WISH Away the Pounds -- Jolly June AND JULY Challenge -- Everyone Welcome!

[Rose&Mike]

Helen--hope that hip feels better!

Jill--enjoy those fresh blueberries! Yum!

bigsis1970--you definitely want to get those sugars under control. Hope you got your workout in.

Kimberly--great job on that early morning workout. And I agree--no settling.

Buffy--you can do it! you can do it! I hope you are excited about starting your training.

Pamela Thanks! I have been thinking about a cleanse too, but not sure if I would make it past a couple of hours. Having trouble sticking with things lately! I am glad to hear all that positive news about your Dad and SIL. This whole 'mature' phase has been rough. Mostly the emotional stuff. One minute I'm crying the next I am angry the next I am beyond stressed. It's like the worst day of pms over and over and over. I am going to give it a few more weeks and then talk to the md about maybe some short term hormone replacement. It has been rough. It hasn't helped that DS has to be out of his house in ~17 days and has no where to live! Anyhow, just all normal life stuff that I am having a hard time putting into perspective. Does that make sense? We have had some major shake ups at work and Mike has stuff going on at work and I just want to run away from home.

Anyhow, let me know what you come up with on the cleanse stuff. I am seriously considering it.

*****
I hope everyone is having a good Monday.

My knee got pretty swollen at work--couldn't prop it up. So I skipped the Y and came home. I did walk my mile. Hoping to feel a little better tomorrow.

Have a good night everyone.

 

[Alysa]

Helen, that is amazing! You must be so proud!

Rose hope your knee and your days both get better soon!

Jill, you made me laugh out loud here!
"I asked DH if he'd like to walk 4 miles with me on Tuesday and Thursday and I believe he said, "not really." "


Pjlla Sending best wishes for your Sister in law. Wonderful news about your dad.

Bigsis Sorry things are so crappy lately. Hugs.

 

[Rose&Mike]

good morning!

I usually run on Tuesdays, but I'm going to just stick with walking my mile for a few more days.

Just checking in to keep myself on track.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. I am contemplating a solo trip to FL just to clear my head. We have dvc points and an annual pass so it would be airfare and food. Mike and I are going to FL to visit the beach, volunteer at gktw and go to wdw over Labor Day. But Mike is pushing me to take a couple days for myself before then. Just waiting for DS to resolve the housing situation--and see how much money it is going to cost me. He should be able to pay his own rent, but I don't know if he will have the deposits, etc. We are paying tuition for grad school and he is paying the rest. Anyhow, if nothing else it is nice to think about going to florida even if I don't go.

 

[PlutoBaby]

Pamela Thanks! I have been thinking about a cleanse too, but not sure if I would make it past a couple of hours. Having trouble sticking with things lately! I am glad to hear all that positive news about your Dad and SIL. This whole 'mature' phase has been rough. Mostly the emotional stuff. One minute I'm crying the next I am angry the next I am beyond stressed. It's like the worst day of pms over and over and over. I am going to give it a few more weeks and then talk to the md about maybe some short term hormone replacement. It has been rough. It hasn't helped that DS has to be out of his house in ~17 days and has no where to live! Anyhow, just all normal life stuff that I am having a hard time putting into perspective. Does that make sense? We have had some major shake ups at work and Mike has stuff going on at work and I just want to run away from home.

Anyhow, let me know what you come up with on the cleanse stuff. I am seriously considering it.


Remember my favorite words whenever I feel like the walls are crumbling in on my head.....keep it all in perspective! Someone out there always is having a worse day than you with worse problems. And once you're able to step back from whatever it is that's making you crazy, you almost always realize it wasn't THAT big a deal in the first place. Then you inevitably feel like a schmuck for getting so upset about it in the first place! *****
I hope everyone is having a good Monday.

My knee got pretty swollen at work--couldn't prop it up. So I skipped the Y and came home. I did walk my mile. Hoping to feel a little better tomorrow.

Have a good night everyone.

ICE, ICE, ICE!!!!

good morning!

