-here it is:
http://www.cosmeticdatabase.com/index.php
Lulu says
Hello all! I have started reading ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ (hope I got those in the right order!) after I saw all the recommendations on this site. Anyway, so far I am really not impressed! Did anyone else feel this woman was a little self-absorbed? I realize it’s a memoir, but it seems less about a religious journey and more about how she gets to travel the world for free b/c of her book advance. Also, it is discouraging because many women go through these same struggles and handle it much more gracefully and without a free trip around the world. Finally, she is just a little bit immature at times and appears to need a man to maker her happy. I don’t know, perhaps I will change my mind, but so far I’m just not impressed. Any thoughts?
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
Heather, “Market District” is a special GE, there are 2 (Shadyside, South Hills). Check it out here:
http://www.marketdistrict.com/Home.aspx
Actually, some Food Network celebrities have come to visit the Shadyside one! Ace of Cakes, and Sara Moulton have been there, and Ingrid Hoffmann (Simply Delicioso) is coming soon. To name a few! I’d compare it to Whole Foods – which is right down the street!
Christin says
Kath and KellyL, thanks for the link to Brandaids…what a great site!!! it really breaks things down well and explains them in a way that makes perfect sense. Tina, I am now going to check out that cosmetics site…I used to work for Aveda and discovered many scary things about other brands, so this should be interesting!!!
Kath, do you notice any differences in your energy levels when you work out before or after breakfast? just curious…I am trying to incorporate a little exercise in the mornings so that I am not fully reliant on an afternoon workout. (wish me luck, I’m not a morning person)
Betsy in Pittsburgh says
I have a question about herbal teas… I drink probably 3-4 cups a day of herbal teas (mostly celestial seasonings ‘zingers’) And I know it’s not “real” tea and I’m not getting the anti-ox benefits, but what am I getting? Does anybody know the benefits of herbal tea vs. real tea?
Tina says
I need to read Fit from Within! Sounds like it’s right down my alley!
M.E. says
I just wanted to share a recipe I made from The New Whole Grains Cookbook. It’s called overnight apple-date muesli with nut milk. It can be served cold in the summer. I microwaved mine this morning becasue I’m always cold too!
1/2 cup slivered almonds (baked at 325 for 10 mins)
2 medium apples (cored and grated)
1 1/2 cups nut milk (I used hemp)
1 1/2 cups thick rolled oats
2 tbsps maple syrup
1/2 cup pitted dates
add all the ingredients together into a storage tub or bowl, cover tightly and put in the refrigerator overnight, or at least 8 hrs.
it’s delicious and creamy, a nice change from the traditional rolled oats!
Kelly says
Kath-
I wonder if you could sub the oil the pancakes call for for unsweetened applesauce?
VeggieGirl says
Kath, would you like to host a pancake breakfast??? Haha, seriously, those pancakes look heavenly – yum!
I couldn’t agree more with your stance on healthy eating – it’s exactly the truth!! As for me, my VeggieGirl “alias” is no joke – I CRAVE fresh vegetables (and fruits!!!), and “indulge” in them in abundance, every single day. I NEVER crave “junk” and “fake foods” because I love the way that wholesome foods make my body feel – I feel refreshed, my skin glows, I have tons of energy; and it has helped me practically eliminate my Crohn’s Disease symptoms. I completely believe in the statement, “you are what you eat” – what you put in your body reflects the outside!
Brianne says
Tina O- I love that website! It is very eye opening.
Kelly- just curious- why to you want to replace the 1 tsp of oil with applesauce?
Lindsey says
Kath when you reduce the oil do you substitute anything or just take out some of the oil?
Melissa (L.A.) says
Hey Kath,
Just want to let you know I made the turkey, butternut squash & kale soup last night! All I have to say is….damn, girl! That’s good stuff!!! 🙂
My husband loved it as well!
Since I didn’t have time to cut up and cube the butternut squash, I bought the bags of already cubed butternut squash that Trader Joe’s carries. That really helped time-wise.
