Thursday was an easy going day. I wasn't too hungry and was definitely tired. That's not unusual when I've taken the late bus home from work. I saw Big Lug off to work, spent some time with Kidlet, caught a nap and ended up missing breakfast. I wanted something that was hot and I could sink my teeth into. I decided to make pan sautéed peppers, onion, mushroom, and diced tomato flavoured with basil and garlic to put between a couple slices of toast. I had planned to go shopping at Community Natural Foods by Chinook Station. I ended up vegging out at home and making do with things like broccoli for calcium and Bean Stew for supper. I also discovered when you're craving chocolate but aren't feeling too ambitious, mixing cocoa with peanut butter is a great alternative.
This morning when I made Big Lug his lunch, the chicken definitely smelled good. Thankfully it was frozen or I might have been tempted to have a bite. I am starting to understand why people who decided to go Vegan work at it progressively, starting out by eliminating red meat for a few weeks, followed by white meat and fish, hovering around Vegetarianism for a month or two before eliminating eggs and dairy.
The verse for Thursday was Psalm 98:4 Shout for joy to the Lord, burst into jubilant song with music.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Vegan Day 2
Due to working late, I decided to Wednesday's blog on Thursday morning. At work it didn't bother me being around meat. I felt very guilty, however, each time I goofed up a dairy order. As a long time user of Ann Louise Gittleman's Fat Flush Plan, I am no stranger to going dairy less for two weeks yet I was never bothered if I made the wrong milkshake or had to make a second attempt on an ice cream cone. For some reason as a Vegan it did bother me.
I made a smoothie using half a cup calcium enriched orange juice and half a cup of water, skipping the whey protein powder. Between Fat Flush and Canada Food Guide, I knew one serving of juice is half a cup. I enjoyed an absolutely yummy 13 Bean Soup for lunch. I had already experimented with a vegetarian version of it, leaving out the ham hock and using part water, part vegetable broth for the liquid to add extra flavour. I also had some steamed broccoli as one of my snacks. Work was easy. I've keyed in enough Southwest No Chckn, gone to the grill menu and click on "No Cheese" to know it would only take about 3-5 minutes to make a special salad. I topped it with Salsa, which was definitely a taste bud kick. That's not the entire menu of the day, just the key points.
My guide verse for the day was 1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness.
I made a smoothie using half a cup calcium enriched orange juice and half a cup of water, skipping the whey protein powder. Between Fat Flush and Canada Food Guide, I knew one serving of juice is half a cup. I enjoyed an absolutely yummy 13 Bean Soup for lunch. I had already experimented with a vegetarian version of it, leaving out the ham hock and using part water, part vegetable broth for the liquid to add extra flavour. I also had some steamed broccoli as one of my snacks. Work was easy. I've keyed in enough Southwest No Chckn, gone to the grill menu and click on "No Cheese" to know it would only take about 3-5 minutes to make a special salad. I topped it with Salsa, which was definitely a taste bud kick. That's not the entire menu of the day, just the key points.
My guide verse for the day was 1 Chronicles 16:29 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name. Bring an offering and come before Him; worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Vegan Day 1
I got a lucky break. Big Lug was taken out for lunch and decided to make his own supper. I didn't do the best job of making sure to get two servings of calcium rich food. I probably only got one, through some Saucy Rhubarb and the trace amounts in everything else I ate.
Overall it was a very fun day. I got in some exercise via swimming with a friend and her daughter. Kidlet didn't notice anything different during the day time. Mom still made Dad his lunch; Kidlet had his usual breakfast with yogurt, and cheese at lunch. I do have a note in my journal "It's 8 p.m., I'm HUNGRY!" 3 cups of popcorn with a tablespoon of flaxseed oil and some seat salt later, I'm cheerfully blogging. My protein was obtained by having 1/2 cup of pinto beans as part of a Mexican chunky soup (or is it casserole since it was thick enough to eat with a fork?) and two tablespoons of peanut butter.