I usually run on Tuesdays, but I'm going to just stick with walking my mile for a few more days.

Just checking in to keep myself on track.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. I am contemplating a solo trip to FL just to clear my head. We have dvc points and an annual pass so it would be airfare and food. Mike and I are going to FL to visit the beach, volunteer at gktw and go to wdw over Labor Day. But Mike is pushing me to take a couple days for myself before then. Just waiting for DS to resolve the housing situation--and see how much money it is going to cost me. He should be able to pay his own rent, but I don't know if he will have the deposits, etc. We are paying tuition for grad school and he is paying the rest. Anyhow, if nothing else it is nice to think about going to florida even if I don't go.

I've never had the opportunity to go to the Mouse solo, but I think that would be awesome!

 

[donac]

Good Tuesday morning everyone.

I just realized that I never posted a QOTD yesterday. I left the house early to get some paperwork done at school for our summer ap prep course. When I got there all hell was breaking loose. None of the projectors were working. If the power goes out then the everything need to be reset . I am not the tech person but I got a few working until she was able to get there and get it up and running. I thought I would be out by 9 but it was closer to 10:30 when I got done and was able to leave.

I have this week off and then I go in for three weeks teaching a summer prep course. I am lucky that the course runs from 8:15 to 10:15 and I can be home by 11 each day.

Question of the Day

Mark Bitman has written a book called Vegan Before 6
Mark is a food writer for the New York Times and has written several cookbooks before he wrote this book. Here is an interview that he had recently in the WSJ:
Six years ago, Mark Bittman's weight, blood pressure and blood sugar were creeping into the danger zone.

The man who gave us "How to Cook Everything" and took viewers on a PBS tour in "Best Recipes in the World" has always indulged and eaten well. But as with many people, middle age and his diet caught up with him. His doctor made a radical suggestion: Consider becoming a vegan.

It was a blunt wake-up call for the New York Times columnist and bestselling cookbook author.

As someone who has built a career writing about food, Bittman wasn't inclined to go all or nothing. He didn't want to do pills, either.

Taking stock of what he knew, he came up with Vegan Before 6:00. Focusing on increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits and legumes, he cut out junk food. Keeping things in check during the day, he culled a flexible diet cutting out animal products before dinner while allowing for indulgences in the evening.

Now 35 pounds lighter, he's in better health and sharing this mindful "semi-vegan" approach and 60 recipes in his latest book, "VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health...for Good" (Clarkson Potter, $26).

Find his recipes, columns and more at markbittman.com.

Q.What drew you to writing about food?

A. We're talking, nearly 35 years ago, so your motives are much less clear in the haze of the past. But I really wanted to write, and I really loved cooking. It appeared that the only thing I wrote about with any authority was food. So I started writing about food.

Q.What prompted the ideology behind the new book?

A. I have actually long wanted to do a kind of how-to-eat book, and this seemed to make sense. I think the solution to our dietary problems is very easy to understand, but it isn't simple to execute. VB6 is a strategy that has worked for me and many other people.

It is not the only strategy. It is a good strategy for a lot of reasons. I wanted to include recipes, so it was more than a magazine article, and the opportunity to explore the science of metabolism.

Q.What are the basic parameters of Vegan Before 6 as you define them? This is not just no animal products, but also no white flour, white rice, pasta or sugar?

A. The obvious thing, maybe it is not so obvious, before 6 I don't eat anything that is processed. Not only do I eat no animal products — that in a way is easy — I eat no processed foods, no junk food. No bread. I have rice occasionally, I really try to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes.

Taking junk food out is probably the second most important thing you can do. The first is increasing the plants, the fruits and vegetables you eat.... Animal products have a couple of different problems, whether red meat is a culprit in bad health has not been determined, but certainly the fact that animals have been raised industrially, and the hormone stuff and the pollution.... We would not be making a mistake by eating less on the animal product side.

Q.You wrote about the language we choose: flexitarian vs. omnivore vs. vegan. How much do the words matter?