Also, I couldn’t find the carrot soup so I used the Trader Joe’s boxed Carrot-Ginger soup which was amazing! I also splashd in some white wine…don’t know if it helped at all in the taste but the end product was SO DAMN GOOD!!!!!
Additionally, I don’t have an immersion blender at the moment so I put my muscles to good use and mashed it with a potato masher! It gave a very rustic consistency, which was pretty cool.
Thanks again for that great recipe!!!! 🙂
LT says
Kelly –
I haven’t done applesauce but I have made those pancakes with cottage cheese – it’s of course a little denser & heartier.
Melissa (L.A.) says
BTW, I completely agree with Veggie Girl….”you are what you eat” could not be a truer statement….
KarenR says
I would like to second the love for “French Women don’t get Fat.” I absolutely love that book! I feel like it’s the first time I’ve read in a healthy eating book that I don’t have to eat snacks! I hate to eat between meals; it starts me off on a grazing, standing-and-eating in front of open cabinet doors rampage. (And of course, I still eat the same amount at my meals!) But every other eating plan makes me eat all day rather than allowing me to listen to my body. It’s hard advice to give people who live in a society that is hostile to intuitive eating, but it can be done with practice. And it’s certainly my guiding principle when teaching my daughters how to eat.
Katherine Sloan says
M.E. – how many servings would you say that recipe makes – it sounds delicious!!!!
KarenR says
I keep forgetting to mention: When I make Butternut Squash soup, I just cut the whole thing in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and roast the squash face down on a baking sheet (@400) for 45min to an hour. It just scoops right out when it is done and I add it to the stock. I also usually roast a sweet potato with it to smooth out the soup a little. I also put garlic cloves or ginger root in the cavity of the squash while it roasts and then puree it right into the soup. It really couldn’t be easier and I don’t have to fuss with peeling or cutting.
SarahF says
Morning everyone!
This is kind of a stupid question-but it puzzles me beyond anything else. I find that when I really watch what I eat and exercise really hard that I end up looking bloated all the time, and don’t really like how I look. But when I just eat whatever I want, when I want it (which is not healthy stuff-I figured out that a typical Friday night I will consume around 3000 calories) I end up being thinner and looking better! Can anyone explain to me how/why this happens? It really kills my motivation to work out & eat healthy.
Betsy says
Veggie-
Tell me if I’m getting too personal with this question
One of my best friends has Crohns and doesn’t eat any veggies, whole grains, etc because it was supposed to help her symptoms, but she still has flare ups. Obviously, you eat your veggies! But you say you haven’t had problems. Is it a case by case basis with Crohns? I would love for her to find a healthy solution for the disease. Thanks!
Comrade GoGo says
That Brand Aid site looks to be really informative—I checked out the oatmeal comparison and it was pretty enlightening!
Kelly says
I asked about subbing the oil for applesauce so you can cut out the oil entirely but use the applesauce to keep it moist. I would rather get my fats from sources other than veggie oil.
JennS says
hey kath, just out of curiosity, have you ever seen a RD? if so, what was your experience? thanks!
Uneasy about quote says
Don’t attack me but the quote to me (me only, JMO) kinda goes against the whole “listening to your body” mentality. She is saying basically to not listen to your body and don’t eat what you crave. We all know that everything is fine in moderation but this quote says more to say no and eventually you won’t have to lie to yourself. Who are we kidding here? Life is no fun if you have to deny yourself a piece of cake or a cookie when you body wants it.
Now, I’m not saying that this is an excuse to pig out whenever your mind says “hmmmm a cookie sounds good” but there are times when a balanced diet should be supplemented with a treat.
Am I just not getting it?
