@bisky and @LizLovesVeggies - I SO agree with you about this: "you can't out-exercise a bad diet." I tell people all the time, when they ask me how I lost all the weight, that the keys were changing what I ate and paying attention to portions (logging and measuring).

@bisky - Your early morning bike trip sounds lovely! Deer are so beautiful and quiet. I am still seeing the occasional spotted fawn, and they just are so lovely.
And a big YUM to the mango!

@magic71755 - You are still rocking and rolling on your juices. Is it continuing to help with inflammation and better sleeping?
Oh, and I now want some watermelon!

@LizLovesVeggies - Your menu looks great! I love red lentil dal, too!

@Mihani - Your decluttering stories continue to inspire me! My office needs a major declutterm, and I am determined to get some of that done this week!

The Austin report:
SO sorry to be quiet. It's the start of the school year, which is being super busy and crazy (though not a Mihani level of schedule, I think!).
And there's too much clutter in my office (where I now need to spend more time), which feels like it is adding to the crazy.
On the plus side, we installed an over-the-range microwave oven, and getting 2 1/2 feet of counter space in our small kitchen feels like a major remodel. And also the microwave oven works (old one was dying and had to be used in 90 second bursts - really tiresome).

My ETL eating is going well. Today:
B- coffee, green smoothie (cauli, spinach, blueberries, cashew milk); goji berries; almond butter
L- steamed mushrooms; steamed mustard greens with homemade fermented hot sauce; savory baked tofu; squash with tomatoes and onions; steamed butternut and apple for dessert
S (planned)- apple slices & almond butter
D (planned)- big salad (kale, romaine, roasted beets, bell pepper); avocado lemon dressing; steamed butternut and apple for dessert
I got in a walk this morning, and plan to get is some more movement late today. Yay!

Liz, your preps sound AHmazing! I will have to check out the veganfitness thing. I tend to do better when things are simple and I am fine with eating same meals for several days in a row. I don't like tracking calories and macros though. It throws my OCD into overdrive. LOL

Bisky, definitely going to be nice once all the stuff is out of here. The entire house is done except for my office, and once I finish that I can get people in to haul things off. It has been a very long process. I echo Magic's comment thanks to Brooks for his service, and you too!

Austin, what a great day ETL eating and exercise! I wish you luck on your office decluttering.

Sloth, sure hope that things are looking up for you health-wise soon and that your efforts to get back to healthy habits help with that.

Magic, menu sounds great and I hope your melons are tasty. I have been sorely disappointed by a couple of the ones I've had lately.

I'm out of sorts today. I brought work home but think I'm probably going to bed super early instead. I am just worn out. And it's only Tuesday.

I had a bit of an off day. Ate my healthy foods, but also had some junky stuff. My junky stuff is not terrible honestly, but crackers and rice cakes and etc. I think going to bed early is my best bet for a better tomorrow. Fatigue = hunger for me.

I miss Carla and Lia, hope they stop by soon.

I've never tried pho yet Magic, but there's a place right by where I get my hair done that has a vegan version and I keep thinking I should run in for carryout next time I get my hair done.

Better day of eating today, catching up on sleep helped.

B - sprouted grain toast with a little PB and a banana
L - Dr. McDougall miso ramen soup
D - HUGE salad with lots of veggies, some chickpeas, sunflower seeds

magic71755 wrote: »

oatmeal with homemade oat milk, NOT SLIMY

I'm not sure exactly what this means. But it made me smile.

I had a good ETL day yesterday. We went over to visit some friends and watch some pre-season football 🏈 stuff together (Hard Knocks, plus a bit of our team's preseason game; our team looks to be terrible this year, oh well). Anyway, I took my food, including my huge salad and lived through my husband holding it up in all its bigness to show it off. Totally a 3rd grade, don't-look-at-me-being-different moment! Funny afterwards but a moment of complete horror. My husband is bone deep fearless about looking different. Me, not so much! 😱 😆

On a foodie note, salad dressing had to be different yesterday and will be today because we broke our immersion blender. New part is on the way, but I had to do something a little different. Last time I made a dressing with apple cider vinegar, white miso and some very fresh and fragrant dried oregano (picked up at my local east Asian and middle Eastern market). It was delicious! So that dressing is on the menu again today.

