tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-16806817657202854062024-03-22T02:16:26.540-07:00AS-kicker: my fight to beat Ankylosing SpondylitisCrystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-39197510837373100332012-03-13T12:57:00.000-07:002012-03-13T12:57:43.506-07:00Pro inflammatory foodsI'm still doing research on which type of eating is best for managing pain and inflammation. It seems that fried foods, starchy foods, and sugary foods all promote inflammation in the body. I found this list online and it's a good place to start if you are trying to decrease inflammatory foods in your diet. I am going to try to eliminate or reduce my consumption of these foods:<br />
<br />
<br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Bagels</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Breads, rolls, baked goods</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Candy</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Cake</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Cookies</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Cereals (except old fashioned oatmeal)</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Cornstarch</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Corn bread, corn muffins</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Corn syrup</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Crackers</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Croissants</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Doughnuts</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Egg rolls</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Fast food</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">French Fries</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Fruit juice—choose the fruit instead</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Fried foods</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Flour</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Granola</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Hard cheese (except for feta and grating cheeses, such as Romano and Parmesan)</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Honey</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Hot dogs</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Ice cream, frozen yogurt, Italian ices</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Jams, jellies and preserves</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Margarine</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Molasses</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Muffins</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Noodles</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pancakes</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pastry</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pie</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pita bread</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pizza</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pasta</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Popcorn</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Potatoes</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Pudding</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Relish</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Rice</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Sherbet</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Shortening</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Snack foods, including: potato chips, pretzels, corn chips, rice and corn cakes, etc.</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Soda</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Sugar</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Tacos</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Tortillas</li><br />
<li style="font-family: arial;">Waffles</li><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial;"><span><br />
<br />
Read more: <a href="http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Perricones-List-of-Pro-Inflammatory-Foods#ixzz1p1pfml8O" style="color: #003399; text-decoration: none;">http://www.oprah.com/health/Dr-Perricones-List-of-Pro-Inflammatory-Foods#ixzz1p1pfml8O</a></span></span>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-37147385248638527642012-03-13T12:45:00.000-07:002012-03-13T12:45:19.268-07:00Comfort foods made healthierPart of my way of getting back into the swing of things has been to cook more at home. I modified recipes I found on the internet to make these dishes. Enjoy!<br />
<br />
<b><u>Turkey Enchiladas:</u></b><br />
Sauce:<br />
8 medium tomatoes, cut into chunks<br />
2 onions, cut into chunks<br />
cloves from 2 bulbs or garlic<br />
1 TB + 1 tsp chili powder<br />
1 TB + 1 tsp cumin<br />
pinch of salt<br />
dash of black pepper<br />
half a bunch of cilantro, diced<br />
1 TB olive oil<br />
1/2 cup water<br />
<br />
Filling:<br />
1 pound ground turkey breast<br />
1 can unsalted diced tomatoes<br />
1 bell pepper, diced<br />
1 portobello mushroom, diced<br />
1 large can diced green chiles<br />
2 tsp cumin<br />
1 TB + 1 tsp chili powder<br />
2 tsp garlic powder<br />
pan spray<br />
healthy tortillas: I used La Tortilla Factory low carb tortillas<br />
Reduced fat shredded cheese<br />
2 TB diced cilantro<br />
Fat free sour cream<br />
<br />
1) Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly coat a cookie sheet with pan spray. Place tomatoes, onions, and garlic on the sheet. Bake for about 15 minutes, until the onion are golden brown. Transfer to a blender, add the spices, cilantro, olive oil, and water to the blender, and puree til smooth. Set aside.<br />
<span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><div><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></div>2) Coat a skillet with pan spray. Cook the ground turkey, diced tomatoes, pepper, mushroom, chiles, and spices together until the juice from tomatoes and chiles has evaporated and the meat is fully cooked. </span><div><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">3) Spray a large baking dish with pan spray. Fill each tortilla with a few spoonfuls of the turkey/veggie mix and top with 1/8 cup of cheese. Place the enchiladas seam side down in the pan, top with sauce, and add another 1/4 cup of cheese and 2 TB diced cilantro on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes until sauce bubbles.</span></div><div><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><br />
</span></div><div><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;">Top with fat free sour cream and enjoy! Each enchilada has about 175 calories and is very filling. My love said if these were the only enchiladas he ate for the rest of his life, he'd be ok with that! :)</span><span style="outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span></span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPkgVGcN0hmCwgkO93XyAEC1PTg6eysOgM5FYkLEjwbBsBpLtjurMDO4CBAAkJ30rVZYyQsqXFv-V9VCkpSv5FSt-5mVi8yckUKoxtMMpE6pIe0jAl4NNXLdd0cACRmLksk-DX453IbI/s1600/enchilada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxPkgVGcN0hmCwgkO93XyAEC1PTg6eysOgM5FYkLEjwbBsBpLtjurMDO4CBAAkJ30rVZYyQsqXFv-V9VCkpSv5FSt-5mVi8yckUKoxtMMpE6pIe0jAl4NNXLdd0cACRmLksk-DX453IbI/s320/enchilada.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, clean, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 22px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<br />
<b><u>Vegan No Bake Cookies:</u></b><br />
1 ripe banana, mashed<br />
3/4 cup agave nectar<br />
1 bar Ghirardelli unsweetened chocolate (or 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder)<br />
1/2 cup soy, rice, or almond milk (vanilla or unsweetened)<br />
1/2 cup peanut butter<br />
pinch of salt<br />
2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
3 cups rolled oats<br />
<br />
1) Place all of the ingredients in a saucepan on medium heat and bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil for one minute.<br />
2) Remove from heat, and add the vanilla and oats. Stir well to combine.<br />
3) Drop by the spoonful on wax paper or foil, and cool to room temperature. (Or enjoy warm for a gooey treat.)<br />
<br />
These weren't as sweet as original no bakes, had a different texture (they didn't harden up as much), and you could definitely taste the banana, but I liked them a lot. I felt good enjoying a treat that was made with such wholesome ingredients. My love didn't think they were sweet enough so you could increase the agave up to one cup if you wanted a sweeter cookie (he said they tasted too much like dark chocolate). Making 20 cookies from the recipe, each cookie has about 160 calories.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRvaxe70H4qXtbUWbi6FS2E2QTnJ53qvtBJsEAkWzPQsLrhvU4oRuQHZaKOcUJwBDQOzqxkcnpOwadPxjlWON8boz4J4HqHqA_FjCuqO9ezFI4jJsZ6lwWORoePBGsx2b6rvIKPZ1wvc/s1600/cookie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPRvaxe70H4qXtbUWbi6FS2E2QTnJ53qvtBJsEAkWzPQsLrhvU4oRuQHZaKOcUJwBDQOzqxkcnpOwadPxjlWON8boz4J4HqHqA_FjCuqO9ezFI4jJsZ6lwWORoePBGsx2b6rvIKPZ1wvc/s320/cookie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-43914424648438806252012-03-13T11:32:00.005-07:002012-03-13T11:39:12.884-07:00Back in the saddle again<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2vwjfUlewxoTykNwCUL9s78ED7ZuGQ4z2QxIKaNX-hsszxdmrkY3s8ijz9MEOciqDZSdZYD-oEjM0Pl6d-AM8njgD57PYApwMoohHBZAJ58Z0DLWx2EkcHtOi8F08zzyRNcy9u-0wyY/s1600/horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2vwjfUlewxoTykNwCUL9s78ED7ZuGQ4z2QxIKaNX-hsszxdmrkY3s8ijz9MEOciqDZSdZYD-oEjM0Pl6d-AM8njgD57PYApwMoohHBZAJ58Z0DLWx2EkcHtOi8F08zzyRNcy9u-0wyY/s320/horse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">me at age 2</span></div><br />
Well friends, it's been a crazy eight months. Between a promotion at work, a new romance, moving, and settling into new routines, the blog took the back burner. Unfortunately, my health did too.<br />
<br />
Have you ever seen the episode of How I Met Your Mother where Barney and Robin are dating and realize they've totally let themselves go? Robin doesn't shower anymore; Barney gains a bunch of weight. They've got a serious case of "relationship gut". Well my friends, it appears relationship gut does exist and happens to the best of us. Between the cocktails and dinners out when we started dating, to the beer and takeout at home when we got more settled, my new love and I both got the gut.<br />
<br />
I was also at a bit of an impasse with my disease. Being a dietitian I've always wanted to try and manage my disease with my diet, but there is so much conflicting information out there. Do I do low starch, but miss out on the phytonutrients and antioxidants from eliminating some fruits and veggies? And what does eating all of that animal protein do to my cholesterol? (ps - my cholesterol went up when following low starch) Or, do I embrace a gluten free, vegan lifestyle? Do I quit cooking food all together and go raw? Or is it best to follow the tried and true dietitian mantra of "all foods in moderation"? My head was swirling with options, and even my fellow dietitian friends couldn't agree on which would be the best path for me.<br />
<br />
Also during this time my insurance plan had changed and my deductible skyrocketed. This meant that I could no longer afford my Humira injections. Unfortunately, I didn't qualify for the<a href="http://www.humira.com/global/financial-assistance.aspx"> Humira assistance program</a>, but I definitely couldn't afford the $1500 a month injections. It became very painful to exercise, so I stopped. Some days it hurt so bad getting out of bed that I cried. The last thing I wanted to do in that state of being was hit the gym.<br />
<br />
I've gained back every pound I lost, plus a few extra. I had been feeling a combination of depressed, disappointed, and embarrassed. Honestly, I was avoiding blogging because I felt like a complete and utter failure. Then through a series of conversations with my friends and my love, I realized I'm only human, and certainly not the first person to gain back lost weight.<br />
<br />
So here it is, early March, on the cusp of Spring. Seems like a good time for new beginnings.<br />
<br />
The first thing everyone agrees on for managing arthritic pain is maintaining a healthy weight, so that is what I am focusing on most. I'm back at <a href="http://seattleweightlossbootcamp.com/">bootcamp</a>, cooking more meals at home, and tracking my caloric intake with the help of the <a href="http://www.myfitnesspal.com/">My Fitness pal</a> app for my iPhone (which I love and highly recommend). I'm trying to drink more water and less alcohol, eat a bigger breakfast and a smaller dinner, and take into account how much exercise I've done when deciding if I want a treat. With the help of these changes, I've managed to lose ten pounds in the last three weeks.<br />
<br />
I know it will take me a while to get back into a routine, and I'm still not sure which diet is best for arthritis, but I had to start somewhere. Thanks again for joining me on my journey. Yee haw.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChibLVDl9uupNPH7Ogsxpqm_RD7PSbnzP1_m9MURdFEVSytr3pokSl37_cL7QAEykS6E37mxbcD7MBqOmmVAfULsXnNE-w6fdRr5hRuNNKCE6wG1YiqW8x5ygcOAp13FGoIHSwDgXb_U/s1600/choose-happiness.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiChibLVDl9uupNPH7Ogsxpqm_RD7PSbnzP1_m9MURdFEVSytr3pokSl37_cL7QAEykS6E37mxbcD7MBqOmmVAfULsXnNE-w6fdRr5hRuNNKCE6wG1YiqW8x5ygcOAp13FGoIHSwDgXb_U/s320/choose-happiness.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-84686709950784908912011-07-07T07:15:00.000-07:002011-07-07T07:15:12.335-07:00Detox, day 2I survived day one with minimal grumbling and only one small cheat. I went out for lunch at a Mexican restaurant and had ONE chip with salsa. Since chips and salsa are pretty much my most favorite snack ever, I felt pretty ok about it. <br />
<br />
Here's to day two!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-36788837795209737652011-07-06T10:23:00.000-07:002011-07-06T10:23:07.374-07:0017 day detoxI've been waffling back and forth between the merits of following the low starch diet. On the one hand, it's supposed to help relieve my symptoms. On the other hand, it's very restrictive, and kind of a pain in the butt to follow in real life. However, due to a recent change in my insurance and a rather large deductible that I haven't met yet, I can no longer afford my Humira injections. Therefore, I've decided to give low starch another go, in the hopes that it will help me manage symptoms until I can get injections again.<br />
<br />
My friend Kristi and I have decided to do the <a href="http://www.the17daydiet.com/">17 day diet</a>. (Disclaimer: I'm not officially endorsing this as a dietitian, I just think it'll be helpful for me.) It's a meal plan with three phases, and very similar to the low starch diet I had been (somewhat) following. In phase one we are eating tons of veggies, some fruits, and lean protein. We are also not drinking alcohol or consuming sugar. I think it'll be a much needed kick-start to get me back on track with low starch.<br />