Lindsay says
rhodeygirl ~ I eat oatmeal all year long too, but sometimes I switch it up in the summer with Fiber One instead
NCCarter says
Lulu – I agree with your take on “Eat, Pray, Love.” I read it about a year ago, so it’s not all fresh on my mind, but I wasn’t moved by the book like so many others have been. I found Liz overly whiny, narcissistic, and needy. There were certainly some good parts (loved reading about the food in Italy and the medicine man in Indonesia), but overall, I found it to be overrated. I read it before all the hype….I think I would have been more disappointed had I read it after her Oprah appearance, etc.
texasfoodie says
lulu- email me if you want. i’d love to chat: [email protected]
Courtney says
I’ve been reading Kath’s blog for awhile now and find it so inspiring! I had to post, though, when I saw the comments on Eat, Pray, Love. I know lots of people enjoyed it, including the friends and family who recommeneded it to me, but I didn’t like it at all. She was SO self-referrential, but she wouldn’t tell us WHY her divorce was so terrible. I don’t know…it struck me as characteristically American: self absorbed and indulgent.
On the other hand, I enjoyed Fit from Within and French Women Don’t Get Fat, so don’t think I’m overly critical!
Kath, I’ve been using Calorie King and it’s helped so much. Thanks for all the hard work you do, and I love the feel of the little community here.
NCCarter says
Courtney – I know! I really wanted to respect the fact that Liz didn’t divulge the reason she left her husband, but I just couldn’t. I felt like if I had known what went on, I might find her more relatable.
Courtney says
On the other hand, if someone was willing to pay me money to travel and write, maybe my thoughts would change…
I wasn’t a huge fan of the ending, either, (too perfect) but I won’t spoil it for those of you who want to read (and enjoy) it.
Also, on books – I’ve noticed a lot of people worried about disordered eating. Geneeth Roth’s books are the absolute best on that topic. I couldn’t recommend her enough.
Sarah says
SarahF—I think its kind of hard to figure it out, but I would recommend using a food journal for a week or two to see what you’re eating! Some foods just react weird with your body, or it just takes a while to get used to different foods. Other times, it could be “junky foods in disguise” that make you feel not so great too. I know artificial sweeteners and frozen dinners make me feel gross, so I tend to stay away from those types of foods that claim they’re “healthy.”
There are certain veggies of course, that might make you feel bloated too, as well as a sudden increase in fiber (from cereals, vegggies, raw fruits, etc…) This isn’t a bad thing, but it does take a while for the body to adjust, and it shouldn’t be a cold turkey thing (I still remember the first time I consumed two servings of fiber one in one sitting…not a nice feeling!!)
Try focusing on eating healthy foods, and fitting in the occasional “junk food” for good health! Weight loss/management is just the extra treat that comes along with it…:) Not to mention, your skin, hair, nails, everything…will show the difference.
I know if I eat stinky foods for a day, I don’t feel it much…however, all that salt content (major bloating!) and fat content will get you down eventually in weight, energy, and how you feel about yourself (if it’s done consistently.) Exercise and eating right has sooo much to do with psychological things too…I’m such a grump when I don’t get out and exercise. Just one more reason to do it…haha…:)
Lulu says
Courtney,
I feel the same way about not knowing why they divorced. At first I thought it was cool that she didn’t want to bash her husband, but then she basically did by detailing what he was requesting in the divorce and making him out to be money-hungry. (This happens at the very beginning of the book and its not too important, so don’t worry, I’m not spoiling for anyone else). Like I said, I’m still trying, but the author is really starting to bother me!
Julia says
I have a problem with the quote too–
While it probably WORKS, it completely contradicts her basis for listening to your body’s cues.
Perhaps a poor example from the book, as I have heard lots of great things about it otherwise.
I just don’t buy into the whole ‘tricking’ your body thing.
