Spring Detox Day 30 - Main Street Vegan

And so here we are, 30 days later, and my detox has come down to....me turning this diet revamp into a lifestyle change. They say it takes 30 days to make a habit stick, and I'm at the point where...I'm in the habit. Again, by focusing on the alternatives that I love (toasted almonds on a salad instead of cheese crumbles, vanilla soy milk in my chai latte instead of regular milk) and trying out new recipes, it hasn't been too much of an adjustment. I'm feeling great, and I've lost a total of 5 pounds in the last thirty days, which is a steady and sane weight loss. 

I am currently reading Main Street Vegan - Everything You Need to Know to Eat Healthfully and Live Compassionately in the Real World by Victoria Moran. This book is a great primer for new and aspiring vegans: it offers all the tips and guidance you need as you set out towards a more plant-based diet, helping you make it work while also demonstrating how it's not so difficult after all. Each of the 40 short chapters includes a recipe for a budget-friendly vegan dish (refreshing as some vegan diets make it seem as if you need to reinvent the wheel and take out another mortgage when it comes to transitioning - not the case at all). 

Following one of Ms. Moran's terms, I would like to stick with a Vegan at Home / Vegetarian for Now plan.  I won't be eating anyone who's ever had a mamma. I'll continue to experiment with plant based recipes and I'll keep my kitchen as vegan as I can. That said, since my children do eat dairy, eggs (and occassionally meat when brought into the home or dining with others), there may be times when I give in to cheese and perhaps dairy/eggs in baked items. However, I can't really envision eating eggs anymore at this point in time. As my conciousness expands, the desire to eat certain things disappates. 

I'll be posting more thoughts on Main Street Vegan as I continue reading. 

Have a wonderful weekend!

Detox Day 28 - Green Tea Noodles with Edamame from Foodtrients by Grace O

Day 28 and I'm feeling great. I suppose it would make for more interesting blog posts to report that this has really been a struggle, that I've had a terrible time...but I'm happy to say it's been nothing but easy. So easy, in fact, that I'm thinking I might just go beyond these 31 days and extend this into... my life.
I haven't weighed myself, but I'll try to remember to do so tomorrow. I feel lighter and more comfortable in my skin.

I'd like to share a recipe from a cookbook I just received for review: Foodtrients Age-Defying Recipes for a Sustainable Life by Grace O.

Green Tea Noodles with Edamame

Ingredients:
2 cups brewed green tea
3 oz. Soba noodles
1 recipe Tangy Ginger Dressing
1/2 cup shelled cooked edamame
2 Tbs. chopped scallions
Black or white sesame seeds as garnish

-Bring the green tea to a boil in a small stockpot.
-Add the soba noodles and cook for 3-4 minutes
-In a large bowl, toss the noodles with the Tangy Ginger dressing. Add the edamame and scallions.
-To serve, divide between two bowls and garnish with sesame seeds.


Tangy Ginger Dressing

Ingredients:
1 Tbs. grated gingerroot
1 Tbs. soy sauce
1 Tbs. mirin (seasoned rice wine)
1 Tbs. sesame oil
Dash of pepper

-Combine all the ingredients in a container with a tight-fitting lid and shake until well blended.

How *Do* Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm?

This post originally appeared on The Chicago Moms 

Whenever I travel, I always enjoy observing and learning from other moms around the world.

In Mali, I learned how to wear my baby in a wrap, in Italy, I learned how to feed a baby three healthy square meals and a snack per day. In the UK, I learned the proper way to bathe a newborn (my son, age 10, was born in London!). So I read Mei-Ling Hopgood’s latest book, How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm And Other Adventures in Parenting (from Argentina to Tanzania and everywhere in between) with much delight.

Ms. Hopgood, a mom from suburban Michigan who now lives in Buenos Aires, set out on a journey to learn how different cultures from around the world parent their children, traveling to such far off places as Lebanon and Polynesia. She interviewed moms, dads, anthropologists, educators and child-care experts and even tested out some of her newly discovered parenting techniques on her own two-year-old daughter.  She manages to answer some questions that have crossed my mind: How do the Chinese potty train their babies so darn early? and How do French parents manage to get their kids to eat their fine (but not so kid-friendly) cuisine with gusto?

