Mindful March!
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Mornin' all. I thought I got up reasonably early for a Sunday but I forgot about the time change so really I slept in until 8:00 instead of 7:00.
I ordered a Ninja personal blender that should arrive tomorrow. I like smoothies but my blender doesn't do a great job on them and it's a pain to clean every day so I don't usually have smoothies. I have a big container of baby spinach that is approaching best by date plus some bananas that are going to go bad if I don't freeze them, so I'll put together some smoothie packs and throw them in the freezer. Will have spinach, half a banana, berries, chia/flax seeds, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon. I'll add water and a scoop of amazing grass when I am ready to blend.
Getting ready to clean and prep some collards and chard so I'm all set to cook tomorrow night. I'm doing my second day of juice today. I skipped yesterday because I was getting together with the family. Tomorrow I'll make a big skillet of the greens, onion, cauliflower, and beans that I can eat the rest of the week.
Salads this week are romaine and red leaf, radish, peppers, zucchini. Not sure what dressing I'll make but probably the shane and simple vinaigrette. It's so easy that it has become my go to.
Also have several small butternut squash my boss picked up at the farm market. I think I'll roast that.
For fruit this week I have apples, cantaloupe, clementines. Plus the fruit in the smoothies.
All set for a good week!
Now just waiting for a load of clothes to get dry so I can hang them up and get up to my desk for the rest of the day.
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Hello all! I haven't been here for quite a long time, but during a rather tough 2021 I let my health slip into "last place". I decided it's time to get back to eating as close to WFPB as I can. I've been at it for about 3 weeks and feeling good. I have built up an arsenal of tools to make eating healthy easier like quality knives, an air fryer (tomorrow, air fryer okra), and a Yonana machine. I'm enjoying trying new recipes. Last week I made the BBQ baked beans from Plant Based Dads (youtube) in the Instant Pot. Absolutely delicious!
Still an overload of stress and drama in our lives right now, but since it's not going away, making health a priority is a must.0 -
Hiya C&HP... long time no see. I will have to look up that bean recipe. I love baked bans.
Better day but still not perfect...
B - ezekiel toast with almond butter, cantaloupe
L - leftover soup
S - pretzels
D - big ol' salad topped with some lentils and rice
I'm quite enjoying the soup that I made. The cauliflower breaks down making it seem thicker and more filling.
More work to do tonight so off I go. I think it's safe to say I am going to be working like this for another month.0 -
Hi CHP, nice work on the 3 weeks! I have a big air fryer that I use all of the time. I rarely use the oven anymore.
Ugh! Mihani, that job of yours... hope you're able to keep up your exercise and mindfulness through the month.
Second physio appointment this morning. My shoulder is still more sore than last week before I reinjured it, so we'll see how it goes.
I'm prepping 2 of the tapestries for a juried submission. I thought the deadline was today, but I double checked and I have until next Monday, which is great because I need to get some hardware to hang the bigger one.
today:
smoothie w/ lots of greens, blueberries, almond milk, flax seeds etc
oranges or an apple with nut butter
water fried mixed veggies, maybe over whole wheat noodles, with a gingery sauce0 -
Good morning, lovelies!
Welcome back CHP! Three weeks in the books is a fantastic start!
Good luck with physio, Carla. I know I had to have a heart to heart about the degree of pain I could withstand. And they listened to me. Now, my right knee is not that much better than my left, before surgery, so I had to talk to them about making sure not over doing the right knee while rehabbing my left. They listened.
Oh, Mihani...you sweet thing...I don't know how you do it. Tax season! Bah Humbug!
I love Chelsea Mae--she just does not tell you what to eat but she goes into the whys and makes it all so doable--her personality totally grabs you...my top three...Chels, Cheap Lazy Vegan and Well Your World.
Carla, you are so talented...love everything you knit...so lovely.