KarenR says
Maybe the quote works if you think of eating habits in 2 phases, getting healthy and staying healthy. Listening to your body is great if it’s saying the right thing, but we live in such a toxic environment and have divorced ourselves so completely from natural eating that bodies get confused. In order to get yourself back on track, you may need to be a little more cerebral in your eating choices. Once your body adjusts and you are more in tune with your diet, you can eat like a French woman (or Italian or Japanese or anyone with a strong healthy food culture)
Heather K says
Betsy in Pittsburgh- you should e-mail me if you want to meet up with me and Katy. Anybody else from Pittsburgh is welcome too!! my e-mail is [email protected]
hk says
hhah, call me a chick-lit fan, but I really liked Eat, Pray, Love…just a fun, beach time read for me!
As for a really great book about food, health, and just overall good mindset, I totally recommend Superfoods HealthStyle. It is really interesting to learn all about how to properly fuel our bodies…in a way that tastes delish, as well!
I also really enjoy reading Dr. Weil’s books (and magazines, now, too). See if you can find any of his publications, great!
**sara(h)..where’s enthusiastic eating blog gone? miss it
Christin says
Here’s how I feel regarding the quote about faking it until you make it. Yes, it is contradictory to tell yourself you don’t want the junk food, but there is more to it than that.
you have to remember that junk food is JUNK! Your body doesn’t REALLY want it! There is little to no nutritional value to it!
Its just mind over matter, just like breaking any other bad habit, such as smoking, or drinking, or biting your nails…yes, of course you want it, but it makes sense to tell yourself you don’t so that you eventually become less reliant. you don’t NEED it, and you know that, so you are not really lying to yourself in the end, you are coming to terms with the truth, and then telling your body to do the same. Just my two cents 🙂
Becky A. says
Uneasy-
I don’t think your “body” is telling you it wants a piece of cake….it would much rather have and use nutritious foods. Your “brain” is telling you that you want a piece of cake. I think the point is to learn the difference and even if you really want it to “fake” that you don’t and your brain will eventually catch up to what your body really needs/wants. JMO!
Becky
Elina says
I’m with you Christin and Becky A. I like the quote. I know that since I started eating less processed foods (thanks, Kath!) I crave the bad stuff much less. I also see the difference in my reaction to the same healthy foods. For example, the first time I tried Kath’s pumpkin yogurt recipe, I thought it was bitter. Now, I really taste the flavors of the yogurt and the pumpkin and that to me is the perfect *sweet* treat.
Emma says
Yea, I love vegetables and fruit. If I’m still hungry, I always go back for more vegetables or meat or real food…never craving brownies or cake. Ofcourse im a salt/savory person, not a sugar/chocolate person, so i crave things like cheese and pizza over candy or chocolate.
And about lurking high fructose corn syrup and trans fats..i just wrote about that in my blog today. I thought All Bran company foods were one of the “healthier” choices (though I had never bought them before), but after I ate my granola bar today…I was shocked!
Yummy looking foods as always Kath! You have converted me, along with many others i know, to banana oatmeal!
Uneasy about quote says
So you never eat cake or cookies because they are junk food? I’m a little confused but a lot of delicious treats that are classified as junk food don’t have to come in processed forms labled “Keebler, Nabisco, Betty Crocker, etc.”
At your birthday party do you say, “No thanks, I don’t want any cake. I’ll have some sliced bananas and grapes” Frankly, that’s depriving yourself.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m by no means advocating eating crap all the time but isn’t this quote advocating denying yourself and restricting?
KarenR says
I completely agree with what you’re saying, uneasy. To me, one of the best benefits of eating healthy and exercising is being able to eat cake at a birthday party without worrying about it. Or have too much wine sometimes when you’re out with friends. Or get Chinese takeout if you feel like it. Food should be pleasurable. I just think you have to get to an instinctively healthy place with everyday eating, and that’s pretty hard in this society if you weren’t raised that way from childhood.