A. When I first started talking about eating like this, I used to figure out other ways to describe what this diet is about. VB6 makes sense to me, but it is not the only path. Flexitarian, when people started talking about it, I thought "This is really good. I would not be surprised if this word takes off." I was surprised it didn't.

What we need to do is eat less junk food, fewer animal products and more fruit and vegetables. Say it however people are going to hear it. I can't guarantee they're going to hear it by coming up with a catch phrase or having a book, but you've got to try.

Q.Let's put this in cost perspective. How does a mostly vegan diet compare to the cost of the standard American diet?

A. If you're talking about cash outlay, it is roughly equivalent. I'm not talking about local, organic, shopping at Whole Foods. I'm talking about eating normal foods you buy in a supermarket and cook yourself, or hopefully cook yourself.

Q.What are the biggest stumbling blocks?

A. Things are changing. The biggest stumbling block is Americans tend to see things in black and white. Which is why I was somewhat hesitant about using the word vegan. They think it is all or nothing. I can't have a healthy diet so I'll eat what I want, to hell with it. On one end is the healthiest diet imaginable, on the other end is the least imaginable. We're all somewhere in there. Any move you make toward a healthier diet is a good move.

It doesn't have to be "I'm now only eating carrots and lettuce." It can be "This week I'm eating more fruits and vegetables." You can only bring people along as fast as they are ready, and this goes for me, too. Am I going to eat a perfectly healthy diet? No. Can I eat a better diet? Yeah.

Q.How long did it take you to adjust to this way of eating?

A. It took me no time at all. When I stay home it is a snap, really easy. I can have a smoothie in the morning or oatmeal or a salad. I tend to eat savory stuff. You can make yourself a stir-fry or salad for lunch. Dinner you can have whatever you want.

If you're out, you have to carry stuff with you. Stock your office with apples and carry things. Take preventive measures or be as uncompromising as you can. It's not about perfection, just the best you can.

Q.So are there any new staples in your pantry?

A. You're talking to somebody who has eaten everything, and eagerly eaten everything for a long time. I don't know that that's fair. What I do know is people do need to consider other options and think about more foods than they've eaten in the past.

Everybody knows what vegetables are.... It's not about getting into weird food. It's about eating more of the stuff you know is good for you. I'm saying along with not eating animal products, eat less junk food. That's not so hard to understand.

Q.You've gone from "How To Cook Everything" and "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" to "Vegan Before 6:00." Can we chronicle your own dietary evolution through your cookbooks?

A. Absolutely. No question. I still cook. There is not a day that goes by that I don't cook at home. Usually I cook twice a day at home. Cooking is important to me, and it could be more important to more people. Have the things I cook changed? Absolutely.

Q.How do vegetarian and vegan fit into a larger overall trend nationally? How do Americans stack up when it comes to vegan living?

A. Call me provincial, but the U.S. is sort of what I'm interested in. Despite everything, there are many ways in which we're still the first country in the world to change on a lot of things. I was in the UK last week. I'm very impressed with some of the things they do about changing their diets, but they think we're way ahead of them. This is 300 million people here. If we can make a dent in changing their diets, that's great.

Q.Any one food you would absolutely never give up?

A. There are many foods. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Would you try this?

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[Eliza32]

Not for me I'm afraid. I don't eat much meat, but live on eggs, chesse and yoghurts. The vegan 'substitutes' for these available in the UK are truly horrible!!!

 

[PlutoBaby]

I couldn't go totally vegan as I love cheese and dairy way too much . I have been able to eliminate red meat and am trying to wean myself off poultry. My mother would be impressed with how many more veggies I eat now, but I'm just too darn picky to go all-out vegan.

 

[jillbur]

Vegan before 6....I could probably do that, but not completely vegan. Although, I usually eat dinner at 5 so is have to be VB5

It's pretty quiet here. My family & I are just chugging along through summer. I convinced DH to walk 4 miles with me tomorrow. I found a bike/walk trail about 5 minutes from where my boys are going to camp, so we are going to walk it.

