The promised post...

Ok, I've had some asking me what changes I've made and how I started. Well, I really jumped into this with both feet. I know for me that is the way it has to be done or I run a risk of slowly slipping back into the old habits if the temptation is still around.

I immediately abandoned white flour, white sugar, table salt, and anything with those ingredients. No more foods containing high fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or pretty much anything I can't pronounce or don't recognize. I eat all natural/organic foods.

I have also switched to organic, soy, and almond milk. If I am just drinking a glass of milk I will typically drink 2% organic milk or chocolate soy. I use the vanilla almond milk in smoothies almost everyday.

Whole grains are very important to include. For sandwiches I use a natural whole grain bread, for a snack I love the Ezekiel breads, and in some meals I use whole grain tortillas.

My typical day has been this:

Breakfast:

Smoothie made with vanilla almond milk, fresh strawberries and banana, and some ice.

Half of an Ezekiel 4:9 english muffin with almond butter

Snack:

1 apple

Lunch:

Peanut butter sandwich

Handful of almonds (almonds are great for the heart!)

or

leftovers from dinner

Snack:

piece of fruit or half an Ezekiel muffin

Dinner:

I'll find a recipe from the Clean Eating magazine, which usually includes a lean meat and a vegetable or two.

Snack:

organic yogurt with fruit and a cup of chocolate soy milk (I used to have ovaltine every night before bed so I was happy to see I had an alternative)


I have bought organic sugar to use in coffee and sea salt to replace the table salt. I now have lots of herbs and spices (and have started growing a few of my own now) to season food with. Kettle chips are awesome for those salty cravings, there are desserts that can be made organically as well, so you don't have to feel deprived :-)

I can find a good bit of stuff at Walmart and Kroger, what I can't I go to Earth Fare for. OH! And an FYI about Earth Fare...if you sign up on the website for "My Health Journey" they will give you a coupon that says if you take in all your bad foods with high fructose corn syrup or hydrogenated oils, they will replace them for FREE with their brand of a healthy, natural alternative!!!


I'm still in the learning phase of this, so I am still finding new things I can have. I just bought some Kashi cereal for breakfast, so I'll try that soon too.

We have decided to try to buy local meats, vegetables, and fruits as much as possible. I want to stay away from meats from animals that are given antibiotics and steroids, and prefer they are grass fed. I want, as much as possible, to get fruits and vegetables that have not been genetically altered (GMO) or treated with chemical pesticides.

Since making these changes only just a little over a week ago, I can feel and see a huge difference in myself. I have posted before about this, but I can't tell you enough the difference it is making in my life.

I am so excited thinking about what the future brings when I actually get a substantial amount of weight off. I can only imagine how I will feel then!