Christin says
Uneasy about quote,
I take the quote to be more of an everyday guideline…daily decisions to have or not have junk food. I agree it is bad to deprive yourself of sweets now and again, in fact, you are allowed discretionary calories daily, and how you use them is up to you…it’s OK to have treats occasionally, but for day-to-day, you should tell yourself that your body needs healthy choices in order to fuel itself. Think about it…I don’t know about you, but when I was little my mom made me eat veggies and things I didn’t like, and said no to too many treats…it’s the same thing, but you have to be your brains own “mom” so to speak. That is what I take from the quote… JMO 🙂
Katie says
Oh my gosh I love pancakes. So funny too b/c I’m on my own for dinner tonight and planned on making some. 🙂
Elina says
I give myself a “day off” once a week to eat whatever I want. Brownies or cookies usually (always?) appear at one of the meals. I don’t feel guilty about that because I know I’ve been good all week. On other days, I WILL say no to cake or other junk no matter what. It’s become easier too. If it were my birthday, though, I would plan ahead so my “day off” coincides with that and I don’t have to deprive myself. It’s worked for me so far. I know Kath rarely takes “days off” but everyone is different. I think you have to find what works for you.
hk says
personally, I don’t like cake and brownies…at all. Even growing up, I never enjoyed those deserts, and I always opted for a yummy bowl of berries or a piece of corn bread with honey for desert. So it’s not about deprivation if you don’t like cake or junk. I also think that you can lose interest in the junk, so turning it down at your birthday party isn’t necessarily depriving yourself if you really have no interest. I don’t know…I know it’s totally weird to not really like those baked goods, but it’s not about restriction, at least for me. I’m all about the real good stuff–it’s truly what I crave.
Anne says
I totally agree about Eat, Pray, Love! I’m finishing it up now (about a quarter of it left) and definitely think she’s overly dramatic and self involved. Especially the first section before she left for Italy was just ridiculous. It’s gotten better now that I’m nearing the end, but I’m still not all that impressed, especially since I heard such great things about it! She just seems like the type of person that I would be really annoyed by in real life b/c she’d always be talking dramatically about herself. Oh well, to each their own!
Uneasy about quote says
Christin- I see what you are saying and I agree. Most food choices should be made by asking yourself “what healthy foods do I want” and “what would be good for my body”. Sure, chicken fried steak and mashed potatoes may sound good but it’s not the best decision for my body ALL THE TIME. Having a treat like this occasionally just keeps me on track and my body craving healthy foods immediatly after.
I usually give myself a little treat everyday. Sometimes I want ice cream, sometimes a cookie, and sometimes my body wants frozen grapes or another sweet fruit. It all balances out.
In LA says
Lulu – I totally agree with you about Eat, Pray, Love! I think it is super boring, the author is self- indulgent, and the story is all over the place. I wish I didn’t have to finish it but I have to for a book club!
jt says
hi! this is a quick question for matt about kath’s breakfast bread (sorry this has nothing to do w/ this post!)
is it okay to omit the walnuts? firstly, i can’t stand nuts in my bread and secondly, im allergic to walnuts!
and also, wen u said we can omit the “preferment” part, so i just simply “dump” all the ingredients including the preferment into the mixer…mix for 3 minutes…and continue from there???
thank you so much for the step by step bread making procedures and recipes! they are a big help!
have a great day! =)
Kelly L. says
I posted this on Jenna’s blog too….
CALLING SANDWICH MAKERS!!
This might be a really silly question but I’m going to ask anyways….
Okay, so I make my sandwiches the night before to take to work. I usually do turkey but tomorrow I’m planning on PBJ. Okay, so I freeze my bread (Natures Own Whole Wheat Double Fiber). I typically take out two slices and let them thaw on the counter for 20 minutes and then make my sandwich and wrap it up and stick in the frige. To save time (I hate waiting 20 minutes to make the sandwich) I was thinking of just making the sandwich while the bread was still mostly frozen and then wrapping it up and putting it in the fridge where it will thaw overnight. Anyone do this?
Also, does anyone’s PBJ get soggy after making it a day ahead? Thanks! I said it was a silly question…..