I will plead guilty, I never noticed until tonight how many ads during a hockey game involve meat products. The verse that helped me get through the day was Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. The verse that helped me get through the evening is 2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
Overall it was a very fun day. I got in some exercise via swimming with a friend and her daughter. Kidlet didn't notice anything different during the day time. Mom still made Dad his lunch; Kidlet had his usual breakfast with yogurt, and cheese at lunch. I do have a note in my journal "It's 8 p.m., I'm HUNGRY!" 3 cups of popcorn with a tablespoon of flaxseed oil and some seat salt later, I'm cheerfully blogging. My protein was obtained by having 1/2 cup of pinto beans as part of a Mexican chunky soup (or is it casserole since it was thick enough to eat with a fork?) and two tablespoons of peanut butter.
I will plead guilty, I never noticed until tonight how many ads during a hockey game involve meat products. The verse that helped me get through the day was Psalm 16:11 "You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand. The verse that helped me get through the evening is 2 Samuel 22:31 As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a shield for all who take refuge in Him.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
The Proverbial Redneck Vegan Challenge
Whether you're trying to extend your food budget, wanting to lose a few pounds or curious to experience the Vegan way of life, I invite you to join me in going Vegan for a week starting Tuesday, February 22. For me it's wanting to lose a few pounds. My inspiration was based on this blog: http://twomainemoms.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-week-as-vegan.html
I'll be relying heavily on my favourite health food store Community Natural Foods, located in Calgary across from the Chinook C-train station. I already eat fairly healthy so I won't have to buy too much. What I'll be buying from CNF are high calcium vegetables. Did you know there was a time when rhubarb was regarded as a vegetable? That's a unique calcium source.
I've got a batch of pinto beans cooking in the slow cooker that I'll be portioning up and freezing for ease of cooking. As for butter, Flora Flaxseed Oil makes a great substitute to put on vegetables, rice, hot oatmeal, even popcorn. As long as I make sure to have two servings of high calcium fruit or vegetable, the rest will fall into place. How hard can it be for someone who is in the heart of beef territory and works at a fast food restaurant to go Vegan for one week?
Don't laugh too hard.
I'll be relying heavily on my favourite health food store Community Natural Foods, located in Calgary across from the Chinook C-train station. I already eat fairly healthy so I won't have to buy too much. What I'll be buying from CNF are high calcium vegetables. Did you know there was a time when rhubarb was regarded as a vegetable? That's a unique calcium source.
I've got a batch of pinto beans cooking in the slow cooker that I'll be portioning up and freezing for ease of cooking. As for butter, Flora Flaxseed Oil makes a great substitute to put on vegetables, rice, hot oatmeal, even popcorn. As long as I make sure to have two servings of high calcium fruit or vegetable, the rest will fall into place. How hard can it be for someone who is in the heart of beef territory and works at a fast food restaurant to go Vegan for one week?
Don't laugh too hard.
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
Thanksgiving Thoughts
Since it's almost that time of year here in Canada, I have a Thanksgiving related query. Why do so many women treat it like a competition, and get obsessive about the meal, the decorations while completely forgetting it's about thankfulness, including family?
I am NOT referring to the women who can effortless turn out a beautiful home and meal while juggling other responsibilities, I'm referring to the women who go around in a panic, feeling like they must spend tons of money, time and cause a feeling of dread and dismay in the rest of the family.
To me it shouldn't be about wearing yourself out and being frazzled or fretful. It should be about feeling relaxed, confident, doing what you are capable of doing and taking pleasure in it while your family is grateful for your efforts. I spent some time observing the women who do have the five course meals and the well decorated houses. They seemed at ease with what they are doing. They had a timetable with some flexibility. They explored recipes and chose ones that were within their budget and talents. They became my inspiration for how to do a Thanksgiving Dinner that makes my family comfortable. I also knew of women who for whatever reason didn't have much money, only the desire and held their heads high as they served a simple meal. My Thanksgiving Dinner is never too elaborate. Everything I cook or bake, is within my capabilities and budget. I plan it well, remembering to do all things with a cheerful heart to ensure that I have a smile of joy, not relief, as I sit down at the table.
