Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Weight Goals

Today, while talking to Suzanne on the phone, we determined that the weight on the scale can't be our only measure of our success. If it is, then I will be unmotivated when the scale doesn't go down. I think how I feel and how my clothing fits, as well as how I reach my fitness goals (specifically in the running department) also measure the success of The Plan.

Here are some satisfied, happy, and thrilled goals that I have:

Weight:

Right after my thyroid cancer treatment, I was at the highest non-pregnancy weight of my life. After that point, I lost about 15 lbs. and was struggling to lose beyond that. In all fairness, I must disclose that in addition to starting The Plan, my thyroid medication was also increased a few weeks prior to starting the healthy eating. I feel that the combination of diet, exercise, and medication has been key to my successful. So, since The Plan and medication adjustment I have lost an additional 13. From my current weight, here are my goals:

  • Satisfied:  -7 pounds (this would bring me to my pre-Tanner pregnancy weight)
  • Happy:  -12 pounds (this would bring me to my pre-Trevor pregnancy weight)
  • Thrilled goal:  -22 pounds (this would bring me to my pre-Skylar pregnancy weight)
  • Ecstatic: -27 (this would bring me to my pre-wedding weight)
I have no idea what I weighed in high school or before my wedding. 

Clothing:
  • Satisfied: Already met because I am down one pant size since The Plan (from a 12 to a 10) and two sizes since my cancer treatment (I was at a tight 14 pant and plus sized shirt)
  • Happy: Finding size 10 clothes that don't look huge on my legs since they have to fit around my larger stomach
  • Thrilled: Size 8. Never being asked again if I am pregnant when I am not
  • Ecstatic: Not needing a tummy tuck anymore because the size of pants I wear looks good on my tiny legs and my stomach
Fitness Goals:
  • Satisfied: Already satisfied that I ran 4 half marathons this summer
  • Happy: Finish a half marathon under 2 hours (my recent fastest is 2:02)
  • Thrilled: Set a half marathon PR (under 1:55:39 ) and/or complete a marathon
  • Ecstatic: Finish a marathon under 4 hours




Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Vege Soup Notes

I just finished making (and eating) the Hearty Vegetable Soup recipe listed below. Here are a few notes:

1. The recipe doesn't specify this (but I'm about to change that), but you need to cook the carrots. Luckily I figured this out before it was too late. After making your puree and putting it back on the burner, add the carrots and let them cook until soft.

2. This is SPICY. Next time I'm probably going to leave out the cayenne pepper, or half the black pepper. My kids wouldn't eat it because it was too hot (and it made my nose run).

3. I wish I had potatoes! This would be great with potatoes, either simply added or in place of the beans or pasta. By the way, I used whole-wheat pasta and it worked beautifully. So yummy, so filling. A little of this soup (which is more like stew) goes a long way. 

4. It's green. The picture was just a stock photo. This soup is green, like split pea soup. That doesn't bother me and so I don't care but if you have an aversion to green soup, this could be problematic. I'll post a picture soon. 

5. I didn't use kale leaves. I've never had kale but I've heard it's difficult to get just right so I just left it out. Didn't notice anything missing. If you don't have kale, or don't like kale, just omit it. The recipe didn't suffer. Using a frozen back of mixed vegetables would also work--cutting out some of the prep work. It would still be delicious.

Overall, this recipe was easy, though a bit time consuming. I'll make it again, either as I did today or varying ingredients. I give it an A- (4.5 out of 5 stars). It would have gotten an A if my kids would have eaten it, but even as it stands, this recipe is a keeper.

Comments People Make When You & Your Husband Have Lost Weight (Part II)

Scott has listed some of the comments that people have made to him because he has lost 40 lbs. Here's what people say to me about his weight loss:

"You're not going to let him lose any more weight are you?"
"He's not going to lose any more weight is he?"
"Are you both still on that crazy diet?"

And here's the comments that some women have said to me now that I've lost 25 lbs:

the Spanards: "You've lost weight in your face and your breasts."
the Americans: "I'd go on a diet, but I don't want to lose weight in my breasts." (meaning, of course, that I've lost weight there).

Despite having lost 25 lbs, I still get this comment:

"Sister, you look like you're pregnant!" (which means that I'm still pear-shaped)

I guess I don't have to tell you that the Spanards don't know about tact and some Americans think they are being tactful, but aren't.

Thanksgiving Report Part II

On the day of Thanksgiving, I did well, with only slight variation from the WFPBNP (It's too hard to type these initials, so from now on I'm going to refer to it as "the Plan" or "my Plan" or "our Plan.") But I knew the real challenge would be the following Monday (yesterday), because that was the day of the huge Thanksgiving meal that Beverly and I were in charge of.

So here is a description of my plan (not to be confused by my Plan): Eat the various types of typical Thanksgiving foods, with an emphasis on plant-based foods, and keep the portion small. Avoid dessert. Get back on our Plan right after the (second) Thanksgiving dinner.

I give myself a B grade on executing my plan. I ended up failing on two counts:
  • Beverly and I were at the table of the woman--Miriam, a good friend and regular travel companion of ours--who made a huge apple pie and bought ice cream to go with it. She was worried that it didn't turn out well and that no one would want it. So I caved. I had a small piece with a dollop of ice cream.
  • After the event, we had tons of nuts left over from our centerpiece displays--and I kept eating them. All. Afternoon. And. Evening. The caloric intake of nuts probably didn't exceed 400 calories, and I did have a light, Plan-approved dinner otherwise, but really, I didn't need that many nuts.
The bottom line?
  • I gained a 0.6 pound. This tells me that most of my plan going into the day worked.
  • I varied only slightly from the Plan, but I don't know what health effects on my heart the small amount of turkey, turnkey gravy, and butter-filled potatoes had. Because I'm doing this for my health and not so much (now) for my weight, I'm actually more concerned about the health effects that the weight effects.
I have come to the conclusion that Suzanne and Andrea have come to: I just don't need a "free day." It's too risky, because it's too hard to get back to our Plan in full force.