I am having a hard time finding motivation to do my cross training days in the half marathon walking plan I'm following. Has anyone had this problem? I have done 30 Day Shred & loved it, but don't want to do too much leg work like in that dvd. I do not have access to a pool for laps or I would go swimming. DH wanted to play tennis tonight which sounded fun, but it is storming. Bah! So, tonight I just did abs, push-ups, and some arm exercises, but it was only 10 minutes, not 30. Any suggestions?

We are cleaning the house & organizing right now. I decided to take a quick break & pop on here. I better go throw the sheets into the dryer & get more clothes into the washer. Gee...if I could only get paid by the basket, I would be a rich woman!! Have a good night

Jill

 

[PlutoBaby]

Vegan before 6....I could probably do that, but not completely vegan. Although, I usually eat dinner at 5 so is have to be VB5

It's pretty quiet here. My family & I are just chugging along through summer. I convinced DH to walk 4 miles with me tomorrow. I found a bike/walk trail about 5 minutes from where my boys are going to camp, so we are going to walk it.

I am having a hard time finding motivation to do my cross training days in the half marathon walking plan I'm following. Has anyone had this problem? I have done 30 Day Shred & loved it, but don't want to do too much leg work like in that dvd. I do not have access to a pool for laps or I would go swimming. DH wanted to play tennis tonight which sounded fun, but it is storming. Bah! So, tonight I just did abs, push-ups, and some arm exercises, but it was only 10 minutes, not 30. Any suggestions?
Jill

How about yoga, static stretching, or body weight exercises (squats, abs, pushups, chair dips, planks, etc)? If you go to active.com and click on the lifestyle tab (http://www.active.com/fitness/strength-training), there are a number of different things you can do. I incorporate a couple of different plans I found there to keep things interesting and my muscles off balance. It helps to break up the monotony.

 

[donac]

Good Thursday morning everyone.

It has been pretty quiet here this week.

Question of the Day

Rose is talking about a solo trip and I am planning a quiet trip with only my dh to Disney World.

Could you go with only yourself or your dh?

Have a happy and healthy day.

 

[Flossbolna]

Hi everyone!! I am so sorry, this week has been very busy and I just did not get around to updating the first page!!

Please send me your new weigh ins tomorrow! I will do an update on Saturday and for those who sent a weight last week, I will track your progress from week to week (only if it is positive though ) and not just the current weight.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I am having a hard time finding motivation to do my cross training days in the half marathon walking plan I'm following. Has anyone had this problem? I have done 30 Day Shred & loved it, but don't want to do too much leg work like in that dvd. I do not have access to a pool for laps or I would go swimming. DH wanted to play tennis tonight which sounded fun, but it is storming. Bah! So, tonight I just did abs, push-ups, and some arm exercises, but it was only 10 minutes, not 30. Any suggestions?

Jill

I'm having the same issue. I don't swim so that's out. Videos are ok but the only place we have room is the boys room and they have taken over the tv in there for video games. I'd like to join the gym but again, what do I do with the kids?

Let me know if you find anything.

Good Thursday morning everyone.

It has been pretty quiet here this week.

Question of the Day

Rose is talking about a solo trip and I am planning a quiet trip with only my dh to Disney World.

Could you go with only yourself or your dh?

Have a happy and healthy day.

DH and I have gone just the 2 of us. It was ok, kind of weird not having the kids guide us. We did a lot of walking around and people watching, didn't hit a ton of rides.
We are going down again in October with another couple but since it's food and wine we will be eating our way around the world.

 

[PlutoBaby]

Question of the Day

Rose is talking about a solo trip and I am planning a quiet trip with only my dh to Disney World.

Could you go with only yourself or your dh?

Have a happy and healthy day.

I guess I must be the only here whose trips are always just me and the DH. (We also have friends who live nearby that often go with us as well). I could absolutely go by myself also, but it's always more fun with the DH, even if he's not a major Disney Dork like me.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Found a good quote today, one I can surely use


There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.- Colin Powell

 

[Eliza32]

Hi, I'm taking over QOTD from today. Have just stepped on the scales to find another 3lb gone...that's 6 in 2 weeks. Just goes to show that good diet and a little exercise is the way to go!!!