Blessings to the women who will be going to the store to buy some sliced turkey, buns and a pumpkin pie with a cheerful heart. Blessings to the women who do the five course meal and the well decorated house. I thank you for being a role model to me and helping me set realistic goals for my household. Here's hoping this year's experiment of homemade pumpkin goes better then last year's experiement of homemade cranberry sauce.
I am NOT referring to the women who can effortless turn out a beautiful home and meal while juggling other responsibilities, I'm referring to the women who go around in a panic, feeling like they must spend tons of money, time and cause a feeling of dread and dismay in the rest of the family.
To me it shouldn't be about wearing yourself out and being frazzled or fretful. It should be about feeling relaxed, confident, doing what you are capable of doing and taking pleasure in it while your family is grateful for your efforts. I spent some time observing the women who do have the five course meals and the well decorated houses. They seemed at ease with what they are doing. They had a timetable with some flexibility. They explored recipes and chose ones that were within their budget and talents. They became my inspiration for how to do a Thanksgiving Dinner that makes my family comfortable. I also knew of women who for whatever reason didn't have much money, only the desire and held their heads high as they served a simple meal. My Thanksgiving Dinner is never too elaborate. Everything I cook or bake, is within my capabilities and budget. I plan it well, remembering to do all things with a cheerful heart to ensure that I have a smile of joy, not relief, as I sit down at the table.
Blessings to the women who will be going to the store to buy some sliced turkey, buns and a pumpkin pie with a cheerful heart. Blessings to the women who do the five course meal and the well decorated house. I thank you for being a role model to me and helping me set realistic goals for my household. Here's hoping this year's experiment of homemade pumpkin goes better then last year's experiement of homemade cranberry sauce.
Monday, August 30, 2010
My Summer Fantasy
My son is no stranger to certain facts of life living in Alberta, such as wearing winter boots only a few weeks into fall, or helping shovel the sidewalk a month after spring starts. I didn't realize how much of an Alberta boy he until he was doing a "Label which machine goes with which season" activity. The letter choices were Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter. He said "Mom, look, if I rearrange the letters beside the snowplough, they spell SAW." In the box beside the snowplough, he had put an A in the box and beside the box, he had added W and S. I couldn't fault him for the extra letters. Thanks to the family living in the part of Alberta that has a diverse climate he had seen snowploughs out in Autumn, Winter and Spring. As well, due to living so close to the Rocky Mountains, he had printed "Winter" and "Summer" beside a pair of shorts. When the Chinook wind blows off the Rocky Mountains, many people celebrate by putting on shorts even though it is still wintertime.
Despite living in Northern Alberta, there was one sound that was not a part of my childhood during the summer. When I was a girl, we never had to turn on the furnace. I had heard of short, cold summers during the late 1800's and again in the 1930's. Unfortunately since 2002 when we became homeowners, we've had to turn on the furnace at least once during the "warm" season, usually in August. This year I have vowed that from June 21 to September 21 the furnace will stay off. I don't want Kidlet to see a "Machines of Summer Word Find" and say "They forget furnace". Big Lug is even helping out. He's agreed to leave the furnace off if I'll put the flannel sheets on.
Despite living in Northern Alberta, there was one sound that was not a part of my childhood during the summer. When I was a girl, we never had to turn on the furnace. I had heard of short, cold summers during the late 1800's and again in the 1930's. Unfortunately since 2002 when we became homeowners, we've had to turn on the furnace at least once during the "warm" season, usually in August. This year I have vowed that from June 21 to September 21 the furnace will stay off. I don't want Kidlet to see a "Machines of Summer Word Find" and say "They forget furnace". Big Lug is even helping out. He's agreed to leave the furnace off if I'll put the flannel sheets on.