As a side note, my current goal is to get my BMI down to 25.0, which for me is 169.6 pounds or less, by Christmas. (A BMI above 25 is considered overweight.) I have only 2 pounds to go. (BTW, I'm already at my "satisfied" goal weight of 175. My "happy" goal weight is the 169.6. And my "thrilled" or "ecstatic" goal is 165 lb, which would be the lowest I've weighed since 1981 and below the weight I had when I graduated from high school.

Monday, November 26, 2012

Thanksgiving Wrap-Up

I set a goal to not gain any weight over my Thanksgiving holiday. HA! I was weak and took not just one free day, but three! It was Rita's carmel popcorn that lured me to the other side. And then the pumpkin torte, donuts, brownies, pies, and other treats called my name. When I weighed myself this morning, I was up 2.9 lbs. Honestly, I would have guessed closer to 10!

On a good note, I made a goal not to eat any candy this month, and I stuck to it. That may sound easy, but I kid you not, we had Gummy Bears, Kit Kats, Peanut Butter M&Ms, Snickers, Sour Patch Kids, Mike & Ikes, Hersey Kisses, and Licorice Bits in the house. 

Now that I am back to real life, I am back on my plan! My next free day will be Christmas Eve and that is it! Today I woke up early and went to the gym (ran 3 miles, biked 10 minutes, and did another machine for 10 minutes, and abs), and then did my grocery shopping at Costco and Macey's. I ate very healthy today and feel completely committed to getting back on the plan.

My goal is to hit my pre-pregnancy weight by January. If I can reach that goal, it will have been since January 2010 that I was at that weight.

Wish me luck (and keep posting food ideas).

What Thanksgiving Taught Me

This past week was not only Thanksgiving, but also my wedding anniversary and my son's birthday. So, needless to say, there was a LOT of celebrating going on. This morning, after a hot and heavy work out at the gym, I weighed myself to find that I'd put on 2.5 lbs. Yikes! I know it might not seem like a lot, but it's a total of 5 lbs gained since I hit my lowest weight 2 weeks ago. I can't afford to gain anymore. I need to stop the gain and start losing again. 

Since this was my first holiday since starting my WFPBNP, I consider this past week sort of a test run. A trial, to help me better prepare for Christmas and frankly, the holidays I'll be facing the rest of my life. So...this is what I learned (you probably know most of it, but I'm going to list it anyway).

1. Moderation Kills! Scott was the first to mention this to me, and I have mentioned to it others (and chanted it in my own head many times).  Here's what happened. I decided that, with the entire week of celebrations centering around food, I would allow myself a 'cheat day' and eat small portions of foods I would not otherwise allow myself to eat. Sadly, cheat 'day' turned into cheat 'days'. I had a very small slice of carrot cake on Friday. I had a very small slice of cheese cake on Saturday, and some 'regular' chips with salsa. By Sunday, however, I was basically eating anything I wanted. Oops.

The bad news: What I found is that once I said "okay" to a food that I otherwise wouldn't eat, it became easier and easier to say "okay" to other off-limit foods. Although I have very small portions of each food item, I ended up eating a wide variety of foods I didn't need and didn't really want. I ended up craving sweets again, after finally getting rid of that tendency.

The good news: I found that a very small portion satisfied my craving and I was able to walk away from that food for good. Meaning, I had one slice of carrot cake and since then, haven't craved it again. The remaining cake will most likely be thrown out. I had a slice of cheese cake and now I don't want it again. So, even though I craved sweets, I could tell a difference between how I eat these foods now, compared to the way I ate before (unlimited portions). This made me feel good. In control! It helped me see that I won't suddenly cave and go off the deep end. Not permanently, I mean. I am in control and can regain control quickly after making a poor choice.


2. My body knows the difference!

After taking 2 days off from my work out and two days (which turned into three) days off of my nutrition plan, I felt GROSS!! Physically and emotionally, I felt bad. It wasn't just feeling bad about eating off-limits foods, either. It was depression. Depression because I wanted to do better than I was, because I knew I was cheating myself. And also, because my body knows the difference between whole, nutritious foods and those that are...not. 

The bad news: Eating crappy and skipping work outs made me feel sluggish, fat and unhappy.  Skipping one work out made it that much harder to go the next day. Skipping the second work out made me want to give up on my new lifestyle completely. I don't feel powerful or successful when I eat junk and skip work outs. My body needs good food and exercise.

The good news: After a weekend of basically hating myself, I started on the right foot again today. I hit the gym hard, stayed out of the kitchen, and texted my sister, who is always good for support when I need it. Having a buddy, spouse, sibling or even a co-worker whom you can turn to, or looking online at blogs is a great way to feel empowered again and get yourself back in the game. Just like at Alcoholics Anonymous, where they give each member a sponsor, we need support. I'm grateful that I have it. Thanks guys!!

3. Whole Foods are not Free Foods

Even on the days I've been sticking to my WFPBNP (Whole Foods Plant Based Nutrition Plan), I've gained weight. I've gone from a diet almost completely animal based (and fat based) to a diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans and nuts. How is it that I'm not super-model thin?? The answer? Well, whole foods aren't calorie free. 