<br />
I did notice that when I was following the low starch diet and cooking more meals from scratch, I felt better. I had more energy and vitality, and it also helped me maintain my weight loss. It didn't necessarily relieve any back or joint pain per se, but I know others have found great relief from AS symptoms when living the low starch lifestyle. Since dabbling with eating a more "normal" diet, I've felt more lethargic and squishy. My back and hips have also been hurting lately, and I'm thinking it's a combo of gaining ten-ish pounds and not being on the Humira. So, here I go again! (and I've made up my mind, I aint wasting no more time... yeah I pretty much love 80's music...)<br />
<br />
I've attempted starting the 17 day diet three times, and every time I felt pissed that I had to restrict myself. It's like my body knew I was going on a diet, and I felt angry that I couldn't be normal (even though the typical American diet is far from what should be considered a healthy norm). A new friend has helped me gain perspective on taking better care of myself, through avoiding foods that "don't nourish [me] in a positive way." What a beautiful idea, and a much needed change in my perspective. So, here's to living a more nourishing life.<br />
<br />
Be well, friends! And wish me luck! :)<br />
<br />
ps- just cuz I like pictures, here's a recent one of me at the Grand Canyon :)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMr8hqc4T9hYzI9pZkYkgzDH4H5BVAkIVomkGvczkwhJV3c65pBxU6TsBRQKukt2lg6Dq-GfsPXW32hVP367c4rsdFKpJm-y0j8DadnqmOepO8pjQ2oiGqvUfJpAyy-2CYVRMdtS_Dac/s1600/me+at+grand+canyon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMr8hqc4T9hYzI9pZkYkgzDH4H5BVAkIVomkGvczkwhJV3c65pBxU6TsBRQKukt2lg6Dq-GfsPXW32hVP367c4rsdFKpJm-y0j8DadnqmOepO8pjQ2oiGqvUfJpAyy-2CYVRMdtS_Dac/s320/me+at+grand+canyon.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-55751217998340110662011-05-03T16:52:00.000-07:002011-05-03T16:55:46.291-07:00Let the Danskin training commence! (Plus: yummy summer salad!)The sunshine has finally returned to Seattle, hooray! We've had two weekends in a row of sunny days and I can finally feel my Vitamin D stores starting to replenish themselves. I couldn't be happier. I even have a few new freckles on my nose as evidence of sun!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5CbAfZSemxGCOhg5aneHdvO7vYf2MKQq-2fr-5web_b1qz4Om03gr13Eq2TWTG5rvYJYPe69q0MOacBPFH2HkkdNxs8AIpfQ8QjApyOFVQG6vFZOLqKrfmVKvYDrL6MWiRPScKBIr5Y/s1600/bike2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho5CbAfZSemxGCOhg5aneHdvO7vYf2MKQq-2fr-5web_b1qz4Om03gr13Eq2TWTG5rvYJYPe69q0MOacBPFH2HkkdNxs8AIpfQ8QjApyOFVQG6vFZOLqKrfmVKvYDrL6MWiRPScKBIr5Y/s320/bike2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Sunshine also means that it's time to start the biking portion of my Danskin training. (I'm not brave enough to start outdoor swimming yet though. It's the Pacific Northwest for Pete's sake! Swimming outside in 60 degree weather sounds like a recipe for hypothermia.) I'm kind of a fair weather rider, mostly due to the fact that I'm relatively new to street riding. I purchased my bike last year for Danskin training and I love it! I still mostly stick to bike paths and only venture into the street when absolutely necessary. I'm hoping to take the intro to biking class at REI soon so that I can learn how to patch a flat and all of those things that seem like they'd be good to know for longer solo rides.<br />
<br />
This past Sunday I went all over West Seattle on a 13.5 mile ride and got in some long, gradual hill training. (For a great resource on tracking how long you ride, check out <a href="http://www.mapmyride.com/">Map My Ride</a>. It's free to join and you can track your route to figure out the distance.) I biked a few routes with long gradual hills last year during training and realized I passed numerous riders on race day, so such training was really helpful. Hill training can also help increase endurance and improve leg strength, which are also good things.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixckQZ1x9Vpbyoez2Gw70QDmkGVdLcrK0af2PMtzuWZ8IfYX59jc_jCIQXXQtoxZU7-yOqLN77_O3ZMBqTh4eXqLJWFZ0ZLtbvCjx11UujV9RG6kbF0HeVC0NR0x6uJF6Jv5p2Q91wb1g/s1600/bike1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixckQZ1x9Vpbyoez2Gw70QDmkGVdLcrK0af2PMtzuWZ8IfYX59jc_jCIQXXQtoxZU7-yOqLN77_O3ZMBqTh4eXqLJWFZ0ZLtbvCjx11UujV9RG6kbF0HeVC0NR0x6uJF6Jv5p2Q91wb1g/s320/bike1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
In addition to my typical routine of cardio (running, step classes, kick boxing, and hill walks) and hot yoga, I've been lifting weights more as well. Now, I don't claim to be an exercise expert by any means, but I read a fitness article recently that said if you're in training mode it's best to do a 10 minute cardio warm up and then go straight to weight lifting for at least 30 minutes. This helps burn through your body's glycogen stores (stored carbohydrate in the body that fuels your muscles). Then, you should do at least 30 minutes of cardio. That way, once you start the cardio you've already burned through the glycogen and your body is ready to burn fat as fuel. If you only have 30 minutes to exercise, do weights rather than cardio, and try to get in a little cardio later in the day, even if it's just a walk. I'm just a recovering chocaholic trying to do the best I can with the resources available to me, but that article seemed pretty legit, so that's what I've been modeling my current exercise regimen after.<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if it's exactly legal, but I find I pace myself much better with good music, so I've been known to bike with one earbud in (obviously one needs one free ear to listen out for cars, etc). This is my current biking mix. It's about an hour, and chock full of great upbeat tunes that are perfect for sunny day rides:<br />
<br />
Joker And The Thief<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Wolfmother<br />
Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves) - The Wombats<br />
Laid - Matt Nathanson<br />
Hope For Us - The Jealous Sound<br />
Wake Up - The Arcade Fire<br />
What You Know - Two Door Cinema Club<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Young Blood - The Naked and Famous<br />
Electric Feel (Justice Remix) - MGMT<br />
Whirring - The Joy Formidable<br />
A-Punk - Vampire Weekend<br />
New Low - Middle Class Rut<br />
You've Got the Love - Florence and The Machine<br />
Down In the Valley - The Head and the Heart<br />
Love Today - Mika<br />
Moth's Wings - Passion Pit<br />
Fader - The Temper Trap<br />
Vanished - Crystal Castles<br />
Here it goes again - Ok Go<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
Ride<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>- Cary Brothers<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
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</span></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;">A</span>nother great thing about summer are the picnics and BBQs! My lovely friends/neighbors had me over for a backyard BBQ last weekend and this was the salad I made. It's perfect for sunny days.</div><div><br />
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</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Summer Spinach Salad:</u></b></div><div>1 package baby spinach, washed</div><div>1 pound strawberries, thinly sliced</div><div>1 cup glazed almonds (see recipe below)</div><div>1 small package goat cheese</div><div>cracked black pepper, to taste</div><div><br />
</div><div>This salad is delicious with fig balsamic vinaigrette (see recipe below)</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Glazed Almonds:</u></b></div><div>Roughly chop 1.5 cups almonds</div><div>Heat 2 tablespoons of butter over medium in a saucepan until melted</div><div>Add 1.5 tablespoons of agave nectar and the chopped almonds</div><div>Stir continuously until almonds have been coated and warmed, about 5-6 minutes</div><div>Spread almonds over parchment paper. Break into small pieces once cool.</div><div><br />
</div><div><b><u>Fig Balsamic Vinaigrette</u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">:</span></b></div><div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Combine equal parts extra virgin olive oil and fig balsamic vinegar (available at Pike Place Market). Shake vigorously to mix. Add cracked black pepper to taste.</span></b></div><div><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"><br />
</span></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-47026024782321164302011-04-27T17:16:00.000-07:002011-04-27T17:16:59.410-07:00it's Danskin time!As some of you may remember, last year I completed <a href="http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/08/woot.html">my first triathlon</a>. Well, I loved it so much I've decided to do it again! I just signed up for this year's Danskin women's triathlon on Sunday, August 14th. Let the training begin!<div><br />
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</div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-42961724082247739822011-04-27T16:50:00.000-07:002011-04-27T16:50:19.284-07:00everything but the kitchen sink stir fryWhen I was growing up, my parents were firm believers in the clean your plate club. Essentially, I had to stay at the table until I cleaned my plate. One time my mom made stir fry and I mistakenly saturated it with Worcestershire sauce instead of soy sauce (hey, I was little and the bottles looked pretty stinking similar). I had to eat the. Entire. Thing. It was nasty. The thought of the cold, salty veggies still makes me a little queasy. Needless to say, I wasn't a major fan of stir fry for a while. It wasn't until college when I was short on cash and even shorter on time that I learned to love the stir fry.<br />
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I'm a big fan of one pot meals, and not just because I detest doing dishes. They are a quick and simple way to serve up some awesome food, and can be relatively economical if you're living on the cheap. Stir fries are an easy one pot meal and an excellent way to use up all your extra veggies. For example, you can make typical Asian stir fry with broccoli, carrots, snow peas, water chestnuts, bean sprouts, edamame, and even a handful of peanuts. Or, you can make Mexican stir fry with peppers, onions, black beans, corn, cabbage, and top with avocado. You can even make Italian stir fry, like my <a href="http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/search/label/Italian%20sausage%20stir%20fry%20recipe">Italian sausage stir fry</a>. You can serve stir fry as is, or atop rice, noodles, or quinoa. The possibilities are endless!<br />
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One stir fry I made recently that was super easy contained literally all of the veggies I had laying around. It was made of everything but the kitchen sink, baby, and boy was it tasty!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pgUOi1UgZTEw-aFwDmjvWe8N8vJw16K_SfW8RbHb-pVxOJvXurPhGIOvOB3dwaeyAqGms5k-aV4GkyWmhyphenhyphen4JZMFi5ThnLslwGjo4wIZC3ZKc0s6BAT38BYXJ7q3kcWOS7L5lSeivCIU/s1600/stir+fry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pgUOi1UgZTEw-aFwDmjvWe8N8vJw16K_SfW8RbHb-pVxOJvXurPhGIOvOB3dwaeyAqGms5k-aV4GkyWmhyphenhyphen4JZMFi5ThnLslwGjo4wIZC3ZKc0s6BAT38BYXJ7q3kcWOS7L5lSeivCIU/s400/stir+fry1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I threw the following in a large skillet with about 1 tablespoon of olive oil:<br />
-1 cup chopped asparagus<br />
-1/2 cup diced bell peppers<br />
-1/2 cup diced onion<br />
-1/2 cup frozen cubed butternut squash<br />
-1/2 cup frozen sweet potatoes (I used sweet potato fries and cut them into smaller chunks, about 1" long)<br />
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-3 gloves of garlic, minced<br />
-1/3 cup frozen edamame<br />
-1 cup fresh spinach<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMYIPyu2KE31YrDZngM8jRSW8Ot0mIxGEt5JH7GpyFe-Y21iUHjK1Z2l2jHVPo70Mnijy1cJQXqVoYGGPAA0MRsWT8bApaRn-aWm-jpwnrnCHW6ib4J44NmbYyuf4DKhi75hrFw3wAEk/s1600/stir+fry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidMYIPyu2KE31YrDZngM8jRSW8Ot0mIxGEt5JH7GpyFe-Y21iUHjK1Z2l2jHVPo70Mnijy1cJQXqVoYGGPAA0MRsWT8bApaRn-aWm-jpwnrnCHW6ib4J44NmbYyuf4DKhi75hrFw3wAEk/s400/stir+fry+2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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If you're using a combination of fresh and frozen ingredients, start with the frozen ones first so that they have time to thaw. Also, always add greens like spinach last, because they wilt rather quickly.<br />
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I topped the stir fry with a bit of sliced avocado and some coarse sea salt. It was so good it didn't even need any sauce. Also, my meal was entirely plant based (vegan) and I didn't feel the slightest bit deprived. I think one key to embracing a more plant based diet is to combine really flavorful foods with a variety of textures, so that your senses stay intrigued. It felt like there was a party in my mouth.<br />
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Enjoy, and don't be afraid to get creative!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-38303889478589745082011-04-26T12:16:00.000-07:002011-04-26T12:18:12.150-07:00the best effing tuna salad EVER!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2AKSnM7jBIflivwFEtDl5xKdRS9iUpv4qeOaD0LnpejZNXfWp5fhG8F52uc4EKLgUA9pgPu34LirwaTN7GbU9NYSmt9GijCPZOYpEAYeiB5Ye-hcWbQg2P2OWVfxofyLPDznquUCUzw/s1600/spring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP2AKSnM7jBIflivwFEtDl5xKdRS9iUpv4qeOaD0LnpejZNXfWp5fhG8F52uc4EKLgUA9pgPu34LirwaTN7GbU9NYSmt9GijCPZOYpEAYeiB5Ye-hcWbQg2P2OWVfxofyLPDznquUCUzw/s400/spring.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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Happy Spring everyone! I'm so happy the sun is finally starting to make an appearance in Seattle. We've finally had 3 days above 60 (and I realize that sounds incredibly pathetic, but hey, I'm embracing the positive!) and I even was able to wear a t shirt and flip flops to the beach and not freeze! Speaking of beaches, as swimsuit season is nearing, I'm finding myself uber motivated to cook foods from scratch and steer clear of overly processed items.<br />
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At the insistence and nudging of some of my friends who are more fledgling cooks, I'll be posting some more basic recipes on here. One thing I make really well is tuna salad. Not to toot my own horn too much, but I recently made this for one of my best friends for lunch and he said it was pretty much the most amazing tuna salad he's ever tasted. So rest assured, folks, you're in good hands! (And a note to my gentlemen readers: even though there's some random ingredients in this thing, it has been dude approved.)<br />