Monday, May 3, 2010
Smokin' Hot Marriage
Last year God called an American pastor from way down south to come way up west. Pastor Scott has a unique way with words. Combine his southern way of talking with a church that prefers to teach people instead of preaching at people and you can occasionally walk out of a church with a whole lot on your mind. I had thought with the topic being about how to have a smokin' hot marriage, it was going to be the teaching time about sex. It wasn't; however the pastor did discuss a PG-13 version of Proverbs 5:18-19. He forewarned people in a few weeks the message was going to be adult and it would be a good idea to put children in the children's classroom. After going through the part of Genesis about how and why God created woman, including Adam declaring Wo! Man! as a bit of southern humour (pastor's words, not mine) and using Proverbs 5:15 as a reminder of being faithful to your spouse, he went on to cover how a smokin' hot marriage means met needs.
We had been told the needs lists for both genders was an 80/20 rule, with 80% of people making the needs their top 5. I could have done without hearing about making a house a place of refuge and comfort for your husband. When it comes to what makes a woman attractive, Big Lug is part of the 20% of men who could care less about a woman wearing make-up. He's definitely in the 80% who want the house to be clean.
Domestic Support came up again on the women's list. It was fourth on the men's list, third on the women's list. It was nice to hear a pastor speak about the virtues of a man being domestically supportive to his wife. To be fair, Big Lug is great at doing his share of housework. I know I cringed when the pastor finished discussing that woman's need by reminding men "A woman's house is an extension of her personality." There are parts of my house that are well-cared for, parts of my house that are in disarray and a few parts that if you look at them close, you see some ugliness.
I began to ponder if I should change my evil ways and stop being a Housework Impaired Female. I didn't want to be a Martha, too busy to enjoy Jesus' arrival but I also knew that I shouldn't use that scenario to go the other extreme and do nothing about the disorganization in my house. It was with a great deal of relief when Pastor Scott drifted to more comfortable territory to me, speaking about how a smokin' hot marriage means honour. One of my favourite Bible verses is Romans 12:10. The King James Version says "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." Thanks to my interpreting the first half to mean providing recreational companionship for your husband, I am number one on Big Lug's list of people he enjoys taking to a game or race. As for the second half, it's the same as Proverbs 5:15, being a faithful spouse.
It took Pastor Scott's Southern twist of Romans 12:10 to simplify how I could be the sort of wife that has a smokin' hot marriage. Don't yell, don't cuss, and don’t fuss. Those were terms I could understand. I knew I could get rid of the disarray and ugliness in my house by not yelling, not cussing, not fussing, just calmly and serenely going about it.
We had been told the needs lists for both genders was an 80/20 rule, with 80% of people making the needs their top 5. I could have done without hearing about making a house a place of refuge and comfort for your husband. When it comes to what makes a woman attractive, Big Lug is part of the 20% of men who could care less about a woman wearing make-up. He's definitely in the 80% who want the house to be clean.
Domestic Support came up again on the women's list. It was fourth on the men's list, third on the women's list. It was nice to hear a pastor speak about the virtues of a man being domestically supportive to his wife. To be fair, Big Lug is great at doing his share of housework. I know I cringed when the pastor finished discussing that woman's need by reminding men "A woman's house is an extension of her personality." There are parts of my house that are well-cared for, parts of my house that are in disarray and a few parts that if you look at them close, you see some ugliness.
I began to ponder if I should change my evil ways and stop being a Housework Impaired Female. I didn't want to be a Martha, too busy to enjoy Jesus' arrival but I also knew that I shouldn't use that scenario to go the other extreme and do nothing about the disorganization in my house. It was with a great deal of relief when Pastor Scott drifted to more comfortable territory to me, speaking about how a smokin' hot marriage means honour. One of my favourite Bible verses is Romans 12:10. The King James Version says "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another." Thanks to my interpreting the first half to mean providing recreational companionship for your husband, I am number one on Big Lug's list of people he enjoys taking to a game or race. As for the second half, it's the same as Proverbs 5:15, being a faithful spouse.
It took Pastor Scott's Southern twist of Romans 12:10 to simplify how I could be the sort of wife that has a smokin' hot marriage. Don't yell, don't cuss, and don’t fuss. Those were terms I could understand. I knew I could get rid of the disarray and ugliness in my house by not yelling, not cussing, not fussing, just calmly and serenely going about it.
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