The bad news: Even though I am eating healthy foods, I'm eating too much. Snacking on nuts and whole grain bread is a lot better than Twinkies and Coke, but nuts and whole grains have calories, too. I've allowed myself to snack too much and used the excuse that my snacks were healthy. I find that,with whole foods, I fill up on a lot less food, which is good, but in return, I get hungry again a lot faster. I may need to eat more than three meals...I may need to eat four of five small meals, but I need to plan for them, figure out my total calories, and make sure I'm not snacking in between.

The good news: A little planning goes a long way. If I think ahead, plan my meals, stay out of the kitchen and drink more water (instead of soy milk or juices), I'll consume fewer calories. Also, I'm going to cut back on fruits and grains and instead, have the bulk of my calories come from vegetables. Too many of my food choices center around nuts, grains and fruits, which tend to be high in calories and natural sugars. It may not be necessary for you to cut back on these things, but for me, it means the difference between losing weight or not. The first two weeks I went whole foods, my diet was centered around vegetables and the weight came off. Now, it's not. But this is something I can change with a little effort and planning.


I learned: I don't need a cheat day. I don't want a cheat day. Or a cheat minute. Or a cheat food. I want to stick to my nutrition plan. Otherwise, one little bite leads to another, which leads to another, and soon the cravings begin. Plus, once I stop the nutrition plan, it's that much harder to get back on it again. Some people need or want cheats. I thought I wanted cheats, too. But I don't. Moderation killed my diet last week.

I don't want a day off from the gym. I have been going five days per week and am trying to do six. More than one day off in a row and I start to feel down about my weight and my life in general. For weight control, physical health and mental stability, I need to work out. I WANT to work out!! I have often regretted days when I have skipped the gym. I've never regretted a day when I've gone. (P.S. I worked out on Thanksgiving Day, which was my goal. So all is not lost!!)

I need to plan better. If I know what food I'll be facing, I can bring an alternative whenever appropriate. I can skip food-based celebrations. I can eat before I go some place where I know there will be food. 

I need to stop eating when I'm full and skip the snacking. Like Scott mentioned in the previous entry, my body needs very little food to survive. What helps me is to brush my teeth right after a meal so I don't pick off my kids' plates or go back for seconds. I often want something sweet to take the taste of my meal out of my mouth and brushing helps. Flossing helps too, especially when I'm eating foods with small seeds and things. When I can't brush? I chew gum. It may not be a whole food, but it keeps me from going back for food that I don't really want and I certainly don't need. It helps fight the urge to snack, as well.

Got some tricks or tools that help you stay on your WFPBNP?? I'd love to hear them!

Blender/Food Processor Dilema

One thing I've noticed about a great deal of WF recipes is that they require the use of either a blender or food processor (or both). Although I had a blender, it wasn't a good one and I found myself getting frustrated by what it couldn't do. After some research, I found something out (that perhaps I should have already known, but didn't).

Blenders are for wet food, such as shakes and smoothies. They don't work for dry ingredients, chopping or dicing, or for doughs. I tried to make a spinach dip using my blender and it was a horrible failure. The blades spun around, pushing the ingredients to the sides, and then just spun in that empty space, not mixing or blending anything. 

So, for my anniversary, my husband bought me a Ninja blender/food processor. It's supposed to work for both wet and 'dry' ingredients and I'm very excited to use it to make some of the WF recipes that I haven't had success with previously. My old blender will get donated to Goodwill.

Anyway, I haven't had a chance to try these out yet, but here's a few of the soup recipes I plan to try using my Ninja. They ought to work, since they come from the Ninja cookbook. Some of the recipes will need substitutions to fit within WFPB guidelines, so I'll post my ideas for substitutions beside the original ingredients. If you try any of these recipes before I have a chance, be sure to let me know how they work out!




Island Butternut Squash Soup

3 cloves garlic, peeled
2 TBSP fresh ginger, peeled
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 Medium yellow onion, peeled, roughly cut
4 LBS. butternut squash, cooked, cubed and cooled
3 cups vegetable broth (sodium reduced is recomended)
1 tsp. salt (or to taste)
1 TBSP brown sugar (optional)

Place the garlic, ginger, pepper and onion in processor until finely chopped. Set aside.

Working in batches (if necessary), place the butternut squash in food processor and add broth, creating a pourable puree. Pour the pureed squash into a large saucepan and add the chopped vegetables, whisking until combined. Continue until all squash and vegetable broth has been used. Season with salt and sugar if desired. Heat on medium until simmering, about 8 minutes. Top with whole wheat croutons, if desired. Serves 4.

Cal 40, Fat 0g, Chol Omg, Sodium 999mg, Carbs 15g, Protein 3g, Fiber 3g, Calcium 65mg, potassium 518 mg.







Spicy Black Bean Soup

2 14 oz cans black beans, drained
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, roughly cut
1 ripe tomato, roughly cut
1/2 lime, juiced
1/4 white onion, peeled, roughly cut
2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/4 red pepper, seeded, roughly cut
1/4 fresh cilantro, loosely packed
salt and pepper to taste

Place all ingredients into food processor and blend until smooth. Heat briefly or serve at room temperature. Serves 4

(Picture shoes soup slightly chunky rather than smooth. This would be left up to your personal preference). Would be great topped with my home-made chips!!