Ok, so I have not been doing great...not horrible...just not great...going to try and right the ship today. No gaining, no losing. I go back to work a month from today...I have zero excuses to not be eating better.
today
coffee with foamed oat milk
tofu scramble (never made it) vegan blueberry recipe
big salad (never made it) Chels recipe
simple dinner (potatoes, peppers and cukes...all dippers, courtesy of Chels)
slice toast and thin layer of PB for dessert
Later, mates.
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UPdate on my day...
coffee with oat milk
tofu scramble with spinach, onions, sun dried tomatoes no oil...really good.
swam! Made a friend. Going to our little areA'S social afternoon gathering tomorrow.
lunch...made Chels' salad..was not as pretty as hers...and I used rice I had made and froze...used seaweed snacks and bundled some of the salad in those great contrast in flavors
Finally...actually did something good for myself. Now, I have earned a nap!0 -
Hope your physio appointment went well, Carla. Excited for you getting to enter your tapestries in the exhibit!
Nanc, I love tofu scramble! I just picked up some tofu on the way home but all they had in stock was extra firm and I find medium to firm best for scrambles. I'll probably just bake this. Glad you were able to communicate with your PTs.
Managed to get out of the office on time today and ran to the small grocery for a few odds and ends. Just had dinner and heading up to my desk.
B - ezekiel toast with almond butter, honeydew
L - leftover soup
S - pretzels of course
D - salad plus more lettuce and some cucumber in a wrap, an apple
Tomorrow I'm going to eat fruit with my lunch and see if that fills me up enough that I can stay out of the damn pretzels.
The ninja personal blender arrived today so I'll be having a smoothie for breakfast. Can't wait to try it out.0 -
OH goodness...where did my post go...oh well...here's the reader's digest version...
coffee with oat milk
left over tofu scramble, will cook up more spinach
Daring chicken lettuce wrap, original https://www.daring.com/
salad: leafy greens, cabbage, carrots, cukes, bell peppers, green onions, celery, rice, some kind of dressing
toast and pb for dessert
pt today...swim after...might go might not go to social at 4. supposed to bring a dish and your own drink...ain't got time for that. so, we'll see. maybe TJs chips and corn salsa.
HAGDE
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Swimming? Awesome! Was that your first swim since the surgery, Nanc? Did you meet your new friend at the pool? Glad to hear you talked to your physical therapist and that they listened!
Hope the new ninja works great, Mihani. I love how easy it is to get greens in the morning with a smoothie.
My PT appointment yesterday went well. I was booked with someone new, and I prefer working with her. My next 3 out of 4 appointments are with her. She did about 5 minutes of massage therapy at the end and that was amazing. I am really sore this morning though.
plan:
smoothie
fruit
homemade bean chili w/ slice ezekiel bread0 -
Hope you were able to go to your social, Nanc.
Carla, glad you like your new PT.
I was in the office 11 hours again. Sigh...
Not doing any work tonight. I am going to have a salad and maybe a big glass of wine and go to bed early. I'm worn out. I am going to be working all weekend that's for sure. I very rarely have a drink during the week so I'm debating on that... I don't even have a drink often on the weekends anymore since I'm working all my weekends these days. It just slows me down the next day. I don't seem to process alcohol as well as when I was younger and I feel sluggish even if I only have one or two.
B - smoothie
L - leftover soup (I have quite a bit left and not sure it will be good but maybe one more day made it Sunday)
D - big ol' salad, (maybe) wine
S - pretzels
I didn't eat my fruit with lunch as planned and did get into the pretzels yet again. I have to get it in my head that I don't need the pretzels. It's just irritating when I know I'm fully capable of not eating pretzels and yet keep diving into them.
The smoothie in the ninja was good this morning. I don't think it did any better blending than my regular blender, but it sure is easy to clean up after. I had made up freezer packs to use for smoothies that included baby spinach, blueberries, a few slices of banana, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, chia/flax. So it was super easy to throw in the cup, add water, blend, drink, clean up. I like the cinnamon in there. I seem to want cinnamon on everything lately.