So SO much work to do to be prepped for classes next week. I am looking to get a bunch of that done today and over the long weekend.

The big treat on today's agenda is a coffee-and-writing meeting with a friend. I have gotten in a couple of writing sessions this week, and am working my way up to a daily practice.

Yesterday:
B- blueberry-broccoli-spinach smoothie; side of almond butter and goji berries; coffee
L- turnip greens with diced turnips topped with homemade fermented hot sauce (time to make more this weekend!); savory baked tofu; steamed mushrooms; zucchini, tomato & onion bowl with spices (including a new one aleppo/Turkish pepper!); steamed butternut and apples with cinnamon
S- apple slices and almond butter
D- huge salad with ETL-friendly dressing; zucchini, tomato & onion bowl with spices; steamed butternut and apples with cinnamon

Only @mihani could put the labor back into Labor Day.

@magic71755 Cheap Lazy Vegan sounds right up my alley. Except, I am SO lazy... combing 2 ingredients, is just about my limit.

@bisky The tests did not go my way. In a nutshell, I've been fatigued beyond belief for months. Not that any Dr's really 'doubted' me... but until certain blood tests came back SO far out of whack... I don't think they really understood how much it sucked to be me. My 'CRP' was 15X beyond normal. The hematologist started me on Prednisone, but the latest tests don't show improvement, so he reckons that's not the course of action. Now, I'm being weened off the Prednisone, and going for more tests.

High CRP apparently indicates inflammation, infection, or cancer. I have been amazed, how every Dr I've seen, flings the word 'cancer' around.... 'it could be cancer...' I'm like... ya but it's probably inflammation or infection. When did Dr's stop sugarcoating everything for the patient.?

Anyhow, I'm off work, so there's that.

Sloth, I agree with Bisky. Need to stay on the docs and get some answers.

Austin, the Asian salad dressing sounds delish. I like "theme" salads but usually just throw all the veggies in a bowl and go. Hope you're getting through all your projects!

Magic, are you working the holiday weekend?

Donna, are your eyes cleared up yet?

I'm off to work shortly. It was nice to sleep in until 7:30 (I'm usually at the office by that time) and I imagine I will only stay at the office 6 hours or so today and tomorrow, then bring work home to do on Monday. I am seriously considering a one day water fast for Monday. Just for fun.

Plan today:
B - sprouted grain muffin with PB, a banana
L - big ol' salad with all the stuff
D - boca burger, corn on the cob, baked beans

Happy weekend, all!
I started my weekend off by waking up really early (before 5), and doing a bunch of work, then headed out for a long martial arts class. I came home and had to have lunch and a short nap. Now I am about to head to the grocery store, as I am running low on supplies!

@sloth3toes - Wow. I am so sorry you are dealing with so much, and glad that they at least have a test result that has them taking how you feel seriously. As Bisky and Mihani say, keep bugging them to work with you on this. And of course keep taking care of yourself, to try to help your body fight that probable inflammation or infection.

@magic71755 - Your new Chipotle sauce sounds yummy!
Your testimonial to the results of all you have done to improve your health is so inspiring!

@Mihani - I hope you are home by now, and getting in some relaxation!

@Bisky - How is your case of contact dermatitis? Clearing up yet?

Thank you all for being part of this ETL community. I am so glad to know other people on this journey. I really appreciate hearing about your food ideas, resources, and your lives in general!

Awesome Mihani! I frequently cycle through rooms after I thought I had cleared out and happily find more things to get rid of. I think it makes it easier to live. Remember, some of the sentimental stuff or papers you are not sure of take a picture and then toss!

Sloth - I think we all care and don't mind discussing medical issues or offering encouragement, support and advice. Sometimes it is easier to talk here than with family. You are on the right track. I wish I could be full on Eat to Live but I like wine, chocolate and carbs (cookies, chips and bread - the bad kind) ...I think we all are just trying to find balance in our lives. That is what I love about this forum...it is very non judgemental but offers information, support and place safe to share.

Fruit vegan smoothie this morning! Walk dogs and then bike ride. We have a bunch of toads in our back yard and Brooks made toad houses for them with rocks but they still like to hide in our planters.

Happy Weekend!