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<b><u>Amazing Tuna Salad:</u></b><br />
Combine the following in a large bowl:<br />
-1 can solid white albacore tuna, flaked with a fork. This is key folks. That chunk light crap looks and tastes like cat food. Solid white albacore is the key to amazing tuna salad!<br />
-1/2 chopped crispy apple, such as a honeycrisp or pink lady<br />
-2 diced celery ribs<br />
-1 large or several small diced crispy dill pickles. If you can find garlic and/or spicy pickles, they taste even better!<br />
-1/4 cup unsweetened dried cranberries (or regular craisins - I'm still avoiding sugar a bit)<br />
-1.5-2 TB regular lemonnaise - the key to good tuna salad is not too much mayo. Just add enough to moisten and adhere all of the ingredients together. We don't want a goopy sloppy mess!<br />
-2 TB minced fresh dill<br />
-Cracked black pepper, to taste<br />
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The tuna salad works great either as is, served atop spinach or mixed spring greens, or served warm and gooey with havarti cheese as a tuna melt. (Note on gluten free breads: I made this as a tuna melt with Rudi's multigrain gluten free bread and it was pretty awesome. Even my friend Ryan said it was good.) It pairs well with sour cream and onion kettle chips, which incidentally, are also gluten free. Enjoy!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFC7jbefMoRZNNgHB8i5k6SP0ye2OPnKWVHUNzM6jMEOFN6wBz9NzTq6ZrRcqdg3CL3Vzfq1RdEa7WSfuaEA4LXjSEqjTJ87fb-qcVk2zy2HoEOMWe5fITmBkTsgd2b2-1_Aw4fwlcOE/s1600/tuna2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKFC7jbefMoRZNNgHB8i5k6SP0ye2OPnKWVHUNzM6jMEOFN6wBz9NzTq6ZrRcqdg3CL3Vzfq1RdEa7WSfuaEA4LXjSEqjTJ87fb-qcVk2zy2HoEOMWe5fITmBkTsgd2b2-1_Aw4fwlcOE/s400/tuna2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-62055663478869150222011-04-12T23:39:00.000-07:002011-04-12T23:39:47.581-07:00starch and candida and inflammation, oh my!As most of you know, I'm a dietitian. I spent the past three days at the Washington State Dietetic Association annual conference, and my head is swimming with new knowledge about vitamins, plant based diets, and dietary interventions to combat inflammation, amongst other things. Though several of the topics didn't exactly apply directly to someone suffering from say, A.S., it did set my mind a reeling.<br />
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You see, following the very low starch diet has been kind of mentally taxing for me over the past few months. Aside from the moral implications of eating so much animal product (though I try when I can afford it to buy meats that are locally and sustainably raised and humanely slaughtered - more on that to come), I've been wondering how all of this animal product is effecting my insides. As a dietitian we've read the studies about links between high levels of saturated fats in the diet and their correlations with elevated cholesterol and cardiovascular events. We've also recommended plant based diets for their health benefits, such as decreasing cholesterol, increasing insulin sensitivity, and decreasing body weight.<br />
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Therefore, I'm in a bit of a pickle following a diet where I can't even eat most fruits. It's fruit for Pete's sake! However, I did lose weight while on the low starch diet. But I also ate less packaged foods and possibly was consuming fewer calories overall. What a conundrum.<br />
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I was missing carbs something fierce, so I gradually started adding back in some starches over the past few months. I was missing legumes so much that I was literally dreaming about hummus. I've also had some delicious sweet potatoes, pineapple, watermelon, and split pea soup. It all tasted a-mazing!<br />
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I started this starch free quest to combat candida (i.e. yeast) and the thing is, the candida is still lingering, even with very low starch consumption. And some of my R.D. friends who struggle with candida say that while yeast does need sugar to thrive outside of the body, internally our bodies regulate our blood sugars so closely that decreasing sugar and starch intake may not be an effective way of combating candida overgrowth. Oy! Turns out it might be more related to stress and inadequate sleep!<br />
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I don't claim to have the answers here, but I think for now I'm sticking to eating fewer carbohydrates, and choosing gluten free starches when I do choose to eat carbs. I think it's also a good idea for me to steer away from packaged foods most of the time and try to either cook foods myself or order more whole foods when dining out. I also have heard research that supports adding Omega 3 fatty acids and antioxidants for decreasing inflammation, and with this autoimmune disease I'm living in a state of inflammation. (Another thing I learned at the convention: women with inflammatory diseases can have a more difficult time conceiving. I'm not ready for babies yet but sheesh! Time to get this stuff figured out.) Therefore I'm going to make an effort to eat more fish (Omega 3's) and brightly colored fruits and veggies (antioxidants).<br />
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One thing that is clear is that one should always try to get nutrients from foods rather than supplements, although some supplementation with probiotics, vitamin D, and even fish oil can be helpful. If you are taking a multivitamin, only take one kind and try one that only has 100% of the nutrients, in order to avoid toxicity.<br />
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I'm also going to make a solid effort to get at least 7 hours of sleep a night and work on managing my stress levels. Plus one of my girlfriends who has battled candida issues has a supplement that has worked for her that she's going to email me about. I'll post on that once I've tried it out.<br />
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I guess the message here is that each person's individual situation is different from everyone else's, so what works for one person may be more or less effective in others. The body is truly a fascinating and mysterious thing. Therefore, I guess we have to be informed, hope for the best and tweak accordingly.<br />
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Best of luck, friends!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-80403292433561526132011-01-30T23:17:00.000-08:002011-01-30T23:45:09.747-08:00intention<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvORpEfdKbDMtYZLua_BJmfEIAd_tjVPxQxoj804qywo0VzQsHuqBqT8rwe4BhC8-jfUSh74APJ5xJ74jBzETWlwyh_e2Q8LmjXCoAgvqpu0sEGAiCRtPVrlSdPz-ltNRkJ92GAvSRyM/s1600/plank.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVvORpEfdKbDMtYZLua_BJmfEIAd_tjVPxQxoj804qywo0VzQsHuqBqT8rwe4BhC8-jfUSh74APJ5xJ74jBzETWlwyh_e2Q8LmjXCoAgvqpu0sEGAiCRtPVrlSdPz-ltNRkJ92GAvSRyM/s400/plank.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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I've never been one for New Year's resolutions, mostly because I get tired/lazy/bored of my original idea and it is kind of a lot of work. My friend Kristi makes yearly "intentions" instead of resolutions. She writes her intentions down and sticks them on her fridge, so that she is mindful of them throughout the year. She said she has almost always accomplished most of her intentions since starting this process a few years ago.<br />
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I've been thinking about intentions for my year. I've been reading the book Women, Food, and God, and the author, Geneen Roth speaks a lot about intention as it comes to eating. Her book offers tips to eat mindfully, through eating what your body really wants when you are hungry, paying attention to the food and savoring it, and then stopping when you are full. This requires patience, curiosity, and thoughtfulness, since it is work to ask your body what it really wants and to be aware of when you are satisfied.<br />
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Geneen also talks about living purposefully, feeling all of your emotions fully, and fully occupying every inch of space you take up on this earth. I've been thinking about what that might look like.<br />
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Lately I've been feeling like sometimes I live life on autopilot. I think my intention for this year will be to live with more intention. I see this playing out in a variety of ways:<br />
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1) My body needs proper fuel. I've been thinking a lot about how foods make my body feel on the starch free diet. I know that starch makes me feel heavy, bloated, weighed down, groggy, itchy, and nauseated. However, I've been interpreting starch free as many nuts, meats, eggs, and dairy. My produce intake has been seriously lacking. For starters, I want to be intentional about eating more produce, trying new recipes especially for veggies, and trying new fruits and veggies that I haven't eaten before or haven't really liked in the past.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeFYtLPOI45v_bJK92IVD-XnNT90fPZXBY9paoGqUE9s-RlIdMGh32wcGC88k4IEET5KMACFe3WzBri8O_hv1V3nBZVNarDbv50Ko4S6DyCzea-Xm8E-HFPINBFEhp39cFkdFoUOBUQs/s1600/beets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLeFYtLPOI45v_bJK92IVD-XnNT90fPZXBY9paoGqUE9s-RlIdMGh32wcGC88k4IEET5KMACFe3WzBri8O_hv1V3nBZVNarDbv50Ko4S6DyCzea-Xm8E-HFPINBFEhp39cFkdFoUOBUQs/s320/beets.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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To help in this effort, I've been meeting with girlfriends every other Sunday to share recipes and plan out some dinner ideas. I'm also considering incorporating raw recipes into my diet a few times a week, mostly because every time I eat at Thrive, a raw restaurant in Seattle, I feel awesome. The problem is I've never cooked raw before and don't really know much about it, so I'll have to do some research and experimentation. I think more fruits and veggies is a good place to start.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo9u_VxSr2PrzON7rnjY7Vl5dsUyRstyxDl5m78b46FD6dnhwjTNpEpT95KcL3xXXjziBGUCWYZBmz3ANbwoCLNrXPjEHHooyQuhAORB8bkdRRsuXP5zwLtXJ8bKerTW3snuZdlKpmtE/s1600/dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLo9u_VxSr2PrzON7rnjY7Vl5dsUyRstyxDl5m78b46FD6dnhwjTNpEpT95KcL3xXXjziBGUCWYZBmz3ANbwoCLNrXPjEHHooyQuhAORB8bkdRRsuXP5zwLtXJ8bKerTW3snuZdlKpmtE/s400/dinner.jpg" width="298" /></a></div><br />
2) My body needs exercise. I thought about which exercise my body enjoys the most and I really like high impact cardio, hot yoga, and the occasional weight lifting class. Therefore, I purchased a ten class package for my local hot yoga studio, have been hitting up weight lifting, step, and spinning classes at my gym, and have a goal to do at least one race (5k or more) per month from February to August. I have always wanted to be a better runner and I think having a competitive run each month will help keep me focused and motivated.<br />
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3) I need to work on fully experiencing my emotions. I have known I use food as therapy ever since my parents divorced when I was 17. That year I quit all of my after school activities. Instead, I would come home after school, camp out in front of the tv, and eat. Coincidentally, this is also when my struggle with weight first reared its ugly head. Until I figure out how to feel my emotions without blocking that emption through food, tv, shopping, drinking etc, I am not living a full life. I am also prone to weight cycling. Allowing myself to experience emotions for what they are is going to take a ton of effort and patience and is so much easier said than done, but it is something I realized I have to do if I want to experience my life to the fullest.<br />
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4) I need to be aware of my tendency to over-consume. This ties in so much to not fully feeling emotions. Basically, I shop too much and eat too much, usually when I am stressed/sad/annoyed/bored/wanting to prolong feeling good. I know that the excess shopping and excess eating stems from wanting some sort of rush, and I always think it will make me feel happy. These habits are toxic though. They're wreaking havoc on my wallet and my waistline. I'm saving for a new car and it's the first time I've really had to save for a big purchase. It is a good exercise in questioning if I really should be spending money, and I'm hoping this newfound awareness will be applied to multiple areas of my life.<br />
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Well, that's all I have for now. Here's hoping for a great 2011!<br />
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ps- apparently I'm not the only one with this idea. Read this blog for even more great ideas about eating with intention: http://glutenfreegirl.com/apple-fennel-slaw/Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-89382581179974281132011-01-19T14:12:00.000-08:002011-01-19T14:12:32.401-08:00beating the winter blahsRight around mid January I start itching for the tropics. Visions of turquoise waters and white sandy beaches fill my mind (and are usually the background on my mac). I daydream about the feel of the warm sun on my skin and squiggling my toes in the sand.<br />
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This is probably because January in Seattle is about as far from the tropics as you can get. It's wet, drippy, cloudy, and windy. Every once in a while though, we get a few days of bright sunshine in mid January. It's the kind of sun that makes me long for summer. I roll down the windows of my crappy Nissan as far as I can stand, crank the heat up, and imagine the heat from my heater is actually from the sun. For a few minutes, it's pure bliss.<br />
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Here's a few recipes inspired by the tropics. Hopefully they'll warm you up on a particularly nasty winter day.<br />
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<b>Blackberry coconut smoothie:</b><br />
Blend 1 cup frozen blackberries, 1/2 cup nonfat milk, 1/4 cup unsweetened kefir, 2 scoops vanilla whey protein powder sweetened with stevia (I like Aria women's protein), 2 tablespoons flaked unsweetened coconut, 1/4 teaspoon coconut extract, and 2-3 packets of stevia or erythritol sweetener to taste (I like Truvia or Organic Zero). Paper umbrella optional.<br />
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<b>African peanut soup:</b><br />
This is modified from a recipe from my friend's copy of Vegetarian Times.<br />