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Austin here. It has been way too long. I have been letting life get away from me, and need to get back on track, and need to connect with others working to stay healthy. It's depressing to have gained some of the weight back, and I am out to kick it back to the curb. Or exhale it, I guess.
I am having a decent day so far:
black coffee (not hungry yet, so leaned into a longer fast)
B - bowl of half pinto beans and half spinach, with some spices, two apples
L - half a large baked potato, big bowl of blueberries & tart cherries, with cider vinegar
S - cashew milk with spices (turmeric, chipotle, ginger, cinnamon, black pepper), apple
D will be big ol' salad plus a bean-based dressing
I got in a morning walk, and will get in an evening walk.
Progress!0 -
Austin!!! Glad to see you back. I was missing your upbeat can-do attitude. That cashew milk with spices sounds delicious. I will have to try that. Approximate measurements? Do you warm it?
I managed to stay out the pretzels today. Woohoo!
B - smoothie
L - sweet earth general tso's tofu (not ideal but not terrible), an apple
D - big ol' salad plus more lettuce in a whole grain wrap, cantaloupe
I have a ton of work to do tomorrow and this weekend, but after that I'm going to try to put the brakes on a bit.
My feeling is I still need to lose about 25 pounds. Compared to when I needed to lose 90 pounds should seem like nothing, but it's such a struggle! Spring and fall are generally my most energetic and motivated seasons of the year so I am going to take advantage of my spring boost to get my butt in gear! Starting with back on the treadmill every morning starting tomorrow. I really slacked off on that after I fell and banged myself up. I still have twinges in my knee now and then but I need to get back in that habit now.
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Austin!!! Glad to see you back. I was missing your upbeat can-do attitude. That cashew milk with spices sounds delicious. I will have to try that. Approximate measurements? Do you warm it?
I managed to stay out the pretzels today. Woohoo!
B - smoothie
L - sweet earth general tso's tofu (not ideal but not terrible), an apple
D - big ol' salad plus more lettuce in a whole grain wrap, cantaloupe
I have a ton of work to do tomorrow and this weekend, but after that I'm going to try to put the brakes on a bit.
My feeling is I still need to lose about 25 pounds. Compared to when I needed to lose 90 pounds should seem like nothing, but it's such a struggle! Spring and fall are generally my most energetic and motivated seasons of the year so I am going to take advantage of my spring boost to get my butt in gear! Starting with back on the treadmill every morning starting tomorrow. I really slacked off on that after I fell and banged myself up. I still have twinges in my knee now and then but I need to get back in that habit now.
Hey, Mihani,
Hurray for staying out of the pretzels!
I have a lot of weight to lose again, so I sympathize. Just eating vegan doesn't do it for me, darn it. I stayed vegan, but allowed in some flour and sugar, and feel like I blew up like a balloon. AH, well. Back to work. At least I am back to work before it ALL comes back.
I went for a nonsweet and very spicy cashew milk. I loved thism, and will do it again,
- 1.25 cup of unsweetened cashew milk, quite warm (microwaved until outside of mug was quite warm but still touchable)
- 1 t turmeric powder
- 1/2 t black pepper
- 1/4 t chipotle powder (I was out of cayenne; now I think I really like chipotle)
- 1/4 t ginger powder
The spices don't dissolve. I just took it to my desk with a spoon and stirred occasionally so that I would get all of the spicy goodness. It was spicy enough to warm my mouth, but not too spicy.
I am eating my big ol' salad, listening to the Great British Baking Show (so soothing; everyone is kind and in a British accent) and catching up here.0 -
Nice to see you, Austin! Your spicy cashew milk reminds me about the 'golden milk' I used to make, which is heavy on tumeric and a little spicy. I'm going to get back into having that in the afternoon or evening when I need a little something. I like the GBB show too.
