6-week Challenge Wrap-up

I didn't exactly post daily like I originally wanted to. Honestly I just have so much going on right now that it's difficult to get on the computer in the evenings. However, I did want to report that I think the 6-week challenge was successful. My goal was to stick to only Eat-to-Live approved foods and I mostly did this. I would say that I strayed from this goal about 5 different days total. 5 out of 42 isn't horrible and is certainly better than my average before!

My next goal is to see if I can improve on that and to actually look like I've been ETL-ing. I've been stuck with about 15 lbs to go until I reach my "ideal weight" according to Dr. F. It's hard to convince anyone that my diet is healthier than theirs when I'm still overweight surrounded by thin people. Also, my dress is supposed to come in a few weeks and I have my first fitting in exactly one month. I'd love to be "almost there" at the first fitting. I know better than to set unrealistic expectations so I'm just going to aim for 5 lbs in the next month. I can't promise that I'll report daily (I know I won't), but I will promise to check in weekly on my progress for accountability.

"You've ruined me for smoothies."

Best line I've heard all week:

"You've ruined me for fast food smoothies."

That line was straight from the boyfriend's lips, who claims my delicious, 100% whole-fruit, HEALTHY smoothies actually taste better than the smoothies he's been trying at McDonald's. He said when he tried the McDonald's "fruit smoothie", he could taste the chemicals in it!

Now, I don't know whether there are chemicals in their smoothies since I couldn't find any ingredients lists online, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were. Anyway, I am thrilled! One baby step in the right direction...

6WC: Day 29

I had a harder run workout this morning and was hungry most of the day. I overate on some dates in the evening, which was not good at all, but on the bright side, it wasn't chocolate or the junk food coffee cake that is sitting on my counter as we speak.

Breakfast was another green smoothie with 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 banana, 1/2 orange, kale and flax seed. I had made 2 yesterday which is why it might look familiar. It was still just "okay" -- maybe I accidentally pureed a seed in there. I was still hungry and had about 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds to feel just about satisfied.

Lunch was a salad made from collards, green leaf lettuce, romaine, carrots, pinto beans, and casinera's caesar dressing. 2 large pluots and 1 passionfruit with about 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds for dessert.

Dinner was some steamed broccoli with tomato sauce. I also had a kale salad with fresh cucumbers. And lots of dates.

Calories: 1909, Carb: 357.7g (66.6%), Pro: 68.6g (12.8%), Fat: 23.g (20.6%), Fiber: 76.4g

6WC: Day 28

I dare say I might, just might, be getting the hang of this nutritarian living. My cravings haven't gone away yet, but I am developing good habits and building a nice daily routine. It is getting easier which is great!

Breakfast was a green smoothie made with 1/2 grapefruit, 1/2 banana, 1/2 orange, flax seed and kale. It was just okay.

Lunch was a big salad made with green leaf lettuce, arugula, broccoli, carrots, pinto beans, and casinera's caesar salad. A whole cantaloupe and passion fruit for dessert.

Dinner was a simple saute made with beet greens, broccoli, radish greens, Swiss chard, garlic and onions. I had 3 pluots with almonds shortly after.

I am honestly scared I will "fall off the wagon" but I keep promising myself not to think that far ahead and just take it one day at a time. For that reason, I haven't been weighing myself either but my pants seem looser.

Calories: 1262, Carb: 247.8g (71%), Pro: 49.6g (14.2%), Fat: 23.g (14.8%), Fiber: 64g

6WC: Day 27

Nothing interesting to report today. It was almost a repeat of yesterday. I had too much fruit though. I got home and immediately had to get to an appointment so I quickly at my dinner and when I got back, I was hungry so I had an entire melon! Better than chocolate, I suppose.

Breakfast was a mixed fruit bowl, which I ate on the way to work in the car. It had an orange, strawberries, a pear and an apple with some sunflower seeds.

Lunch was a big salad made with green leaf lettuce, arugula, carrots, broccoli, 1 cup kidney beans, and casinera's caesar dressing. Also a bowl of vegetable soup.

Dinner was the leftover Late Summer Veggie Medley from yesterday. Then about 2 hours later, I had an entire medium-sized melon. Not sure what type it was but it came in the CSA this week.

Calories: 1275, Carb: 270.7g (77.1%), Pro: 48.5g (13.8%), Fat: 14.1g (9%), Fiber: 64.3g

Late Summer Veggie-Medley

Someone posted this Late Summer Veggie-Medley recipe on the Yahoo ETL group. I just happened to have most of the ingredients on hand from my CSA box so it was easy enough to make it tonight. I didn't have leeks so I used an extra onion and of course, I omitted the oil and salt. I steamed some Swiss chard (also from the CSA) and served the medley over that, with a sprinkle of red pepper flakes. Very good. Solid B.

6WC: Day 26 - Haven't disappeared, just got busy

Oops, I let too long of a lapse go again. Thankfully, I haven't fallen off the wagon or given up, I just got busy with some other projects (can we say "wedding"??) that I haven't been able to post. Or rather, I keep getting on the computer late at night working on other things and finally think about posting, but then decide to go to sleep instead. This is good for my health but not good for my audience of one person. Hah.

I've been doing well so far with the CSA boxes. They've forced me to be a bit more creative in my recipes and to try things I don't normally eat. I made some raw tomato sauces from all of the tomatoes I've gotten and I'm trying to figure out something else I can make with all of the tomatoes I got this week. I also have a few long green eggplants that I'm not sure what to do with yet.

Today was a fairly normal day with my food. I had a fruit salad containing melon, strawberries, passion fruit, grapefruit, and sunflower seeds over finely chopped lettuce and broccoli. For lunch, I had a bigger raw salad made with lettuce, collards, broccoli, carrots, kidney beans, tomatoes, and casinera's caesar dressing (a favorite standby) with more fruit for dessert. Dinner was this veggie medley that I made with tomatoes, eggplants, and onions I had from my CSA. I had a cup of a spinach soup as well. For dessert, it was strawberries, 1/2 frozen banana, and some almonds.

Calories: 1439, Carb: 276.2g (69.9%), Pro: 60.8g (15.4%), Fat: 25.9g (14.7%), Fiber: 74.1g