Lindsay says
Kelly L. ~ Not sure which blog you will check but I posted my answer on EatLiveRun hehe…
Christin says
Kelly L,
I think it would probably get soggy if you didn’t thaw it first…but my trick is I store my bread in the fridge instead of the freezer…slightly less shelf life, but since I make my sammies the night before, it really is worth it in the end…also, the type of bread you use may make a difference in the sogginess…I like the Ezekiel breads…they are tough, so they are perfect for enduring the night. Also, I find using cream cheese or hummus helps instead of mustard, mayo, etc. with the sogginess factor.
Uneasy about quote,
I couldn’t agree more…balance is really the key for me, too! I have been finding though, that the more healthy choices I make, the less I crave not-so-healthy choices…your body adjusts slowly…
Caitlin says
I’ve been eating healthy for years, and my body still wants desserts. Every day! It just does. And I’m over it!
Julia says
FYI- Storing bread in the fridge has a shorter shelf life than storing bread at room temperature. A fact I learned in a nutrition course!
Christin says
Julie, maybe it’s the climate I am in, but my bread ALWAYS lasts way longer in the fridge than at room temp. (I live in So Cal)
Kelly L. says
Lindsay- I got your reply on Jenna’s blog- thank you!
Oh and wheat breads go bad much more quickly than whites, especially whole wheat natural breads. They last the longest in the freezer, than the fridge. They last longer in the fridge than in the pantry. I used to keep my bread in the panty but then started to notice a funny yeasty smell in my bread after about 4 days. There was no mold and the date on the package was still a ways away but it grossed me out. Now, I’m a freezer bread girl. And to think I always thought my grandmother was odd for doing this. LOL!
Julia says
Christin- yes you are probably right about the climate. I think the humidity would effect it more than anything! I live in a dry climate so maybe that is why.
Kath- Just curious- when you have an ‘off’ day or a treat day (whatever you want to call it), do you ever wake up in the morning and feel a bit bloated? Or do you ever feel guilty the next day?
Bev says
DId you know that Hodgson Mill makes a pancake mix that has flax in it ? I’ve used it and my husband loved them.
Melissa (L.A.) says
I live in So Cal as well and find that storing bread at room temperature means that mold grows much more quickly!
What I do is when I buy a loaf of bread I immediately take half of it and store it in the freezer in a plastic container. It’s so easy to just go to the freezer and grab a slice of bread and pop it into the toaster or make a sandwich (bread defrosts so fast).
arimcg says
Caitlin, I am the exact same way. I even totally gave up sugar for an entire month (and I mean in everything, not just desserts, and I don’t use artificial sweeteners) and I still like to have a little dessert every day. I think we’re fine!!
LT says
dark chocolate is necessary for my sanity.
Jenn says
I too have been eating healthy for years (at times to the point of neuroticism)…and I still craved unhealthy food once and a while. I don’t think that ever goes away completely on the ‘body level’, unless you make yourself *think* and believe you don’t crave it anymore. Yes the mind is a powerful tool for deception, but I think we are only kidding ourselves when we say that we don’t crave treats (Salty, fatty, or sweet) that aren’t considered ‘healthy’.
M.E. says
Katherine Sloan– it makes about 4 cups total. I mixed 1/2 a cup of it with regular rolled oats and it was great!
Kath says
Re. Eat, Pray, Love,
I’m quite surprised yet understanding of those of you who disliked the book. It never crossed my mind that she is self-absorbed, I guess because I consider the book her innermost thoughts so I would expect them to be honest and about her self. But I can totally see where you all are coming from. Thanks for another perspective!
Christin ,
I think when I workout after a big breakfast (even after waiting 2 hours) I am actually more sluggish than at 5:30 when I’ve just had toast. It’s hard to tell though because there are so many other factors, but I really feel my best on days when I eat a snack, workout, then have a filling breakfast.
Betsy,
I’m not sure of the exact benefits of herbal tea but I would assume they share the same benefits as plain herbs, which are many. Here’s what http://www.herbandnaturalremedies.com says, although they may be biased!
http://www.herbsandnaturalremedies.com/herbalteas.htm
M.E.,
Your recipe for the museli looks great! I made overnight yogurt oatmeal once and enjoyed it. I bet this will become a regular summertime breakfast!