2 medium onions, chopped<br />
2 large red bell peppers, chopped<br />
2 large green bell peppers, chopped<br />
4 medium cloves of garlic, mashed<br />
2 tablespoons canola oil<br />
One 28 ounce can of whole tomatoes with juice, chopped coarsely<br />
2 boxes of Pacific branch mushroom broth<br />
1/4 teaspoon black pepper<br />
1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes<br />
2/3 cup creamy unsweetened peanut butter<br />
1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk<br />
1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger<br />
1/4 cup fresh chopped cilantro<br />
Zest of 1 lime<br />
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In a large soup pot, saute the onion, bell peppers and garlic until the onions start to brown. Add the tomatoes with juice, mushroom broth, black pepper, and red pepper flakes. Simmer, uncovered, over low heat for 40 minutes. Stir in the peanut butter and mix until soup is creamy. Add the coconut milk, ginger, cilantro, and lime zest, and stir until combined. Heat to a simmer and serve.<br />
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<b>Tropical Chicken:</b><br />
Drizzle a baking dish with a small amount of olive oil. Set aside. Preheat oven to 350.<br />
In a medium bowl, beat 2 eggs. Add 2 teaspoons coconut aminos, 1 tablespoon fresh grated ginger, 1 dash of garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne pepper.<br />
In a separate medium bowl, combine 1 cup unsweetened flaked coconut and 1/4 cup macadamia nuts, finely chopped.<br />
Dip 8 chicken cutlets in the egg mixture, then in the coconut mixture, and place in the pan. Pour any remaining egg mixture over the chicken in the dish, and top with any remaining coconut mixture. Drizzle the juice of one fresh lime over the top and bake about 20 minutes, until the coconut starts to brown and the chicken is cooked through.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-22368006336187021192011-01-05T17:57:00.000-08:002011-01-05T17:57:58.389-08:00oh, we jingled all right!Here's the long overdue update to the Jingle Bell Run!<br />
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When I woke up the morning of the run, it wasn't just raining. It was POURING. It was the kind of stereotypical Seattle rain that non-Seattleites think happens all the time (it doesn't), where five minutes outside will leave you looking like you took a shower with your clothes on. Not to mention it was freaking cold and windy. Brrrr!<br />
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And yet, it was Jingle Bell day, and I had a team to lead.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNP4-ewPAWhYEma8s4j3xPtO_-zAt9xqTz3KomOKORLWF59cREFBtfrNkwWbCiDSXp0BFKBYRYAds0H7-DNuCpsbnBNlhO-xo-yK5lF1sHxw7dVYXfvzByANQ0vaaNTSJcmQy3y_FXKo/s1600/jingle1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwNP4-ewPAWhYEma8s4j3xPtO_-zAt9xqTz3KomOKORLWF59cREFBtfrNkwWbCiDSXp0BFKBYRYAds0H7-DNuCpsbnBNlhO-xo-yK5lF1sHxw7dVYXfvzByANQ0vaaNTSJcmQy3y_FXKo/s320/jingle1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Five of my fabulous friends joined team AS Kicker and there was no way I was going to wimp out on them because of some measly rain (and wind). No way, Jose. So I woke up at the crack of dawn, pulled on my red and green striped socks, red fleece, sequined Santa hat, and snowflake gloves. I tied jingle bells to my sneakers, and I headed out for one wet run.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEXHZBuioIbYrIdwUrguxH5iSayCrCdC6xMYfCG6usWq_JTF_S7gTMRDx7M9HuXoS-nN9BSqWoRdy2qjU_ZfdyXSRuc3nS_Aw4OHXmKOKaE2r927i84RRi-uYHKKTgm87fX3GplPJRCg/s1600/jingle4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWEXHZBuioIbYrIdwUrguxH5iSayCrCdC6xMYfCG6usWq_JTF_S7gTMRDx7M9HuXoS-nN9BSqWoRdy2qjU_ZfdyXSRuc3nS_Aw4OHXmKOKaE2r927i84RRi-uYHKKTgm87fX3GplPJRCg/s320/jingle4.jpg" width="237" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I so wasn't kidding about the socks...</div><br />
I gathered my team, and we headed out into the elements. There were people running in garbage bag ponchos, ski outfits, elf costumes, and every red/green combo imaginable. I even saw a group of girls dressed up with glowing snowflakes on their backs. Talk about feeling the Christmas spirit!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DVtX_vYDSmkFcuBo_DzS5JbFDnfbruLJlKs5g0I0hf5DV0KktxAz6_qJognols9M7ZlW81Bbxwl-PayKlLaYqfXVZFfggsT9lbAWMKZjqkpaXlYOaclw6z2t8WcjSzook1hQvj9LWOc/s1600/jingle2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8DVtX_vYDSmkFcuBo_DzS5JbFDnfbruLJlKs5g0I0hf5DV0KktxAz6_qJognols9M7ZlW81Bbxwl-PayKlLaYqfXVZFfggsT9lbAWMKZjqkpaXlYOaclw6z2t8WcjSzook1hQvj9LWOc/s320/jingle2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">If you look really carefully, you can see the blue glow of snowflake girl.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Despite the rain, my wonderful friends and I all successfully completed the 5k and also managed to raise almost 500 bucks! (And then we promptly headed indoors for hot coffee and brunch.) All together, team AS Kicker raised $460 for arthritis research.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I am so grateful to be surrounded by amazing friends and family who have supported me in my efforts to combat AS. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Thanks to all of you for reading my blog, for your kind words of encouragement, and for your support!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DouzR7dr6izhrzTRavaWKxGupY6qoYHJeQjC0MS8-s1Z07uNkeeN-JTQDQk8BUK0LUzjv78SApDt-Ptb0DXt0cl3FBCSjz3k17JDpphcJXJGBmCCNKFvMKkbokVUidZuOBAVDqvuIKg/s1600/jingle5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3DouzR7dr6izhrzTRavaWKxGupY6qoYHJeQjC0MS8-s1Z07uNkeeN-JTQDQk8BUK0LUzjv78SApDt-Ptb0DXt0cl3FBCSjz3k17JDpphcJXJGBmCCNKFvMKkbokVUidZuOBAVDqvuIKg/s320/jingle5.jpg" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tGeanmpir7DnoFkNvPI0YdY1Zjy9sZm3SQS23lezuv30UOVwOUnF0b_1udDJizvPYXSkR3_AxY1l54PI5MilA2bN2P6CUAtIubRhvxsKGcuNl1b0kt60QQNsiKJ-sJ73D33uztI9vmw/s1600/jingle3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3tGeanmpir7DnoFkNvPI0YdY1Zjy9sZm3SQS23lezuv30UOVwOUnF0b_1udDJizvPYXSkR3_AxY1l54PI5MilA2bN2P6CUAtIubRhvxsKGcuNl1b0kt60QQNsiKJ-sJ73D33uztI9vmw/s320/jingle3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Happy (belated) holidays from team AS Kicker! :)Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-68503347137470267862010-12-27T11:18:00.000-08:002010-12-27T11:18:19.007-08:00breathe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFijWZis-9Wo4UHeqZUN6os9jQaug2wjhu_hiozWvTkeRlZVKZ2gWgFZ6hndn3GhNt9BbBiIG0xpGfugeo54Ja6aLp7AhVXylWzQ7Ry1n3w1ZtTPQIp2TQUklqyRBGUNFnPkBzyoRII4/s1600/xmas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkFijWZis-9Wo4UHeqZUN6os9jQaug2wjhu_hiozWvTkeRlZVKZ2gWgFZ6hndn3GhNt9BbBiIG0xpGfugeo54Ja6aLp7AhVXylWzQ7Ry1n3w1ZtTPQIp2TQUklqyRBGUNFnPkBzyoRII4/s320/xmas1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div><br />
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December was a frenzied month of stress and overindulgence. My job was crazy, I was behind schedule in prepping for the holidays, and though I had many fun bouts of making merry and felt very festive, I also kind of felt like a chicken running around with my head cut off.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_U-0BA_HVTP7TTvFf5T0wlD-VBZf0NMna1CXEK_eQBl5kQqXgNmQzty61ymIaXwihnCxyScF8_gCXz-HfBeTCciVz4VsZvsd5EdiJaNYMSc8EJDoscpW63IktMPuyT18AwG6PIbmr4Q/s1600/xmas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj_U-0BA_HVTP7TTvFf5T0wlD-VBZf0NMna1CXEK_eQBl5kQqXgNmQzty61ymIaXwihnCxyScF8_gCXz-HfBeTCciVz4VsZvsd5EdiJaNYMSc8EJDoscpW63IktMPuyT18AwG6PIbmr4Q/s320/xmas2.jpg" width="238" /></a></div><br />
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Between the hustle and bustle and twinkle lights and silver bells, I lost focus. Stealthily, starch slowly but steadily crept back into my life.<br />
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It started with egg nog. We bought the good kind, in the glass bottles from the fancy grocery store nearby. It was thick and delicious. I was only going to drink one glass, I swear...<br />
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Then there was a Christmas luncheon/reunion with old friends (one made a delicious soup with beans and corn and I felt bad not eating it). We also drank mimosas, naturally.<br />
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Then there were cookie exchanges, Christmas cocktails with friends (i.e. more egg nog, but this time in martini form), family dinners, gingerbread house building with my college friends, and looking at Christmas lights with Bailey's in my coffee (it's a Christmas tradition, after all). And who can resist the Starbucks gingerbread lattes? They come in red cups, for Pete's sake!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfRrkkGy50N1hTKV6RDpSDG5jaX0DohHanuO9xefPjOR6qKD57SsyzU6j7R-ZyAiFqzOpGDBpskA5pHEi5J-CMEinaIEOC358J8t3iqv8NHa1bqrgZInc3YjwPdWXIViU02lurh_7PgM/s1600/xmas3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyfRrkkGy50N1hTKV6RDpSDG5jaX0DohHanuO9xefPjOR6qKD57SsyzU6j7R-ZyAiFqzOpGDBpskA5pHEi5J-CMEinaIEOC358J8t3iqv8NHa1bqrgZInc3YjwPdWXIViU02lurh_7PgM/s320/xmas3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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Christmas left me feeling like I was spinning in a sugary haze. And not in a good way.<br />
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I woke up the day after Christmas with renewed conviction. I will get back on my diet! I will go to the gym and do a four hour workout! I should sign up for hot yoga! My jeans fit a bit tighter and this is unacceptable! I will fix this!<br />
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I signed into blogger yesterday to write a self reproaching blog, stating my renewed enthusiasm for living in a healthful way. But my homepage on blogger shows all of the blogs I'm signed up to read, and one in particular caught my eye: <a href="http://glutenfreegirl.blogspot.com/2010/12/breathe.html">breathe</a>.<br />
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I've been reading Gluten Free Girl and the Chef since I was first diagnosed with AS and investigating the gluten free lifestyle. If any of my blogs could capture even a glimmer of Shauna's wisdom and grace, I would be so grateful.<br />
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Breathe, Shauna's latest blog, reminded me to slow down. In all of my rushing around and merrymaking I had forgotten to embrace what is really special about the holidays: love. Instead of running around to buy gifts and staying up late to finish baking cookies, I should have made more phone calls to family, or spent more quality time with friends. Rather than succumbing to holiday gluttony, I should have remembered that I also need to love myself, and feed my body what it needs to thrive.<br />
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In the midst of the December crazies I did find the time to read through the new book <a href="http://www.geneenroth.com/women_food_and_god.php">Women, Food, and God</a>. There will be plenty more blogs about this book, I'm sure, as it is chock full of insight and tips to ending compulsive eating once and for all. I read through it too quickly and am now taking the time to go back through and really digest it. There are so many great ideas, and I learned I need to slow down and pay attention. I need to listen to my hunger and satiety cues, and love my body through food.<br />
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The first step is just to breathe. When I notice I want to eat something, I need to pause for a moment. I am trying to ask myself "Why do you want to eat that? Are you hungry? Bored? Stressed? Does it just sound good?"<br />
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And then, when I do eat it, I am trying to really pay attention then as well. What is the texture? What favors do I notice? How does it feel in my mouth? How does my body respond? Can I tell when I've had enough?<br />
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It's the end of December, and the end of another year. It's the time for reflection and looking ahead. But before I spend too much time focusing on new goals for 2011 and get sucked back into a stress vortex, I'm going to allow myself a few more minutes to breathe and really appreciate all of the great things that 2010 brought. <br />
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Happy holidays, everyone!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_FmfdK-KxoB4eNkZOb338qFAATQwBC0CTxjjWQtXOIVmtN_RY5tce0KixiI9z0D6uwhYIDT_CFSFviP5ZMZ3EQivUDjcxuPw0b8gE_sZucBSXpr5xNCOOFMdG-w8ncselDcVY201JHs/s1600/xmas5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_FmfdK-KxoB4eNkZOb338qFAATQwBC0CTxjjWQtXOIVmtN_RY5tce0KixiI9z0D6uwhYIDT_CFSFviP5ZMZ3EQivUDjcxuPw0b8gE_sZucBSXpr5xNCOOFMdG-w8ncselDcVY201JHs/s320/xmas5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-8815949506338595192010-11-25T13:23:00.000-08:002010-11-25T13:23:45.555-08:00Happy Thanksgiving!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhvJ1GZ8FmM989-EFZmii0mgZquhKg7-pvvq8vtbnZeaud0uOU-_JtcwUTKSd3DuDQCJiR8IgzVR3GFdIjpUuTCgbSQcgf4M2caI9xUSbu80gCqcju6kQbcVCjqehlGsCar-oaohUHz4/s1600/Happy-Thanksgiving.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBhvJ1GZ8FmM989-EFZmii0mgZquhKg7-pvvq8vtbnZeaud0uOU-_JtcwUTKSd3DuDQCJiR8IgzVR3GFdIjpUuTCgbSQcgf4M2caI9xUSbu80gCqcju6kQbcVCjqehlGsCar-oaohUHz4/s320/Happy-Thanksgiving.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I hope this Thanksgiving finds you feasting on delicious foods, surrounded by the ones you love. I am so thankful this year for my doctors who have helped diagnose my disease, and for the continuous love and support of my friends and family. I have so enjoyed discovering new recipes and foods to share with you, and am looking forward to sharing some delicious starch free Thanksgiving sides with my family this year.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">My no starch Thanksgiving menu includes:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-brussels sprouts with blue cheese, bacon, and chanterelle mushrooms</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-mashed cauliflower with sage and brown butter sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-spiced cranberry sauce</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-homemade eggnog with rum</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-spring greens with pear, pomegranate, goat cheese, aged gouda, and fig balsamic </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">-chocolate peanut butter pie</div><br />
Delicious recipes and mouth watering photos to come! For now, I'm off to join my family.<br />
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Best wishes for a safe and happy holiday season!<br />