QOTD 12Jul13
I know that we are all looking for long term solutions on this thread, but if you need to shift a few pounds quickly (to get into a particular dress for an event, say) what is your favoured method???

Mine is to up the water intake and eat mostly fruit and vegetables.

Off to do my 2 hours Food Hygiene Supervision exam now, so will check in on you all later

 

[bigsis1970]

Good Thursday morning everyone.

It has been pretty quiet here this week.

Question of the Day

Rose is talking about a solo trip and I am planning a quiet trip with only my dh to Disney World.

Could you go with only yourself or your dh?

Have a happy and healthy day.

Hello Everyone, happy FRIDAY!!!!

I love solo trips or just grown ups... I have taken 2 completely solo trips (2005,2007), one with a good friend (2006) and just last year one with my hubs!!! well actually last year I tagged along with my DD and her softball team (she was completely with the team I was not with them at all!) so I guess that is one , then 2 weeks later I went down for a work conf. and basiclly was alone, and them my hubs joined me for real vacation after so I guess last yr alone I had 2 solo and 1 just grown ups! FUN FUN FUN!!!!

I am happy to report by refocuing on my eating habits (back to low carb atkins style) I am down a few lbs..

Hope everyone has a great weekend and see you all Monday!

 

[pjlla]

Happy Friday my friends! I hope everyone had a marvelous, productive (or relaxing) week!

I had a busy week with lots of swim driving and when I wasn't behind the wheel I was here at home getting lots of last minute projects done! DD's grad party is coming up quick and I have so many things to get done!

I am down about 2 pounds this week, thank heavens. STILL above my maintenance range, but much better than last Saturday's SCARY number! Hoping (and working) for another 2 pounds this week so I can do my WW employee weigh-in for July without any worries! Two pound losses are hard fought for me, since I am so close to my maintenance range, so I will have to watch every calorie this week... and be sure to get some much needed exercise too!

Off to catch up on QOTD and read a bit to see how you all are faring lately!.....P

 

[PlutoBaby]

Hi, I'm taking over QOTD from today. Have just stepped on the scales to find another 3lb gone...that's 6 in 2 weeks. Just goes to show that good diet and a little exercise is the way to go!!!

QOTD 12Jul13
I know that we are all looking for long term solutions on this thread, but if you need to shift a few pounds quickly (to get into a particular dress for an event, say) what is your favoured method???

Mine is to up the water intake and eat mostly fruit and vegetables.

Now I know where your pounds are going...right to my scale!

So I'm officially up almost 5 pounds since vacation (another .2 this week ). BUT, instead of my typical Friday morning pity party, (worsened by the fact that I worked out EVERY day since last Saturday), I jumped on the WW website and read some encouraging articles. So, even though my pants feel crazy tight today, I'll keep up with my water and fruit and veggies and see where it takes me. I've officially started half marathon training again, so I'm hoping that will help as well.

Have a great weekend everybody!!

 

[pjlla]

Pamela Thanks! I have been thinking about a cleanse too, but not sure if I would make it past a couple of hours. Having trouble sticking with things lately! I am glad to hear all that positive news about your Dad and SIL. This whole 'mature' phase has been rough. Mostly the emotional stuff. One minute I'm crying the next I am angry the next I am beyond stressed. It's like the worst day of pms over and over and over. I am going to give it a few more weeks and then talk to the md about maybe some short term hormone replacement. It has been rough. It hasn't helped that DS has to be out of his house in ~17 days and has no where to live! Anyhow, just all normal life stuff that I am having a hard time putting into perspective. Does that make sense? We have had some major shake ups at work and Mike has stuff going on at work and I just want to run away from home.

Anyhow, let me know what you come up with on the cleanse stuff. I am seriously considering it.