I was particularly struck by the chapter on Argentina, where babies and kids stay up and out much later than their little U.S. counterparts.  Research presented in this fun read show that the sleeping spaces and patterns around the world don’t all match our North American standard of getting the kids tucked in bed at an early hour, without a peep, at all costs. It made me see my two-year-old daughter – who happens to be a complete nightowl in a new light: maybe it’s not so bad afterall, that she stay up and sleep in a bit later than the norm. She would certainly have the time of her life in Argentina, where she could hang out at a restaurant with me until the wee hours of the night!

“I learned so much by looking at parenthood from different perspectives,” shares Ms. Hopgood. “It has been reassuring to realize that there are many ways in the world to be a good parent.”

Be sure to check out How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm for some guaranteed good laughs, a few ah-ha moments, and a new appreciation for everything that moms and dads everywhere do to raise happy and healthy children.

#makesmesmilemondays A Happy Birthday Party

On Saturday night, 10 tweens descended upon our home to celebrate my son's 11th birthday.

We kept it simple: Red and Blue balloons and yellow streamers. Pizza and banana splits. They took over our neighborhood with a few rounds of their favorite game (Zombie Tag). One kid ate too fast and threw up (...) and there was one (thankfully, non-lethal) Nerf injury. 

I have known these boys since my son started kindergarten at his CPS magnet school. They have had their differences, and they have had their ups and downs. But it is a gift to me seeing these boys grow together in friendship. And then, to see my son just beaming with joy at celebrating with his pals - isn't that what birthday parties are all about?! 

Happy birthday to my faster-than-lightening growing little (big) guy. 

Spring Detox: Day 23

So here I am on day 23. I've heard that it takes 30 days to make a habit stick, and I'm at the point where...I'm in the habit. I've cut out meat and dairy completely, and by focusing on the alternatives that I love (toasted almonds on a salad instead of cheese crumbles, vanilla soy milk in my chai latte instead of regular milk) and trying out new recipes (I am addicted to pumpkin chocolate muffins!), it hasn't been too much of an adjustment. I'm feeling great, and I'm holding steady at since my last weigh-in - likely due to eating out more than once during my birthday week :).

Here's a good guide with 18 tricks to make new habits stick.

Here's what's for lunch today: Vegan Chopped Salad

Detox Day 21 - Cookbook Review - Recipe for Marinated Musrooms - Win a year's supply of OJ! :

A Sunday at my community's market - the Logan Square Farmer's Market - is always a summer treat. Farmers' markets make healthy eating all the easier: I choose what's freshest, and center my meals on veggies and fruits.


 I just recently received the perfect little cookbook - Fresh from the Farmstand - which is filled with recipes that will make the most of all my farmer's market finds. There are chapters for every meal of the day, including recipes for canning and freezing. 


Here's one I'd like to try this upcoming weekend:




Marinated Mushrooms from Fresh from the Farmstand

• 3/4 c. oil
• 1/2 c. red wine vinegar
• 1-1/2 t. salt
• 1 t. sugar
• 1/2 t. dried basil
• 1/4 t. dried thyme
• 6 peppercorns
• 1 clove garlic, split
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 - 1/2 lbs. small mushrooms, trimmed

In a large saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients except mushrooms. Heat to Boiling; cover and chill several hours to overnight, stirring occasionally. Drain; discard bay leaf. Serve as an appetizer or on a relish tray. Makes about 3-1/2 cups. 




Something else that popped into my inbox today: 


To celebrate its 100% Pure Florida orange juice, Tropicana Pure Premium is sending one lucky family to Florida to experience the groves in person! (How cool would that be!)

Visit Tropicana’s Facebook page at www.Facebook.com/Tropicana learn more about the Florida groves where many of Tropicana Pure Premium’s oranges come from, with photos, stories, grower profiles and fun grove facts.

From March 19 through April 20, 2012, visit Tropicana’s Facebook page to enter to win one of 100 prizes. Prizes include a one-year supplies of orange juice and a trip to a Florida orange grove for a grand-prize winner and three guests!  

Disclosure: Special thanks to Gooseberry Books for providing me with a copy of Fresh from the Farmstand. All opinions expressed are my own. 

Spring Detox Day 19

Today is my birthday (!!!) and the 19th day of my diet revamp.

I had a wonderful weekend spent with family. We dined out twice, and both restaurants had great options that fit with my new diet revamp. I hesitate to recommend the one new restaurant just around our corner - it just opened, and is super tiny, and I don't want to give this little secret away but the owners here were so kind and enthusiastic, so check out 4 Suyos, a Peruvian restaurant in Logan Square. I had a seitan, mushroom and potato skillet type dish that was fantastic. And then on Sunday, my entire family feasted on carry outs from my favorite Indian restaurant of all times: Ashoka. I could eat Bhel Poori forever.