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Enjoy!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-29913835214712407232010-11-16T21:49:00.000-08:002010-11-16T21:49:43.308-08:00Jingle all the Way!Two years ago I was diagnosed with AS: Ankylosing Spondylitis. It's a disease that worsens over time and left untreated can cause my spine to fuse, resulting in the appearance of a hunchback.<br />
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I've decided that instead of feeling sorry for myself, I wanted to try and change my life and support others who are also suffering from this debilitating disease. Through this effort I have followed a strict diet that improves my symptoms, have become better at loving myself, and have started this blog. To continue in this effort, I have decided to start a team for the 2010 Seattle Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis.<br />
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The Jingle Bell Run is put on by the Northwest chapter of the Arthritis Foundation. According to the website, "<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">funds raised support critical arthritis research, public health efforts and public policy initiatives."</span><br />
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I'm all about doing exercise for a cause, especially when you can dress up! People dress up in costume for the Jingle Bell Run, tying jingle bells to their sneakers and wearing red and green antlers. I'm thinking of wearing a sequined Santa hat!<br />
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The real goal of this effort though is to spread awareness of my disease and to raise funds for research. I'm more than happy to give myself shots every two weeks and continue following my diet if it is the only option to help me fight this disease, but I would loooooove to hear that a cure has been found. I'm really not all that fond of needles...<br />
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To join my team, submit a secure donation, or just find out more info about the event, please visit my team website: <a href="http://seattlejinglebellrun.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=419456&lis=0&kntae419456=913A2169A92C4E59A96BBE39566E3F71">http://seattlejinglebellrun.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=419456&lis=0&kntae419456=913A2169A92C4E59A96BBE39566E3F71</a><br />
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Let's get into the holiday spirit and kick some AS! Thanks for your support!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnasqOnZSdIW52I1aFOCkXXnSP03Qke4LSeXNvaZ5USPW_YKLlMIu6mXLLIKAOFEmqICKpi_2xm5OOTGlT22ziTA_bntKQ0IrIjHKtYiFJYia8rQUuzKq0UFEatFTXaqn1ux3H-HjTNI/s1600/sanat1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOnasqOnZSdIW52I1aFOCkXXnSP03Qke4LSeXNvaZ5USPW_YKLlMIu6mXLLIKAOFEmqICKpi_2xm5OOTGlT22ziTA_bntKQ0IrIjHKtYiFJYia8rQUuzKq0UFEatFTXaqn1ux3H-HjTNI/s320/sanat1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-37552463663391449142010-10-26T07:52:00.000-07:002010-10-26T07:52:56.395-07:00Seasons of Change<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllEILs6wlJJfgZO_QhKRRv1jZ8a-W270xVaYD37cc2Jki0oZcGJ_BWJPbENOy_sEimrQ5OE82-sm1nbCm5hZC7aeT5eNRl9SHVqbglMjGcPGkRKm-DddUckH7TrKWyqYgQDaiBFl6G5g/s1600/fall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgllEILs6wlJJfgZO_QhKRRv1jZ8a-W270xVaYD37cc2Jki0oZcGJ_BWJPbENOy_sEimrQ5OE82-sm1nbCm5hZC7aeT5eNRl9SHVqbglMjGcPGkRKm-DddUckH7TrKWyqYgQDaiBFl6G5g/s320/fall1.jpg" width="255" /></a>It's late October and it's fall in Seattle. The leaves are turning, the grocery stores are filled with displays of pumpkins and pomegranates, and there's a crisp bite in the air. It's the kind of weather that makes me want to curl up on the couch, wrap myself up in a cozy blanket, sip some hot apple cider, and ... blog. It feels like it's been forever since I've written a blog. My sincere apologies for the blog hiatus. Fall is a time of colorful changes, and this fall has definitely been chock full of changes for me. My life has basically been in a state of constant change for the past month. Exciting changes, and stressful changes, but mostly complete and utter life consuming changes that didn't leave much time for blogging. But now I'm through the other side, feeling more settled, and feeling good.<br />
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For starters, I got a new job! I have spent the past three and a half years working in food service management for a major Seattle hospital. I enjoyed it, but was feeling like I wanted to try something new. I started job searching, and hoped for a job that would allow me more time with patients and families. A few months ago I began the interview process for a job which would allow me much more patient contact and a chance to utilize my clinical brain a bit more, and I was offered the position at the end of September. I then spent the next three weeks working like a madwoman to wrap up some projects and delegate others. (I also fell off the diet wagon a bit while succumbing to celebratory happy hours and a work farewell pizza party. Alas, I am back on the diet again now and feeling better for it.)<br />
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In the midst of changing jobs I also moved. In the past, I've tried to live relatively close to my former job. Since my new position will mean time on the road and also the opportunity to work from home from time to time, I spent time thinking about where I've always wanted to live. I love the water, and was happy to find a cute apartment in West Seattle. I always feel like I'm on vacation when I'm in West Seattle, and the pace is a little slower than some of the other Seattle neighborhoods I've lived in.<br />
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So now that life has resumed a more normal pace, I am happy to return to the land of blogging.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSQRtJrU6_lpo187XADgoWFJZuYv9nP8mqIi854zWpB67IfNgta5dpOqzwhm1AHlZhNvApZsfoTpClMDCGxJJPvfJBSagKvAmvcRGGpPT4KY26hM8SODroGqnDAmsiYQ-ukhLvSAAhf8/s1600/fall1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNSQRtJrU6_lpo187XADgoWFJZuYv9nP8mqIi854zWpB67IfNgta5dpOqzwhm1AHlZhNvApZsfoTpClMDCGxJJPvfJBSagKvAmvcRGGpPT4KY26hM8SODroGqnDAmsiYQ-ukhLvSAAhf8/s320/fall1.jpg" width="240" /></a>Fall has always been my favorite season. I love the brightly colored leaves, the sunny crispy days, the smell in the air when the temperatures start to drop, and even the first of the rainy, stormy days spent curled up on the couch. I also love the fall because of the fall flavors.<br />
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To me, fall is synonymous with spice. Nutmeg, cinnamon, allspice, cardamon, and ginger all remind me of fall. Fall means spiced apple cider, roasted butternut squash, homemade apple cider, and pumpkin. Oh how I love pumpkin. Typically my fall diet consists of pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin pancakes topped with pumpkin butter, and pumpkin bagels with pumpkin cream cheese. However, this fall is a little different due to the lack of pumpkin in my life. I am still on a strictly low starch diet, and squash has not been allowed back into my life as of yet.<br />
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However, what started as a simple craving for muffins on a cold and rainy evening turned into something that somehow reminds me of the pumpkin flavor I love without actually containing pumpkin. I hope you enjoy them as much as I have:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqPJBinnSMAA3g71YnoCvkqT8pVnh_B0CFDiUc5mNZxj7dVmcIhTVT8tNavM0Yxj8BlbJ1VYjf_3bBUFJZu3AK9ZIhMeFQ_LhwxfRM8fED-vvyzvnIIogYp7AAHkmyWKhK22-u1Ea8aI/s1600/fall2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCqPJBinnSMAA3g71YnoCvkqT8pVnh_B0CFDiUc5mNZxj7dVmcIhTVT8tNavM0Yxj8BlbJ1VYjf_3bBUFJZu3AK9ZIhMeFQ_LhwxfRM8fED-vvyzvnIIogYp7AAHkmyWKhK22-u1Ea8aI/s320/fall2.jpg" width="320" /></a>Fall Muffins (perfect for a stormy day):<br />
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees and prepare your muffin tin by greasing it or using paper cups.<br />
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Combine 1/2 cup coconut flour, 1/2 cup almond flour, and 1/2 cup peanut flour in a medium bowl.<br />
Add 10 packets Truvia, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tsp cream of tartar, and 1.5 tsp cinnamon.<br />
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">**Note: baking powder contains cornstarch. To substitute for baking powder in a recipe, use 1/4 tsp baking soda and 1/2 tsp cream of tartar for every 1 tsp of baking powder.</span></i><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNEUGPstPSq7DkoJjv_TSdnETnhtiQu4TXXXTECN85v2KItXahzevyAlX9PzRxZMj-PQEhL-7z0qq_HadEhqME6Fj5ilB8EzZI3szXeSnlBK1lwocid-7EyisC3yLENLNjabRIj8aauM/s1600/muffin4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipNEUGPstPSq7DkoJjv_TSdnETnhtiQu4TXXXTECN85v2KItXahzevyAlX9PzRxZMj-PQEhL-7z0qq_HadEhqME6Fj5ilB8EzZI3szXeSnlBK1lwocid-7EyisC3yLENLNjabRIj8aauM/s320/muffin4.jpg" width="240" /></a>Stir 1/3 cup oil and 1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce into flour mixture. Add 1/4 cup milk, 1/3 cup spiced apple cider (made from 100% apple juice), 1 tsp vanilla, and 1 egg.<br />
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Fill muffin tins 2/3 full, and bake for ~25 minutes, or until a knife inserted comes out clean.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvue0hcEMXm7sPdCjuV1rXmmyv5wNPJfkys5A9fyCJ3geDzuclfrWNcQkwmCJ7fdqLAUAPo5LCcrYmlbO886ys5-SJb6Etd3nTLhSEbTTZJVwHXPTZU0UhiCKjr6WrQC_u75e3j9inRU/s1600/muffin3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixvue0hcEMXm7sPdCjuV1rXmmyv5wNPJfkys5A9fyCJ3geDzuclfrWNcQkwmCJ7fdqLAUAPo5LCcrYmlbO886ys5-SJb6Etd3nTLhSEbTTZJVwHXPTZU0UhiCKjr6WrQC_u75e3j9inRU/s320/muffin3.jpg" width="240" /></a>Makes 12 muffins.<br />
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Enjoy!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q2gw9B10WfmodPVQjZ41dDYdmhl_bj7GkxBNQJlx6g1FW3VPwe6S2iMdKxXTdIB6sWu9hglXm6HrVwX8frcYu2YghZmDNjrhbBmLJfvJSy69OSi31RBJ6ANYLFh-YQdAg3ZptE7LA8E/s1600/fall3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Q2gw9B10WfmodPVQjZ41dDYdmhl_bj7GkxBNQJlx6g1FW3VPwe6S2iMdKxXTdIB6sWu9hglXm6HrVwX8frcYu2YghZmDNjrhbBmLJfvJSy69OSi31RBJ6ANYLFh-YQdAg3ZptE7LA8E/s320/fall3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-8401761330203396342010-09-22T10:45:00.000-07:002010-09-22T10:54:26.834-07:00Biggest Loser blogI'm not a huge fan of most reality tv, but I do love me some Biggest Loser. I know that the methods utilized by the show are not practical in real life. (Seriously, who wants to exercise for 8 hours a day? Major ugh.) Also they eat a very low calorie diet, and this combined with such an intense exercise regime would probably not be possible without the team of medical personnel that help oversee the show.<br />
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All that aside, the show is damn inspirational.<br />
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I get totally hooked by each person's story. I empathize with their struggle with weight gain, loss, and regain. I get sucked into their personal dramas, cry over their tragedies, and celebrate their successes. I literally applauded when Antoine and Alexandra got engaged during the finale a few seasons ago, which was kind of embarrassing considering I was at the gym at the time... All tangents aside, my point is that this show inspires millions, myself included.<br />
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Over several seasons of watching, I've noticed a thing or two. First off, there seem to be common themes of emotional eating brought on by tragedy, family histories of obesity and obesity-related health issues, and some cataclysmic life event that finally brought upon the need for change. Several contestants have mentioned that they need the Biggest Loser because they can't or won't be able to do it on their own. They need the help/time/focus to get their life and their weight back on track.<br />
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As inspirational as the Biggest Loser is to watch, I don't think these kind of results are attainable in real life. I've never met anyone who loses over ten pounds a week several weeks in a row, or who drops 100 pounds in 2 months. It seems this kind of reality tv doesn't depict reality. While it will most likely take those of us not on the show quite a bit longer to lose our weight, I do think we can learn from the show, and apply some of the concepts to our own weight loss journeys.<br />
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<u>Here are some tips I've learned:</u><br />
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<b>1) Plan ahead:</b> as with the no starch diet, it is helpful to do a bit of planning when you are trying to lose weight. One example that worked for me was setting an established gym time that I thought of as an appointment, which made me less likely to miss it. Also, I have a few "go to recipes" for quick meals that are healthy, such as a smoothie for breakfast, salad with veggies and protein for lunch, and some lean meat and veggie stir fry for dinner. If you're a busy person, it might help to make some things in bulk and freeze them, or to find ways to get creative with healthy leftovers. It also helps to bring some healthy snacks along such as nuts or fruit leather, because I know I will get hungry between meals. I find the fewer things I leave up to chance, the more successful I am both on the diet and with my weight loss.<br />
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<b>2) Make your health a priority:</b> so often on the Biggest Loser I hear people saying they spend all of their time worrying about others and as a result end up overweight. This seems to be especially true of women. I think as women we let our care taking tendencies trump our own needs all too often. If you are serious about your health journey, you have to start putting yourself first. This can mean ensuring you have healthful foods to eat, carving out some "me time" to get in a workout, and finding healthy ways to de-stress that don't involve ice cream. One thing that has helped for me is working out first thing in the morning. I have to go to bed a little earlier and get up a bit earlier, but at least I know that regardless of what comes up throughout the day, I already exercised. Any exercise that happens during the day or after work is just a bonus.<br />