Kelly,
I have made these pancakes with oil OR applesauce and they turned out fine – just a little dry. I added the oil today to see if they would be moister and I don’t really think it made much difference (and I’d rather not have 60+ kcal of vegetable oil in my breakfast to add the full tbsp). So I’d just go without and add other flavors to make them moist like mashed banana!
Lindsey ,
Just reduced the oil – no sub.
Melissa ,
SO glad you liked the soup!! And way to improvise on the recipe! I never thought of mashing instead of blending, but I bet that’s a great sub for the immersion blender!
SarahF ,
Sarah gave a great response – I would see if there are certain foods that might be causing the bloating (like very high fiber foods or salty ones?). And could you be drinking different levels of water/alcohol on the healthy vs. unhealthy days? I have found when I’ve drank more alcohol than normal that I actually feel thinner, most likely a result of dehydration. Just experiment around and see if you can associate a food/drink/activity with the way you feel.
JennS ,
I saw a R.D. in the middle of my weight loss. She had me keep a food diary to review, which was very helpful to go over together. I really enjoyed the experience and it gave me confidence that I was on the right track and losing in a healthy way. Her biggest suggestion for me was to eat lower-GI foods before my workouts, but I can’t say I really followed her advice. But looking back I did eat more “junk” food like sugary cereal before my workouts back then so she was probably right!
Courtney,
So glad you like CalorieKing!
Re. Fit From Within Quote,
I love KarenR’s response: Maybe the quote works if you think of eating habits in 2 phases, getting healthy and staying healthy. Listening to your body is great if it’s saying the right thing, but we live in such a toxic environment and have divorced ourselves so completely from natural eating that bodies get confused. In order to get yourself back on track, you may need to be a little more cerebral in your eating choices. Once your body adjusts and you are more in tune with your diet, you can eat like a French woman (or Italian or Japanese or anyone with a strong healthy food culture)
I agree that I think the author is referring more to those who have trouble eating healthy and less to those who already do.
I also liked Christin and Becky A’s responses that the body doesn’t NEED junk food – the brain does. Sometimes it’s easy to justify a craving by saying that you need to give in to cravings to satisfy your brain. While it’s perfectly fine to indulge on occasion, your body isn’t going to suffer if you don’t. I think this is why I don’t splurge that often anymore – I have learned from experience that it’s just a craving and it will pass. That’s not to say that I don’t eat cookies and cake, but I only eat them when they are “worth it” and I’m going to enjoy every bite – not simply because I’m having a craving.
Thanks for all of the contributions to the discussion!
Julia,
I ate probably 2,000 kcal of dessert at a Christmas party this past December and felt HORRIBLE the next day. I looked like I had a hangover and hadn’t had a sip of alcohol! But that was an extreme occasion. On a more moderate splurge, I wouldn’t say it affects me much (except alcohol – I get hangovers sometimes before I’ve even finished my drinking!). But I do think I’m more sensitive to junk foods and just don’t feel my best the next day.
Kath
KM says
Betsy — I know your question was for Veggie, but I have a housemate with Crohns, and what she’s told me and from what I know, it definitely varies case to case. Her brother also has Crohns and his isn’t very bad — when he restricts what he’s told to, he’s almost always fine, but she has continued flare-ups and actually has to fly halfway across the country to see someone who knows enough to help her. And everyone I have talked to who has it aside from her (and that’s actually quite a few people) all seem to vary on what helps them and what doesn’t. It seems like a very finicky and not so fun thing to have 🙁
the husband says
jt,
Omitting the walnuts is easy and wouldn’t alter the recipe. If you skip the preferment, you just add all the ingredients in at the beginning and then mix, as you said. I know it’s tempting to skip it because of the time involved, but I’m telling you – your bread will be noticeably better!