So no, I don't feel too deprived at all. It really is *not* hard to go vegan. I suppose since I've only been at this for not even a month I haven't had the chance to miss my dear old friends cheese and butter, but honestly, there are so many other meal options, I'm not missing them very much at all.

Check out this collection of 5 satisfying vegan meals from self.com

#makesmesmilemondays In her backyard kingdom

Spring Detox Day 16: Tools of the trade

Here are some new foods that I've embraced as I switch up my usual diet:

SWAD Brown Basmati Rice
This rice is nutty and filling, and easy to cook in a rice cooker. I've enjoyed it topped with stirfry veggies and Trader Joe's Organic Baked Teryaki Tofu. Plus it's cheap and comes in a cute, huge burlap bag.

Cobra Corn
This popcorn, mixed with 10 Indian spices, contains no sugar, MSG, artificial colors or preservatives. It hits all the taste notes: salty, sour, sweet - and since it's full of fiber, it makes for a filling. tasty snack.

 

Chapati

Chapati is an Indian-style tortilla, made with whole wheat flour. I love having them for breakfast, slightly warmed in a skillet, as an accompaniment for a chai tea (sweetened with vanilla soy milk). Here's a recipe - but I buy them frozen. 

As you can see - I adore the flavors and spices of India! About once a month, I do a grocery run to the markets and stores on Devon Avenue, to stock up on nuts, rare fruits, spices, rice and frozen goods. My favorite supermarket on Devon is Patel Brothers. Here's an article I wrote recently for CBS Local: Guide to Family Fun on Devon Avenue in Chicago.

BuildON - an alternative to KONY 2012

I'll let others critique KONY 2012 (though I certainly wish that be wearing a cute bracelet and sharing a video on facebook I really could help take down a warlord...). Instead, I want to take a moment to share my experience with a charitible organization that has had a big impact on my life. 

In 2008, I started a new teaching job at a Chicago public high school. Looking to be more active with my students outside of academics, I volunteered to be a BuildOn teacher leader. Once a week, I met with another teacher, a BuildOn leader, and amazing group of active, friendly high school students, to focus on solutions to community and world issues, and to work actively towards positive change by volunteering in our community.

BuildOn is a movement that strives to break the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education. It is rated 4 stars on Charity Navigator (check out Invisible Children, the charity behind KONY 2012 Charity Navigator stats here). Our student group has cleaned up local parks, assisted with children’s programming at local park districts, volunteered with the elderly, and raised awareness on local and world issues impacting our school community (One such successful campaign focused on dating violence through violence prevention training sessions and peer-to-peer education). Just recently this year, we organized a Hunger Banquet, powerfully raising awareness on the inequities in world food distribution.

My own two children, ages 2 and 10, have often tagged along on our projects, and are growing up with the innate knowledge that in order to receive, we must give back. My dream is to someday raise enough money to travel with my children to one of BuildON's partner countries, where we would work with a community to build a school. 

Setting off with a group of Chicago Public Schools students on a the field trip of a lifetime – to Mali, West Africa – where we worked to build the first ever school in a small village, was by far the culmination of my positive involvement in BuildON. The future students in Founukouni filled my days with laughter and made digging into the hard ground all the more meaningful. Sharing my same goal were 17 Chicago public school students – all of us brought together by BuildON’s vision for a world where education is a priority. 

A school room I visited in Mali. These children were SO enthusiastic about school! I think this really inspired our group of CPS high school students to have a whole new appreciation of education!

I am proud to continue to volunteer for this amazing organization, and I really wish I had more time to dedicate to my involvement.  It gives me the chance to share my belief – that we can change the world through education, volunteerism, and community building. 

Interested? Visit: http://www.buildon.org/get-involved/

One of my favorite pictures of me; it captures one of those happy life moments as I officially break ground for the schoolhouse. I think the men standing behind me were shocked (scared!) to see a (clumsy) woman wielding a pickaxe.

Does the hassle of scheduling your sitters keep you from much-needed grown-up time?

Finding a sitter in the city can be daunting. How many times I've wished to have a live-in nanny so I wouldn't have to worry about finding a sitter at the last minute, or worse, sitters calling to cancel at the last minute! 