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<b>3) Small changes count:</b> when we think of the Biggest Loser, what most likely comes to mind is crazy hard workouts and screaming trainers. However, in the first few episodes they do start smaller and and work their way up. The trainers also encourage those who don't make it onto the show to find small things to do to get started. As a dietitian, many of use this same philosophy with clients and patients. It's helpful to find a few things you want to work on first and go from there, because radically changing everything about your life at once can seem crazy overwhelming. For me, I started with giving up diet soda and drinking more water. Then I made sure I worked out 5 days a week. Then I started working on my diet by eating more fruits and veggies and less junk food and dessert. After that, I bumped up my exercise to 7 days a week. As each new thing turned more into a habit, I was able to add more healthful practices into my daily routine without feeling crazy or like it was too much work to manage.<br />
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<b>4) Do it for you:</b> a lot of the contestants on the show talk about their children, spouses, and families, and how they need to lose weight for these people. I think that is a noble idea, but the contestants soon realize that ultimately it is up to them to do the work to lose the weight. I struggled with this as well, wanting to lose weight to make my parents more happy or proud of me, or to make boys I was dating find me more attractive. I found though that this would sometimes make me resentful and bitter towards these people, and sometimes I would deliberately overeat to spite them. Not healthy. I had to get to a place where I became my own catalyst. I had to be the one who drove myself to the gym, ensured I worked out, and felt good and proud of myself without looking to others for affirmation. I had to force myself to eat better and make healthy changes because it was better for <i>me</i>. This has been a lot of work, but it has been quite empowering.<br />
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<b>5) Don't make excuses:</b> we all have reasons that we struggle with weight. Maybe we are big boned, our family is all overweight, or there was a personal tragedy which led to us overeating. Maybe we are busy people on the go, running families or managing companies, and we are too busy to take care of ourselves. Maybe our metabolisms are painfully sluggish. Maybe it all just seems to hard. If we want to, we could make excuses for ourselves to be fat until we are blue in the face. Here's the truth about excuses: they get you nowhere. Maybe they make you feel a little better or justified temporarily, but they don't actually change anything about your situation. At some point, I just needed to put on my big girl panties and deal with it. I got to a point where I refused to let excuse after excuse hold me back. I'm better than these excuses. If other people can push through their own situations, so can I.<br />
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<b>6) Start today: </b>has anyone else noticed how many contestants have some huge life tragedy that has brought them to the conclusion that now is the time to start losing weight? Especially this season, it seemed that so many people had lost someone they love because of weight-related issues. I don't know about you, but I don't want to wait for tragedy to hit before I start making changes to improve my life. This concept is very similar to the idea of not making excuses, because we can always think of a better reason to start making changes tomorrow. Don't fall into this trap. Even during the rough patches where I "fall off the wagon" I try to pick myself up, dust myself off, and get back on the horse the same day. Even a half day of being mindful and loving my body is better than a whole day of gluttony, excuse, and self loathing. You never know what tomorrow may bring. Do it now.<br />
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<b>7) Calories in vs. calories out:</b> losing weight is a lot like math. Your body at rest burns a certain amount of calories just keeping you alive. If you eat more calories than you burn, you gain weight. If you burn more than you eat, you lose weight. For me, this has meant that in order to lose weight I need to both eat healthy and exercise. I've found that just eating better but not exercising or exercising but not eating as well has made me either gain weight or stay the same. Once I consistently did both together, the weight started coming off.<br />
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<b>8) Exercise is cumulative:</b> this is an idea that isn't touched on quite as much during the show, but is true nonetheless. So many of us are crazy busy these days, and the idea of spending an hour or two at the gym can seem pretty impossible. The great thing about exercise being cumulative is that you can space out your workouts throughout the day if needed and still reap the benefits. If you can't do an hour all at once, do two 30 minute workouts or three 20 minute ones. If your goal is 30 minutes a day you can even break these into three 10 minute chunks. Breaking it up can make it seem more manageable.<br />
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<b>9) Try something new:</b> a great way to stay motivated on your weight loss journey is to find a new activity to try out. If you have a gym membership chances are you can try out a few of their classes and see what you like. I've found I really like the Zumba, spinning, and kick boxing classes offered at my gym, and they are a fun way to break up my routine. I also really like hot yoga but it's a little pricey so sometimes I'll try out the new student special somewhere a hit up a few classes a week using their intro rate. Mixing it up like this also helps your body from plateauing because you are challenging new muscle groups and not getting stuck in a rut. Plus finding something that feels more like fun than exercise means you'll probably be more likely to do it.<br />
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<b>10) Slow and steady wins the race: </b>ok so this idea might seem a little contrary to the Biggest Loser concept. For me, though, it's become my mantra. Weight loss has to be a marathon, not a sprint. Because I want these changes to take hold and I don't want to backslide, I am thinking of this process as making lifestyle changes and developing new habits. It's not just a last ditch effort to drop a few pounds before ______ (insert event here: wedding, class reunion, hot date, etc). While having things like weddings and reunions can serve as powerful motivating factors, I need to stay focused on the fact that I need to continue on this journey even without any big vacation or bridesmaid dress looming in the future. Someday I will reach my goal, and then I will need to rely on the changes I've made to help sustain the weight loss. This will be work for the rest of my life. The knowledge that I'm going to have to work at weight management the rest of my life used to really piss me off, because it seemed so unfair. I've gotten to a place now where I've accepted it and I figure the sooner all of this becomes second nature, the better off I'll be. Also, one of my R.D. friends pointed out that sometimes being in a plateau state is still worth celebrating, because I'm not regaining the weight. Another friend brought up this point: "time will pass. At the end of the year, you can be skinnier, you can be fatter, or you can stay the same." I'm going to work to be skinnier, and once I get there I'll work to stay the same.<br />
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Me in pants that I bought in December:<br />
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Best of luck on your journey.Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-20304044162749475162010-09-19T23:26:00.000-07:002010-09-20T08:34:15.295-07:00when in doubt, throw it outI love roller coasters. I love the feeling of my stomach taking a gigantic lurch as I plummet downwards, jerking from side to side, and flipping upside down. This surprises me a bit, since I am typically not someone who likes to feel out of control. It's one of the reasons why I'm typically a two drink wonder when I go out with friends (well, that and I get tipsy pretty easily).<br />
<div><br />
</div><div>Despite my preference for feeling in control I still enjoyed sugar, and sugar used to make me feel really out of control. In high school my friend Laura's mom would make the best chocolate chip cookies whenever I came over. She knew how much I loved them, and while we were hanging out she would bring us a plate full of cookies fresh out of the oven. Laura and her sisters would each eat a cookie or two, and I'd eat three or four. Sometimes when I spent the night I would even creep into the kitchen before bed and eat a few more cookies. I couldn't help it - I wanted more.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I would also experience what I liked to refer to as "dessert amnesia", where I'd eat lunch, then have a treat afterwards. Then around 2pm I'd start wanting a treat and think to myself "have I had dessert today? I don't think I have." So then I'd eat another treat. I'd crave dessert again around 4pm, and again after dinner. Each time I would forget that I'd already eaten dessert. The cravings would keep on coming, despite the fact that I would satiate them most of the time. </div><div><br />
</div><div>I've heard that eating sugar activates the same area of the brain that is effected by heroin, and it elicits a similar response. This could explain why even though I tried to just eat one cookie or one piece of chocolate, I would keep coming back for more. Just like a heroin addict I would need more and more of my drug of choice to keep me satisfied.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Once I started the no starch diet I started to feel more in control. As my readers might have noticed, I do have a sweet tooth so I have several recipes where I've tried to create something like a dessert without using sugar. When I eat these treats I don't feel like I need to keep eating whatever I've made until it's gone. I enjoy some, and then come back to it later. It's a totally new concept for me.</div><div><br />
</div><div>All of this hard work went awry when I discovered sugar free chocolate. I can't remember when exactly I decided to first try sugar free candy. I quickly discovered that there are all sorts of varieties, and they all taste delicious. Each package of sugar free candy contained about 12-16 bite sized individually wrapped treats. Unfortunately, each time I bought a package I would eat one piece, then another and another, until the entire package was gone in one sitting. They tasted so good that I couldn't seem to stop.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I kept buying more of the candy. I tried sugar free Dove chocolates, York mints, and Reese's peanut butter cups. I tried Werther's, red vines, and caramels. I even tried sugar free chocolate covered peanuts and almonds. And here's the gross part: each time I ate these products I would experience gastrointestinal discomfort shortly afterwards. (And by gastrointestinal discomfort I mean gas, bloating, and even diarrhea. No good.) That's because all of these products contained maltitol, a sugar alcohol.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Consuming sugar alcohols in excess can often have a laxative effect on the digestive system. And because sugar alcohols such as maltitol are not as sweet as sugar, candy makers need to use more of the maltitol to get the same sweetness they would have gotten from sugar. That makes it pretty easy to consume an excess amount. I researched maltitol and apparently not only is it the worst sugar alcohol in terms of experiencing adverse GI effects, it also still contains carbs! So not only was I putting my body through GI hell, I was still ingesting carbs and feeding the persistent yeast in my gut. Oh crap.</div><div><br />
</div><div>This also might be why I regained a pound a half of the weight I have lost so far during the challenge. I realized I'm not going to kill off the yeast, heal my gut, and win 400 bucks by continuing to eat maltitol laced sugar free candy. That's when I reached this conclusion: when in doubt, throw it out. Even though eating the sugar free candy made me feel disgusting, I kept buying the stuff. Today, I threw it all away. In my house I currently had sugar free ice cream, sugar free Dove chocolates, and sugar free chocolate from Trader Joe's. It all went into the trash.</div><div><br />
</div><div>Tomorrow, I'm turning over a new leaf. This journey I'm on is about wellness, and about being the best version of myself that I can. It's about doing the most loving things for myself, and about supporting healthy behaviors. It's also a learning experience. We are all flawed human beings, and sometimes we make mistakes. The important thing is to realize our errors and do what it takes to get back on the right track.</div><div><br />
</div><div>In the past, I would make excuses for myself. "I deserve a treat, because I've had a hard day." "A few bites of this won't hurt me." "My family is overweight, so it's only expected that I'll struggle with weight gain too." Now I'm sick of making excuses. I'm sick of accepting a mediocre version of myself. I want to be great.</div><div><br />
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</div><div>To quote my Lululemon water bottle "Successful people replace the words 'wish' 'should' and 'try' with 'I will'." Therefore, I've decided that I will kick the sugar habit. I will give up sugar free chocolate and maltitol. I will live a more healthful, better life. I will lose again the weight I regained, and keep losing weight until I hit my goal. I will do loving things for my body. I will love all of me, not just the good parts. I will do everything in my power to fight this disease. I will fight, and I will win. </div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-29212359786427152602010-09-13T22:59:00.000-07:002010-09-14T22:17:36.222-07:00blueberry coconut loaf<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEoh1v_aCImXcNyooJUIBLa3yW7jy8WoosjBPPk06JyU9BGjzHbPfKYSroiYh4Kf9nHB7KtpCIryYsjfPECYoFI56sgzGADQozV8IhvR3RMmtwXWi12NEP5H4a2IRjOnbxvRdiRf7iQY/s1600/IMG_3224.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYEoh1v_aCImXcNyooJUIBLa3yW7jy8WoosjBPPk06JyU9BGjzHbPfKYSroiYh4Kf9nHB7KtpCIryYsjfPECYoFI56sgzGADQozV8IhvR3RMmtwXWi12NEP5H4a2IRjOnbxvRdiRf7iQY/s400/IMG_3224.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This past weekend I went to the San Juan Islands. The San Juans are a small island chain in northwestern Washington. Several of the islands are accessible by ferry, the largest of which is San Juan Island. The ferry docks in Friday Harbor, which is a tourist's paradise of souvenir stores, restaurants claiming to serve the world's best chowder, homemade ice cream shops, cafes and espresso bars, bookstores featuring local authors, wine tastings, and tons of assorted boutiques.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWj0ESXYoLSqhvbexJ_FM9Uqj18lVfKwXhI3JCOj67qIEJ2b3zxD6wxtM5zSjp9omDO6hWr10fUXZrxUzmkiq9MxJWqXkgNf66WHByU-zrwojZ3eGX8BzlL0rQfT15CrnUogIqKVehrY/s1600/IMG_3207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWj0ESXYoLSqhvbexJ_FM9Uqj18lVfKwXhI3JCOj67qIEJ2b3zxD6wxtM5zSjp9omDO6hWr10fUXZrxUzmkiq9MxJWqXkgNf66WHByU-zrwojZ3eGX8BzlL0rQfT15CrnUogIqKVehrY/s320/IMG_3207.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CqvXXdpFu3Q_EftCZhP88wfvzc0UkhQvhOmdVPDF5jzidaDJmik1254_IJdgClkG_tEBgPbzrfa5NrTnV3qL2oHS0QCC7ljx_02ZiUFG5zBltZdGVFNRucxthkJo6m25g9XB3fIugoA/s1600/IMG_3194.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4CqvXXdpFu3Q_EftCZhP88wfvzc0UkhQvhOmdVPDF5jzidaDJmik1254_IJdgClkG_tEBgPbzrfa5NrTnV3qL2oHS0QCC7ljx_02ZiUFG5zBltZdGVFNRucxthkJo6m25g9XB3fIugoA/s320/IMG_3194.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Being a bit of a foodie, I have a tendency to wander into random food shops wherever I go. Lately when I go exploring I have been on a quest for new starch free things. In Friday Harbor I found a cute little specialty food store called The Gourmet's Galley<br />