Cal 184, fat 1g, sat fat 0g, chol 0mg, sodium 696 mg, carbs 37g, protein 13g, calcium 98 mg, potassium 67mg






Hearty Vegetable Soup

1 Medium yellow onion, peeled, roughly cut
1 TBSP extra virgin olive oil  (*used for sauteing onion--reduce or omit)
2 cups kale leaves (optional)
1 lb broccoli florets
3 cups vegetable broth
1 carrot, peeled and sliced
1/2 cup corn kernals
1 cup canned kidney beans
1 cup cooked whole wheat pasta (bows or cork screws, etc.)
1 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper (I suggest reducing this to 1/8 tsp. Very spicy)


Chop onion (or chop with food processor), then saute in saucepan over medium heat until soft. Add kale leaves, broccoli and vegetable broth. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool.

Working in batches if necessary, place the cooled mixture into the food processor and blend until smooth. Return to saucepan. Add carrots and let boil until carrots are tender. Then add corn, kidney beans, and cooked pasta.  Adjust the seasonings to taste and heat thoroughly on medium heat before serving. Makes 4 large servings.

*I think a variety of vegetables could be used in this recipe, including green beans or peas, cauliflower, etc. Kidney beans or pasta could be substituted or omitted, as well (just reduce vegetable broth). Would be great with potatoes!

Cal 213, Fat 6g, Sat fat 2g, Chol 5mg, sodium 1332 mg, carbs 31g, 
protein 12 g, fiber 5g, calcium 151 mg, potassium 602 mg

Caloric Intake

Every time I try to lose weight--and believe me, I've tried hundreds of times--I am shocked at how little food the human body needs.

I continue to be surprised at how little wiggle room I have in my dietary choices.

If I eat small helpings of low-fat healthy foods, don't take seconds, and avoid between-meal snacks, I can lose weight. But if I take larger helpings, or take seconds, or snack too much between meals (even with healthy fruit or nuts), I stay the same weight for even gain.

It just isn't fair.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Comments People Make When You've Lost 40 Pounds

Now that I have lost 40 pounds since arriving in Spain, I get lots of comments. You'd think, therefore, that someone would say, "Congratulations for getting healthier," or maybe even "Congratulations. You look great!"

Nope.

Here are the most common comments, almost all from overweight Americans:
  • "I hope you're not going to lose any more weight."
  • "You're not going to lose any more weight, are you?"
  • "Are you still on that diet of yours? You're looking a little sallow."
  • "Hey, Skinny Zimmerman." (A fellow missionary says this every time he sees me.)
  • "Your weight loss has made you look, well, different." (Oh, really?)
  • "I'm just not willing to give up good food." (Stated outright twice, but hinted at several other times.)
  • "You're not going to lose any more weight, are you?" (I repeat this one because a half dozen people have said that to me, and not in a positive or jovial manner. I feel like asking them, "And what weight do you think is optimal for my good health?")
  • "I need to lose some weight." (A half dozen people made this type of comment.)
Some comments have been a little more positive. For example, some ask, "How do you feel?" I tell them I feel great.

The most clever comment was from President Tenney, our temple president, after he'd been away for three weeks. When he first saw me after his return, he said,
  • "Hi, I'm Pres. Tenney. You must be the half brother of the guy I picked up at the airport six months ago!"
Very clever.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Thanksgiving Report Part I

On Thanksgiving Day here in Spain, we had almost no type of celebration because it was not a holiday. We had to put in our normal 7 to 8 hours at the temple. We did, however, have a (potentially) big Thanksgiving dinner at the temple cafeteria, prepared by brother Núñez, the director and chef of the cafeteria. I ate the turkey and some of the potatoes and gravy. I also had a few vegetables and a little bit of sweet potato. But I passed up the rolls, the drink, and the dessert, and I kept my portions within reasonable limits. So I'll give myself an A- for controlling my caloric intake while deviating a little from my strict plant-based nutritional program.

I am happy to report that the day after Thanksgiving my weight was down 0.4 pound from the previous day and the lowest I have ever weighed here in Spain! When was the previous time in my life that I lost weight on Thanksgiving? The answer to that question is easy: NEVER.

The next big challenge will be on Monday, when we have our Temple Missionary Conference and another Thanksgiving dinner. I'll report back on how that goes.

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Mashed Cauliflower (Mock-Potatoes) Update

Today I made the mock-potatoes recipe listed below. Here are a few important notes I want to add for anyone who has yet to make them.

1. BE SURE TO BLOT! So, I admit I'm impatient. I blotted the cooked cauliflower a few times and called it good. Nope. It wasn't. In fact, next time, I think I may actually let the cauliflower sit on the counter a while for some of the moisture to evaporate. Be sure to get out as much moisture as you can before you make these or they will be RUNNY!

2. Vegetable broth added great flavor, but even though I used the concentrate, it added enough moisture to make my already runny 'potatoes' TOO RUNNY. And, if you don't love the taste of vegetables (if you want it to taste more like real potatoes) skip the vege broth altogether. 

3. So, I smashed them with a masher first and didn't like the consistency so I put them in my blender. That was an epic fail. Unless you have a Blendtec or a Vegematic or whatever (something better than my 10 dollar Walmart blender), then trying to blend them is useless. The blades spin and nothing happens. 

4. I decided that, in order to thicken the mixture, I'd add tofu. I added about 6 oz of super firm tofu, WELL DRAINED. That helped and didn't change the flavor (plus added protein). I plan to use tofu with mine from now on. 