((On a side note: I just recently re-watched Adventures in Babysitting with my 10-year-old son. I hadn't seen it since it came out - in 1987! I found the dark, dangerous portrayal of Chicago hilarious since I'm raising my kids here now... My son enjoyed it, too - this is definitely an oldie but goodie to watch with your tween!))


Here's a new tool to help you schedule your sitters: SitterScout is an online/mobile tool that works from any smartphone (or on your computer) to help book your existing babysitters by instantly contacting the sitters you choose from your fave list and making it easier for them to reply via SMS. All you need to do is register and then enter your sitters’ information. When you need a sitter, you can easily contact them via SMS - choosing from your first choice sitters (or SOS SMS all your possible sitters when you're really desperate). In turn, your sitters can easily reply back with an accept or decline response. When a sitter accepts, you'll receive an instant SMS. 


This system make the logistics of finding a sitter sooo much easier: it eliminates digging through your contacts to find your sitter's info, and you'll be able to avoid small talk and get straight to the point: I need a sitter. STAT! 

Learn more about SitterScout and its founder parents here: http://www.sitterscout.com/pages/about

 

Disclosure: This is a Splash Creative Media compensated campaign on behalf of SitterScout.com 

Spring Detox Day 15: Weigh in

I weighed in today, and I lost a whopping .2 pounds this week :) I'm not on this plan solely for weight loss, but I would like to slowly and naturally return to my pre-pregnancy weight of 138 (yes, my "baby" is 2.5 years old! lol)... and stick there. On the exercise front, yesterday I picked up Chiara from daycare by bike: she just loves it when I pull up to her home daycare on my bike. I call ahead and she waits for me by the door, looking out the window. Yesterday was the first time that I picked her up by bicycle since fall and she was ECSTATIC. She ran up to my bike so happily, snapped on her helmet and was ready to go! We take the scenic route, down Wrightwood then around Logan Square and down the boulevard towards our home. She is especially fond of the eagle atop the column at the center of Logan Square - "That's CHIARA's eagle!" she always shouts - and the large homes along the boulevard which she believes are "Castles". Oh to be a child in this world of wonder!

Logan Square, featuring Chiara's Eagle atop the colum

Spring Detox Day 14

Well, I can confirm that I am not starving myself at all and I'm eating healthier and feeling better than ever. By sticking to a strict vegan diet for the first time, I'm forced to expand my recipe repertoire and come up with  new ideas and alternatives.

Today started out with a new, easy go-to breakfast option I've been indulging in: I cook plain oatmeal, with frozen peaches, in the microwave, then top with a dash of vanilla soy milk and some toasted almonds. For dinner last night, I made one of my signature pizzas: I rolled out homemade whole wheat pizza dough and created a calzone stuffed with freshly sauteed greens, tons of garlic, crushed red pepper and olives - one of my favorite dishes ever. I always make an extra calzone or two: they freeze well and I can grab one on the go to bring to work for lunch.

Here's an easy whole wheat pizza dough recipe and here's a yummy looking vegan lemon bar recipes I came across today!

Spring Detox - Day 13

Three things passing by my radar on this gorgeous spring day:

Two articles that support my diet revamp: not only is all red meat bad for you, but you'll look just plain prettier if you eat green.

For lunch today: Chana Masala.

A Kind Diet recipe collection: http://www.thekindlife.com/recipes-gallery, including a recipe for Nutella!

Spring Detox Day 12 - Weekend in Galena

We had such a lovely weekend in Galena, Illinois, a small, historical town perched up in the northwest corner of our state (about a 2.5 hour drive from Chicago).

I don't have many (any!) photos, having happily turned off my phone and turned towards my family.

We had fun exploring downtown Galena, with all its charming shops and historical points of interest.





We hiked, encountering a deer, a caterpillar and even a herd of cows. The kids were delighted to run wild and free in the sunshine, without jackets.

My new super-comfy hiking boots from Ahnu Shoes ahnu.com

We relaxed at our resort. Chiara loved the hot tub, which was more like an in-room swimming pool just for her.

Townhomes @ Eagle Ridge Resort

We stayed in a townhome at Eagle Ridge resort, and the equipped kitchen made it easier for me to stick to my healthier eating plan and saved us some money on dining. We did dine out a couple of times - and I've found that most restaurants are happy and willing to work with dietary restrictions. (Here's a good guide to vegan offerings at major fast food chains when you're needing to make a quick fill-up.)



Disclosure: Special thanks to Ahnu shoes for send me over an awesome pair of hiking boots! 

Spring Detox Day 9

I'm sticking to my plan and feeling great!