Yesterday for the first time in ages, I didn't go for a single walk all day. Back at it today. I'm still using the treadmill since my slip on our property. The poor doggos are taking a hit too, because without me leading the charge they aren't getting as much walk time.
I still have a lot of weight to lose. Like you, Mihani, my best seasons are fall and spring, so I need to make the most of them.
Okay, off to get my first treadmill walk done.
Happy Friday!0 -
Austin thanks for the recipe I will definitely give that a try!
Carla, hope you got your treadmill time. We will both spring into better habits!
Our secretary/receptionist gave notice today. I am not surprised or upset, but it's going to make my life even more difficult for some period of time. I am actually hopeful we can get someone way better in there. But it's still training, and I hate that.
B - ezekiel toast with a smidge of almond butter
L - Dr. McD soup and an apple
D - big ol' salad, some cantaloupe
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I missed out on St. Paddy's day...sigh.
Glad you like your new therapist, Carla.
Oh those pretzels, Mihani.. .maybe just enjoy them when you have them. The guilt trip after is ruining it for you. No guilt trip, perhaps less interest. At least that has been the case with me. I have a few vegan goodies in the house that are no longer screaming my name to eat. Might be worth a try.
My sofas arrive today...yay! Patio furniture goes outside. Yay again.
coffee with oat milk
making up a batch of tofu scramble with spinach and onions
carrot/orange/pineapple juice
a big salad for lunch and left over for dinner
Using daring plain as the protein
juice for dessert
HAGDE!0 -
This has been a rough day. I did a little drinking last night. I've been stressed for a while now and the extra (not totally unexpected) surprise of our secretary giving notice, etc. so I had a little too much and was feeling it today. Took a long nap and didn't get as much work done as I should have. Yes, I realize this is NOT the way to handle stress. LOL
We have someone in mind to hire to take her place though, and if we can get her I truly think she is going to make my life immeasurably better. She's very skilled, personable, and detail oriented. Always willing to go the extra mile. I think we'd work well together and she could really help with getting better processes in place so we're working more efficiently.
So today I ate lots of good nutritious food to counteract the alcohol last night.
B - big bowl of oats, blueberries, spices, chia/flax, a few walnut halves, just enough hot water to soften the oats a bit
L - big ol' salad topped with cheezy chickpeas
D - quinoa with water sauteed onions, kale, purple cabbage, carrot, red pepper, garlic and ginger
Salads this week are romaine and spring mix, carrot, radish, red pepper, purple cabbage, beets, green onion. I made the cheezy chickpeas to top the salads rather than a dressing.
Nanc, yay for your new furniture! Post pics when you can. How's your knee feeling?
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Well, Mihani...that is the best news...you're getting someone that is going to fit in nicely and sounds like is going to work like you do...dedicated and full on! When does she start?
Having BLACK coffee...no creamer/milk in the house. It's not bad, but not YUM!
Yesterday's menu got messed up because neighbor came over and I had to eat fast. So, I had an Amy's burrito...tofu scramble for lunch...dinner, don't ask!
breakfast will be tofu scramble in a tortilla...hooked!
lunch...Chels' salad
diinner: Daring chic'n with steamed veggies and homemade French fries.
I bought this...and love it!
Adjustable Mandolin Safe Vegetable Slicer
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085PXMF5F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o06_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Had seen it on TIkTok and knew it had to be on Amazon. Of course. Bought it there so I could return it if it did not work. It works. And it make potato chips. LOVE this thing. Great for making thin cukes to make cuke sammy.
Easy to clean, takes up little space. Easy to use...safety first! French fries are little.
Love my sofas...so worth the wait. Little by little my home is becoming MY home after five years. I had mostly donated furniture and stuff left by previous owner. I need a coffee table and a rug to complete the look FOR NOW. Looking at RUGGABLES.HAPPY FIRST DAY OF SPRING!
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Happy Sunday, all,
Mihani, I so sympathize with the stress! I am crossing my fingers about your prospect for a new secretary.
Carla, I hope you are out enjoying a spring walk with the doggos today!