5. The mixture was STILL too runny so I gently spooned it into a small rectangular baking dish and put it in the oven on 200 degrees for about an hour, hour and a half, stirring gently every 30 minutes. I kept the temperature low because I was worried I'd over-cook them, when really, all I was trying to do was get out extra moisture.

Guess what? That seemed to do the trick. The final product was similar in color and texture to instant mashed potatoes, although it wouldn't fool anyone, especially once they tasted them. It still tasted really good, actually. Now that I've made them once (and made mistakes), I think I can do a much better job next time. Just remember to BLOT BLOT BLOT. And try adding tofu--I'm glad I did, and like I said, I'll do that from now on. 

I tried to load a photo of my dish, but my phone is being dumb...so I'll try to post it later.

The China Study

On of the most life-changing books I have ever read (apart from the scriptures) is The China Study, by T. Colin Campbell and Thomas M. Cambell. I will try to summarize this amazing study and it's findings.

Campbell (the father, who was a Cornell professor of nutrition) was given an amazing opportunity to study the relationship between diet and disease in China. He had seen data that showed huge differences in cancer rates from one county to the next in China, even though 87% of the population was of the same ethnic group, the Han people, and therefore would be genetically similar. He was invited to head a team to answer these questions: Why was cancer so high in some rural Chinese counties and not in others? Why were these differences so incredibly large? (For example, the range of age-adjusted death rates from all cancers varied from 35 deaths per 100,000 people per year in some counties to 721 deaths per 100,000 people per year in other counties!) And Why was the overall cancer rate in China less than in the U.S.?

The team gathered data on 37 variables, administered questionnaires and took blood samples of 6,500 adults, took urine samples, and actually observed everything families ate over a three-day period of people around the country. It is to date the most massive nutritional study ever undertaking and involved some 20,000 Chinese workers to assist in the study.

Effects of Blood Cholesterol on Cancer

As blood cholesterol levers drop from 170 (mg/dL) to 90, the following cancers decreased (with a statistical certainty of a correlation given in parentheses): liver (95%), rectum (99.9%), colon (99%), male lung (95%), adult leukemia (95%), adult brain (95%). There was also a strong correlation (but less than 95%) for cancers of the breast, lung, childhood leukemia, chidhood brain, stomach and esophagus.

These results do NOT mean that the cholesterol itself is causing the cancer but that those who eat a diet that leads to low cholesterol have much less probability of getting cancer.

For example, as the intake of meat (95%), milk, eggs, fish (95-99%), fat (95%) goes up, blood cholesterol goes up. And as the intake of plant protein (95%), soluble fiber (95-99.9%), plant carotenes, fruit, potatoes, and cereal grains go up, blood cholesterol goes down.

Effects of Blood Cholesterol on Heart Disease

The average level of blood cholesterol among rural Chinese was 127, compared to the average of 217 for Americans. Overall, the death rate from heart disease was 17 times higher among American men that rural Chinese men. (The American death rate from breast cancer was 5 times higher than the rural Chinese rates.)
In southwestern Chinese provinces of Sichuan and Guizhou counties, where cholesterol levels of below 150, during a three-year period (1973-1975), not one single perons died of heard disease before the age of 65.

In summary, those Chinese counties where the diet was almost exclusively plant based, the incidence of cancer and heart disease were extremely low, where as those counties that consumed more animal products was much higher--but not as high as the meat-eating Americans.

Fat Intake and Breast Cancer

Though not part of the China Study itself, the follow chart was published in The China Study the book. Look at the strong correlation between fat intake and breast cancer among countries of the world.

The lesson is clear: A low-fat diet is strongly correlated with lower breast cancer.

I know I haven't done The China Study justice, but I wanted to point out a few good reasons for us to stick to our whole-food plant-based nutritional program.

Sue's Easiest Chips-n-Chili EVER!

In an effort to help Dad achieve his goal of making 5 new recipes before the end of the year, I'm posting some of the dishes I love. Here's one.

I was looking for an easy meatless chili recipe, but couldn't find one so I made my own. You may not have access to the ingredients I used, but might be able to find good substitutes where you live. 



These photos are taken with my phone, so they aren't very good. Sorry.

Anyway, for the "chili", I used only two things. 

1. Blue Runner Chili Starter
2. Taco Bell Mexican Rice




The Chili Starter is meatless (you're supposed to add your own meat), so alone, it's quite runny. I decided to add rice to give it some substance, and in this case, added flavor. First, I cooked the rice according to the package directions (90 seconds in the microwave) then added it to the chili starter and then heated them both together until hot. That's it! Delicious with my home-made chips.

The Chili Starter contains the following ingredients:
 
Red Kidney Beans, Water, Onions, Celery, Green Bell Pepper, Tomato Puree (Tomato Concentrate, [Water, And Tomato Paste), Citric Acid), Minced Garlic, Salt, Cotton Seed Oil, Minced Onion, Ground Chili Peppers, Black Pepper, Red Pepper.

There are several versions of Blue Runner Chili Starter available, the one shown as well as one made with four or five different types of beans. I've used both and love them equally. I found this chili starter at my local Walmart, but it may be regional, in which case, you'll have to improvise (or order it online). I'm sure other brands are available, and it can be bought in 'dry' form, too (dehydrated, in a box).

The Mexican Rice contains the following ingredients:

Long grain rice, tomatoes, onions, peppers 

Other versions of Mexican rice could be used. Brown rice and salsa would be a great tasting, easy alternative as well.  


I miss chips!! So...here's how I made my own. Super easy!

You'll need:

Soft corn tortillas
Pam or other cooking spray (optional)
salt (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees. Yes, only 150 degrees. 