This weekend I am looking forward to getting outdoors and enjoying the sunshine with my family. We're headed for Galena, Illinois, where we'll be hiking, biking and swimming. I can't wait to hit the road! I'll be taking a break from posting on Saturday and Sunday.

Here's something that popped into my inbox that I wanted to share: The WISH Summit is a virtual conversation that will "help you prevent obstacles that are preventing you from living your best life". It's free and it's online, so you can access a series of recorded interviews with a wide array of wise speakers just by registering. Check it out!

WISH Summit (Virtual)

Date: March 8, 2012 - April 17, 2012
Location: Online
Tickets: No charge

W.I.S.H. stands for Women's International Summit for Health. It's a modern-day online women's circle of wisdom. Every day for 40 days and 40 nights starting March 8, a series of recorded interviews will be available to all those who have registered for the event. These playful, powerful conversations will help you unblock obstacles that are preventing you from living your best life. (This is on online event. To access the call schedule and listen to the recordings, you must register.)

Register now at http://www.wishsummit.com/! 

Pinterest as a Travel Planner

I was hesitant to enter the wide world of Pinterest... the last thing I need is another social media outlet. However, I am exploring it day by and day and please say a little prayer that I won't become addicted to it like so many people I know! 

Today I used Pinterest to create a travel vision board. Check it out to see some of the places that I'll hopefully visit - some of them for the second or even third time and some for the first - in the next few years.

Find my travel vision board here. What's your travel vision?



Spring Detox Day 8: Weigh-in Day

The scale today confirmed what I've been feeling - lighter and more energetic. Today's weight was 145.2 - which means I lost 4.3 pounds in the past 7 days. The best part of this is that I never felt hungry: my Karyn's At Home meals were full of fiber and hence very filling. I'm excited to keep on with my plan for two more days, and then I'm looking forward to following Kris Carr's Crazy Sexy Diet for the next 21 days.

Meanwhile, follow me on pininterest where I'll be working on some veggie-friendly recipe boards!

All health and diet information mentioned on this blog or is for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose or treat illness. Always consult with your physician when making changes to your diet. Special thanks to Karyn's for providing me some home meals as part of my Spring Detox. 

Spring Detox Day 6

Today started with a big bowl of fresh blueberries and orange. I'm feeling great - and the warm spring weather is encouraging. 

I'm happy to share some wonderful vegan recipes written by the various writers of a blogging network I belong to, The Chicago Blogger Network. Click on the recipes image below to see it in full scale.

Spring Detox Day 5

I am chugging right along here, following my plans and feeling great. It's cold outside, but I enjoyed a lovely walk in the sunshine. I'll look forward to weighing myself on Thursday, after one week, to see if this lighter feeling is just a mirage or the real deal.


As a reminder, Karyn of Karyn's At Home (the plan I've been following for the past five days) will discuss her philosophy on health and share experiences from her personal journey as one of the nation's leading raw foodists on a livestream tonight! Live Stream available at www.karynraw.com/media; Register HERE

Detox Day 1

I have not weighed myself in months. So it was with just a teensy weensy (ok, major) bit of hesitation that I stepped on the scale this morning. 149.5 pounds!!! This is the heaviest I've been in a long while. This winter really did a number on me.

I'm not "fat" by any means, or even overweight, but at 5'7'' I am on the upper end of "normal" with regards to BMI (Calculate your own BMI here). I think these extra pounds are a big part of my increased sluggishness.

I am also (not) proud to present my BEFORE picture (taken, with much hesitation, at 6am this morning). (I don't know why I look so short in this picture - must be the angle  - I'm 5'7''!). That said, I really am proud to be wearing my buildON tee (buildON is a great organization that I volunteer with on a weekly basis).

So...last night I picked up my lovely bag of goodies from Karyn's Raw. I've got 5 days worth of fruit and veggie rich meals in my fridge, thanks to the Karyn's at Home program.

I like to start my morning with something warm - usually a homemade chai tea - and something sweet (this past week I indulged in very buttery homemade cinnamon buns...). Today, I started my early morning with a warm glass of water with a squeeze of lemon. For breakfast, I had a one of Karyn's Green Dream Smoothies (coconut water and meat, spirulina, kamut, and green meal. Though I realize it's only day 1, I feel satiated and I have more energy than I normally do at this time of the day (the late a.m.). 

 Read more about my spring detox here. I'll be posting daily, so be sure to check in tomorrow!

Before:  
Weight: 149.5 pounds