*****
I hope everyone is having a good Monday.

My knee got pretty swollen at work--couldn't prop it up. So I skipped the Y and came home. I did walk my mile. Hoping to feel a little better tomorrow.

Have a good night everyone.

Hoping that things are looking better for you today. I'll see what I can send you about the cleanse. Not going to happen for me this weekend (I'll be traveling every day for swim meets again), but maybe Monday/Tuesday of next week.

Rest, ice, elevate that knee!!

good morning!

I usually run on Tuesdays, but I'm going to just stick with walking my mile for a few more days.

Just checking in to keep myself on track.

Hope everyone has a great Tuesday. I am contemplating a solo trip to FL just to clear my head. We have dvc points and an annual pass so it would be airfare and food. Mike and I are going to FL to visit the beach, volunteer at gktw and go to wdw over Labor Day. But Mike is pushing me to take a couple days for myself before then. Just waiting for DS to resolve the housing situation--and see how much money it is going to cost me. He should be able to pay his own rent, but I don't know if he will have the deposits, etc. We are paying tuition for grad school and he is paying the rest. Anyhow, if nothing else it is nice to think about going to florida even if I don't go.

Solo trip sounds like so much fun! I keep telling my kids that when they are gone I plan to do a solo trip! I know I would miss being there with them, but I think it would be a neat experience! DH couldn't really care less if he ever saw Disney again, so no future plans for a couples trip.

I'm having some money stresses OTHER than tuition for DD right now. The college swim team is taking a training trip in early January. We sent in the deposit with a question about whether or not it was refundable if we/she couldn't come up with the rest of the money.... and of course, we will end up losing $100 of the deposit. I would like to say that SHE should/could earn the money herself, but with no current job, I don't see how that would be possible. So I can totally understand some of what you are going through with DS.

Good Tuesday morning everyone.

I just realized that I never posted a QOTD yesterday. I left the house early to get some paperwork done at school for our summer ap prep course. When I got there all hell was breaking loose. None of the projectors were working. If the power goes out then the everything need to be reset . I am not the tech person but I got a few working until she was able to get there and get it up and running. I thought I would be out by 9 but it was closer to 10:30 when I got done and was able to leave.

Dona saves the day!!

I have this week off and then I go in for three weeks teaching a summer prep course. I am lucky that the course runs from 8:15 to 10:15 and I can be home by 11 each day.

Nice short work days!

Question of the Day

Mark Bitman has written a book called Vegan Before 6
Mark is a food writer for the New York Times and has written several cookbooks before he wrote this book. Here is an interview that he had recently in the WSJ:
Six years ago, Mark Bittman's weight, blood pressure and blood sugar were creeping into the danger zone.

The man who gave us "How to Cook Everything" and took viewers on a PBS tour in "Best Recipes in the World" has always indulged and eaten well. But as with many people, middle age and his diet caught up with him. His doctor made a radical suggestion: Consider becoming a vegan.

It was a blunt wake-up call for the New York Times columnist and bestselling cookbook author.

As someone who has built a career writing about food, Bittman wasn't inclined to go all or nothing. He didn't want to do pills, either.

Taking stock of what he knew, he came up with Vegan Before 6:00. Focusing on increasing the intake of vegetables, fruits and legumes, he cut out junk food. Keeping things in check during the day, he culled a flexible diet cutting out animal products before dinner while allowing for indulgences in the evening.

Now 35 pounds lighter, he's in better health and sharing this mindful "semi-vegan" approach and 60 recipes in his latest book, "VB6: Eat Vegan Before 6:00 to Lose Weight and Restore Your Health...for Good" (Clarkson Potter, $26).

Find his recipes, columns and more at markbittman.com.

Q.What drew you to writing about food?

A. We're talking, nearly 35 years ago, so your motives are much less clear in the haze of the past. But I really wanted to write, and I really loved cooking. It appeared that the only thing I wrote about with any authority was food. So I started writing about food.

Q.What prompted the ideology behind the new book?