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(I love how island boutiques have kitschy boat themed names). At The Gourmet's Galley I found some large flaked unsweetened coconut by Bob's Red Mill,<br />
Hungarian paprika, coffee extract, some unsweetened cocoa powder by Dagoba, and apple cider syrup courtesy of Lopez Island Farm. I'm thinking of using the apple cider syrup on pork loin, yum!<br />
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For the large flaked coconut, I knew I wanted to bake something, but I wasn't entirely sure what. Then I flipped over the package and spotted a recipe for blueberry coconut muffins. I tweaked the recipe a bit and made a blueberry coconut loaf.<br />
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1/2 stick melted butter<br />
1/4 cup stevia in the raw<br />
8 packets Truvia<br />
1 egg<br />
1/4 cup heavy cream<br />
1 tsp vanilla<br />
3/4 tsp baking soda<br />
1/2 tsp cream of tartar<br />
1/2 tsp cinnamon<br />
1/4 tsp nutmeg<br />
1/4 tsp ground sea salt<br />
3/4 cup nut flour (I used peanut flour)<br />
3/4 cup fresh or frozen blueberries<br />
3/4 cup large flaked unsweetened coconut<br />
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Preheat oven to 350. Coat a small loaf pan with butter or pan spray, and set aside.<br />
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Combine melted butter, stevia and Truvia. Beat on high for one minute.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfHmtgk-30LOwcW_QPkJkapf7xbIyw-N28m6FNHpMyel4m3KWLImgZ1eRsSPm0-qsC12KY7DD1IWFJhOISJcKGMhJOG-eWvD1RMiDLE7wYOP5aUOvgpDmMYhZpLS3lqvUPWhJH64nG-0/s1600/IMG_3214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKfHmtgk-30LOwcW_QPkJkapf7xbIyw-N28m6FNHpMyel4m3KWLImgZ1eRsSPm0-qsC12KY7DD1IWFJhOISJcKGMhJOG-eWvD1RMiDLE7wYOP5aUOvgpDmMYhZpLS3lqvUPWhJH64nG-0/s320/IMG_3214.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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Add egg and beat on high for 30 seconds.<br />
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Add in heavy cream and vanilla until combined.<br />
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Beat in baking soda, cream of tartar, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, and nut flour.<br />
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Fold in blueberries and coconut. Pour into loaf pan.<br />
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Bake 40 minutes, or until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.<br />
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I ate it warm, fresh out of the oven with some butter on top. It reminded me of the blueberry coffee cake my great-grandma used to make. Enjoy!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-65967619591824257012010-09-12T22:37:00.000-07:002010-09-12T22:40:03.043-07:00AS support groups and Peanut Flour Pancakes!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJnpOnnRBWQZ9zXnfi3Y798Gp3HaHA6lFljQm_FErD6F8E8B7GE2UvtGiWAvbRrJWK6E89UZnXFsWthwgT-4y_wX9vIZwWJfNcQlCdpRTQ_WyfUTO6J-v6GUjuSSMZgtez70-0wTtNks/s1600/IMG_2987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlJnpOnnRBWQZ9zXnfi3Y798Gp3HaHA6lFljQm_FErD6F8E8B7GE2UvtGiWAvbRrJWK6E89UZnXFsWthwgT-4y_wX9vIZwWJfNcQlCdpRTQ_WyfUTO6J-v6GUjuSSMZgtez70-0wTtNks/s400/IMG_2987.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
As I've been on this AS journey of learning about and coping with a crazy sounding disease, I've tried to find ways to connect with other AS sufferers. I found a support group website called <a href="http://www.kickas.org/">www.KickAS.org</a>, which seems to be the #1 support group for those who have AS (over 7,000 members!). It's an international website with tons of discussion forums and good information which was helpful for me when I was first diagnosed. I joined up but was still looking for more ways to connect, so I researched AS on facebook, figuring there was bound to be some sort of something on there. (I mean, isn't that kind of what facebook's all about?) That's how I found the <a href="http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=2254462645&ref=ts">Ankylosing Spondylitis - Find a Cure!</a> page.<br />
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Since part of the purpose of writing this blog is to reach others who also have this disease, I've been posting a few links to my blog on there. Through posting these links I've gotten great questions and ideas for new recipes. One person asked about starch free flour, because they love pancakes. I had kind of gotten used to a pancake-free existence, but then I thought, why not?<br />
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I had recently found some peanut flour at my local Trader Joe's ($3.99 for one pound) and decided to get cooking. I adapted the following recipe from my Better Homes and Gardens Cookbook's buttermilk pancake recipe. I was going to use buttermilk but realized mine was expired, so I just used 1%. They turned out delicious!<br />
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Peanut Flour Pancakes and maple syrup:<br />
1/2 cup peanut flour<br />
1 TB stevia in the raw + 2 Truvia packets<br />
1/4 tsp baking soda<br />
1 beaten egg<br />
1/2 cup milk<br />
1 TB melted butter<br />
1/2 tsp xanthan gum<br />
1/2 tsp vanilla extract<br />
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Combine peanut flour, stevia in the raw, Truvia, and baking powder. Set aside.<br />
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Combine egg, milk, and butter. Stir in xathan gum and vanilla. Add dry ingredients to egg mixture. (It will look quite a bit like peanut butter.)<br />
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Heat your skillet on medium, add a drizzle of canola oil or a pat of butter, and cook. Cook pancakes until sides begin to firm and small bubbles start to form. Flip.<br />
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Syrup:<br />
Whisk 1 c stevia in the raw into 1/2 cup boiling water until melted. Bubbles will form and then stevia will dissolve. Add 1/4 tsp maple extract. Serve warm.<br />
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Surprisingly, the pancakes didn't taste overwhelmingly like peanuts. Also, the syrup will be much more watery than regular syrup and slightly more bitter. I put peanut butter on top of my pancakes to cut the bitterness and enhance the peanut flavor and it tasted great. I'm sure this recipe would work equally well with any nut flour.<br />
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Enjoy!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-16825133589623588992010-09-06T14:52:00.000-07:002010-09-06T17:52:07.673-07:00have your cake and eat it tooThe other day my friend Kristi and I went for a jog around Greenlake. Kristi and I have both struggled with losing weight and keeping it off, which is why she is part of the group of women doing the weight loss challenge with me (total weight lost so far: 5 pounds, which means I'm 11 pounds away from my goal weight). One of the awesome things about this challenge has been the opportunity for us to share our struggles and triumphs with one another. Kristi shared her story with me, and I was telling her about how I'm trying to love my body more every day. I told her about my friend Kelsey's theory that in order to expect good things from your body, you should feed it with loving thoughts (see my blog about this idea for my info: <a href="http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/08/love.html">http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/08/love.html</a>). Therefore, I've been trying to spend less time picking myself apart and more time appreciating my body as a whole, especially as I can feel it getting stronger and more fit.<br />
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Kristi brought an interesting twist to this idea. She said that lately she has also been working on loving herself, and has been using the idea of doing loving things for her body as a filter to help her stay on track. For example, when she has had a hard day and wants to go eat a piece of cheesecake, she will ask herself "is this the most loving thing I can do for my body right now?" She has also been trying to reinforce her positive behaviors in this way. She tells herself that getting enough sleep is a way to love herself. When she exercises every day she tells herself that she is doing a loving thing for her body. Also drinking enough water, finding ways to manage stress, and eating fresh fruits and veggies are all acts of self love. In Kristi's words, "sometimes you want to tell yourself that eating a giant piece of chocolate cake is loving yourself. And sometimes it is. But usually, it's not."<br />
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Kristi's theory has been helpful for me too. As a kid I wasn't a huge fan of exercise, since it didn't seem fun. To me, exercise was something I had to do to avoid being fat. As an adult I always wanted someone to work out with; I didn't like to do it by myself. I liked playing soccer and doing kickboxing, but I loathed going for runs and doing weight training. Basically, I shied away from anything that felt too much like exercise, because exercise felt like a punishment. Lately however, I've come to enjoy working out. I've realized how much better I feel when I am consistent with my exercise. My AS symptoms bother me less, I have more energy, and my spine feels stronger when I get some form of exercise every day. This daily exercise has also allowed me to build the strength required to push my body in new ways. Also, I've used my daily exercise time as a time of self reflection, and I've come to really enjoy having this "me" time.<br />
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Another area I've struggled with is dessert. I've always had a sweet tooth, and even on this restrictive diet I have a tendency to overindulge when I find or create something that tastes like a treat. If I want to continue to progress towards my goal I need to remember that loving yourself is even bigger than not hating yourself. What I mean is, while I have gotten much better at squelching the negative self talk and being proud of myself when I do things like complete a triathlon, I haven't come as far as Kristi in being able to continuously choose courses of actions that are loving to my body.<br />
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A recent thing I have been struggling with is sugar free products, especially candy. Actually, especially chocolate. They make sugar free Reese's peanut butter cups, sugar free York peppermint patties, even sugar free Hershey's chocolate filled with caramel. I couldn't remember the last time I ate caramel. Sigh.<br />
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Sugar free candy uses sugar alcohols instead of sugar, and I am not supposed to eat them. However, they taste like real candy and are readily available in the gift shop at my work, so lately I have been frequently succumbing to temptation. If you flip over the package of sugar free candy and read the fine print, it actually says "may cause laxative effects in individuals sensitive to sugar alcohols." Talk about yuck. After eating the first package of the sugar free chocolate I was instantly gassy and bloated, but they tasted so darn good that I bought another package the next day. Definitely not a very loving thing to do to my body.<br />
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With all of that in mind, some days are chocolate cake days. I decided it's more loving to myself to figure out how to make a dessert I can eat that won't make me feel disgusting. Also, I've noticed that I tend to eat less of the treat that I've made than I do of the sugar free candy. The trick for me will be to eat mindfully and really savor any treats I make. Hence, after two days in the kitchen and two trips to the grocery store, my recipe for no starch chocolate cake with raspberry sauce was born.<br />
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No Starch Flourless Chocolate Cake<br />
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Preheat oven to 350<br />
Butter a loaf pan, and set aside<br />
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1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce<br />
5 TB melted butter<br />
12 TB unsweetened cocoa powder<br />
1/4 cup whole milk<br />
1 tsp coconut extract<br />
1 tsp vanilla extract<br />
3 egg yolks, beaten<br />
11 packets Truvia<br />
1 tsp xanthan gum<br />
3 egg whites<br />
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Combine applesauce, melted butter, cocoa powder, and milk. Batter will be lumpy. Set aside.<br />
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In a small dish, combine coconut extract, vanilla extract, Truvia, and beaten egg yolk. Add xanthan gum. Add this egg mixture into the cocoa mixture.<br />
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</div>In a different small dish, whip 3 egg whites until stiff peaks form. The eggs should about triple in volume. Fold the egg whites into the cocoa mixture, and stir just until there are no white streaks visible.<br />
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Bake for 30 minutes, until a knife inserted into the middle comes out clean.<br />
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Raspberry Sauce:<br />
Microwave 1/4 cup frozen raspberries for 1.5 minutes. Add 3 packets Truvia and microwave for 30 seconds. Serve immediately.<br />