Magic, hurray for the new furniture!
I have a couple of volunteer projects to work on. One, Scouts, is in good shape. I did a bunch of work on that yesterday.
One is way behind. My impulse is to forget about it and let someone else take up the slack, but right now there isn't anybody up for it. Time to work on things, and also to recruit! I will be working on it today, to see if I can't get things into good shape. I also need to prep for this week's teaching.
Before all that, I have promised myself a good food day and a cope of walks. I am using Dr Greger's app, and one goal now is to be able to check the boxes in the "21 tweaks" section, one of which is 90 minutes of exercise -- walking for me.
Yesterday was a good food day: beans and greens, a big salad, several servings of fruit and two of berries. My current big salad is chopped veggies and a dressing made of half a cup of beans plus ACV and spices. I'll do that again today.0 -
How did I miss your post from the other day...(March 17th)...Austin,
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Well darn, I tried unsuccessfully four times to post pictures of my furniture and it says I’m not allowed to do that that is the weirdest thing I’ll try later0
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Austin, I stopped at the store to get cashew milk and they were OUT so I got almond milk instead. Going to try that lovely sounding spiced warm milk for an evening treat this week. Hope you can get your projects caught up. It's so much pressure always under the gun to finish one thing or another isn't it?
Bummer you couldn't post your pics of the furniture Nanc. Hope it works later. That mandolin looks very cool and may buy one. I have a regular mandolin that I have used maybe twice because the darn thing terrifies me. My brother pointing out that it would cut right down to the bone if I mess up didn't help! LOL The new gal is not a done deal but a good prospect. I'll be disappointed if we can't get her, but if we have to find someone else I want to be extremely selective and make sure we get someone who will be a good fit.
Went to the office for about 4 hours today and not sure whether I'm going to do any more work since I ran a few errands before getting home and I want to do a bunch of cooking. I didn't end up making my sauteed veggies and quinoa last night so I'm getting ready to do that now, along with baked tofu. The veggies, tofu and quinoa will be lunches this week. I am making up a few more packs for smoothies to go in the freezer for breakfasts. I like the ninja personal blender. So easy to clean. Dinners will be salad topped with cheezy chickpeas and I'll make soup later this week when I start running out of preps.
If I'm not prepped for the week then my good intentions go by the wayside so it's important I get the cooking done today. I admit I've been relying on frozen entrees quite a bit the past few weeks. I try to find ones that are very light on the oil and fat, but none of them are as good (nutritionally or flavor) as what I make myself.
B - smoothie with baby spinach and fruit, spices and chia/flax
L - Dr. McD soup and an apple
D - cooked veggies, quinoa, tofu
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Oh goodness...no sleep is now an issue again...I hate this!
PT...two more weeks...six more sessions.
My knee does not bend like some of the peeps in the facebook group*...but it bends enough that there is no more limp when I walk...I can do everything that I do do. So no complaints.
AND no longer am I am in pain from osteo arthritis...so wow, yeah, total success.
today, not sure what...brain is so tired.
*first arthroscopic surgery 1969 with three more after that ending in 1981. So lots of scar tissue that is not budging and limiting bend. I can straighten completely and bend without assist and no tears is 105 degrees.
later, dollies.0 -
Sorry you aren't sleeping again, Nanc. Hope tonight is better or that you got a nice nap in today.
It was a good day!
B - smoothie
L - quinoa with cooked veggies and baked tofu
D - cup of potato soup, big ol' salad
I'm going to bed early tonight. I'm kind of beat.
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Hello, all,
Mihani -- what a great day you had! I hope you are now sleeping well.
Nanc - I hope sleep visits you this evening.
It is great that you are no longer in pain from osteoarthritis. Wow! I salute your dedication to PT. I was at dinner Saturday with someone whose dad has refused to do PT, but is now unhappy with being in a wheelchair. She is so frustrated. He wants the results but won;t do the work. So yay, you, for dealing with a challenge!