A. I have actually long wanted to do a kind of how-to-eat book, and this seemed to make sense. I think the solution to our dietary problems is very easy to understand, but it isn't simple to execute. VB6 is a strategy that has worked for me and many other people.

It is not the only strategy. It is a good strategy for a lot of reasons. I wanted to include recipes, so it was more than a magazine article, and the opportunity to explore the science of metabolism.

Q.What are the basic parameters of Vegan Before 6 as you define them? This is not just no animal products, but also no white flour, white rice, pasta or sugar?

A. The obvious thing, maybe it is not so obvious, before 6 I don't eat anything that is processed. Not only do I eat no animal products — that in a way is easy — I eat no processed foods, no junk food. No bread. I have rice occasionally, I really try to eat whole grains, fruits and vegetables, legumes.

Taking junk food out is probably the second most important thing you can do. The first is increasing the plants, the fruits and vegetables you eat.... Animal products have a couple of different problems, whether red meat is a culprit in bad health has not been determined, but certainly the fact that animals have been raised industrially, and the hormone stuff and the pollution.... We would not be making a mistake by eating less on the animal product side.

Q.You wrote about the language we choose: flexitarian vs. omnivore vs. vegan. How much do the words matter?

A. When I first started talking about eating like this, I used to figure out other ways to describe what this diet is about. VB6 makes sense to me, but it is not the only path. Flexitarian, when people started talking about it, I thought "This is really good. I would not be surprised if this word takes off." I was surprised it didn't.

What we need to do is eat less junk food, fewer animal products and more fruit and vegetables. Say it however people are going to hear it. I can't guarantee they're going to hear it by coming up with a catch phrase or having a book, but you've got to try.

Q.Let's put this in cost perspective. How does a mostly vegan diet compare to the cost of the standard American diet?

A. If you're talking about cash outlay, it is roughly equivalent. I'm not talking about local, organic, shopping at Whole Foods. I'm talking about eating normal foods you buy in a supermarket and cook yourself, or hopefully cook yourself.

Q.What are the biggest stumbling blocks?

A. Things are changing. The biggest stumbling block is Americans tend to see things in black and white. Which is why I was somewhat hesitant about using the word vegan. They think it is all or nothing. I can't have a healthy diet so I'll eat what I want, to hell with it. On one end is the healthiest diet imaginable, on the other end is the least imaginable. We're all somewhere in there. Any move you make toward a healthier diet is a good move.

It doesn't have to be "I'm now only eating carrots and lettuce." It can be "This week I'm eating more fruits and vegetables." You can only bring people along as fast as they are ready, and this goes for me, too. Am I going to eat a perfectly healthy diet? No. Can I eat a better diet? Yeah.

Q.How long did it take you to adjust to this way of eating?

A. It took me no time at all. When I stay home it is a snap, really easy. I can have a smoothie in the morning or oatmeal or a salad. I tend to eat savory stuff. You can make yourself a stir-fry or salad for lunch. Dinner you can have whatever you want.

If you're out, you have to carry stuff with you. Stock your office with apples and carry things. Take preventive measures or be as uncompromising as you can. It's not about perfection, just the best you can.

Q.So are there any new staples in your pantry?

A. You're talking to somebody who has eaten everything, and eagerly eaten everything for a long time. I don't know that that's fair. What I do know is people do need to consider other options and think about more foods than they've eaten in the past.

Everybody knows what vegetables are.... It's not about getting into weird food. It's about eating more of the stuff you know is good for you. I'm saying along with not eating animal products, eat less junk food. That's not so hard to understand.

Q.You've gone from "How To Cook Everything" and "How to Cook Everything Vegetarian" to "Vegan Before 6:00." Can we chronicle your own dietary evolution through your cookbooks?

A. Absolutely. No question. I still cook. There is not a day that goes by that I don't cook at home. Usually I cook twice a day at home. Cooking is important to me, and it could be more important to more people. Have the things I cook changed? Absolutely.

Q.How do vegetarian and vegan fit into a larger overall trend nationally? How do Americans stack up when it comes to vegan living?