2. Cut tortillas into wedges or strips 


2. Spray Pam onto cookie sheet (or use no-stick cookie sheet) and place wedges or strips onto pan. Spread evenly (although strips can be more than a single layer deep)

3. Bake at 150 degrees for 45 minutes to 2 hours (depends on the degree of crispness you want). Check after the first 30 minutes, using tongs to 'stir' chips around. Check again every 15 to 30 minutes, stirring chips until all the chips are crunchy. Do not over bake or chips will turn brown. 

4. While chips are still warm, lightly spray with Pam and dust with salt, if desired. 

These chips are okay alone, but much better when eaten with chili or used in a meatless taco salad. Enjoy!!

Pear-Cranberry Crumble

Last week I attended a party, nervous about what I'd be able to eat. I didn't want to draw attention to myself by not participating in the festivities (and had to attend the party since I was on the planning committee). I knew everyone would bring a dessert and I'd be tempted to eat them. Luckily, one of my friends is a semi-whole foods eater and brought this amazing recipe. It was so yummy (and I'm not a fan of pears or cranberries, so that's really saying something)! I've included the recipe as well as a few alternatives that you might try (though I can't vouch for them personally). 

This recipe can also be found in the Forks to Knives:A Plant Based Way to Health book by Gene Stone.







Topping:

1/2 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1/4 cup white whole wheat flour (regular whole wheat flour may work, too)
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons agave nectar (or honey)

Filling:

3 cups peeled, cubed Bosc pears 
2 cups fresh cranberries (or frozen if fresh aren't available)
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 1/2 tablespoons cornstarch

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. For the topping, combine the oats, walnuts, flour, cinnamon, and nutmeg in medium bowl and mix well, then add agave nectar and mix until crumbled. Set aside.

3. For the filling, combine all the filling ingredients in a large bowl; mix well.

4. Transfer the pear mixture into a deep-dish pie plate and sprinkle the topping mixture over the top. Bake for about one hour, until the filling is bubbly and the top is lightly browned. Cool for 1 hour before serving.

Severs 8 to 10

Tips: 

Bosc pears are recommended because they hold their shape and don't get mushy when cooked. Other types of pears may work fine, however.

Len didn't like the cranberries (they were rather tart). I have seen similar recipes call for raspberries instead so if you aren't a fan of cranberries, try something else. Also, the recipe can be made with apples and blueberries instead of the pears and cranberries. 

This was sooo good that I had a second helping. There is some sugar (agave nectar, brown sugar), but I think it's a fairly good alternative to some of the high sugar, high fat desserts we're exposed to around the holidays. It helped me enjoy my party and still stay on track. Let me know what you think!
 

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Mashed Cauliflower (Mock-Potatoes)

I ate these at a church function (and went back for seconds!) before I found out they weren't mashed potatoes, but mashed cauliflower instead. My friend's recipe is different than the one I found online so I'll post both (first the online version, then hers). Although I still eat and enjoy potatoes, this is a great way to get added vegetables into my diet. 





 (Online version)
   
Ingredients: 

  • 1 medium head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets (about 6 to 7 cups)
  • 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
  • Sea salt and ground black pepper, to taste 
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add cauliflower and cook until very tender, about 10 minutes. Reserve 1/4 cup of the cooking liquid and then drain well and transfer cauliflower to a food processor. Add oil and reserved water, 1 tablespoon at a time, and puree until smooth. (Or, mash cauliflower with a potato masher). Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Nutritional Info: 
Per Serving:110 calories (80 from fat), 9g total fat, 1g saturated fat, 0mg cholesterol, 330mg sodium, 8g carbohydrate (3g dietary fiber, 3g sugar), 3g protein
   
(Loretta Barrow's version)
Ingredients:
  •  1 medium head cauliflower, trimmed and cut into small florets
  •  vegetable broth or unsweetened soy or almond milk (to add as needed for consistency)
  •  salt, pepper or other seasonings, to taste
Steam cauliflower in microwave or on stove until very tender. Drain completely, using paper towels to "pat" up any access moisture. Use food processor for smooth 'potatoes' or mash for chunky, adding vegetable broth (or milk) until desired consistency is reached. Season to taste. Serve hot. 

Layered Tex-Mex Lasagna Part II

So, Suzanne's blog on the Layered Tex-Mex Lasagna inspired me to try it. I followed every one of her recommended changes. I used less tomato sauce, less corn, more salt, parchment paper, and even cut some corners that she recommended and some of my own.

First, I used refried beans rather than cooking and mashing them. This is the top layer of the bean mix. As you can see, it has corn (less than the amount called for), olives, red onions (I didn't have green onions), and spices. You can probably see that I don't have an excess of tomato sauce:

After two layers of corn torillas, I ran out, so I substituted some flour tortillas on the top layer.

I then added the last layer of tomato sauce and covered the dish with cooking parchment.

This is how it turned out.

After adding lettuce, it was a delicious meal! I had two helpings. Beverly had four! So it must have been a success.

Here's what I'm going to try in the future:
  1. Rather than adding individual spices to the tomato sauce, I'm going to just add taco or fajita seasoning. I think it will be faster and taste better.
  2. I'm going to continue to use refried beans, as mentioned above.
  3. I hope to use green onions the next time. They would have a better flavor.
  4. I'm going to add green and maybe red peppers next time, just to add more vegetables, flavor and texture.
To meet my year-end goal of trying 8 new dishes, I now only have 7 more to go. Any more ideas, Sue?