I am having a good day:
B - black coffee (extended my fast)
L - steamed broccoli; spinach and turnip greens with black beans and spices*; apple, papaya and mango blend
S - apple and green mango
D - big ole salad with a dressing made with cilantro, cucumber, spices and liquid smoke
* Included my new favorite spice -- black cumin. I looked it up because of Dr Greger.
I am making progress on my projects but need a catnap before I keep going. I slept poorly last night.0 -
I've been meaning to try black cumin, Austin. Thanks for the reminder.
I'm sick again! I spent all day in bed but not feeling too bad now and hopefully can get to the office tomorrow.
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Oh no! Sorry to hear you're sick again, Mihani. Do you think it's the flu? You are probably run down from your crazy schedule. I hope you feel better soon.
Austin, I bought black cumin because of Dr. Greger as well. Now I need to actually remember to put it in things. Would it be a good substitute for regular cumin? It would be easier for me to remember and incorporate if any recipe I have actually called for it!
No massage at the end of my PT session this time because I had so much difficulty later in the day and overnight after the last time. Supposedly that indicates that my shoulder is not ready for massage yet. She did some other stuff instead; pressing and pulling and lifting which didn't do much at the time, but my shoulder has felt a bit better since.
My birthday is tomorrow and if the weather holds, Joe and I are going to go out for lunch in the city at a vegan bakery/lunch place that I've been wanted to try since it opened a while back. After that we'll take a nice long walk at the park along the ocean to work off the fat and sugar consumed prior
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I'm okay today... made it to the office but tired now and ready to go back to bed. I am not ready to eat much yet so I had a couple cups of veggie bouillon and about half a sleeve of saltines throughout the day. Going to have another cup of bouillon and a slice of toast for dinner.
Happy Early Birthday, Carla! Your lunch date sounds like fun. Glad PT is helping.
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CARLA!Hope the celebration is a sweet as you posted...lunch with JOE at a nice cafe and a walk along the ocean...enjoy!
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, dollies!
Hope you continue to get better, Mihani...probably you are run down from all the stress at work. Do the owners of this business work as hard as you? Do they realize how hard you work?
thanks for all the support to all of you, regarding my knee...I'll tell you...I could not be happier with the results...it would be nice if it bent a bit more...but there is so much scar tissue from multiple arthroscopic surgeries over 50 years ago, that I am just grateful I can do what I can do. I am at 105 degrees with zero help and complete extension. so no pain, no limping.
I can start using my treadmill again...just have to be careful not to overdo and watch out for right knee...need it to last til next January.
going in to work today for a picture...our controller is retiring end of April and she is off today so the girls want a group picture for part of her gift.
then it is lunch with my BFF...think we are going to PF Changs...I know I can get steamed veggies and rice there.
nothing else going on...I think they are going to try and extend my PT until just before I go back to work April 15. Right now, we are working on strengthening exercises...which I really love and appreciate.
I indulged myself and bought a YOU GOT A NEW KNEE gift for myself...it's on back order so it will be awhile...it's a Nama J2 juicer...pricey but I think it will be so worth it. Truly want to step up my juicing (delivery is ok, but not as good as what I make at home and expensive)...this juicer is crazy...total game changer...PLUS, I can now stand so much longer than before surgery...so no excuses not to make my own juice.
Here' a quick look at it...https://namawell.com/products/nama-j2-cold-press-juicer?gclid=CjwKCAjwrfCRBhAXEiwAnkmKmapRGmTwKy22ezoJi8SAH3oqQBDYXHn4piI-BqmEKJ6vb8XqATM7whoCB8UQAvD_BwE
I know if my parents were alive, they would be thrilled with my new knee and pretty sure they would be getting me this juicer to keep me healthy and get me ready for my second new knee next January. At least, that is how I justified this purchase to myself. (hehehe)
Ok, kids...off to see if I can sleep a bit more this morning.
TC!
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