A. Call me provincial, but the U.S. is sort of what I'm interested in. Despite everything, there are many ways in which we're still the first country in the world to change on a lot of things. I was in the UK last week. I'm very impressed with some of the things they do about changing their diets, but they think we're way ahead of them. This is 300 million people here. If we can make a dent in changing their diets, that's great.

Q.Any one food you would absolutely never give up?

A. There are many foods. I hope it doesn't come to that.
Would you try this?

Have a happy and healthy day.

You bet! But maybe it is easy for me to say because I eat about 80% that way already. Other than a half sandwich at Panera a few weeks ago, I couldn't tell you the last time I actually ate real bread (white or otherwise). I don't eat meat more than once a day, if that. And I eat a TON of veggies, greens, and fruit. In fact, last night I made a nice grilled steak (and grilled veggie medley of zucchini, summer squash, green and red bell peppers, mushrooms, and sweet onions) for the family dinner, but for myself I had grilled veggie burgers.... less fat, less calories, and I truly enjoyed them! That being said, I would miss my egg whites and yogurt for breakfast.... but I do occasionally eat tofu instead of eggs.

I also try to make many "less meat" meals for the family by adding lots of beans and veggies and occasionally TVP (in place of the meat) to lots of casseroles and soups.

I find the HARDEST part of eating less meat and animal protein is that it seems to automatically equate to eating MORE CARBS! The trick is to sub in beans and veggies for the meat rather than carbs (rice, bread, pasta, potatoes).

We are cleaning the house & organizing right now. I decided to take a quick break & pop on here. I better go throw the sheets into the dryer & get more clothes into the washer. Gee...if I could only get paid by the basket, I would be a rich woman!! Have a good night

Jill

ME too!!!

Good Thursday morning everyone.

It has been pretty quiet here this week.

Question of the Day

Rose is talking about a solo trip and I am planning a quiet trip with only my dh to Disney World.

Could you go with only yourself or your dh?

Have a happy and healthy day.

I would go alone in a HEARTBEAT!! That being said, I would miss the kids terribly.

Found a good quote today, one I can surely use

There are no secrets to success. It is the result of preparation, hard work, and learning from failure.- Colin Powell

AMEN!!

Hi, I'm taking over QOTD from today. Have just stepped on the scales to find another 3lb gone...that's 6 in 2 weeks. Just goes to show that good diet and a little exercise is the way to go!!!

You are on a roll... and definitely motivating me to get moving!!

QOTD 12Jul13
I know that we are all looking for long term solutions on this thread, but if you need to shift a few pounds quickly (to get into a particular dress for an event, say) what is your favoured method???

Low/no carb, lots of water, green tea, and fiber!! THat being said, my latest foray into VERY LOW CARB eating did NOT produce the results that it had in the past. It was pretty frustrating. But that doesn't mean I'm not willing to try again!

I am happy to report by refocuing on my eating habits (back to low carb atkins style) I am down a few lbs..

Hope everyone has a great weekend and see you all Monday!

YEAH!!!

*************

Okay.... it took forever because I stopped to make breakfast for DH and myself, plus DH was in a chatty mood, but I finally caught up just a bit here!

I told myself I could relax and chat until 9 am and then it would be time to get hustling! It is now 9:05 and I haven't checked FB yet.... so I'll give myself another 5 minutes and then off to do laundry, put a last coat of paint on the front door, and get ready for a drive to the seacoast for today's swim event.

TTYL.......................P

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

Sooooo, I ate a fortune cookie yesterday and my fortune said "never give up" OMG, love it when my fortunes speak to me. I really really needed that at that moment because I have lost my way.

So I went for a run. Well, wog. I went 2.6 miles in 35 minutes. My pace was my best ever at 13:26. I don't think I could maintain that for the 1/2, yet. But damn it felt good. At this exact time last year my pace was 17:47
I could definitely maintain for the 5K, right now. I know I could maintain for the 10K by the time the race comes around. Just need to work on my endurance for the 1/2.