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Enjoy!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-10477583426150817022010-08-29T14:49:00.000-07:002010-09-12T22:02:54.453-07:00Mom's birthday dinner and no starch ice cream!I'm at my mom's house celebrating her birthday this weekend. For her birthday gift my mom requested I make dinner for everyone, which I thought was pretty awesome for a couple of reasons. First off, I love cooking with and for people. A good meal is best shared with those you love. Secondly, I was not always known for my cooking prowess. Actually it was more like the opposite. As a kid and teenager I would experiment in the kitchen, which typically yielded disastrous results. One such time I was baking at my friend Laura's house and accidentally put a tablespoon of salt in our cookie recipe instead of a teaspoon. Then I tried to overcompensate by adding more sugar. The end result was incredibly gross, and she still teases me about it. ("Remember the time you made those nasty salty cookies and tried to convince me they weren't that bad?") In high school my church youth group had a chocolate chip cookie baking contest, and everyone asked which were mine so they would be sure and avoid them. It was pretty sad.<br />
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Our senior year of high school Laura and I took a cooking class as one of our electives. Laura's mom recommended it, since she is a really good cook and told us that we should probably try and learn a few things (such as the difference between teaspoons and tablespoons) before we were on our own in college. Things improved as I pursued my major in dietetics, since there were several classes which required cooking as part of my degree. By the time I graduated college my friends and family were no longer afraid to eat anything I prepared.<br />
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Therefore, you can see why I'm a little excited that people are actually requesting me to cook for them. My mom has been an AS-kicker blog reader since day one, and she requested I make her my Mustard Glazed Chicken and Lemon Roasted Asparagus (see <a href="http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/07/one-step-forward-two-steps-back.html">http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/07/one-step-forward-two-steps-back.html</a> for recipes) for dinner. I made the chicken and asparagus and served them with a salad topped with avocado. When making the asparagus I skipped the balsamic vinegar this time and topped them with lemon juice and zest, garlic salt, diced shallot, and minced garlic. I created a simple balsamic vinaigrette to go on top of the salad by mixing equal parts extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. I then added a dash of Italian seasoning. It tasted a little bitter, so I added 1 Truvia packet, and voila!<br />
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For dessert, my stepdad made homemade cake and ice cream. I have been wanting to make homemade ice cream with stevia for some time now, so I was very excited to get to use the ice cream maker last night. My stevia ice cream took a bit longer to set up than the regular kind my stepdad made, but it tasted awesome!<br />
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Stevia Vanilla Bean Ice Cream:<br />
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Combine 1 cup heavy whipping cream and 1/2 cup whole milk. Add 7 Truvia packets and stir. Cut 1 vanilla bean in half and scrape out the seeds inside. Add to ice cream mix. If you don't have a vanilla bean, add 2 teaspoons good quality vanilla extract. Either use an ice cream maker for ~45 minutes and then transfer to freezer, or pour into a glass bowl and place it in the freezer. Scrape the sides of the bowl every 5 minutes, until it is the proper consistency.<br />
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The normal ice cream sets up in 25 minutes. We ran my ice cream mix for 35 minutes and it wasn't frozen enough. I would have ran it longer but the ice cream maker core wasn't frozen enough after making my stepdad's ice cream and mine. I popped my bowl in the freezer and scraped down the sides until it was done, and that worked just fine.<br />
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Enjoy!Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-89658416299467404202010-08-29T12:18:00.000-07:002010-09-02T12:07:15.717-07:00No starch diet on a budget!My mom is a frugal gal. When she goes shopping she's a coupon clipping, discount hunting woman on a mission. My dad, on the other hand, is more of an impulse buyer. He enjoys giving big gifts, and when he sees something he wants, he usually buys it. Somehow I ended up being a mix of the two: I'm a compulsive discount shopper, which usually means I end up with a lot of cheap crap. I enjoy my Citizen jeans as much as the next girl, I just buy three pairs from Buffalo Exchange or Nordstrom Rack instead of one full priced pair from Nordstrom. I enjoy a good rummage through the Goodwill, love shopping at Target, and definitely indulge in plenty of retail therapy. Despite the fact that I usually buy items on sale, I still am not very good at actually saving money. I've tried to turn this around during the last year, and for the first time in my life, I'm attempting being on a budget.<br />
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My grocery budget is $50 per week. As with managing this diet, some weeks are much better than others. When I was first put on the no starch diet I went way over my budget because I was trying to figure out what and how to eat. Here's the facts about this diet: packaged stuff made without starch usually isn't that cheap. Regardless of what your personal beliefs are about the Farm Bill, high fructose corn syrup, etc, the fact of the matter is that farmers are paid to overproduce corn, which means that modified food starch, corn starch, and high fructose corn syrup end up being the cheap additives that find their way into nearly everything. If you shop at natural foods stores, sugar still finds it's way into products via "evaporated cane juice" or agave nectar, and the starch is frequently tapioca or potato based, but it's still there. This makes searching for anything pre-made without sweetener and/or modified food starch a giant pain in the neck.<br />
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Because of the frustration over trying to find anything pre-made that I could eat and also because I enjoy cooking, I've spent more time trying to make food at home. However, I am a woman on the go and sometimes a girl's gotta find something quick to eat. As a result of my ongoing quest for convenience foods I can eat, I wrote a blog a while back entitled "No Starch Diet Staples." See this for some items I've found and enjoy: <a href="http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/07/no-starch-diet-staples.html">http://crystalaskicker.blogspot.com/2010/07/no-starch-diet-staples.html</a><br />
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Here's some basics that usually find their way onto my grocery list:<br />
<u>Produce: </u>apples, frozen berries, avocados, spinach, mushrooms, garlic, onions, bell peppers, cilantro, salsa/pico de gallo<br />
<u>Baking:</u> vanilla bean or good quality vanilla extract, Truvia packets, Stevia in the Raw, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, unsweetened coconut, unsweetened chocolate, unsweetened cocoa powder, peanut flour, xanthan gum<br />
<u>Meat:</u> frozen chicken breasts/tenders, sausage (without added sugar, of course), skirt steak<br />
<u>Dairy/Eggs:</u> 1% milk, heavy whipping cream, butter, buttermilk, eggs, cheese, string cheese<br />
<u>Other:</u> peanut butter, nuts, canned diced tomatoes, Biggest Loser protein powder, mustard, The Ojai Cooks Lemonaise, coffee, Talking Rain sparkling water, applesauce, fruit leather<br />
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The trick for maintaing this diet and your budget simultaneously lies is being creative. For example, I didn't use to be someone who enjoyed leftovers. Now I rely on them. I also have figured out how to use the same product in a variety of different ways.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkJgyFFzsgc18QcqebNa2Ye3P8drxTWUBtb-1_-gHmLObIpsPiKtynY_s9CrskbA2cJaP5aAdZPPDJ7HqTJfjeVAaxShGEWNpecsw4BgKuYjzlK4I5LTascMGwaQD6Lj2mYun8w4l5w8/s1600/IMG_2946.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirkJgyFFzsgc18QcqebNa2Ye3P8drxTWUBtb-1_-gHmLObIpsPiKtynY_s9CrskbA2cJaP5aAdZPPDJ7HqTJfjeVAaxShGEWNpecsw4BgKuYjzlK4I5LTascMGwaQD6Lj2mYun8w4l5w8/s320/IMG_2946.jpg" /></a></div>At a recent trip to Winco I bought the following:<br />
Coconut milk, eggs, frozen blueberries, limes, bell peppers, tomatoes, avocados, Alfresco brand spinach and feta sausage, diced green chiles, skirt steak, spinach, Bolthouse Farms vanilla latte protein drink, and Talking Rain. I spent $30. With some creativity and using some ingredients I already had at home, I created several different meals from these basic ingredients.<br />
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<u>Breakfast Ideas:</u><br />
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Some days for breakfast I eat some string cheese and a handful of nuts, or I drink some Bolthouse Farms protein drink and eat some berries. Other days I feel creative and make something.</span></b><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZc9CA8vUqiQKw4kk2WwpQkknQmnsTt7ccN0JgD6SAzLgqg7fLhioMBvpoUYeHNAmhYNXh0Uf55UiCKxaxw6FlvJDrl7kK0idXot7F6XtGbuLkd1mykOPGHRmpA6CoGyOfJNgiT50SZ4/s1600/IMG_3027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZc9CA8vUqiQKw4kk2WwpQkknQmnsTt7ccN0JgD6SAzLgqg7fLhioMBvpoUYeHNAmhYNXh0Uf55UiCKxaxw6FlvJDrl7kK0idXot7F6XtGbuLkd1mykOPGHRmpA6CoGyOfJNgiT50SZ4/s400/IMG_3027.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>Mushroom and Sausage S</b></span></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"><b>cramble: </b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">saute 1/2 cup chopped mushrooms and 1 diced sausage link in 1 tablespoon butter. Mushrooms and sausage should be lightly browned on both sides. Add 1 egg and 1/2 ounce cheese. Scramble together. Top with 1/2 avocado, diced.</span></b><br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"></span>Smoothie:</b> Combine in blender: 1 cup milk, 1 cup frozen blueberries, 1/2 avocado, 2 scoops protein powder, 1 packet Truvia<br />
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<u>Lunch/Dinner Ideas:</u><br />
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</div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKOFINM-Isc9oNjH9dZvUecxPgu6JVEn8bYNiSbyMe0AT0vVQOBmhmTKIW1qlyF0miVbGOTXErmXsJy6BdvNBOJhv1G37FGLmV1T9jfw61E1Iw2hf4AaBM696maSnLDVHyPFFBZ57wAE/s1600/IMG_2889.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGKOFINM-Isc9oNjH9dZvUecxPgu6JVEn8bYNiSbyMe0AT0vVQOBmhmTKIW1qlyF0miVbGOTXErmXsJy6BdvNBOJhv1G37FGLmV1T9jfw61E1Iw2hf4AaBM696maSnLDVHyPFFBZ57wAE/s320/IMG_2889.jpg" /></a><br />
Sometimes I will heat up a sausage link and top it with some shredded cheese and salsa, or I will make egg salad at home and eat it plain or on top of some spinach. When I make something for lunch/dinner, I usually make something for dinner that I can serve atop greens later as a salad or eat as leftovers for lunch.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08WxfjfLD4EX2iKKEyc5HNJAGpWxZyavbFVF4zIlX7JZX9-RJ5YLtZhxfVpl6nPOL0CIKGTRtEfJ0LjEDxo6ogkb5HOEfcvr1E0hlIUgQSwe36EcYmvW1VGOmbKJPLW-fp8Nj5xgqdU/s1600/IMG_2558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju08WxfjfLD4EX2iKKEyc5HNJAGpWxZyavbFVF4zIlX7JZX9-RJ5YLtZhxfVpl6nPOL0CIKGTRtEfJ0LjEDxo6ogkb5HOEfcvr1E0hlIUgQSwe36EcYmvW1VGOmbKJPLW-fp8Nj5xgqdU/s320/IMG_2558.jpg" /></a></div><b>Mexican Steak Saute/Salad</b>: Cut 4oz of skirt steak into thin strips. Marinade steak in the juice and zest of 1 fresh lime, 1 teaspoon chili powder, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, garlic powder, salt & pepper to taste, 1 small can of diced green chiles, drained, and 1/2 cup salsa/pico de gallo. Saute steak with diced bell peppers. Top with shredded cheese, diced tomato, and avocado. Eat as is, or serve atop spinach.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2MZUwQ8S0s3koHmniDLOSp0i7bTb4fq_y9_-RyBxk0RNpXwMirQP63Hew5ybnfG6dZvggAMmKeZkgVjRmeryDkBqYNuTnZZbhGFPKLvzbyH9UgQIe4xu7uzMwzCk_VSAtYfgNkLSfUM/s1600/IMG_2884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2MZUwQ8S0s3koHmniDLOSp0i7bTb4fq_y9_-RyBxk0RNpXwMirQP63Hew5ybnfG6dZvggAMmKeZkgVjRmeryDkBqYNuTnZZbhGFPKLvzbyH9UgQIe4xu7uzMwzCk_VSAtYfgNkLSfUM/s320/IMG_2884.jpg" /></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXOzS_HbR14j-m4gMzDLGTRPdONCu7Z_n5KK-G_8-3TxnPwrZ2R4ByhdbboUTj8wfhwH1OI9iMvLu606AFZQx2IUgO3ZvEn7OZZdXK8QFTMZ9DOAXlORl0vLMI6CGaW2YyqqBVju9270/s1600/IMG_2894.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNXOzS_HbR14j-m4gMzDLGTRPdONCu7Z_n5KK-G_8-3TxnPwrZ2R4ByhdbboUTj8wfhwH1OI9iMvLu606AFZQx2IUgO3ZvEn7OZZdXK8QFTMZ9DOAXlORl0vLMI6CGaW2YyqqBVju9270/s320/IMG_2894.jpg" /></a><b>Italian Sausage Stir-fry: </b>Dice 1 bell pepper, 1/2 onion, and 1 crown of broccoli (optional). Saute in olive oil, until the veggies start to soften. Add 2 chopped sausage links, 1/4 cup diced sundried tomatoes, 1/2 jar diced artichoke hearts, drained (optional), and 1/2 can diced tomatoes. Bring to a simmer and cook about 10 minutes, until liquid is mostly evaporated and the mixture is thick.<br />
Serve topped with shredded parmesan cheese. I enjoyed mine with a a No Starch Lemon Drop (mix 1 shot vodka with diet lemonade)<br />
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<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRCDFSuiCHr9QpN-8JhKqP8MGinUrTU_qLEPTEE8da948zQ62mFUnMw_Xnk1gtMc7fHEPD0WTBFvCH7f4smDYM2RVB37qbMub0LWx2L6LnXAQO24URUouW0Hq4Xy1xnUwVqtm3EJEGcMk/s400/IMG_2900.jpg" width="400" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK2MZUwQ8S0s3koHmniDLOSp0i7bTb4fq_y9_-RyBxk0RNpXwMirQP63Hew5ybnfG6dZvggAMmKeZkgVjRmeryDkBqYNuTnZZbhGFPKLvzbyH9UgQIe4xu7uzMwzCk_VSAtYfgNkLSfUM/s1600/IMG_2884.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">Enjoy! More creative recipes to come!</span></b></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1680681765720285406.post-75259769999559760122010-08-27T18:28:00.000-07:002010-08-27T18:39:43.517-07:00no internet - more blogs to come this weekend!I have sadly been without good internet access for the past week, so I have been unable to post blogs. However, I will have internet this weekend! I am excited to tell you all about my newfound love of sausage and the recipes I've made, starch free pancakes and syrup, going starch free on a budget, plus some end of summer blackberry recipes. Stay tuned!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2cRLxIvHunsD7GruVSQr_-m4z1Kl0FWgJQZsWQqbAp02zcV-fdRIfkjmk-AU4IHVtYC8TpIFE8HK_-7e4WRLCADhbYFQvTK7B2bZJRe6V0gmEWSRnophMmCs2jrBguh7iqJ9Ky6xGrk/s1600/sausage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx2cRLxIvHunsD7GruVSQr_-m4z1Kl0FWgJQZsWQqbAp02zcV-fdRIfkjmk-AU4IHVtYC8TpIFE8HK_-7e4WRLCADhbYFQvTK7B2bZJRe6V0gmEWSRnophMmCs2jrBguh7iqJ9Ky6xGrk/s320/sausage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Crystalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05752386078386000858noreply@blogger.com0