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

Protein in a Plant-Based Nutritional Program

How can you get enough protein on a plant-based nutritional program (PBNP)? This is the most common question that vegans and vegetarians get. I don't like those terms, but when I explain that I am on a PBNP, this is one of the first things people want to know.

Executive Summary
If you don't want to read the details below, here's a summary:
  1. It's a myth that plants don't have complete proteins. It's true that some plants, like corn and rice, are low in one of the essential amino acids, but plants like beans, spinach, and broccoli, are complete proteins, that is, they contain all the essential amino acids, just like eggs.
  2. It's a myth that all meats have better protein quality than plants. For example, the amino acid score for beef is 94 (a score of 100 or more means a complete protein, so beef is close), whereas the score for pinto beans is 105 (scores above 100 mean that the food has not only all the essential amino acids but in  ratio that is closer to the perfect ratio).
  3. It's also a myth that to get complete protein from vegetables and grains, you have to match complementary foods in the same meal. For example, corn is low in lysine, and Romaine lettuce is low in methionine. If you eat them together, you'll have a complete protein. That's true. But in fact, you don't have to eat them in the same meal. You just have to eat them within the same day or two to get the benefits of a whole protein.
  4. On the other hand, vegetarians and vegans like to say that it's easy to get all the protein you need on a plant-based diet. It's certainly possible. But it takes planning and effort
Amino Acid Scores
The information in this section was gleaned from the website SelfNutritionData, which is not a vegetarian or vegan website but just a general nutrition website.

What is an amino acid score (AAS)? Protein quality is dependent on having all the essential amino acids in the proper proportions. If one or more amino acid is not present in sufficient amounts, the protein in your diet is considered incomplete. A complete protein source is a food that contains all the essential amino acids in relatively good ratios. A score of 100 means that the protein is complete. A score higher than 100 means that the ratio is approaching the idea ratio for the amino acids required in the human diet. A score less than 100 means that one of more essential amino acids is not in sufficient abundance for the protein to be considered complete.

Quality of Protein
Let's look a some examples.These charts not only give the overall scores but show the relative amounts of each essential amino acid:
As you can see, eggs really are a great source of protein and corn isn't. No surprise there. But spinach, beans, and broccoli have higher quality protein than milk and beef.

Amount of Protein
Of course, the quality of protein is only part of the story. The other part is the quantity. So here is a comparison of the number of calories and the number of grams of protein in one cup of each of the following:

Eggs: 367 Cal, 24 g protein
1% Milk: 102 Cal, 8 g protein
Pinto beans: 206 Cal, 12 g protein
Spinach: 7 Cal, 1 g protein

So to get the amount of protein in a cup of eggs (about 3.5 large eggs), you'd have to eat two cups of beans and 24 cups of spinach.

Most of us need 50-70 g protein per day, so you can see that you have to eat a lot of vegetables. If you aren't trying to lose weight, it isn't so difficult. But if you are eating only 1500 Cal per day, you have to plan your diet carefully to get enough protein.

The bottom line for me is that I'm trying harder to eat more beans and spinach to make sure I'm getting enough protein.

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Here's some whole food plant based recipes that we have tried and liked. I don't have pictures of the completed dishes, but some of these recipes are among the pictures that Scott posted on Zimmerman Gazette. If you try any of these recipes, please let me know how you adapted or improved them.

Whole Wheat Bread

1 tbsp applesauce
2 tbsp honey
1 ½ cups hot water
2 tsp sea salt
1 packet of active dry yeast
3 ½ cups whole wheat flour (gently spooned into measuring cups and leveled with a knife)

Combine liquid ingredients plus salt in a large bowl. Sprinkle yeast on top and mix. Add one cup of flour and mix. Gradually add rest of flour, mixing as you go until the dough forms a soft ball.

Turn out dough on to lightly floured surface and with lightly floured hands knead for 8-10 minutes, adding a small amount of flour to the surface if the dough begins to stick. [I usually knead this right in the bowl because I don't have much countertop space.] Place dough ball in a lightly floured or lightly oiled large bowl. Cover and leave for 45 minutes to an hour. The dough should double in size.

Place dough on lightly floured surface again and knead just a few times to knock it down. Form a ball once again, return to glass bowl. Cover and allow let rise again for 30 minutes. Shape the dough into a rectangle and drop in to a lightly oiled or nonstick 9 inch by 5 inch loaf pan. Cover with a clean tea cloth and let rise for 45 minutes.  Bake in preheated 400 degree oven for 25-30 minutes.


Stuffed Mushrooms

40 large white mushrooms
1 red bell pepper
1/2 medium onion
3 green onions
1 tsp oregano
6 tbsp breadcrumbs with Italian seasoning
1/4 cup fresh parsley

Preheat oven to 400 F degrees. Clean the mushrooms and gently remove the stems from them. Place the mushrooms stem side down on a baking sheet and bake until the liquid leaks out of them (about 15 minutes) then place the mushrooms stem side down on some paper towels to soak up any additional liquid.

Chop up about half the mushroom stems in very small pieces. Chop the onion, green onions, red bell pepper, roasted pepper and parsley. Heat 2 tbsp of olive oil in a skillet. Add the mushrooms stems, red pepper, roasted pepper, green onion and onion to the skillet and saute. Add the oregano and salt and pepper. Saute for about 5 minutes until pepper and onion are tender.

Transfer the stuffing to a bowl and let it cool a bit. Add the parsley, breadcrumbs and mix well. Place the mushrooms stem side up on the baking sheet and fill them with the stuffing, generously. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve warm.
 
Minestrone
5 cups vegetable broth
1 medium onion, chopped fine
2 medium sized cloves garlic, chopped
1 stalk celery, diced (to yield about 1/2 cup)
2 medium sized carrots, peeled and diced into 1/2-inch pieces (to yield about 1 cup)
1-1/2 cups finely chopped kale (optional) 
1/4 cup diced portabello mushrooms, black gills cut out and discarded
1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
1 Tablespoon Italian herbs or seasoning
2 cups navy beans cooked and drained
pasta (optional)
Dash salt and black pepper to taste
Chop and measure ingredients. Heat 1 tablespoon of the broth in a medium soup pot. Sauté onion in broth over medium heat for 5 minutes stirring frequently. Add garlic and continue to sauté for another minute. Add broth and rest of ingredients except beans and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil on high heat, reduce heat to low and continue cooking, uncovered for 45 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add pasta after 30 minutes if desired. Add beans, cook for another couple minutes, season with salt and pepper, and serve.

 
Broccoli Potato Soup

2 bunches broccoli
1onion, chopped
4 cups vegetable broth
1 russet potato, peeled, cut into 1” pieces
Salt and ground black pepper
Remove and discard tough lower stalk of each broccoli. Peel remaining stalk. Finely chop stalk and florets (you should have about 4 cups). Set aside. Sauté the onion in water (about 10 minutes).  Add vegetable stock and potato and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potato is almost tender, about 12 minutes. Stir in chopped florets. Simmer until potato and broccoli are very tender, about 10 minutes. Remove soup from heat and purée in a blender until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve hot with crusty bread.
 

Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons lukewarm water, (105-115°F)
1 package active dry yeast, (2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1 cup all-purpose flour
Cornmeal for dusting

Stir water, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl; let stand until the yeast has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Stir in whole-wheat flour and all-purpose flour until the dough begins to come together. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and set aside in a warm, draft-free place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

The dough can be turned into 4-6 personal-size pizzas. After kneading, divide the dough into 4 or 6 equal balls. Brush with oil and place 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Cover and set aside until doubled in size, about 1 hour. Roll each portion into a 6-to-8-inch circle.  

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll a ball of dough with a rolling pin until it will not stretch any further. Then, drape it over both of your fists, and gently pull the edges outward, while rotating the crust. When the circle has reached the desired size, place on a well oiled pizza pan dusted with corn meal. Top with your favorite toppings, such as sauce and vegetables.  Bake for 16 to 20 minutes (depending on thickness) in the preheated oven, until the crust is crisp and golden at the edges.
 
Chicken-less Dumplings
 1 - 1 lb. bag (about 3 cups) mixed frozen vegetables
4 cups water or vegetable broth
1/2 large onion chopped
1 tablespoon soy sauce 
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 teaspoon coriander
1/8 teaspoon marjoram
1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
Dash of cumin
Black pepper, to taste
Dumplings
1 1/2 cups unbleached flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon lemon pepper
1 cup soy milk
2 teaspoons applesauce
1/2 teaspoon apple cider vinegar
In a large pot place mixed vegetables, water, onion, soy sauce, garlic powder, poultry seasoning, coriander, marjoram, sugar, salt, cumin and pepper on medium heat and cook 8 to 10 minutes.

While vegetables are cooking mix together the dumpling ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl. First mix together the dry ingredients, flour, baking powder, salt, lemon pepper, yeast flakes. Mix together the wet, rice milk, oil and vinegar, in a separate small mixing bowl, then pour in with the dry ingredients and mix together. Spoon out about a 1 inch sized dumpling and drop the dough in the pot. Stir the dumplings carefully and cook for 12 to 15 minutes. Carefully stir them around 2 or 3 times while they cook.


 
Baked Egg Rolls 
egg roll wrappers
soy sauce or pineapple juice
mushrooms
Napa cabbage
carrots
green onions
celery
bean sprouts
¼ cup tofu (optional)
salt/pepper
Wash and dice the cabbage and other vegetables. Heat up the soy sauce or pineapple juice and stir-fry the mushrooms for 1 minute. Then add the cabbage and carrots and stir-fry until the cabbage is slightly wilted. Add the green onions, celery and bean sprouts and stir-fry until the bean sprouts are slightly softened. Stir in the tofu then remove from heat.
Put the egg roll wrapper in a bowl of hot water for 10-15 seconds until it is soft. Then place a large spoonful of the mixture onto the middle of the egg roll wrapper. Fold two corners over the cabbage filling then wrap the other two corners.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Bake the egg rolls for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown on top. Remove the cookie sheet from the oven, turn the egg rolls over and bake for another 10 minutes or until the egg rolls are crispy on all sides.

Tallarin Saltado (Stir-Fry Noodles)
 
16 oz spaghetti noodles – boiled and drained (toss with a little oil to prevent sticking)
½  large red onion, cut lengthwise in 1/4″ strips
2 tomatoes, cut in thin wedges
cabbage, celery, kale, broccoli, mushrooms and/or other vegetables
Chinese onions (green onions) cut in half inch pieces
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
teaspoon of thin strips of ginger – optional
salt and pepper to taste
In a large frying pan or wok, stir-fry the onion and tomato for a minute. Add the vinegar, soy sauce and ginger – stir fry together 1 minute. Now put in the noodles and chopped chives, and mix everything together well, stir fry 1 or 2 minutes more. Serve on large plates, garnish with a bit of parsley or a little more chopped chive.